"When we found them, they were setting up camp at the base of the Alabaster Icelands."
"Most likely, they landed on the beach and trekked through the forest all the way here."
The Pearl Clan Chief laid out the situation calmly.
Elias nodded, now understanding the gravity of it.
As the Chief had said, this group must indeed be formidable.
After all, leading a team through such dense forest to the foot of the Alabaster Icelands without getting wiped out by wild Pokémon—that took real strength.
"What about the Diamond Clan? How are they responding?"
Elias asked after a moment of thought.
"Same as us. Fight."
"Otherwise, these outsiders might really start thinking we're nothing but backward savages."
The Chief swung his hand dismissively, voice cold with contempt.
Though it was clear the Galaxy Team had more advanced equipment—and stronger Pokémon—he wasn't about to surrender without a fight.
"I agree."
"If you or the clans need help from Cynthia and me, just say the word."
Elias gave a firm nod, his voice steady.
He had a feeling this was why the Chief had called him here in the first place.
Sure enough, the Chief smiled and clapped him on the shoulder.
"I was waiting for you to say that."
With Elias on their side, the Chief didn't believe for a second they'd lose—unless the almighty Sinnoh itself descended into battle.
---
[Over the next few days, the three sides negotiated and agreed on a battlefield to settle things.]
[But at the same time, you noticed something else—]
[Not everyone in the clans actually hated the Galaxy Team.]
[Despite their identity as invaders, the Galaxy Team had voluntarily shared a few farming techniques.]
[After observing closely with Cynthia, you both came to a grounded conclusion—]
[Other than their deranged commander, the rest of the Galaxy Team's leadership was surprisingly capable.]
"Even that feels too generous."
Cynthia, standing beside Elias, paused before adding her thoughts.
Seeing his puzzled look, she explained,
"Aside from those few competent leaders, pretty much everyone else in the Galaxy Team—including their commander—is... not quite normal."
Elias thought about it. He couldn't exactly argue.
Maybe it was the influence of their commander, but even the Galaxy Team's regular members carried an instinctive arrogance and exclusionary attitude when interacting with the clans.
Not a single one of them seemed to think that invading someone else's land was wrong.
Even those farming techniques had been passed along quietly by the more clear-headed leaders, trying to ease tensions.
"A group like that... once those few leaders are gone, they're bound to go off the rails."
Cynthia frowned as she spoke to Elias.
Back in her own time, the Galaxy Team had already caused her, a Champion, no small amount of trouble.
Only now did she realize that this organization had roots stretching back centuries.
And indeed, just as she said—someday, they would evolve into a full-blown terrorist organization.
With that thought, Cynthia drew in a deep breath.
She wasn't sure if she should nip this in the bud right now.
It might save them all a lot of pain down the road.
---
[Another two days passed.]
[The battles between the newly trained Pearl and Diamond Clans and the Galaxy Team ended, predictably, in disaster.]
[Nearly every match resulted in a loss.]
"Elias, when do we get to battle?"
Zoroark asked sweetly, curled up beside him.
But there was a spark in her voice—she was clearly itching to fight.
Elias gave her a surprised look.
"You... want to enter the matches?"
He asked, a little uncertain.
Sure enough, Zoroark nodded immediately, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
She'd made up her mind: she would establish herself in the hearts of the people of Hisui—strong, dependable, unstoppable.
That was the first step toward becoming the almighty Sinnoh!
Now that he was sure, Elias was stunned.
It was the first time Zoroark had ever asked to participate in a battle.
Before this, it would've been unthinkable.
But... it was a good thing.
Without hesitation, Elias agreed to her request.
"I'll talk to the Chief about it tomorrow. Do your best out there, alright?"
He ruffled her fur gently as he encouraged her.
"Mhm!"
That evening, calm settled once again over the Hisui region.
Since Elias had gone to help Cogita water her garden, Zoroark was left reluctantly indoors.
Lucario, freshly finished with training, lay fast asleep beside her.
But then—something flickered in the room's mirror.
Zoroark's ears twitched. She looked up sharply.
A second later, the image clicked into place in her memory.
Giratina.
She hadn't seen it since their last meeting.
To be honest, she'd already forgotten about the thing—it hadn't seemed that important.
But now that it had come knocking again, it clearly had something it wanted.
And considering her own secret plan to take Giratina down someday... she rose reluctantly to her feet.
Still, she didn't forget to shake Lucario awake.
"Giratina's here."
One sentence was all it took to jolt him awake.
There was no way she was going to meet a creature that dangerous alone.
As she finished speaking, the ripples on the mirror grew more intense.
Lucario snatched up his bone club, his expression turning sharp and alert.
He was still annoyed that Zoroark had woken him, but he knew just how dangerous Giratina could be.
Eventually, the ripples on the mirror stilled, and the shadow within came into focus.
"I wanted to follow up on our last conversation. Have you thought about the proposal?"
Giratina wasted no time.
It had been waiting far too long.
Though it hadn't shown itself in months, it had kept close watch on that human—Elias.
Just as it had suspected, Regigigas had made an appearance.
And not only that—it had handed over a massive piece of Origin Ore without hesitation.
The gesture was so generous it left Giratina stunned. Compared to that, its own "gift" was downright pitiful.
Zoroark's reaction had been equally stingy. Not once in all these months had she come to seek it out.
The slight gnawed at Giratina.
It had finally snapped. It had to come in person.
Let it be degrading. So be it.
If it kept waiting, who knew when Arceus might descend?
Even if, for some unknown reason, Arceus still couldn't easily return to the mortal world… Giratina didn't want to gamble on that.
So—
"If there's anything else you're dissatisfied with, we can renegotiate."
"The tablets. They're all I seek."