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While Sato, Sato, and Whitney were discussing the mysterious Trainer with Legendary Pokémon, somewhere in Goldenrod City's bustling downtown, inside a high-end café near the windows—
A fashionable middle-aged woman sat savoring a cup of freshly ground luxury coffee. Her makeup was done in a smoky style, a pair of large floral sunglasses covered her face, and a designer handbag rested neatly by her side.
With that look — paired with her natural air of nobility and elegance — nearly everyone who glanced at her formed the same impression: a wealthy lady of high society.
But this "lady" was clearly waiting for someone. Across from her sat a steaming cup of aromatic coffee, untouched. The seat remained empty.
Two or three minutes later, someone slid into the chair opposite her.
The person was not a close female friend, but a handsome young man — none other than Tobias, the one currently being hunted by countless eyes.
Of course, his appearance was drastically altered. He wore branded casual wear, his hairstyle meticulously styled. Even his scent and overall aura had shifted, making it nearly impossible to connect him with the elusive Tobias.
Clearly, his disguise skills were extraordinary. At this moment, he embodied the role of a rich young master perfectly.
"You're late. Three minutes and twenty-one seconds late, to be precise. Tobias, you know I'm not the sort who enjoys waiting. Had you been one minute and thirty-nine seconds later, I would've left — and the treasures in your possession would've been quickly reclaimed."
The elegant woman set down her porcelain coffee cup, slipped off her oversized sunglasses, and glanced at the jeweled watch on her wrist. Her violet-tinged eyes fixed coldly on the young man before her.
Tobias didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned to glance out the window, scanning carefully for anything unusual. Finding nothing, he raised the cup of steaming coffee on the table, sipping gracefully.
"My apologies, Ms. Chris. As you know, I'm being watched by many. To ensure the mission succeeds, I had to be cautious. Surely you won't hold such a small matter against me, will you?
Also… this coffee is too bitter. It needs more sugar."
He set down the cup, meeting her gaze with an expressionless face.
"You defeated Professor Oak's granddaughter. That pleased the Boss greatly. But it's not enough. Your mission isn't complete yet. You must also defeat Sato — the one who took down the Dragon Clan's heir, Clair."
Chris ignored his pointless remarks. Making him bow his head over punctuality was satisfaction enough. Instead, she went straight to the point, passing along the Boss's instructions.
"Impossible. If not for your sudden summons, I'd already be gone from Goldenrod. Do you have any idea how many people are hunting me? None of them are easy to shake off. Even with the treasures you've given me, if they catch me outside the public eye, I'll struggle to escape."
"And as for Clair — that was your mistake, not mine. Since she's already been eliminated, by our agreement, I no longer need to face her."
His expression darkened, voice carrying anger.
"We admit Clair's case was a failure on our end. Who could've expected some nameless Kanto brat to topple the Dragon Clan's prized heir?"
"That's why we need you to defeat Sato — to cover that mistake. Of course, your reward will increase by twenty percent. And the Boss has promised: succeed, and you'll be given another treasure soon after."
Chris ignored his complaints, stirring her coffee with a spoon as she delivered the non-negotiable command.
"Really?"
At the words "another treasure," his expression flickered — excitement and desire flashing in his eyes. But he quickly masked it, returning to a blank façade.
"Naturally. When has the Boss ever deceived you? Relax, Tobias. The Boss won't harm you. Have you already forgotten who granted you everything you possess now?"
"As for those chasing you, don't worry. Defeat Sato, and someone will ensure your safe departure."
Though he concealed his emotions well, Chris had already caught the brief shift. She pressed forward, fanning the flames of his wavering resolve with tempting promises.
Tobias lifted the coffee cup again, feigning nonchalance, but his mind was racing — weighing risk against reward.
He knew full well that he had once been nothing more than an average Trainer with a bit of skill.
An accident had brought him into contact with this woman. Through her, and the power backing her, he had become a Trainer with Legendary Pokémon, reaping countless benefits.
But those benefits came at a cost. These Legendary Pokémon and rewards weren't freely given — they bound him to serve the shadowy force behind her. Should he fail or disobey, everything he had gained would be stripped away without mercy.
And yet… treasures were meaningless if he didn't survive to enjoy them. Sato, in particular, was a daunting threat.
If he entered another large-scale battle, there was no guarantee he could escape afterward. Unlike today, slipping away might no longer be an option. The factions eager to seize his Legendary Pokémon would surely pounce on him.
Worse still, he had discovered a chilling truth: the Legendary Pokémon given to him weren't truly alive. They were flesh-and-blood puppets without will. They battled and ate when ordered, but otherwise moved like soulless husks.
More troubling was their fleeting lifespan. The first Zapdos he received had withered in mere months, aging rapidly until its life force became a shadow of what it once was.
When he reported this, however, Chris simply recalled it and handed him a stronger, younger Zapdos.
Piecing these facts together, he had reached a terrifying conclusion: the organization behind Chris had the ability to clone Legendary Pokémon.
A force capable of mass-producing Legendary Pokémon… the thought alone made his body tremble with dread.
But looked at another way — if he could fully integrate himself into this force, what would he gain?
The thought filled him with both excitement and longing, erasing much of his fear.
"If I succeed in this mission… how much longer until I can shed my status as a mere outsider?"
Ten seconds later, he set down his empty cup and spoke to Chris, face still expressionless.