Price

On the second day after Yasushi's farewell, he packed his belongings and left Verdanturf Town.

After Yuga had seen him off at the station, he received a message from Suzuki Koen that someone was looking for him and waiting in the reception room.

When he pushed open the door, he saw Cynthia sitting quietly in the reception room, sipping on the honey tea that seemed to be specially made for her, showing great interest.

Seeing Yuga enter, Cynthia smiled and said, "We meet again, Mr. Shimizu."

Yuga smiled in response, "I'm glad to see you again, Miss Cynthia."

"I won't beat around the bush. I believe Mr. Kuni'o has already informed you about my situation."

As she spoke, Cynthia took out a brocade box and opened the lid, revealing a crystal-clear, sky-blue gemstone inside.

"This is the Source of Flight, originating from a Master level Sigilyph. Such a thing is exceedingly rare, even in our temple. You can imagine its preciousness."

The sky-blue gemstone was about the size of a baby's fist, with radiating light inside, as if it contained an unknown starry sky, exuding a sense of mystery.

Originating from a Master level Sigilyph!

These Sigilyphs, while not extremely powerful, were indeed genuinely rare Pokémon. They were seldom seen in the outside world and often appeared before people as guardians of ancient relics, possessing peculiar powers.

According to legend, Sigilyphs would often appear as the conductors of rituals in ancient times. Although the authenticity of these legends was uncertain, they were likely not without basis.

As a purely Flying-type item, the Source of Flight should contain the energy of Flying-type Pokémon. However, Yuga could sense a trace of Psychic-type Pokémon's power hidden within it.

The energy that flowed slowly inside the gemstone, resembling a starry sky, was the manifestation of Psychic-type energy.

Yuga looked at the Source of Flight in silence for a moment before speaking, "I wonder what price I have to pay to obtain this Source of Flight."

"First, a Pokémon with blue potentials."

Seeing Yuga get straight to the point, Cynthia didn't beat around the bush either.

Yuga nodded in response, finding the request quite reasonable.

The Source of Flight was already an exceptionally rare item, and one originating from a Master level Pokémon made it even more valuable than a Pokémon with blue potentials.

"No problem! Are there any other requirements?" Yuga asked, as he suspected that obtaining the Source of Flight might not be as simple as offering a Pokémon with blue potentials.

"The second requirement... well, that depends on Mr. Shimizu's strength," Cynthia replied with a smile.

Yuga was puzzled. What did his strength have to do with this?

"How so?" he inquired.

"I heard in Sinnoh that a very young Elite Trainer has appeared in Hoenn, and I've been long wanting to meet him. I wonder if i would have a honor to battle with Mr. Shimizu?"

Yuga was momentarily taken aback. Cynthia's request was indeed unexpected, and it was no wonder people in Sinnoh referred to this beautiful and confident female Trainer as the "Valkyrie." They certainly weren't mistaken.

But Yuga quite excited to think about being able to compete with Cynthia.

Steven, Wallace, and Cynthia are all the younger generation, the best in the genius training family, and Yuga has not been able to fight against them yet!

"It's my honor!" Yuga readily accepted Cynthia's battle request, considering it a rare opportunity.

Not long after, Yuga rode on his Charizard, and Cynthia rode on her Garchomp as they arrived on the outskirts of Verdanturf Town.

Inside the Verdanturf Gym, there were battle arenas, but they were not built to withstand the power of two Elite Trainers.

Cynthia dismounted from her Garchomp and patted its back, signaling it to step forward. She said, "I hope Mr. Shimizu will give his all to defeat me and Garchomp."

Yuga recalled his Charizard and released another Poké Ball, summoning his Lapras to stand opposite Garchomp.

"I will give it my all!"

Currently, Lapras was his most powerful Pokémon, even though there was still a significant level gap between Lapras and Garchomp.

Garchomp was nearing the peak of Elite level, while Lapras was in the intermediate level range. The difference in power between levels among Elite level Pokémon was substantial.

Despite the disadvantage, Lapras had its own advantages in terms of type matchups and potentials. It was worth giving it a try.

Lapras had been with Yuga for a while, and although its level hadn't improved significantly, its presence had grown stronger day by day.

It hovered in the low sky, its four larger-than-average fins gently flapping. With each flap, it stirred the mist beneath it, creating a rolling, misty cloud that partially obscured its slender body, giving it an indescribable sense of beauty.

Seeing Yuga's Lapras, both Cynthia and Garchomp tensed up.

"Lapras..."

Lapras let out an elegant howl, its voice resonating melodiously and ethereally in the quiet forest. However, to Garchomp, it sounded like a blatant challenge.

Yuga said, "Let's begin!"

Cynthia echoed, "Let's begin!"

With their words, Garchomp, like a jet plane, sped towards Lapras with great velocity.

At the same time, Lapras tilted its head back and opened its mouth, rapidly condensing icy energy within. When Garchomp was about halfway to its target, Lapras unleashed a beam of freezing energy from its mouth.

Faced with Lapras's Ice Beam, Garchomp raised the sharp scythes on its arms to block the oncoming attack.

The powerful icy ray pushed Garchomp back continously.

Lapras was a large Pokémon, and its sheer size gave its breath an immense impact.

However, Garchomp, a Pokémon known for its exceptional physical prowess, was not deterred by Lapras's energy-based assault.

In terms of physical attributes alone, Cynthia's Garchomp was significantly stronger than Yuga's Lapras, even if Lapras were to reach the peak of Elite level in the future. It would still be challenging for Lapras to compete in this aspect with Garchomp.

This particular Garchomp had undergone unique training methods.

Garchomp rapidly swung its arms, and the sharp scythes on its arms sliced through Lapras's Ice Beam, reducing it to shards of white ice energy scattered in the air. Under the sunlight, these shards refracted beautiful gleams.

Unscathed, Garchomp charged toward Lapras once more.

Despite the fact that Ice-type moves were supposed to be a significant disadvantage for Dragon- and Ground-type Pokémon like Garchomp, Garchomp appeared to be completely untroubled by it.

As Garchomp neared Lapras, Lapras used the move Aqua Tail. It collided with Garchomp, and there was a resounding crash!

Bang!

Garchomp stood firm, while Lapras was sent flying backward.