"I have received intelligence confirmng that the target for the Temple and the Sinnoh League is Celestic Town, not the Garden family," Feng Che stated, his voice a picture of steady confidence as he addressed Dr. Carolina and Cynthia.
"They intend to feign a siege on the Garden estate as a distraction while launching a secret, overwhelming strike here. Once the Celestic Clan is broken, taking the Garden family becomes child's play. That is their conspiracy."
"Master Feng Che, surely you jest," Dr. Carolina replied, her expression skeptical. "Celestic Town and the Temple have maintained a policy of non-interference for centuries. Why would they risk such an all-out assault?"
"Consider the pieces on the board," Feng Che countered. "The Temple has already secured the Earth Orb from the Bertha clan, the Ocean Orb from Pastoria, and the Lightning Orb from the Volkner family. All that remains are the Dragon Orb of Celestic Town and my family's Green Earth Orb."
"The Temple wants your ancestral treasure. Do you believe they expect you to hand it over willingly? They could attack the Garden family first, but our public reputation in Sinnoh is currently at its peak. A direct move against us would trigger a massive public backlash. You, however, are powerful but isolated. Your weakness is a lack of sustained resources."
"Furthermore, the Pope possesses a unique secret art. If he uses the Judgment Plates of Arceus to level Celestic Town, the Garden family—lacking your military might—will be left defenseless. Conversely, if they attack us first, you would grow wary and stockpile resources, making the eventual seizure of the Dragon Orb far more costly for them. It is a simple matter of tactical efficiency."
The Gamble of Preparedness
"Your analysis is sharp, but these are still just hypotheses," Dr. Carolina said, though her composure was clearly wavering.
"Indeed. Until the first strike lands, they remain assumptions," Feng Che said. "But even so, it is better to be prepared. The Garden family has already prepared a massive shipment of medical and combat supplies, currently en route to Celestic Town in secret. Even if I am wrong and they hit us first, you will have the supplies to withstand a secondary siege. We are bound by blood and alliance; let us crush their ambition together."
Feng Che didn't push further. He knew the nature of the great Sinnoh clans. After a brief courtesy, he left with his mother and grandfather to visit Grandmother Mishiko.
"Cynthia, what is your take on this?" Dr. Carolina asked once they were alone.
"I believe he's right," Cynthia said, her eyes narrowing. "We are the biggest hurdle for the League and the Temple. If I were the Pope, I would cut the head off the snake first—and that head is us."
"Feng Che is correct about our preparations. Even if the Garden family is wiped out in the initial chaos, as long as we have their supplies, Celestic Town can hold its own. This 'deal' doesn't hurt us. We were destined to clash with the Temple eventually; better to set the board now."
Cynthia clenched her fist, her Champion-level aura flickering. As the "War Goddess" of Sinnoh, she didn't fear a fight—she was eager to show the Temple the price of their treachery.
"The best time for them to strike is in fifteen days," Cynthia added. "That is when I am scheduled to challenge the Sinnoh League Champion. It's the perfect window. It also gives us just enough time to awaken Regidrago."
"Though Regidrago lacks its Power Core (Mind Core), we can compensate with a high volume of Dragon Crystals," Dr. Carolina noted. "Since the Gardens are in this with us, we'll have them provide the crystals."
The Hidden Temple
Meanwhile, Feng Che, Yuan Xiong, and Yuan Jia descended a long staircase crafted from lapis lazuli. Guided by a tribesman named Lola, they moved toward a solemn, ancient structure built of pure white jade.
Packs of Garchomp patrolled the perimeter. They initially snarled at the intruders, but the moment they sensed the Dragon Power (御龙之力) radiating from the group, their aggression vanished. They became as docile as loyal hounds.
"These Garchomp are trained by the Celestic Dragon-tamers," Yuan Xiong explained. "Because we share the bloodline, they recognize our scent. Do not worry, Feng Che; they will not harm us."
They reached the end of the hall, where a veil of moonlight fell over a central altar. Feng Che felt a resonance in his shadow—his newly acquired Regidrago was reacting to something deep within the jade temple.