🎄 Christmas Special Discount 🎄
From December 23 to December 25, there will be a public 50% discount on the following tiers:
Intermediate Trainers, Advanced Trainers, Elite Trainers, Elite Four Trainers, Champion Trainers, and Legendary Trainers.
🎆 New Year Discount 🎆
There will also be a 50% discount, but it won't be public. On December 31, the discount code will be published inside the chapters, so stay tuned 👀✨
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"That's right, this is one of the feathers from the legendary Pokémon Ho-Oh. In the entire world, I'm probably the only one who possesses one."
"If you doubt its authenticity, you can ask the great monks of Ecruteak City to examine it. I'm sure they'll know whether it's real or not," said Cain in a calm tone.
"A Ho-Oh feather!" exclaimed Juan and old Matsuda in unison.
Even Ergas stood staring at the feather in Cain's hands with a stunned expression, unable to believe what he was seeing.
Ho-Oh is one of the most well-known legendary Pokémon in Kanto, and especially in Johto, where many trainers and religious orders worship it.
The monks of the Bell Tower in Ecruteak City are the best example of this.
Ho-Oh represents harmony. If someone's heart is stained with darkness, this Pokémon would never acknowledge them.
Even if Cain had been part of Team Rocket, that didn't mean he was a bloodthirsty person. He had his own principles.
As long as no one harmed him, he would never strike from behind.
That was a line he would never cross.
If he ever lost that line, he would be no different from a wild beast.
The appearance of the Ho-Oh feather represented many things. For starters, it proved that the alternate space story wasn't a fabrication. It also indicated that Cain's heart hadn't been completely corrupted.
Of course, no one in the world is free of inner darkness. The difference lies in who hides it better.
"And finally," said Cain, staring directly at Ergas, "What would I gain from attacking Mr. Drake? If I had really done it, do you think I would've returned so quickly?"
"Enough!" old Matsuda slammed the table and stood up from his chair.
His face was completely serious: "Cain is my disciple. Since the moment I accepted him and throughout all this time together, he has never disappointed me."
"He has made great contributions to both the Hoenn League and the Supreme Council. He is one of Hoenn's Twin Stars, a Gym Leader in Leafy Town, a semifinalist in the Sinnoh Tournament, and the discoverer of the Fairy type!"
"Does none of that count as contributions to the League?"
"Since when did we start hunting our own future generation?"
"Do you want me to go public with this injustice?"
"And you too, Juan! If you don't take a stance now, I'll take Cain to another region."
"The president of Kalos has already contacted me, and Cynthia from Sinnoh has an excellent relationship with him. We'll leave together, and let's see who dares to say we're not welcome!"
The sudden change in old Matsuda's tone surprised everyone.
Especially Ergas.
Old Matsuda also came from the Kanto region. Even if he didn't work for their League, no one dared to underestimate his influence.
If he decided to rebel, many veterans from the Breeder Guild would support him.
Juan showed a bitter smile. He knew that old Matsuda was speaking partially out of anger.
But he also understood the reason. For a moment, he had doubted Cain... even if that doubt was brief, he was ashamed of it.
And now that a Chief-level researcher from Kanto had come to his office to interrogate the very researcher he had appointed, if he continued to act indifferent, anyone would feel betrayed.
Especially after seeing the Ho-Oh feather, guilt sank deep.
Drake's severe injuries had led him to distrust everyone.
"Cain, as president of the Hoenn League, I offer you my apologies," said Juan, bowing deeply.
This gesture showed that Juan knew when to take a step back. His position wasn't just because of his strength as a trainer, but also due to his character.
Cain, upon seeing the gesture, stepped aside respectfully to avoid it.
But old Matsuda didn't move. He stood firm, watching as Juan bowed.
Only after that did his expression soften a bit.
Juan then addressed old Matsuda: "Takashi, you know better than anyone how things are in Hoenn. With Wattson and Drake injured, I lost my composure..."
"President, I didn't mean to reproach you," Cain responded. "Mr. Ergas was just doing his job. If I were in his place, I might've done the same."
It was impossible not to feel anything about it. But this is where a man's intelligence shows.
He and his master, old Matsuda, played the roles of good cop and bad cop: one applied pressure harshly, the other stepped in to ease things up.
That way, they gave Juan a dignified way to back down.
And as for future compensation, Cain had no doubt it would come.
Juan looked at him gratefully.
What a good kid.
Truly, anxiety had led him to suspect without reason.
And in the end, Cain had nothing to do with the incident. That's why he could speak with such confidence.
Ergas, meanwhile, stood dumbfounded, watching the three of them.
What just happened? When did I become the outsider in the room?
Although the feather had left him speechless, he believed the suspicions hadn't completely vanished.
"This..." he began to speak.
"Come! Let's go see Drake," Juan interrupted energetically. "Cain, you said you might be able to help, and I forgot you're a genius breeder. Who knows, maybe now you've even surpassed your master!"
Juan gave him a confident pat on the shoulder.
Old Matsuda also dropped his severe demeanor, showing a more composed expression.
Both were seasoned veterans with lots of experience. They knew exactly when to make each move.
Who knows if that previous outburst was real, or part of a strategy agreed upon with Juan.
Either way, the three of them left the office, leaving Ergas behind.
"..."
Watching the three walk away, Ergas didn't know whether to follow them or not.
Wasn't he still supposed to be a suspect?
...
Soon, the four of them arrived at the most important medical room in the League's headquarters care center.
Both the hallway and the entrance were heavily guarded.
Under the guidance of Juan and old Matsuda, Cain entered the room, where he saw Drake lying down.
His face was somewhat pale, but his breathing was stable. However, he remained unconscious.
"Where are Drake's Pokémon?" Cain asked.
"They're fine. Thanks to Salamence protecting him, we were able to treat him in time. The attacker went directly for him. It was a vile ambush," replied Juan.
Cain nodded. He wasn't surprised.
Koga might be strong, but his strength lay in assassination. In a direct battle, he wouldn't stand a chance against Drake.
"Master, what was your diagnosis?" Cain asked old Matsuda.
Though he didn't know the full extent of his disciple's abilities, old Matsuda had complete trust in him.
Even if Cain couldn't heal him, he knew he wouldn't do anything reckless.
"He was poisoned, with a compound poison. It's not a common toxin. It only affects humans, not Pokémon. That's why neither the Joy clan nor I have been able to do anything. We've only managed to keep his vital functions stable, but the more time passes, the worse it'll be," explained old Matsuda.
That was one of the League's weak points.
They had made great progress in the study of Pokémon. But when it came to humans, they were still behind.
After all, the League promoted battles between Pokémon, not between people.
Common antidotes usually worked for both humans and Pokémon.
But encountering a poison like this—mixed and exclusive to humans?
Are there really people researching substances meant only for humans...?
(End of chapter)