Cynthia carefully examined the text above, comparing it meticulously, before taking out a circular stone.
Cynthia picked up the blue-purple circular stone with gentle movements, as if handling a rare treasure.
The light inside the cave was already dim, and everyone subconsciously softened their breathing.
Ariel's gaze was locked firmly onto that stone.
Soul Dew!
In the games, this was an item that boosted the stats of Latias and Latios when held!!
Although he wasn't clear on its specific effects in this world, its value was definitely beyond measure by money.
This thing was actually in Cynthia's hands?
Ariel's heart shook violently as countless thoughts surged through his mind.
A Sinnoh genius, an archaeologist, carrying the exclusive item of the Infinite Pokémon... the amount of information here was staggering.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Cynthia gently placed the Soul Dew into the groove at the center of the Obsidian Altar.
The fit was seamless, as if they were originally one.
Buzz—
With a slight hum, the Soul Dew suddenly lit up.
A soft blue-purple halo overflowed from it, rippling out like water, instantly illuminating the entire cave.
Wherever the light reached, those ancient characters seemed to come alive, flowing and flickering on the surface of the obsidian; in an instant, the entire altar seemed to be endowed with life.
Ariel could even feel a warm, peaceful energy permeating the air, bringing tranquility to the mind.
It's working!
Both Ariel and Cynthia's eyes showed anticipation.
However, this stunning sight lasted for less than three seconds.
The light receded rapidly like an ebbing tide, until finally only a few weak strands of light remained entwined on the surface of the Soul Dew before completely extinguishing.
The altar returned to dead silence once more.
The air in the cave seemed even more stifling than before.
"..."
The anticipation on Cynthia's face froze. She knitted her beautiful brows, walked around the altar once, and brushed her fingertips over the cold characters again.
"Is something wrong?"
She murmured to herself, her voice carrying clear confusion.
The steps in the instructions were exactly like this: insert the core, activate the altar.
But why did it fail?
Ariel watched this scene, but his heart was full of understanding.
He glanced at several phrases that repeatedly appeared in the text:
"Altar of Time," "Soul Dew," "When the Twins Return Home."
Wasn't the answer obvious?
The activation of this altar required two key elements.
First, the Soul Dew as the key.
Second, the 'Twins Returning Home,' meaning Latias and Latios must be present.
Now there was only the key but not the owners of the lock; of course, the door wouldn't open.
Ariel rubbed his chin.
"Based on what Miss Cynthia said about the altar, the dew, the twins and all that, could it be that all three conditions need to be met simultaneously for something to happen?"
Ariel gave a timely reminder.
What Ariel said was very simple; regarding professional terminology, he sounded like a layman.
Hearing Ariel's words, Cynthia suddenly seemed to have a moment of realization!
"That's right!"
"Why didn't I think of that?"
She carefully retrieved the Soul Dew. The disappointment on her face flashed by, quickly replaced by the excitement of an archaeologist discovering a new continent.
"Even though it didn't succeed, this discovery is of great significance! This altar and these inscriptions all prove the authenticity of the legends!"
She looked at Ariel and Yule, her gray eyes shimmering with light.
"Thank you both. This expedition has been very valuable."
To her, finding a clue was a huge success in itself.
The three left the deep cavern and returned to the sun-drenched beach of the isolated island.
The salty sea breeze blew away the stuffiness of the cave. Garchomp was already waiting nearby and affectionately rubbed its head against Cynthia.
"I need to go elsewhere to continue my research. The ancient ruins of the Hoenn region are truly fascinating."
Cynthia flipped onto Garchomp's back, looking down at the two from above, her long golden hair fluttering in the wind.
"Ariel, Yule, I hope we meet again in Hoenn."
Cynthia waved her hand freely.
Garchomp let out a roar, spread its wings, stirred up a gust of wild wind, and soared into the sky, soon turning into a distant black dot.
Ariel watched the direction she departed, unable to help feeling sentimental.
This future Sinnoh Champion was indeed extraordinary.
"I should go too."
Yule's voice sounded beside him. She looked in the direction Cynthia had disappeared, her eyes somewhat complex.
"This intelligence is very important. I need to return immediately to report to Lord Archer."
The ancient text on the altar seemed to hold extraordinary significance for her as well.
However, just as she was about to turn and leave—
Beep beep beep!
Beep beep—
Two distinct yet simultaneous electronic notification sounds made them both stop in their tracks.
Yule raised her wrist. On her seemingly ordinary watch screen, a red 'R' logo lit up, and a man's head appeared—it was Archer.
At the same time, Ariel felt a vibration coming from his pocket.
The pokédex had become a brick due to the Southern Isolated Island's special magnetic field, but that didn't mean he was isolated from the world.
As Ariana's direct subordinate, he was also equipped with Team Rockets' internal communication device for special environments.
Ariel calmly took out a palm-sized black cube from his space ring.
He pressed the switch, and a pale blue light beam projected from the small cube, forming a clear half-body projection in mid-air with a slight flicker of data streams.
In the projection was Ariana's beautiful yet cold face.
Ariel and Yule glanced at each other, both seeing a hint of surprise in the other's eyes.
Such a coincidence?
Communications from two top Executives came in at the same time.
"Yule, report your position and findings immediately."
Archer's low voice came from the watch.
Meanwhile, the Ariana projection in front of Ariel also spoke in her characteristic, emotionless voice.
"Ariel, report your current position."
"Southern Isolated Island."
Ariel was concise.
"Southern Isolated Island?"
Ariana's projection seemed to pause for a moment. Her narrow phoenix eyes squinted slightly, and on her face composed of data streams, a ripple akin to 'surprise' appeared for the first time.
She also hadn't expected Ariel to be here.
"Just as well."
Ariana's voice regained its stability, but those three words made Ariel's heart skip a beat.
Just as well?
In this world, how could there be so many coincidences?
"Mission change."
Ariana's voice became serious, carrying an unquestionable tone of command.
"Stand by on-site."
"Wait for Mewtwo to arrive."
"Mission content: cooperate unconditionally with all of its work."
Mew... two?
Ariel's pupils suddenly constricted.