Sandgem Town, Rowan Research Institute.
The most famous building in this rather quiet seaside town was undoubtedly the Rowan Research Institute.
Cynthia owned a villa here. After all, she occasionally served as Professor Rowan's assistant.
For the time being, Cynthia would stay at the Rowan Research Institute, waiting for the capture operation to begin.
Even if the operation meant she could not return to Celestic Town for a while, this was her duty as Champion.
When she became the Sinnoh Champion,
Cynthia had prepared herself for this.
Otherwise, why would she want to retire like Steven? Bearing the title of Champion meant seeing her responsibilities through to the end.
Cynthia arrived at the Rowan Research Institute that morning and told Professor Rowan about what she had seen on Fog Island.
Professor Rowan nodded. "I did hear Bill mention it at the Research Summit. I never imagined you would actually meet it."
At the Research Summit, Bill had told Oak, Professor Rowan, and the others about the existence of what appeared to be a giant Dragonite.
No one thought it was a hoax.
Ash and Brock had also been there at the time, and they had reported it to Professor Oak as well.
They had only described a brief chance encounter.
It would have been wonderful to meet the giant Dragonite properly.
But they had not pursued it.
They had not, for instance, sent out search teams or stepped up efforts to locate the suspected giant Dragonite.
Professor Oak and Professor Rowan would not do that.
For one thing, they could not be certain whether the giant Dragonite would communicate with humans.
The super-ancient Gengar, Alakazam, and Jigglypuff whose identities had already been confirmed had been sealed away under strict security,
and even the original excavation team had withdrawn.
For another,