"Our Togekiss clan lives not far from the ruins," Togetic communicated through the soft green glow of the Viridian Power. "But now is not the ideal time to enter. The ancient seals are at their strongest, requiring immense power to shatter the barrier. Even if we break through, the traps inside are lethal—strong enough to stop even the most powerful Pokémon in their tracks. Going in now would be twice the effort for half the reward."
Feng Che nodded, absorbing the information. "What's inside that's worth the risk?"
"My ancestors were the guardian spirits of the ruins," Togetic continued, her eyes shimmering with inherited memories. "Our lineage remembers the layout. We guarded two strange Unown. Of course, the ruins also house legendary resources like Wind God Crystals and Fairy Crystals."
At the mention of Fairy Crystals, Togetic's eyes lit up with longing. For her kind, those crystals were sacred relics for cultivation.
"Are there any other powerful Pokémon nearby? Those with high potential?" Feng Che asked.
Togetic tilted her head, thinking deeply. "The ruins are patrolled by Sigilyph; their strength and aptitude are excellent. Then there are the Whimsicott that fly in the sky—they are my dear friends. Their numbers are small, but if you're willing to take them with you, I can try to persuade them. As for raw power, you'll find Mandibuzz and Braviary on the Aero Plateau."
"I know this island well," Togetic said, taking to the air. "Let me lead you to the Whimsicott garden first."
Feng Che recalled his other Pokémon into their balls and mounted Corviknight, following the small fairy bird as she darted through the canopy.
Just then, a dark silhouette detached itself from the trunk of a towering tree.
"Found you, brat."
It was An (Darkness). He had landed on the Island of Flight and spent considerable time tracking Feng Che's unique energy signature.
"It looks like that Togetic is leading him to a secret location. Probably a hoard of treasure," An muttered, his lips curling into a predatory smile. "I was going to take your life now, but I think I'll wait. Jump around a little longer, kid. Once you've gathered all the resources for me, that's when I'll take your head."
An leaned backward, his body dissolving and merging into the shifting shadows of the forest floor.
Following Togetic through a series of hidden, narrow paths, Feng Che arrived at a secluded sanctuary. It was a secret garden completely shielded by a dense wall of ancient trees, invisible to anyone flying overhead.
The air was thick with the sweet, intoxicating scent of blooming tropical flowers. Butterfree, Beautifly, and various patterns of Vivillon danced among the petals. Above them, a group of Cottonee, Whimsicott, and Hoppip floated joyfully.
Cottonee resembled puffs of white cotton with orange oval eyes and curled green leaves on their sides. Whimsicott, their evolved form, looked like small brown sheep covered in thick cotton fleece. They were incredibly agile, able to squeeze through the tiniest cracks or ride even the fiercest hurricanes. Though many mistook them for Flying-types because they spent so much time in the air, they were actually Grass/Fairy-types.
"This is our secret playground," Togetic explained. "Only a few friendly Flying-types know it exists. The Whimsicott aren't native to this island; they were blown here during a migration and were relentlessly attacked by the territorial bird Pokémon. They're trapped. If they try to fly high enough to leave, the island's guardians swarm them."
A Whimsicott with a different coloration—a Shiny—floated down toward them.
"Togetic, have you found a way for us to leave?" the Whimsicott leader asked, its voice filled with worry. "Chaos is spreading across the island. I feel a growing unease in my heart."
"This Trainer is willing to take you away," Togetic replied, gesturing to Feng Che. "But you'll have to enter his Poké Balls. It's the only way he can transport you safely past the aerial swarms."
The Whimsicott leader didn't agree immediately, but it didn't refuse either. "I need to think. Give me a few days."
"Feng Che, let's head to the Aero Plateau then," Togetic suggested, seeing her friend's hesitation. "The Flying-types there should satisfy your needs."
Mahogany Gym, Johto
Pryce (柳伯) was hunched over a block of ice, meticulously carving a sculpture. Two figures entered the room. One was a man in a suit wearing a bizarre, clown-like mask; the other was a beautiful woman with pale blue hair and a high-slit black dress.
"Will (一树), Karen (梨花)... you've arrived," Pryce said without looking up. "You are both Elites in the League now. What news do you bring?"
"The Jingten Cult's attack on the Bell Tower was repelled by High Priest Shamyo, but a youth with the Power of Viridian appeared," Will reported respectfully. "Meanwhile, Goodshow is plotting to seize Lugia from Shamyo's grasp."
Pryce finished a delicate curve on his sculpture—a breathtakingly lifelike Ho-Oh. Above it, a Rainbow Wing pulsed with vibrant, seven-colored light.
"Ho-Oh is already my quarry," Pryce said, his voice cold yet determined. "Lugia is within my reach. Once I craft the GS Ball capable of transcending time and space, I will capture Celebi and return to the past. Then... I will be reunited with my Lapras."
A rare glint of warmth touched the old man's eyes. It was this singular, pure obsession that prevented his Rainbow Wing from turning black with malice.
"The Jingten Cult is the enemy of all mankind," Pryce added, his tone turning grim. "If those monsters are released, the world will end. Their 'gods' are nothing but demons of destruction. If you encounter those fanatics, kill them on sight."
"I may not be a 'good' man, but I have no stomach for those madmen," Pryce concluded. "Continue your infiltration of the League. Shamyo is a cunning old fox; Kanto won't find it easy to take Lugia. We will wait and watch them tear each other apart. It only makes our path easier. Now go, before our connection is discovered."
"Understood," Will and Karen bowed deeply and vanished into the cold mist.
Seven Islands
Lorelei (科拿) wiped sweat from her brow after a rigorous training session and picked up her ringing communicator. It was Lance (渡).
"Lance? You sound urgent. What's happened?" Her brow furrowed; she could feel the weight of a coming storm.