Over the next few days, Usagi and Rei got used to the lifestyle of Lady Joy and her guests. As it seemed, many of them had stumbled upon the island by accident. Some only decided stay for a little while, others have decided to stay forever.
Lady Joy had been showing them around her island, which was completely covered by a lush forest that was brimming with life. Pokémon and animals were living next to each other in perfect harmony.
But as Lady Joy also had some obligations in regard to her other guests, she wasn't able to look after the two girls all the time. So she assigned a young girl about their age to be their guide.
May - that was the pretty, brown-haired girl's name - quickly became a good friend, and the three of them spent their days with exploring the island and having fun together. Sometimes, Luna and even her grumpy brother Meowth were joining them. For a while, Usagi almost forgot that they still had to return back home.
On the second day, May told the two of them that she was glad to finally have some friends she could hang out with.
"But we're all friends, here on the island," Lady Joy then said in a puzzled voice.
"Yeah, but that's not what I meant... and you know it, Joy! I mean, all of this celebrating and being happy can be kinda dull, you know?"
When Rei asked May about it once they were by themselves, the girl chuckled.
"Oh no, Lady Joy would never harm any living being. I don't think she would be able to. You see, everyone here on the island is free to leave whenever he wants. I only said that I had no real friends."
Once, when they were looking at the enormous castle situated on the other side of the lake, they asked May about it.
"It belongs to one of Kanto's kings," May explained. "They are the wise rulers of our realm... except for Lady Joy's island. I've been a resident of the Petalburg Kingdom before coming here... but let's not get into details," she quickly said.
Rei and Usagi exchanged a puzzled look. May always was like this when they were talking about her past. It seemed like she didn't want to talk about it, and so they respected her wish.
As the days went by, Usagi, Rei and Luna became more anxious for returning back home, while the date when the Hidden Gate would open up again drew closer and closer.
But then, almost two weeks after they had first arrived on the island, the arrival of a special guest changed everything.
They were once again sitting in the big dining hall, together with May, Lady Joy and her other guests, when suddenly the big entrance door opened and a small bird with blue, red and white feathers came flying in. He seemed to be pretty upset, and he flew straightly towards Lady Joy and perched down on her shoulder.
Suddenly, everyone sitting at the table got very anxious. Usagi looked around in confusion.
"What's up?" she asked May, who was sitting next to her. "What's going on?"
May shrugged. "I dunno! Taillow normally heralds all of the new guests, but I don't believe it's someone Lady Joy is expecting."
Just then, Joy stood up. "My friends, you have to excuse me for a while... but I have to take care of something."
She walked around the table and headed for the door. But she only walked half the distance, when suddenly, a single person appeared in the entrance. Usagi couldn't see the person very clearly because of the bright sunlight coming from outside.
Joy came to a stop and gasped. "Prince Ash!" she sharply said. "Why are you here?"
"Ash?" Rei murmured. "Why is Ash here? And since when is he a prince?"
It was indeed Ash, but the black-haired boy had changed. He was still the same boy with the same face, but he wasn't dressed in those clothes they saw him wearing when they met him back in their own dimension.
He was dressed in red and white leather, and he was carrying a helmet under his right arm, which was also coated with leather. At his side, an impressive sword was hanging. At the same time, his whole stance had changed. He was walking as if he had something proud and regal about his figure.
He walked up to Lady Joy and smirked at her. She, on the other hand, didn't seem to be too amused.
"Are you always coming into other people's houses without an invitation?" she asked.
Ash shrugged. "Only if I know that you wouldn't let me in. And if it was important."
"What's so important to disturb the peace of this island?" she asked.
Ash looked past her, at the table. "Perhaps the fact that I want to protect this peace. Lord Oak is sending me. I'm looking for someone, someone who came through the Hidden Gate. You don't have some new guests here, by any chance?"
"You won't find any mercenaries among my guests, you hear me?" Joy said sternly. "Now leave! This place is under Celebi's protection!"
"I know that, and I respect that," Ash replied impatiently. "But now get out of my way. Not all people have all the time they need, unlike you."
And when Joy still didn't move, he simply raised his hand... and pushed her out of the way.
"How... how dare you?" Never before had Usagi seen Lady Joy as angry as now. "Meowth! Vigoroth!"
One of the backdoors opened, and Luna's brother came running out, showing his sharp claws. He was followed by a bigger Pokémon that looked like a wild, sloth-like creature.
Ash simply stared at the two advancing Pokémon... then he snapped his fingers.
And six giants came into the big hall.
Usagi almost gasped in shock when she saw the massive, muscled, four-armed behemoths that had entered. Meowth and Vigoroth stopped right in their tracks as if they had just run into an invisible wall.
"Machamps?" Lady Joy gasped. "You... how dare you bring your soldiers into my tower?"
"Just for your protection and that of your guests," Ash told her. "There have been Rocketeer sightings nearby, very close to your island."
Joy didn't seem to listen. "You've gone too far this time, Ash," she shouted. "Lord Oak will hear about this and..."
"I already told you," Ash sighed. "Lord Oak himself sent me... and besides, I also talked with Celebi. And he gave me his blessing to enter the island."
"You're lying." But Joy didn't sound too convinced.
"I never lie," Ash proclaimed. He then gestured at Rei and Usagi. "Lord Oak wishes to speak to those two girls. He has important things to tell them. Those Machamps are simply my escort. Lord Oak thought it would be safer for your home if a few of them stayed behind, here on the island, to protect you and your guests."
Joy thought about it, then she shook her head. "No. I respect Lord Oak's wish regarding Usagi Tsukino and Rei Hino. But I don't want those creatures on my island! Not even Celebi himself could order me to tolerate them."
Ash shrugged. "It's your decision." He raised his hand, and the Machamps turned around and left.
He then looked at Usagi and Rei. "Come with me!"
"Where to?" Rei asked. "And why should we come? You weren't very nice to us, the last time we met. And you still aren't!"
"Well, if it was just me, I would simply leave you behind, as I believe you to be nothing but irritating troublemakers. But other people wished to see you, and it looks like I don't have anything to say about it. And I would prefer you two to accompany me as my guests, not my prisoners."
"The nerve..." Rei grumbled.
"You should go with him," May whispered. "I've heard of that guy and if what people tell about him is true, he can be quite persistent. Save him the trouble and do what he wants, and I don't think he will harm you."
"But what about the time differences?" Usagi asked. "If we leave this island, we won't be protected by the time barrier anymore, right?"
"That won't be your biggest problem," Ash said, who had listened to her comment. "As I said, I talked to Celebi himself, and he will protect you two from the time differences in our dimension." He pulled out two light green bracelets out of his pocket. "Wear those and you are under Celebi's protection. Now, are you coming or do I have to tell one of my Machamps to tie you up and drag you aboard my ship?"
Rei sighed in defeat. "Well, whatever... Okay, but I warn you, buddy: One trick and you'll be sorry!"
Ash just smirked in response.
After a short discussion, they were allowed to take Luna with them, as she was, in a sense, a member of their team. Meowth was very worried about his sister's safety, but still he decided to stay back on Joy's island.
"I can't simply abandon my duties here," he told Luna as he embraced her. "But at least I'll see you again when you come back for the Hidden Gate... so take care of yourself, okay?"
"I promise," Luna smiled.
Rei and Usagi quickly said goodbye to May and Lady Joy, who had packed them a few things that 'everyone needs on a journey', as she said. She also gave them some lunch boxes.
And then, the three of them followed Ash to the shore, where they saw his ship.
But not just any ship. It was a magnificent vessel, with three tall masts, and an elongated bow, which ended in the golden face of an unknown Pokémon. Dozens of oars were sticking out of its sides, and every single spot of the impressive hull was covered with thin plates of gold, which made the whole ship glitter like an enormous jewel.
"Wow!" Usagi said in awe. "What's that?"
"The Latias," Ash explained shortly. He lead them up a plank and they reached the ship's deck.
Here, they saw the tall, muscular Machamps again, together with several smaller creatures that were looking similarly and only had two arms. Ash called them 'Machokes' and 'Machops'. They were working all over the ship and sitting at its numerous oars.
"I hope you all are seaworthy," he smirked, and then the ship was casting off.
Rei and Usagi nearly lost their balance, as the powerful arms of the Machokes and Machamps was propelling the whole ship out to the open lake. The Latias was moving at an astounding speed, and Usagi doubted that the whole journey to the other side of the lake would take very long.
But as she stepped at the ship's rail and looked for the shore on the other side, she didn't found it.
Where the other shore was supposed to be, she only could see the vastness of the open sea.
Ash stepped up next to her. Usagi could see that he had put away his sword and helmet. "What are you looking for?" he asked.
"Um, nothing," Usagi replied. "I just didn't know the lake had an opening to the sea."
"He doesn't," Ash explained. "But there's always water under the Latias' keel."
That simple and yet so weird explanation confused Usagi for a while, so Rei stepped up to Ash and looked at him fiercely.
"Don't you think it's time for some explanations?" she shouted.
"I will," he said. "But after your nap."
"What are you talking about? I'm not... tired..." Suddenly, they felt woozy. "Wh-what's going on?" Rei muttered. "We just got up from bed before you came..." Usagi yawned.
"It's Lady Joy's magic," Ash explained. "Now that you have left her island, it's leaving your bodies."
"Her m-magic?" Luna muttered. "But why...? I thought she...?"
"She's not an evil person," Ash said. "Her spell keeps everyone happy, and the people who live on her island can live forever, as long as her spell is intact. What you are feeling are just the aftereffects of that spell. You just have to sleep for a while. I have prepared a cabin for you."
And while the two girls closed their eyes, the last thing they felt were the strong arms of the Machokes that caught them, as they fell asleep.
When Usagi woke up, she felt as if she had woken up from a very long dream. Somehow, she understood Ash's words much better... everything that happened on Lady Joy's island now just felt like a long dream to her.
She sat up and saw Luna lying on the blanket of her bed. She and Rei were lying in a small cabin that was just big enough for two people to sleep in.
Rei was starting to stir as Usagi looked upon her form. She blinked and rubbed her eyes.
"Good morning," Usagi grinned as Rei opened her mouth for a big yawn.
"Morning..." Rei muttered and looked around. "So, we're still aboard the ship?"
"Looks like it," Luna said. "Although I wonder where it is taking us..."
Usagi got out of bed and realized that someone had put down some new clothes for them, next to their beds. They were made of white leather and looked kinda archaic, but she appreciated the gesture after spending several days in the same old clothes she brought from home.
After they both got dressed, Rei went to open the door.
And a massive mountain of muscles stood in front of her.
Surprised, Rei took a step backwards, as the Machoke turned around. "Stay here," he grumbled in a deep voice. "I'll fetch the prince..."
And he turned around and left.
Rei looked at Usagi and Luna. "So, we wanna wait for him?"
Usagi sighed. "It's not like we can go anywhere..."
A few minutes later, the Machoke returned... alone.
"Follow me," he said. "Prince Ash wants to see you."
And they followed him through the lower deck of the Latias, until they went through a door. Behind it, they saw a big room with colored windows, through which they could see the ocean.
Ash was sitting at a big table that was covered with food and drinks. "Sit down," he said. "You three look like you're hungry."
Now that he mentioned it, the stomachs of both girls and the black cat started to rumble. Sitting down at the table, Usagi and Rei quickly put some meat, bread and vegetables on their plates and ate as fast as they could. Luna did the same with the dishes a Machop was giving her in multiple bowls.
After their appetite was sated, they sighed and slumped down in their chairs.
Ash smirked. "Had enough?" he asked.
"Yeah..." Usagi sighed. "It was delicious... and I was even more hungry than usually."
"Yeah, me too," Rei nodded. "Strange, huh?"
"It's not that strange," Ash said. "After all, you slept two days and two nights."
Luna gasped. "Two...? Why that long?"
"It's evening," Ash explained and gestured at the windows. "In about half an hour, we'll reach Lavender Castle." He stood up. "You wanna come up and watch how we enter port? It's really worthwhile!"
"Yeah, sure..." Usagi nodded. "But still, can't you tell us...?"
"I'll tell you outside, I promise," the black-haired boy assured them.
As they followed him upstairs, he sighed. "Look, I wanna apologize for what happened. Especially for the rude way I spoke to you at Lady Joy's place. But you have to understand... not even I am immune against her spell. After staying there for too long, I probably won't want to leave again."
"But why?" Usagi asked in a puzzled voice. "Why is she doing all of this?"
"Lady Joy must be the kindest person in Kanto," Ash sighed. "But she doesn't understand that too much happiness can be a bad thing as well."
They reached the upper deck, where the Machops, Machokes and Machamps were busy preparing the ship for the landing.
In front of them, a big castle with black walls was situated on top of the steep cliffs that were rising out of the sea.
"Is that your castle?" Luna asked.
"No, but its people are our allies," Ash told her. "We'll stay here during the night, then the journey will continue on horseback."
Usagi couldn't bear it anymore. "Who are you, Ash?" she asked. "I mean, who are you really? Lady Joy called you a prince..."
Ash chuckled bashfully. "Well, that sounds more impressive as it is," he said. "You see, there are many castles in Kanto, and every lord of a castle is called king. That's all there is to it."
"And why did you bring us here?" Rei wanted to know.
"Did you want to stay on the island forever?" he asked back.
"No," Rei replied. "But that doesn't answer my question."
He sighed. "Well, okay... you're right, there's more. Our sovereign wants to see you two."
"You mean... that Lord Oak you mentioned at Lady Joy's place, right?" Luna asked. "Who is he?"
"The ruler of all of Kanto," Ash explained. "You see, he wants to ask a favor of you."
"Of us?" Usagi wondered. "But why? We didn't know anything about Kanto, a few days ago. We just met you when you and your friends were about to attack that construction site... and now we learn that you are a prince in a magical dimension, and your ruler wants to talk to us."
"That's right," Ash nodded. "I'm not allowed to tell you anything about that favor before he has talked to you, but there is something I wanna ask of you as well..."
"And what is that?"
Ash turned around to firmly look into their eyes.
"When he asks that favor of you... I want you... to decline!"
"WHAT??"
"Not right away," the young prince said. "But... at least wait with your decision until we reach my mother's castle... okay?"
"I don't think I really understand at all..." Usagi muttered.
"I can imagine, but you have to understand that this is very important for us all... and please, don't say yes until you heard all of it. Regardless of what it is. Okay?"
Luna and Rei were still confused, but when Usagi looked into Ash's eyes, she felt that she trusted this boy, even if he was a little rude sometimes.
"I promise!" she said, and Ash sighed in relief, then nodded.
For now, they didn't talk about it anymore and watched how the Latias approached the steep cliff and finally entered the harbor underneath the tall towers of Lavender castle.
The first thing that seemed strange to Usagi, Luna and Rei was that no one was welcoming them when they left the small port. No humans, no Pokémon, no one. There wasn't even a harbor master around.
Usagi believed that Ash would explain it to them, but he remained silent while they walked up the rocky path, to the castle.
Expecting that they would at least meet humans inside the castle, Usagi followed Ash inside, as he opened the heavy front gate. But the halls behind it were as deserted as the harbor.
"Ash, where is everyone?" Rei whispered as he lead them through the dark castle.
Ash didn't respond immediately, but instead gestured at a door at the end of a corridor. "Over there! There's something I have to show you!"
Rei winced. 'What's that?' she thought to herself. 'That strange feeling... somehow, I feel a big amount of spiritual energy, directly ahead of us...'
Ash opened the door and they entered.
It lead into another big hall, looking similar to the dining hall in Lady Joy's Tower. Many tables were standing in the middle of the room, but there still was no one around.
But then Usagi realized her mistake: There weren't any humans around... but all around them, transparent shadows were flitting through the air. They were floating over the tables, sitting on the chairs, and seemed to ignore them.
Then Usagi got a closer look at them: Some of the ghostly apparitions looked like clouds of purple smoke with scary-looking faces inside. Other ghosts had creepy hands that weren't attached to their bodies and floated around freely.
One of them passed them very closely, and when Usagi stretched out her hand, it was passing through the creature as if it wasn't there. But at the same time, a chilly feeling ran down her spine.
"Don't worry," Ash whispered. "They can't see us."
"Ash, what is this place?" Rei muttered. "What's going on?"
Ash looked grimly at the assembled shadows. "These are the residents of Lavender Castle."
"Them...?"
Ash nodded. "Yes, what's left of them. This is their last meal before they attack."
"Attacked?" Luna asked and looked up at the black-haired prince. "Who attacked?"
"The Rocketeers..." Ash grumbled. "Lavender was one of the first castles they assaulted. They ravaged the land all around here and burnt down the villages. The survivors fled into the castle. The Rocketeers ordered the lords of Lavender to surrender themselves, but they declined." Ash closed his eyes. "They knew that the castle would fall, but they sacrificed themselves, so the surviving farmers and peasants could flee." He shook his head. "Not a single lord or knight survived the following battle."
"Are they... are they dead?" Rei carefully approached one of the floating, cloud-like spirits, to take a closer look at him.
"Sort of," Ash said with a grim voice. "Whenever a human or Pokémon of Kanto dies an unnatural death, the spirit turns into a Ghost Pokémon."
He gestured at the shadows. "Those Ghastlys and Haunters are all what remained of the castle's residents, after the Rocketeers killed them."
"Is... is that the reason why you brought us here?" Luna asked. Usagi could only utter a small sob.
"Yes and no," Ash replied. "Lavender Castle is one of the few places where we are safe from the Rocketeers. I don't know if the Ghost Pokémon would be able to harm them, but the Rocketeers are deadly afraid of them."
He sighed. "Lord Oak wanted you to see this before you talk to him. Come, they are all waiting for you, upstairs!"
"Will there... will there be more ghosts up there?" Usagi whimpered.
Ash shook his head. "No. For some reason, the ghosts always stay on the lower floors of the castle." He smiled at her. "Don't worry! We will spend the night here in the castle, but on the top floor. You won't have to be afraid that suddenly, a ghost will appear in your room."
"Well, that's good to hear," Rei gulped. She didn't like this castle one bit.
They left the Ghost Pokémon by themselves. Usagi shuddered as one of the Haunters floated over her head. She hurried after her friends.
As Ash lead them upstairs, Usagi asked: "Ash... the Rocketeers. Who are they?"
"We don't know for sure," he explained. "But they suddenly came from the far North, a few years ago. The humans and Pokémon offered them food and a place to stay, but as it turned out their hospitality was wasted. One ship after another arrived, and more and more Rocketeers arrived in Kanto. And then they started raiding the villages. They killed humans and Pokémon, taking everything for themselves."
"Why did they do this?" Luna asked. "Is there a reason for this?"
"I don't know," Ash grumbled. "Kanto is big, and there would have been enough place for everyone. But they killed the messenger Lord Oak had sent to them for negotiations. They don't want to negotiate. They want to take everything for themselves."
Then Ash started yelling: "Yeah, maybe there is a reason for this invasion. Maybe they've been driven out of their home country or their land is desolated, or whatever. I don't know! But that changes nothing! Nothing gives them the right to just come here and kill innocent people, just because they want to have their land."
"Is... is that the reason why you brought us here?" Rei asked. "So that we help you against the Rocketeers?"
"Maybe..." Ash muttered. "Or maybe not, that depends on you. Lord Oak will explain everything to you. Now, hurry up!"
And he ran up the stairs, without saying anything else. After exchanging a distraught look, they followed him.
Even before Ash opened the door at the top of the stairs, Usagi, Rei and Luna already heard the voices of many people that had to be behind these doors. And this time, they were living people.
They entered, and looked into a room that was filled with people of various sizes and ages, from young people that were about Ash's age, up to old, wise-looking men and women. Only a few Pokémon were present, among them the yellow-furred rodent that the two girls had seen when Ash was in the ruined castle, back in their world.
He ran up to them and greeted the young prince with a wide smile. "Ash!" he shouted in a high, but clearly understandable voice. "You're back!"
"Hey, Pikachu!" Ash waved.
"So, I see you found them," his friend said excitedly. He then nodded towards the two Senshi and the mooncat. "We've never been properly introduced, right? I'm Pikachu."
"Nice to meet you," Usagi smiled and introduced herself and her friends.
"So, how come you and Pikachu spoke that weird language back in our world... and not now?" Rei asked.
Ash shrugged. "The bracelets I gave you also act as an all-purpose translator. Not everyone speaks your 'Japanese' as fluently as I do." He grinned. "In fact, I'm speaking Kantonese right now."
Rei and Usagi looked at each other and chuckled. Luna sweatdropped. "Cantonese...?"
"Kantonese," Ash grumbled, slightly offended. "That's a difference..."
At that moment, the door on the other side of the hall opened, and three more people entered. Usagi realized at once that the elderly man in the middle had to be Lord Oak, the ruler over all of Kanto.
He had this aura of authority around him, but at the same time, a face full of wisdom and kindness.
Rei also looked at the two companions of the regent. They were much younger than him, the red-haired girl didn't look one year older than Ash. She was wearing an azure blue robe with white markings that were resembling ocean waves. An elegant saber was strapped to her side.
Oak's male companion was a little bit older, wearing a bulky armor with broad shoulder guards and a helmet. He had very narrow eyes which made the impression as if he was always squinting. He was carrying an immense war hammer.
"Who are they?" Luna whispered.
"They are coming from two allied castles," Ash whispered back. "The one with the armor is Sir Brock from Pewter Castle, and the girl is Princess Misty from Cerulean." He shook his head. "The situation must be worse than I thought."
Before either of them could ask him what he meant, Lord Oak spoke up:
"My friends! Pokémon as well as humans! I'm glad you all came!"
Usagi expected him to say more than just that, but he simply nodded, and the others in the room nodded back and went on with their conversations.
Lord Oak looked over to where Ash and his guests were standing and gave them a welcoming smile, before he approached them. His companions kept their distance.
Rei gave her blonde friend a slight shove. She was standing here not only as a representative of the Earth Dimension, but also as the last princess of the Moon Kingdom.
"Welcome to Kanto!" Oak greeted them. "I hope you had a pleasant journey."
Usagi kept her composure and bowed. "Th-thank you for the invitation. This is, um... a nice castle!" She smiled sheepishly.
Rei groaned.
Lord Oak laughed. "Well, I'm sorry I couldn't welcome you in another port town, but as Ash probably told you already, Lavender castle is the safest place. But let me reassure you, the castle of Queen Deliah is not nearly as dark and gloomy as this one."
"If I may ask, who is Queen Deliah?" Luna spoke up.
"Um, she's my Mom..." Ash said with a blush.
"Oh..." Luna nodded, understanding.
Lord Oak seemed to notice how uncomfortable Usagi seemed to be, with all the unknown people standing around here, and speaking with a country's leader... he could tell that she wasn't used to this.
Therefore, he made an inviting gesture towards the door. "Miss Tsukino, I would like to go for a little stroll through the castle. Would you like to keep me company?"
Realizing that Lord Oak did this so they could talk in private, Usagi nodded gratefully. "That's fine with me."
Usagi still felt a little insecure around Lord Oak, but at least there was no one else around.
While the two of them were strolling along a corridor, bright sunlight shone in from the big windows.
Sunlight? Usagi blinked. It had already been dark when they had entered the castle.
Lord Oak noticed her confusion. "Don't worry, it's just an illusion." He stepped to the window. "Come and look!"
Usagi followed him and looked outside. She looked upon a small village near the castle, could see the tiny forms of people and Pokémon that were walking along the streets, and even some ships on the lake. All of that was supposed to be an illusion?
"This is how the lands around the castle looked like before the Rocketeers came," Oak said in a quiet voice. "I think it's the Ghost Pokémon's subconscious memories that are causing this phenomenon."
He looked at Usagi. "Ash told you about the Rocketeers, right?"
"Yes," Usagi said in a small voice. "But not much."
"Well, we don't know much about them," the regent shrugged. "Only that they are coming from a cold land far north from here, beyond the sea. They are going to destroy us, princess!"
Usagi didn't know what shocked her more: The fact that Lord Oak seemed to know as her status as the moon princess or the sheer simplicity of his words. He seemed to be very certain of what he said.
"Th-that can't be," Usagi muttered. "I mean, this is such a beautiful world, and it can't possibly be destroyed. And I mean, from what Lady Joy told me, Pokémon are supposed to be powerful creatures, and then there are your soldiers..."
"And many more allies," Lord Oak nodded. "Oh yes, but all of them together won't be enough to stop the Rocketeers. We capture or kill one of them, and hundred new ones will come. And they have Pokémon allies as well, strange species of Pokémon we never saw before. We can hold our defenses, but not for very long."
"But how can we help you?" Usagi asked. "If there are that many of them, I doubt our powers will be enough..."
"That's not the reason why I asked Ash to bring you here," Oak told her. "You know, I called for a meeting, which will be hold at Pallet Castle, within four days. But I came to welcome you here, so I could see if you and your friends are the ones we have been waiting for. You are the ones!"
"And what can we do that you can't?" Usagi asked.
"There might be a way how we can save us all," Lord Oak explained. "There is a..." He hesitated. "There is something that could help us. A weapon to drive the Rocketeers off and to save our country. But... it's in a place we cannot enter."
He then gestured at the young moon princess. "You can, Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom!" He shook his head. "We have been looking for you for such a long time now..."
"B-but..." Usagi was confused. If they already knew that she and Rei were two of the sailor Senshi, then why...?
"Why did Ash and the others want to attack that construction site?" she suddenly asked.
Now Lord Oak seemed to be confused. But then he realized what she meant and laughed. "Ah yes, Ash told me about that... Well, you have to excuse him and my grandson Gary... they were the two that lead this operation. You know, it's actually pretty simple: They have been searching for a clue regarding you and your Senshi in that area, and the Alph Corridor was one of their passageways back into our world. And they simply wanted to hinder those workers from destroying one of the very few ways that could lead them back home. After I learned from their plan, I immediately ordered them to come back."
"So that labyrinth was just another passageway to Kanto?" Usagi asked. "Just like the Hidden Gate?"
"Yes!" the regent nodded. "And I can bring you and your friends back to Lady Joy's island if you like, anytime! If you decide not to help us, then I won't force you! No one is going to force you!"
Usagi wasn't too sure how she should react. What should she do? Stay here and help? Or go home with Rei and Luna?
"You don't have to decide right away," Oak said. "Just come along with us to Pallet Castle. You have time to decide until the meeting. If you decide you don't want to help us, we will escort you back to Lavender and take you to the Hidden Gate, aboard the Latias."
"I have to talk with the others..." Usagi murmured.
Oak nodded. "Of course! That's what I expected."
"But... if we decide to find this 'weapon'... would it be a long journey?"
"Oh yes!" he nodded. "It would take weeks, if not months. But don't worry: Thanks to the power of Celebi, no time will have passed in your world, when you return."
That was very important for Usagi, not only because of their friends and families. She somehow had the feeling that... something important was waiting for them, back home. She couldn't place a finger on it, but she got this strange feeling.
"We have four days to decide?" she asked.
Lord Oak nodded.
"Okay... I'll have to ask the others, but if you want my help alone, I'll help you as best as I can."