The auction attendees seated in the venue began murmuring amongst themselves as they examined the displayed items. The host made no move to hurry them along. The terms were clearly stated - even if this lot failed to sell or only reached its reserve price, the transaction would still proceed at that amount. This was Team Rocket's attempt to curry favor with a certain individual, and the 100 million Pokécoin valuation was certainly no exaggeration.
The crowd's lively discussions confird this assessnt. While the rough sandstones appeared ordinary, the mysterious stones embedded within could hold substantial value. However, since even Team Rocket's experts couldn't properly identify them, their true purpose remained uncertain. The artifacts originated from the distant Kalos region, unfamiliar territory for most present. Without specialized knowledge of Kalosian relics, none could ascertain their nature.
Among the audience, Aoki sat motionless, his face an impassive mask. Only the slightest twitch at the corner of his eye betrayed his inner thoughts. "The person who decided to sell this stone is either a genius or incredibly fortunate," he mused silently. "And Team Rocket proves even more remarkable - they recognize these items' potential value enough to place them in the penultimate auction position, yet remain ignorant of their true significance. What waste to position them here without understanding their function."
When Aoki's gaze returned to the projection screen displaying the lot, his eyelid flickered again. Had Team Rocket comprehended these objects' actual worth, they would undoubtedly have served as the auction's grand finale. Yet in their current ignorance...
Though the hall buzzed with conversation, no bids materialized. The VIP boxes remained equally silent, their occupants already preparing for the true final item while dismissing this second-to-last offering as inconsequential.
Beyond the standard auction areas, a concealed fourth level housed Team Rocket's private operations center. Within this restricted space, four figures observed the proceedings below. Three wore the distinctive uniforms of Team Rocket's high-ranking officers - identifiable to any knowledgeable observer as mbers of the Johto region's Four cadres: Apollo, his light blue hair complenting the white suit as he swirled a glass of red wine; Athena, the sole female executive, her crimson locks matching her crossed legs' confident posture; and Lance, his black-suited form nearly swallowed by an overstuffed armchair, hat pulled low.
The gathering of three Four Generals in one location demonstrated Team Rocket's significant investnt in this auction. Yet the fourth individual stood apart - a heavyset man in head-to-toe scarlet attire, bizarre red goggles obscuring his eyes as he peered through one-way glass at the auction floor below. His relaxed stance showed no deference to the powerful Rockets surrounding him.
"Mr. Kuserowski," Apollo began between sips of wine, "it appears your mystery items have stumped our audience. Perhaps you might enlighten us about their nature?" As Goldenrod City's primary Rocket representative, Apollo served as spokesman despite his colleagues' equal rank.
Kuserowski turned from the window with a resigned sigh, settling onto an empty couch. "We haven't the faintest idea what they truly are," the Kalosian admitted. "We'd hoped Team Rocket, as Kanto's premier underground organization, might possess the expertise we lack. This auction was ant to test their recognition, but..." He spread his hands in defeat.
Apollo's smile didn't waver. "Then we're not alone in our ignorance," he observed smoothly. When even Team Rocket's vast resources couldn't identify an artifact, few others stood a chance.
"Regarding our proposed collaboration," Apollo redirected, "how progresses your combat suit research? Is your institute prepared to supply these to Team Rocket?" The current auction lot had been included as a courtesy to Kuserowski's organization, not for its perceived value. Normally, such an unidentified object would never appear so late in the proceedings.
"The Fradali Institute would provide ten prototype combat suits gratis for field testing," Kuserowski offered. "Should they et your standards, we can discuss expanded cooperation..."
Apollo's booming laugh filled the chamber. "Excellent! Please convey our regards to Director Vladali!" Ten advanced combat suits represented no small investnt, and the potential for ongoing partnership promised greater strategic advantages. When the Kalos-based Fradali Institute had first approached during the trade summit, Apollo had dismissed them as insignificant. But Kuserowski's demonstrations had changed his mind, particularly regarding the revolutionary combat suits - the researcher's life's work. After consulting Giovanni, Apollo had authorized preliminary cooperation.
That Kuserowski wasn't even the Institute's director spoke volus about Vladali's likely capabilities. The female auctioneer below remained unaware of these machinations - only direct orders from Rocket leadership could explain such an unusual lot placent. In truth, the final auction item's extraordinary value necessitated this arrangent. Apollo considered it a worthwhile demonstration of good faith toward their new Kalosian allies. With the recent discovery of Fairy-type Pokémon, establishing Kalos connections could prove invaluable for Team Rocket's future operations, especially during their current strategic contraction.
Below in the auction hall, five minutes elapsed without a single bid. "As there appear to be no offers," the host began, secretly relieved this charade would soon conclude, "we'll have to declare this lot unsold-"
"One hundred million."
The calm interjection ca from a black-robed figure in a second-tier private box - Aoki, whose slightly damp palm betrayed his tension. While others might remain ignorant, he recognized the artifacts' staggering worth. Only concern about appearing overeager had prevented him from bidding imdiately. A ga Stone for 100 million Pokécoins? An absolute bargain! These irreplaceable items beca more precious with each new ga Evolution discovery. Even ten or twenty billion might not purchase one on the open market. And this particular specin remained encased in Smooth Stone - it must be obtained at any cost!
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