"The internal struggle for the position of Clan Head turned the Gardenia family into a den of chaos," Yuan Xiong began, his voice heavy with the weight of the past.
"Back then, to protect our legacy, the Green Leaf Orb was hidden by my mother, Misako—your grandmother. She was the Grand Elder of the Draconid clan in Celestic Town."
"She hoped that once the dust settled, we could reclaim the Orb and rebuild. She split the location map into two parts, hidden within the pendants of two wooden necklaces. One was given to , and the other to your mother, Yuan Jia."
Yuan Xiong's expression darkened. "During the crisis, Mother was ambushed by a Darkrai and turned into a stone statue. The Draconids took her back to Celestic Town, still searching for a way to break the petrification seal. In that desperate hour, Butler Kumamoto sacrificed all his Heaven-tier Pokémon to protect Yuan Jia and . Eventually, with the support of the clan elders, I reclaid the seat—but I took over a family that was already hollowed out."
He sighed, looking at the vibrant flowers outside. "Now, the League and the Temple have joined forces. The Temple wants the Orb; the League wants our agricultural secrets. With the Bounty Hunters' Guild involved, we are surrounded. We lack a Heaven-tier combatant to deter them."
He looked at the small green creature on Feng Che's shoulder. "But now... Shaymin has the Gracidea flowers. Her Sky Form has imnse power. Perhaps that will be enough to scare them off."
The Harsh Truth
"Uncle," Feng Che interrupted, his voice cutting like a blade. "I think your thods are too soft, and your mindset is far too conservative."
Yuan Xiong flinched.
"The reason the Gardenias can't rise isn't just external pressure—it's you. You are indecisive with the clan and weak toward the outside world. You don't know how to play the political ga. To the Temple and the League, you aren't a partner; you're a soft persimmon waiting to be squeezed."
Feng Che paced the room, his eyes sharp. "If I were the Temple, I'd pick the Gardenias to strike first, too. You're the perfect example to make of—a weak family that doesn't fight back."
Every word hit Yuan Xiong like a physical blow. In the original gas, Feng Che knew Yuan Xiong was little more than a puppet controlled by the greedy elders.
"And you listen to the wrong people," Feng Che continued. "We had ties to Celestic Town. They offered to lift us up, but you listened to the elders' slander that they wanted to annex us. You chose isolation, and that led us to this abyss. The only reason they haven't devoured us yet is because they fear Shaymin. This 'crisis' is just a test to see if she'll show up. If she doesn't, they'll show their real fangs."
Yuan Xiong lowered his head in sha.
"According to clan law," Feng Che said, leaning in, "anyone of the direct bloodline who wins Shaymin's recognition becos the next Head. Isn't that right, Uncle?"
Yuan Xiong nodded silently.
"Shaymin," Feng Che turned to the Mythical Pokémon. "Do you agree with ? Are you willing to stand by my side?"
"I am," Shaymin chirped, her Sky Form eyes flashing with resolve. "I am willing to fight with you, Feng Che. I see the sa commanding aura in you that I saw in the previous Head."
"Then, Uncle," Feng Che said, looking Yuan Xiong in the eye. "To save this family, if you trust and Shaymin, pass the position to . I will pull the Gardenias out of this fire and restore our glory."
"Very well," Yuan Xiong said, his voice trembling with relief and regret. "I am not the man to lead us through this storm. I will convene the Clan Council tonight."
The Night Council
Late that night, the Gardenia Elders were dragged from their beds, yawning and grumbling as they gathered in the high-ceilinged eting hall.
"What is Yuan Xiong thinking? A council eting at this hour?" a stout old man grunted. This was the Third Elder, Yuan Jin.
"Calm down, Third Brother," a thin, rat-faced man whispered. "The family is in trouble; we just have to play our part."
"Trouble is the Head's problem, not mine!" Jin muttered loudly.
"Shh! He's here," whispered Seventh Elder Yuan Qi. "At least give him the respect of his title."
Yuan Xiong entered, flanked by Yuan Na and Feng Che. To the elders' shock, Yuan Xiong did not take the high seat. Instead, he stood aside as the young Feng Che sat down in the chair reserved for the Clan Head.
"Yuan Xiong! Are you mocking us?" a burly man roared, slamming his fist on the table. This was the Second Elder, Yuan Tian, the family's only current Quasi-Heaven-tier trainer and its strongest fighter.
"Second Elder, please lower your voice," Yuan Xiong said, with a backbone he usually lacked. "I am here to announce that I am stepping down. I am handing the leadership to soone more capable."
The room exploded into a cacophony of shouts.
"Explain yourself! Who are you giving it to?" Yuan Tian shouted.
"You think you'd even be in that seat without us?" Third Elder Jin roared. "Don't be ungrateful! You can't just quit!"
_______________________________________________________
Read Advanced chapters on → patreon/Bagga_10
• Every 100 Power Stones = Bonus chapter...
• Push this Story forward with your [Power Stones]
User Comments
0 comments from readers