Chapter 108: Cynthia and Celestial Crown Mountain

Togekiss soared swiftly through the sky, and before long, it carried Zhao Fang and Cynthia to Canalave City. This was Zhao Fang’s first time riding an airship, and he felt a mix of excitement and curiosity. He had seen an airship once before in the Battle Frontier town, but that incident involved a dark organization from the Alola region causing trouble in the Hoenn region. The League had swiftly captured them, and since the matter didn’t stir much public attention, it was never mentioned in the news.

“Cynthia, may I ask how high can this airship fly?” Zhao Fang asked, emboldened by their rapport to address her more familiarly, and Cynthia had no objection.

Yet, seeing Cynthia’s gentle smile made Zhao Fang somewhat awkward. After all, she had previously seen some of his posts on WeChat Moments.

“It doesn’t fly very high. Airships can’t approach the ozone layer because that’s where your Hoenn region’s legendary Pokémon, Rayquaza, resides. Approaching recklessly would be seen as a provocation by Rayquaza. No one dares to anger the Sky God in the heavens,” Cynthia explained as she led Zhao Fang to the airship terminal.

Zhao Fang nodded in sudden understanding. He had been wondering about the altitude of airships, but it seemed that in the Pokémon world, flight height was not only a matter of technology but also of respecting the legendary creatures. He guessed that the ocean’s exploration must similarly involve Lugia and Kyogre. Life as a human in the Pokémon world was truly challenging.

Though curious why Cynthia didn’t take an airplane, Zhao Fang said nothing and simply followed her instructions to purchase a ticket. Together, they boarded the airship.

The airship was large—Zhao Fang’s first impression—and the League personnel aboard appeared highly competent. Most of the Pokémon were flying-types, with few from other categories, likely due to the flight altitude restrictions. Though Zhao Fang had a Gyarados, it couldn’t learn flying moves, so he didn’t mention it.

Once on board, Zhao Fang felt a twinge of nervousness. He patted his backpack, where he still carried the stone from the Stone Cave, a relic dedicated to Rayquaza. He wondered if bringing that artifact on the airship might attract Rayquaza’s attention, but fortunately, nothing happened. The flight was smooth as they reached the Sinnoh region, and Zhao Fang caught sight of the towering mountain range in the distance—Mt. Coronet.

“Do you have any research interests in ancient studies?” Cynthia asked, standing beside Zhao Fang as they gazed at Mt. Coronet, her eyes shining with an inexplicable light.

“Uh… not really,” Zhao Fang replied, scratching his head awkwardly. What research could he have? His knowledge was mostly based on fragmented memories of unknown totems, and he couldn’t understand the words of those robed figures at all.

“This temple we’re going to is right there. After we land, you should buy some warm clothes. Mt. Coronet is quite cold,” Cynthia said with a warm smile. It was hard not to admire her charm—though she was the Sinnoh Champion, she had no airs about her, approachable and scholarly in demeanor.

Zhao Fang nodded. The clothing stores in Canalave City hadn’t yet stocked winter apparel, so he struggled to find proper cold-weather gear. He had a few clothes, but they were too thin to withstand Mt. Coronet’s harsh climate.

Upon arriving in Sinnoh, Cynthia donned a knitted cap that covered most of her face and even wore windproof goggles. At first, Zhao Fang thought her look was odd, but upon seeing the city they were about to land in, he realized this attire was quite normal here.

They arrived in Snowpoint City, a place blanketed in ice and snow year-round. Zhao Fang layered himself in several winter clothes, but they offered little protection. Cynthia then took him to a clothing store where he purchased a down jacket made from Wooloo’s wool. Only then did he feel adequately prepared.

Zhao Fang touched the jacket in puzzlement. Made from Wooloo’s wool—could such a thing be wearable? Would it numb him accidentally?

But since the shopkeeper dared to sell it, it must have been effective. He felt reassured and wore it, then together with Cynthia, they boarded Togekiss once more to ascend Mt. Coronet.

Togekiss didn’t fly for long. The mountain’s harsh weather, with relentless snow and wind, greatly affected their flight. Upon reaching a small wooden cabin, Cynthia and Zhao Fang landed.

“Cynthia! You’ve finally returned from Hoenn… And who is this?” A smiling girl approached warmly, hugging Cynthia and then curiously looking at Zhao Fang.

Zhao Fang paid little attention to the girl’s gaze and instead gave Cynthia an exaggerated expression of shock and fear. He hadn’t known Cynthia’s true identity before and now felt the need to act surprised.

“Yuka! You’re such a handful… Sorry, Zhao Fang. I never told you before, but I’m actually Cynthia, the Champion of the Sinnoh region,” Cynthia said, playfully scolding her friend before apologizing to Zhao Fang.

Zhao Fang quickly put on a face of utmost astonishment. Fortunately, the two girls didn’t mind the social pretense and led him inside the cabin to explain the matter of the temple.

From Yuka’s description, Zhao Fang gathered that the temple had been in ruins for a long time. Most of its contents had been taken by relic explorers, but something had been preserved beneath the floor tiles—a mysterious pattern. This pattern was the main reason Cynthia had invited Zhao Fang.

“Can we see it in person?” Zhao Fang proposed. The pattern was complex and emanated a strange power; the longer one looked, the more one felt as if their memory of the pattern was slipping away.

“Of course, but the weather on Mt. Coronet is brutal right now. Also, there’s a group of Abomasnow up there whose intentions are unknown. If we go up recklessly, they might attack us,” Yuka said with a troubled expression. She had tried to ascend before but was blocked by the Abomasnow.

“No worries. We can try to communicate with the Abomasnow first and persuade them. After all, we’re only going to the ruins, not to cause trouble,” Cynthia said calmly. If persuasion failed, she planned to find another way to convince them.

Zhao Fang glanced at Cynthia’s Poké Ball. Her persuasion would surely be compelling.