"Next, it's Genesect's turn."
Feng Che utilized his psychic powers to carefully place the Bug Soul Crystal and the Jewel of Life upon the dormant Paleozoic Pokémon. Genesect's body shuddered violently, and rhythmic cracks began to web across its ancient metallic carapace. However, thanks to the Meteoric Iron integrated into its frame, the armor hummed with a dull light, sealing the cracks as quickly as they appeared in a continuous cycle of fracture and repair.
The Jewel of Life worked simultaneously to bridge and heal Genesect's damaged neural pathways. Soon, its jagged claws twitched, and a faint, intelligent crimson glow flickered within its compound eyes.
Genesect: Who am I? Where am I?
The Paleozoic predator looked around the flower-filled Life Garden in a daze. Seeing the delicate blossoms surrounding its heavy, metallic feet, Genesect became uncharacteristically cautious, treading lightly as if afraid to crush a single petal.
Genesect: My memories... they are broken. I remember my kin being swallowed by an ocean of fire... by surging magma.Genesect: How am I alive again?
"Welcome back, Genesect," Feng Che sent a telepathic greeting. "I am the one who revived you. I am your Trainer."
Genesect: My Trainer? the Pokémon echoed. I remember now. During the long dark, a voice was calling out to me. It was you, human.
Its crimson eyes locked onto Feng Che. You are physically frail, human. But since you have returned me to the light, I shall serve you. Tell me... where are my kin? If I have been restored, surely they have been as well?
"They have," Feng Che promised. "But they are currently held by another faction. I will find a way to reunite you with your swarm."
Genesect: Then you have my gratitude. I must adapt to this new form... this heavy weight upon my back. I lack my original organic claws, but this armor feels impenetrable. I can sense a weapon on my back—a cannon capable of focused light-energy.
Excitement surged through the ancient hunter. It flexed its limbs, and sickle-like claws slid out from its metallic wrists with a lethal hiss.
"Genesect, wait! This isn't the place to—"
Feng Che reached out an "Er-kang" hand in desperation, but he was too late. Genesect's claw flicked through the air with effortless grace. A towering, ancient tree was sliced clean in half.
Genesect: What? What were you saying?
CRASH!
The tree hit the ground with a thunderous boom. The disturbance immediately drew the attention of the Garden's master. Shaymin appeared, its face dark with absolute fury. Without a single word, the tiny Mythical Pokémon exerted its spatial authority and physically kicked Feng Che and Genesect out of the Life Garden.
"Sigh... cutting down trees in Shaymin's garden is basically a declaration of war," Feng Che muttered, looking at the confused, innocent expression on Genesect's face.
The Battle Tower and the Steel General
Feng Che's next destination was the Battle Tower, an iconic arena located on a small island in northeastern Sinnoh. Trainers from across the globe gathered here to climb the rankings displayed on the tower's massive scrolling screens.
However, Feng Che wasn't there for the glory. The Wishing Star, Jirachi, was currently slumbering deep beneath the tower's foundation. He needed to reach it before the Temple made their move.
But the Temple wasn't the only threat. Julian, known as the General of Steel within the Bounty Hunter Guild, was already closing in.
Julian was a rugged man in his late thirties, clad in heavy-duty excavation gear and carrying a reinforced pickaxe. He was an obsessive collector of Steel-type Pokémon and a master miner. His personal warship was a floating museum of rare ores and high-level Steel-types displayed like trophies. Three pedestals remained empty.
"Any word on the Wishing Star?" Julian asked, sipping red wine while his crew monitored the sonar.
"General Julian, we've narrowed it down to three locations," his second-in-command, a square-jawed man named Shumoto, reported. "Mt. Chimney in Hoenn, the Dragon's Den in Unova, or the Battle Tower right here in Sinnoh."
"We're already in Sinnoh. We'll take the Tower first," Julian said coldly. "My collection is missing Registeel, Jirachi, and Heatran. I hear the Garden family has tamed a Heatran. If Jirachi isn't at the Tower, we'll pay them a visit."
"Send a formal demand to the Garden House. Tell them to hand over the Heatran or face total annihilation," he added, as casually as if he were ordering groceries.
"Sir, won't such a high-profile attack draw the League's ire?" Shumoto asked.
"Boldo? That coward only bullies the weak. Erasing the Garden family is doing him a favor—they're a thorn in his side anyway. He'll look the other way, and maybe issue a meaningless condemnation after we're gone. Full speed ahead to the Battle Tower."