While Ash, and the others were in the Historic Research Center; members of Team Galactic are at the Celestic Ruins.
Several grunts of Team Galactic have been placing explosives on several places in the ruins, and then called to a red-haired member of the Team Galactic to deliver the news.
"G2, roger that." The red-haired woman spoke though the communication device.
XXX
The two man dressed in the police uniforms arrived in front of one of the rooms in the Research Center. The door of the room was guarded by two other policeman, and Growlithe.
"Attention, your shift if complete. Dismissed." The brown and yellow haired man said, with a salute.
"Understood, sir!" One of the two guards said, before he, and the other, as well as Growlithe walked away.
"Now, how do we get there?" The younger man asked the older.
"We wait until the coast is clear," the older man said with a smile on his face. His voice was soft, and smooth.
A voice of Officer Jenny spoke behind them, and the two immediately stood in front of the door, to act as guards, and not draw attention.
"Due to our heightened security, I'm afraid I can't let you stay very long." Officer Jenny said to Ash's group, as they were walking down the hallway.
"We know, and understand." Carolina said.
"Anything unusual to report?" Jenny asked the two 'guards'.
"No, Officer," the older man said smoothly. "Everything's in order."
"I'll open the door, then," Jenny said. "But you Officers, keep a sharp eye."
"Yes, ma'am!" Both 'guards' said at the same time.
Caroline walked forward and inserted an entry card into a slot next to the door. Then she placed her right palm on the small palm reader screen. The door opened right after her palm was scanned,
Once the door opened, everyone saw a Lustrous Orb placed inside of a glass box in the middle of the room.
"Amazing how it has a strange glow." Dawn commented.
"Its beauty is timeless," Cyrus added his own comment, while smiling happily.
The two 'guards' also turned around, and looked at the orb with interest, and wonder. "Now that… is a treasure." The older of the two said, while smiling sinisterly.
"It sure is." The younger one agreed. "It's going to be hard to get it, though. With all these people here, and one of them being a Sinnoh Champion."
"It's not her I'm worried about," the older man said with a frown on his face. "I'm worried about that kid in white cloths."
"Why," the younger asked? "He looks just like any regular trainer."
"I know him." The older man said, and then went quiet. He didn't say how he knows Ash, or from where. The younger one didn't ask, but now he was very interested about Ash, and why would his partner be worried about him.
The group came close to the Lustrous Orb, and stood in front of its container. They didn't open it, though, and just looked at the orb through the glass box.
"Tell us, what you feel." Cyrus said.
Ash and Dawn looked carefully at the orb, wondering if they will fell something. After a few moments, Dawn sighed, and said that she doesn't feel anything.
"Impossible," Cyrus yelled! "You are not looking carefully enough!"
"Now, now Cyrus," Carolina said. "No reason to be upset. Remember, they are only looking at it for the first time."
Ash cast a narrow-eyed look at Cyrus, but said nothing. He did feel something from the orb, he just didn't say it.
"Sorry about my outburst," Cyrus apologized. "But when I'm standing in front of this treasure, it's hard to stay calm. You see, the Lustrous Orb is supposed to be directly connected to the dawn of time."
"You study that, right?" Dawn asked.
"Cyrus has recently taken up an investigation on many myths that relate to the beginnings of time, and our world." Caroline said.
"Cynthia, aren't you doing that as well?" Lillie asked.
"Yes, I do." Cynthia said.
"You see, the Sinnoh Region is said to have originated with Mount Coronet," Cyrus said. "Just try imagining the beginning of the world. A time of no war. A brand new paradise of peace."
Cyrus seemed to be enjoying himself a lot while talking about this.
"There you go again, Cyrus," Carolina spoke while smiling. "Our Cyrus is a real peacemaker, through and through."
Cyrus looked at the watch on his arm, and saw a countdown to something, with only 15 seconds left to it. "If you don't mind," he said. "I would like to hear more of what happened at those lakes."
XXX
Outside at the Celestic Ruins, a swarm of Golbat was released by Team Galactic, while a red-haired woman held a switch of some kind in her right hand. "Begin Phase 2." She said, as she pressed the button, which caused explosions all around the ruins, and brought the ancient pillars down to the ground in a pile of rubble.
The explosions also shocked the nearby Research Center, thus it was felt and heard by those inside.
"Phase 2 complete," the red-haired female member of Team Galactic spoke. "Moving now."
Officer Jenny was immediately informed of the explosion, and that the area has been overcome with Golbat.
This was also heard by Ash, and the others, as well as the two 'guards' who were standing in front of the room with the Lustrous Orb.
"That must be Team Galactic." Ash said.
Officer Jenny started to give orders though a Walkie-talkie, while Carolina tried to close the door of the room, but she was unsuccessful.
"What happened?" Ash asked when he heard the sound of buzzing coming from the computer.
"The door doesn't seem to want to close." Carolina said.
"How is that possible?" Jenny asked. Before she could get an answer, a male voice spoke through a Walkie-talkie. "The Research facility security system has been taken over. We completely lost control!"
"That means we won't be able to protect the Lustrous Orb." Jenny said with an angry tone of voice.
"Then we need to move it somewhere else." Cynthia suggested, while Ash said that they will all help.
"We are lucky to have you all here," Jenny said to Ash. "Just like we were lucky to have you in Veilstone City. So, are you ready to go?" Everyone nodded.
"What about the two of you?" Jenny asked the two 'guards'.
"Yes ma'am!" They both saluted.
XXX
Saturn, along with a bunch of Team Galactic grunts, and their Pokémon, made a landing on top of the Research Center. There, they have surrounded the police officers, who didn't know what's going on, or what to do.
XXX
Inside the research center, two unknowns disguised as police officers, were pushing the cart containing the Lustrous Orb inside of its glass container. They were both followed by Ash, Lille, Dawn, Cynthia, Carolina, and Cyrus.
Suddenly, Ash's Croagunk made a surprising appearance when he came out of his Poke Ball, without Ash calling him.
Ash saw this, and found it strange. "What's going on, Croagunk?" Ash asked his Pokémon, as he and everyone else stopped running.
"Enemy." Croagunk said, before he run away.
Only Ash understood him, and narrowed his eyes. "He's sensing some enemy," Ash said to the others. "Though I don't know why he went after them."
"Are you going to go with him?" Cynthia asked.
"No," Ash said as he took on of his Poke Balls, and released his Gardevoir. "Keep an eye on Croagunk," Ash said to her. "For some reason, he went all alone after some enemy."
Gardevoir nodded, and then disappeared.
"We can continue, now." Ash said to the others, so they all continued to run through the hallway.
As soon as they arrived in the main entry to the Research Center, they saw Saturn with several grunts, standing there. There were also a bunch of Golbat flying above them, as well as a single Bronzor.
Cyrus made a head-motion toward Saturn, who only smiled. "How about handing over the Lustrous Orb." Saturn said to the group, as he stretched his hand forward.
"Destroying the ruins was nothing but a diversionary tactic to weaken out defenses," Cynthia said angrily. "Am I right?"
"You are right," Saturn said. "But you should really be more concerned about what's happening now, and not what has already happened. The truth is, Bronzor has put all of your security forces outside of this facility to sleep. And right about now, Toxicroak should be taking good care of everyone on the inside."
"Toxicroak," Ash muttered out, before he understood what's going on with his Croagunk. As Toxicroak is Croagunk' evolved form, he has most likely been able to sense it, and sees it as his enemy.
The question is, can his Croagunk defeat Toxicroak? He is relatively new of Ash's Pokémon, and hasn't been trained that much.
"You are now witnessing what is but a tiny part of Team Galactic's brilliant plan." Saturn said.
"You must be joking," Ash suddenly said to Saturn, drawing his, and everyone else's attention on himself. "Do you really think that you can take on all of us?"
"We outnumber you," Saturn said with a smile. "By a lot."
Ash scoffed. "You are all nothing," he said, surprising everyone with the insult. Especially those that don't know him that well. "Even if there is a thousand of you, you would still be nothing."
"I'll make you eat those words!" Saturn got angry, and then told his Bronzor to use Hypnosis.
Cynthia quickly released her Garchomp, and told it to use Brick Break. The large Dragon Type flew out of her Poke Ball, and struck Bronzor before it could even use its attack.
Saturn growled, before he returned his Pokémon. "Well done," he said. "You've definitely earned the title of Champion."
Cynthia told Officer Jenny, Carolina and Cyrus to make sure the Orb is safe, while she, Ash, Lillie and Dawn will take care of Team Galactic members.
"I hope you'll forgive me for professor, as this is all because of my idea." Cyrus apologized to Carolina.
"Don't worry, Cyrus," Carolina said. "My granddaughter and her friends will take care of everything."
They were about to turn around and run away, but they were intercepted by a red-haired woman from Team Galactic, along with even more grunts.
This means that now they are all surrounded.
"We are surrounded." Jenny stated the obvious.
Suddenly, and glass on the ceiling broke, and Toxicroak fell through it. Its body flew, and fell right in front of Saturn, who looked at his Pokémon in shock.
Gardevoir appeared in front of Ash right after, and she was carrying an unconscious Croagunk.
Ash sighed as he saw his defeated Pokémon. He knew that Croagunk was not ready to battle against a Pokémon like Toxicroak. He then returned his defeated Pokémon in his Poke Ball, and then spoke to Gardevoir. "Thank you for watching over him."
Gardevoir nodded, before she looked toward the enemies. She immediately saw that Toxicroak has gotten up, and was now standing next to Saturn.
"Ok, I did not expect that," Saturn said with a frown. "But this doesn't change anything. We still outnumber you, and outgun you, so you'd better give us the Lustrous Orb, before this gets out of hand."
"You aren't getting anything!" Cynthia yelled, as she released her Gastrodon.
Gastrodon came out of its Poke Ball, and stood right next to Cynthia's Garchomp. Ash's Gardevoir was on Garchomp's other side, while Piplup was also there somewhere.
Cynthia started the attack with her Gastrodon using Stone Edge. The attack demolished a large number of Golbat, who had no way of escaping their fate.
"That was pathetic," Carolina said to the red-haired Galactic Member. "Now move out of the way before we make you!"
The woman flinched slightly, and wondered what to do. She didn't move, though. She stood right where she was.
"I really don't like showing off, but I guess I don't have a choice," Saturn said. "The burden of great power."
"Oh, please," Cynthia spoke. "I'm just fine with showing off."
"You should be showing off if you have the skill to," Ash said, while smiling. "On the other hand, there are those that have skill, but don't like to show off… until they are forced to." Ash's eyes glowed for a moment, before he ordered his Gardevoir to use Disarming Voice.
The sound based attacked took down about 70% of all Golbat in the hall, much to the shock of Team Galactic Members.
Gardevoir followed up with Dazzling Gleam, another of her Fairy Type attacks. The rainbow-colored shine which covered Gardevoir, extended from her body, and went toward Toxicroak.
Saturn reacted quickly, as his Toxicroak countered Gardevoir's attack with Dark Pulse. The two attacks ended up causing an explosion. The explosion also started the full on battle, as the red-haired woman form Team Galactic released her own Pokémon, Purugly, which is an evolved form of Glameow.
With the red-hair coming into battle, Cynthia attacked her Pokémon, while Lillie, and Dawn attacked the few remaining Golbat.
In less than a minute, the whole entrance hall of the Research Center was covered in thick smoke caused by the explosions from the battles, and barely anything could be seen.
Barely, doesn't mean nothing, as Officer Jenny noticed the two Police Officers slowly moving away from the battle. "Hold on," she spoke. "Where are you two going?"
The two man stopped, and turned around.
By then, the smoke has cleared up, and everyone was able to see what's going on. They were all able to see the Lustrous Orb in the hands of one of the policeman.
"What are you doing with the orb?" Carolina asked.
Seeing that they are caught, and that they can't make a sneaky run as they planned, the older of the two man, spoke. "Naturally, we are doing what we came here to do." He spoke with a smooth voice, and with a disturbing looking smile on his face. The smile sent chills down the spines of all the woman, and young girls in the hall.
"And what would that be?" Cynthia asked.
"We came to steal the Lustrous Orb, of course." The man said with such freshness in his voice that he sounded as if he's talking about weather, and not admitting to a serious crime in front of a bunch of people, including the Officer Jenny.
"You can't be serious," Carolina said! "You plan to steal a national treasure! Why? How do you even plan to get away from here with all of us after you?"
"Oh, but I am very serious," The man said. "I honestly don't know why Team Galactic wants the orb, nor do I really care. But, we are business man. We take, and then sell. That's our plan, and that's what we will do. Anyone wanting to get their hands on the orb, can do that but only AFTER, they pay."
"You are nothing but a bunch of thieves!" Lillie yelled at the man, who looked her directly in the eyes, with a smirk on his face. At that moment, Lillie felt like someone has just walked over her grave.
"We are more than just simple thieves," the other man said. "We are artists, who get their hands on the impossible, and get money for it."
Everyone growled at that, but none said anything.
The first one to speak, was the thief. "Well, this was fun, but we are on the schedule. We have the orb, and if you want it back, you will pay for it… and that goes for both sides." He looked at Saturn, but also toward Caroline.
The two man started to walk toward the door, the Lustrous orb in the hands of the younger man, while the older spoke. "If you try to stop us, or follow us… do keep in mind that there are other stuff we can steal and sell, while there is only one Lustrous Orb. It would be such a shame if we… drop it… in the middle of your pursuit."
Everyone growled at this, but none dared to do anything.
Saturn looked toward Cyrus, who nodded his head, so the blue-haired member of Team Galactic, moved to the side, allowing the thieves free pass toward the exit. "I think you should leave." Saturn said to the two man, much the shock of Ash's, and Cynthia's group.
"Ash, why aren't you stopping them?" Cynthia whispered to Ash, who was so angry right now, that his eyes are changing their color back and forth.
He gritted his teeth, and spoke quietly. "I can only stop them with my powers," he said. "But I don't want to reveal my powers to Team Galactic. Not just yet. I need to know their true goal first, and then stop them with what they are not expecting."
Cynthia didn't like it, but she understood his point.
That being said, she can't allow the Lustrous Orb to just be taken away. Technically, they can buy it back, but she didn't want to finance criminal group of unknown origin, and goals.
The thieves run through the exit, and disappeared, leaving the others behind.
Saturn snapped his fingers, and several remaining Golbat flew around and left the Research Center through the windows, breaking them in the process. At the same time, all members of Team Galactic disappeared as well.
"Where have they gone?" Jenny asked.
"Probably going after the Lustrous Orb." Cyrus said.
"What are we going to do now?" Dawn asked.
"We find them." Ash said, before he released his Staravia. "Two man dressed in Police uniforms took the Lustrous Orb… Find them."
Staravia nodded, before she flew through the broken window at the ceiling.
Cynthia also sent her Garchomp to search. She figured, two Pokémon are better than one.
At the same time, Officer Jenny run out of the Research Center, in order to do her own searching for the thieves, and the Lustrous Orb.
"Cyrus, I'm so sorry that your visit had to turn out like this." Cynthia apologized to Cyrus.
"Don't be," Cyrus said. "It's my fault as I asked to see the orb. Please, forgive me."
Carolina then came, and said that it was in fact, her fault.
At that point, Ash got annoyed, as they were wasting time blaming each other, when they could be searching for the orb.
"Stop with this nonsense," Ash said to Cynthia, Cyrus, and Carolina. "It's Team Galactic's fault, as well as those thieves. As such, you shouldn't waste time with crap, and go search for the orb."
Everyone was surprised by Ash's words, and his anger. None dared to talk back to him, though. Cynthia, Dawn, and Lillie because they knew him well, and knew that talking back to Ash isn't something anyone should do; while Cyrus and Carolina didn't because they knew he was actually right, well, partly right on Cyrus's case, as it was his fault for all the crap that happened.
XXX
On the hill outside of the Celestic Town, a purple haired member of Team Galactic, along with two grunts, were a backup in case if something went wrong. They are currently using the Spear Key, which they obtained in Solaceon Ruins, to search for the Lustrous Orb.
It took them a few moments, but finally, they had a general direction on where the Lustrous Orb is.
XXX
The two thieves were currently in one of the Celestic Town back alleys. They were hiding from the army of police officers which have overrun the Town, and thus, they are unable to leave it.
"What are we going to do now, Koichi?" The younger man asked.
By now, the two have discarded the police uniforms, and are wearing their normal clothing. So technically, they could try to get away, as the police doesn't actually know a lot about their looks. Still, getting away through this many police officers, and with the orb in the backpack the younger guy is carrying, would be really hard.
Right now, the younger man is wearing a black pants, black shoes, white shirt, over which he wears a purple high-collared sweater which is unzipped near the top. Finally, he has a black jacket, which is also unzipped. He carries a black backpack over his right shoulder. He looks like an 18, maybe 19 year old student, in good physical shape.
The older male, whose name is now revealed to be Koichi, wears a black pinstripe suit. Inside the suit, he wears a white dress shirt along with a yellow tie. He also wears black-framed glasses and brown dress shoes. His outwardly appearance is that of a fragile man, though it's said that looks can be deceiving, and in this case, they most certainly are.
"Relax, Tsunoda," Koichi said. "We might have some problems, but we will get away from here. Trust me."
"I hope you are right," Tsunoda said. "Because prison isn't really on the list of places I want to visit."
"No one is going to prison," Koichi said with narrowed eyes. "The only place we will be going is to reunite with our brothers and sister. And once we reunite with them, we will be able to celebrate this big success. Keep that in mind. It will help you relax, as I know you love those celebrations.
Tsunoda most certainly did like those celebrations.
Neither of the two of them noticed a Golbat, and Staravia look at them from high in the air, though they did notice the Celestic Ruins behind the alley they were currently hiding at.
XXX
Carolina and Cyrus arrived at the Celestic Ruins, and saw the part of it which was destroyed by the Team Galactic. Carolina wondered in shock how they could've done something like this to such a historical sight. It was the worst crime they could have committed… at least in her opinion.
Cyrus looked at the sky, and noticed one of the Team Galactic Golbat flying away. He wondered if it has found something.
XXX
Ash, Lillie, Dawn, and Cynthia were in the Pokémon Center, waiting for the news from Ash's Staravia, or Cynthia's Garchomp. The news can be either about Team Galactic, or the thieves, it didn't matter. All that matters is that they find the Lustrous Orb.
The stay at the Pokémon Center, has also allowed Ash to leave his Croagunk treated by the Nurse Joy.
As they were seating, and waiting, Staravia flew next to the window. This was noticed by everyone, and they run outside to see who she has found.
Staravia landed on the ground in front of Ash and the girls, and said. "I found the thieves. The thing is, I saw one of the Golbat flying around there, and I'm sure that it has seen them as well."
"Which means that Team Galactic knows where they are." Ash said, before he looked at the girls, and told them the news.
"Great Job, Staravia," Ash said to his Flying Type Pokémon. "Now, lead the way."
XXX
At the Celestic Ruins, there is a fresco, just like the one Ash and the girls saw earlier in the Research Center. The only difference about that room in the Research Center, and the one at the ruins, is that there are statues of Dialga, and Palkia at the side of the fresco in the ruins.
Cyrus and Caroline walked up to the fresco in the ruins, as Carolina spoke. "I guess that we should be grateful that the fresco is still here, and undamaged."
They both noticed movement behind one of the pillars, and Cyrus called those hiding to come out.
Tsunoda and Koichi came out, and stood several meters in front of Cyrus, and Carolina.
Several members of Team Galactic, led by the red-haired woman, came in front of the ruins, and put to sleep all the police guards.
At the same time, Ash and the girls were driving in a jeep, while Staravia, and Cynthia's Garchomp were flying above them. They were heading toward the Research Center, and the Ruins.
Cynthia, and Ash sent Garchomp and Staravia ahead to make sure that the thieves don't get away, but also to make sure that Team Galactic doesn't get their hands on the Lustrous Orb, in the case they reach the thieves before Ash and the girls do.
Dawn's Piplup jumped at Staravia's back, as he also wanted to go and help.
XXX
The red-hair, her Purugly, Bronzor, and four grunts ran into the ruins, and stood across from Tsunoda, Koichi, Cyrus, and Carolina.
"How the hell did you find us?" Koichi asked, looking mad as all hell. Tsunoda on the other hand, looked scared.
"You have what we want," the red-hair said. "As such, we will find you in hell if necessary."
This shocked the two thieves.
"We've know where the orb was the whole time," the red-hair spoke. "To be totally honest, we should thank you, as your efforts to escape with the orb, made our job much easier."
"You've got to be kidding me," Tsunoda yelled! "We got used by these… weird-haired freaks, wearing ridiculous cloths."
The woman ordered her Purugly and Bronzor to attack the thieves, but before they could, they were struck down by Cynthia's Garchomp.
Garchomp, and Staravia landed in between the thieves, and Team Galactic members, and stood there, while Piplup jumped next to them. All three glared at the Team Galactic members.
"You beast," the red-hair yelled at Garchomp! "You can't do that to my Pokémon."
Ash and the girls run in, and saw members of Team Galactic, as well as everyone else who was currently at the ruins.
Tsunoda took the backpack from his shoulder, and opened it, revealing the Lustrous Orb inside it. This brought everyone's attention on him, and his partner.
"You seem to care a lot about this orb," Koichi spoke, no longer fuming in anger, but instead smiling. "We on the other hand, only see it as a payday. So… what is it that you want? Do you want us to destroy the orb… or will you let us go, and this time… not pursue us."
"Ash… Cynthia, what are we going to do now?" Dawn asked.
"They are actually so desperate, and uncaring for the orb, that they might actually destroy it!" Carolina yelled.
Cyrus grew really mad at the thought of the Lustrous Orb being destroyed, that he yelled out. "Don't you know how important Lustrous Orb is? IDIOTS!"
Koichi and Tsunoda actually flinched and backed away a little.
Everyone else looked weirdly at Cyrus, while Ash narrowed his eyes at the man… not that Cyrus realized that he now has Ash's attention, and interest.
"YOU, look behind you," Cyrus continued to yell at the two thieves, who turned around to look at the fresco Cyrus pointed at. "I trust that you fools know that the Adamant and Lustrous Orbs bring great power to Dialga, and Palkia. But it is when the orbs are combined together with the three Lake Guardians that their full power emerges. To put it in simple terms EVEN YOU CAN UNDERSTND, the three guardians, plus the two orbs will gloriously bring forth nothing less than LEGENDS!"
Cyrus laughed like a maniac, not noticed the looks the other were giving him. Ash was actually reconsidering his promise to Lillie. There is something strange about Cyrus's acting, and Ash wants to know what the man is really after.
"Calm down, Cyrus." Carolina said.
"Don't you see that those vermin will shatter the orb unless we do something," Cyrus yelled! "I refuse to let that happen!"
Tsunoda, and Koichi actually seemed scared of Cyrus. Tsunoda more than Koichi.
"I'm sorry if I seem so UPSET, but when the stakes are this high, our strongest weapon is the truth!" Cyrus said. "Listen to me carefully. The Adamant Orb, is Dialga, while the Lustrous Orb is Palkia!
"THE ORBS WILL BRING THEM TO THIS WORLD!"
As Cyrus screamed to heavens, the flock of Golbat attacked the two thieves, making them crunch down, and shield themselves.
Hundreds, and hundreds of Golbat were flying all over the place, and attacking everyone who isn't a member of Team Galactic.
Ash let out his Shinx, and along with Dawn's Piplup, and Cynthia's Garchomp, they started to bring down the number of Golbat. Still, there was a lot of them.
Suddenly, a Skuntank came out of nowhere, and attacked Tsunoda, and Koichi. It took the Lustrous Orb from them, and then jumped away from them.
Everyone noticed this, and before anyone could do anything, Skuntank used Hyper Beam on the two thieves, blowing them away into one of the walls of the Celestic Ruins.
Then, Skuntank run away toward its trainer, a purple haired member of the Team Galactic. She pated her Pokémon, and congratulated him on a job well done. Then, she took the orb.
"We need to get that orb back." Cynthia said before she, and Carolina started to run after the Team Galactic, who have all started to leave the ruins. Lillie and Dawn run with them.
All four noticed that Cyrus and Ash didn't move, and stopped to look at them for a moment.
"I'm sorry, Lillie," Ash suddenly apologized, to everyone confusion. Why was he apologizing? "I broke my promise."
"W-What promise, Ash?" Lillie asked.
"Remember what I promised you after I told you THAT about Gardenia?" Ash questioned.
Lillie's eyes widened for a moment, before she looked at Ash, and then for some reason at Cyrus. She had a feeling, but she didn't say anything. She just turned around, and run after the Team Galactic.
Cynthia, Dawn, and Carolina were curious, but decided to leave the questions for later, and focus on stopping Team Galactic of escaping with the Lustrous Orb.
Once everyone left, and only Ash and Cyrus were left in the ruins, Ash looked at Cyrus, and sighed.
"You weren't entirely right, you know," Ash said, making Cyrus look at him with curiosity.
"About what?" Cyrus asked. He didn't like the way Ash was suddenly acting. He found it… strange. It was as if he knew, or at least suspected something.
"About the Adamant and Lustrous Orbs being Dialga, and Palkia," Ash said, and Cyrus's eyes widened at that. "You are right that you can use the orbs, along with the Lake Guardians to summon them. On top of that, the orb will empower some of their attacks. Beyond that… the orbs are worthless.
"That being said… what are you planning, Cyrus?" Ash asked.
"What are you talking about?" Cyrus asked, but he was sure now that Ash knows something. He just doesn't know what he knows, and how he knows it.
Ash narrowed his eyes. "You should have acted better, you know," Ash said, much to Cyrus's confusion. "If you did, instead of letting yourself go earlier with your laugh, and explanations, you would have gotten away with your play. I also wouldn't have had to break my promise."
"I don't understand you." Cyrus said.
"I know that you are a leader of Team Galactic," Ash said, and Cyrus was so shocked, he actually backed away a little. He noticed the look, and glow in Ash's eyes, and actually wanted to run away from him.
"How do you know that?" Cyrus asked.
"Not important," Ash said. He didn't want to reveal his powers to Cyrus. Not just yet. "What is important is that I know. I also think that I know why you want to summon Dialga, and Palkia. Yet at the same time… I don't understand, why?"
"You know nothing." Cyrus growled at Ash. He knew that it was useless to act now. Somehow, Ash knew the truth. He really did want to know, how?
"Perhaps," Ash sighed. "But let me tell you this. With Dialga, and Palkia you can create a universe… but it will be completely empty of life, as they can't create life."
Ash then turned around, and walked away. He did have parting words for Cyrus. "I can have you arrested right now," he spoke as he walked away. "But let say I'm curious to see what you will do. I want to see if you will be able to summon Dialga, and Palkia, and if you do… I will laugh at your face when you realize that I was right."
With that said, Ash was gone, leaving behind a very shocked looking Cyrus, who had no idea what just happened.
XXX
Later that evening, Ash, and the girls, along with Carolina, and the Officer Jenny were at the Pokémon Center.
Jenny was taking statements of what happened, and what can be done now that Team Galactic has gotten away with the Lustrous Orb, which means that now they have it, AND the Adamant Orb.
It is also revealed that Cyrus has already left, though Ash didn't tell anyone what he talked about with Cyrus, or the fact that the man is the leader of Team Galactic. He will reveal that to Cynthia, Dawn, and Lillie, but won't mention it to Carolina and Officer Jenny.
When they heard that Cyrus has already left, Carolina only assumed that he left because he felt bad because of what happened. It hasn't even crossed her mind that he had something to do with it.
As for Koichi, and Tsunoda, they were actually arrested, and had their asses thrown in jail, so at least they were taken care of.
Once Jenny left, followed by Carolina, Ash was left alone with the girls. Thus, it was time for them to gang up on him.
"Ok, Ash," Cynthia spoke, with Dawn, and Lillie standing next to her. Ash was opposite of them, looking with raised eyebrows at what seemed to be (it was), a ganging up – though not in the way he would have wanted. "Why didn't you do anything to stop everything that happened today? I know you could have. Also, what was up with you and Cyrus? Why did you stay behind with him?"
"My question is," Lillie spoke next. "Whose mind did you read?" She suspected it was Cyrus's, but she wanted a confirmation.
Ash looked at the girls for a few seconds with raised eyebrows, before he sighed. "I didn't do anything to stop today's happenings, for the same reason I didn't do much in Veilstone City. It was because I didn't want Team Galactic to know of my powers. That will give me the advantage when the time is right.
"For your question, Lillie. I red Cyrus's mind. I didn't do it at first, but I got interested after his… insane… laugh, and speech. I knew right away that something is wrong, and I had to read his mind.
"It's because of what I found out from reading his mind that I stayed behind to speak with Cyrus."
"What did you find out?" Cynthia asked.
"He's the leader of Team Galactic," Ash said, much to the shock of the three girls. They couldn't believe it. "He showed up today because we were there. He was to get the Orb out of the room, when Team Galactic attacks, and takes it. They weren't planning for those two to show up, and take the orb, but in the end it worked well for them, because they wouldn't be able to take the orb with all of us there to guard it.
"I guess they were really lucky, ha." Ash finished.
"Then why is Cyrus gone?" Dawn suddenly asked. "Why didn't you capture him, and hand him over to Officer Jenny?"
Ash sighed. "It's because I want to see what he will do now that he knows I know who he is. Also, I told him that with Dialga, and Palkia, he can create a new universe, but he can't create life. I didn't read his mind far enough to know why he wants a new world, but now that he knows that that world would be completely empty of life, he might change his mind, and stop whatever he is doing."
"And if he doesn't?" Cynthia asked.
"Well, then we will stop him," Ash said. "And in the event that he does summon Dialga, and Palkia, I already made sure that they can be stopped, as I got Giratina on my side."
"WHAT," Cynthia yelled? "When did that happen? And how did you even get to Giratina?"
Ash went and explained to her what happened at the Turnback Cave, and his conversation with Giratina. He skipped the part of his ancestry, just like he did when he explained to Dawn, Lillie, and May, of his deal with Giratina.
"You are playing a dangerous game, Ash," Cynthia said. "What you did with Giratina, and your decision to let Cyrus go. It was above reckless. It was a stupidity."
"No," Ash said. "It was a plan, and the desire to see what will happen." He saw the confused looks on the faces of his girls, so he continued. "Look, I'm not a good person, nor am I a bad one. I'm more on the… lighter side of gray. Even if I could, I wouldn't try to control everything that's happening in the world. I want to let others do their stuff, weather they are good, or bad.
"Do you understand that?
"I don't want to become someone who will control everything, and chose what others do. That would be taking away people's free will. If Cyrus wants to try and create a new world… then let him do it. He will see that I was right, and he was wrong. Once that happens, I will be there to laugh in his face, before I make sure that he suffers for his choices in life."
Cynthia, Lillie and Dawn looked at Ash, and didn't know what to think.
"So you let people make their choices without stopping them, and then when they make a bad choice… you punish them?" Cynthia questioned.
"Pretty much… yeah." Ash said. "Does that make me good, bad, or neutral?"
"I… I don't know." Cynthia said. Lillie and Dawn also didn't know.
"Regardless of what kind of person it makes me, I still believe it's better for me to be that way, then to interfere in people's life and choices," Ash said. "That might as well make me a tyrant, who takes away peoples free will.
"Do you agree?"
Cynthia, Lillie, and Dawn were quiet. They didn't know what to say. As such, they will have to think of all of this for some time.
XXX
The next morning, Ash, Lillie and Dawn have decided to leave the Celestic Town, and head back to Hearthome City.
It was while they were standing with Cynthia in front of the Pokémon Center that Cynthia found out that she has a new challenged for the title of the Sinnoh Champion. That means, that both she, and Ash have big battles ahead of them, though hers will be much harder, and infinitely more important than Ash's.
XXX
Tsunoda and Koichi are characters from High School of the Dead. Look them up to clearly see their appearance.