At Tinkatink's panicked shout, the awkward calm that had followed their truce shattered instantly.
"Wrecking the place?"
Gast reacted first, a flicker of doubt in her eyes as she drifted to Jason's side and looked up at him.
"Che, could it be those Hypno we saw earlier?"
Jason nodded slowly, expression steady. "Nine times out of ten, yeah. Bronzong ran first, and they showed up right after—clearly it went to fetch backup, and now the Hypno are here to smash the place or get payback. Of course, they could also be here for the item."
He tapped his belly.
It was only a purple blur from the outside, but Gast knew he meant the Twisted Spoon.
Bronzong had stayed here to make it; after all that time invested, it wouldn't give up easily.
Beside them, Tinkatuff's ears twitched at their exchange. She turned. "You two know who these gate-crashers are?"
Jason grunted, then briefly recapped how he and Gast had seen three Hypno deliver spoons to Bronzor. "So they're Bronzong's allies—and there's a 'boss' behind them."
Tinkatuff's face tightened.
Just then the messenger Tinkatink finally noticed the familiar head peeking from behind Jason. Its expression flipped to raw disgust and wariness; it bared its teeth at Gast.
To it, this troublemaker was public enemy number one. Why hadn't the big sis smashed her flat today like usual?
Being bared at, Gast shrank further behind Jason like a guilty kid. Once, she would've floated up and pulled faces right back; now, knowing her "fun" had actually disrupted the smiths' lives, she felt a little ashamed.
Seeing the ghost so timid, Tinkatink was baffled. Did the gremlin turn over a new leaf?
No time to dwell on it. There was a bigger issue.
It tugged at Tinkatuff's giant hammer and pleaded, almost in tears, "Boss! Stop talking! If this goes on, the girls won't hold! Those yellow long-nosed things are strong!"
Tinkatuff nodded. No more hesitation—she hefted the hammer and turned to run toward the fray.
"Wait," Jason called after her. "Let's go together."
If the Hypno were here for the spoon—or revenge—he was involved either way. Walking away now would be pretty low.
Tinkatuff paused, glanced at the Ditto she'd just fought beside, then at the ghost—timid, but apparently useful when it mattered. She hummed once—no extra words—agreement by default.
…
…
Paldea Region, Central Helipad
A sleek private jet settled onto the runway. The hatch opened, and a tall, elegant figure stepped out.
A woman of striking presence: smooth, pale-gold hair, a long fringe artfully veiling one eye. She wore a black trench over matching top and trousers—minimalist, sharp, and perfectly tracing a model's silhouette. As she walked, the coat's hem drew graceful arcs. Her beautiful, composed face was calm; the gray eye not covered by her fringe seemed to see through everything.
It was Cynthia, Champion of the Sinnoh League.
She had come at Paldea League Chair Geeta's invitation for academic exchange—and, more to the point, she'd seen Iono's stream highlight not long ago. Like many, she was intrigued by the so-called "Paradox" Ditto that had shaken the Pokémon world. As a scholar of myths and ancient Pokémon, this Ditto pulled at her like gravity.
No sooner had she landed than her Rotom Phone chimed.
Geeta's name flashed on-screen.
"Champion Cynthia, my apologies," Geeta's even voice came through. "I didn't expect you so soon. An urgent matter has come up—I'm afraid I can't greet you personally."
Cynthia smiled faintly, voice warm. "No problem, Chairwoman Geeta. Please take care of business. I'll wander a bit on my own—good chance to see Paldea's Pokémon with my own eyes."
"Thank you for understanding. I'll have staff send your hotel details shortly."
"Very well."
She pocketed the phone and turned to the imposing presence at her side—her ace and most trusted partner, Garchomp.
The battle-scarred dragon's shark-rough hide bore a few light marks—badges of a veteran.
Cynthia rested her hand lightly on its blade-like fin. A rare softness touched her features.
Tilting her head up, she said, "Garchomp—did you hear?"
"Gaaaar."
"I heard there's a Ditto here that talks—and transforms freely into Pokémon that aren't even present." Her eyes gleamed. "Tell me that doesn't sound more interesting than a frozen mural in some ancient ruin."
A spark kindled in Garchomp's golden eyes as well. That Ditto sounded strong. It wanted to test it.
Garchomp nodded.
"Well then…" Cynthia turned her gaze to Paldea's wide horizon.
"Let's go. Let's see what Paldea's Pokémon are like—and if we run into that Ditto, all the better."