May 12.
Eindoak Town, Pokémon Center.
That night, Li Wei had just learned from Alder that
the Dark Stone kept inside the Sword of the Vale had disappeared.
Alder had already hurried back to the Unova League overnight to prepare countermeasures.
As for a possible battle against Zekrom, he would have to leave that to Li Wei and Cynthia.
Li Wei always liked to prepare for the worst,
but he had considered other possibilities, too.
On the bright side, Zekrom might have left with N.
Or perhaps Zekrom had simply gone out for a stroll, just like the previous two times Zekrom had gone to see Ash.
That possibility couldn't be ruled out.
Knock, knock. "It's me."
"Come in."
Cynthia's reply came from inside the room.
Soon, the door to the Pokémon Center room opened. Iris had opened it.
Cynthia was sitting by the window, reading a book she had borrowed from the Eindoak Library that day.
"Mr. Li Wei, come on in!"
Iris stepped aside to let Li Wei into the room.
Cynthia put down her book and asked in confusion, "Is something wrong?"
If Cynthia had been staying in a room by herself, she probably wouldn't have found it strange.
But with Iris there,
based on what Cynthia knew of Li Wei, he wouldn't have come over unless he needed to.
"Mr. Alder said the Dark Stone has disappeared..."
Iris exclaimed, "What?!"
Unmistakable surprise also appeared in Cynthia's eyes.
"I remember Gym Leader Drayden saying that the place where the Dark Stone was kept was very difficult to enter..."
Li Wei nodded. "Yes, so we need to be prepared."
Li Wei also told Cynthia his theories.
"Understood. I'll keep an eye out."
Even with the Dark Stone missing, Cynthia was only surprised for a moment.
They just needed