Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon
The last time we saw our heroes, they were on their way to Hoenn so Ash could battle against Norman and Winona. After traveling for a few days, our heroes finally reached Petalburg City.
"We should visit Norman's house to see if Max or May are home."
"That's a good idea Ash." Brock replied.
"Who are May and Max?" Asked a confused Kirlia.
"They used to travel with me and Pikapi when we went through Hoenn the first time."
"Oh."
And so the quartet headed out towards Norman's house. When they arrived there, they rang the bell and waited for someone to answer. After a few minutes, Caroline answered the door. She was slightly surprised to see them before she remembered about the Commissioner's Cup.
"I guess you're here to battle Norman, Ash?"
"I am; I was also hoping to talk to May and Max."
"Well, Max is out also collecting coins, but May is home. She's currently out, but she should be back soon."
"Wow! Max must be pretty good if he's been invited to participate in the cup." Brock said.
"Well, Norman was able to pull some strings since he and Gowly go way back. They were traveling partners in Hoenn."
"Really? That's so cool!" Ash exclaimed.
"Yep. Gowly had just finished first at the Silver Conference when he decided to partake in Hoenn League. He helped Norman catch his Slakoth and guided Norman through his journey in Hoenn. The two faced off in Ever Grande and Lucario defeated Slaking who had just evolved from Vigoroth. Gowly then proceeded to win the Hoenn League, and Norman returned to Petalburg and became gym leader a few years later."
"That's enough of sharing my ancient history with others, Caroline."
"Oh, hi Norman."
"Hello Ash, Brock."
"Hello Norman."
"I assume you're here for the Normal Coin?"
"I am."
"I'm afraid I just finished a battle, so we'll have to have our match tomorrow."
"Aww man!"
"I guess that means the two of you can catch up with May when she gets back." Caroline remarked.
"Or you could catch up with me now." May said as she walked up to the house. She hadn't changed that much from what Ash and Brock remembered. May was a little bit taller, and she looked a little more mature, but her outfit hadn't changed from what she wore in Sinnoh. The reunited trio went out and had lunch in a cafe in Petalburg.
"It's great to see you again, May."
"You too Brock."
"Am I chopped liver?"
"Of course not, Ash. It's just that I've missed Brock more. Kidding!"
"Gee, thanks May." Ash responded a bit bitter. "But what have you been up to?"
"Well, I've competed in various contests and I placed second in Johto. I ended up losing to someone I had never faced before, and he was too good for me."
"Well, don't feel bad May. We all lose sometimes."
"You would know, Ash." Brock replied.
"Hey! What is this, pick on Ash day?" Ash almost shouted.
"Calm down, Ash. We're just teasing."
"Yeah, yeah."
"Anyways Ash, I see you have a Kirlia."
"Hello."
"Oh my, he can speak human!"
"That's just his telepathy."
"Ok. Well, since he's a male, would you like this dawn stone? Max caught that Ralts that we met on our journey, so I bought him this dawn stone in case he wanted a Gallade. It was pointless though because the Ralts was a female, so the dawn stone wouldn't have worked."
"That's perfect because Kirlia wanted to evolve into a Gallade." Brock responded.
"I don't want to make Kirlia evolve, though. Kirlia, it's up to you."
"Well, master, your next battle is against Norman, and he trains normal types. I'd like to evolve into a Gallade so I can help you beat him. I wasn't very useful in our battle with Morty."
"Kirlia, that battle wasn't your fault, and we won anyway."
"I know master, but I want to win for you!"
"Kirlia, I'm already proud of you. Besides, you should evolve because you want to, not to impress me."
"But I want to."
Ash took a deep breath before responding. "Fine, but we're gonna spend the rest of the day training and perfecting your new typing and moves."
"Ok master." With that, Kirlia approached May, who had removed the dawn stone from her bag. Kirlia touched the stone and began to glow in a bright white light. After a few seconds, a five foot three Gallade stood grinning before the trio.
"I feel much stronger!"
"Congratulations, Gallade!" Pikachu exclaimed.
"Wait, how is he still able to use telepathy if Gallade's hidden ability is justified?" Brock inquired.
"I must have gotten used to using telepathy as a Ralts and a Kirlia, so the trait must have carried over. If anything, my psychic abilities feel even stronger."
"That's great, Kirl-, oops, I mean Gallade. Let's go train."
"You got it master." With that, Ash and Gallade ran off to go train in a nearby clearing. May quickly got up and rushed after them.
"I guess I'll join them." As Brock was getting up, a waiter came over with the bill. "Wait a minute, now I have to pay for the whole meal, and those two eat non-stop." Brock paid the bill and ran after May to try to get her and Ash to give him some money for the meal.
"Sir, this is Ranger Walker reporting in."
"Proceed, Mr. Walker."
"Ash has arrived in Petalburg, and he plans to battle Norman tomorrow. Oh, and his newly evolved Gallade seems to be able to communicate via telepathy."
"Interesting. Did you say Norman?"
"I did."
"I think I'll visit Norman tomorrow and watch the battle myself."
"Are you sure, sir?"
"Yes, I am. Norman and I are old friends, so no one will think it odd that I popped in for a visit. Oh, and since I'll be there, you can have the day off until I leave."
"Thank you sir.
"Just make sure to think with your head tomorrow, Mr. Walker. The last time you had a day off, you were attacked by a Rocket."
"Yes sir." Jackie responded a bit deflated.
"Very well then, I have a meeting to go to. Good-bye Mr. Walker." With that, Gowly hung up and stood up from his seat in his office and began to make his way to the conference room in Pokemon Tower. When Gowly entered, the conference room was already filled with various champions.
"Thank you for coming everyone. We're here to discuss the Cup, and the first question is for Cynthia. Do you still plan on battling me in the exhibition match?"
"I do." The Sinnoh champion replied.
"Splendid. Next order of business, is the new threat from Team Rocket. I'm going to assume that all of you have read the report from Lance. So now the dilemma. I've come up with two options. First, we beef up security and flood the island with G-Men and rangers and make it obvious. That should deter Team Rocket from even attempting an attack. The second option is to also flood the island with security, but to have the agents be undercover. We'll look unprotected to lure in Team Rocket and then hopefully beat them quickly."
"But, sir,wouldn't that mean using the spectator as, well…" Diantha trailed off.
"As bait? Yes, they would be bait. But, the payoff of capturing Team Rocket admins is possibly worth it. I'm not sure yet, and that's why I've gather all of you. I want everyone to think about this, and we'll take a vote in a week. As interim leader of the G-Men, Lance will give a presentation on how the second option will work. We'll think about it, and then vote next week. Any questions before Lance starts?"
"I have a question." Cynthia responded. "You said interim leader, and I've meant to ask you. Why aren't you leading the G-Men? Why has Lance stepped up this past year? You used to lead the day to day operations of the league and the G-Men. What changed?"
"A good question, Cynthia, if slightly off-topic. To answer your question, I've been working on a project this past year, and it's taken up more of my time than I thought."
"What project?" Alder spoke up for the first time.
"I'm afraid that's classified. In fact, only I can access the data right now. No one besides me has access to the data. That includes the interim head of the G-Men, Lance; the senior champion, Alder; and my deputy-commissioner, Cynthia. However, if something were to befall me, and Cynthia became acting commissioner, then she would have access to this date. Regardless, just know that my project has the potential to end Team Rocket and every evil organization on the planet. But that's if I'm right. Anyways, Lance, proceed with the logistics of the second option."
"Yes sir."
Gowly spaced out once Lance started. He had heard the presentation before when he helped Lance make it. Gowly turned his attention to his upcoming visit to Petalburg. It was later that he noticed that Cynthia wasn't paying attention to Lance either. She was staring at Gowly, and she looked deep in thought.
'She probably doesn't like being kept in the dark. No matter, all will be revealed soon.'