"Incineroar, catch that fire orb!" Feng Che roared.
Incineroar transformed into a red blur, plunging headlong into the massive sphere of energy. The white-hot flames instantly swallowed the Tiger Pokémon. As the searing heat surged, Incineroar's entire body began to take on a molten, lava-like state, and Omega runes pulsed across its hide.
Incineroar: I'll use this chance to break into the Heavenly King rank!
It began desperately compressing the external fire energy within its core, using the high-density heat to hammer against its power bottleneck.
Heatran: Hahaha! That is the essence of a thousand years of volcanic energy. Even the strongest Fire-type can't absorb that much at once. Prepare to explode!
At that moment, Greninja snapped its eyes open. Capitalizing on Heatran's arrogance, it successfully seized control of the weather. Dark, heavy clouds swirled over Floaroma Town. Thunder crashed and gale-force winds howled as Gyarados coiled through the storm clouds, acting as a lightning rod. A devastating bolt of judgment-like electricity lanced down toward Heatran.
Heatran: Curse you! I lost the weather!
The beast spat a massive glob of fire to intercept the lightning. The collision resulted in a deafening explosion, raining sparks and golden electric arcs over the town.
Greninja raised its hands high, watching Incineroar's ongoing metamorphosis. Water began to coalesce in its palms, forming a colossal Water Shuriken. It compressed the liquid until it could be condensed no further, then hurled it with all its might.
Greninja: Heatran, I'll defeat you with my ultimate move. I'll step over you to enter the Heavenly King realm!
The shuriken spiraled through the air, trailing a literal flood like a soaring water dragon. Heatran countered with another Fire Blast, but to its horror, the Water Shuriken sliced clean through the '大' shaped flame as if it were paper.
Heatran tried to use Dig to escape, but its shadow suddenly elongated—Gengar, hiding in the darkness, used Shadow Sneak and Shadow Bind to pin the beast in place. The shuriken slammed into Heatran, blasting it into the sky before it crashed back to earth with a bone-shattering thud.
When the steam cleared, Heatran was a pathetic sight. Its volcanic steel armor had been stripped away, and blood oozed from its wounds. It had completely lost the ability to fight.
Nearby, Greninja was enveloped in a swirling vortex of water, entering a deep state of enlightenment.
"Mewtwo, don't disturb Greninja or Incineroar. Teleport them quietly to the Gardenia's secret meditation chamber," Feng Che commanded telepathically. "As for Heatran, seal it in a Master Ball. Once I tame it, it will be the new Guardian of the Gardenia family. After we find the Green Leaf Orb, I'm taking Shaymin with me for my next plan."
Feng Che scanned the battlefield and turned to the Second Elder. "Arrange a clean-up crew. These bounty hunters have many strong Pokémon; inventory them and add them to the Gardenia's reserves. Let our clan members have the first pick."
Global Repercussions
At the Temple: "What?! Kumanokawa and his entire army were wiped out?" the Pope screamed. "Even with a Heatran, he failed? That man was weaker than I thought!"
"Your Holiness, shall I give the Gardenias a warning?" Cyrus asked calmly.
"No, Cyrus. Your task is the Lake Trio and the Dragons. I underestimated the Gardenias. Their reputation is too high right now; if we strike openly, the Temple will face public backlash. We wait."
In Celestic Town: Professor Carolina received the news mid-meeting. "Kumanokawa is dead. Heatran has been subdued. There is definitely a Heavenly King-level trainer backing the Gardenias."
She looked at the gathered Elders. "Power was the Gardenias' only weakness. Now that they've proven they can bite back, we won't get another chance like this. Yuan Xiong has promised us unlimited resources. Those who agree to the alliance, raise your hands."
Carolina was the first to raise hers, followed by Cynthia. Seeing the leadership's resolve, the Elders followed suit. The alliance was unanimous.
The New Era
News of the Bounty Hunters' Guild's crushing defeat spread like wildfire. Before the remaining hunters could retaliate, Hunter J moved with lightning speed, consolidating the remnants into a new organization. Her first act as President was a public declaration:
"Kumanokawa's attack on the Gardenia family was a personal vendetta and does not represent the Guild. We look forward to a peaceful, mutually beneficial partnership with the Gardenia clan."
The "shameless" turnaround caused a sensation. The public knew the Guild had simply "blinked" in the face of the Gardenias' new-found might.
When Yuan Xiong and Yuan Na finally returned from Celestic Town, they were stunned. The Gardenia estate was transformed. Members weren't just lounging anymore; they were feverishly studying medicine, training Pokémon, and tending to the orchards with a sense of purpose. For the first time in twenty years, everyone was smiling with genuine pride.