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Imperial Capital and Starlight City Imperial Capital, Raya's Residence
The day before the High School Cup commenced, tension filled the air throughout the imperial capital.
"Has Lewis made any moves recently?" Raya asked, her enchanting voice carrying a note of concern as she reclined lazily on the luxurious sofa. Her piercing gaze fixed on the middle-aged man standing respectfully beside her, awaiting his report.
Raya possessed numerous public identities that commanded both respect and fear across the region. She was renowned as the wealthiest woman in Magic City, celebrated as the Fairy Elite of the South China region, and whispered about as the most captivating socialite in elite circles. Yet beneath these carefully crafted personas lay her two most closely guarded secrets—identities that could destroy everything she had built if they were ever exposed.
The first was her clandestine role as a collaborator with the Dawn Society, a shadowy organization that operated in the darkest corners of the Pokemon world. The second was her position as a preparatory member of the Priestess Order, an enigmatic group whose true agenda remained hidden from all but its inner circle. These dual allegiances represented the most dangerous balancing act of her life, and the consequences of discovery would be catastrophic.
A troubled frown creased Raya's usually composed features as worry clouded her expression. Ever since the second half of the previous year, it seemed as though fate itself had conspired against her. Each carefully orchestrated plan had unraveled, each strategic maneuver had backfired, and each opportunity had slipped away like water through her fingers.
The first devastating blow had come with the loss of the Poison Bottle, an ancient artifact she had spent countless years tracking down through whispered legends and fragmented historical records. After finally discovering a solid lead that could guide her to its location, some mysterious individual had managed to claim the artifact before she could reach it. Despite her vast network of informants and considerable resources, the Poison Bottle had vanished completely, leaving no trace of its current whereabouts.
Without the Poison Bottle in her possession, Raya's entire master plan had crumbled to dust. The artifact contained concentrated Dark-type core energy that was absolutely essential for attracting Darkrai, the legendary Dark-type Pokemon she desperately needed to capture. Without Darkrai under her command, she lacked the legendary Pokemon required to achieve full membership in the Priestess Order—a goal that had driven her ambitions for years.
The identity of whoever had outmaneuvered her remained a maddening mystery. Who could have possibly obtained information about the Poison Bottle before her extensive intelligence network? Who possessed the resources, knowledge, and connections necessary to locate it first and claim it so thoroughly that not even a whisper of its current location remained? The haunting possibility that another member of the Priestess Order had betrayed her trust kept her awake during countless sleepless nights.
Shortly after that crushing defeat, Raya had learned that the Dawn Society was preparing to launch a surprise attack on the Dragon Secret Realm. Desperate to salvage something from her recent failures and determined to regain some advantage, she had instructed her most trusted butler, Zion, to cooperate with the Dawn Society's operation. Her hope was to exploit the chaos of the raid to gain access to valuable resources or information that could advance her goals.
The results had been even more humiliating than her previous setback. Zion had returned from Jacob's dormitory believing he had discovered precious experimental notes that could provide scientific breakthroughs or strategic advantages. Instead, the documents he had risked so much to obtain contained nothing more than what he described as classic "Rich Woman's Game Theory"—a discovery that left Raya mortified beyond words.
Even now, months later, remembering the words Jacob had written and the provocative portraits he had drawn of her made her cheeks burn with embarrassment and her teeth clench with barely contained rage. The humiliation was almost unbearable, yet she had to admit there had been one valuable piece of information gleaned from that disastrous mission. From the group photograph Zion had brought back, she had discovered that Jacob possessed a Shiny Dreepy—a Pokemon of extraordinary rarity and immense potential value.
From that pivotal moment forward, Raya had begun monitoring Jacob's activities with keen interest. His scientific research capabilities were genuinely impressive, his Pokemon team demonstrated remarkable power and coordination, and his own abilities as a trainer continued to develop at an exceptional rate. When combined with her daughter's obvious affection and admiration for him, Jacob represented what could only be described as the perfect candidate for a son-in-law.
This realization had prompted Raya to personally attend the highly anticipated battle between Jacob and Nathaniel. During that memorable confrontation, she had witnessed the incredible power and skill of Jacob's Sceptile firsthand. The display of tactical brilliance and raw strength had convinced her beyond any doubt that Jacob was indeed the most suitable match for her daughter, despite the personal humiliation he had unknowingly inflicted upon her.
Determined to move past her wounded pride and focus on the bigger picture, Raya had swallowed her shame and approached Jacob with apparent goodwill and maternal concern. She had even gone so far as to offer him valuable guidance, strongly recommending that he choose a Gimmighoul Pokemon egg from the selection available to promising young trainers. The Gimmighoul evolutionary line was known for its unique abilities and remarkable potential for growth, making it an invaluable addition to any serious trainer's roster.
To her complete bewilderment and growing frustration, Jacob had accepted the Gimmighoul coin she had thoughtfully provided but had completely disregarded her carefully considered advice. Instead of following her recommendation, he had deliberately chosen an Indeedee Pokemon egg—a decision that seemed to defy all logical reasoning and suggested either poor judgment or deliberate defiance.
The accumulation of these continuous setbacks and unexpected reversals had begun to make Raya question whether she had been pushing too aggressively, moving too quickly in her attempts to manipulate events to her advantage. Perhaps her eagerness to achieve her goals had made her careless, causing her to overlook crucial details or misread important social and political dynamics.
However, approximately a month ago, Priest-12 had returned from a mission with news that changed everything and sent shockwaves through their entire organization. According to his detailed report, Jacob possessed a mysterious Pokemon whose power levels rivaled those of legendary Pokemon. During a confrontation that had taken place in the Dream Secret Realm, this unknown creature had engaged Priest-12 in direct combat and had emerged victorious, defeating her decisively.
Priest-12's description of the Pokemon had been both fascinating and deeply disturbing. He claimed it resembled some kind of fusion between Gallade and Gardevoir, but was clearly enhanced with advanced technology that granted it capabilities far beyond those of normal Pokemon. The implications of such a technologically augmented creature existing were staggering and raised questions about the origins of such innovation.
This revelation had ignited fierce debates throughout the entire Priest Organization. While Priest-12 was admittedly the weakest among the organization's official members, she was still a formidable opponent with years of experience who should never have been defeated by someone as young and relatively inexperienced as Jacob. The fact that such a defeat had occurred suggested that forces were at work beyond their current understanding.
The organization had quickly split into two distinct and increasingly hostile factions regarding how to handle the Jacob situation. The first faction strongly advocated for recruitment, arguing persuasively that both Jacob's scientific research capabilities and his demonstrated combat strength were exactly what the Priest Order needed to advance their mysterious agenda. They believed that bringing him into their ranks would significantly strengthen their position and provide access to whatever revolutionary technology had created his enigmatic Pokemon.
The second faction took a more aggressive and direct approach, favoring immediate assassination as the safest and most prudent course of action. They viewed Jacob as a potential threat whose power could eventually be turned against them, reasoning that eliminating him before he became even stronger was the most logical strategy to protect their interests.
The heated debates between these two factions had grown increasingly intense and personal, with neither side willing to compromise or consider alternative approaches. After receiving this earth-shaking news, Raya had spent an entire sleepless night pacing her chambers, weighing the potential benefits and risks of each possible course of action.
By the time dawn broke over the imperial capital, she had made her final decision: she would find a way to win Jacob over to her side, regardless of the personal cost or the risks involved.
"Lewis appears to be maintaining a completely regular lifestyle, with no unusual activities beyond his normal work responsibilities and required social engagements," the mysterious masked man reported in his characteristic magnetic voice. This was Zion, the family's most trusted butler, who poured tea for Raya with the practiced precision that came from years of devoted service. "However, our surveillance has revealed that the day after I made contact with him, he had already secretly hired a private detective and begun a comprehensive investigation into my identity and background."
"Lewis is exactly as I expected him to be—far too suspicious and paranoid for his own good. He will never accomplish anything truly significant with that kind of mindset holding him back," Raya said, her expression shifting to display a distinctly sinister cast as she processed the implications of Zion's intelligence report. "Since he has already begun his investigation, it is inevitable that he will eventually trace the connections back to Kindler. When that moment arrives, Kindler should take decisive action. You can strategically leak Kindler's Dawn Society identity to the Pokemon Association at the most opportune moment."
A malicious gleam flickered briefly across Raya's face before disappearing behind her usual mask of composed elegance. People like her, who had mastered the subtle arts of political scheming and psychological manipulation, always preferred to plan several moves ahead of their opponents. They understood that the most effective strategies were those that appeared natural and inevitable rather than forced or obviously orchestrated.
As for the human cost of such elaborate machinations, she had long ago made peace with the reality that individual safety was determined by a combination of destiny and human effort. Some people were simply destined to become sacrificial pieces in larger games of power and influence.
From the very beginning of this particular scheme, Raya had never intended to create direct confrontation or open conflict between Lewis and Jacob. Her strategy was far more sophisticated and ultimately more devastating than such crude approaches. Her singular goal was to gradually arouse Lewis's natural suspicions and guide him toward investigating Zion's carefully constructed false identity. Once Lewis began digging into that particular mystery, he would inevitably uncover the hidden connections that led back to Kindler.
At that crucial moment of discovery, the revelation of Kindler's secret identity as a Dawn Society operative would explode like a bomb through the Pokemon community. The shocking truth that Maximus's eldest disciple had been working as an undercover agent for the Dawn Society would send devastating ripples through the entire organizational structure.
This scandal would inevitably be connected to the previous attack on the Dragon Secret Realm, and Maximus would definitely find his reputation and standing severely compromised. Questions would be raised about his judgment, his security measures, his ability to detect infiltration, and his overall competence as a leader.
More importantly from Raya's perspective, this carefully orchestrated incident would tear a significant rift in the previously strong cooperation between the Lin Family and the Long Family. Even if Lewis eventually came to believe that Jacob was not directly responsible for Stetson's tragic death, the undeniable fact that the death was somehow connected to Nina would fuel his opposition to any cooperation or potential marriage arrangements between the two powerful families.
The relationship between the Lin Family and the Long Family had grown far too close over the years, becoming almost inseparable in their business dealings, political alliances, and personal connections. Raya recognized that she needed to create a substantial crack in this alliance if she wanted to achieve her ultimate strategic objectives.
"Understood completely," Zion responded with a slight nod, his masked features betraying no emotion or personal opinion about the orders he had received.
"By the way, since the last attack on the Dragon Secret Realm, Mason has been persistently investigating your identity and background," Raya continued, her expression growing noticeably colder as she spoke about this particular obstacle. "He has systematically retrieved the complete records of all trainers who have successfully captured Abra anywhere in the nation during the past thirty years. His thoroughness and determination are extremely annoying, but also dangerously effective."
Mason had proven to be as persistent and difficult to remove as adhesive tape, constantly investigating every lead and impossible to discourage or misdirect. The most concerning aspect of his pursuit was his exceptional ability to detect and follow even the smallest clues, displaying instincts that rivaled those of a trained bloodhound.
"He intends to conduct a comprehensive large-scale search operation, hoping to find information about Alakazam trainers by examining the records of Abra captures, and then use that data to trace connections back to you," Raya explained with growing concern. "You must exercise extreme caution, because your official record is definitely included in his search parameters. Although you reported your Abra's death to the Pokemon Association fifteen years ago, Mason won't accept that claim without conducting thorough verification and investigation."
Zion paused for a moment, carefully considering the serious implications of this new information and the potential risks it represented. "I will handle this situation appropriately," he said finally, his voice carrying the quiet confidence of someone who had dealt with similar challenges before.
"You may go and begin your preparations," Raya dismissed him with an elegant wave of her hand.
After Zion had departed to carry out his assigned tasks, Raya remained seated on her luxurious sofa, her thoughts turning to the group photograph that showed Jacob and Nina together. Nina would definitely become the biggest obstacle to her daughter's future happiness and her own political ambitions. Something decisive would have to be done about that relationship, and it would have to happen sooner rather than later.
Meanwhile, far from the political intrigue and dangerous schemes of the imperial capital, the atmosphere in Starlight City was filled with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming competition.
When Jacob returned to the familiar streets of Starlight City, his entire mindset and emotional state had undergone a complete transformation from when he had first departed months earlier. He had left as a timid, uncertain young man filled with self-doubt, but he returned as someone radiating confidence and determination from every step he took.
"Jacob, did you miss your old dad while you were away?" a cheerful voice called out from across the street.
Jacob looked at the handsome young man approaching him with a puzzled and slightly confused expression. There was something vaguely familiar about the person's angular facial features, a subtle resemblance that reminded him of someone he knew, though he couldn't quite place it.
"Kyle?" he asked uncertainly, hardly daring to believe what his eyes were telling him.
"Your dad is here and ready for action!" Kyle exclaimed with obvious delight, clearly thrilled by the genuinely surprised expression that had appeared on Jacob's face. He had been eagerly anticipating exactly this kind of reaction—the complete shock and disbelief that would result from witnessing his dramatic transformation.
"No way, that's impossible," Jacob muttered, completely unable to believe what he was seeing. After not laying eyes on Kyle for an entire half-year, his friend looked as though he had undergone extensive plastic surgery or some kind of miraculous makeover. Kyle had become noticeably thinner, significantly stronger, and remarkably more handsome. The change was so dramatic and comprehensive that it seemed almost supernatural. "Dude, are you absolutely certain you signed up for a Pokemon training program and not some kind of intensive weight loss boot camp? If someone didn't know better, they would think you had decided to pursue a career in the entertainment industry or as a professional model."
"Get lost, you jerk!" Kyle replied with a broad grin, his entire face glowing with newfound confidence and unmistakable pride in his achievements. He was completely different from the overweight, insecure person he had been before his training. Now he stood before Jacob as a vibrant, cheerful young man who radiated self-assurance and determination. "Although I haven't managed to become nationally famous like you have during the past six months, I have definitely become much stronger in ways that matter. My training has paid off beyond my wildest expectations."
"Stop bragging and talking big," Jacob said with mock disdain, though he couldn't completely hide his genuine amazement and admiration for his friend's incredible transformation. "Let's wait until the competition actually starts tomorrow—then we'll see if you can avoid getting eliminated on the very first day."
"That's completely impossible," Kyle declared with unwavering confidence, his voice carrying the conviction of someone who had worked incredibly hard to reach this moment. "I've been preparing for this opportunity for months, and I'm ready to show everyone what I can do."
As they continued their good-natured teasing and friendly banter, the two young men walked together toward the official registration area for the High School Cup. The familiar sights and sounds of Starlight City seemed to welcome them back like old friends, but both knew that tomorrow would bring unprecedented challenges that would test every skill they had developed and every lesson they had learned during their time apart.
The Cup represented far more than just another Pokemon competition—it was a golden opportunity to prove themselves on a regional stage, to demonstrate their growth and development as trainers, and to take the next crucial step in their journey toward becoming true Pokemon masters. For Jacob, it was a chance to validate that his hard-won confidence was well-founded and deserved. For Kyle, it was an opportunity to prove that his remarkable transformation extended far beyond mere physical appearance and reflected genuine improvements in his abilities as a trainer.
As they approached the bustling registration area, both young men felt the familiar mixture of excitement and nervousness that accompanied any major competition. The Cup would bring together some of the most talented and promising trainers from across the entire region, each hoping to make their mark on the Pokemon world and advance their careers toward greater achievements.