Four days after the events at the Great Marsh, Looker received a call from Cynthia. The Team Galactic was threatening to place a bomb in Celestic Town. Cynthia seemed more stressed than usual when she called him, and Looker could understand that. Celestic Town was Cynthia's hometown. Her grandmother was still living there. It had a special meaning for Looker too. After all, he had spent most of his summer vacations as a child in Celestic Town with Drasna.
For the first time, Looker was happy that Drasna had decided to go live with Cyrus in Sunyshore City. The farther from the bomb and the Team Galactic she was, the more he was reassured.
Looker's injury to the leg wasn't serious, and after two days he had been able to leave Pastoria City. Crasher Wake had thanked him again and said he would protect this town from the Team Galactic at all cost, now that he knew what they were capable of. After that, Looker had gone back in Veilstone City to keep an eye on the Team Galactic HQ, so he wasn't far from Celestic Town when Cynthia called.
Without wasting time, he had rented a car and went directly in Celestic Town, where he found Cynthia.
"I'm here ! Where's the Team Galactic !" he asked, running toward Cynthia, followed by Croagunk.
"Come ! I've received a call from my grand-mother, saying to come to the Celestic Ruins," the young woman answered.
They hurried to go to the said location. Celestic Town was an old traditional town in the mountains, where one could feel the presence of History. Looker really loved this calm and beautiful town. But now was not the time to admire the surroundings.
"Grandma !" Cynthia called when they arrived at the center of the town. An old woman was standing on the stairs, watching in direction of the ruins. She turned when she heard Cynthia. Looker recognized the professor Carolina, Cynthia's grand-mother and the elder of the town. She was a respected woman, former head scientist of the Celestic Town Historical Research Center. Drasna had worked with her for several years after her graduation.
"You're late", she said calmly, her arms behind her back.
"Late ? But… the bomb ?" Cynthia asked, panicked.
"Someone's already taking care of that," the elder said, nodding her head toward the ruins. Cynthia, Looker and Croagunk turned to look at what she was pointing. Two people were engaged in a Pokémon fight. One of them was a tall and slender man wearing the standard uniform of the Team Galactic. The other was…
"Lucas !" Looker exclaimed, surprised. "We have to go help him !" he said, prepared to run toward the fight.
"Wait !" Cynthia caught his arm. "Look."
Looker watched Cynthia with surprised eyes, but her expression was confident so he decided to stay and watch Lucas fight from the distance. The young trainer was giving orders to his Torterra. The opponent was a Houndour. For the moment, Torterra was dodging the fire attacks, a spectacular prowess, given his height and weight, but it couldn't last for long.
"A grass Pokémon against a fire Pokémon ?" Looker asked, confused. "Has he lost his mind ?" He was not a trainer, but even he knew that the grass type wasn't at its advantage against fire.
Cynthia, who was silently watching, her arms crossed, snorted. "Trust him," she said.
Looker sighed, but if the champion of the League was confident, there was no point in arguing. Torterra was still avoiding getting hit, and the Team Galactic man was furious. He was shouting at his Pokémon, giving him more and more orders. Houndour was doing his best, spitting fire in every directions, but he couldn't keep such a pace. He was getting tired.
"Now Torterra," Lucas exclaimed, "use Earthquake !"
"Torrrrr !" the Pokémon cried, hitting the ground with his huge feet. The ground began to tremble, causing an uproar. Even from the distance, Looker could feel the vibration rise in his chest. Houndor moaned and fainted, unable to resist the violence of the shock.
"Rahhhhhh !" the Team Galactic member yelled in rage, calling his Pokémon back in his Pokéball.
"Impressive !" Looker said, looking at Cynthia. The blond woman half smiled.
"Yea, not bad," she replied. "But it's not over."
The Team Galactic man was now sending a Golbat.
"Alright Torterra, come back !" Lucas exclaimed. "Luxray, go !"
That was quick. Luxray used the attack Spark, sending a jolt of electricity at his opponent. Golbat didn't even have time to see it coming, and fainted, falling on the ground.
"Amazing !" Looker was impressed. The boy was really something. He had to convince him to enter the International Police when he was older.
"Meh…" the elder said.
"It was easy. He had the advantage on this one," Cynthia stated, unimpressed.
The Team Galactic member looked disappointed to have been beaten by a child, and left running.
"Good job, Lucas !" Looker said while running toward the young trainer.
"Inspector ? Cynthia ? How long have you been here ?" he asked, surprised to see the two adults coming.
"We saw you fight," Cynthia answered. "You were pretty good."
"Not really, it was obvious his Pokémons weren't trained…" the boy said, scratching the back of his head. It might be obvious for pros like Lucas and Cynthia, or even the old Carolina, but Looker couldn't tell the difference.
"As the elder of Celestic Town, I give you my thanks," Carolina formally said to Lucas. "Since you're in Celestic Town, why not look around inside the ruins ?"
Lucas agreed, and they all went inside the ruins. It had been such a long time that Looker hadn't come here, but nothing had change. It was just a small cave with paintings on the walls. Even if he was impressed, he wasn't really receptive to this kind of things. Cynthia however seemed wonderstruck, even though she probably knew these ruins by heart. Lucas seemed amazed too. It was the first time he came here.
"The cave painting's meaning seems to be this…" the elder began, showing a painting with three creatures forming a triangle around a shining sphere. "There existed beings… Beings so powerful, they were considered deities at the time. There were three Pokémons with power to match either being. The three kept balance with either being, as if they formed a pyramid." She turned to Lucas and smiled genuinely. "It's an ancient legend of Sinnoh that is still told in Celestic Town."
"I would like to know more about that legend, if you will," a deep voice said behind their backs.
They all turned to face the newcomer, surprised. A man was standing at the entrance of the cave, his features hidden against the light. He was tall. Even though his face was in the shadow, an aura of confidence and… power seemed to emanate from him.
"Who might you be… ?" the elder said, her voice suspicious but firm.
The man sniggered and moved forward. He was wearing grey clothes. A golden 'G', symbol of the Team Galactic, was shining on his chest. His stance wasn't threatening, but his simple presence was intimidating. Looker felt a drop of sweat running on his forehead.
"It's him !" Lucas exclaimed as soon as the newcomer's face became visible. "He's the commander I told you about !"
Looker was confused, unable to say a word. This man, he was not Saturn. No, this deep voice, these spiky blue hair, these hard features, it was…
"My name is Cyrus."
Looker was paralysed. Cyrus… Cyrus ! Cyrus was part of the Team Galactic ! No, he was a commander in the Team Galactic ! Drasna's boyfriend was a commander of the Team Galactic ! Cynthia seemed as confused as Looker. She was staring at Cyrus, awestruck.
"I want to put an end to pointless strife and hostility," the blue haired man continued, stopping a few meters from the group. "I am seeking the power to create the ideal world. Thus, I want you to answer. The world today can't change because the three Pokémons keep it in balance. Is that what you are saying ?"
The words reached Looker's brain with difficulties. What was Cyrus talking about ? He wanted to create an ideal world ? He was seeking power ? So, Cyrus was… No, he couldn't be… He couldn't be the leader of the Team Galactic !
"Cy… rus…" Looker managed to articulate. He couldn't believe his eyes. Cyrus watched him with disdain and smirked.
"Looker, we meet again."
How could he have not seen ? How could he have missed that ? How was it possible ? Cyrus was the boss of the Team Galactic ? But then, Saturn… ?
Looker began to understand. Saturn was not the real CEO of the Team Galactic. He was not the living god the other members were admiring and blindly following. He was just a commander, like Mars, Charon and Jupiter. The real leader, the real brains of the organization, the man behind the thiefs of Pokémons, the hostage taking at the power plant, the bomb in the Great Marsh, it was Cyrus !
Looker was mad with himself. How could he have not seen ! Now that he knew, there were some evidences. There have always been some evidences. The bad feeling he had had when they first met. The way Cyrus was interested in old myths about legendary Pokémons. And Drasna had also said that he had a good opinion on the Team Galactic. Of course !
Thinking about that, Cyrus also used to work at the Valley Windworks and left only two weeks before the attack ! And that purchase order Looker had found while investigating in the Galactic building in Eterna City, with Cyrus' name on it ! How could he have not seen the signs ? He had always thought Cyrus was a bad guy, so why ?
No… All these signs, he had ignored them. His mind had decided not to see them, not to analyze them. Because of Drasna, because she would have been hurt, and Looker didn't want her to be hurt. What a terrible mistake ! As a result, he had let her live with a… a monster ! A man at the head of the greatest criminal organization of the region ! A man capable of using every mean, even terrorism, to achieve his goals ! A mastermind who had been able to hide the activities of his Team behind a fake research center, gaining everyone's trust and admiration ! This was crazy !
"I asked a question, I'd like to have an answer," Cyrus told to the elder while Looker was lost in his thought.
"I wouldn't know," Carolina replied, keeping a cool head. "I do know the world is in balance. I'm quite satisfied with the world the way it is. I'm not interested in your question."
"… Plead ignorance, will you ? What a pointless attitude," Cyrus said, disappointed. "You fail to appreciate that the world is incomplete." His tone of voice indicated how much he felt himself superior. How much he thought he saw things other people couldn't even comprehend. How much he despised those who didn't share his point of view. He sighed and put a hand on his chest. "I will change the world. As the first step, I will destroy this cave painting that you've protected all these years. A new legend of a new world will take its place." He paused for a second. "Am I wrong ? If you feel that way, challenge me !"
His grin was clearly indicating that he expected no one to resist and challenge him. Indeed, Looker and Cynthia were still stunned, unable to understand the words they were hearing. Lucas however was quicker to react.
"I won't let you !" he exclaimed, taking a Pokéball in the hand. Cyrus raised an eyebrow and his smile faded.
"… I know you, trainer. We've met at Mt. Coronet. Why would you want to protect this incomplete world ? As the boss of the Team Galactic, I will show you the error of your ways !"
"Torterra !" Lucas called, throwing his Pokéball.
"Golbat, go," Cyrus said, quieter.
Lucas and Cyrus had called their Pokémons at the same time. The beginning of the fight made Looker and Cynthia snap out of it.
"Lucas, I can fight…" the blond woman tried to say, suddenly realizing the situation.
"Leave it to me," the young boy answered. "You're in no condition to fight now."
Looker didn't understand why Lucas was telling that. Cynthia was the champion of Sinnoh, she was stronger than him ! This was not a fight where she can stay back and watch !
"Cynthia !" he exclaimed, turning toward the her. But she didn't look good. Her teeth were clenched and her hands were shaking. Apparently, she was as horrified as him to discover that Drasna's boyfriend was the boss of the Team Galactic.
The fight began between Cyrus and Lucas. The boy looked anxious. Torterra couldn't use Earthquake against a flying Pokémon, and he couldn't reach Golbat to use Bite. So he was just using Razor Leaf, but Golbat was dodging every attacks. Cyrus was calm. He was much more in control than the other Team Galactic member that Lucas had fought earlier.
Every time Golbat dodged an attack, Cyrus was giving a quick order and the Pokémon was hitting Torterra with an Air Cutter. But Torterra was enduring well ! Though he was hurt, he kept using Razor Leaf without getting tired. That was the result of Lucas' training.
"We're going nowhere like that," Cyrus sighed. "Golbat, use Poison Fang."
The Pokémon obeyed and dived on Torterra quicker than Lucas would have thought possible.
"Dodge !" he cried, but it was too late. Golbat sunk his fangs deep in Torterra's skin, right on his head. Torterra shouted in pain and shook his head, making Golbat fly away. But Golbat's poison was already in his blood. Soon, he was unable to fight, and the boy had no choice but to withdraw him.
"Is that all you can do ?" Cyrus said, an expression of superiority on his face.
"Luxray, let's show him !" the boy replied, throwing another Pokéball. "Use Spark !"
"Rayyy !" the Pokémon shouted.
Luxray had the advantage of the type, but Cyrus was a powerful trainer. It took several Spark attacks to put Golbat out of the fight.
"I see…" the man whispered, and chose to send a Murkrow. Another flying Pokémon ? Looker didn't understand. Lucas seemed surprised too. Luxray still had the advantage of the type, but Murkrow turned out to be even stronger than Golbat.
"Feint attack," Cyrus ordered, and the flying Pokémon dived on his opponent. Luxray was fast, but even he couldn't dodge this attack. He was thrown on the ground.
"Get up Luxray, use Spark !" Lucas exclaimed, not letting his worries get the upper hand. The electric Pokémon went back on his paws and sent a powerful jolt of electricity to the Murkrow, who couldn't avoid it.
They continued fighting like that, sending each other to the ground several times and hurting each other. But it seemed that Luxray was getting the upper hand, little by little.
"That's it Luxray, another Spark and it's done !"
Luxray jumped as close as possible to the Murkrow and gathered his energy to release the most powerful Spark he could. The flying Pokémon tried to dodge, but it was too late. He received the jolt of electricity head on. With a loud 'thump', both the Pokémons fell on the ground, Luxray on his paws and Murkrow on his back. Cyrus hissed, frowing.
"You've force my hand this time !" he said, sending his last Pokémon to battle.
It was a Sneasel. Looker felt something moving behind his leg. Croagunk, who had remained hidden behind him until then, watched Cyrus' Pokémon with pain in his eyes.
"Croa…" he complained, his paws on his chest. Then, Looker remembered. He had already seen this Sneasel, at Drasna's house, the first time he had met Cyrus ! Croagunk had been playing with Sneasel in the garden, certainly becoming friend with him, and now Sneasel was betraying ! Looker could understand his partner's feelings. It was exactly the same than him discovering that Cyrus was a criminal, but on a Pokémon scale.
Sneasel startled when he heard Croagunk's voice and turned his head. An expression of sorrow appeared on his face, as if he was sad to disappoint his friend. Cyrus was evil, but his Pokémon was not. That was heartbreaking, Looker thought.
Croagunk reached a paw toward Sneasel and began walking, but Looker stopped him.
"You can't," he whispered to the small Pokémon, but it made him sad to see his partner like this.
"Enough with that," Cyrus dryly said. "Sneasel, use Quick Attack."
Sneasel looked one last time at Croagunk, grief visible in his eyes. Or could it be… heartache ? But he was forced to obey his master. Focusing his eyes on Luxray, he ran, fast, too fast, and hit the already hurt Pokémon in the head. It was too much to endure for the poor electric Pokémon, and he collapsed on the ground.
Lucas was anxious. His gritted his teeth and watched his Pokéball. Staravia was his last Pokémon, but she was less strong than Torterra and Luxray. Plus, Sneasel was advantaged by his ice type. Would Staravia be able to do it ? To stop Cyrus right here ? Lucas had no choice anyway.
"Staravia, go !" he said, putting all his hope in the Pokéball as he threw it. Staravia had only one move that could do enough damages to put Sneasel out of the fight. "Use Steel Wing !"
Staravia hardened her wings and charged at the ice Pokémon. He was fast enough to avoid one of her wings, but the second hit him in the side, sending him flying several meters away. Croagunk gasped and tried to escape Looker's grip, but the inspector held him tightly.
Sneasel went back on his feet with difficulties, a grimace of pain on his mouth. He glanced at Croagunk.
"Let's put an end to this," Cyrus said, annoyed. "Use Icy Wind."
So that was the end. Staravia wasn't strong enough to resist an ice attack. She would be beaten, and Cyrus would win. He would destroy the ancient painting, then the world…
Lucas seemed to be waiting for the final blow, his fists clenched. But Sneasel's attacked missed ! Staravia didn't even dodge, it just missed. Was Sneasel too injured to aim straight ? Or… had he missed on purpose ? No, Looker couldn't believe that. Anyway, Lucas was quick to react and to take advantage of the situation. He cried to Staravia to use Steel Wing once more, and Sneasel was thrown in the air again. He fell on his back, and couldn't move anymore.
Was he dead ? While Looker was frozen, wondering if the poor Pokémon was still alive, Croagunk struggled and succeed to escape his arms. He went straight to Sneasel, kneeling next to him.
"Croa…" he complained softly. He lightly shook the other Pokémon's body, trying to make him wake up. He looked desperate.
"… Sel…" Sneasel whispered, his voice very weak. He managed to smile at Croagunk, but it was a hard effort. Croagunk sighed and smiled back, taking Sneasel's paw in his. Looker also sighed in relief, seeing that the ice Pokémon was still alive. Cyrus however seemed disgusted by the scene. He called back Sneasel in his Pokéball, and the Pokémon disappeared in a flow of energy.
"I've lost… Remarkable," he said, frowning to Lucas, while Croagunk was going back near Looker. "But, Elder, your attitude told me what I needed to know. If the beings of time and space are brought together, they can't be stopped…"
With these words, he turned back and walked out of the cave.
"Wait !" Looker called. But Cyrus ignored him.
Looker, Croagunk, Cynthia, Lucas and Carolina followed him out, their eyes blinking because of the sunlight. Someone was waiting near the entrance of the cave.
"Drasna !" Looker exclaimed, surprised. "What are you doing here ?" Drasna looked at him, her mouth opening in surprise, her eyes going from him to Cynthia to him again. She didn't seem to be expecting to find them here.
"Let's go, Drasna," Cyrus said coldly while passing in front of her.
"Yes," she agreed and followed him.
"Wait, Drasna !" Looker called. "What are you doing ?!"
"He's the boss of the Team Galactic !" Cynthia cried.
Drasna stopped and looked at them. She was angry. Looker had never seen her like that. Her face, usually full of joy and bearing a genuine smile was now dark, her eyebrows frowned, and she wasn't smiling. At all. With the dragon fangs hanging around her head and this mad expression, she actually looked like a dragon.
"The Team Galactic acts for the good of everyone, to create a better world to live in," she said with a hard voice. That was a shock. Drasna, part of the Team Galactic ? It was ridiculous. Looker couldn't believe it. In fact, she wasn't even wearing the uniform of the organization.
"Since when do you support the thief of Pokémons ?!" Cynthia desperately asked.
"These are false accusations !" she replied, raising her voice.
"Indeed, it isn't the truth," Cyrus lied, calm and hard as ever.
"Drasna, be reasonable, he's lying !" Looker pleaded, trying to make her realize the truth.
"I can't believe it…" Her voice was full of scorn as she addressed her childhood friend. This tone of scorn, it was dreadful. She had never talked to him that way. "To think that you would act so low… by jealousy… I'm very disappointed."
She turned back proudly, making her long black hair fly around her, and left with Cyrus.
Looker couldn't believe his eyes and ears. Not Drasna ! Everyone but her ! It wasn't possible ! She couldn't side with the Team Galactic ! She couldn't agree with Cyrus' ridiculous ideals ! Not the Drasna he knew ! Not the Drasna he loved !
He felt himself fall on his knees. He had tried to protect her... He had tried to warn her… He had told her to stay away from the Team Galactic, hadn't he… ? Cyrus, and now Drasna… ? Impossible ! It was a nightmare ! He would wake up soon ! It couldn't be true !
"Looker…" he heard Cynthia say to him. She put a hand on his shoulder and he came back to his senses. He hadn't realized when he had started, but he was crying. Warm tears were running down his cheeks, tasting salty in his mouth and falling on his trench-coat. He must look miserable. "Looker," Cynthia said again. "She's being manipulated. It's not the Drasna we know."
"What are you saying ?" he said, a crack in the voice.
"She's being manipulated. Cyrus is manipulating her. There's no way it can be otherwise !" It was true. Drasna would never agree with the Team Galactic's point of view on her own will. Cyrus was a mastermind, he was able to do that, to use Drasna, to manipulate her, to control her with lies. It couldn't be otherwise.
"But… why… ?" Looker asked, still crying. Cynthia remained silent. She didn't have an answer to that.
"The beings of time and space," the elder said, and every heads turned to her, not understanding. "This Cyrus, he talked about the beings of time and space. Drasna is a specialist of these legends. I know, we used to work together."
That was it. The missing piece. Looker understood now. Cyrus had always planned to control Drasna. From the very beginning. Even before they met, he had his eyes on her. He chose her with care, knowing that she was single, knowing that she worked on the History of Sinnoh. Their first meeting had been written in advance, Cyrus provoking it one way or another. He had never loved her, not for one second.
"That explains everything…" he whispered.
"We can't let her being manipulated by the Team Galactic," Cynthia declared. "Who knows what they might be able to do if they put their hands on the legendary Pokémons."
"Yea," Looker said, wiping his eyes. "We have to find her and make her realize the truth. And we have to arrest Cyrus before it's too late."
He felt the anger rise in his chest, and clenched his fists. He was not a violent man, but this time was different. He gritted his teeth. He would find Cyrus, but he would not arrest him. He would kill him. And he would enjoy it.