"You're planning to capture Giratina?"
Lance stared at Cynthia incredulously.
In response, Cynthia nodded calmly.
"Wasn't your friend also attacked by that monster?"
"Don't you want to capture it too?"
As she continued to review the documents she'd assembled, Cynthia turned Lance's question back on him.
Whether or not Lance agreed, she'd already resolved to make an attempt. Even if the final outcome was likely to be failure, she refused to sit idle, drowning in melancholy at home.
Besides…
It wasn't just her. Lucario wasn't nearly as calm as he appeared either; hidden beneath his composed exterior burned an intense flame of rage.
If the power gap hadn't been so vast in Hisui, Lucario would probably have chased Giratina into the Distortion World alongside Zoroark.
Noticing Cynthia's determined expression, Lance found himself momentarily speechless.
He'd come specifically to ask Cynthia for information about Giratina, yet now… somehow, she seemed even more furious than he was.
Gathering his thoughts, Lance quickly grew serious and replied firmly:
"I can help you capture Giratina."
"But I have one condition—you must guarantee my friend's safety first."
"As long as he and his Pokémon come out unharmed, I'll support you with everything I've got."
Lance hadn't forgotten why he'd flown to Sinnoh. Rescuing Elias from the Distortion World was still his top priority.
Whatever Cynthia's own motivations were, they didn't concern him.
Hearing Lance's condition, Cynthia saw nothing unreasonable in it.
Saving one more person wouldn't make much of a difference…
With clear terms from both sides established, cooperation was quickly agreed upon.
Cynthia decided:
They'd use the Spear Pillar atop Mt. Coronet to summon Dialga and Palkia, forcing Giratina to emerge from hiding.
Although this approach carried significant risk, it was the most effective solution available. With careful preparations, even three legendary Pokémon might not pose an impossible challenge.
As Sinnoh's Champion, since Cynthia herself endorsed this plan, Lance naturally had no objections, agreeing primarily to provide combat support.
Their planning continued until dusk, when Lance finally prepared to return to the accommodations Cynthia had arranged for him.
"By the way, what's that old mansion over there?"
"Does it have any special significance?"
Walking through town, Lance pointed toward an old house barely visible in the distance, unable to suppress his curiosity.
From the moment he'd laid eyes on it, he'd felt a strange, inexplicable connection.
At Lance's words, Cynthia hesitated slightly.
After a deep glance toward where Lance pointed, she finally shook her head and replied softly: "I'm not sure. That mansion has stood there since before I was born."
"They say it's been there for centuries."
Although she claimed ignorance, a nostalgic gleam flickered briefly in her eyes.
She'd only realized after returning home that Celestic Town, her hometown in modern Sinnoh, had been Cogita's hidden residence back in ancient Hisui.
The ancient mansion, identical to the one she remembered vividly, was the clearest proof.
Sadly, like its former owner, the house had long since lost its past vibrancy.
The contrast felt like a hammer gently tapping against her heart, leaving Cynthia feeling breathless.
Perhaps… this is why I traveled back and encountered Elias in the first place?
In silence, the group soon reached the inn where Lance would stay.
"This is it. Tomorrow we need to set out early for Mt. Coronet, so I hope you can get some rest."
Cynthia gestured toward the inn's entrance, addressing Lance, Mew, and Latias.
"Mew!"
"Thank you!"
Latias and Mew quickly expressed gratitude ahead of Lance.
Unusually, both legendary Pokémon felt a certain warmth toward Cynthia. She gave off a comforting aura remarkably similar to Elias.
Compared to someone like Sabrina, Cynthia seemed like a genuinely decent human—someone they could potentially see as a friend.
"However, Elias is still young. After we rescue him, we should keep his interactions with human women to a minimum," Latias added thoughtfully, suddenly cautious.
Cynthia had unquestionably helped them enormously, and she definitely deserved their thanks later—that was simply good manners, as Latias had taught Elias herself.
But gratitude was gratitude. She had no intention of handing Elias over entirely.
Considering the foolish feline floating beside her, she felt it necessary to lay down some ground rules ahead of time.
"Mew, mew! (Relax, relax!)"
Mew waved her tiny paws reassuringly.
Her main rival was still Gardevoir. As for Cynthia—just a human woman troubled by her love life—Mew wasn't particularly worried.
Mew confidently concluded.
---
Elias awoke unusually early.
It wasn't that he didn't want more sleep—it was simply impossible, stuck as he was between Gardevoir and Zoroark.
Sleeping beside either Pokémon individually was comfortable enough: Zoroark was fluffy and pleasant to cuddle, while Gardevoir had her soothing floral scent and alluring figure.
But together… Elias felt like they were about to tear him apart. He woke up with a sore body from head to toe.
"Elias, I've already located Giratina."
Zoroark promptly approached first, proudly lifting her head as she announced this achievement.
"You wouldn't have found it without me."
"Lying fox."
Before Elias could praise Zoroark, Gardevoir quickly stepped forward, shooting Zoroark a contemptuous glance filled with disdain.
Seeing that an argument was imminent, Elias intervened swiftly.
"It's getting late. Let's head out toward Giratina first."
After gently separating them, Elias spoke warmly.
At this, the tension between Zoroark and Gardevoir eased slightly.
"Elias, something is agitating space-time today."
"It must be Dialga and Palkia causing trouble. To prevent accidents, stay close to me, alright?"
Zoroark gave Elias a serious look.
Whoever was strongest would protect Elias's safety. In this rare instance, she and Gardevoir agreed completely.