>>58926981MY NAME ISNT SHAUNBERGSTEIN
STAY MAD
Just… fuel for the forest. Only her little radio survived. We kept it as a souvenir.”
Solana… gone? Cynthia’s mind, already fraying, recoiled. The missing Ranger… it hadn’t been an accident.
“And don’t worry about your friend,” Aldith continued cheerfully, idly grooming a scale on Seviper’s neck as the great serpent rested, digesting. “The glamorous Diantha of Kalos. We’ve been watching her too. She has such a busy filming schedule. So many isolated locations. She’ll keep your Seviper company soon enough.”
Diantha… no… A new layer of despair, cold and heavy, settled over the physical torment.
“In fact,” Aldith said, pulling out a small radio. “Let me confirm our next step.” She clicked the transmitter. “Alpha Unit to Base. Sinnoh Champion is… processed. The conquest is underway. Nimbasa Gym Leader and model Elesa is next on the itinerary. Prepare the welcome party.”
A crackling voice came back, deep and approving. It was unmistakably Ghetsis. “Excellent work, Aldith. Your promotion to Admin is assured. No one in Sinnoh will be spared. Continue the culling.”
The confirmation shattered the last of Cynthia’s hope. It was systematic. It was bigger than her. She had failed. Not just in this moment, but completely. Her strength, her titles, her history—it all meant nothing. She was just… food. Her people would be next. Her Pokémon… what would become of her beloved team under Plasma’s rule? And Dawn, her bright, passionate protégé… she had failed her, failed everyone. She would be remembered as the champion who vanished, the weak link that allowed Plasma’s darkness to flood into Sinnoh.
