Pokémon Insighter: Platinum

by Espeon804

They were forced into world to alternate from their own: The world of Pokémon. They were told one thing: "Find The Insight". They have to journey through the Sinnoh Region to seek answers. They aren't the chosen ones, "The Inisghter" is. The twins are just disposable tools for the gods. However, they are kids with dreams, and EVERYONE has dreams.

11. The life of a Champion

A/N: Don't you just love teenagers who think they know everything? We've all been there.

Also, I wrote a short story. "The Dragon's Roar". It's about Gym Leader Raihan. You should give it a read. :)

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Befriend List:

-Lalinda

-Will

-Leon

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- Chapter 11: The life of a Champion -

A briefcase is dropped heavily on the smooth table surface. The clips are easily popped free with a single pull. Once opened, inside are a dozen Pokéballs lined up in nest rows, secured in foam slots.

"Hm…" Lucas leans closer to them, but trying to get a better look that way proves to be a little pointless. He slips a hand in his back pocket and pulls out a Pokédex. It's a little worn with several scratches, but it's still in great working condition.

Turning it on, the screen is flooded with a large list of Pokémon. He taps the bottom screen, and the led light turns on and scans the Pokéball cluster.

Seconds later, images of the scanned Pokémon appear on the screen in an organized matter. Four Turtwig, four Chimchar, and four Piplup, respectively.

"Looks like they are in good condition. They are ready to have a Trainer soon," he says, closing the device and putting it away. He picks up a clipboard from the table, and he begins writing the information down. "Everyone is in great shape. Status is top notch. Their stats are good… yep. Okay, let's check out one of them…"

He holds the clipboard with one hand as he removes the middle Pokéball from the slot. He presses the button, and the capsule pops open. Summoned out the spilling light is a confused Chimchar. Lucas catches the Pokéball that returned to him. He says nothing, watching the Pokémon carefully.

The Chimchar tilts its head before it turns around. Spotting Lucas, it screams out of fright and jumps back before running away. The chimp makes a detour seeing a lab assistant, and it sprints for a desk. It stops as soon as a man steps in the way. It screams again and turns quickly.

Lucas watches the panicked Pokémon with a sigh. He picks up his pencil and writes again. "Chimchar is a male… Timid in nature…"

A stack of books are knocked over, and they loudly slam on the ground. Lab workers try to catch the panicked Chimchar that easily runs between or around their legs.

"... Likes to run." Lucas jots down another note. "Great. Out of all the ones I picked first-"

"LUCAS!"

Lucas jerks and drops the cupboard in an instant. His head whips left and right as he searches for the professor that just scolded him. He locates him at the door, and he smiles shyly. "Oh… h-hi professor…!"

Professor Rowan extends his hand. Immediately, Lucas throws the Pokéball at him, and it is caught firmly. The professor watches the Chimchar scatter for a few seconds before aiming the Pokéball towards him.

The Chimchar's body glows a light blue, and he is reduced to a ribbon of light that is absorbed through the button of the capsule. It's quiet in an instant. The professor looks at the capsule before he closes the lab door.

Lucas doesn't say a word as the professor begins to walk across the room. There isn't much that can be said.

As soon as he reaches the briefcase, Professor Rowan tucks the Pokéball back inside and closes it softly. Clipping it securely, he grabs the handle and lifts it from the desk. "You worked with me for two years. You should know better than to release a Pokémon in the lab."

"I didn't think he would panic like that…" Lucas defends.

Rowan nods. "And I am positive you didn't think he would make such a big mess. Clean this up."

"Yes, Professor." Lucas bows his head before walking behind the desk to grab a broom. At this moment, the door of the lab opens again. He glances at it and freezes. Timing isn't looking so good for him. "Oh…"

"Goodness. What happened here?" Walking inside is Johanna, carrying a small container tied in a red cloth. She steps over a fallen chair to keep moving. Her Glameow is behind her, leaping gracefully and landing a foot ahead of her.

"Your son was a little impatient with the new shipment, and decided to start the evaluations without me," Professor Rowan answers.

"Well, you know he's passionate about Pokémon. It's amazing how a single small one can make such a huge mess!" Johanna says with a laugh. She takes a good look around. "Yes. It doesn't matter how long you are around them. They are always fascinating creatures. Of course, Lucas could have handled this better, but my boy can lose some common sense when he wants something done quickly."

"Mom…" Lucas can only sigh. He isn't in a good position to defend himself.

"It's alright. At least nothing important was broken," Professor Rowan says. He changes the subject, holding a bit of curiosity. "I didn't expect you to pay us a visit today. Are you here to see how Lucas is doing?"

"Well, yes and no," Johanna answers. She stops walking as soon as she is close to them. Her Glameow sits next to her, licking her paw already. "I made some lunch for myself, and I think I overdid it. Glameow won't eat it since it's nothing she is interested in, so I decided to pack it and give it to my hard-working young man."

Lucas is handed the container, and he takes it carefully, wearing a small smile. "Thanks, mom. Perfect timing. I was just getting hungry."

"Lunch break is not until another hour." Professor Rowan reminds him, killing his joy immediately. "You can't eat when the lab looks like this regardless. Perhaps I'll let you take an early lunch if you get this cleaned up quickly."

Lucas doesn't wait another second. He sets his lunch down on the table and quickly heads for the fallen books.

Professor Rowan returns his attention to Johanna. "Are you holding yourself well? You've been alone for quite some time now."

"Oh, I am fine. No need to worry," Johanna answers. She turns to her grooming Glameow. "Besides. I'm never alone. Glameow is always nearby. But, even if she isn't around, I have other Pokémon to keep me company."

"That's good to hear." Professor Rowan nods his head.

"Have you spoken to the twins recently?" Johanna asks. "The last time I spoke to Mia, she was in Eterna City. She told me everything that took place with Team Galactic."

"Well, yes. I have. What she told me was rather odd. She didn't mention Team Galactic, but instead, it was Team Rocket."

"Team Rocket?" Johanna's eyes go wide with slight fear. "But they disbanded, didn't they? What are they doing in this country? They usually stay in the Kanto Region!"

"It's okay, mom. I'm sure they are fine," Lucas says, giving her a comforting smile. "They have their Pokémon with them, and I'm sure they are sticking as a group."

"Yes. I'm positive Mia found Will by now, or vise versa," the professor says, not worried in the slightest. "The Rockets she faced weren't much of a threat. They were merely causing an interruption, and they were taken care of quite easily. She is getting stronger, and soon… I assure you she will be able to defend herself on her own."

His words aren't enough to convince Johanna that things will work out fine. She brings up another concern with him. "Didn't you hear? The Champion declared Team Galactic as an orange-level threat. It was announced on television recently."

"Yes, I am aware," the professor replies. "However, Mia should have no reason to encounter them, now that she knows just how dangerous they can be."

"But what if they cross paths again?"

"She's a smart child. She won't let them have their way with her if they decide to mess with her."

"But she's not very brave."

"By herself, she's timid. With her brother, she gains more confidence. She feels safer with him, so I know he will fight for her as well. What's with you? You weren't like this when Lucas and Dawn left home."

Johanna sighs. "That's because my children know the rules here. Mia and Will don't know much about our world."

"They won't learn, if you don't allow them to experience it firsthand," Professor Rowan says carefully. "Let them be."

Johanna doesn't try to argue anymore. If the professor is so calm about it… maybe she's overreacting.

A beeping sound fills the silence. Immediately, the professor walks to his computer. "That's odd. I wasn't expecting any news today. It's not coming from here at all."

"That's for me, Professor!" Lucas stands from his organizing, and he quickly sets his bag down and pulls out his laptop. He sets it on the table and opens it quickly. He begins to type on the keyboard. "I sent my Staraptor out to fly around the country. He has a camera on him, so if he finds anything interesting, he'll send the footage back to this lab."

"That's great thinking, Lucas!" Johanna praises him. However, it doesn't stick very long. "But how would Staraptor know what footage to send over?"

"He'll send out anything he doesn't recognize. Hopefully, it's not another abandoned bag or anything." Lucas rubs the back of his head, unsure of himself now. "Maybe this wasn't the best idea."

"Just transfer it to the big screen," Professor Rowan tells him.

Lucas taps a single key, and he pauses. His face scrunches up before it morphs into a look of surprise. "Oh! He actually found something interesting. Look at this!" Tapping a key sequence, the wall at the very back of the lap opens up, revealing a giant screen.

The image pops up, displaying an old and aged tablet written in strange symbols. While they mock a written language, they all have a small circle in the middle of each character.

"What is that?" Johanna wonders. "It looks like something found in the Solaceon Ruins."

"It does, but it's not there. Looks like… hm." Lucas glances at his laptop. "Staraptor is located near Celestic Town. I wonder how he found it."

"I recognize this… Unown Script…" Professor Rowan leans closer to the screen. After several seconds, he turns to Lucas. "Contact Cynthia, and send this image to her. I need her to decipher this."

"Uh… right! On it!" Lucas returns his attention to his laptop, closing a window and opening a new one.

Professor Rowan and Johanna wait quietly. Within a few seconds, Cynthia's face appears on the corner of the screen.

"You called?" The Champion asks. She leans closer to the screen, and she wears a smile. "Oh! Johanna! Isn't this a surprise?! It's nice to see you!"

"I feel the same," Johanna says, returning the smile.

Cynthia doesn't waste any time. "So, I'm glad to inform you that Mia and Will found each other. They both won the Forest Badge."

"Just as you said, Professor!" Lucas is impressed with him.

"That's wonderful to hear," the professor says.

Johanna is pleased. "They won't separate any time soon."

"Yes. They are a strong group now. Lalinda is staying with them, and I managed to convince Leon to travel with them."

"Leon?!" Johanna blurts out the name. "You mean, the Galar Champion? That kid that's been undefeated since he was ten years old? That Leon?"

Cynthia laughs at Johanna's expression. "Yes, Johanna. Don't forget that he's strong on his own, too. It works out, doesn't it?"

"That changes a lot of things…" Johanna isn't sure what to make of it. "But how do you know for sure you can rely on him? Not saying his bad, but he is a teenager. You know how they are. They think they know everything."

"Don't worry. I requested Gardenia to test him today. It's important to make sure he doesn't lower his guard," Cynthia replies. "I may have the kids do one more task before they leave the city. Roark wanted to give them something. My day is looking busier by the minute."

Johanna nods. "I would try to talk about it, but there is no time for small talk, it seems. They found something."

Cynthia turns her attention to the professor. "What do you have for me?"

"Not from me. Lucas is the one who discovered something this time around," Professor Rowan says.

"Can you take a look at this?" Lucas asks, with his eyes still glued to his screen. "I just sent it to you, so you should see it in a few seconds…"

Cynthia's eyes shift away from them. She looks at another part of her own screen. "I just got it. And it looks like… oh. I've never seen this before. Where did you find it?"

"My Staraptor did, actually. It's somewhere near your hometown."

"I'm not surprised to hear it. Celestic Town is the oldest town here, so we are bound to discover something every once in a while."

"So…"

"Yes. I can read it, if that is what you are wondering," Cynthia says. Her smile grows, showing a bit of excitement. "Most of the language was worn down by erosion, so it will take me some time to translate it. Give me an hour, and I'll get back to you."

"Of course. We appreciate your help as always, Champion," Professor Rowan says with a bow.

"I'm glad to help. Just don't overwork yourself." Cynthia waves quickly before the communication cuts off.

"She's gone already?" Johanna almost laughs, amused by this. "She's always off in a hurry when it comes to research, isn't she?"

"She'll be awake all night if this takes longer than she planned," Professor Rowan says. "She should be the one not pushing herself too much. I can very well take care of myself."

Lucas closes his laptop. "Now… after lunch, do you want me to move the Pokémon to the field?"

The Professor looks at his briefcase. "As long as you don't make another mess. Make sure none of them try to make a run inside this lab. Otherwise, you'll spend all day tomorrow organizing my documents if they dare to tamper with them."

"I promise, it won't happen!" The mere idea of it is giving Lucas bad thoughts. He slips his laptop back inside his bag before standing to take the briefcase. He is out the backdoor in no time.

Johanna looks back at the professor. "So, Leon is with them now. I still can't believe it."

"As I said, there isn't so much to worry about," the professor says. "Since they have a strong Trainer with them, they'll be much safer. Cynthia knows what she is doing."

Johanna places her hands near her hips. "Well, the timing is good. Cynthia said they would be heading for Hearthome City."

"What's on your mind?" Professor Rowan asks.

"I'm going to make a run to the Pokémart," Johanna says, turning for the door. "I'll give you a call later. I hope Cynthia finds something interesting!"

Glameow takes notice of Johanna leaving. The feline stands and stretches her body before jogging after her.

Professor Rowan crosses his arms. He turns back to the big screen, staring at the image displayed. A small smile forms on his lips. Everything Cynthia has done so far… was good for everyone.

- 0000 -

Mia, Will, Lalinda, and Leon. They walk through the city, on their way to the bicycle shop. Richard clings on to Will's shoulder, and Leon's Charizard walks behind them.

The way the beast walks is almost amusing. His legs are short compared to his body. So, each step is heavy, almost a waddle. His wings don't fold, but they stay still. Somehow, he keeps the flame at the end of his long and swaying tail from hitting anyone.

Seeing a Charizard out in the open doesn't remain unnoticed.

People are staring and pointing. Leon's Charizard has gained some attention. Mia isn't so used to all the eyes. She finds herself walking closer to her brother. Sunshine is quieter than normal, snug on top of her head, and flinching at any loud sound.

Richard is trying his best to assure Sunshine that everything will be fine. His small squeaks leaves Mia guessing what he could he is saying to her.

His comforting does remind Mia that she isn't alone anymore.

To have so many people with her… Mia didn't foresee this coming. She knew her brother would come around. However, meeting Lalinda - someone who also knows the professor - makes things easier for the both of them.

The most surprising thing is how Mia knows not just one Champion, but two. Meeting one is considered an honor. Now, she'll be traveling with someone who refers to himself as 'unbeatable'. His only weakness is his terrible sense of direction. Cynthia pretty much forced him to travel with them so that he wouldn't wound up lost.

Mia is glad to have a powerful Trainer with her. At some point, she hopes she won't have to rely on him so much.

Her father always said if she wants to reach her goals, sitting around won't help her achieve them. She can't depend on other people all the time.

At some point, she hopes she can stand up for herself. If she wants to return home soon - her real home - it won't happen if she constantly has her back against the wall.

What happened in the Team Galactic building… Mia never felt so terrible. She was weak, and helpless, and she hated it. If Leon didn't arrive, she doubts she would have ever made it out.

He is so relaxed and carefree most of the time. How is a person like him so strong? Then again, Cynthia is a very kind person, but she's powerful and brave at the same time.

Of course, Trainers don't have to be tough all the time. They can be intimidating when given the chance. Mia wonders if she'll be like them one day. She tries to imagine herself with a full team of powerful Pokémon… but she can't see herself acting so brave in front of something that could end her life.

What would happen if she is in a life or death situation? How well would she handle it on her own?

With Leon with them, won't they be targeted more? He has people after him…

She shouldn't worry so much. The professor and Johanna said there are people looking after her. Maybe they are hidden, and she hasn't found them yet. Or maybe, Cynthia stuck Leon on them on purpose to protect them. It's hard to tell.

Looking at him now, he's grinning and talking to his Charizard, who is enjoying his company. Now, Mia is curious. She takes out her Pokédex for a better look at the powerful Pokémon.

Scanning him with the Pokédex… the number that pops up…

"L-level 58?!" Mia exclaims, almost choking. Eyes are on her now as she gawks at the screen.

"You okay there, mate?" Leon asks her, a bit concerned about her sudden outburst. He stops walking along with everyone else just to check on her.

"How did your Charizard get that strong?!" Mia asks him.

"Oh. He's had plenty of battles. He gained a lot of experience from them," Leon explains. "He hasn't gained much recently, since everyone who challenged me didn't stand much of a chance. The downside about being at such a high level is that it's harder to climb higher. Of course, we have every intention to go as high as we can."

"If your Charizard is at such a high level… it must know some powerful techniques," Will says. "What does he know?"

"It's techniques?" Leon frowns. "Hmm. You already know he has Air Slash and Flamethrower. As for the other two… you'll have to find out yourself."

His answer isn't what Mia wanted to hear. "I can't possibly fight that Charizard now! He'll destroy my Pokémon!"

"You and your Pokémon. You're the Trainer, remember?" Leon chuckles at her response. "You want to know what you are lacking? Your connection with your Pokémon. It's there, but it's not deep enough."

Mia thought she had a deep connection. Now, she's confused.

"What?" Lalinda looks at him funny. "I'm sure there is already a connection. Our Pokémon enjoy our company as much as we enjoy theirs."

"Okay then, let me ask you a question," Leon says, crossing his arms. "When your Pokémon are battling, what do you feel?"

How does she feel? How can Mia answer that? She feels Sunshine shifting on her head. Is there something she's missing?

Will tries to answer, but he sounds unsure of it. "We feel… nervous for them? I mean… we have to look out for them. I don't know what you want us to say-"

"That is where you are wrong," Leon says.

Lalinda crosses her arms, annoyed with him now. "Alright. Since you know it all, explain."

"You don't feel what they feel. You aren't in sync. You aren't battling alongside them. You… are just there." Leon shakes his head, giving her a teasing smile.

Will is confused. "What are you saying…?"

"In short… you don't let loose in the heat of battle. Until you learn to do that… your battles are just… bland."

"You're calling us boring?!" Lalinda scowls at him. "We just started training!"

"It can't happen overnight." Mia feels disappointed about this. There is no way she can possibly get so strong, no matter how much she desires it. It can't be handed to her.

"I never said it would. Learn your monsters, and they'll respect you more." Leon walks past, waving a hand. "Unless you want them to revert to being stubborn as they were in Oreburgh."

His words sink in, and Mia has nothing to say against them.

He's not wrong, but does he have to be so blunt?

"Pokémon can sense their Trainer's emotions, and they will act on them, you know. They teach every rookie that."

"Yeah… I know." Mia remembers the lesson. "That's what the teacher said. That's why they always tell us to never panic in a battle."

"Which you probably have a habit of doing. That's okay. I'll help you overcome that."

Mia wasn't expecting that. "Wait. You will?"

"That's the bicycle shop, isn't it?" Leon asks, pointing ahead. He completely throws away the old subject, not interested in it anymore.

It annoys them a bit.

Mia takes a look at where he is pointing. She recognizes the building in an instant. "Yeah. That's the shop. We should hurry and see if he's okay."

The four pick up their pace. Mia passes the three, being the first at the door.

"Wait just a second!"

Mia groans and places her hands on her head. That voice is the last thing she needs to hear today. "No… please go away…"

Sunshine cowards, sensing Mia's discomfort. The closer Marlen gets, the more uncomfortable Mia becomes. If Will weren't present, she would have made a run for the shop by now.

At the moment, she won't move back just yet. She's fighting every nerve just to stand her ground. She won't let him have his way as easily as he did before.

Lalinda growls lightly, speaking with a harsh tone. "Does he like to show up and kill the mood?"

"Yes. He does." Will stands near Mia, ready to defend her if needed. His Pichu stands tall, and his cheeks crackle with static.

The only one not showing a negative attitude is Leon. He looks at the three, completely lost. "I'm sorry. Am I missing something here? What's wrong?"

Marlen appears irritated with them all. "I overheard your little incident at the Team Galactic base. I can't see how you even got out of that. It would have been better if you stayed there."

Sunshine sinks against Mia's head. Now, Mia is worried that Marlen might try to take her.

"Do you have to cause drama every time you breathe near us?" Lalinda asks, with a bitter tone.

"I'm not even talking to you," Marlen responds rudely. He looks at the twins. Mia resists the urge to take a step back. "How stupid are you to run in there in the first place? You weren't fit to handle that type of thing. That was meant for me to handle!"

"No one ever said it was…" Mia pauses. How is she supposed to even respond to that? He sounded ridiculous, like he wanted to be the hero. Why?

"What is your problem?" Will asks him. "The only reason we went in there was to save Rad Rickshaw."

"Which was meant for me to handle!" Marlen repeats.

"It's not like you to be nice. What are you trying to do?" Will asks him. After a few seconds, he makes a guess. "Trying to look good and impress Cynthia, so that she can say something good about you to the professor for once?"

Marlen's anger grows. That must be the answer. "Don't act so tough, Will. You're forgetting what happened the last time you tried to be against me."

"It's different this time."

"You think you've gotten stronger just because you won two gym badges?" Marlen almost laughs. "Unlike you, Roark and Gardenia were no problem for me. In fact, I tore through them both, it was a joke! They got crushed in an instant, because they didn't stand a chance. You? All my Pokémon have to do is sneeze on yours, and it's over!"

"That's enough!" Mia shouts at him, earning a glare from him. "Just leave us alone!"

"How about you shut up, crybaby!"

"Stop calling me that!"

Will growls. "You know what?"

Marlen raises his head as he steps closer to Will. "The stupid professor doesn't recognize my potiental. What does he see in your lame crybaby sister? She couldn't defend herself if she tried! I would have had her Pokédex that was meant for me if-"

"What?! What did you do?!"

Mia answers softly. "He took my Pokédex from me. If Looker didn't show up, he would have kept it."

Lalinda shoots a glare at him. "Oh, really?"

"I told you about messing with my sister! Now you're trying to steal her stuff?!" Will is riled up. His body is tense, and his fingers are clenched.

"You can't win a Pokémon battle against me." Marlen balls both fists in front of his head while spreading his feet and bends his knees. "And you definitely can't win a fight against me. I dare you to come at me. You'll be eating dirt again!"

Leon is alarmed. "Wait… is he-?"

"You're the one eating dirt!" Will snaps as he stomps forward. Richard is quick to leap off his shoulder, knowing what will happen next.

"Will! No!" The last thing Mia needs is for her brother to try to fight him. He doesn't stand a chance!

A heavy swing is unleashed, and Marlen ducks his head underneath.

Lalinda and Leon's eyes are wide.

Marlen swings his head around the next fist, and it flies past his head. Just as Will takes a step back, he jabs one fist forward, landing a heavy punch against Will's chest. The next punch hits the side of his head.

Will can't take anymore of it. He distances himself, rubbing his head while shooting an angry glare. At the same time, he appears just as shocked as everyone else.

"Will! Are you okay?!" Mia quickly grabs his shoulders, pulling him back. She wants him as far away from Marlen as possible. She glances at the bully every few seconds, feeling worse each time.

Will hates how useless he feels at the moment. It's clear on his face. His Pichu is at his side now, crawling to his legs.

Marlen steps forward, staring down the struggling twin. He is still in position to fight. "The last time I checked, you aren't a really good fighter. For you to back away tells me you're just as big of a coward as your sister."

That's not it. Will knows it's pointless to fight someone who actually had training. He's not reckless. Not like Marlen is right now.

Mia knows Marlen will keep pushing. He always gets into a fight with someone. It's one of the main reasons why the professor doesn't even like him.

"Just back off, man…" Will sends his warning. He tenses up as Marlen comes closer. Richard returns to his shoulder, crouching low.

"Maybe, I don't want to. What are you going to do, huh?"

"Hey there," Leon calls, taking a few careful steps forward. "Provoking him to fight? That's not very kind of you."

"What? You want to join in?" Marlen challenges him. He pauses as soon as he makes eye contact with him. He relaxes his stance a bit, somewhat surprised. "Wait… So, the rumors are true. The Galar Champion is here."

"You recognize me." Leon is hopeful. "So, you'll stop being rude?"

"If you're friends with them, then I'm letting you know right now, I don't care who you are. Nobody gets in my way."

Mia can't believe this. How entitled is he?!

Leon shakes his head. "I just want you to walk away and leave them alone. What have they ever done to you? There is no need to keep this going. You'll only hurt yourself at some point."

"The only thing that will hurt me is letting you give me a dumb lecture. This is none of your business!"

Leon doesn't like the answer he received. "Maybe it is, now. He surrendered. You should stop."

"Move out the way."

"Not happening."

"Then you clearly want to get hurt!"

"I'm not. I would rather avoid conflict all together," Leon replies, waving both hands. "You clearly like to like to trade blows. That's not a good thing."

"You like to stick your nose in other people's business."

"I don't let people talk badly about my friends."

Leon's Charizard can sense the growing tension. He snarls at Marlen, taking a step forward.

"Easy, Charizard…" Leon says carefully.

Marlen takes notice, so he challenges him. "What will you do? I know I won't win a battle against you, but you aren't dumb enough to send your Charizard out to fight people, right?"

"Yes, I follow the Trainer's Code, if that is what you are wondering."

"Then step aside. This is between me and that dumb boy." Marlen narrows his eyes.

"If you have intentions to hurt him more, I won't move."

"Okay then, hero. I dare you to try and stop me."

"I won't. It's pointless." Leon declines the challenge immediately. "If we carelessly fight right now, it won't even last long. It will hurt."

Marlen almost laughs at his response. "So, you admit you won't win. For a Champion, you lack a lot of guts. Do yourself a favor, and get out the way."

He takes a few steps closer, now standing right in front of him. This stance would usually force Mia or Will to back down.

To his surprise, Leon doesn't even budge.

His Charizard stands just as firm as his Trainer. It's like he's mirroring his every move. He studies the situation carefully.

"Are you stupid?" Marlen pushes Leon's shoulders, making him lean back. "Move!"

He pushes with a greater force. Leon staggers back.

"I said, move! You aren't going to do anything!"

Marlen pushes him even harder, forcing Leon back again. Leon remains quiet, staring at the unruly teen with a piercing glare. Charizard begins to snarl again, holding the same look in his own eyes.

"What are you going to do, huh? Huh?!"

Leon is shoved with great force. He stumbles this time and nearly falls, so he's forced to save himself by slamming his feet down. His Charizard takes several steps forward, letting loose a roar.

"I will be fine, Charizard," he says firmly.

His Pokémon stops moving, but his eyes don't leave Marlen at all.

Leon slightly moves one foot back as Marlen inches closer. He speaks carefully, making sure his words are fully understood. "You'll find yourself in trouble, and it won't be small. I have connections with Cynthia, just thought you should know."

"Do you think that scares me?" Marlen challenges him.

"Do you think you want to take a step closer?" Leon challenges him back, narrowing his eyes.

That didn't sound so friendly. Whatever words Marlen was about to say don't come out anymore. He searches for new ones, stuffing his hands inside his pockets. "You're only lucky, because you have that title."

Leon says nothing else. He keeps a close eye on him. It's not until Marlen turns his back that he seems to relax. His Charizard calms down almost in an instant.

Thankfully, to Mia's relief, Marlen finally takes his leave. As soon as he is out of earshot, she turns to Leon. "I was worried he might hurt you," she says.

Leon waves it off. "Hunters tried. Team Galactic tried. I was fine then. I'll be fine in the future."

She wishes she has the same confidence Leon has. She can't even muster enough to match Will's, and he knew he couldn't fight him. "I can't even beat him in a simple Pokémon battle…"

"What a jerk…" Lalinda growls.

"There's only so much I can do." Will stares down the road a bit longer. He tears his eyes away at last, looking at his clenched fists. "He's too strong. I won't even win a fist fight against him. He's like a boxer when he fights.. "

"I've noticed that he's been trained to use his fists. It's a good skill to have… if you use them for the right reasons." Leon places a hand on his head. "It's too bad he likes to throw his weight around."

Mia picks up her Pokédex, feeling a bit overwhelmed. She's beginning to think the professor only gave it to her to save her. Not because she earned it.

Lalinda nudges her lightly. "Don't be so hard on yourself. He wants you to feel bad."

Will rubs his aching face. "This feels bad. Ouch…"

"I told you not to fight him!" Mia reminds him.

"Yeah. Yeah. I'm sorry…" Will sighs.

"Well… can you really blame him?" Leon asks. "I understand why he stood up, knowing there's a slim chance he would be victorious. After all, I have a little brother myself."

"You do?" Mia asks eagerly.

Leon nods. "His name is Hop. He's so little now… but something tells me he'll become something big. I wouldn't trade the whole world for him."

"Awwww." Lalinda is adored by this. "Have a picture of him?"

"I do, actually." Leon slips a hand inside his pocket, removing his wallet. Opening it carefully, he pulls a small picture from inside. He allows Mia and the others to group up close.

On the photograph is Leon, perhaps when he was a few years younger. Held in his arms is a baby who holds the resemblance. He has the same hair and eyes, and he looks adorable.

"Seeing you, Will… I understand. You'll fight to protect your sister. I'll protect my little brother with everything I have."

"You miss him, don't you?" Mia asks.

"Well… Yeah. I do. I'll give my mum a ring soon. Just to check on him."

It seems everyone has someone back home waiting on them. It reminds Mia on why she is doing this in the first place. She is a little saddened, but there's not much that can be done right now.

Not wanting to stay on the subject for much longer, Will pushes things forward. "Can we... just go inside the shop now?"

Leon tucks the picture away. "We should get moving, right?"

Mia nods and faces the door. She opens it carefully and peeks inside, hesitant to step inside. Lalinda lightly pushes her as she walks past and enters. It's enough to encourage Mia to move forward.

Stepping inside, the shop looks abandoned. Mia looks at the walls, trying to catch any possible movement, but there are none. Didn't Cynthia say he would be inside? Did he leave at some point?

He's not the only person missing.

"That boy isn't here…" Mia notes.

"You're right. He's gone, too." Will is just as observant. He stops walking just to group with everyone else.

"He should be back here…" Lalinda is confused.

"Do you think that man is hiding?" Will frowns. "He can't hide forever. I know he got help getting away but…"

A loud clatter is enough to freeze everyone. Sunshine mews timidly. Mia holds her breath, looking in every direction for anything out of the ordinary. After her many dangerous encounters so far, the smallest sound makes her nerves restless. She hates it.

Will and Lalinda are on high alert as well. Leon is the most calm among them, slowly turning towards the desk.

A figure stands and throws a large metal pole, and it flies across the room, and towards them. Mia immediately runs out of the flying rage while covering her head. Lalinda ducks as Will dives for the floor. Their Pokémon squeal in surprise.

Leon doesn't move. He raises his hand, and he catches it. He stumbles back as the weight nearly took him to the ground. Once he has a firm footing, he looks ahead.

His Charizard grows lightly, crouching and spreading his wings.

Almost immediately, Mia feels her own weight turning against her. At first, it's an intense pressure, but it grows stronger until she finds herself slamming to the hard floor. The force of the fall shocks through her entire body. The pain throbs, and she can't move a muscle. Doing as much as turning her head is impossible. Sunshine mewls in absolute discomfort. Mia wishes she can return her to her Pokéball, but even that is impossible right now.

From the corner of her eyes, she can see her friends and brother in the same state. Charizard is fighting it surprisingly, but he can't stand straight. His head hangs low as he groans heavily.

The unseen force that is pinning her down is starting to hurt. The cold floor presses hard against her skin, and it's getting harder to breathe. "Wh-what is… this hurts…! Stop it… Whatever it is, please….!"

Will struggles to get his own words out. "My lungs…! I can't… breathe! Coming in here…"

Lalinda grunts, shutting her eyes. Her mouth opens, but she can't speak.

"It's…" Leon fights to get his words out. He is the only person not all the way down. He struggles on his hands and knees, speaking with effort. "It's a Pokémon technique known as Gravity…! It's not lethal… but we won't move freely like this…! The one Pokémon I can think of that would know this is… Clefairy…"

"Clefairy…?" That name rings a bell.

"Whoa! That's not them!"

That voice does, too. It belongs to Johnny! He bounces to his feet from behind the desk, and he has a firm hold of a man's arm. He pulls the person to their feet, who appears more frightened than Mia was before. Johnny tries to calm him down. "It's okay! I know them! They are the good guys!"

From the protective bike gear the man is wearing, it looks like he is ready for a fight. It takes several seconds for him to take in what is happening around him. Frightened, he speaks quickly. "Clefary! That's enough! Let them go!"

The pressure is lifted immediately. Mia can breathe properly again, and it feels so good. Her muscles still won't immediately respond to what she wants them to do. She hopes it doesn't stay that way too long.

The man releases a heavy breath. He bows his head, appearing ashamed. "Forgive me. It's just that-"

"We know. Team Galactic." Lalinda gives him a small smile. She is slow to her feet. Once she's up, Mia finds that she can finally do the same. She holds out her hands, allowing Sunshine to jump into her arms. The feeling of her soft fur calms Mia's nerves. She allows her to climb back to her head.

Will is more concerned with his Pichu. After confirming the rodent is fine, he allows him back to his shoulder before standing. Leon is assisted by his Charizard, but not much of it was needed.

The man nods once, glancing at the children before looking at the side of his desk. "My Clefairy was scared, so I'm not surprised she acted so quickly to defend us. After all that happened… Who wouldn't-"

Leon's Charizard snarls towards the man, causing him to take a few steps back. Leon pushes his hand towards his Charizard, who immediately relaxes in response.

"Sorry about that. He means no harm." Leon is quick to apologize. It doesn't relax the bicycle man, though.

Mia catches sight of a round pink creature peeking from beside the counter. It clings on to the walls with its short and clawed hands. Its long and black pointed ears twitch out of curiosity as it stares at her with its tiny beady eyes. It has three-pointed wings sprouting from its back, but they look so short and stiff. It's a wonder if it can fly.

She reaches for her waist, and the man has his eyes on it immediately. "It's just a Pokédex. I promise." The words came out quickly. She doesn't want to be pinned to the floor again.

"A Pokédex…?" The man repeats the name with wonder. His eyes are glued to the device as it is carefully opened. The led light glows blue as it scans the Clefairy in two seconds.

(Sinnoh Number 100.

Clefairy, the Fairy Pokémon, and the evolved form of Cleffa.

Its typing is: Normal. It is said that happiness will come to those who see a gathering of Clefairy dancing under a full moon.)

"Hold it there, mate." Leon points at the device held in Mia's hands. Confusion is heard in his tone. "Did the Pokédex just say it was a Normal-type?"

"Well… yeah. It did," Mia answers. "What's the matter?"

"There are a total of seventeen types, aren't there?" Lalinda is more confused than Leon is.

"There are eighteen, actually," Leon clarifies, earning puzzled looks. "That's odd. I know the Fairy-typing is relatively new. Then again, Professor Magnolia did say it would take a while for technology to catch up."

The man understands this problem. He adds his own take to this. "It's not the first time, since Dark-types and Steel-types had that same problem…"

"Fairy?" Lalinda is impressed. "Wow. I thought I was just hearing stories. Who discovered that?"

"Professor Sycamore of the Kalos Region, I think that's what she said," Leon answers. "Maybe you should check in with this region's professor some time later… Rowan, isn't it?"

"Yeah. That's him," Mia answers. "He did say there would be a patch soon. Maybe that was it."

There's so much to learn already. Just when Mia thought she had a small idea, another thing is added to her list of things she will need to learn. At this rate, it could take weeks, maybe even months until she has a good idea of being a Trainer.

"Well, we are getting a little sidetracked. Let's get straight to why we are here." Leon sets the pole against the wall. Slowly, he approaches the man at the desk. "I'm sorry that the Galactic mess happened to you. I know this is sudden, and maybe it's not a good time… but I have a few questions for you."

"Of course! It's no problem at all!" The man says.

"First… you're Rad Rickshaw, right?"

"Yes, I am." The man nods, slowly growing more comfortable with them. "You're the ones who went through that building to save me, didn't you?"

"Yes. I apologize that we were unable to find you, but we did find the one behind the whole mess. She won't bother anyone else here anytime soon."

"You stood against them? I couldn't have done that! I'm surprised none of you were hurt!"

Well, Mia did get hurt, but she won't admit that out loud.

While the two have their conversation, Mia turns her attention back to the pole that could have hurt her earlier. She grabs it and carefully pulls it from the wall. Instead of it pulling towards her, it leans over. Her fingers are pulled down by the heavy weight, and she quickly abandons it, moving her feet back with a clumsy jump in the nick of time. The heavy pole slams and clatters just inches from her feet. It's enough to draw eyes towards her.

It would be like a bowling ball. If that landed on her feet

"Whoa! Are you alright?!" Will asks, not liking what he saw.

"That thing is heavy!" Mia replies, making it clear she is unharmed. Of course, it's not insanely heavy. It's just heavier than it looks. If she had to guess, it could be around 15 pounds, like an adult bowling ball. The only reason why she dropped it was the simple fact that she wasn't prepared for the weight.

"Be careful with that. That pole is heavy enough to hold the weight of a few bikes," Rad warns her. "I was careless to throw it at a bunch of kids. If any of you got hurt, the Champion would have my head. She has a soft spot for children, you know."

She does? Perhaps that explains why she's always looking after her, but at the same time, Cynthia seems nice to everyone. It's hard to tell.

That thought doesn't last very long. Mia turns to Leon, having a single question in mind. "Dude. How did you catch that and not get hurt?"

"Hm?" Leon simply looks at her.

"I'm just glad all of you made it out okay." Johnny's words are full of relief. He gives them all a warm smile. "When I heard that the Champion declared them in orange range, I was scared."

"Well, there's no reason to be afraid, now," Rad says, walking from behind his desk. "I was rescued by a detective who was undercover. I wanted to reward him, but he told me these would be better suited for a group of children. I didn't understand what he meant until I met all of you."

"You're talking about Looker?" Mia asks him. He was the one who found him, after all.

Rad doesn't answer. He walks from behind his desk and waves his hand. "Come on. Follow me."

As he walks ahead, Mia looks at her brother for approval. He shrugs in response, so they begin to follow. The walk is small due to the shop size. They line up in front of the display of bikes Rad proudly presents.

"Take your pick, and it's all yours," he says.

"What? For free?!" Mia can't believe it. The man Is just going to give away his bikes?!

"Well, you've displayed more bravery than I could ever muster. Kids like you have a brighter future than I can dream of!" Rad places his hand on one of the shiny bikes, showing a smile. "These are all my latest models. You can shift gears. One mode is for slow but easy turning. The other one is when you want to go fast, and I mean, real fast! Turning is a little difficult then, but I'm sure you'll get a good handle on it soon."

Mia is almost speechless. For starters… this is like a dream come true! Well, not entirely. She has bigger dreams than owning her own bike. Either way, this is a massive step to not having to rely so much on others. She can pretty much go places with less of a drag now.

Her eyes fall on the chrome-finished, cyan-coated bike. The size doesn't look too big, and it should be able to keep up with her for a few years. Her hand rests on the black handles, lightly squeezing the breaks that are equipped against them.

She wants this one.

As soon as she makes eye contact with Rad, she is happy to receive a nod of approval from him. Carefully, she kicks free the kickstand and rolls the bike to the open. Once she has the space, she swings her leg over the seat and sits.

It feels just about right. Maybe the seat could use more padding, but she's very grateful for this gift.

Will selects his own bike, which is a nice dark blue, somewhat mirroring Mia's selection. Lalinda choses a bright yellow, which is a bit unexpected in Mia's eyes.

As for Leon, he takes a little longer to make his selection. He eventually selects a nice red bike that goes well with his jacket. Mia can't tell if he chose it for that purpose, or maybe he likes the color red.

Or… maybe it's to suit his Charizard? The Pokémon is sniffing the bike, already interested in it.

"So everyone has made their selection. That's good." Rad crosses his arms, proud that he pleased them all. "I'm just glad those Galactic goons didn't take any of my precious merchandise. This shop is my life, after all."

"It's too bad we didn't get everything back," Johnny says. His smile slowly drops as he goes on. "I can't see what good would come out of what they have."

The Clefairy chirps softly. It nudges Rad's backside.

Mia doesn't like what she heard. "What did they take?"

"Well… they took my special lamp. I use it to assure the bikes are the cleanest they can be before sale," Rad explains. "What they wanted to use it for… I'm not sure. They took away my Clefairy, claiming it came from space. They even took me, asking about something strange."

Will wants answers, so he pushes him a bit. "What was it?"

"They asked me if… I knew something about an old legend."

Lalinda asks the question that is in Mia's mind. "What kind of legend? Sinnoh is full of them, being an old country and all…"

"Well… I went through many, but none of them were what they wanted to hear until I mentioned this prophecy," the man says. "Gardenia herself told us Eterna folk about it recently."

They all wait, but they are also eager to hear what it is.

"It went like this; The gods will come before a mortal and let them decide the fate of worlds." The man lowers his head, somewhat shy of all the odd attention he now has. "I think that is what they wanted to hear."

"The gods will come...?" Mia repeats this carefully. She has heard the stories from Johanna, how a Pokémon created the world. In fact, there are a few stories of Pokémon rising the land or expanding the sea. Are there really Pokémon that strong? Is that why people see them as powerful deities?

"Team Galactic was interested in the city's statue, from what I heard. Do you think they could be researching that legend?" Rad is deep in thought, tilting his head.

Lalinda seems to understand. "Their name… galactic… yeah. They must be. That explains the whole Clerfairy thing…"

"I'm just glad all of you made it here alright. Once again, forgive me for the whole gravity incident."

"It's not a problem at all!" Leon waves it off.

Rad takes a good look at the teen, and he appears slightly surprised now. "Wait… how did I not notice this before? That Charizard belongs to you, I take it. So… you're the Galar Region Champion I've heard so much about. Undefeated for four straight years."

"Me? Yes. I am." Leon smiles at this, feeling a wave of pride.

"I've heard that Galarians thrive in the heat of battles. Pokémon battles are popular, but the battles in Galar are aired internationally. I've seen a few of their battles. It's intense. The audience is just as wild as the Pokémon. You're an incredible Trainer without a doubt. I guess Team Galactic wasn't a problem for you."

"He shook off those Galactic Grunts like they were nothing." Mia is still impressed by that.

Rad is impressed. "You're strong by yourself, aren't you? I can see why you're a beloved Champion, just like our own."

"I prefer not to resort to any form of conflict, really." Leon rubs his head, unsure of how to take this. "They say that all conflicts should be resolved with Pokémon battles. When I am in a position that I can't battle, I try to walk away. Those hunters can easily strike my Charizard down… so I've been running all this time. I kept running, and they chased me all the way to Eterna Forest… and uh…"

"You got lost?" Will asks.

Leon sighs. "I fell into such a sad state. I was lucky those hunters didn't find me. I was vulnerable."

His Charizard groans softly, lightly nuzzling the side of his head.

"Come now. It's all over," Leon assures his Pokémon, stroking his snout. He looks at everyone else, wearing a smaller smile. "Charizard has been a little more protective ever since then. It didn't help that these two strange people tried to steal him. I didn't let them do that so easily. After sending out my Charizard… I passed out. I woke up to Cynthia taking care of me."

"Sounds like you are in need of a town map," Rad says. "Just a second."

The shop owner makes his way to the counter. They watch him as he crouches behind it, rummaging through the storage. After several noisy seconds, he stands with the unmistakable blue device in his hand. "I had a few extra."

Leon stares as the man walks over to him. It is offered, and he carefully takes it from his hands. "Are you sure I can keep it?"

"Of course. It's the best way I can repay you. The Sinnoh Region is a maze compared to your home country, so I figured you would really need this."

Leon opens it carefully, and the screens come to life. He studies it for several seconds. "I'll have to change the language settings. Besides that… thank you. This changes a lot of things."

"My pleasure."

"That Team Galactic…" Johnny is deeply worried after hearing everything. "Sinnoh hasn't had anyone in the orange range in years… so the whole country is shaken up."

"I hate it." Lalinda crosses her arms.

Mia sighs. "Their commanders are the dangerous ones. I couldn't even defend myself against them."

"Don't be so hard on yourself," Will says. "You wouldn't try to hurt them like they would hurt you. It's not your fault."

He's not wrong.

"You know the saying… right?" Rad asks. "The more you want to hurt someone, the easier it is to kill them. That is where the malicious intent comes in. That is when the M-Code becomes important.

"Precisely!" A voice from the ringing door grabs attention in an instant. Walking inside is Looker, who carries a small stack of papers in his hands. "I see that you Trainere are putting in an investigation of your own?"

Rad is pleased. "Ah, it's you, the one who saved me! You came to check in on me? I'm perfectly fine now, so you have no reason to worry."

"Yes, and no. I received word from the Champion that Trainers have arrived here," Looker explains. "I came running to share information. She requested me to do so. Such a request must not be turned down, no! The Champion's orders are… absolute after all!"

"Wow. Cynthia even has power over the international police?" Mia wonders out loud.

"Yes, and no!" Looker answers. "Since we are investigating the same case, and this is her country, it is natural she has a final word. However, if the case were my own, there is only so much she can request out of me. Enough of that, now! We must stay on topic!"

Mia steps aside to allow him through. She cautiously follows as he sets the papers down on the desk. Joining his side, she sees photographs of the Team Galactic base. It's not just there, either. Mia recognizes Oreburgh, Jubilife… there seems to be pieces of equipment he was focused on. There's even the Valley Windworks. How many pictures did he take?

"These are all related to the organization, huh?" Mia asks the obvious, but there could be something else.

Looker nods. He lifts one photograph, holding it up for them to see. Displayed is a computer screen. "This is a picture of the computer screens within the Valley Windworks. It seems to be a message for the commanders."

He begins to read what's typed:

"The bringer of wars... Your target is the energy of the power plant.

The bringer of contentment... Your target is the Pokémon statue of Eterna City.

The bringer of aging... Your target is the Pokémon that sleeps on today.

The dream energy.

Team Galactic."

"It sounds like a riddle." Mia makes note of that, but she could be wrong. She's not very good with riddles either way.

"It's a message." Will corrects her. "Commander Mars attacked the Valley Windworks. Then we have Commander Jupiter, who had stolen the plate from the Pokémon statue." He is putting the pieces together. "But what I don't get is the last part."

"I will assume there is a third commander," Looker says.

"There is a connection," Will says. "Their names, Mars and Jupiter, they are clearly codenamed. They are named from the planets of the solar system."

Mia remembers another planet Mars mentioned. "I overheard Mars mentioning Saturn."

"Commander Saturn… yes. That makes sense." Looker nods. "That means their third commander is moving… but where to…? A Pokémon that sleeps on today…? A Snorlax? They are native to Sinnoh, but what good are they for them? They collected energy… stole the statue's plate…"

After a few silent seconds of thoughts, he gathers his evidence.

"That is all I am allowed to show you." Looker tucks them under his arm. He glances at the door, ready to rush out. "Remember to contact me, but only for shady happenings! I cannot stay long. For me to be present in the open… is not wise! Until next time, Trainers!"

Mia watches him go. She's starting to grow used to his sudden departures. A person like him can't afford to stay still, after all.

"I'm glad we have the International Police in this case," Rad says, breaking the silence. "This whole thing is a massive headache. I still can't wrap my head around all this. I can only imagine how our Gym Leader feels."

"I just wish we can get an idea on what they want to do…" Mia says. "Mars did say they wanted to make the world a better place, but after Jupiter tried to blow us to pieces… I don't even want to know what kind of world they are dreaming about."

"Do you think they are after the gods?" Lalinda asks. "It doesn't seem so farfetched."

"I hope not," Rad says. "Listen. I'm sure Looker only shared this with you since you are Trainers… but you're still kids. Try to be careful out there. Avoid Team Galactic as much as possible. I doubt you can do much against them unless your Pokémon are strong enough…"

Johnny points at Leon. "He's a powerful Trainer."

"Yes, but this shouldn't be a task for him, either. I don't want him to be pulled in a mess that isn't even happening in Galar."

"I don't mind," Leon says.

"You should," Rad replies. "This isn't for you to take part in. I'm sure you have a good reason for being here, choosing to visit Sinnoh out of all places."

"I do."

"Then that's your priority. I don't want you, or your friends to get hurt." Rad looks at each and every one of them. "Take your new bikes down Bicycle Road. That is your next destination, I'm sure. The next gym is in Hearthome City. Good look to all of you."

"Thanks." Mia bows. Looking at her bike, she sees a problem. "Wait. How are we going to move these bikes around?"

Rad walks over to her, and he takes the bike. He pulls the handles free, and they hang from a string. He frees a clip near the middle of the bike, and he folds it in half.

A foldable bike?

"It's lighter than it looks." He lifts the bike, and he hooks it against her bag.

Mia can't grasp how that is even possible. She doubts bikes back home can even do that.

Trying to figure it out will only make her head spin.

"Thank you," Mia sends her thanks instead.

As soon as everyone else has their bikes hanging, Johnny waves. "Promise you'll catch some good Pokémon! I want to see you all against the Champion one day!"

"You think that's possible?" Mia isn't comfortable with the idea of facing Cynthia and her Garchomp one day. It sounds surreal, but it's likely…

"I'm sure it is," Johnny says. "Win the next badge, and you're a step closer to reaching the Sinnoh League!"

They have more faith in her than Mia has in herself. Maybe she should try to lighten up.

Everyone says their goodbyes, and the group of Trainers head out the door. Noise immediately floods their ears.

Mia freezes in her tracks at the sight of a large crowd standing in front of her. Looker is struggling to push them back. He couldn't go past them.

A woman from the crowd screams and points past Mia. "I knew it! He really is here! It's Leon and his Charizard!"

"What?" Mia looks back at the teen, who is standing like a statue. He clearly wasn't expecting this.

Mia didn't expect the crowd to tear through Looker and push her and the others aside just to surround Leon. They thankfully don't get too close. They give him some breathing room.

They behave better than the people back in Mia's world.

Or maybe they are afraid of the Charizard that is snorting and growling at the energy. It takes a few strokes from Leon for the Pokémon to relax.

"There is the prodigy! He's incredible!" A man shouts. "His battling style, the way he carries himself… even the way he throws his Pokéballs! He has a strong arm, like a baseball player!"

"Imagine getting hit by one of his throws! I bet it might knock someone out!" A woman shouts.

"That sounds… painful," Mia notes. If that is how Leon throws a Pokéball, he must have a good aim when it comes to catching a Pokémon… unlike her.

Her underhand throws don't do so well with aiming, but she throws far worse at any other angle. Will can't make fun of her for it, since he shares the same problem.

"Leon! Leon!" A woman waves her hand. "What are you doing in the Sinnoh Region?! Are you visiting someone in particular?"

Leon isn't bothered by all the attention he is getting. In fact, he answers the question with a bit of pride. "I'm making a journey to Snowpoint City, so that I can take a boat to the Battle Frontier. I heard it's where the best trainers gather, and I want to climb my way to the top."

"You're challenging the Frontier Brains?!" A man shouts from the crowd. "Tell us, are you challenging the Battle Tower? That's where the strongest Brain is stationed! Palmer hasn't had anyone defeat him for a couple years!"

"He has a winning streak, you say?" Leon is already interested. He wears a grin filled with mischief. "Then I suppose Charizard and I will pay him a visit! Tell Palmer that his streak will come to a screeching halt!"

Charizard roars in response, sharing the same energy his Trainer has.

Those words excite the crowd even more. Mia feels like a ghost at this point. She looks at her brother, who is completely lost by all this. Lalinda simply stares.

Looker crosses his arms, glancing at Leon in question.

Many people talk at once;

"He's challenging Palmer! Whoa!"

"Now, that's a battle I'll pay to see!"

"But his Pokémon are trouble for Charizard, don't you think? Do you think he could really win?"

"I'm sure! Palmer should be the one we should worry about!"

"But he has a Rhyperior!"

"Leon can't possibly win against Palmer so easily! He might actually lose! No one is invincible! His Charizard will be crippled!"

"Have some faith, won't you?"

Leon listens to each outburst carefully. He raises a single hand, and the crowd falls silent in an instant.

That sight alone reminds Mia of Cynthia. She can walk in a room, and everyone falls silent. Is this the kind of respect Champions have?

"It doesn't matter if he has a Magikarp or a Rhyperior! Let him know I am on the way!" Leon chuckles as he clenches a fist.

Is he trying to entertain the crowd? It's hard for Mia to tell.

"Palmer better look out! No one has ever defeated Leon and his mighty Charizard!" A voice shouts excitedly. "I can't wait to see it!"

"Wait, wait! What about our Champion?!" A man raises his hand, asking a better question. "Our Champion has been undefeated for a long time! Do you think he can defeat her?!"

"Oooh. Her Garchomp is powerful! She can easily outspeed his Charizard!" A woman says. "No one has come close to beating her yet! I would love to see that match!"

"Leon might stand a chance against Palmer, but even Palmer could never defeat Cynthia!" A child is heard shouting now. "Leon can't beat Cynthia!"

"Huh?" Leon didn't think he would hear those words used in the same sentence.

"Haven't you heard?" A woman shouts. "He's known as The Unbeatable Champion! He's never once lost a single Pokémon Battle in his life!"

Mia is baffled. Did she hear that right?

"That's right! If the people of Sinnoh know, then so does the entire world!" Leon is confident, and his grin is widening. The simple thought of battling them must be exciting to him. "It doesn't matter who my opponent is! Let it be Palmer or Cynthia! I am looking forward to crushing them and their teams to the dirt!

His Charizard spreads his wings and throws his head back. A massive trail of flames is fired from his maw, warming the air in an instant. No one seems to mind.

Instead, cheers ring out, piercing through Mia's ears. She is forced to cover them, feeling a bit concerned now. Is she seeing things, or is Leon acting a little more aggressive?

Lalinda has a hand placed on her head, clearly embarrassed. "His personality just took a 180 turn…"

Looker watches this carefully. "Hm. What I heard about the Trainer… it was no exaggeration…"

"What?" Mia looks at him. "What about him?"

"Keep an eye on him. I see now the reason why Cynthia has him with you. To protect you isn't the only answer. He has much to learn, so very much."

What does he see that Cynthia noticed? Mia can't exactly tell. Perhaps it's one of the few things only adults are able to detect.

"Come on, Leon! Show it to us! I want to take a picture!" A voice shouts.

"Say it in Galarian! We want to hear it!"

"I got it on camera! Come on, come on!"

Leon laughs at their eager requests. "I am glad that the Sinnoh Region has given me so much support! However, please do support The Fearless Champion, since she is the one fighting to keep everyone safe! Support Palmer for being a talented Trainer! Support anyone you think has potential, because that is what Sinnohans are known for! I respect all of you for that!"

His Charizard spreads his wings, displaying a toothy grin.

"Just remember! No matter where I go…" He performs his Charizard pose. "We are going to have a real champion time!"

Mia assumes his last sentence is his catchphrase. Not just because it was spoken in Galarian, but also due to the energized responses he is getting. They probably didn't understand those words, but they recognized them.

The way he holds his pose with a great sense of pride… Mia won't lie to herself and say she isn't impressed.

How famous is he? He's never lost a single battle in his life? Mia refused to believe it. There was no way he avoided losses even back when he was a rookie Trainer. If so… he's incredibly talented. How would he react to a loss… if he ever gets one…?

"I got it!" A voice screams.

"Can I have your autograph?!"

"I want to pet your Charizard!"

"Alright, alright! Clear out! Let him breathe!" The familiar voice kills the crowd's energy. Leon relaxes from his pose, appearing a bit disappointed.

People step aside, allowing Gardenia to walk through. As soon as she stands next to Leon, she waves one hand, since the other holds a large bag. "Go on to your activities. You entertained him enough."

Though there are some complaints, the crowd breaks apart. People leave, taking their last glances at Leon.

Mia can relax now. That was… a little too energetic for her.

Will lets loose a sigh. "Thank goodness..."

Looker is relieved. "That was impossible for me to do. Thank you, Gym Leader."

"No problem. I heard the noise, and seeing the crowd, I had an idea on what was going on," Gardenia says, almost laughing now.

"Now that the roadblock is gone… I shall be off." Looker bows his head before taking his leave.

Gardenia smiles small. "Champions can't catch a break even outside their region. But… clearly, this one doesn't mind all the attention."

"You didn't have to make them leave. They weren't bothering me." Leon is even more disappointed.

Gardenia sighs. "Please, return your Charizard to his Pokéball before he draws more unneeded attention."

"What? But he's-"

"I asked nicely."

Reluctantly, Leon takes the capsule. He looks at his Charizard, who seems to understand. The Pokémon is called inside. Leon clips the ball back on his belt afterwards.

"Champion Cynthia told us to keep an eye on you, er… Champion." Gardenia tries to stay firm, but trying to address him the proper way is throwing her off. "You have people trying to hunt you down, remember? You can't afford to be seen so carelessly!"

"I already told her, I'll be fine! They never caught me, and they never will." Leon crosses his arms, putting on a confident smile. "Even Team Galactic can't do much. I crushed both of their commanders without having my partner use any of his techniques!"

His response annoys the Gym Leader. Her tone makes it obvious. "I know you're undefeated, but try not to let that get into your head. You're still a child. You are still naive."

"A child? I'm fourteen!"

"A minor. A child." Gardenia corrects him. "Stay low. Cynthia should send you home, but she's a little too nice with children sometimes. There's nothing I can do if she allows you to stick around."

"She doesn't have a reason to send me home! I understand she's worried, but I'm perfectly fine!" Leon places his fists near his hips, standing tall. "Why do you think those hunters haven't caught me yet? I am capable of defending myself, even without Charizard!"

"We know you are, but this is very important."

"Just tell her that none of you have to look after me! I can look after myself!"

"That's not how it works." Gardenia sighs. "If you slip up, you are going home. Champion's orders. And the Champion's-"

"I know. They are absolute. I was told this several times…" Leon interrupted her, not wanting to hear the saying again.

Mia has a better understanding of it now, but it creates a new question. She brings it to attention. "Wait a second. Leon, don't you have that kind of power?"

"No." Leon answers bitterly, crossing his arms now. "I'm too young, according to the law. I'm not allowed to make final decisions until I am at least eighteen years old."

"Oh." Mia didn't mean to kill his good mood so quickly. She probably should have kept the question to herself.

"Until then, the adult Gym Leaders come together to make it... and our chairman. I'm just there to entertain the crowd, I guess. But, I know I can hold my title long enough to get that position. There will be a nice ceremony and everything. They'll hand me the real Champion's cape instead of a replica… at least, that was what I was told."

"I guess trying to keep everything in order is why Cynthia is always on the move." Mia realizes.

Lalinda nods her head, understanding this.

"Bingo." Gardenia snaps her fingers. She turns to Leon, giving him a hardened look. "As the Champion kept telling him, he should enjoy this freedom while it lasts. As soon as you turn eighteen, all this freedom you have will be taken away."

"It's not that bad-"

"Cynthia studies mythology, so she's always taking every opportunity to visit ancient places," Gardenia cuts him off. "When she discovers something new, she won't rest until she finds a good piece of a puzzle. When she puts it together, she is like a child in a candy store."

"I'm sorry, but what does this have to do with anything?"

Gardenia glances at the statue. "I'm surprised that as much into history as she is… she didn't lose her mind when the plate from our statue was stolen."

"But I…"

"She's also a pianist. A really good one."

"That's a bit off-topic, but-"

"She does a few performances. You'll have to catch her."

"I get it! She's busy with-"

"She almost never catches a break. Between her Trainer lifestyle and her constant studies, sometimes she might crash. We try to get her to relax but she's a bit stubborn when she has her mind set on something."

"Can you let me talk-"

"So being an adult Champion sucks so much time out of you."

Mia can see Leon's frustration growing by the constant interruption he is getting. It gets worse once the Gym Leader turns her attention to her, completely ignoring Leon now.

"Oh, right! Roark contacted me," Gardenia says. "He wants me to tell you that you did a good job bringing energy back to Oreburgh City. He also wanted to apologize for putting you in a dangerous position. He had no idea Team Galactic was behind this mess."

Should she respond? Is Gardenia doing this on purpose? She can't silently ask Will any questions, since he gives her a funny look. Finally, she answers, a little awkwardly. "Oh… yeah. It was a mess, but we are okay now."

"Cynthia wants you to see him underground, just for a moment. He has something he wants to give you. It should help you with your journey."

Another stop? Mia thought she would leave the city by now.

Also… did she say underground? What does that even mean? Does she have to run back to the Oreburgh Mine to meet with Roark? Mia isn't fond of the idea of being deep into the earth...

Gardenia points down the road. "His grandfather's house is right next to the Pokémon Center. Speak to him, and he'll escort you-"

"Oi!" Leon exclaims, interrupting her now. Once he has her attention, he speaks, holding an annoyed tone. "You're doing that on purpose, aren't you?!"

"I was wondering how long it would take until you broke." Gardenia is amused by his attitude.

Leon sighs. "You and Cynthia like to mess with me. I understand. What you just said, I guess going underground isn't a bad idea."

"Say what?" Mia is confused. Why did he agree so quickly?

"Are you kidding? We are supposed to be heading for Bicycle Road!" Will doesn't like the change of plans.

"Sorry but Gardenia would not suggest we see the place just because. Besides. If I don't do it now, I might find myself facing an annoyed Garchomp. Cynthia is a person you should never ignore."

Mia sighs. Looks like Bicycle Road will have to wait…

Leon slows down just before they could pass the Pokémart. He removes and checks his bag. After a few seconds, he slips it back on. "You don't mind if I head for the Pokémart, do you?"

"No. We can wait." Lalinda answers before Will could say anything. Her answer isn't what he was going to say, from the look on his face.

"I'll be back soon." He hurries inside.

Will growls lightly. "Why can't we just move on?"

Just as promised, he returns after a few minutes, carrying a brown bag that Mia recognizes. It contains food for Pokémon. Stacked cans fill it to the top. He's already pushing the bag into his own.

When was the last time Charizard ate?

Gardenia looks at the others. "So, what do you think of Leon so far?"

The question is almost out of the blue. No one answers for a few seconds. Mia doesn't have anything negative to say, so she answers honestly. "I think he's pretty cool. His Charizard is nicer than he looks."

"I was going to say the same," Lalinda says. "It's crazy that we get to know two Champions in a short amount of time. I have so much to tell my mom!"

"All I see is that he is only good at Pokémon battles." Will is even more honest, not bothering to praise him. "Without his Charizard, he's vulnerable."

"You really think so?" Gardenia asks through a smile. She glances down the road and waves a hand at a distant man. He immediately changes direction to walk towards them. "I want to show you exactly why Cynthia wants him to stick with you all. She can't protect you 24/7. So, this is a win-win. You lead him to Snowpoint City, and in exchange, well…"

"Miss Gardenia!" The man finally catches up. "Is it time, yet?"

"Yep. You signed the paper, right? You can't get mad at us for this stunt you wanted to try out. You're liable, not me."

"What are… you talking about?" Mia has a bad feeling about this.

Gardenia smiles at her before turning her attention back to the man. She points a single finger towards the distant Leon. "He's right there. That's the Galar Champion."

"He acts like an entitled brat sometimes." The man crosses his arms. "He's not good at anything that doesn't involve Pokémon battles. I doubt he'll do anything in response to this."

Will looks a bit bothered. He said the same thing he did.

"Go ahead then." Gardenia gives him a light push. "Take it from him."

"I don't see what the fuss is about. Why did I have to sign a stupid paper to do this? It's not like he's anyone dangerous such as Cynthia or Lance… he's just a kid." The man walks forward, and he reaches Leon in seconds.

"What is he doing?" Lalinda asks the very question Mia is thinking.

"Watch." Gardenia chuckles.

Leon stares for a few seconds before he brings a question. "Is there something you need, mister?"

"I just wanted to personally meet the one and only Champion Leon." The man shows the teen a friendly smile. "That crowd pushed me away. I wanted to have a small chat, that's all. Such as, how incredible your Charizard is. He is the strongest Pokémon you own, right?"

"Definitely," Leon responds. "He's brilliant. I never go anywhere without him. Would you like to pet him? He won't mind."

"No. I was just curious about one thing. You're very strong with him, and it seems you only brought him along with you here." The man points this out. "He's strong enough to take down a full party of Pokémon, I take it?"

"That's right." Leon nods

"That leaves me with another question. What are you... without your Charizard?!" The man quickly thrusts his hand towards the Ultra Ball to snag it, but his wrist is caught in a heartbeat.

The smile on Leon's face has been wiped clean. He stares well into the man's eyes as he twists the wrist quickly, gripping it tighter at the same time. "You shouldn't do that."

Pain is clear on the man's face. Grunts escapes his throat as he begins to pull, but he can't free himself from the tight hold. "How the….?"

Mia's mouth lightly hangs open. She looks at Gardenia, who watches with a knowing smile.

The man pulls harder, but it does nothing good in his favor.

Pulling the man's wrist, Leon forces him to stagger forward and lose his balance. He swings his shin against the back of the man's leg, forcing his knees to bend. The man is startled as he falls back, but Leon holds him steady, shoving him against the wall. He twists his arm around and against his back in a painful hold. The man's pained cries grow louder now.

Mia finds herself taking several wary steps back. Will and Lalinda had the same idea. It was so quick, there was no time to react…

"Trying to steal from me? You're mad. You should know to never pick a fight with any Champion. It doesn't matter how old they are. You'll find yourself on the dirt before your brain comprehends what struck you down."

"Aaagh! L-let me go..!"

"Why? You tried to steal my partner." Leon narrows his eyes. "How would I know that you won't try again, as people before you attempted? They all failed in the end."

"I… I didn't… I was just…!"

"The quickest way you can set me off is by taking my partner away from me." Leon is clear with his words, making sure they stick. "You don't want to find out what happened to those few hunters that managed to snag his Pokéball from my belt."

Those words frighten the man. Unable to take it anymore, he shouts desperately, "Damn it! Gardenia! Call this crazy kid off! He's going to break my arm!"

Gardenia casually walks towards the pair. "Alright, Leon. Let him go. He's no threat."

"Wha?" Leon glances at her, and his eyes fill with disbelief. He releases the man, who hits the ground with a heavy thud. He turns to fully face her. "Wait a second! Was this one of Cynthia's tests?!"

Gardenia nods, amused by the look on his fsce.

Leon doesn't hold back his angry words. "Has she lost the plot?! I could have really hurt him!

"That's why we had him sign a paper before he approached you."

Will's face twists in confusion. "An ambush test? Was that what this is about?"

The mentioned man groans as he begins to stand. He begins to walk away. Mia wants to check on him… but maybe he'll be fine after sitting out an hour or two.

Leon looks at the man. "Sorry…"

The man picks up his pace in response.

Lalinda is impressed. She looks at Leon in awe. "Whoa… where did you learn those moves?"

Leon rubs his hand as he stretches his fingers. "Gardenia, I'm starting to feel knackered from all that happened today."

It sounds a lot more like the Gym Leader annoyed him to his limits. He won't even look at her. He certainly didn't answer Lalinda's question, either.

The day has been long.

"Well, it is getting pretty late," Gardenia detects his annoyance, so she decides to change plans. "I'll let Roark know you'll see him tomorrow. All of you should get some rest. Tomorrow, you have a long road ahead of you. We'll need all of you in top condition."

Mia sighs. She really wanted to leave the city, but it looks like it would have to wait. The idea of night falling while they are still on the road doesn't appeal to her, anyway.

"Let's head back to the Pokémon Center," Mia suggests. "I'm getting hungry. I can cook up a meal for everyone."

"You can cook?" Leon looks at her, intrigued.

"Will and I can," Mia answers, feeling a bit excited now. Cooking is the one thing she can do with or without anyone's help. "Is there anything you want in particular?

"There is something," Leon answers.

Gardenia smiles. "Well, the herb shop workers handed me a bag when I made a stop by. They said it was meant for you, purchased by our Champion."

She offers the large bag to Leon, who takes it carefully with his good hand.

Leon sets the bag down and peers inside. His eyes light up. "Is she trying to spoil me, or what? These are curry ingredients."

"It's just Cynthia being Cynthia." Gardenia assures him.

Mia is curious about what curry is about. She's heard of it, but she's never made it before. She never even had a dish herself. "Will and I can cook it if you give me the steps."

"We are?" Will didn't have the same idea, but now, he's interested.

"It would be fun, wouldn't it?" Leon doesn't turn the offer down. He welcomes it with a grin. "You won't be disappointed. We can cook it together, just like I do back home!"

It sounds like fun. However, seeing how he sometimes returns to rubbing his hand, Mia isn't sure how well it would work out for him. "Is your hand okay?"

Leon laughs nervously. "I didn't scare you, did I? I'll be fine. It's been awhile since I did that anyway."

It's been a while?

Now that Mia thinks about it… he's a lot tougher than he looks.

Cynthia knew this. She wanted to kill their doubts about him by testing him, and it worked.

"Have fun, all of you," Gardenia says. "If you need anything, I'll be at my gym until midnight."

- 0000 -

After a few hours, nightfall has arrived. Sandgem Town is almost deathly silent. The occasional sounds of distant xylophone-like clinging, and the quiet waves of the nearby sea are the only things heard.

Inside the lab, Professor Rowan carries his clipboard, checking off a list and writing notes down as he checks his equipment. His assistants all left for home, excluding Lucas.

He is sitting on a desk, but he lies on his arms, sound asleep.

After checking his tabletop computer, the professor turns away and checks the final box. The lab is ready to be shut down for the night. He walks over to Lucas, and he lightly taps the desk with the corner of the clipboard.

Lucas sniffles before lazily lifting his head. "Huh…? What time is it?"

"Fifteen 'till eleven," the professor answers.

Lucas looks like he's about to have a heart attack. His hands slam on the desk as he fully sits up. "You let me sleep for two hours?! So much could have been done!"

"I overworked you. I figured you would need the rest. You can go home, now. Be sure to phone your sister. I'm sure she would like to speak to you."

Lucas gives him a funny look. "Are you feeling okay?"

Before Rowan could answer, his computer beeps loudly. He turns to the empty wall. "Computer. Answer the call on the big screen."

The big screen comes out, and an image of Cynthia appears. "Hello, Professor. I hope I didn't call at a bad time. You seem ready for bed."

"You are perfectly fine," Professor Rowan says, nodding his head once. "I would prefer you to catch some sleep, soon."

"Don't worry. I'll head to bed soon."

This clicks in as good news.

"You finally translated it?!" Lucas asks eagerly. A clipboard hits the back of his head, and he nearly falls on top of the desk. He turns around, a bit surprised to see the professor lowering the item.

"Please excuse him," Professor Rowan says. "There is no rush."

Cynthia waves her hands. "No, no. It's okay. I did say to give me an hour, so I understand." She reaches for a notebook, and as soon as she picks it up, she flips through a few pages. "It took a little longer than I expected, but I translated it the best way I can. The result is… interesting, to say the least."

"I'm all ears."

"Okay. This is what came up," Cynthia begins to explain. She taps her keyboard off screen, and the image Lucas sent her before pops up at the top left corner. She picks up a small notebook, which contains the notes she took. "It says; Beware of the one who reads through the mind. Beware of the one who reads through the heart. Beware of the one who reads through the soul. No wall or barrier may stall the truth, ideals, or nature of one's self. The gods are calling. The gods are waiting. The gods are watching, for whom they may serve. The one will return."

Cynthia sets the book down.

"That's it. Though, I am yet to try to narrow it down to simpler terms."

"It sounds like a warning from the people of the past…" Lucas turns to the professor. Concern is on his face. "Is that it?"

"I'm not sure. It could be a warning, but it could be something else, too…" Professor Rowan is deep in thought. Such a message never crossed his mind before. It's all so new to him, adding more to his research. "We'll have to look deeper."

"That's what I plan on doing tomorrow." Cynthia types the keyboard again. Images of an old town and a lush town appear on different areas on the screen. "I already sent an e-mail to my grandmother, and one to Professor Oak. I'm not surprised they haven't responded yet. They are sleeping as we speak, I am sure. Hopefully, I'll have a response by morning."

"So, you even have Professor Carolina involved," Professor Rowan nods once. "She's just the person we can trust with this information."

"And she's already in Celestic Town." Lucas pauses, and he corrects himself. "I mean, of course she would be. She never really had a reason to leave her home."

"She told me nothing will ever make her move out of there, either." Cynthia reaches off screen. She pulls in a black mug and takes a sip from it.

Another beep is sounded. Professor Rowan wasn't expecting another call. He checks the screen, and his eyes slightly widen. "Oh. This is interesting."

"What?" Lucas asks.

"Computer, share him on screen."

Cynthia's image is reduced and pushed over, now only taking half of the screen. Appearing on the other half is a fairly old man with short grey hair. His bushy eyebrows and welcoming smile would be recognized by people across the world.

Lucas nearly gasps. "Whoa! Professor Oak!"

"Ah! Hello, Lucas!" the professor responds cheerfully. "It's pretty late! Professor Rowan isn't working you too hard, is he?"

"Oh, n-no! I was just about to head for bed, sir!" Lucas replies.

Professor Rowan wears one of his rare smiles. "Professor Oak! It's been quite some time. What brings you to call me at this hour?"

"Well, I was closing down the lab, and I decided to try to give you a call before I finished," Professor Oak answers. "Your Champion sent me an e-mail that really caught my interest!"

"I'm right here, Professor." Cynthia speaks up to draw his attention. "You probably can't see me."

"Hold on. I'll link the calls together." Professor Rowan types a few commands on the keyboard. "There. Now we are all on the same page."

"It's nice to see you, Cynthia!" Professor Oak is pleased. "I would like to chat, but we aren't here for small talk. This Unown Script is highly unusual. The translation itself is nothing I've heard of before, but I have a hunch the answer is within reach. That picture there was documented in a book I read once. I have it here."

"Really? You have a book about it?" Cynthia is amazed. "It's a bit strange. Why was it never uploaded online?"

"Perhaps the publishers never saw a reason to bother," Professor Oak responds. "Since it was never on any website, I had to look through the pages myself as a refresher."

"Hm. Did you get anything out of it?" Professor Rowan asks.

"It's not much, but it could be a lead," Professor Oak replies. "It turns out there is something similar written down in the Solaceon Ruins. That's not all! In the Johto Region, the Ruins of Alph has it as well. Those places are famous for the many Unown Script found written on the walls, but those places also have secret rooms that are yet to be discovered! Past researchers believe they hold more clues to what you were looking into."

"We won't know what's in those rooms," Professor Rowan sighs.

"It sounds a little off. What if there is nothing inside?" Lucas asks.

"We won't know until we see for ourselves. I've contacted Lance for a hand, and he informed me he'll lend the task to someone he knows will look well into it. I believe that would be Morty."

"That's good. I just hope all this searching won't leave us empty-handed," Cynthia says.

"Do you think it could be related to that thing you've been researching for years?" Lucas asks.

"It's a possibility," Cynthia answers. "That's why I'm trying to get as many answers as possible from it. Unfortunately, this looks like months or years more of trying to find the clues just to unlock more of them. It's like an endless cycle."

"The key is to not give up. It took me decades, but I achieved my dream of having every Kanto Pokémon identified and recorded thanks to the help of two young boys!"

"We understand that. However, this case is different," Cynthia says as her smile drops. "This time, we have two children who are pretty much held hostage here until we find the very thing they need."

"That is true." Professor Oak sighs. "Yes, it would be nice to have answers as soon as possible. We can't ask for too much help, or the wrong people will catch on."

"Unown Scripts are almost always linked to ancient legends. I'm sure we are on the right path. I'll look more into this," Cynthia says. "Until we have answers, we'll need to keep the children safe."

"Yes. That is a priority," Professor Rowan says. "We'll contact one another if anything new surfaces."

"Of course! I'll be on my way then!" Professor Oak waves at the screen. "I wish you all the best of luck!"

"Goodbye!" Cynthia waves.

Professor Oak's communication ends. Cynthia takes the entire screen again.

Professor Rowan stares her down firmly. "Go get some sleep, Cynthia."

Cynthia can't help but laugh. "Okay. I promise I'll head straight to bed. No more research tonight! Rest well, and be safe, always!"

The screen turns blank.

"Hey. She took your line," Lucas says with a chuckle.

"That Cynthia…" Professor Rowan shakes his head. He turns as the walls shut over the screen. He waves a hand as he heads for the door. "Come on, Lucas. We stayed up long enough!"

"Coming!" Lucas grabs and tucks his laptop under his arm, and races after him out the door. He locks it behind him, and he's by the professor's side in an instant. "It's crazy. I didn't think Professor Oak had a book like that."

"He was the one who brought us closer to understanding Pokémon. There are a lot of surprises behind him," Professor Rowan says. "He's a good colleague of mine. He helped me develop the Sinnoh Dex. Of course, you already know this. Just remember you should never be afraid to ask him any questions."

"Yes, Professor."

The grass turns to white sand as they walk closer to the housing. The distant sounds of crashing waves is relaxing to hear late in the hour.

"Say. Professor?"

"Yes, Lucas?"

"Have you ever wondered why Mia and Will were brought here? I mean… why didn't they choose someone from our world?"

Professor Rowan comes to a stop. "Hm. That is a good question. I've pondered on that one for some time. Maybe someone from another world would have a greater chance of finding what we would easily miss."

"Huh. I guess so." Lucas looks ahead. His eyes land on the moonlight reflecting from the gentle ocean. "I once believed our planet was the only one that holds life. I never imagined there would be a parallel universe out there. It really tells us that no matter how much we learn about our universe, there will always be so much more we don't know."

"I agree with you. That is exactly how we felt when Cynthia brought those twins here."

For a second, the professor can see their little faces.

"I can only wonder how well they cope with being apart from their world."

They watch the ocean in silence now. Hovering above them is a lone Zubat with a blinking camera strapped to its torso.

- 0000 -

Somewhere, inside a dark room, a lone person is watching from a big screen. "My, my. Professor Rowan, your little pow-wow just gave me a major clue," the smooth male voice says.

They adjust the headset that sets on their curved indigo hair.

"This is Commander Saturn," they say. Their blue eyes remain glued to the screen. "We have a lead in our investigation. Depart for Solaceon Town at dawn. Make sure the numbers are small to not draw attention. A report will be sent to you within that time frame."

"Roger that." The voice of Mars responds immediately.

"Oh? You're not stepping out of your mission too soon, are you?" The voice of Jupiter asks.

"No. This is a simple side-quest. I wouldn't leave my post if it were nothing important," Saturn replies. "We'll be cautious. This quest will take a few days longer than it should. Our lovely Champion just placed us in high alert."

"Yeah. All thanks to someone who thought it was a good idea to draw so much attention to themselves." Mars grumbles. "You are the worst with explosives. That is why I am always the one handling that job."

"Hey! You can't talk! At least I didn't toy with my hostages! You allowed your grunts to slip up as well!"

"At least I'm not responsible for losing our base!"

"At least I didn't throw a fit over being outsmarted by a little brat!"

"Excuse me?!"

"Ladies, ladies. Please. It is too late for this. Save the drama for tomorrow." Saturn shakes his head. "We can all agree that our position isn't in our favor. However, fingers point to the root of our problem, and it's not even our own Champion."

"Yeah. That damn Galarian kid," Jupiter says bitterly. "His Charizard made me look like a total joke!"

"Talk about it. How can a kid be that strong? I can see how he got his title…" Mars says with a sigh. "According to a few grunts that were lucky enough to encounter him, they can't restrain him, either."

"It's safe to assume he has some training. If he is with those other kids… then this will eventually become very, very, very annoying. That is also why we must proceed with caution. We'll keep a close eye on them. The both of you will deploy your best grunts."

"Of course," Jupiter says.

"I can work with that," Mars says.

"Oh, and Mars?" Saturn calls.

"What is it?"

"Try to keep your temper under control."

"It's not- ah, fine. If agreeing with you will make you leave me alone on that topic…" Mars grumbles. "Now, get off my ears. I want to go to sleep."

"No problem. Goodnight." Saturn taps the headpiece, and he slips it free from his head. His eyes watch the pair of researches walk off screen.

Croooooo….

A deep and threatening croak fills the silence.

"Don't worry, Toxicroak. You'll have your fun soon. Good things come to those who wait."

He sets the equipment down with a silent chuckle.

"So, be patient with us."

---

To be Continued in Chapter 12!