Chris and Gloria proceeded through the aptly named Ravaged Path, hoping to make good time to, and through, Floaroma Town. However, they found their path blocked by a heated battle.

"Pikachu, Volt Tackle!"

"Starmie, Rapid Spin!"

The Croagunk and Stunky that the pair were facing off against went down hard, and were withdrawn by their trainers, two Galactic Grunts.

"Heh, so you beat us in battle. You think we're done?" One grunt pressed a button, and the ground beneath the two trainers and their Pokemon collapsed.

"Hey, you can't do that to them!" Gloria shouted as she ran forward.

"Who's gonna stop us?" the Grunt asked cockily.

"Shut it, moron! Look who it is!" The Grunt hit his partner, and both started to back away.

Gloria clenched her fists. "Too late, boys. Say goodnight." She grabbed the two and slammed their heads together, leaving them unconscious on the cave floor. Meanwhile, Chris helped the other two trainers out of the hole.

"Gah, I spend too much time at the bottom of holes."

"Well, if you were better at watching for traps, you'd stay out of them."

"Like you're one to talk, Misty. You always end up down there with me."

Misty blushed. "I guess you've got me there, Ash. Oh, and thanks, you two. Hey, I recognize you! Chris, and Gloria!"

"Misty? What're you doing here in Sinnoh?" Chris was baffled as to why the Cerulean Gym Leader was traveling here, especially with how dangerous it was.

"Well, Ash here is part of that. He was kind of distraught after…something happened, so I caught the next plane to Jubilife to come help him."

"Wait, Ash? As in Ash Ketchum?" Gloria's eyes lit up as he nodded. "Ooh, cool! Looks like a multi-celebrity meeting!"

"Huh?" Ash was obviously confused.

"Ash Ketchum. Even I recognize that name. Your exploits a few years back really gained you some notoriety, even where I'm from. You're still the only one to have beaten Drake, you know."

"Oh, that? That was six years ago!" Ash was blushing too, not used to being treated as a celebrity. On the road, it rarely came up, especially when traveling with his close friends.

"That's not all that your name has been tagged on, you know." Misty realized that Ash had never known how big he was, because he spent all of his time traveling. "Remember Entei? Latios and Latias? You've helped save the world at least once. And while so have they, that's still pretty big."

"Now hang on, Misty. You were there for those, too."

"But I wasn't the big hero. That was you." Before Ash could protest anymore, Misty kissed him soundly. "Not to mention, you do own three league championship trophies from different areas."

"Yeah, I know, I know." Pikachu began to laugh next to him.

"Eh, it's good to see that fame hasn't given you a big head, Ash." Chris commented.

Misty looked over at him. "Oh, he used to have one. But it's been deflated enough that he now keeps it under wraps."

"Yeah, you and May…." He fell silent, and they all saw the pain on his face.

"Mind if we ask who May is?" Gloria was looking at Misty, but Misty waited for Ash to nod before replying.

"May is…was…Norman's daughter, from Hoenn. She had also traveled with Ash, and was like a little sister to him, and he treated her and her brother Max like family. But…that's why I'm here, now."

"What happened?"

"I guess that you guys travel enough that you don't hear news, either," Ash said, looking up. Tears ran slowly down his face as he talked. "Last week, Team Magma…they destroyed all of the gyms in Hoenn! May, and her family…" He trailed off, unable to finish.

"I caught up with Ash at their funeral. We then came here, hoping that it wouldn't be as bad. But…it's worse. Galactic was behind Magma's move, and behind similar attacks in Johto and Kanto. Cerulean Gym was destroyed less than an hour after I left to come meet Ash."

"That may have been why they torched my dad's gym!" Gloria exclaimed.

"Or at least part of it. I think that they're trying to destroy the Leagues, and their government." Chris realized that if it had just been part of that plan, then his home would have been spared. But the method of the attack on Cianwood had also been to target Gloria.

"The Professors have come under attack, too. My mom is hiding out with Professor Oak, and Professor Rowan is under Galactic's thumb." Ash seemed to be recovering, and resolve shone in his eyes. "However, I don't think that all hope is lost. We should see if we can find some of the other surviving Gym leaders. See if we can lead a revolt against Team Galactic."

"You guys took down Team Rocket single-handed, but I don't think that Team Galactic is going to be so easy." Misty commented. "They're better supplied, more disciplined, and they're prepared."

"Then perhaps the four of us should go together. Share our strength." Gloria looked at the other three, who nodded. Rising to their feet, they headed out of the cave.

Meanwhile, Agent J had arrived in Floaroma Town, and had already knocked out her second-cousin in the Center. She now lay in wait for her prey to come into her trap…