Looker really was in a fix… He had gone directly to the office of the Sinnoh police's captain, showing his indubitable evidences : the picture of the sign in front of the Team Galactic building and the list of stolen Pokémons. But even with these proofs, the stubborn captain hadn't wanted to start an investigation. The sign, in his opinion, only meant that the Team Galactic needed Pokémons for their research and that they wanted people to voluntarily lend their Pokémons to the organization, not that they wanted to steal them. And the list, he had said, wasn't a list of stolen Pokémons but only a list of Pokémons in the possession of the Team Galactic.

However hard Looker tried to argue, it hadn't changed anything. The Sinnoh police wouldn't act against the Team Galactic, and nothing he could say would change that. Looker was a member of the International Police, so he didn't have to obey the captain of the Sinnoh police, but he didn't have any power over the local police.

He had called his boss to ask for reinforcements but the International Police didn't have a strikeforce. They usually relied on local polices for this kind of action. The only special operations unit that belonged to the International Police was already deployed in Johto and didn't seem to be able to come back soon. Apparently, the Team Rocket was rebuilding itself in Johto. The Team Rocket was powerful and far more dangerous than the Team Galactic, or so it seemed, so all the means of the International Police were focused on Johto.

As a result, Looker was alone here, in Sinnoh, to deal with the Team Galactic. The situation couldn't be worse. One mistake and it would mean death, for him and for Croagunk. So he tried to keep a low profile, to investigate discreetly, using his network of informants, searching information on the Team Galactic secret forum and occasionally going in disreputable bars to catch some snatches of conversation between Team Galactic members. He also changed place often, not staying to long in the same hotel or the same town.

These days, he was in Veilstone City. The town was well known for its huge department store, its Game Corner, and of course the Veilstone Gym. Maylene, the Veilstone gym leader, was the youngest gym leader in the Sinnoh region. Though Looker was quite impressed that she became a gym leader at such a young age, he hadn't come in Veilstone City to defeat her. Indeed, Veilstone City was also the location of the Team Galactic's main HQ, a huge complex with a big dome at the center and satellite dishes pointed at the sky. From the window of his hotel room, Looker was constantly spying the entrance of the building. He had to find a way in, but how ?

Lost in his thought, he startled when his pokégear rang.

"Inspector Looker," he answered the phone.

"Looker ? It's Cynthia," a woman voice said. She seemed worried. "Where are you right now ?"

"In Veilstone City."

"Oh thanks goodness !" she sighed, apparently relieved. "Dawn is in Veilstone City too, she's in trouble. She called me but I'm in the middle of a meeting with the elite four. I can come if it's really necessary, but if you could help her that'd be great !"

"Of course, I'll help her," Looker answered. "What's the problem ?"

"Apparently, she was attacked by people of the Team Galactic. They stole her Pokédex."

"What ? Why would they need a Pokédex ?" he asked, incredulous.

"I don't know, but they also tried to steal Prof. Rowan's research. The Pokédex is part of his project, it shouldn't be in their hands."

"I see… Dawn is in Veilstone City you say ? I will help her, don't worry."

"Yes, she was in front of the gym when she called me, I hope you'll find her there. Thank you so much !"

As soon as he hanged up the phone, Looker was running outside, followed by Croagunk.

"Damn, I hope she won't be reckless and wait for me before acting…" he thought.

But when he arrived in front of the gym, there was nobody. He sighed. Where was she ? She wasn't imprudent enough to throw herself in a battle alone, was she ? She couldn't be stupid enough to ran inside the Team Galactic HQ, could she ?! She seemed like a reasonable girl, but she was Cynthia's girlfriend after all, Looker wouldn't be surprised if she thought she could handle this alone.

He didn't want to ruin these days surveillance work by bursting into the Team Galactic HQ totally unprotected, but he had no choice. Damn girl, couldn't she just wait for help ? He ran in the direction of the HQ. But when he was near the Pokémon center, Croagunk stopped him, pulling the corner of his trench coat.

"What is it, have you seen her ?!" Looker asked, impatient.

"Gunk !" the Pokémon exclaimed, pointing his paw at something. There was something on the ground, in the opposite direction. Looker came closer and picked it.

"It's a pompom from Dawn's boots, good job Croagunk !" he patted the Pokémon's head. "Then she went this way !"

He and Croagunk ran in the direction indicated by the pompom. It was still early and the streets were almost empty, so at least he didn't have to make his way through the crowd. When he was near the department store, he heard Pokémon barks and cries. Dawn was probably fighting the Team Galactic members who stole her Pokédex. The poor girl had no chance to win on her own ! That was bad, he had to hurry !

He ran around the department store and saw them, in front of the Galactic warehouse.

"Have no fear, I have come running !" he said, breathing quickly, but the Team Galactic members were already gone. The two kids stared at him, surprised. Dawn seemed fine, and she had her Pokédex in the hand. The other kid was…

"Lucas ? I should have known… I heard a fight. It turns out, of course, to be you."

"Oh, it's that funny man from Jubilife ! What are you doing here inspector ?" Dawn asked, slightly annoyed.

"You insult me to my face ? How very uncouth of you ! I am here because Cynthia called me, telling you were in trouble and asking for my help. We were damn worried about you, young girl !" Looker answered, offended.

"I'm terribly sorry," Dawn said, her voice apologetic. "The Team Galactic took my Pokédex, so I was very irritated… I just blurted it out…"

"Fine… I see everything is alright, you took your Pokédex back. You were lucky to find Lucas, but next time wait for me or Cynthia ! Am I clear ?"

"Yes sir," she said, pouting. "I should be going now, I have to call Cynthia to reassure her. Thank you again Lucas, and thanks inspector, sorry for causing trouble. Be wary of the Team Galactic." She waved at Lucas and went away. When she was gone, Looker looked at Lucas. The young boy was healing one of his Pokémons. He had a serious look on his face.

"Sorry inspector, we should have waited for you. But Dawn came to me crying, and I thought it would be easier to fight the thieves before they went back to their headquarters."

"It is of no matter," Looker sighed. "Of more interest is the criminal behavior of the Team Galactic. They attempted to steal the belonging of a child ? The scale of their criminality, it seems rather minuscule… But don't be fooled. They must have a reason to want so badly Prof. Rowan's work. Anyway, their warehouse needs investigation. Come with me, and we'll take a look !"

Lucas followed him inside. The warehouse was crowded with boxes and storage units. There seemed to be nothing interesting here. A large steel door lead to another room.

"Hmm… A key is necessary for us to go on…" Looker said, examining the door. "Damn ! For the time being, we cannot give chase to those who ran away."

"Croagunk !" Croagunk cried, from behind a storage unit.

"What did you found ? The key ?" Looker asked with hope. "Ah, it's only a hidden machine… It is the hidden move Fly. Lucas, this, you should be keeping. It will not do to leave this item here to be used by the Team Galactic." He gave the HM to Lucas.

"Thanks," the boy said. "Inspector, there are some things I need to tell you. The guys that Dawn and I fought said that what used to be in this warehouse was already in Pastoria City."

"Pastoria City… Well, thanks for this information. Is there anything else ?"

"Yes. When I was in Mount Coronet, I encountered a member of the Team Galactic. We didn't fight, he just talked nonsense about creating a new universe."

"Ok. And why do you think it's important ?" Looker was thoughtful. He couldn't see where Lucas was headed to.

"Well, it's the second time I meet him. He doesn't wear the standard uniform, so I thought he may be a commander or something."

"Ah ! That's interesting ! Did you hear his name ?!"

"Yes !" Ahhh, finally ! The investigation was finally making progress ! "… But I forgot…"

"What ?! Are you serious !" Looker ask frantically. "Try to remember, that's very important ! Very, very important, Lucas !" he pleaded.

"I'm sorry… He told me his name the first time I met him, but at that time I knew nothing about the Team Galactic, I didn't know it would become important…"

"I see…" Looker was disappointed. But he couldn't blame Lucas, he was just a kid after all… "Do you at least remember something about him ?"

"Well, he wasn't Charon, I would have recognized him. And he had blue hair."

"Hmm… Obviously it was Saturn."

"Saturn ?" Lucas asked.

"Yes, the CEO of the Team Galactic. He has blue hair. I had difficulties believing he was the boss of the Team Galactic, but I keep finding more and more evidences proving it. There's no place for doubt anymore."

Looker had thought that Saturn was hiding safely somewhere, giving orders to the commanders from the distance, but Lucas had already met him twice… Looker didn't know what to think of this. If Saturn was the kind of boss to go in the field with his subordinates, it could be dangerous. If Looker encountered him by chance, he wouldn't be able to arrest him without the help of the local police, and Saturn would know his face and reinforce the security of his buildings. He would have to be extra careful from now on.

"Well, thank you for telling me that. It's crucial for my investigation. More than you think. But what concerns me right now is what they have transported to Pastoria City. What they are up to, I don't know yet, but I have a bad feeling about it."

"I'll call you if I learn anything new."

"Good. But stay on your guards and don't put yourself into trouble. I trust you." Looker said seriously. Lucas nodded, his face determined. Looker smiled. He was really growing fond of the young trainer. Maybe he could convince him to enter the International Police when he was older ? Maybe when all this was over.

"So, my young friend, I guess you will go to the gym now, won't you ? Maylene is a strong leader, if the rumors are true, I bet it would be a real challenge to defeat her, even for you."

"Already done !" Lucas smiled proudly, showing his Cobble Badge. "It wasn't easy, indeed, but both she and I enjoyed the battle. That was a good training for my Pokémons."

"Oh, impressive !" Lucas kept surprising him. "How many badges do you have then ?"

"With this one, four." He said, putting the badge back in his badge case.

"Already half of them. You're closer to the League than ever. I know the champion of Sinnoh, it won't be a piece of cake to win, believe me !"

"I'll do my best ! With Torterra at my side, I'm sure we can go far."

"Ahaha, maybe I'm looking at the next champion ? In any case, I wish it for you. Anyway, I have a lot of work to do. Good bye for now, Lucas !"

"Good bye inspector !"

"Let's go, Croagunk, Pastoria City awaits us !" Looker exclaimed, and went out of the warehouse, followed by his partner, ready for a new adventure.