With a thunderous BOOM, the massive transport plane touched down in Celestic Town, the shockwave vibrating through the ancient stone earth. As the cargo bay doors hissed open, Yuan Xiong and Yuan Na stepped into the crisp mountain air.
"Welco, Patriarch Yuan Xiong," Professor Carolina said with practiced grace.
"It has been too long, Aunt Carolina," Yuan Xiong replied, stepping forward to clasp her hand warmly. He quickly introduced his daughter. "This is Yuan Na. Na, greet the Professor—she was your grandmother's dearest friend."
After the pleasantries, Yuan Xiong clapped his hands.
Dozens of Poké Balls clicked open simultaneously. A small army of Venusaur erged from the hold, their thick vines snaking out like organic cranes. They began offloading crate after crate of shimring, rare berries and preserved dicinal herbs.
The resources piled up like a small mountain. But what truly caught Carolina's eye was a single, open crate of Dragon-blood Berries. These rare fruits didn't just sit there; they pulsed with a rhythmic, crimson light, like the beating heart of a dragon.
"Aunt Carolina, these are just so modest gifts from our family. Where should we place them?" Yuan Xiong asked, his voice full of warmth.
Professor Carolina seed montarily lost for words, her gaze transfixed by the Dragon-blood Berries.
Feng Che was right, Yuan Na thought privately. He told us to put the Dragon-blood Berries at the very front to stun her. Even a world-class scholar like Carolina has probably never seen a crate this full.
A single Dragon-blood Berry could fetch 50 million Poké Dollars on the black market. This single crate held over a hundred, totaling nearly 5 billion. Given that Celestic Town's entire annual GDP was roughly 50 billion, this "modest gift" represented a staggering 10% of their yearly economy—and that was before the rest of the plane was even unloaded.
Cynthia (Shirona), standing nearby, was equally stunned. "The Gardenias are emptying their entire vault for this, aren't they?" she whispered to herself.
Seeing their reactions, Yuan Xiong's anxiety vanished. Everything is going exactly as Feng Che predicted. The negotiations are already won.
The Price of Protection
Inside the guest parlor, the atmosphere had shifted. "My dear nephew," Carolina said, her tone much softer now. "What brings you to Celestic Town with such... generous intent?"
"Aunt Carolina, the Gardenias seek a formal alliance," Yuan Xiong said, lowering his head slightly to show humility. "We possess the resources, but we lack the martial strength. I pledge that the Gardenia family will fully subsidize the Pokémon cultivation needs of the Draconid clan. In return, we seek your protection."
"I am the head of the clan," Carolina replied carefully, "but I do not rule alone. I must consult the Council of Elders. In the anti, since you are here, why don't you visit your mother? It shas to say we still haven't found a way to break her petrification."
"I have faith that progress will be made," Yuan Xiong sighed. He led Yuan Na away to pay respects to the stone statue of her grandmother.
Once they were gone, Carolina turned to Cynthia. "What do you think?"
"The sincerity is undeniable," Cynthia said. "If we take this deal, our Draconid trainers will have unlimited resources to push their limits. We could grow at a rate the Temple could never match. The Temple would no longer be a threat to our sovereignty."
"True," Carolina mused, tapping a finger on the table. "But I fear the Gardenias are playing a deeper ga. Look at this intel."
Cynthia scanned the report. Her eyes widened. "The Third Elder was a Temple spy? And Shaymin awakened specifically to stop him? It seems they used their trump card quite early."
"Look closer at the photo of Shaymin," Carolina pointed out. "See the wings? The longer limbs? That is Sky Form Shaymin. It's a battle-ready Mythical. The Gardenias have been 'playing the pig to eat the tiger.' If the League or the Temple underestimates them now, they'll sink their own ships."
"Yuan Xiong is a soft man; these bold moves aren't his style," Carolina added, her eyes narrowing. "He's likely a figurehead. Soone else is pulling the strings. Could it be the old Patriarch, Yuan Ba, returned from the rift?"
"No," Cynthia countered. "Yuan Ba was a hamr. If he were back, the Temple would already be in flas. Whoever this is, they are a master of shadows."
"Regardless," Carolina decided, "this alliance is too beneficial to pass up."
The Ambush Below
On the outskirts of Floaroma Town, a group of rcenaries lay in wait. Beside them, several Victreebel stood ready, their gaping maws emitting a sickly sweet, hypnotic fragrance.
"Reporting to the lead: Unit 'Victreebel' is in position," a man with a buzz cut whispered into his radio.
"Copy that, Yuan Fu," a rough voice crackled back. "Wait for the targets to enter the kill zone, then strike."
High above, Kumanokawa Yukinosuke sat atop a massive Pidgeot, leading a swarm of bounty hunters.
"Listen up, runts!" Kumanokawa roared over the wind. "The Gardenias only use Grass-types—they're weak! We charge in, wipe them out, and the spoils are ours!"
_______________________________________________________
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