When Cynthia landed in Veilstone City, she immediately noticed the downpouring rain and dark skies. She threw her black trench coat over her blouse, grabbing ahold of the lapels to adjust the fit. She didn't bother buttoning it up- there was a part of her too irritated about the situation at hand to care. She waited at the base of the stairs to the Galactic Headquarters, arms crossed over her chest as she stared upwards at the building. She wondered just what exactly they could possibly want now, and also she was gradually developing a grudge for them wasting her time over and over again.

Just when she was getting a little too petty, she heard police sirens approach, and soon a swarm of cop cars had swerved and parked behind Cynthia at the base of the stairs. She only turned to face them, watching as Officer Jenny and her fellow squadrons hopped out of the cars and called out their Pokémon companions to help with the search. Looker also had been in one of the cars, and he joined Cynthia's side.

"Champion Cynthia." He said in greeting, "Or should I say… Diamonista?"

Cynthia narrowed her eyes, "Is that supposed to be another superhero name?"

"Yes!" Looker nodded sternly, as if the topic was anything but superhero names, "I devised it on the flight over."

"That sounds more like an escort name than a superhero name…" Cynthia just let out a heavy sigh, shaking her head, "I thought I said I was just kidding!"

"You did. I've merely become invested in the idea." Looker explained.

Cynthia looked back at the police officers behind her, praying for some sort of release. Fortunately for her, Officer Jenny came out in front of the pack and nodded at Cynthia.

"We're ready. Let's move in."

"No point in wasting any more time then." Cynthia motioned for Looker and the other officers to follow her with a roll of her shoulder. They all stormed up the high steps to the Galactic HQ Building, and they all swarmed around the two doors to the building. Cynthia and Looker as well as a few officers were stationed at one, whereas Officer Jenny and her squad were at the other.

"Ready…" Officer Jenny began, holding up a flat hand to keep the officers at bay. Looker and Cynthia simply waited for the signal.

"GO!"

Cynthia jumped forward, plunging her foot into the door near the handle to bust it open. She immediately swerved out of the way, letting Looker and the other officers go in first. They were the experts in this field, after all. She was only along for the ride because of the personal stakes.

"VCPD!"

"International Police!"

"Vigilante Champion, coming right back at ya'..." Cynthia said in a droll as she stepped inside. She immediately joined up with Looker, nudging his arm and motioning for him to follow, "Come on, we have to check the upper levels!"

Looker nodded, and he and Cynthia ran off further into building, ascending the numerous sets of stairs and maneuvering through the warp panels to reach the top floor. They did not see a single soul on the way up, and eventually they had arrived at the room in the very far back where the experiments on the Lake Trio had been done.

"The computer's still on…" Cynthia started, staring at the large screen in disbelief, "I need a team to extract any and all data from this computer's databases! It could be instrumental in telling us just what this revival is trying to accomplish…"

Looker raised a walkie-talkie to his mouth, finger over the button, "I need computer analysts on the top floor!" He lowered the walkie-talkie, focus going back to Cynthia, "If all of this equipment is online, then that means someone must be here, but….we saw nothing."

Cynthia furrowed her eyebrows, turning towards the door and clenching her jaw, "They must have slipped past us somehow. They might still be here!"

Following Cynthia's lead, Looker ran out of the laboratory and down the hallway. Just when they reached the press hall where Cyrus gave his speeches, they heard a nearby warp panel go off. Cynthia and Looker shared a shocked glance.

"What's the easiest escape route in the building?" Cynthia asked quickly, thinking ahead.

Looker thought it over for a moment before the answer came to him, "The underpass to the warehouse!"

"Get men to block the underpass. I'll go the outside way to make sure they didn't sneak through somehow!"

Looker nodded, getting out his walkie-talkie again. Cynthia went straight for the green warp panel to warp her onto the ground floor so she could dash out of the HQ building and head down the steps. The warehouse was all the way on the other side of the city, and Cynthia had to get there first before the grunt escaped. Weighing her options, she spotted one of the police motorbikes sitting there unused, and she just decided to roll with it.

"I'm taking this!" Cynthia shouted at the officers that stayed behind, and she threw on the helmet left behind and sped off. The wheels whirled on the wet pavement on the way due to the heavy rain, and the rain droplets stuck to the visor of her helmet. She maneuvered through the few cars still out driving in these conditions until she reached the lot with the abandoned warehouse. Parking the bike by the warehouse entrance and setting down the kickstand, Cynthia threw the helmet to the ground and ran towards the locked doors. Just like before, she busted the door open with a hard kick, and she ran inside.

The grunt stumbled back when his escape route was suddenly blocked off by the Champion, and he tried to run the way he came, but soon Looker and some other officers came up through the underground passageway.

"Going somewhere?" Cynthia said, voice dripping with venom when she grabbed the grunt by the shirt, "So, what's the big plan, huh? What's Team Galactic up to nowadays? If you tell us, just maybe we'll go easy on you."

The grunt was breathless from running, and he just sneered at Cynthia, "I'm not talking to you. I want a lawyer."

Cynthia shoved him away, letting the authorities handle him instead. She let out a sigh, glancing over towards Looker, "Looks like we're not getting anything out of him."

"Smart kid. Most don't go for the lawyer option." Looker rested his hand in his chin, "It will be hard to get him to open up. I'll assist in the interrogation with the VCPD." He was silent for a moment, "As I do that… Can I request a favor of you, Cynthia?"

"Shoot."

"Did you know that the Galactic HQ Building was relinquished to a Veilstone citizen after the disbandment?" Looker asked, "A man under the name of Marc Fullbuster, in fact."

Cynthia exhaled heavily, shaking her head, "That's no random citizen. That's Codename: Saturn."

"I have his address for you." Looker reached into his trench coat, pulling out a file, "Perhaps you can have a chat with Mr. Fullbuster, see about his involvement with this revival."

Taking the file in hand, Cynthia gave it a glance over and quirked an eyebrow, "You sure I have the clearance to do this kind of stuff?"

"I talked it over with the VCPD on the way here. You'll be given a specific consultant status on the case." Looker said, "Just identify yourself as a VCPD consultant, and anything you hear will be admissible in the investigation."

Cynthia grinned at that, "I'm on it then. Perhaps the vigilante Champion is not as much of a vigilante as I previously thought."

"I don't see how 'Vigilante Champion' isn't already a nifty superhero name on its own." Looker pointed out.

"I can't have 'vigilante' in the name. It's too...meta."

"Ah. Now I understand. I suppose I'll have to work harder on the superhero name front, then."

"I thought I told you to let it go."

"Many apologies, Cynthia, but that won't be happening. I know I can find the perfect name."

Cynthia sent Looker an exasperated look, "...Fine. Knock yourself out."

Looker shot Cynthia a grin, "Your blessing is appreciated. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to help with the interrogation down at the precinct."

"And I've got a commander's house to drop by." Cynthia waved the file, "Call me about any updates. I'll be sure to let you know about any on my end."

Looker nodded, and the two of them walked outside. Cop cars had arrived to take the suspect into custody, so Looker would be hitching a ride with them. Cynthia, however, went back to that motorbike she used and put the helmet back on. Looker shot her a strange expression.

"Is that… yours?" He asked.

Cynthia looked around a few times, "...No."

Looker opened his mouth to say something, but Cynthia cut him off, "I'll return it, I promise. I just...need the ride."

Nodding, Looker just walked away, not wanting to question further. Cynthia revved up the engine on the motorbike and drove off, heading for the address listed on the file. She soon came to find out that the house Saturn lived at had a patio, which meant that Cynthia wouldn't have to stand outside in the pouring rain and at least had something over her head. That was a godsend.

She pulled up into the driveway and hopped off the bike, walking up to the front door and ringing the doorbell. While she waited for it to open, she fixed up her hair a bit and composed herself. Some part of her was going to enjoy this-

Saturn opened the door, instantly groaning at the sight of Cynthia. Cynthia simply tilted her head and smiled, "Hiiii." She dragged out with a sing-song voice.

Saturn nearly shut the door on her face for that, but Cynthia placed her hand on the door to stop him, "Come on, now. I can tell you that so many men in this region would kill to have the Champion show up at their door like this. You should consider yourself lucky."

"I don't." Saturn shot back, voice low, "What do you want?"

"I only want to chat." Cynthia explained, grinning still, "On behalf of the VCPD, that is."

Saturn sighed, pressing a hand to his face, "Do I have to…?"

"I suppose you don't." Cynthia rested her hands on her hips, "But… it would help out a lot."

Saturn looked very reluctant to help, but eventually he let up and gave in, "...Do you at least want to come inside? It's freezing out."

Cynthia tilted her head, "I'm taking you up on that offer, but you're kidding, right? It's like...so hot out here."

With a judgmental look, Saturn just dropped the subject and stepped aside, waiting for Cynthia to come in. Cynthia did him a courtesy by taking off her slick, muddied shoes by the door so she wouldn't track any mud inside. They both noticed how Cynthia was still taller than Saturn even without her heels, which made Saturn puff out his cheeks in annoyance. He led her to his living room and motioned towards his couch for her to sit while he took up the chair nearby.

"Why do you want to speak with me?" Saturn started off with, crossing his legs and propping his elbow up on the armrest.

Cynthia sat down, crossing her legs as well, "There seems to be a Team Galactic revival in the works. Surely you can see now why I'd want to get in contact with you, of all people."

"And surely this type of treatment will also be displayed towards the other commanders, correct?"

"Mm… When the time arises." Cynthia clicked her tongue, "Something happened that set you apart from the others, though. Something that made you a higher priority than them."

"Which is…?"

"Activity was noted in your building, after all." Cynthia tilted her head, narrowing her eyes, "It's being looked into as we speak."

Saturn's eyes widened at that, and Cynthia studied him and his reactions carefully, "W-Wait, what?! What were they doing?!"

"That's what we're trying to find out." Cynthia said, "The grunt we've apprehended won't talk, but this isn't the first time we've noticed strange activity. We've spotted the same thing in the Eterna building too." Cynthia leaned forward at that point, subjecting Saturn to a harsh glare, "I hope you're starting to realize why it is absolutely paramount to get to the bottom behind the reasons for this revival. We don't want another Spear Pillar on our hands, do we?"

"Extremism is never the answer…" Saturn said quietly, clenching his fist, "I know nothing of these revivals. I've cleaned my hands of Team Galactic ever since that incident. I was planning to renovate the Galactic Headquarters into a research center, and do some good with it… It's sickening to think that Team Galactic would use it behind my back like this…"

Cynthia stood up at that point, still not letting up on that glare of hers, "What about the other commanders? Do you think they would be involved?"

Saturn clenched his jaw, thinking it over, "...Mars, er… Lisa was always the one most devoted to Cyrus. Eileen, or Jupiter, as you'd know her by, always tried to show Lisa up. If Lisa is involved, Eileen would be too. Though, they both seemed intent on quitting like me. Charon…. Well, I haven't the foggiest."

"Charon's in jail." Cynthia sighed, "He wouldn't be involved."

"Then that's that. You'll need to ask Lisa and Eileen themselves about their involvement. I can only say that it isn't too likely."

"Noted." Cynthia's expression softened at that point, "Get in contact with me or the VCPD if you learn anything new. We need all the help we can get."

Saturn nodded slowly, "...Alright. I'll help."

Cynthia flashed a grin his way, "Thank you, Saturn. I appreciate it."

"...Marc." He said suddenly, gradually smiling in return, "It's… Marc."

"Alright, Marc." Cynthia started for the door, "We'll let you know when we're finished with our investigation of the HQ building so you can resume work on it." She didn't quite wait for a response, and she slipped on her heels and left.

Cynthia drove to return the bike to the precinct (she avoided eye contact with everyone while she was there; she didn't want to get in trouble) and she filled in Looker on the conversation she had with Saturn. Looker said that he and the other officers were having no luck in interrogation, and he said that they could resume their investigation the following day, so Cynthia should go home and get some rest. She looked at the clock, seeing how it was a little after ten, and she reluctantly agreed. She flew home to Celestic Town on Togekiss after that, the exhaustion from all of the running around that day finally catching up to her.

Cynthia welcomed the sight of her bed with open arms, practically flinging herself onto the mattress once out of her heels and dress clothes. Playing the vigilante Champion really takes it out of her, so it took practically no time for her to fall asleep and enter a blissful dream.

Elsewhere… Off in Sunyshore City… Diantha was off in dreamland herself. Her dreamland was nothing like Cynthia's, however. While Cynthia's was peaceful and serene, Diantha's felt like something out of a horror movie.

In her dream, Diantha awoke in a strange place. The reality she was in was tinted red a dark red shade, and the first thing she noticed was the bizarre fact that all the land masses were floating in midair, and were all in strange positions. Some were upright, some were tilted on their sides, and some were completely upside down. There were large shards of glass everywhere, each portraying a weird reflection, and they were not reflecting what normal glass should. Instead, they were like mirrors to another dimension. The bodies of water were floating and moving in every which direction. It was something horrific, and Diantha was trapped in it.

She started walking around in this foreign world, inspecting it more and more in depth to try and understand it. She immediately noticed how everything felt lighter in this realm, and that gravity wasn't as strong as in the real world. When Diantha reached the end of the one platform she was on, she simply hopped over to the next one, the lessened gravity making it easier to cross such a wide separation between the two. On that next platform, behind a large glass fragment wedged in the ground, Diantha heard some sort of moan, and the next thing she knew, she spotted a Pokémon on the ground. It wasn't just any Pokémon, though… It was a Garchomp.

"Wha- hey!" Diantha rushed to the Garchomp's side, kneeling next to it, "Are you alright?!"

The Garchomp seemed to recognize her, and slowly everything started to piece together in Diantha's mind, "Wait… You're Cynthia's Garchomp, aren't you…? Is she with you? Where is she?"

Garchomp weakly nudged its wing towards the far end of the platform, something which peered over a large empty space in the strange realm they were in. Diantha spotted Cynthia down near that end, and she turned back to Garchomp, "T-Thank you! Here… Let me see if I can heal you…" She reached down to where her bag normally was, and felt nothing. She looked at herself, patting herself down frantically. She had none of her items or anything… Diantha was hopeless to help Garchomp with nothing on her, "I… I'm sorry… I'm so, so sorry… I...I'm going to get Cynthia… Maybe we can find a way out of here so we can help you then…"

Diantha ran over to Cynthia's side at that point, immediately noticing how Cynthia was nearly unconscious and her head coated in blood. "C-Cynthia!"

Cynthia stirred at the mention of her name, and she tried to get up. Diantha wrapped her arm around Cynthia's back to support her, and she held Cynthia like that in her arms. The terror of everything she witnessed so far was starting to show on Diantha's face, and her breathing was heavy from both running and panic, "What… What happened to you?!"

"The devil…." Cynthia coughed, blood trickling down the corners of her mouth, "The devil once and twice over… I couldn't stop it… I wasn't…strong enough…this time…"

Tears welled in Diantha's eyes at the sight, and Diantha rested her hand on Cynthia's cheek as she held Cynthia close, "Stay with me… Stay with me, Cynthia… How do we get out of here? Everything will be alright… You'll just have to help me out a little bit here… Trust me…"

"There's no escaping…the devil's domain…" Cynthia coughed again, hoarser than before, "The balance of Sinnoh… It's lost… They couldn't…stop him… I couldn't…stop him…"

"N'inquiète pas, ma chérie…" Diantha whispered beneath her breath. The tears from before were rolling down her cheeks without rest at this point, "I'll save you… I'll find a way…"

Cynthia forced out a wry laugh, sparing one last glance at Diantha, "You always were cute when you slipped back into French whenever you got worried… Even if I could never understand a word you were saying…"

Diantha shook her head, a disbelieving grin on her face, "No, no… You'll hear it more… This isn't the end…"

"I've already accepted it…" Cynthia smiled weakly, "If I were to go out at this age… this is how I would've wanted it…"

"How?! What's happening?!" Diantha had to lower her head. She didn't trust herself to look at Cynthia without bursting out into sobs.

A thundering, ominous roar sounded off in the distance, and soon a large, devilish creature flew and towered over the platform Cynthia and Diantha were on. Diantha raised her head to gaze in terror at the horrifying creature in front of her, eyes wide in fear and panic welling inside. Cynthia only closed her eyes, accepting her fate.

"The end of the natural world… as we know it." Cynthia whispered.

Diantha looked between Cynthia and the creature in disbelief, and soon the creature roared before rushing at the two of them, fangs bared and mouth wide open to devour them both. Diantha leaned over Cynthia, trying to protect her before everything in Diantha's view went black.

She awoke instantly, darting upwards with a panicked gasp. She looked around, seeing that she was back in the comfort of her hotel room. Diantha was breathing heavily, and her chest was heaving with every pant. Looking down at herself, Diantha noticed how her entire body was slick with sweat. She forced her breathing back to normal, and she fell back onto her pillow.

"Un cauchemar… C'est rien…" Diantha muttered to herself. It was nothing to be afraid of, even if there were aspects of the nightmare that unsettled her. Seeing her friend- seeing Cynthia like that was hard to look past, however. Her mind was playing terrible tricks on her…

Diantha clenched her jaw and closed her eyes. It was best to forget about it and try to get more sleep. She had another long day of filming in the morning…

Hopefully she wouldn't get another nightmare this time around.