"Have you heard? Breeder Suzie has come to Lilycove City."
"What?! You mean the one who's been the champion of the Scissor Street Breeder Contest for three years in a row? The one recognized by the Pokémon League and voted the most popular Breeder in Pokémon Friend magazine?!"
"That's her. Honestly, she's amazing, she's been ranked first in popularity for three years straight. In the Intermediate Breeder field, she's probably one of the top names by now."
"Then what is Suzie doing in Lilycove City?! Could it be that she's aiming to take the Senior Breeder exam?!"
"That... that's probably not likely. It hasn't been long since she became an Intermediate Breeder."
"But I heard that even this year, she still overwhelmingly got first place in popularity votes. Maybe it's because of that..."
At this moment, in Lilycove City, the name "Suzie of Scissor Street," the prodigy Breeder who has overshadowed most other Breeders, was spreading everywhere.
"Suzie?"
A figure wearing a hat walked along the streets of Lilycove City and paused slightly upon hearing the rumor. "That Breeder who's good at massages?"
The figure was Terrance. Since arriving in Lilycove City, he had lost count of how many times he'd heard the same rumor.
Terrance still had some impression of Breeder Suzie, but it wasn't something he needed to concern himself with.
He contacted Master Victor, and soon after, the two met.
In Lilycove City, Master Victor, honorary vice president of the Breeder Association, had his own private research lab. This time, he received Terrance in that lab.
The two planned to further explore the complex relationship between the "totem aura," "Ultra Beasts," and the "Z System."
And...
The change that occurs when the Z System merges with the Mega Evolution System!
Back at the festival, when the Totem Altaria underwent Mega Evolution, the color of its totem aura noticeably changed.
With the Mega Evolution, the totem aura's color transformed into one similar to Fairy energy. This change left Terrance with no mind to investigate at the time, but the sheer power of the Fairy-type moves displayed by Mega Altaria afterward was far beyond anything Terrance had imagined.
The power that erupted from the move was undeniably much stronger than Altaria's Dragon-type moves.
There had to be some unknown transformation behind it. Possibly, a new area of research no less valuable than the totem aura.
…
…
One day later, at Breeder Headquarters.
A woman with teal-coloured hair emerged from the headquarters, holding a Vulpix in her arms and surrounded by a crowd.
"Miss Suzie, congratulations. This is already your fourth year as the most popular Breeder in Pokémon Friend magazine." A man in a suit followed alongside her with a cheerful smile. "We'll be counting on you again for the next issue's beauty contest advertisement."
"Mm, no problem," Suzie replied with a smile.
This was her fourth time being ranked number one in the popularity poll jointly recognized by the Pokémon League and Pokémon Friend magazine. Suzie was already well-accustomed to this. Winning first place for four consecutive years was not only a form of recognition, it also proved her capabilities.
"Uh, what's going on outside? It's such a mess."
The man in the suit, who was the person in charge at Pokémon Friend magazine, had come to discuss the magazine's popularity rankings with Suzie. He had chosen what should have been an ordinary day; no Breeder Contest or Basic and Intermediate Breeder exam. But this situation outside…
Even the entrance of Breeder Headquarters had been blocked off.
"Mr. Tory, Miss Suzie, apologies, a Breeder is undergoing an impromptu Senior title exam, so certain passageways have been temporarily closed. We ask for your understanding," a staff member came out and said apologetically to them.
"Senior Breeder exam?" Suzie asked in mild surprise. "Which Breeder is it?"
To advance from Intermediate Breeder to Senior Breeder, a Breeder must achieve a very high level of mastery in a specific field, so much so that their name alone can represent a certain degree of authority in that area.
"I wonder which field is about to gain a new expert..." Suzie thought to herself.
"Senior Breeder exam?" Mr. Tory, the person in charge of Pokémon Friend magazine, was also taken aback. Their magazine focused mainly on the Breeder community, how could an Intermediate Breeder be preparing for the Senior exam without his knowledge?
"Wait a second... that's..."
As the group entered through the sealed-off front gate, Mr. Tory was shocked.
That badge on the lab coats...
"International Police personnel."
With just one glance, Tory recognized the identities of these researchers. They were all exclusive researchers affiliated with the International Police.
"Why would people from the International Police be here… Could the examinee be one of them? That doesn't make sense. Since when did the International Police care about a Senior Breeder title?!" Tory couldn't make sense of it and shook his head.
Tory and Suzie stood in place, watching the commotion. Neither of them moved, and the staff didn't dare urge them to move, letting them stand there and observe.
Not long after, two more people entered through the main gate.
When Tory saw the elderly man who had just arrived, his expression froze for a moment. After giving Suzie a quick word, he immediately walked up to him.
"Master Victor, what brings you to headquarters today?"
"Why, if it isn't Mr. Tory," Master Victor squinted and smiled upon seeing who it was.
"Ah, just call me Tory, please. I happened to come today for the magazine's popularity ranking certification. I didn't expect to run into you here, Master Victor. What a lucky day!" Tory said with a laugh.
"Uh, and you are…" As Tory looked at the researchers from the International Police approaching Master Victor, and Terrance behind Master Victor, he was visibly startled.
Terrance?!
Isn't that the Coordinator who recently defeated a former Unova Elite Four member at the Super Festival?!
No! He's also the Gym Leader of Fallarbor Gym.
"Gym Leader…. Terrance?!" Tory exclaimed and asked in confusion.
"Uh, I'm Terrance, nice to meet you." Terrance was slightly surprised as he looked at this apparent acquaintance of Master Victor and greeted him politely.
At the same time, Terrance also noticed the person standing next to Mr. Tory and was a bit surprised.
The genius Breeder, Suzie...
"Hahaha, well then, Tory, I've got something to take care of, so I won't chat for long today. Let's catch up another time," Master Victor said with a smile.
"Alright then, I won't disturb you."
"See you next time."
Watching Master Victor and Terrance's group walk away, Tory felt a bit strange.
"Mr. Tory?" Suzie gently spoke up, looking at him.
"That was the most authoritative figure in the field of genetics, Master Victor, wasn't it?"
"Ah, yes, that was Master Victor. Suzie, you've got to keep working hard. Aim to become someone like Master Victor one day," Tory said.
"Um..." Suzie gave an awkward smile. "I only know a few small tricks. I'm still far from being a Senior Breeder, let alone comparing with Master Victor."
"Don't sell yourself short." Tory smiled, then his expression turned serious. "But..."
Why would Terrance, who stole the spotlight at the recent festival, be following Master Victor to Breeder Headquarters?!
"Um… Mr. Tory, do you think the one taking the Senior Breeder exam might be the person with Master Victor?" Suzie asked in surprise. "He looks about the same age as me."
"That's probably not it..." Large beads of sweat rolled down Tory's forehead. "That person is…"
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