POV: Cynthia / LOCATION: Sinnoh League


That could've gone much better. No, it should've gone much better! I was in his territory, but he was alone. If I was quick enough, his minions wouldn't notice until tomorrow.

Why did you hesitate, Cynthia?

Lucian comes in while I fantasize on that pasty prick's demise.

"What's so funny?" he says.

"Why are your glasses pink?"

"Focus. Did you find anything we can use as proof?"

Is he genuinely curious or is he just pretending to ask so he can plug in another of his "foolproof" plans? I stick out my tongue. Tenting his fingers, he leans in until my scowl reflects in his dumb, pink lenses.

"I have a plan," he says.

I throw my hands up.

"You'll want to listen to this," Lucian continues without missing a beat. "I have located a potential ally in our investigation into Galactic."

Our. Great.

The potential ally in question trips over his overcoat on his way to greet me. Cheap-looking gadgets spill out of his pockets. There's one that resembles a raw potato with wires stuck to it.

I cast a wry glance to Lucian, who pretends not to notice.

"My name is—" says the clumsy man, until he stops himself short to contemplate on his next words. "No, I shall tell you my code name. Call me Looker. I am an officer of the International Police. The genuine article! Behold, my badge shines!"

Lucian stops me before I walk out. "I contacted Interpol to confirm his identity. He was assigned to Sinnoh to investigate Team Galactic."

"But I'm already looking into them!"

"We can work together!" Looker says.

"What do you know that I haven't known already?" I huff.

As if waiting for that question all his career, Looker brandishes a notebook blackened with scribbles. "Cyrus, the twenty-seven-year-old leader of the Team Galactic, commands his minions to steal Pokemon for his experiments. He plans to develop a source of energy so powerful it can change the world…"

Next page. "Dubious machinery are stored beneath Veilstone HQ. Some are being built as we speak. One is confirmed to be a bomb capable of vaporizing an area as large as Jubilife City…"

A glass of water later: "And his motive. Cyrus of the Team Galactic wants to destroy this world and reshape it into a universe of his own ideal! He is seeking an incredible power, one well beyond our mortal understanding, to accomplish his goal!"

Instead of being impressed or shocked, I feel my stomach rumble. It's been two hours since I last ate. Listening to this gumshoe has worked up my appetite.

"So you claim that Cyrus wants to play god," I say.

The dripping sarcasm in my voice sails over Looker's head.

"Yes! I have been dispatched to Sinnoh to apprehend the leader of the Team Galactic! Please, let us work together and bring justice down on these criminals!"

Cyrus? Playing god?' He can't even bother take care of how he looks. I know he's evil, but from how Looker described him, it's like he's completely crazy. Criminally insane.

"How will we proceed?" Lucian's face is devoid of judgement.

"Tomorrow!" Looker booms. "Interpol and the Sinnoh League will launch a raid on Veilstone HQ!"

"That soon?" I gasp. And Lucian calls me hasty!

"We must capitalize on the element of surprise!"

Though I'm glad we have a clear-cut plan of attack against Master Cyrus and his cult, I still feel uneasy at how smoothly this is going.

"How do you know all that?" I ask Looker. "Galactic's records are spotless."

"That they are, Champion Cynthia! I learned of Cyrus's crimes through our informant."

Apparently I'm not the only one who just heard about this minor, critical piece of information for the first time.

"Informant?" Lucian echoes.

Looker winces. "Oops. Um… I cannot reveal his name just yet. He is under special protection out of fear of retaliation."

"And you trust this… informant?"

"Yes! He defected from the Team Galactic! In fact, he was their leading scientist!"

This is getting interesting. Whoever can our dear informant possibly be? And does Cyrus know about this?