[In the end, Cynthia just glared at you and didn't explain what a "mystery box" was.]
[You quietly filed the term away in your memory and didn't press the matter.]
[Then, using your psychic power, you gently lowered the four stones Regigigas had given you, planning to open them right here in the village.]
"Wonder what's inside?"
Elias rubbed his palms together, visibly excited.
He had to admit—this gift-giving method Regigigas had come up with was way more fun than the last time.
That thrill of the unknown had all of them curious—Zoroark, Lucario, and even himself.
"Probably... fragments from some ruins?"
Cynthia's eyes sparkled, unable to hide her anticipation.
After all, this was the Titan King. Up until now, all she'd ever touched were scraps scavenged from his ruin sites.
Getting a gift directly from the source? How could she not be excited?
"We'll know once we open them."
With that, Elias shaped his psychic power into a thin, blade-like form and, steadying his breath, sliced open the first stone.
Crack—
The clean sound of splitting rock echoed through the air as the smooth, round stone split in half.
"…This is... a [Float Stone]?"
Cynthia leaned in and examined the contents carefully before murmuring the identification.
"[Float Stone]?"
Irida looked puzzled. It was clearly her first time hearing the term.
"Mm. When held, it reduces a Pokémon's weight," Cynthia explained softly.
"For someone like Zoroark, that means even greater speed—and it can also help her dodge certain kinds of moves."
At her words, both Elias and Zoroark's eyes lit up.
Items that directly boosted a Pokémon's combat power were always precious.
"Zoroark, want it?"
Elias smiled and handed the [Float Stone] to her.
As expected, her eyes narrowed contentedly the moment she accepted it.
"That makes two gifts from Elias," she said smugly, twirling the [Float Stone] and basking in the lightened feeling of her own body. She gave Lucario a dramatic wave as if showing off.
Lucario's expression darkened immediately.
Satisfied, Zoroark turned away with a little skip in her step.
Off to the side, Cynthia facepalmed.
At this point, she genuinely couldn't tell which one of the two was more dog-like.
While Zoroark was busy gloating, Elias opened the second stone.
If the [Float Stone] in the first had been "moderately valuable," what lay inside the second made Cynthia's pupils shrink in disbelief.
A shimmering pile of vibrant stones—more specifically…
A whole heap of [Mega Evolution Stones].
Even in the modern day, they were exceedingly rare, found only in limited supply in the Kalos region.
And here they were, stacked like common river stones.
Gengar, Salamence, Metagross…
In mere seconds, Cynthia had already identified several high-value, almost unobtainable [Mega Stones].
Next to them lay two pristine [Key Stones], glittering like jewels.
Regigigas hadn't just gifted [Mega Stones]—he'd included the whole kit.
With backups.
Just in case.
"Elias, if you brought this haul to—well, to my hometown, you'd cause a stampede."
Cynthia's words were tactfully vague, since Irida was still present.
But Elias understood immediately.
He knew what [Mega Evolution] could do.
Unfortunately, as he'd learned from Cynthia earlier—Zoroark didn't have a [Mega Evolution].
Which lowered the value of this treasure trove significantly—for him, anyway.
It wasn't like he planned to travel to the modern era any time soon.
More importantly, he had no intention of catching a bunch of new Pokémon just to make use of these stones.
With Lucario and Zoroark by his side, he had everything he needed.
Any more, and he wouldn't be able to care for them all properly.
"Is there one for Garchomp in here?"
Elias asked suddenly.
Cynthia blinked, then glanced up at him—understanding his implication.
"There is."
She pointed to a particular stone and nodded.
Elias plucked it from the pile, then picked up a [Key Stone] and handed both to her.
"Garchomp probably needs a power boost right now, doesn't she?"
"Take it. Consider it a New Year's gift."
Cynthia's breath caught for a moment, heart warming.
"I'll find a way to bring you back with me. I promise."
Her grip tightened around the [Key Stone]—her tone serious.
She'd already decided: if Elias couldn't return with her, then she wasn't going back at all.
Elias turned instinctively toward Zoroark.
Sure enough… her expression had turned distinctly unpleasant.
He hurriedly changed the subject.
Any more of this, and Cynthia and Zoroark were going to end up fighting again.
---
[Since Irida's Eevee couldn't Mega Evolve, the Key Stones were of no use to her for now.]
[The third stone, however, held exactly what Cynthia had hoped for—ancient ruin fragments.]
[Covered in dense, arcane script, they sent Cynthia into a quiet frenzy.]
[With your permission, she hugged the fragments to her chest and swore she'd decipher them—and share her findings with you.]
Crack—
With one last slice, the final stone split open.
The moment it did, a surge of deep crimson light burst forth into view.
A heavy, almost oppressive sensation washed over everyone, as if a primal force had suddenly descended.
"What is this?"
Elias stared at the red, crystal-like object in the center of the stone, baffled.
Cynthia frowned. She didn't recognize it either.
But then, Irida spoke up softly.
"This might be… [Origin Ore]."
"In our clan's legends, it's said to hold the power of the High Sovereign of Sinnoh—strong enough to suppress all Pokémon in the world."
"At least… that's what the stories say."
She looked at the stone again, still in awe. It was exactly like the one in the Pearl Clan's oral traditions.
"The High Sovereign of Sinnoh?"
"…Something from Arceus?"
Elias and Cynthia reacted almost in unison.
If that legend was true, then this was, without a doubt, the most valuable of Regigigas's gifts.
Elias carefully stowed it away, resolving to study it later.
Meanwhile, Zoroark, who had been listening in silence, now had stars in her eyes.
Suppress all Pokémon…?
She suddenly had a rather bold idea.
One that might finally solve the dilemma she'd been brooding over.
---
T/N: aoifahsifha cynthia,.,,