Pokémon Legends: Diamond and Pearl

by MiracleKing64

Growing up, hearing the Legends of Hisui which would be known as Sinnoh, Princess Salvia had always wanted to be like the heroes of that saved the world. however with a threat on the horizon Princess Salvia had been forced to train and soon she ran away meeting Ash, Dawn, and Brock, watch as a new pokemon legend is born. Bad Summary

6. Enter Team Galactic

Disclaimer: I don't own pokemon

{Narrator speaking}

'internal thoughts'

[Pokemon speech]

---

We see our heroes traveling down the road with Dawn bursting with excitement and almost bouncing down the road; she is not the only one. Buneary sometimes left her Luxury Ball to jump alongside the others as they walked, and none of them were bothered by her being out of her Luxury Ball.

"bun, bun, bun." Buneary said as she bounced down the road with them. She occasionally waved Pikachu every few bounces before looking away with a blush.

"Hehehe, it's adorable how Buneary hops and waves at Pikachu." Dusk smiled, finding Buneary's crush cute.

"Yeah, the love between them is only starting to flourish," Brock said, clenching his fist.

'Yup, Still not used to seeing Sir Brock's passion for love.' Dusk thought

"I wouldn't go that far, Brock." Dawn said with a nervous expression.

"Yeah, they've only known each other a few days." Ash said, he didn't know much about love but had seen examples of it while they traveled. And judging by how Pikachu looked, it would be a while before anything like that would happen and that if it happens.

"Sir Ash and Lady Dawn don't understand love, and it can form from the simplest of bonds. You will be surprised how couples are formed from those who just started as friends and became lovers." Dusk said the prime example of this was her ancestor Akari and her friendship with Satoshi, who started as rivals because of their tribes before becoming friends and becoming lovers.

"At least someone understands the power of love!" Brock exclaimed with anime tears dripping from his eyes,

"Well, Dusk, if you have such a belief in love, do you have anyone back home crushing on yourself?" Dawn asked in a teasing voice.

Dusk, almost by reflex, clenches her hand, forming a fist as her eyes harden, and a particular person appears in her mind. "No," she said in a cold, emotionless voice.

Everyone couldn't help but stop and look at her with concern with her sudden change in demeanor. "Are you ok, Dusk?" Ash asked.

Hearing that snaps her back to her senses, realizing what she just did goes to apologize and cover up what she did "I'm sorry, it's just that we'll it's I…" but she found herself tripping over her own words, desperately trying to explain herself.

"Dusk, if it's something very sensitive and personal, you don't have to force yourself to tell us." Ash told her.

"Yes, Ash is right. I'm sorry if I brought up a bad memory. It's ok." Dawn added, looking apologetic to Dusk.

"N-No, it's fine." Dusk answered, calming down. "I had a bad experience with someone back home who constantly tried to make me date him, and before I left the last time I saw him, he told me that I will be married to him." Dusk told them with part of herself criticizing, saying she said too much, but she just feels comfortable talking to them.

"This person sounds like a creep." Dawn frowned.

"Bun! Bun!" Buneary said, agreeing with her trainer.

"Yeah, an asshole." Ash said he didn't like the idea of someone trying to force a person to marry them like they are a thing, not a person.

"Pika! Pika! Pi!" Pikachu also agreed.

"Love is about mutual respect and care for each other by forcing someone into a relationship you're stomping on the meaning of love!" Brock said with flames in his eyes at the disrespect for the love he was hearing.

Dusk smiled that they agreed with her. "Thank you, and I'm just happy to hear that." Someone other than Freesia tells her that what he was doing was wrong, even if they don't know the whole situation. It feels good to have someone else on her side.

"I think you should be free to choose who you choose to date or marry." Dawn said firmly.

'If only it were that simple when you're a princess, you have little choice in what you do or marry, and that under normal circumstances for me, it's none for the sake of the future.' Dusk thought.

"Thanks, Lady Dawn, I needed that." Dusk said, smiling at her.

"That's what friends are for Dusk. If he ever tries to bother you again, just send him to me, and I will sent him straight." Dawn said with pride and confidence.

"Not just her but me too." Ash also said with confidence.

"Thanks; I appreciate the offer." Dusk said to them, smiling. 'Though I wouldn't don't want him to get twisted ideas. Besides, if little physical strength were enough to get rid of him, he would have been gone years ago.

"Hey, look, it's Jubilife City." Brock said, pointing down the road.

The three looked down the road and saw their long-awaited destination Jubilife City able to see the buildings in the far-off distance.

"Alright! We finally made it! Contest hall, here I come!" Dawn cheered as she ran toward the city, ready to take her next step toward her dream.

"Bun! Bun!" Buneary shouted as she bounced after Dawn.

"Hey Dawn, wait up!" Ash shouted as he ran after her and Buneary.

"Wait, Lady Dawn, do you even know where the Contest hall is?" Dusk yelled as she chased after the two.

"Some things never change," Brock said, feeling some nostalgia before he started running to catch up.

---

The gang soon entered the gate of Jubilife City; Dusk was astounded; this was actually her first time in a major city. It had high skyscrapers, many paved roads, and many cars and trucks. Along with people and pokemon of many kinds.

'it's hard to believe this place used to be a small village.' Dusk remembers one of her history lessons about how Jubilife Village was a small settlement and base for those who came from the Kanto Region to study pokemon in the ancient past under the name Galaxy Research. Only a few hundred people and pokemon are even in the village.

However, to Dusk's shock, the large buildings began to vanish before her eyes, being replaced by log houses and paved roads replaced with dust trails. The people wore traditional Hisuian clothing, and the pokemon were helping some with chores or playing with children. And at the trail's end, she was on a large building with a red roof.

'w-what?' Dusk thought as she went to rub her eyes, thinking she must be hallucinating, and when she looked again, everything was back to normal. She looked at her hands, not quite sure what had just happened.

"Dusk, are you ok?" Dawn asked her friend, concerned.

Dusk snapped out of her confusion and looked at her friend. "Y-yeah, I'm fine, Lady Dawn. I guess I'm a little nervous. This is my first time in a large city, and I feel a bit overwhelmed." Dusk lied

"Don't worry, and you'll get used to it after a while." Ash said reassuringly.

"Pika Pi." Pikachu uttered.

"Yes, it's best to take in your surroundings. You could get lost here." Brock suggested.

Dusk nodded. "Thank you, Sir Brock. So what are we waiting for? Let's head to the contest hall."

"Yeah! We better hurry!" Dawn exclaimed.

"Bun Bun." Bunnery agreed with her trainer.

"Piplup Piplup." Piplup said, nodding excitedly as well.

Dusk couldn't help but chuckle at their enthusiasm, and she was also excited about her first contest. However, she couldn't help but take another look around, unable to shake what she just saw and how everything had changed.

'But was that? It felt like I was there before, and… it felt so real.' Dusk thought to herself but decided to put a pin in it for now; it was probably because she was nervous for the contest, nothing more or less.

"According to the map, the contest hall is that way." Brock said, pointing north.

"Alright! Contest Ribbon, here I come!" Dawn shouted as she ran down the street with Piplup and Bunnery following close behind.

"Man, she's in a rush." Ash chuckled, crossing his arms.

"She is just very excited, Sir Ash, not that I can blame her. I will admit my heart is pounding at my first chance to be part of a contest to go on to that stage with my pokemon by my side." Dusk described with wonder in her eyes.

"Don't forget you are going to take part as well Ash. Have you decided on which pokemon to use?" Brock reminded him.

"Yep, I'm not trying to win, I'm just using this to become more in sync with my pokemon." Ash said before turning to Dusk. "You and Dawn will do great. Just remember to try your best and keep focus."

"Thank you, Sir Ash." Dusk smiled. "Well, let's go catch Lady Dawn before she gets in trouble." Dusk said.

"You know, that was the first bit of good advice you made sense of." Brock joked.

Ash rolled his eyes at Brock's joke as Dusk couldn't help but giggle a little alongside Pikachu.

"Hey! I give good advice once in a while. I have traveled for 4 years." Ash stated with pride.

"And you haven't changed one bit." Brock laughed.

Dusk and Pikachu also joined in, Ash crossed his arms, but after a while, he also began to laugh. "Well, let's go find Dawn." Ash said, and with that, they made their way to the contest hall. However unknown to tell someone was watching from a far-off alley.

---

The other had finally caught up with Dawn, who waited for them outside the contest hall, watching the various coordinators practicing with their pokemon, readying themselves for competition.

"Incredibly, they'll be good competition in this contest." Dusk stated, impressed with the coordinators and their pokemon.

"But that won't stop me." Dawn said with determination.

"You three should register then." Brock told them. "The contest is in three days, so you better get a move on so you can practice."

They nodded in agreement before heading into the contest hall to register. As they entered, they saw more trainers and their pokemon preparing for the contest happening in three days. The group made their way to the counter to register.

At the counter was a young woman with long, light brown hair and dark blue eyes. She wore a tan sweater, blue jeans, and red heels.

"Hello, how can I help you?" The receptionist asked with a smile.

"I'm here to enter the pokemon contest!." Dawn answered, wholly pumped.

"Me as well, ma'am." Dusk said politely.

"Great, all I need is for you to give me your Pokedex, and I will be able to register you." the receptionist told them.

Dawn nodded and gave her Pokedex to the young woman, who placed it into a computer scanner. On the screen Dawn's picture appeared after a few seconds. The receptionist took out the Pokedex and gave it back to Dawn.

"You're all set." she smiled.

"Thanks." Dawn smiled, taking her Pokedex back.

On the other hand, Dusk hesitated to hand hers over for a few seconds before she gave it to the receptionist, who was actually confused by the Pokeslate.

"I have never seen a Pokedex like this before. I'm not sure if it's compatible with our computer system?" the receptionist said, wondering how she was going to scan it.

She turned away from the computer to get her phone to speak to her manager. To see what he thinks, she didn't notice a beam coming from Pokeslate hitting her computer, causing it to glitch for a moment before showing a picture of Dusk and information now within the computer.

"Well, you see, sir, I-" the receptionist said as she turned to see Dusk's picture was now on the screen; the receptionist rubbed her eyes for a second double checking making sure it was not the girl she did before looking at the computer again.

"Huh? Never mind, sir, I appeared to have been mistaken. Sorry for bothering you." She sighed in worry before turning her attention back to her customer putting her smile back on.

"It appears everything is in order. The contest will be in three days from now, and you will be expected to be here before 10 am if you are not here by then you will be disqualified. Is that understood?" She asks the two

"Yes, and Thank you, ma'am." Dawn and Dusk said at the same time, both looked at each other and giggled in excitement as the group left.

Once they were gone, she lost her smile and rubbed her face in concern 'Maybe I've been working too hard? I think I need to take a vacation after the contest is over.' The receptionist thought.

---

"Why didn't you sign up, Sir Ash, you did say you wanted to do it as training?" Dusk asked.

"I'm still not sure about competing. I think I'm going to wait a bit." Ash answered. "Besides the contests, are you and Dawn's thing so I'll let you two compete without me."

"Alright, Ash." Dawn said.

"I still think you should consider entering Sir Ash, but I leave it be for now. So we have three days before the contest begins, so what do you three plan to do?" Dusk asks the three.

"Well, we definitely need to get more supplies and check to make sure nothing needs replacing." Brock said that already listing the bare essentials, they need restocking, which mainly covered the food.

"Alright, I could get some more pokeballs, great balls, and ultra balls while we're here." Ash said after seeing Paul and Dusk use them, he would need to step up along with some potions while he is at it.

"Well, I know what I'm doing getting a poketch." Dawn said excitedly

"Let's focus on getting the supplies first, Lady Dawn. We have three days to get you a poketch." Dusk said.

"But… Oh, fine." Dawn said with a sigh, knowing she outvoted.

"One of the most important things, Dawn, is supplies and preparation when it comes to traveling," Ash said. He had traveled to multiple regions with Brock and his other friends, and during all that traveling, he learned that you needed to be prepared for the road.

"And patience, if you rush into it without thinking, you're only setting yourself up for failure." Brock said in a firm yet calm voice.

"Their right Lady Dawn. There are many different types of threats on the road, from territorial wild Pokemon to groups like team rocket or worse, so it is best to be prepared for the worst-case scenarios." Dusk added having the various types of dangers of the world had been drilled into her and how to deal with them in the last couple of years for her protection.

Dawn nodded, starting to understand where they were coming from. To be honest, she didn't know much about traveling supplies or camping, for that matter. She still had a long way to go with being a coordinator and a trainer.

"Now, the pokemart isn't that far away, so let's get the supplies now." Brock said, with the others nodding in agreement.

A few hours later.

The group had gotten just about everything and brought it all to get checked out.

"Phew, that took a while. Does it always take this long to get everything?" Dawn asks.

"Not always. It depends on how many people and pokemon are in a group and how long we are on the road between towns." Brock answered.

"Yeah, Orburge City is about a week or 2 off from here and it is a more remote area meaning it is best we stock up more just in case for the return trip back." Dusk explained, she then turned to see a poster on the far wall.

It showed a crude Hisuian Pokeball on it. "Hey, you three come see this." Dusk called the others over. Ash, Dawn, and Brock walked over and saw what was on the poster.

"What is it, Dusk?" Dawn asked.

"Looks like an ancient pokeball?" Ash said tilting his head, it looked like it was made out of wood.

"Your right Sir Ash, that is a Hisuian Pokeball." Dusk answered.

"Hisui, why does that sound familiar?" Dawn asked, trying to remember Where.

"I think I heard that name before in one of my magazines back home." Brock stated.

"The Sinnoh region went by a different name 500 years ago, it was called Hisui." Dusk explained.

"Now I remember my history teacher talked about that saying that not much is really known about that period of Sinnoh history other than it was starting point of certain cities," Dawn said trying to remember anything else she was taught about then

"That's true, and Jubilife City was one of the first major towns that formed; it's also where some of the first people who came to Sinnoh lived in Jubilife Village." Dusk explained.

"Really? That's cool." Ash said,

"It says they've recently found this Hisuian Pokeball and are forming an exhibit, with it along with other Hisui artifacts found before it will be moved to Celestial Town and today is the last day of the exhibit." Brock said reading the posts.

"Let's go see it." Dusk said she was excited to see her home culture and land that was home to Akira and Satoshi.

"You know what, let's go." Dawn said she wanted to get her poketch, but she didn't mind seeing the exhibits.

"I'm definitely interested in you, Brock?" Ash asked his friend.

"I always wanted to learn more about Hisui after reading about it." Brock grinned. "Though how about you three go ahead I will drop off the supplies and take care of personal matters of mine real quick then join you there."

"Is it your girlfriend?" Ash asked with a sly grin.

Brock's face turned deep red. "I'll see you three later!" Brock said as he walked back to the counter.

"Must you tease him like that?" Dusk asked.

Ash just laughed. "I'm sorry, it's just I'm still trying to get used to the fact that Brock is dating someone, if Misty, May, or Max were here I think they would do the same." Ash insisted.

"Forget about that, let's head over to the museum already." Dawn said excitedly.

Ash and Dusk nodded in agreement, and with that, the three left the Pokemart and made their way to the museum but unknown to our heroes there was another group heading there as well but with different intentions.

At the museum entrance, there was a huge crowd of people going in and out at a time. On the side of the entrance were two banners with images of the Hisuian Pokeball on them.

"They really rolled out the red carpet for this huh?" Ash asked.

"I guess this PokeBall is really rare." Dawn said looking around

"There haven't been Pokeballs like the ones used in ancient times like them anymore, they had to craft them by hand while most nowadays are created by machines." Dusk informed.

"Not the ones made by a man I met back in Johto, crafted them by hand like the people in Hisui did." Ash said he actually wondered how Kurt's skills would be compared to the Hisuians.

"Well Let's head inside." Dawn said.

And with three headed into the museum unaware of the group outside. "We are outside the museum now, verifying the presence of the target… ok any issues on your end?" The leader said with a feminine voice. "Remember we need to keep this low-key… yes you will get rest wired to you once we secure the package." She said before heading in.

Inside the museum, our heroes marvel at the exhibits at least Dawn and Ash were, Dusk felt kinda underwhelmed. It was nice but compared to what she had learned back in her country it felt basic, heck some information on display was even wrong from what she was taught like not mentioned.

"Hey, guys look at this book," Ash said looking at an old book made with leather binding, one on a white pedestal.

"Wow, it must be hundreds of years old." Dawn said looking at it, she couldn't understand the words written.

"Ahh, that is a book describing a major event in history." a male voice said, the three turned to see a man in his mid to late 30, he had dark brown hair and red eyes. He wore a lab coat over a blue turtleneck sweater with black pants and brown dress shoes.

"It speaks of a lone warrior traveling across land facing many trials before eventually stopping a major calamity, at least that general idea of the story from what we can piece together from the book."

"Really? Just one trainer stopped it?" Dawn asked.

'That's not true, this book… either they translated it wrong or it's intentionally trying to hide the truth but why would the writer do that?' Dusk thought to herself, she knew the story inside and out. It was her favorite and a common story back home, but why is it so rare in Sinnoh? The place where it all started.

"As far as we can piece it." the man said. "It's a pleasure to meet you three, my name is Carlos, and I've been studying Hisuian History for years."

"It's nice to meet you, Carlos, what was the warrior's name?" Ash asked out of curiosity.

"Unfortunately we couldn't find that out in fact when certain details of the story from the book seem to be lost thanks to the damage done to it through the years including how it exactly ends. But we have been trying to see if it is possible to use technology to see if we can recover it through its slow process to prevent any further damage to the book."

"Oh man, that must suck." Ash frowned, crossing his arms.

"Pika." Pikachu said mimicking Ash.

"So you mentioned you've been studying Hisuian history. Are you responsible for creating the exhibit here?" Dusk asks, looking around with mixed feelings.

"No, my father was the one who found the book years ago, it's what got me invested in learning more about the ancient past, and it was all because of this book, I mean imagine living in that type of environment gathering resources and fending for yourself in the wild?" Carlos said, looking at the book in wonder.

"I don't think I would last that long like that." Dawn said she couldn't imagine being without TV, electricity, or indoor plumbing indefinitely.

"Hahaha, I guess so." Carlos laughed. "Are you three here to see the newest exhibit?"

"Yeah, actually." Dusk answered.

"Then let me show you where it is along the way. I could show one of the exhibits I did have a hand in if you are interested?" Carlos offered

"Sounds great." Ash said.

"Hey Ash, Dawn, Dusk!" Brock called out as ran up to them. "Haa… haaaa… sorry for the wait." Brock said, trying to catch his breath.

"Finally finished with your 'personal business'?" Ash asked with a sly grin.

"Sir Ash, please leave him alone." Dusk said.

"I'm glad you were able to make it Brock, this is Carlos an expert on Hisuian History." Dawn said.

"I wouldn't say expert, but I know a few things about Hisuian history and culture." Carlos said humbly, offering his hand.

"Nice to meet you." Brock said as he shook Carlos' hand.

"Well, let's begin the tour, shall we?" Carlos said, gesturing for them to follow him.

Dusk, however, frowned. 'I wonder how much of their history is even true?'

Carlos then began to show them around the museum and some other exhibits. The first was Hisuian outfits, which were well-made Kimonos with sandals that appeared to be similar to outfits she was taught about in her studies.

"As you can see these are outfits used in Hisui, but these were worn by those that lived in Jubilfe Village we believe some were made for work for the village, others were made for battle." Carlos explained.

"What about these ones?" Ash asked, pointing at a set of outfits they were separated one set was a shirt reaching to the knee's with long sleeves the arms had an arm guard and pouches around the stomach with gray pants and boots with some kinda insignia on the chest. The white outfit had white and purple and like the blue one reached to the knee, long sleeves had arm guards, with pouches around the stomach as well, gray pants and white boots, and a purple insignia of some kind.

"Those are the outfits of the Diamond and Pearl clans." Carlos said.

"My teacher once told us about them, both tribes lived in different sentiments in Hisui." Dawn said remembering what her history teacher said.

"Yes, both clans were at war for some time until they were able to make an agreement with the Galaxy Research Team who settled in this very town when it was just a small village, it's said that the warrior hailed from one of them." Carlos explained.

'Well, that is at least partially true.' Dusk thought.

"Can you tell us more about these clans?" Brock asked, intrigued.

"Well, from what we gathered. Both tribes worshiped a divine being which they called Almighty Sinnoh, which is believed to be where the modern name of the continent comes from, though when and why it was used is currently unknown." Carlos explained.

"Really? They worshiped a god of some sort?" Dawn questioned.

"Yes, however, both clans had different ideas of what their almighty god was, for the Pearl Tribe, Sinnoh represented Space hence why they expanded their territories. And the Diamond tribe thought of Sinnoh as time, which they used to master many things, most of all Aura." Carlos explained.

"Aura?!" Ash asked, he and Brock had an encounter with aura before at the Tree of Beginning.

"Yes, by your tone I figure you heard of it?" Carlos asked

"We've both encountered a Lucario once during our journey." Ash explained.

Brock nodded in agreement. "Yes, it once was a student of a man who could wield aura."

Carlos hummed. "Well, that is something it is theorized that the hero had a Lucario, however it was never confirmed."

'That would be Satoshi's Lucario.' Dusk thought, the story goes, that it participated in some key events that happened during the crisis.

"So you two really encounter a Lucario?" Dawn asked.

"Yeah he was… a true friend, someone I would have been glad to get to know him more." Ash said with a sigh.

"Did… did he…?" Dusk asked, not even able to finish her sentence but knowing the answer.

"He gave his life to save an entire tree full of pokemon… and me." Ash answered, tilting his head, his hat covering his face.

"Pika." Pikachu uttered also sad from being reminded of Lucario's sacrifice.

Brock releases a sigh at the memory of his noble sacrifice.

Dawn and Dusk could just feel the pain coming off the three, with Dawn debating if she should say anything and Dusk closing her eyes and saying a small prayer for Lucario.

Carlos just looked at them; whatever they went through it must have been difficult. "How about we move on, ok?"

"I think that's best." Dusk said to the group

Carlos nodded and guided them to the exhibit before the PokeBall, and they soon entered a room with a checkered patterned floor with a few old paintings of pokemon.

"Now for this one exhibit, first I want to ask, is anyone familiar with the concept of regional variants?" Carlos asked.

"I know about them. Regional Variants are pokemon who might differ in appearance depending on the region that they come from." Dusk answered.

"I read about them in one of my magazines. One of the prime examples is Alola. They have pokemon much different than that of Kanto, Honen, and even Sinnoh." Brock added.

"Very good." Carlos nodded.

"Are they really that different?" Dawn asked.

Brock took off his backpack before reaching inside and pulling out a magazine and showing a picture of a Ninetails from the Kanto region and a Ninetails from the Alola Region

"Woah! Is that a Ninetails?" Ash asked in surprise seeing the whitish-blue fox pokemon.

"Pi Pika." Pikachu uttered also surprised.

"It looks so different from a regular Ninetails." Dawn added, she had seen a few pictures of a regular Ninetails but the other was a complete surprise to her.

"That's right not only that the Ninetails in Alola is an Ice and fairy type." Carlos stated

"Ice and Fairy? Now that is different from the regular Ninetails." Ash stated.

"Indeed, Alola isn't the only region with regional forms." Carlos explained, "There's also the Paldea Region and the Galar region as well."

"So are these pokemon in the portraits from those regions?" Dawn asked.

"Some of them are." Carlos explained as he pointed at a picture that resembled a dinosaur made out of metal "Take this pokemon, this comes from the Galar Region."

"I've never seen a pokemon like that before." Ash uttered.

"It's called a Duraludon, a Dragon and Steel pokemon." Dusk said.

"Wait a minute if they were in Sinnoh 500 years ago, why haven't we seen any around?" Ash asked.

"Ash, it was 500 years ago; a lot of the Hisuian Pokemon have gone extinct over the years." Brock explained.

"Your half right yes while almost all these pokemon shown in this exhibit are no longer in Sinnoh some them do exist and thrive in other region yet what I find most intriguing of these pokemon that roamed here in these paintings are that some of them evolved to adopted to their environment here taking new forms even possibly entire new evolutions though unfortunately we can't fully confirm it as some believe these be simple be alternate drawings of said original pokemon where artists took liberties." Carlos explained as Dawn walks over to another group of paintings

'At least they appear to have got this right.' Dusk thought as most paintings are fairly close to actually pokemon back home as she examines the fairly accurate painting's

Dawn then looked at other pokemon paintings, she came to one painting of what looked like a mix of rock and big stone covering its body with what she thinks are two large axes attached to its arms.

That's when everything shifted around her, the museum becoming a Forest as the painting of pokemon is replaced with a huge tree, with a stone path leading away from it..

'This can't be real.' Dawn thought as looked around, she then heard a loud cry and turns and what she saw caused her eyes to widen in fear as what looked like a living, breathing pokemon that appeared identical to the painting, only this one was much bigger, and its body was covered in an orange like aura?

Then pokemon charges her with her freezing up unable to even speak as she can barely hear some muffled voice but then pokemon jumps up raising it's axes above its head as if to cut her down Which causes her to snap back .

"AAHHH!" Dawn screams at top of her lungs as stumbles back into the painting, knocking it over.

Everyone in the room just looked at Dawn in shock seeing her trembling on the ground. "Dawn, what is wrong?" Ash asked as he bent down to her.

Just then in two flashes of white light, Piplup and Buneary appeared next to dawn both thinking something was wrong.

"Pip Piplup?!" Piplup asked out concern for his trainer.

"Bun Bun?!" ask as well concerned for her too.

"I-I don't I-I saw-" Dawn stuttered just barely able to speak as her eyes went to the painting that surprisingly wasn't damaged at all.

Carlos picked up the painting and examined it, and sighed with relief. "Thank Arceus that it wasn't damaged." He sighed before turning to Dawn. "You need to be more careful young lady. These portraits are Priceless and rarely can be found in even half as good condition as these. You're really lucky it wasn't damaged."

"I'm sorry." Dawn apologized, her body still trembling as Piplup and Buneary kept close to her.

"Piplup." Piplup said as he patted Dawn's leg.

"Buneary Bun." Buneary said as she rubbed her ear against Dawn.

"What kind of pokemon is that? I've never seen it before." Ash said as he held Dawn up.

"Neither have I, what is it." Dawn said as she moved away, not wanting to be near the painting anyi

"We believed It's called a Kleavor, a branch evolution form of Scyther." Carlos answered as he placed the portrait back where it was, making sure it was straight.

'They managed to get the species name right.' Dusk thought

"I wonder what Minnie would say if she saw this?" Brock questioned, knowing that Scizor was the girl's favorite but wondering what she would think of the Hisuian pokemon.

"Are you alright, Lady Dawn?" Dusk asked, concerned she could see the young girl was still trembling; it looked like she saw a ghost.

"I'm fine I guess all my excitement for my first contest is getting to me." Dawn said with the best smile she could make, but Dusk could tell that wasn't it, she could see that it had nothing to do with the contest.

'But what was it then why did she scream? Why was she trembling in fear?' Dusk thought before turning to the painting of the Kleavor, wondering what had happened.

"If you don't wish to continue the tour, you can leave." Carlos offered, seeing that Dawn could be feeling upset from what had happened.

Dawn shook her head. "No, I'm fine, really. I don't want to ruin everyone's time."

"Are you sure, Dawn? We can leave if you feel like it?" Brock asked.

"Yeah, it would be fine we have already seen a lot here if you want to back to our rooms?" Ash added.

"Pika pi." Pikachu said.

"Piplup pip." Piplup asks concerned for her.

"Bun Bun." Buneary said, still worried about her trainer.

"No need to worry." Dawn said, using her signature phrase

"Well, if you wish to continue the tour, all left is the PokeBall." Carlos said.

"Then let's go." Ash smiled before turning to Dawn. "maybe seeing the pokeball will help take your mind off whatever happened?"

"Yeah, It probably will." Piplup and Buneary keeping close to her.

Dusk, however, just looked at Dawn; she couldn't get why her friend acted like that when she remembered what happened earlier what she saw. 'Could it be?' but she shook her head. 'No, it can't be that why would-'

"Hey, Dusk, this way." Ash called out.

"Um… coming Sir Ash." Dusk said as she followed the group.

---

After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at the final and most heavily populated exhibit, and the four were astounded by how many people were even in there.

"Wow, there are so many people here just to see this pokeball." Dawn stated.

"Piplup." Piplup said.

"Bun bun." Buneary said.

"Yeah, it must be really popular?" Ash said.

"Pika." Pikachu said agreeing.

"Why yes, now this Pokeball is ancient not many are found intact or in this good of condition we believe it still might work though for obvious reasons, we can test that." Carlos explained.

"So you're going to try to get it to work?" Brock asked.

"Yes, and we are going to have an expert go to Celestial Town in order to do so until then we have been leaving it be to avoid any unnecessary damage done to it." Carlos answered.

"I can't see it with these people in the way." Dusk said trying to get a better view of the Pokeball, she had only seen pictures of it and this might be her only opportunity to see the real thing in person.

"That's true, there are so many people I can't even see the case." Ash said standing on his tiptoes.

"Hmm, how about you all come by later?" Carlos offered. "I can give you all passes."

That surprised them. "Are you really allowed to do that?"

"Well, it would only be for only about five minutes cause it would be right before we pack it away for transport, and I would have to escort you all out right after." Carlos said.

"That's really nice of you, Carlos, but why?" Dawn asked.

Carlos just shrugged. "I guess I like yah kids." Carlos said. "They are taking the ball away to be pred for transport at 8:30 and so be here before 8:10

"That sounds good, and we can get my poketch while we wait." Dawn said knowing there still time for her to get a poketch, but it was to also get her mind off that painting.

"Alright, well, I will see you all then." Carlos waved.

The others waved back as they left the room, however in front of the crowd was one person from outside the museum who was leering at the group and had kept her eyes on them since the girl in pink freaked out.

'That girl, not both of them, I must report this later.' she thought before turning to the pokeball. 'But first, we can confirm that pokeball is the target.' she looks over to where others were to make sure they're in a position now they wait.

"We're ready to act on your command, commander Jupiter what's your orders?" a male voice said over a comlink.

"We did what we needed in the few minutes we were leaving. All that will be left is to wait for him and make sure equipment is ready." Jupiter related to her subordinates as she shifted her position to make it seem she was examining what was behind her.

'He better not screw this up or getting his money will be the least of his concerns' she thought as her eyes glanced at the ancient pokeball.

---

Elsewhere the gang had checked out every store that sold poketchs, however, it turned out that the poketchs were recalled.

"What do you mean they were all recalled?" Dawn exclaimed, they had checked every store that sold Poketchs; however, every time, they didn't have any.

"I'm sorry there appears to be problems with them, and the company recalled them all." the worker explained.

"Damn… there must be some big problem if all of them were recalled." Ash uttered while crossing his arms.

"What kinda issue could cause a mass recall like this?" Dusk questioned, wondering what it could be.

Soon the group was walking down the street. Dawn was feeling down, she couldn't get her poketch and then there was… honestly she doesn't know what happened in Museum and what she saw.

Though unknown to Dawn, she wasn't the only one caught in thought; Dusk was facing her own struggles.

"I'm sure you can find one tomorrow, they may be preparing to restock." Ash said.

Dawn just sighed. "I hope so." she said, hoping that she can get it before the contest.

"Well, we still have a few hours before we can go back to museum, why don't we just take a tour around the city to kill time?" Brock suggested.

"That does sound like a good idea." Ash said.

"Pika pi." Pikachu nodded.

Dusk nodded, turning to Dawn. "why not Dawn? Taking in the sights might calm your nerves."

"Pip Piplup." Piplup said, tapping on Dawn's leg thinking it was a good idea.

"Bun, Bun." Buneary said, holding onto her shoulder and agreeing as well.

Dawn thought for a second, she still wanted her poketch. but it was clear she was not getting it today."Yeah let's do that maybe I might see something that could inspire me for the contest,"

"Good." Brock nodded, before pulling out his guide. "There are a few attractions we can visit here before swinging back to the Museum." He looks to see which ones they could check out and make it back to the Museum in time.

"Well, what are we waiting for let's go!" Ash said, pumping his fist.

"Yeah!" Dawn said, also pumping her fist.

Dusk couldn't help but giggle at the two enthusiasm finding it refreshing "then shall we be off?" Dusk asked Brock, who nodded readily to give the directions.

The group's first stop was a local mall, which both Ash and Brock regretted as both Dawn and Dusk spent almost half an hour going through it.

"Dusk isn't this cute?" Dawn asks her, holding it up to her a pink shirt with a Pichu on it.

"Oh it's very adorable," Dusk smiled. "Lady Dawn, what do you think of this dress?" Dusk asked, showing down a sparkling blue dress.

Dawn had stars in her eyes when she saw it. "Oh my, Dusk, that dress goes so well with your eyes."

"You could say the same with your lady Dawn." Dusk pointed out given how they are practically identical

"Oh, you're so right Dusk." Dawn smiled, enjoying the time she was having with Dusk, it was almost like having the twin sister she never had.

Dusk was enjoying it but more for the freedom having never actually pick out clothes she wanted sure she had a collection of clothes that could match this entire store but all of them were picked but in there by other's and maybe only very small few weren't either dresses for royal meeting's or clothes to train in so being able pick out clothes she liked and wanted felt wonderful and sharing this joy with made it feel all more wonderful.

Ash and Brock weren't having as good a time as the two bluenettes, they were forced to carry about 10 bags of clothes for both of them and Pikachu a box.

"How many bags do you two need?" Ash questioned, he liked helping but he felt like a human pack mule.

"Pika pi." Pikachu added.

"Yes, don't you think this is enough?" Brock asked.

"Oh, you boys wouldn't understand that girls need to accessorize." Dawn grinned.

"Please if you wouldn't mind waiting just a little longer, we only need to pay for a few more things and then we help carry that all back to our rooms." Dusk said giving apologetic smile feeling somewhat bad for doing this to them

"Oh, Dusk, look at that sundress!" Dawn said pointing across the room.

"Oh, it's so cute." Dusk said as they both walked away.

'It's the Princess Festival all over again.' Both Ash and Brock thought in horror.

"Pika." Pikachu said with a sigh as he did his best to support the box.

A few hours later, the group returned to the pokemon center. Dawn and Dusk had spent so long in the mail that it was already dark outside. Ash, Brock, and Pikachu sighed in relief now that they didn't have to carry all that shopping anymore.

"Sorry, we went a little overboard shopping there." Dusk apologized while thinking 'How did I let myself spend over half the money that Freesia gave me?' Dusk thought to herself, face bright red from embarrassment at what she did.

"Yeah, we did go overboard, but hey at least we have plenty to wear for awhile." Dawn said with a bashful grin.

"Oh, good for you two." Ash muttered. "We spent almost all day in that mall."

"I'm so sorry, Sir Ash." Dusk once more apologizes.

"Well, on the bright side, we killed enough time." Brock said as he looked at his watch. "It seems we have 20 minutes to meet up with Carlos at the museum."

"I don't even think I have enough strength left to stand." Ash lowered his head feeling drained.

"Come on, Ash, and this is our only chance to see that pokeball." Dawn said she really wanted to see the ancient pokeball; she waited all day just to see it even though she was still apprehensive by what happened.

"Are you sure you want to go back?" Dusk asked, even if she herself wanted to see it.

"After everything that happened, I feel we need to see it." Dawn insisted she failed to get her poketch today so they're not missing out on the PokeBall

Brock gave a tired smile before standing up. "Might as well, I think we should take a few minute break than me and Ash should be ready to go.

"Right." Dawn and Dusk nodded.

---

Meanwhile, Carlos was walking to the front of the museum before checking his watch 15 minutes left.

"Almost time and everything is set now. I just hope they arrive on time." Carlo said.

"Carlos do you have a minute?" a voice called out.

Carlos turned to see an elderly man, with light tan skin. who wore a brown business suit with a matching brown hat covering his grayish-black hair.

"Oh curator, are you heading home?" Carlos asked.

"No need to call me that, Dad's good enough." the curator smirked.

"Ok dad, what do you need?" Carlos asked.

"Well, those two paintings we have in storage are to be put up tonight; however, our usual mover is sick, and there is a new one just starting out, and he'll be also moving the Pokeball tonight as well." Carlo's dad explained.

"And you want me to make sure he doesn't damage any of them?" Carlos asked, glancing at his watch.

"Yes, those items are priceless if anything happens to them." Carlos's Dad uttered before trailing off.

"I know, hey dad I have some friends coming by to check out the Pokeball before it's put into storage for transport. Can they stay while the museum is closed?" Carlos asked.

His dad put his hand to his chin and hummed. "Very well, they can stay as long as they don't touch anything, understand? We already had enough false alarms today with people standing too close to the glass and triggering the sensors" his father said

"Don't worry I will make sure they won't touch anything and it only is for a few minutes to see the PokeBall, and I'll make sure it and the painting are safe." Carlos said.

His dad nodded. "Alright, make sure you lock up before leaving." Carlos's Dad said as he walked towards the exit.

"Right, dad." Carlos said as he saw his dad leave.

Outside as the curator walked down the sidewalk, on the roof of a building right across the street a shadowy figure watched the curator walk away through binoculars.

"Ma'am, the curator is gone." a man said.

Jupiter just watched the front of the museum.

"Ma'am permission to speak?" one of her subordinates asked.

"No." Jupiter Said simply

Her men look between each other, wondering what is going on but do not dare speak up against their commander as they keep observing the museum they see a group approaching the museum.

"Ma'am, I have eye's on a group of four approaching the museum two men and two women and a Pikachu on one of the man's shoulders." one of the subordinates

Jupiter held out her hand, and the subordinate passed her binoculars letting her see the group, only taking a glance at the men as she focused on the women seeing two blue-haired girls. And she smiles, looking at the two.

"Your orders, commander?" one of the subordinates asked.

"Ready the gear we are going in" Jupiter smirked.

"Yes, ma'am!" they said with a salute.

At that moment, the group arrived at the museum, it was odd to be at the museum at night. It gave it a spooky feel, almost to it.

"It's creepy at night." Dawn shuttered, it was like she was walked into a horror movie.

"You can say that again, Lady Dawn." Dusk agreed with Dawn's words.

"Well, there's no turning back right?" Ash asked Pikachu.

"Pika, Pika." Pikachu agreed

"Let's head in, Carlos is waiting for us." Brock said, as the four walked into the museum.

---

"Welcome." Carlos smiled. "I'm glad you all have made it."

"Thanks Sir Carlos." Dusk bowed politely.

"So are we going to see the ancient pokeball?" Dawn asked, eagerly she was hoping to get out of the museum as fast as she could.

"Sure, just follow me everyone." Carlos said, as he led them down the hall. "Also this meeting might have to end much earlier than I thought."

"Why did something happen?" Brock asked curiously.

"Is something wrong?" Dusk asked as well.

"Nothing bad, our usual mover, the one who was supposed to move some new painting in and take the pokeball to its storage unit, is sick. My father, the curator, asked me to make sure the new one doesn't mess up the paintings or the pokeball." Carlos answered.

"Your dad's the curator?" the group said in shock.

"Yep, and I can't fail him with this." Carlos told them.

After a few minutes that arrived in the case room. "There it is." Carlos said as he walked over to the case. "What do you think?"

The four looked at the ball, to Ash, Dawn and Brock they had never seen anything like this pokeball. Dusk was excited; she had only seen it in pictures at her home, but this was the real thing, a real Hisuian treasure.

"It looks like it's made of wood." Ash said as observed the ancient pokeball.

"That's because it is, Sir Ash like today ancient Hisuians used apricorn to craft their pokeballs." Dusk stated.

"It's amazing that they could even capture pokemon back then." Dawn said, she didn't know much about technology but the Hisuians must have been way ahead of their time to even make functional pokeballs with low tech tools 500 years ago.

"Yes, it's a very amazing find. And a treasure the world needs to know about." Carlos smiled.

"Excuse me?" a voice said, making the kids jump up in shock.

They turned to see a man who seemed to be around Carlos' age but a few years younger. He had light tan skin, dark blue hair and gray eyes. He wore a blue long sleeve shirt under some white overalls along with black work gloves and brown work boots.

"Sorry if I scared you.'' The man apologized.

"Are you the new mover?" Carlos asked.

"Yes, names Laimen." he introduced himself sounding bored.

"My names Carlos, I'm going to be overseeing the transfer of the Pokeball and the new painting." Carlos informed.

Laimen's lips twitched slightly which only Dusk noticed. "Very well, are these kids done seeing the ball?" Laimen asked, pointing at the children

"In a couple of minutes." Carlos said "Why?" he asked

Laimen shrugged his shoulders. "I just want to get this done so I can go home and relax." Laimen answered.

"Carlos, what are the paintings you have?" Dusk asked curiously.

"They are supposed to be the leaders of the three factions that were in Hisui, the Diamond Tribe Leader, the Pearl Tribe Leader and the Leader of the Galaxy Research Team, that was based in this very city back when it was a tiny village." Carlos explained.

"Really?!" Dusk uttered, she had seen all three before back home.

"Can we see them?" Ash asked, he honestly wanted to see what these leaders looked like.

"Ash, I don't think we're allowed to see the painting." Brock said.

"Oh man." Ash said, crossing his arms.

"You know what, I'll let you see the three of them." Carlos smiled.

"You don't need to do that, seeing the pokeball is generous enough Sir Carlos." Dusk said Carlos had been so generous to allow them to see the pokeball after hours and he didn't have to allow them to see the paintings.

"Nonsense." Carlos said, waving his hand. Before he turned to Laimen. "We can secure the pokeball, and get the paintings at the same time. "

"Right." Laimen nodded.

"You don't have to do this." Dawn said.

"It's fine." Carlos smiled as he walked over to the case, and opened the side revealing a keypad, he punched in a few numbers followed by a ping sound. "There, the security system is down." Carols then opened up the glass before putting on rubber gloves and took the Pokeball out of the case. "Let's get this to the storage then focus on the paintings."

"Everything is set up." Laimen told Carlos in border voice.

"Alright, follow us." Carlos told the kids.

With that the kids followed after the two men, Dusk however just looked at Laimen she couldn't help but feel like he was hiding something. They soon came to a large room, it was pitch black and they couldn't see anything at all.

"It's dark in here." Ash stated, he couldn't even see his hand in front of his face.

"Give me a second." Carlos said, as he turned on the lights.

The room was then lit by ceiling lights that were spaced apart. The group looked at the storage room and saw it was full with so many different paintings and artifacts, some were on shelves, others in crates safely packed away. Ash, Dawn, Dusk and Brock all took in how impressive the museum's collection was.

"Amazing! look at all this stuff." Dawn said.

"I know, what an amazing find of artifacts and paintings." Brock commented

"So cool, I wonder if Tracy would be geeking out over this." Ash said, his friend back in Pallet Tracy usually did sketches of pokemon but Ash wondered if he would be amazed by the storage.

"It's incredible Sir Carlos, your museum must pride itself with finds." Dusk told the man.

"Thank you very much Dusk, it means a lot to me and the museum." Carlos smiled, before he turned to Laimen. "Let me show them the painting first then we can secure the ball."

Laimen nodded but it appeared that he was becoming impatient. "Is it just me? is he way too eager to go home?" Dusk whispered to the others.

"I don't know." Ash shrugged his shoulders in response. "Job must take a lot of you and you want to end the day as fast as you can?"

"Well he is new right?" Dawn asked.

Carlos guided them to a crate at the end of a walkway. "Here are the new paintings, mind helping me Laimen." Carlos asked.

Laimen walked over to the crate and helped Carlos open it, inside were packing peanuts. Carlos reached in and pulled out a painting then leaned it up against the wall, Laimen did the same with the second one and finally Laimen placed the last one beside the last one. Ash, Dawn and Brock's eyes widened when seeing one of them.

The first one was one of a man who greatly resembled Professor Rowan but younger and bore the same stern expression, he was tall with pale skin, black hair, and a long mustache. He wore a black kimono stylized at the bottom with the artwork of a Golduck riding on ocean waves. Around his shoulders is a gray jacket with a G emblem on the left lapel.

The second is a slender young man who had his arms crossed with his head tilted slightly. He had blue and green hair and brown hair. He wore a neck ring in his neck, a long blue coat, dark blue clothes and blue shoes with ribbons on it. Besides him

And the last was a young girl that looked around their age. She was slender, and had fair-skin along with blonde hair and blue eyes. She wears a red hairband, two blue bracelets, a white collar, a red and white sash, a red and black strapless shirt with matching shoes, a blue anklet and white shorts. Sitting next to her was a ice blue pokemon, with the pokemon resting beside her with long diamond shaped tail and ears pointed upward and two dangling flaps on sides of it's head almost looking like hair as they loosely hanged from it's head and finally their were rhombus-shaped markings on its back.

"Ash, … Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Brock asked, his jaw dropping open from shock.

"Yeah…" Ash said not believing what he was seeing while her hair and clothing were different, her face and eyes were undeniably May's.

"Pika…" Pikachu uttered.

"Brock, doesn't she…" Ash stated pointing at the painting.

"Look like May?" Brock finished.

Dawn looked at the picture, she for some reason felt like she knew the girl which was impossible. This girl was from 500 years ago, but for some reason in her gut she felt like she had a history with her somehow.

{I don't think I'm ready for this.} a voice said in Dawn's head as her eyes quickly darted around looking for where it came from.

{No need to worry, Irida, you'll make a great clan leader. And I know you grandma would say the same.} a voice similar to hers said back

{Thank you- -these last few days- -ever since- -Sinnoh- -and he-. -Danger- -trust you to- -stop him. } The first said though the voice was becoming distorted.

The voices began to trail off breaking apart as voices faded away, Dawn shook her head looking around. 'What's going on? First that picture came to life and now I'm hearing voices?... Am I going crazy?' Bluenette was confused about what was even happening.

"Dawn are you ok?" Ash asked, placing his hand on her shoulder, which snapped her out of her trance.

She turned to the raven-haired boy and gave him a nervous grin. "I'm fine Ash, No need to worry." while waving her hand, not wanting others to worry about her.

"Piplup…" Piplup said his face showed worry for his trainer.

"It's ok, Piplup." Dawn told her started petting him on the head. "It really is, I'm fine."

Brock nodded, taking her appearance in. "I swear, she looks so similar to May, it's uncanny.

"May?" Dusk asked, before looking at the painting of the Pearl Tribe leader who she knew as Irida, Ash and Brock mentioned May a few times while on their journey but if this May looked like Irida could she be a relative of hers?

"But what's that pokemon? It looks like an Eevee evolution But I haven't seen one before." Ash said, taking his pokedex typing in description of the pokemon to see the bio.

{Glaceon, the Fresh Snow Pokémon and the evolved form of Eevee. Glaceon can freeze the fur on its body, and make it stick out like sharp needles.}

"Glaceon huh?" Ash uttered, he had never seen that Eevee Evolution before, he wondered what was needed to make Eevee evolve into Glaceon.

The group turned their attention to another person who they recognized as one of them.

"That man, he looks like Professor Rowan." Dawn uttered, putting aside her concerns for her sanity for now.

"Dawn's right, only his hair and mustache aren't white." Ash pointed out, seeing the definite resemblance between Professor Rowan and the man in the portrait.

"He must be Professor Rowan's ancestor." Brock surmised, it was definitely the case the resemblance was so great it couldn't be a coincidence.

"I've never met this professor Rowan but I have seen him once or twice back home on the TV." Dusk said she had seen Professor Rowan a few times when he was explaining pokemon native to Sinnoh and the effect humans have had on some of their habitats, and the resemblance between both men was undeniable.

And the last person Ash and the others besides Dusk didn't really recognize him. However Ash did feel like he knew him somehow.

{Why didn't you defend yourself?} an angry voice shouted in his head.

{Does it really matter? They- -safe so there was no reason to- -why should we- -she- -can't understand!} a voice that resembled his but was calm.

{-this - like- -when- -left- -treasure- -Sinnoh- -Home!} the voice shouted starting to crack.

{your- -leader- - clan- -first.} the other voice replied, cracking as well until it vanished.

Ash blinked for a second, not hearing the voices anymore. The raven haired boy was completely confused, though this isn't the craziest thing to happen to him.

'Ok hearing voices in my head that is definitely not normal, what the hell is going on?' Ash thought to himself wondering what was going on.

"These three are the leaders of the three factions, the first is Kamado, and Professor Rowan once said during an interview that he was a descendant of the leader of the Galaxy Research Expedition." Carlos said.

"I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree with him studying pokemon." Ash chuckled.

"Pika." Pikachu nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, Legend says that he wrongfully accused the hero for the events that transpired, both leaders of the clans spoke out against his rash decision but they couldn't do anything about it, cause it would cause tension between the Galaxy Research Team and the two Clans." Carlos said.

"Really?" Dawn frowned, for some reason she felt mad at Kamado for what he did to the hero

'That's right, Kamado had good intentions, but his rash actions did more harm than good. He blamed Satoshi who had done everything and more for the research team but he was banished from the place that became his second home, Hikari was also banished as well.' Dusk thought, remembering the story from home.

"However these two we barely know about them, aside from their names." Carlos answered, he and many others barely knew the history of the two leaders, which was shocking since they were two of the most prominent figures in Hisui at the time.

'The information must have been lost to time, or their history has been covered up?' Dusk thought.

"So who's who?" Dawn asked Carlos.

"The man is Adaman the leader of the Diamond Clan, and the girl is Irida the young leader of the Pearl Clan, like I said not much is known about them, we hope one day we'll know more." Carlos said.

'Irida looks just like May, only blond with blue eyes and her outfit is similar to May's, especially her bandana' Ash thought as he looked at the portrait for a second.

(You really are a dummy, you know that Satoshi?) a voice similar to May's yelled in his head.

Ash gasped, getting everyone's attention. "Sir Ash, are you ok?" Dusk asked in concern.

"Pika Pi." Pikachu said, looking at his trainer.

Ash shook his head. "I'm fine, I guess I'm kinda worn out from today." he lied, remembering the voice. It sounded like May but why and who is Satoshi? He worries about that later when they get back.

"Ahh…" Dawn yawned. "I am too." she had been walking around all day and it was starting to catch up with her.

"Then why do you four head out, we have work to do." Carlos said.

"Right, thanks for the look Carlos, we owe ya." Ash smiled, grateful to the man for allowing them to see the pokeball and the painting.

"It's no problem, I wish you luck on your journey." Carlos said, before he turned to Laimen and held out the pokeball. "It will only take a second for me to put these back. Then we can secure the ball for transport"

Laimen took the ball, before he smiled. Just then multiple containers crashed in from the windows above, shocking everyone but Laimen who suddenly put on a mask. As soon as the canisters hit the ground they began to leak white gas.

"What's happening?" Dusk said in shock, as she and the others covered their faces.

"Laiman, what are you doing?" Carlos demanded coughing from the smoke.

"I'm taking my prize." Laiman said, before pulling off his outfit and revealing his true self, he was now wearing a uniform that resembles some kind of spacesuit. Dusk's eyes widened in surprise when she noticed how much it looked like the outfits used by the Galaxy Research Team.

Without warning, Laiman pointed his arm up to the windows above then a grapple shot up and latched onto the edge and he began to lift up.

"Wait!" Carlos shouted as he coughed.

"Starly clear this smoke!" Ash shouted, grabbing his PokeBall .

"You too Pidgey!" Dusk shouted as she did the same.

Both trainers threw their respective pokeballs into the air and in a flash of white light and orangish gold light Starly and Pidgey appeared. Both immediately began to flap their wings which caused the smoke to dissipate once the smoke was cleared Carlos shouted.

"Fuck! The pokeball!" Carlos shouted in anger and shame, how could he let this even happen. "My father trusted me with it! And now…" feeling like had failed his father for allowing the pokeball to be stolen right in front of him.

"Don't worry we'll find him and get the pokeball back." Ash said clenching his fist, Dawn and Brock nodded in agreement, they couldn't let that man get away with this.

Dusk however was lost in thoughts. 'Who was that? And why is he wearing an outfit similar to the Galaxy Research Team? Is this a coincidence?'

"Dusk!" Ash said, snapping the blunette out of her thoughts.

"Oh yes, we will." Dusk nodded firmly.

"Starly, Pidgey, see if you two can find Laiman if that is his name." Ash said.

"Starly."

"Pidgey."

Both bird pokemon nodded before they flew through the broken window in search of Laiman.

"Togekiss you too." Dusk shouted, tossing her long time partner's ball into the air, in a flash of white light Togekiss appeared, before it flew out the window to help in the search for Laiman and the pokeball.

"Let's search as well, he couldn't have gotten very far." Brock said.

"You kids shouldn't get involved with this." Carlos said, feeling like it was his responsibility to get the pokeball back and he couldn't allow them to be involved with something dangerous.

"No sir Carlos." Dusk shook her head. "We can't let that thief get away with an important piece of history."

"You can count on us to help you out." Dawn said in a firm tone.

"Thank you, you four go, I'll call officer Jenny to help in the search." Carlos said, the group nodded at Carlos before they ran out of the room in search of the thief.

---

At that time Laimen was running through the hall's avoiding some other people dressed like him.

"So you got it." one of them asked Laiman.

"Yeah I got it." Laiman said, showing them the pokeball. "I still don't get why you want this old piece of junk?"

"Kaitoru, the commander said it was critical to the plan's long term success. So don't question it, you're just hired help." another grunt said angrily, calling the man by his real name.

Only for him to glare at grunt shutting him up "where is she." said making it clear it wasn't a question but a statement. As grunt pointed down alley as they lead him to their commander

As they reach the end of the alley, where Jupiter is waiting along with a few more grunts.

"You completed your mission?" Jupiter questioned with authority.

Kaitoru presented Jupiter the pokeball which she took and just looked at it. "

"If I may ask, why is such an old pokeball important?" Kaitoru asked.

"It's not the ball that's important you fool." Jupiter said with a glare. "It's what's inside."

Kaitoru glared back, he didn't like Juniper calling him a fool. "Where's my pay?" the only reason he had to lower himself to stealing an old trinket was that the pay was on a higher end then his usual jobs making him willing to stomach the boring and monopolized parts of it.

"You'll get it once we get information out of the pokeball, until then you wait." Jupiter told Kaitoru.

"Fine but let's get this done. I don't need to waste anymore of my time wearing this stupid outfit of yours." Kaitoru complained.

"Commander." a grunt called out from behind Jupiter while saluting. "We're ready to proceed."

Jupiter turned and nodded. "Good, let us get this over with." Jupiter stated, as she and the grunts made their way to the edge of the city.

However they were unaware that Pidgey, Starly and Togekiss had spotted them in the alley. "Pidgey Pidge."

{You two go get the others, I'll tail them.} Pidgey told the two.

{I'll go too.} Togekiss said, before turning to Starly. {We'll give you a signal.}

Starly nodded. {be safe.} she said to the two, before she flew to find their Trainers, while Togekiss and Pidgey continued to follow the criminals.

---

the group ran down the streets trying to find any sign of Laiman but no luck at all he could have been anywhere in Jubilife City by now.

"Damn it! Where is he?" Ash cursed.

"He could be anywhere by now." Brock commented.

"We can't give up, Carlos is counting on us to get the pokeball back." Dawn said she didn't want to let Carlos down, not after the kindness he's shown to them.

"I'm more concerned about those strangers with him." Dusk said "Have you noticed their outfits look similar to the Galaxy Research Team?"

"Now that I think about it, yeah." Ash nodded, before turning to Brock. "We've gotten caught between a new evil organization plotting world domination again haven't we?"

'Again? Has this happened to them before?' Dusk thought before focus back in situation

Brock gave his friend a nod. "Yes, could they have based them off the outfits?"

"He had to be with Team Galactic." Dawn muttered, getting the others' attention.

"You know about these people?" Dusk questions thinking her home would know about such a group especially if they're using Galaxy Research Team appearance.

"Not really personally, the night before I became a trainer me and mom were watching the news about thefts happening around Sinnoh, for months no one knew who did it, until someone was caught and he only revealed the name Team Galactic, nothing else." Dawn informed them, recalling what they watched.

"Really? Not thing else at all?" Brock asked, feeling like there should be a little more information about them.

Dawn shook her head in response. "Nothing, at all."

'Team Galactic? Are they using the name as well?' Dusk thought she didn't know about this organization but it seemed like they based the organization image around the Galaxy Research Team but why them?

"star starly." they then heard familiar and looked up and saw Ash's Starly.

"Starly, did you find them?" Ash asked.

"Star!" Starly replied as she gestured for them to follow her.

"Looks like they did. Let's go." Dusk said, as she started running after Starly with others following behind her.

Meanwhile Team Galactic arrived at the rendezvous point at the outskirt of Jubilife, before them was a flying ship that could hold 20 people out inside was a machine with a glass dome attached to a computer screen.

"Here." Jupiter handed the pokeball to Kaitoru who looked annoyed at her. "Really we are doing this."

"Just give them the ball!"

Kaitoru released an annoyed sigh as he walked into the ship "I swear if wasn't for fucking pay." he muttered to him self as he handed it to a man wearing a lab coat.

"Calm yourself, you'll get your pay soon enough." Jupiter said with a glare.

Kaitoru looked annoyed as he leaned against a wall, his job done waiting for his pay so he can leave these idiots to their ball.

"Amazing craftsmanship, the people of Hisui were definitely skilled despite lacking refined equipment of today astounding how they caught pokemon with it." The scientist said with pure fascination.

"Enough of your babbling, is the machine ready?" Jupiter said not in the mood to hear fanboying.

"Yes Ma'am it just takes a few minutes for the machine to safely open the ball while neutralizing the seal of incoming air to ensure the contents safety.'' The scientist explained, he was told about the special lock on the pokeball's of that era along with the age of it and what was inside so he and his colleagues pulled out the best technology they could to not just only open it but ensure the contents inside won't be destroyed by sudden pressure of air.

"Then get to it, the fast we get this ball open the sooner we can return to base." Jupiter said.

"Yes, Ma'am." The scientist said, as he placed the pokeball into the chamber as an energy enveloped the ball causing it to float into the air, before he began to type on the computer which showed a layout of the pokeball and the inside of it. They began making the adjustments to begin the open procedure

Jupiter looked at the inside and saw nothing as if the ball was filled with solid material. "I thought we could see the contents of it?" Jupiter questioned.

"Give me a minute ma'am, soon I'll have a clear image then once air pressure has been adjusted we can open it." The scientist stated, as he continued to type.

Unknown to them, Pidgey and Togekiss had found the group only to see a giant ship.

"Pidgey Pi." [we found them.] Pidgey said.

"Togekiss, Toge." [Yes, now we have to signal for the others to find us.] Togekiss remarked.

"Pi Pi, Pidgey" [Go get them, I'll keep an eye on them,]

Togekiss nodded before flying off leaving Pidgey who sat on a tree branch and just watched wondering what the humans were even doing.

Meanwhile the gang followed Starly as she guided them out of the city. "Where could Pidgey and Togekiss?" Dusk questioned and worried about her two pokemon, wondering if they had found the crooks.

"I'm sure they're fine Dusk, I just hope Team Galactic hasn't gotten too far." Ash told her in a reassuring voice.

"But they could be anywhere in this forest, and it's too dark, they might even spot them." Brock pointed out.

"We can't give up, we promised Carlos we would get the ball." Dawn said not wanting to let Carlos down.

At the moments they all saw a ball of blue light shoot into the sky getting their attention, Dusk knew what it was. "That's an Aura Sphere! It's Togekiss!" Dusk called out.

"Then let's go!" Ash said.

"Pi, Pika Pi!" Pikachu agreed with his trainer, as the group ran towards where the Aura Sphere was shot from.

"You all saw that?" a grunt asked, pointing to the sky where the blue light once was.

"It was probably just a random pokemon firing off an attack." A second grunt was dismissed.

Jupiter frowned before turning to the scientist. "Are you almost done?" she asked.

The scientist didn't take his eyes away from the screen as he continued typing on the computer. "Almost there commander, just about a few more minutes and we'll have it opened and its secrets will be ours."

Jupiter grinned, soon they would have the contents and no one could stop them. "Hey!" a voice called out causing her and the others to turn around. They saw Ash and others had arrived, as Togekiss flew down to Dusk who signaled for him to stay put for a bit, which he sat in the tree.

Jupiter frowned before placing her right hand on her hip. "Shouldn't you kids be in bed right now?" Jupiter asked, not even worried about them, she kept her eyes on Ash and both the girls.

"You think we let you get away with stealing from the Museum?" Dusk frowned. "And why are you all dressed like that? And why do you want the pokeball?" She needed to know why they were taking inspiration from the Galaxy Research Team and what they wanted with the Hisuian pokeball.

Kaitoru just snorted, "We don't have to tell you anything."

"You won't get away with stealing Laimen!" Dawn said, as she glared at the thief.

"You kids aren't leaving this place alive." Jupiter said with a cruel grin as took out a pokeball, followed by and all the other grunts behind her.

With Kaitoru standing back showing no sign of joining to help.

"what are you doing?" Jupiter questioned

"I have no real interest in battling children." Kaitoru said, finding it to be a waste of his time.

"You will get a 15% bonus." Jupiter said.

Kaitoru simple said "50%"

"20%" Jupiter remarked.

"50" Kaitoru said again

"Grr, 25%" Jupiter said. "Take it or no pay at all."

"Fine." Kaitoru said annoyed as began walking over pulling out one his pokeballs.

"You decided to step up, Laimen? You won't get away with what you did." Ash taunted. "Unless you're too Torchic?"

Kaitoru looked at Ash with a cold glare, "We'll see about that kid." Kaitoru grinned as he also threw a pokeball that released a pokemon.

The pokemon stood up in a menacing way

It was a bipedal, humanoid Pokémon with an appearance similar to that of a knight. Its body is primarily black, with blue colorations on its head, arms and legs. On its head was fire burning above it that resembles the plume on a knight's helmet. Instead of hands it has purple-cyan blades created from both fire and ghost energy

"What kindof pokemon is that?" Dawn questioned, she had never seen that pokemon before both she and Ash took out their pokedexs and they both scanned it.

(No data available.)

(No data available)

"Huh, there's nothing in the dex." Ash said in shock.

Dusk took out her pokeslate and just like her friends. (Data unavailable, Bio Locked) her Pokeslate told her, she surprised Dusk she thought the slate had data on all the pokemon currently known by her kingdom but it appears that she was locked into the Sinnoh Dex with the others locked away.

"We need to be careful." Brock said in a serious tone. "That pokemon looks very strong."

Ash nodded in agreement, and the others tossed their pokeballs into the air. "Come out," all four shouted, in multiple flashes of white light, Turtwing, Aipalm, Buneary, Gravler and Crogunk appeared ready for battle with Pikachu and Piplup moving to the front.

"I'll take care of these kids, Just remember my pay." Kaitoru said

Jupiter simply nodded. "Move to the plane." She ordered to the grunts who nodded as they made their way to the plane

"Not so fast, Turtwig razor Leaf, Pikachu Thunderbolt, Aipalm Swift." Ash shouted

"Turt-wiggg" Turtwig shouted as he launched sharp leaves.

"Pika…Chuuuuuuu" Pikachu shouted as he launched a bolt of lightning

"Ai, Palpalm." Aipalm grinned as she swung her tail, firing a bunch of stars at the plane.

However the unknown pokemon slashed through their attacks without any effort at all.

"No way!" Ash gasped, shocked the unknown pokemon had deflected all the attackd away like they were nothing.

Laimen grinned. "I assume that this is your first time meeting a pokemon from the Paldea Region right?" Laimen asked

"The Paldea Region?" Dawn uttered, she had never heard of that region before.

"I know that region…" Dusk said she had read a book about it before, and there are some very strong and VERY deadly pokemon from that region.

"I think I read about it in a magazine before." Brock scowled as he tried to recall anything that was helpful.

Jupiter just grinned, clearly it was a good idea to hire Kaitoru after all despite his cost, she then boarded the ship. "Begin take off." She ordered, suddenly the engines roared to life and they began to lift off the ground.

Dusk saw this and gritted her teeth. "No way! Pidgey! I know it's a risk but smash through the window with a Brave Bird!"

"Pidgeyyyy!" Pidgey chirped as it shout out of the and flew around the ship until it was in front of the window before it quickly divide as it was engulfed by flames before they turned blue before Pidgey smashed into the widow and hit the Galactic Grunt who was driving in the chest knocking him out of the set.

Suddenly the craft began to spiral out of control. "Ahh! Commander we're goin down!" The second grunt shouted as he rushed to the control and tried to steer, but Pidgey got in his face and began to peck and scratch his face making it hard to steer.

"Dumb bird!" Jupiter shouted in annoyance as she pulled her pokeball, but the man fell to the side kicking the control causing the plane to fall towards the ground as Pidgey flew out the broken window as the plane hit the ground with a massive thud surprising it was still intact.

Kaitoru looked at the plane 'Idiots.' he thought with scowled before turning his attention back to the kids as Pidgey landed on Dusk's shoulder and chipped. "So you had a Pidgey waiting in the wings? "Kaitoru said, knowing that he was careless, he should have known that Pidgey was there.

"The early bird gets the crooks." Dusk frowned before pointing at Kaitoru. "I won't let you steal that pokeball." Refusing to let these criminals steal something connected to her home heritage.

"We'll see about that. Time for me to show you the difference between you and me!" Kaitoru sneered as he pulled out another pokeball and threw it as it opened revealing another menacing looking pokemon.

It was a large, arthropod Pokémon with a hunched, humanoid posture. It has a pale purple body covered with silver armor plating. It has a relatively small head with bright purple antennae that converge with its mandibles to form a mask around its eyes. The eyes themselves are black and angular with light gray pupils. Behind its head and curving down its back are several armor plates, each with a long protrusion curving up from each side. There is a small, greenish triangle marking on the center of each plate. Most of its lower body is exposed, but there is additional armor resembling a loincloth around its waist and smooth pieces encasing its thighs and feet. Its feet each have a single black claw. And it has three pairs of arms. The two foremost pairs are thinner, encased in a silver exoskeleton, and each is tipped with a single, black claw. The hindmost pair of arms is longer and has much larger forearms. These large forearms both have three overlapping, armored plates on the back and two black claws. The plate closest to its claws is plain, while the last two each have two greenish, triangular markings.

"Another Paldein Pokemon?" Ash said, surprised that Kaitoru had another.

"No, I think I know what that one is, I think it's from Aloha." Dusk said, remembering it from her Alolan Studies, seeing these two pokemon from different regions means that Laimen had been to a lot of different regions before being hired by Team Galactic.

'What other pokemon could he have on him?' Dusk thought concerned

"Graveler uses Mega Punch." Brock commanded.

"Graveler!" Graveler shouted, as his first began to glow as he charged Golisopod .

"Golisopod take those two out using First Impression!" Kaitoru said and that

Golisopod suddenly moved, avoiding the Mega Punch as he dashed past Graveler and was right in front of Crogunk before jabbing him in the torso with his limb before throwing him back and hit the ground hard

"Croagunk!" Brock called out to his pokemon in worry.

The frog pokemon slowly got back to its feet, and wiped its mouth and the bridge of its nose scrunched.

"Now finish them with Liquidation!" Kaitoru called out.

"Crogunk and Gaveler, use Mega Punch and Brick Break to stop the attack." Brock called out.

"Golisopod!" it shouted as it formed his blade of water

"Crooooo-Gunk!" Crogunk called as he threw a chop at the attack.

"Graveler!" Graveler said as well pulling his fist back as it was covered in energy before swinging it forward.

The three attacks clashed causing shockwaves to take place, Gravler and Crogunk pushed with all their strength against Golisopod who held them back but it decided it had enough and put more power in its attack over powering the two launching them back.

"Gravaler…

"Cro… Croog."

Both of his pokemon weakly responded as they both couldn't get back up

"Oh no Brock!" Dawn said

Brock rushed over to his pokemon, and began to check on them. Only to see Golisopod shadow covering them as he stood right in front of the three menacingly.

"That was just a Golisopod way of saying 'Hello' by the way." Kaitoru grinned as Golisopod formed another Liquidation raising it above his head reading to swing down on the three.

But before he could strike them a blast of electricity hit him pushing him away from the three, turning to see Pikachu glaring at him with sparks coming off his cheeks.

"Well this is our way of saying goodbye." Ash said, as he looked down at his pokemon who all nodded.

"Thanks Ash." Brock said, thankful to his friend for saving him and his pokemon.

Ash gave Brock a thumbs up before he turned to Dusk and Dawn. "We will keep this guy busy as long as we can, get the pokeball." Ash told Dusk.

"I'm not leaving you two?" Dusk asked, not wanting to let Ash or Dawn battle Kaitoru alone.

"We'll be fine, just go." Dawn told Dusk with a determined look in her eye.

"Piplup." Piplup proudly pounded his chest.

"Bun, Bun." Buneary bounced agreeing with Dawn and Piplup.

Kaitoru looked annoyed. "Golisopod, Liquidation!" Kaitoru said.

Golisopod than created a sword made out of water before swiping at Pikachu which he managed to dodge

"Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt on the ground!" Ash called out.

"Pikaaachhuu!" Pikachu unleashed a powerful thunderbolt that struck the ground with enough for to cause a dust cloud to envelop the area.

"I'm not sure how much time this cover will give you, go." Ash whispered to Dusk, Ash knew this guy was on another level even Paul would have a hard time with him, right now it wasn't about winning it was about surviving.

The two turned to Dusk only Togekiss was with them and were already gone. Dawn then called on Piplup. "Piplup! Spin and use Bubble Beam!" Dawn called out.

Piplup leaped into the air and began to spin. "Piplupluplup!" Piplup called out as he created a spinning beam of bubbles heading towards the unknown pokemon.

"Ceruledge, Bitter Blades!" Kaitoru shouted.

Ceruledge readied himself as his bladed limbs coated themselves in purple fire before he blocked the attack.

"Togekiss!" Togekiss called out as she appeared out of nowhere and smashed Ceruledge knocking him to the ground before she flew into the air and fired an aura sphere.

However Golisopod hunched over and started to use Pin Missile, firing multiple Pins from the gap on the armor plates on its back to disperse the aura sphere as well as surprising them.

"Damn it, how strong is this guy?" Ash gritted his teeth as tried to think of a way to turn the tables.

"We have to keep fighting, no matter what." Dawn said, starting to wonder if they could even beat Kaitoru.

"Golisopod Poison Jab, Ceruledge Night Slash!" Kaitoru shouted

"Pikachu counter with Iron Tail!"

"Buneary Ice Beam!"

"Pikaaachu!" Pikachu shouted his tail glowed.

"Bunnnary!" Buneary shouted as she fired a beam of ice

Golisopod's clawed tips on his limb glew purple ash and Pikachu's tail collided in an attempt to overpower each other.

Ceruledge's bladed limbs glowed white before he rushed at the enemy. As soon as he got within striking distance he cut straight into the ice beam as he continued forward as if it was having no effect on him.

Thinking fast Dawn called out a command. "Piplup! Bubblebeam on the ground!"

"Piplupluplup!" Piplup unleashed a multitude of bubbles on the ground causing it to turn to mud.

Ceruledge felt the ground become damp and turned into mud as he began to lose his footing and momentum as Buneray's ice beam stopped him in his tracks and even began to slowly push him. "Bubble Beam once more Piplup pushes him back!"

Piplup once again fired a beam of bubbles at Ceruledge and along with the Ice Beam was being pushed back as he couldn't get traction on muddy ground.

"Use Phantom Force!" Kaitoru shouted

Suddenly a portal appeared behind the knight-like pokemon and let himself get pushed in it and vanished along with the portal.

"Huh!? Where did he go?" Dawn looked around, so did Piplup and Bunneary.

Another portal appeared behind both Piplup and Buneary and Ceruledge appeared with its blades glowing.

"Dawn it's behind them!" Brock called out.

But it was too late as Ceruledge struck both of them with it as two launches back though Buneary appeared fine unaffected thanks to being a normal type only knocked back by sheer force of the attack.

"Piplup! Buneary!" Dawn shouted in fear, as she ran over to her two pokemon as Buneary got back unharmed by attack while Piplup was laying on the ground, bending at her knees. "Piplup…" Dawn took her starter in her arms.

"Piplup…" Piplup muttered, unable to continue battling.

Buneary looked at both her trainer and Piplup before turning to Ceruledge who looked ready to continue battling, turning away toward where Pikachu and Goliaopod were as he started to make his way over to them. She then looked to see Pikachu still battling despite how strong the opponent was, she then gained a determined expression if he was going to continue then so will she.

"BUN, BUN!" Buneary challenged Ceruledge who turned around to look at her only to turn his back to her again ignoring her not seeing her worth his time as he continued on.

"BUNEARY!" She screamed, firing the most powerful ice beam she could straight at Ceruledge.

"Ceruledge will you finish that vermin off so we can wrap this up already." Kaitoru said see attack heading to his pokemon but didn't even seem mildly concerned and neither did Ceruledge who simply channeled fired into one of the blades still not looking at her and fired off a Overheat with back at her without looking back as it easily overpowered the Ice Beam as it hits her burning her and knocks her back.

"Bunnn!" Bunnary exclaimed in pain.

"Buneary!" Dawn cried out in fear for her other pokemon.

Turtwig decided he had enough charge firing multiple Razer Leafs at pokemon as he closed the distance.

"Bitter Blade." Kaitoru simply said.

Ceruledge's blades were engulfed in flames, as he carved through the leaves before swing it's blade at Turtwig who thanks to his speed was able to barely dodge the blade before clapping his jaws on Ceruledge's head causing the pokemon to yelp in pain, and thanks to Bite being Dark it was super effective, and Turtwing was not going to let go.

"Ceruledge stop wasting time, we have a job to do remember? End it Flare Blitz!" Kaitoru called out.

Ceruledge set his body ablaze, burning turtwig forcing him to let go out of pain only to be slammed into by Ceruledge as an explosion of fire consumed the two.

When it clears Turtwig is on ground badly burned and out cold as Ceruledge stands above him with small sparks coming off his body.

"Turtwing!" Ash gritted his teeth in fear for his friend.

"Hmph, you think your pokemon stood a chance?" Kaitoru mocked, these kids were as he first thought not worth his time just wasting it.

"Starly!" Starly screeched as she flew at Ceruledge wanting to get revenge for her fallen friends, however Ash called out.

"Starly, Return!" Ash called out as he pointed the pokeball at her knowing that she wouldn't be able to match that pokemon it was simply out of her league. He looked at the pokeball with a sad expression . "I'm sorry, but I can't risk you getting hurt too." he looked at Aipalm and took out her pokeball as well. "You too, I can't risk you either."

"Aipalm…" Aipalm shook her head not wanting to be returned, but a red beam hit her and she reluctantly returned to her pokeball, he then took out Turtwing's pokeball and returned him as well.

"You did your best, now get some rest." He said to his friend as he turned his attention back to Pikachu who was still clashing with Golisopod.

"Pikachu…" Pikachu said, struggling to overpower Golisopod putting all he could into his Iron Tail.

"Goliso." Golisopod began to overpower Pikachu as he threw him to the ground knocking him back some but Pikachu still managed to quickly stand back up.

Ash gritted his teeth and decided now wasn't the time to hold back anymore it was all or nothing. "Pikachu, Volt Tackle!" Ash commanded.

"Volt Tackle?" Kaitoru said in a mildly surprised tone.

Pikachu then begin charging at Golisopod "Pikapikapikapikapikapikapikapika." he said as was was engulfed in electricity before he was covered in a shining golden aura.

"Golisopod, Liquidation!" Kaitoru said mild interest in his voice now.

Golisopod than created a sword made out of water and prepared to meet Pikachu attack with his own

"Golis pod!" as he swung down with his sword

"Pikapikapika…CHU." Pikachu shouted as he and Golisopod collided creating a massive shockwave of electricity and water.

While the battle happened Jupiter had woken up and saw the battle happening outside, she saw some of the grunts on the ground either unconscious or dead. "Ahh…" a low moan came from the scientist, who was alive.

She looked and saw Dusk grabbing the pokeball out of the machine. "You brat!" Jupiter shouted as she got to her feet.

Dusk looked at Jupiter and glared. "You won't be leaving with this." Dusk said as she jumped out of the plane as Jupiter ran up to the door and glared, suddenly she could hear police sirens coming in their direction, scowling. She turned her attention to the computer and quickly took out the data disk, it was better than nothing as most of the alive grunts came to and struggled to get up.

"Everyone, prepare to leave." Jupiter commanded.

"What about Kaitoru?" a Grunt asked

"He'll be fine." Jupiter said "As soon as we receive word from him, we'll give him his payment."

"Yes, ma'am." the grunts saluted

As they grabbed the scientist and began and vacated the ship.

Dusk watched as they disappeared from in a smoke cloud, she frowned knowing this wasn't going to be the last time she and the last she would see them. She looked at the pokeball and at her friends who were struggling against Kaitoru.

As soon as the shockwave stopped, it cleared. Pikachu was breathing heavily, feeling the recoil of his attack and Golisopod was on one of his knees and appeared to be somewhat injured.

"It's a draw." Dawn said, still holding Piplup in one arm and Buneary in her other.

"No it wasn't." Brock said able to tell despite how looked Pikachu had taken the worst of it.

Suddenly Golisopod returned to Kaitoru's pokeball as he held his PokeBall up and didn't get a disappointed look on his face.

"Pikachu…" Ash said, seeing his partner was at his absolute limit, he can't keep going like this much longer.

"Hmph, look like I win kid." Kaitoru said, although he had to admit he was impressed that the boy and the rat even got Golisopod to fall to one knee and he Definitely didn't expect a little Pikachu to know Volt Tackle and put that much power behind it.

"Sorry, but there's still one more standing." Dusk called out from behind him, Kaitoru saw she had the pokeball in her hand.

"So, you got the pokeball? Hmph, mission failure I guess at least on their end." Kaitoru said, seeming uninterested.

"Pika… Pi." Pikachu called out refusing to back down against him.

"Sir Ash leave this to us."

Pidgey and Togekiss flew to Dusk's side ready to battle as well.

"Hmph, just another Mareep to the slaughter." Kaitoru dismissed, not even scared of Dusk's pokemon, not even her Togekiss.

"I assure you, I'm not a Mareep." Dusk frowned, she looked at Pidgey seeing he was feeling the effects of his Brave Bird, but she would need both Togekiss and Pidgey right now..

"Let's go Togekiss and Pidgey!" Dusk called out.

"Togekiss!"

"Pidgey."

Both pokemon called ready to battle.

Kaitoru snarled beginning to get annoyed with all of these interruptions as he was very tempted to bring out another poke ball but decided against it he wanted to show this girl where she belongs besides Ceruledge is more than enough to deal with them

"Ceruledge, Bitter Blades!" Kaitoru commanded

Ceruledge bladed limbs once again coated themselves in purple fire before he dashed at Pidgey and Togekiss before crossing them together and unleashing an x-shaped slash on both of them forcing them back but causing Pidgey to fall to the ground.

"Pidgey." Dusk called out in concern.

"Togekiss use Aura Sphere to Block!" Dusk called out.

"Togeeekiss!" Togekiss shouted as she unleashed a blue sphere of energy.

"Ceruledge counter with Shadow Ball" Kaitoru shouted as two attacks met only to pass through each other continuing on to their target.

'Wait, why would he use that attack? They're just both going to be hit by the att-' Dusk thought only to see Aura Sphere go harmlessly through Ceruledge 'It's a ghost type!' she thought as Togekiss is hit by Shadow ball knocking her down.

"It pass through him" Ash gasped

"Congratulations, you stated the obvious." Kaitoru mocked.

"But why?" Dawn asked.

"Aura Sphere is a fighting type move, so if it went through it, then Ceruledge must be part ghost type." Brock Surmised, it was starting to make sense.

"Now Ceruledge let's wrap this up, Poison Jab." Kaitoru said as one of his blades is covered in purple energy.

"Not yet! Dodge with Extreme Speed!" Dusk shouted as Togekiss quickly got up high to get out range as Dusk released a sigh only to hear him chuckle.

"Wasn't aiming for that one" Kaitoru smirked

"What?!" Dusk gasped, before looking at Pidgey who began to flap his wings trying to get higher up only for Ceruledge jump up to reach him before he could get higher and slashed down on the tiny bird sending him crashing to the ground, with a sickening thud.

"Pidgey!" Dusk shouted.

"You bastard! That was a cheap shot." Ash yelled in anger.

"You haven't done your homework kid." Kaitoru mocked "Ceruledge is a Pokemon who would do anything to win whether through trickery or surprise attacks and in this case killing."

"That's low, no pokemon should do that." Dawn shouted in disgust at what Kaitoru said.

"Well clearly you don't understand how the world works princess because they're not gonna be happy ever after for you here."

Dusk gritted her teeth in anger, getting tired of Kaitoru's words, before she returned Pidgey to its pokeball and just looked at it. "You'll pay for what you did to him." Dusk said, showing anger that hadn't been felt since dealing with Vrain.

"Togekiss Sky Attack Reversal!" Dusk shouted.

"Togeeekiss!" Togekiss called as she took to the sky as she was covered in bright light.

"Ceruledge, stay right there." Kaitoru said staring up at the pokemon above them, Togekiss then dived at Ceruledge at remarkable speed, Kaitoru waited until it got within a few feet.

"Now Flare Blitz."

Ceruledge began to develop in fire as Togekiss collided with him, the force of the two pokemon created a smoke cloud covering the field.

'Now with that cloud obscuring them he won't notice Togekiss use the remaining momentum to get behind his pokemon without them realizing letting her-' Dusk thought

"Using a smoke screen to use your real attack isn't a bad idea though it is both extremely basic and painfully predictable." Kaitoru mockingly tells her how he figured out her plan.

"Also that plan you thought was so clever-" was saying as something cut through the cloud showing Togekiss using Air Slash which had blown the cloud away revealing Ceruledge was nowhere to be seen much to our heroes confusion

Dusk eyes widen in fear looking around for where his pokemon disappear while desperately trying to think of a plan to end the battle knowing she can let this drag on anymore and not see a figure rising from her shadow.

As everyone gets a look of fear except Kaitoru who simply starts smiling.

"Dusk behind you!" Ash yelled.

Dusk's eyes widened in fear she turned around seeing fire blade pokemon having one of its blades above its head ready to swing down.

"-simply lead to your own end." Kaitoru said as he was about to call for the attack, then heard the sound of the police sirens getting even closer, he could even see the flashing blue and red lights through the tree lines.

"Well, it looks like time's up. As much as I like to smack you kids around some more, I believe it's time for me to leave Princess hope that battle was educational for you." Kaitoru said as he turned to Ash. "Hey kid if we ever meet again, you better hope you get stronger cause if you get in my way again I will end you and your pikachu along with anyone else." Kaitoru warned, as Ceruledge appeared at his side and blacketed them both in shadows and they vanished without a trace.

Dusk fell to her knees breathing heavily, she even dropped the PokeBall to the ground unable to keep her grip on it. The reality of the situation was cemented into her mind. 'I almost died…' Dusk thought, as fear surged through her body, in that moment she saw her whole life flash before her eyes. Her parents, the training, Togepi's hatching, her friend and older sister Freesia, all time she and Togekiss talk about entering a contest together, it almost ended this very night .

"Kiss…" Togekiss flew down to her and rubbed against Dusk.

Dusk turned to her first pokemon and patted her on the head. "I-I'm ok. Y-You and Pidgey did, the best you could he was.." Dusk said, giving the best smile she could.

"Dusk, are you ok?" Dawn rushed over and kneeled to her friend, she could see her fellow bluenette's face as pale as a ghost and her body was shaking like crazy.

"I-I'm fine." Disk said still can't stop stuttering some.

Ash sighed in relief and dropped on his butt, glad it was over. "We lucked out Ash, all of us." Brock told his friend a sense of defeat imminently in his voice, as he looked at Dusk who was being comforted by Dawn and Togekiss.

"Yeah." Ash lowered his head, Dusk almost lost her life.

Just then Officer Jenny and several other officers arrived. "Are you all alright?" Officer Jenny asked with concern.

Dusk, who was still in shock, was able to pull it together slightly looking down at the Hisuian Pokeball she picked up and walked over to Officer Jenny. "W-we got the p-pokeball back." Dusk answered, but her voice betrayed how she felt… defeated.

Not just her, the others as well. It wasn't a battle at all… it was a slaughter. They were lucky that Officer Jenny had arrived when she did or else they wouldn't be standing here.

"You all shouldn't have done this." Officer Jenny said, as she took the pokeball from Dusk and looked at the kids and their pokemon. "We need to get your pokemon some medical attention stat, on the way I want all the details of what has happened."

All four trainers nodded, they returned their pokemon to their pokeballs before they entered the police car, as Jenny told her men to survey the crashed vehicle who nodded and prepared to begin only for everyone's shock to suddenly explode. Officer Jenny surmised that It must have been rigid to self destruct when it was abandoned to destroy all the possible evidence. Jenny, even though frustrated, decided that there was nothing more they could do, so she told her men to put out the fire and recover what little evidence they can find, while she takes the kids back to Jubilife.

---

The gang and Jenny had returned to Jubilife, and were now in the Pokemon Center. All the trainers were worried about their pokemon who were being treated by Nurse Joy as they spoke, however Officer Jenny wanted to ask them a few questions in private and Nurse Joy was happy enough to place them in an empty room to talk and discuss about what happened prior.

"And that's all we know." Ash finished.

"Hmm, Team Galactic? Yeah, I heard of that group." Officer Jenny said, taking notes. "And this Laimen? Right? He was working with them?"

"Yes, he was a mover hired by the museum though it seems he assisted in the transport of the Pokeball." Dusk answered. "But it was just cover up, to steal it and he was incredibly skilled, he took us all down without even trying if you hadn't shown up when you did." Dusk said that man skill reminded her of (name to be filled in) he was one who pushed her the furthest with her training to better herself in battling except unlike him Laimen clearly played for keeps it was a miracle that no one lost their life.

"Yeah…" Dawn rubbed her hand, remembering that she had never felt so utterly beaten before.

Officer Jenny hummed "Laimen, that could be an Alias, and from what you told me about him and his description, he could be Kaitoru." Jenny said with a grim expression.

"Kaitoru?" the four said at the same time in surprise as Jenny continued.

"Yes, he is considered one of the most deadly Pokemon Mercenaries in the world, a part of monstrous three. taking jobs for the right price and no matter how difficult. He's a force to be reckoned with, you are lucky to still be breathing and so are your pokemon too." Jenny explained.

"Damn, so we didn't stand a chance from the start." Ash clenched his fist in anger and frustration, but was also upset with himself that Pikachu and the other pokemon were put in such bad condition.

"Yes, Kaitoru is very powerful, they say as powerful as an elite four member or maybe even a champion." Jenny added.

"That strong…" Brock muttered as he began to sweat at the thought.

"No way…" Dawn looked at the ground, her eyes widened in shock and worry, she really hoped that they didn't run into Kaitoru again.

"What about Team Galactic?" Dusk asked.

"There's not much we can do right now young lady." Jenny shook her head. "There's already a joint investigation with Sinnoh and the International Police." Officer Jenny put her notepad away and stood up. "Thank you four for your cooperation, I wish you and your pokemon well, now I have to return the pokeball to the Museum and interview with the staff to get more information particularly how he was hired."

"Hey, tell Carlos hi for us." Ash said, knowing that their new friend would be happy to have the Pokeball back.

Officer Jenny gave Ash a firm nod before she left the room, leaving the four alone. A silence filled the room, all four felt down about the situation not sure how to even talk about it. "This was quite a day wasn't it." Dusk said, trying to lighten the mood.

"That's putting it lightly." Ash frowned slightly as he punched the wall. "Grr…" Ash let out a low growl, his hat shadowing his eyes. He was used to losing to more powerful opponents but… he had never beaten like this before, Kaitoru was ruthless showing a detached feeling from the battle.

"Ash…." Brock began but stopped himself, he really didn't know what to say to help his friend, but he felt the same way, Kaitoru seemed to have a major impact on them with how easily he dealt with most of them.

Dawn had her head down unable to say anything while Dusk was caught in her own thoughts, with him being the greatest challenge she faced and for the first time she didn't believe she could win despite all her training all the years she spent to prepare for everything and anything and it was all useless against Kaitoru's skills. Was leaving home the right decision if she got beat so badly like this, could it be that she wasn't ready?

"Alright." Ash said as he got up, knowing that mopping wasn't going to solve anything at the moment. "We can't let him get in our heads and make us think we lost before battle even began. That would just mean he already beat us." Ash said, getting a determined look in his eyes, refusing to give in and seeing that Dusk couldn't help but smile seeing Ash's will and drive on display.

"But what if he-" Dawn asked, not sure if she could do it and remembered what happened to Piplup and Buneary.

"Sir Ash is right, if we do end up meeting him again we just got to be smarter. We let the fact that he was using pokemon we had no idea about throw us off but regardless of Pokemon no single pokemon is unbeatable you just gotta keep pushing and not give up." Dusk said in a serious voice having realized she had allowed doubt and uncertainty to cloud her mind.

Ash looked at Dusk and nodded. "Yeah, we just need to look at this loss as a motivator to get stronger and better, you can't win everytime." Ash knew that well enough, having his share of wins and losses

"Yes, and if we ever meet him again we'll be more prepared." Dusk said, she would need to train even harder

"I guess you're right." Dawn said, lowering her head.

"I think we should go see if our pokemon are doing well." Brock said they needed a distraction from this.

The others nodded with Dawn; her nod was weak. The three left the room and entered the lobby, they saw that Nurse Joy hadn't left the medical room yet. That made them nervous, since they had taken a lot of damage during the battle so it might take a while for their pokemon to be treated, just then the light on the sign went out. The door opened and Nurse Joy walked into the room.

"Nurse, how are our pokemon?" Ash asked, hoping Pikachu, Turtwig and the others are ok.

"What about my Piplup and Buneary?" Dawn asked anxiously.

"Are they alright?" Dusk asked, hoping Pidgey and Togekiss were ok, not only that, she was still thinking about how she had almost died today.

"Your pokemon are fine, luckily you all got here as fast as you did." Nurse Joy said. "But we'll have to keep them through the night, and I'm not sure if they'll be able to battle, but we'll see them come tomorrow."

The gang sighed they had hoped that they would be seeing their pokemon tonight. They were relieved to hear they were ok. But Dawn began to worry if Piplup and Buneary weren't able to practice for the contest.

"I suggest you all turn in for the night." Nurse Joy suggested, before she walked back into the clinic.

"A night's sleep would probably do us good, with what happened tonight." Brock said, thinking that good night sleep would help them.

"I hope Piplup and Buneary will get better soon." Dawn said, hoping she and the two would be able to practice for the contest.

"Lady Dawn, If Piplup and Buneary can't practice then there's nothing you can do." Dusk said she wanted to enter the contest as well and practice a few more routines, but she didn't want to worsen Togekiss and Pidgey injuries anymore, wanting them to properly recover. "If we miss the contest, there is always another one."

"She's right, a pokemon's health is more important." Brock said with a firm nod.

Dawn nodded, knowing that they were right. As much as she wanted to enter the contest, Piplup and Buneary's well being was more important than her entering.

"Let's head to bed." Ash said

The gang arrived at their assigned room, Ash and Brock waited outside while Dawn and Dusk changed into her nightwear, Dawn wearing pink pajamas and Dusk wearing her light blue nightshirt, with them dressed Ash and Brock changed into their sleepwear. The four climbed into their respective bunks, Ash and Brock taking the bottom bunks with Dawn and Dusk took the top bunks.

"Good night everyone." Dusk said, as she laid on her side.

"Good night." Ash, Brock and Dawn all replied, before the group fell asleep, the events of today filling their minds.

---

(Unknown Location)

At that time inside secure room at desk where man covered in shadows could be seen working going through multiple papers on his desk alongside a computer processing multiple files.

That when his computer registered a message sent to him having him turn his attention to it.

'Sir unfortunately we were only able to get a partial scan of paper inside the ball, because of the intervention of four interlopers.' The man read the first part of the message showing no reaction before continuing on with the rest of the message.

'We've surmised that it does hold information you wanted. We see if we can fill in missing details using the research team, though if necessary I can personally lead another team to require the ball.'

'Also sir there is some news I believe we could benefit from if one of the two of the interlopers is who I think she is. What are your orders?' The man finished reading and opened the linked photos showing both Dawn and Dusk at the museum.

The man arched his eyebrow. "So, Akari has been reborn? But which one is her? Well, regardless of Akari, let's see how you handle this modern world." He knew about the legends, and Akari is one half of that legend, the other half being the boy who he has doubts they find each other eventually but they can't stop him. He's been preparing for that eventuality. The man began to type giving the order to stand down and leave them be for now and focus on the next objective and next piece they need

'Yes sir understood' the message played back.

The man leaned back and interlocked his fingers. 'The legend, two trainers, two tribes, two deities and two fates intertwined as one, someone had done best to bury their story and change it. Who did was obviously once you got enough pieces of story but the reason why was it done? To protect them or simply hide the truth from the world to him that doesn't matter. cause it isn't going to change what I need to do.' The man thought as he pulled up a file opening it between the two girls showing an old painting showing a girl that looked just like the other two despite the faded paint from its age it was undeniable that the two looked identical to her.

'Hmm, they are spitting images of Akari, aside from the clothing obviously and her hair being in a ponytail.' the man said, he then pulled up another painting, this was showing a boy who wore the Diamond Clan's standard outfit, his black hair could be seen poking out of a hat.

'And I wonder where you are, Satoshi? But it doesn't matter even if you two do find each other, you will not stop me from achieving my goal.' the man thought, as he closed the files and typed in the payment to Kaitoru and added that he might need him later for something more in line with usual work.

---

(Outside Jubilife City)

"Ok for the last time you will sing into this mike until we say you're done. then we will give you the berries after ok?" Meowth explained once more trying to strike a deal with the Psyduck.

"Psy yi yi duck." Psyduck replied.

"What makes you think we have that much?" Meowth questioned feeling insulted

"Translation?" Jesse asked, they have been trying almost all day to get this Psyduck to agree to go along with their brilliant plan to use their fake poketchs to get the pokemon in the city.

"Psyduck says that he will do it if we add a few more berries to what we are giving him." Meowth said.

"Tell that flipper he getting more than enough for what going be doing we are already behind schedule because of him" Jessie said

"Psyduck." Psyduck replied with a refusing shake.

"Jessie, I think we should give him what he wants if we are to go through with our plan." James suggested since they did waste a lot of the time over this argument.

"Oh fine, if we'll add a few more berries to what you are getting." Jesse said relenting with some annoyance.

"Do we have a deal?" Meowth relented, holding out his paw.

"Psyduck." Psyduck smiled, holding out his slipper and shook Meowth's paw.

"Alright, all you have to do is wait until tomorrow once we hand out some more fake poketchs." Meowth explained to Psyduck.

"Psyduck." Psyduck nodded, walking away.

"Finally we can begin." Jessie said, clenching her fist.

"With this our plan is set and foolproof." Meowth grinned.

"All the pokemon in Jubilife will be ours." James said.

"Which will go straight to the boss." Meowth smiled.

"Nothing could possibly go wrong." three said together.

"Wobbafet."

"Mime, Mime."

"You idiots shut up!"

That is when the three see Kaitoru walk out from the tree's shadow rubbing his head with his Ceruledge beside him.

"Your voices are giving me a headache."

"Excuse me but who are you? Meowth asked in an annoyed voice.

"Yeah I'm not going to say 'cause it's just a waste of time." Kaitoru said in a dismissive tone.

"Why would it be a waste of time!" Jessie said, getting angry.

"Cause I don't tell dead people my name. Ceruledge!" Kaitoru called out as his pokemon fired off a fire blast at three

"W-wait what?!" James said scared, as the attack caused an explosion.

"Who was that guy!" Jessie yelled

"I don't know but that pokemon of his is too hot for my liking!" James shouted

"And I am very steamed for my liking." Meowth yelled.

"We're blasting off again!" all three shouted.

"Wobbafet!"

"Mime Mime!"

Vanishing in a sparkle of light.

"What was that?" Kaitoru questioned seeing the three vanish into the sky instead being burned to ash as he looked at his pokemon for answer only to see him give him a stare which told him he didn't know either. "The fall will kill them."

Ceruledge shrugged it's shoulders, Kaitoru then heard a beep. Reaching into his pocket and pulling out a Xtranserver and reading a message. "We got paid, and it seems like they might call on us in the future." Kaitoru said, as he put his Xtransever back in his pocket.

As he saw a pile of berries and fruits he grabbed an apple and took a bite out of it as Ceruledge walked back into the tree line and vanished.

After they left a familiar Psyduck appeared seeing the pile of unguarded berries and garbs as much as he could and left.

Narrator {Well, things have not been easy for our heroes, they have now made new enemies in both Team Galactic and Kaitoru, who are they and what are they planning in the future? All of these answers will come together as the journey continues.}

To be continued

---

A/N: I'm sorry for the long wait, a combination of writer's block, being busy with other works and my co-writers schedules, but all of us were able to pull together and finish it, we added in more. The kids were completely defeated by Kaitoru who will appear at times in the story, Dusk almost had a near death experience and is questioning if she was really ready to leave and even with all her training she was still defeated. Will they be able to recover from this defeat? You'll have to wait and see.

A/N Sandshrew Master: have to apologize for how long this took. Hopefully waiting will prove to be worth it for you all. This is probably the best example of one of the bigger changes that will happen in the story currently.

A/N SkylanderZilla: As the author stated , it was a combination of many things that prevented us from finishing this chapter but eventually we managed to finished it, also we're planning to include pokemon from other regions as you've witnessed here