"Chief, we didn't find the Cocoon of Sleep!"
A younger member of the group rushed in from another chamber, his voice echoing against the ancient stone walls.
Ben's sharp eyes narrowed as he turned toward the platform at the center of the chamber. Known as the Sanctuary of Stars, the altar matched the descriptions from ancient records. It was supposed to house the Cocoon of Sleep, a sacred artifact tied to the comet civilization of a thousand years ago.
Legends claimed the Cocoon of Sleep held Jirachi, a mythical being that could awaken during the passing of the Millennium Comet, granting the wishes of those who found it. The murals, the ruins' inscriptions, and even the altar mechanism all pointed to this being the right place.
Yet the altar was empty.
Ben's frown deepened as doubts clawed at his mind. Could the ancient texts be wrong? Or had Jirachi awoken early and left before the comet's arrival?
"Boss," another subordinate called out, this time with urgency. "The authorities have caught on to us. The scouts at the Forest of Plenty reported seeing William Afton, the Gym Leader of Greewood City, heading this way!"
Ben clenched his fists but forced himself to remain calm. "Understood. Since the Cocoon isn't here, we'll retreat."
He had barely taken two steps when he stopped abruptly. His gaze snapped to the ground, locking onto something unusual—a trail of wet footprints.
The tracks weren't from his team. They ran parallel to the mural and appeared to lead toward the altar from a side passage.
Someone else was here.
Ben approached the tracks, crouching to examine them closely. There were both human and Pokemon prints, and they weren't just leading to the altar. The tracks doubled back, heading toward the mural's edge, where the wall appeared cracked and uneven.
"Excadrill, Dig!" Ben commanded, throwing a Pokeball.
The mole-like Pokemon emerged, its metallic claws glinting in the dim light. With practiced precision, it drilled into the wall, breaking through the loose stones. Behind the surface was a hidden tunnel, its entrance black as pitch.
"Someone beat us to it," The leader muttered, teeth clenched.
It was infuriating. They had eliminated officials, taken over the site, and even come personally to ensure the success of their mission—only to find the artifact already gone. Worse, the authorities would undoubtedly blame the Asuka Group for stealing the Cocoon of Sleep.
"Chase them," Ben barked. "The tracks are still fresh. They can't have gone far!"
Meanwhile, in the Forest Evergrowth, John was already on his way back.
After leaving the ruins, he had wasted no time returning to his picnic spot, where Anna greeted him with a warm smile. John returned her greeting briefly before packing up his things and setting out for Aethermere City. His destination was clear—he needed to catch a flight and return to Riverstone.
But his thoughts were troubled.
Although he had successfully retrieved the Cocoon of Sleep, the ruins where it had been hidden wouldn't remain a secret for long. The broken wall, no matter how expertly patched by Gabite, would inevitably be discovered. And while he had tried to cover his tracks, he'd forgotten to erase his footprints—an oversight that gnawed at him.
It wasn't just the Cocoon of Sleep on his mind. John had also taken the Enigma Berry tree, a rare and valuable plant with incredible properties. To ensure its survival, he had painstakingly excavated the tree, roots and all, along with a large amount of surrounding soil. For now, the tree was stored safely in his secret base, but he knew it couldn't stay there indefinitely.
Finding a buyer was imperative. The first person who came to mind was Anna's father, Steven Armstrong, a renowned expert in berries. However, John wasn't entirely confident in approaching him directly. Instead, he decided to contact Professor Scarlett , someone he had worked with before.
John tapped Scarlett's number.
"Professor Scarlett," John greeted. "Happy Holidays."
Scarlett's voice was brisk. "What do you want, John? You're not the type to call for casual chats."
John chuckled lightly. "You're right. I'm selling a rare berry tree. Thought you might be interested."
"What kind of tree?" Scarlett asked, intrigued.
"An Enigma Berry tree," John said.
There was a long pause on the other end of the line. Then, the sound of glass shattering—Scarlett had likely dropped a beaker in shock.
"An Enigma Berry?" Scarlett's tone was incredulous. "What price are you asking?"
"That depends," John replied smoothly. "What's it worth to you?"
Scarlett let out a slow breath. "I'll be honest—I can't afford what it's worth. But I know someone who can."
"Who?" John asked, leaning forward instinctively.
"Saul Badman ," Scarlett said, her tone reverent.
The name made John's heart skip a beat. Saul Badman was a towering figure in the Pokemon world—a Coordinator Master, a pioneer in breeding, and a former Elite Four member. His accomplishments were legendary, and he currently served as the president of Riverstone University.
John swallowed hard. "You're serious?"
"Dead serious," Scarlett replied. "I'll make the introduction. But be ready—this isn't just another deal. You're playing in the big leagues now."
Back at the ruins, Ben and his team moved swiftly through the dark passage. The tunnel twisted and turned, evidence of a hastily dug escape route. Ben's frustration grew with each step. Whoever had taken the Cocoon of Sleep had been thorough, but not thorough enough.
When they emerged at the other end, Ben found signs of a makeshift dig site. His suspicions were confirmed: the artifact had been taken, and the thief had done everything possible to cover their tracks.
His eyes blazed with determination. "Keep searching. They can't have gone far."
As John's plane touched down in Dragoncrest City, he felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. The Cocoon of Sleep was safe for now, but its presence weighed heavily on him. It wasn't just an artifact—it was a legendary treasure tied to myths of incredible power.