The enormous flying pyramid had stolen the attention of every onlooker in the area. In that brief moment of distraction, Steven quickly raised his Poké Balls and recalled both Sandslash and Larvitar.
"Steven! Cynthia! Let's go take a look at that pyramid!"
Steven glanced at Diancie, who was watching him with wide, hopeful eyes. He let out a quiet chuckle.
"Sure. I was curious about it too."
A pyramid of that size could only belong to one person — Brandon, the Pyramid King of the Battle Frontier.
"Let's go, Cynthia." Steven turned toward her.
"Mm." Cynthia nodded with a small smile.
Even so, neither of them immediately called their Pokémon to ride. They had to be careful. A golden-haired woman riding a Garchomp would be recognized almost instantly anywhere in Sinnoh. They took a moment to think it over before moving.
The two of them made their way to a nearby lake, its surface locked under a thick sheet of ice. Steven scanned their surroundings carefully. Once he was sure there was no one watching, they mounted their Pokémon and flew toward the pyramid. They caught up to it quickly — the massive structure cutting steadily through the cold Sinnoh sky.
Inside the Battle Pyramid, a woman standing at the control panel looked up from her screen.
"Pyramid King Brandon, two individuals are following us from behind."
The image appeared on the display in front of Brandon. He leaned forward slightly, studying it.
"A Metagross and a Garchomp?" His gaze settled on the golden-haired young woman riding the Garchomp, and his brow furrowed. "Could it be...?"
He straightened up. "Set us down."
"Yes, sir!" The woman responded at once, guiding the pyramid toward a wide, open field below.
Outside, Cynthia spotted the change first. "Steven — the pyramid is landing."
"I see it." Steven gave a calm nod. "Let's head down as well."
Metagross and Garchomp understood their Trainers' intent without a word and descended smoothly, landing beside the pyramid in the open space.
Bzzzt—
The pyramid's large entrance door rose with a slow, mechanical hum. Brandon stepped out into the cold air, hands clasped behind his back, dressed in his usual work attire. He walked toward the two approaching figures with measured steps.
"Excuse me," he said, studying them. "Who might you two be?"
"Steven."
"Cynthia."
They stopped a short distance in front of him and introduced themselves with a simple nod each.
Brandon's expression shifted into a faint, composed smile. "The Champion of Hoenn and the Champion of Sinnoh." He gave a short bow of acknowledgment. "I am Brandon — Pyramid King of the Battle Pyramid."
As he spoke, his gaze moved past the two Champions and landed on the small figure hovering just behind them. The Pokémon had delicate features, a gemstone embedded in its chest, and an unmistakably regal presence.
"And you are...?" Brandon asked.
Diancie folded her tiny hands in front of her and dipped into a graceful bow. "I am Diancie," she said — her voice reaching Brandon's mind through Telepathy.
Brandon blinked, visibly caught off guard. "Telepathy?" A look of genuine surprise crossed his face before his calm smile returned. "Diancie... the princess of the Diamond Kingdom?"
In addition to leading the Battle Pyramid, Brandon was also a seasoned archaeologist. He had spent years studying ancient ruins and legends, and the name Diancie was not unknown to him.
"Yes," Diancie said with a small nod.
Brandon exhaled slowly. "I never expected to meet the legendary Diamond Princess in person." He then turned his attention back to Steven and Cynthia, tilting his head slightly. "Is there something I can help you with, Champions?"
Steven shook his head and held up an open hand. "Not at all. I simply noticed the pyramid in the sky and wanted to come take a look. Nothing more than that."
"Ah." Brandon nodded, satisfied with the answer. "I see."
There was a brief pause before Steven spoke again. "Pyramid King Brandon, if you don't mind my asking — what brings you to Sinnoh? The Battle Pyramid is stationed in the Kanto region, isn't it? It must have been quite the journey."
He quickly added, "Of course, I don't mean to pry into personal matters. Forgive me if the question was out of line."
Brandon let out a low chuckle. "Not at all, Champion. I came to Sinnoh because—"
He stopped.
The sharp screech of brakes cut through the quiet, drawing the eyes of all three. An off-road vehicle skidded to a stop nearby, sliding sideways across the frozen ground before coming to a halt.
Slam!
The door burst open. A young woman in white clothing scrambled out and ran toward them, her expression pale and urgent.
"Pyramid King Brandon! Something terrible has happened at the temple!"
Brandon's expression hardened immediately. "What?!"
He barely paused. "Mikoto — get inside the Battle Pyramid. We leave right away."
He turned to Steven and Cynthia, his voice measured but firm. "I apologize, Champions. I have an urgent matter to attend to. We can speak another time."
Cynthia stepped forward. "Wait — Pyramid King Brandon, is something wrong at Snowpoint Temple?"
Brandon's expression grew heavier. "It would appear so."
"Then let me come with you."
Brandon hesitated, looking as though he might refuse, but Cynthia didn't give him the chance.
"I am the Sinnoh Champion. If something serious is happening at Snowpoint Temple, I have a responsibility to be there."
Brandon studied her for a moment, then gave a single, decisive nod. "Understood. Please follow me, Champion Cynthia."
Cynthia nodded solemnly. She turned to say something to Steven — but he spoke first.
"I'm going too." He said it lightly, with a calm half-smile. "It's what Champions do."
Brandon allowed a quiet smile. "Thank you both. Please, come aboard."
The three of them entered the Battle Pyramid, and within moments, the massive structure lifted off the ground once more, climbing into the Sinnoh sky, heading north toward Snowpoint Temple.
Inside, as they moved through the corridor, Cynthia glanced at Steven. "You really didn't have to—"
"Wasn't it you who told me something similar, not too long ago in Eterna Forest?" Steven said with a soft chuckle. "You told me I didn't need to follow you either. I believe your exact words were, 'What do you take me for?'"
A light flush rose to Cynthia's cheeks. "That was... different."
"We can argue about that later." Steven reached over and gently took her hand, giving it a quiet, reassuring squeeze.
The warmth of his grip settled over her like a calm. Cynthia exhaled softly. "...Mm."
"Don't forget about me!"
The gentle voice came from just behind them. Diancie floated along at their heels, her Telepathy carrying the words clearly to both of them — and, though she likely didn't realize it, to Brandon as well, who was walking a short distance ahead.
"Steven and Cynthia helped me," Diancie said simply. "So this time, I want to help them."
Cynthia looked back at her, a flicker of worry in her eyes.
"We're friends! Friends help each other — isn't that right?"
The cheerful certainty in Diancie's voice was enough to ease Cynthia's concern. She let out a quiet breath and smiled.
"Besides," Diancie added, "I'm very strong!"
"She's right," Steven said, glancing at Cynthia with a small grin. "Diancie blocked one of Yveltal's attacks without flinching." He gave Cynthia's hand another light squeeze.
Cynthia nodded. "...Mm."
At the front of the group, Brandon's composed expression softened — just slightly — into a quiet smile. Diancie's Telepathy was still open, and her words had reached him without trouble.
They arrived at the Battle Pyramid's main control room. Brandon took his place at the helm, guiding the pyramid on course, and gestured toward the woman standing near the panel.
"I should introduce her properly. This is Mikoto — she serves as the shrine maiden and guardian of Snowpoint Temple."
Mikoto turned to them and bowed politely. "It is an honor to meet you, Champion Steven, Champion Cynthia."
Steven and Cynthia returned the greeting with a nod. Brief, but respectful.
"A group of unknown individuals arrived at the temple," Mikoto said, her voice tight with worry. "They came with a large number of Pokémon and attempted to take control of the temple by force."
"It seems they are after the legend tied to Snowpoint Temple." Brandon's voice was low, his brow set in a deep frown.
Steven went still.
The legend of Snowpoint Temple...
"Regigigas?!"