Michina, a famous tourist town in the Sinnoh Region, is renowned for its excellent natural scenery and ancient ruins rich in historical heritage.
Stephen and his two companions strolled along the picturesque town paths. Compared to the surrounding tourists, aside from being younger on average and having superior appearances, there was nothing particularly different about them.
"Stick to the plan."
As if engaging in casual conversation, Stephen purchased three cups of berry tea, handed them to Karen and Will, and the three leaned against a street corner, discussing their next course of action.
"Karen, monitor the woman who has inherited the power of Damos. Will and I will infiltrate the ruins to search for the Jewel of Life."
As he spoke, Stephen took out his phone and pulled up basic information about Michina's caretaker, Sheena.
"Sheena... That na is quite similar to a rising star trainer in the Sinnoh Region recently."
Will leaned over to take a look.
Stephen chuckled.
In a past life, so Pokémon fans mistakenly believed that Cynthia had the power of Damos; this might be why. Sheena, Cynthia—easy to confuse.
And later, Hoenn even introduced a Zinnia.
"She can communicate with Legendary Pokémon and even summon them. Karen, your job is to monitor her and ensure she doesn't get a chance to use this ability. I'm counting on you."
Stephen rarely showed such a serious expression to his companions.
After all, if one of the space-ti deities or Giratina were summoned, the entire operation would fail.
"Don't worry."
Karen took a sip of her berry tea and made an "OK" gesture toward Stephen.
"Why not let do it? My Psychic-type Pokémon would be more suitable for surveillance, wouldn't they?" Will asked, puzzled.
Karen scoffed, "Because the target is a woman. If you go, who knows what kind of creepy things you might do?"
She still rembered the ti Will jokingly said he wanted to turn invisible to sneak into a won's bathhouse.
"I was just joking back then, alright? Besides, Stephen is a guy too! Why single out?"
Will huffed angrily.
"He wouldn't be interested in a woman of her caliber," Karen said with a hint of disdain in her expression.
Stephen: ...
This ti, it was Stephen's turn to feel speechless.
But he had to admit, Karen was getting to know him better and better.
It was true—though Sheena's hairstyle was a bit outdated, resembling sothing a dog might have chewed on, she could still be considered attractive.
However, she was far from Stephen's type.
After all, in a past life, he had spent years in the pirate world, surrounded by stunning beauties. After his second reincarnation, his first companion was the little beauty Karen.
Ordinary beauties simply didn't catch his eye anymore.
If it were soone like Lorelei or Lusamine, Karen might genuinely feel threatened.
But Sheena? Not a chance.
...
Nightti
Stephen and Will changed into their combat outfits invisibility suits and prepared to infiltrate the ancient ruins.
"Stephen, is the Jewel of Life really in the ruins? Sothing that important—wouldn't Sheena, as the caretaker, carry it with her instead?"
Just as the two were about to set off, Karen raised a question.
"Relax. I investigated ahead of ti. The real thing is definitely in the ruins."
Indeed, Sheena did carry a jewel with her, but it was a fake. It was likely created a thousand years ago by the traitor who betrayed Arceus. Not only did it deceive Damos but it also tricked Sheena, one of his descendants.
The real Jewel of Life was still hidden in the ruins.
Seeing Stephen so confident, Karen didn't argue further.
After watching Stephen and Will leave, she also changed into her combat outfit. Activating invisibility mode, she concealed herself outside Sheena's house, quietly monitoring her.
More than an hour passed. The lights in the town gradually dimd, and one by one, households fell into slumber.
Through the window, Karen saw that Sheena was also preparing to change into her nightgown. She thought to herself that this operation might truly be completed without anyone noticing.
However, just as Sheena unbuttoned the first button of her shirt, she suddenly received a phone call.
She quickly rebuttoned her shirt, opened the door, and headed toward the town entrance.
"What's she doing out so late?"
Still in invisibility mode, Karen followed her, her curiosity piqued.
At the town entrance, Karen spotted a girl about her age, with long, waist-length, radiant blonde hair. Though she still had a youthful face, her long legs already hinted at a blossoming elegance. The girl was waving energetically while running toward Sheena.
"Sheena, long ti no see. Sorry to bother you again."
Seeing her, Sheena quickly stepped forward to greet her. "Seriously, coming over so late."
"Sorry about that! I spent two hours picking ice cream at the stall, and when I ca back to my senses, I realized it was already dark."
The blonde girl, whose appearance was leagues above Sheena's, stuck out her tongue sheepishly.
Sheena looked helpless. "Honestly, Cynthia-chan, you're still the sa as ever~"
Cynthia?
Hearing Sheena address the girl, Karen was slightly stunned.
After a brief mont of recollection, Karen rembered.
She was the one Professor Kukui had ntioned—the rising star trainer whose na sounded very similar to Sheena's and who had recently been making waves in Sinnoh!
Watching the two chatting casually about history, Karen, who was still cloaked in invisibility, propped her chin up with one hand. She thought to herself that Cynthia probably wouldn't interfere with what was about to happen.
All they needed to do now was wait for Stephen to find the Jewel of Life and the three of them could leave quietly without anyone noticing. Everything would go according to plan.
"Bark!"
Just as Karen was feeling confident that the advantage was hers, a sudden dog bark rang out.
The three people on the scene hadn't yet reacted when a flash of red light shot out from the inner pocket of Cynthia's coat.
That was... Lucario!
"Lucario, what's wrong?"
Cynthia hadn't yet figured out what was going on.
"Grr! Bark!"
Lucario extended a finger, pointing toward a spot ahead and to the left.
"Hm?"
Sheena and Cynthia turned their heads to look in the direction Lucario was pointing.
Cynthia was confused. "There's nothing there?"
But Karen, still cloaked in invisibility, felt her face pale.
This was bad!
She had accidentally gotten too close!
And who would have thought that Cynthia had a dog!?
"Bark!"
Lucario stepped forward with its left leg, bringing its palms together to rapidly form a glowing blue energy ball.
It was Aura Sphere!
In the next instant, Lucario hurled the Aura Sphere with force.
"Bark!"
Another dog bark echoed, this ti accompanied by a burst of red light that startled both Cynthia and Sheena.
Where did this co from!?
The newly appeared Houndoom opened its mouth and unleashed flas to intercept the Aura Sphere.
Flathrower vs. Aura Sphere!
Boom!
An explosion erupted at the entrance of the small town.
The surrounding walls cracked open in jagged, alarming lines, and in the next mont, they collapsed completely as the shockwave subsided!
"I wasn't careful. Without Stephen's warning, I didn't realize I'd gotten so close."
Karen silently berated herself while finally revealing her presence in front of the two won.
"Where did you co from..."
Sheena was stunned.
First, there was the big black dog, and now there was another girl.
Where were all these people coming from!?
"Sheena, step back a bit."
But Cynthia's face showed less surprise and more caution.
She had already recognized who the masked girl was.
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