"Zoroark's efficiency is pretty impressive—already started promotion and even edited the trailer?" Edward muttered curiously as he took out his phone and searched. As soon as he opened the PoképokéTV Network, the top trending video popped up.
It was none other than the trailer for Sherlock Holmes: Season 2.
Edward clicked it. Scene after scene flashed by until the final image appeared: a shadowy figure hiding in the darkness, silently watching Sherlock Holmes as he stood in the light.
The contrast between light and dark was striking.
Though it was a somewhat cliché confrontation between justice and evil, the execution was undeniably excellent.
Edward was very satisfied. That final scene was a deliberate teaser, foreshadowing the Season 3 antagonist—Malamar, who would become Sherlock's first major opponent, while gradually revealing the presence of Moriarty.
"Young Master Edward, are we heading to Ghost Film Pictures today?" asked Grandpa Robert, the old butler, glancing at Edward who was already seated in the car. The luxury vehicle was attracting quite a few curious stares.
"Not yet... First, let's go visit where Zinnia is being held," Edward replied. He had originally planned to visit Headmistress Lillian of the orphanage and the kids, including Ruckus and Big Bear. But after hearing what Secretary Kennedy said earlier, he decided to see Zinnia first—to understand her situation.
"Understood." The old butler didn't ask where. He already knew where Zinnia was being held. As a competent butler, he naturally kept track of such individuals and their whereabouts.
Soon, the car started and headed toward the suburbs. When it stopped, Edward found himself at their destination:
[Rustboro City Women's Prison]
"Zinnia's been sentenced? How many years?" Edward asked curiously. The same woman who was abandoned by a Legendary Pokémon in the game—and who once had his full respect—was now imprisoned? He hadn't expected that at all.
"Mm. She was convicted for 'participating in and organizing criminal gang activity.' However, due to significant contributions to law enforcement, she was sentenced to just one year. She'll be released in about three months," the butler explained.
Edward scratched his head. There was no doubt that Team Magma and Team Aqua were criminal gangs—the two most notorious dark organizations in Hoenn, with crimes too numerous to list. The fact that Zinnia only got one year was already an incredibly light sentence.
Still… one year, huh?
Edward submitted a visitation request and went through the necessary procedures. Whether he could see Zinnia depended on whether she agreed to meet.
To his surprise, Zinnia accepted.
And so, inside the prison's visiting room, Edward saw her.
She was wearing a prison uniform and looked a bit thinner than before.
That wasn't unusual—people rarely gained weight in prison.
"Well, if it isn't the famous director Edward. What brings you here? Planning to make a movie based on me?" Zinnia scoffed, glaring at Edward with clear hostility.
Edward rubbed his forehead in frustration. Her attitude was nasty.
Before he entered, Edward had already asked the old butler for details.
The old butler said that Chairman Joseph had sent her money. While prison didn't allow total financial freedom, the money could be used for daily necessities. But Zinnia never touched a cent. She earned her living strictly through labor reform and refused to accept any compromise. Even the old chairman could do nothing about it.
"Zinnia…" Edward looked at the woman across from him with mixed feelings.
At the end of the day, what happened to her was indeed caused by his father's actions. Even if those actions were meant to help the League by attempting to capture Rayquaza, a mistake was still a mistake.
"Don't call me that. It's 0271 now," Zinnia waved dismissively, feigning humility. Edward's mouth twitched. This woman really knew how to infuriate others just with her words.
No wonder his father's mood turned sour after visiting her. Edward figured he'd feel the same way in his father's shoes.
With that thought, Edward lost interest in the conversation. Her attitude already made it clear—she had no intention of forgiving Chairman Joseph. Talking further was meaningless and would only lead to more sarcasm from her.
"Huh?" Zinnia was a little surprised to see Edward turn and leave without another word. That was unexpected. She had assumed he was here to apologize—just like Joseph had.
"Aren't you curious why I joined Team Magma?" Zinnia asked with a sweet smile. She didn't believe Edward truly didn't care.
"Not curious. Not even a little. If you want to talk, go tell the guards." Edward waved his hand without looking back and left the visitation room.
What else could it be—probably the meteorite crisis.
A threat that could endanger all of Hoenn unless Rayquaza underwent Mega Evolution.
Edward had already handled matters involving Dialga, Palkia, and Groudon. If that meteorite crisis ever came, he was confident he could handle it too.
"You're back so soon, Young Master?" The old butler looked surprised, but quickly came forward to greet him.
"Yeah. There's no point talking to someone who's hell-bent on never forgiving. When she gets out, we'll offer compensation. If she refuses it, we'll just note it down—and from then on, she has nothing to do with the Stone family," Edward said, waving his hand.
"Understood." The old butler took note of it. Zinnia would be released in three months, and at that time, he would contact her to discuss the matter. If she refused, they'd just wait. She might change her mind later.
Edward turned to glance back at the prison. Zinnia was still inside, but after this, she really had nothing to do with him anymore—unless that meteorite crisis came, in which case she might pop back into the picture.
"Let's go, Grandpa Robert. Let's stop by the orphanage," Edward said as he got into the car. He now planned to visit the little ones at the orphanage.
(End of Chapter)