The Sinnoh Pokémon League Headquarters stood atop Mount Coronet.
When Aiden arrived, what greeted him was an architectural style entirely different from Hoenn's League.
Hoenn's League, located in Ever Grande City, was built in towering modern structures with a Western aesthetic.
Sinnoh's, however—
Was carved directly into the mountains.
Massive statues of Dialga and Palkia stood proudly throughout the complex, radiating majesty and myth.
That, Aiden had to admit, was impressive.
Perhaps Hoenn should learn from this—erecting Rayquaza statues at the League entrance to demonstrate true deterrence.
Every region had its guardian legends.
But there were differences.
In Sinnoh and Kanto, the so-called guardian deities truly guarded.
In Hoenn… if not for Rayquaza, Groudon and Kyogre—the so-called "Sea God" and "Land God"—would have reduced the region to rubble countless times.
In Aiden's opinion, "Gods of Destruction" suited them better.
Who shows up every time just to fight to the death without caring about civilians?
It was a miracle Hoenn's people had survived repeated tidal waves and magma eruptions.
Compared to that, Ho-Oh and Lugia in Kanto were far more reliable.
Ho-Oh revived the three fallen Pokémon of the Burned Tower, creating Entei, Raikou, and Suicune to guard the region.
Lugia intervened when the Legendary birds rampaged, nearly dying to protect the world.
And Sinnoh's creator deity—
Even greater.
Arceus had once lent its Life Plates to humanity, falling into slumber as a result.
Still—
With Groudon and Kyogre now under his control, and Rayquaza in duplicate—
Hoenn needed no further protection.
In one month, when he became Champion, perhaps he would erect twin Rayquaza statues at Hoenn's League entrance.
As he approached the gates of the Sinnoh League, security personnel patrolled beneath the towering statues.
They noticed him immediately.
"Sir, this is the Sinnoh Pokémon League Headquarters. Unauthorized personnel are not permitted inside. Please present identification, or leave immediately."
Aiden frowned slightly.
He removed his Pokédex calmly.
"I am a Gym Evaluation Officer appointed by League Headquarters. I need to see Cynthia."
The guards exchanged looks.
A Gym Evaluation Officer?
This young?
To evaluate Gym Leaders, one must possess strength exceeding them. Gym Leaders were elite trainers responsible for safeguarding entire cities.
Sinnoh alone had Volkner of Sunyshore Gym—a trainer rumored to rival Elite Four Flint.
Such figures would not accept evaluation from someone weaker.
Previously, the evaluator had been Lance himself.
And now—
This young man claimed the same authority?
The guards scoffed.
"You've got a Pokédex. That proves you're a registered trainer. But impersonating a League official is a serious offense."
"Exactly. This isn't somewhere you just walk into. And you want to meet Champion Cynthia?"
Their tone grew dismissive.
Aiden's patience thinned.
He had presented his credentials openly.
They hadn't even attempted verification.
Truly—
In every world, small gatekeepers could be more troublesome than kings.
President Damaranchi had clearly stated:
A Gym Evaluation Officer held status equivalent to an Elite Four member.
This was meant to prepare Aiden for his eventual role as Champion.
And yet—
These guards dared treat him like a fraud.
Aiden slowly withdrew his Pokédex.
A Poké Ball appeared in his hand.
"Insolent."
Ding! Host's emotional fluctuation detected. Faced with obstruction from Sinnoh League staff, the following options are available:
Option 1: Use absolute strength to defeat them and storm the Sinnoh League Headquarters. Reward: One random Arceus Plate.
Option 2: Explain patiently, contact Cynthia, and handle them through League procedures. Reward: One random Mega Stone.
Option 3: Lower your stance, allow yourself to be expelled from Mount Coronet. Reward: One Everstone.
Aiden didn't hesitate.
"Option 1."
A red flash erupted.
A colossal Claydol materialized—
Fifty meters tall.
Psychic power exploded outward.
The guards were frozen in place at the mountain summit, unable to move.
Alarms blared across Mount Coronet.
The Sinnoh League Headquarters had entered full alert.
And Aiden Flint—
Had officially made his presence known.
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