"You really know how to talk. So then, Miss Cynthia—what exactly is the right direction?"
Lucas's lips curled into a faint smile as he looked with keen interest at Cynthia's beautiful face.
"This world belongs to everyone—Pokémon, humans, nature. Everything relies on everyone working together to maintain it."
"No one wants to see a catastrophe fall upon the peaceful world we live in now—especially not one caused by human hands."
Cynthia's eyes locked firmly onto Lucas's. She believed that the man before her could understand what she meant.
From Cynthia's perspective, the world today was already a wonderful place. Most people had achieved genuine happiness.
But there would always be insatiable ambitious individuals—those who, in order to satisfy their own desires, would recklessly disrupt the existing order and sow chaos.
"But that's just your personal perspective," Lucas replied calmly. "Humans are the most complex creatures. If everyone were the same, that in itself would be a sign that something is wrong with the world."
"I can understand your desire to pursue happiness and peace for the people, Miss Cynthia—after all, you're the Champion of the Sinnoh League. That's your duty."
"But wherever there is light, there must also be shadow. If a world only has what we call 'good,' then what would be the definition of 'evil'?"
A faint smile rose to Lucas's face. Indeed, if a world contained only truth, beauty, and goodness—would that truly be a world filled with happiness?
No one could say for sure.
"You mean to say… that the existence of evil is natural and justified?"
Cynthia furrowed her delicate brows. This was the first time she had ever heard such a claim—how utterly absurd.
"The human heart is the most complicated thing. One's thoughts and desires are endless."
"The pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness is a natural tendency for most people. But there is always a small portion who want to chase after their own essence—their truest selves."
"That can't be eradicated."
Lucas shook his head. How could the darkness within people's hearts ever be completely eliminated?
What—was he supposed to be a saint?
"You're just arguing for the sake of arguing," Cynthia retorted, her brows furrowing deeper. With her kind nature, she truly found it hard to accept what Lucas was saying.
To Lucas, it was natural for people to desire good things. But was it also natural for others to pursue profit and ambition, regardless of the cost?
"No, no, Miss Cynthia, please don't misunderstand. I'm not trying to convince you of my views. I simply want to tell you something."
Lucas raised an index finger and waved it gently in front of her, the ghost of a smile dancing on his handsome face.
"Everyone has things they can and cannot do. Understanding this is very important. So, if one day in the future you find yourself overwhelmed and powerless… please, still try to keep going."
Those words, spoken with a smile, fell into Cynthia's ears—and stunned her into silence.
This sentence…
Wasn't this exactly what she had once said to Caitlin?
Instinctively, Cynthia turned her head toward her dear friend.
Caitlin's flawless and delicate face wore a similarly strange expression. Her beautiful eyes stared curiously at Lucas.
That sentence—she had mentioned it to Lucas just the night before. It was something Cynthia had said to Caitlin back when the latter had been caught in a spiral of obsession and needed guidance.
And now, not even a day later, Lucas had turned it around and said it right back to Cynthia…
"Mr. Lucas, you clearly have your own set of beliefs. I hope that the next time we meet, we won't be enemies."
Skipping past that strange little exchange, Cynthia took a slow breath and addressed Lucas with solemnity.
After this short conversation, Cynthia understood one thing very clearly—this man's worldview was fundamentally different from her own.
Or rather, it differed entirely from that of most people.
In Lucas's eyes, the world held no absolute good, nor any absolute evil. The world was a place where light and shadow coexisted.
Most people longed for goodness and happiness—but Lucas was not most people.
What left Cynthia most speechless, however, was the simple truth that Lucas currently stood in the camp of evil.
He was a member of Team Rocket!
"I would actually love the chance to battle you someday, Miss Cynthia. You're the first female Champion in League history—surely that would be interesting."
Lucas grinned slightly, looking at Cynthia with a smile.
Cynthia remained silent. After seeing Lucas's power today, she knew in her heart she didn't want to be his enemy.
But regardless of what she wanted—she was the Sinnoh Champion. When the time came, she would never back down.
Not even if the opponent was a legendary trainer.
"No matter what, thank you for today."
After a brief pause, Cynthia gave Lucas a sincere word of thanks.
Right and wrong aside—Lucas had defeated Cyrus and captured him. That alone was a contribution.
Whatever the reason, the result was that Cyrus had been caught. That was enough.
It had eliminated a potential long-term threat to the Sinnoh region.
With that, Cynthia turned and walked toward Cyrus and the others. Caitlin gave Lucas a long, deep look before following Cynthia. League security had already arrived by then.
"What a fascinating Champion," Marnie remarked with interest, watching Cynthia's departing figure. "She didn't even try to fight you outright."
She couldn't understand it—how could the Sinnoh Champion stand face to face with a Team Rocket member and debate instead of battling?
Sheena and Kevin remained silent, pretending they had seen and heard nothing.
After all… one of them was the Sinnoh Champion who had helped them; the other was their strongest future ally against Arceus.
Which side could they possibly choose?
"Cynthia thinks far deeper than you give her credit for. She's truly a remarkable person."
Lucas smiled. Was it really strange that Cynthia didn't attack him?
She wasn't some hot-blooded shonen protagonist. She was mature, rational, and composed—and she could perfectly analyze the situation at hand and make the most appropriate decision.
After witnessing the battle between Eternatus and Dialga, Cynthia was certain she couldn't defeat Lucas.
Even with League reinforcements on the way—it wouldn't have made a difference.
Moreover, while Lucas was part of Team Rocket, everything he had done today had helped the Sinnoh League defeat Team Galactic.
So if someone was smart, they'd know what choice to make.
"Miss Sheena, I'll leave the Jewel of Life to you to find."
Refocusing his thoughts, Lucas turned to Sheena with a smile. Now that the Jewel of Life's location was known, it was only a matter of time before it was found.
And indeed, two days later, Sheena found the real Jewel of Life—hidden within a scepter.
Once Lucas received it, he bid farewell to Sheena and Kevin. It was time for him to return to Indigo.
A day later, Lucas and Marnie landed in Goldenrod City, Johto Region, via airplane.
Goldenrod City—Johto's largest metropolis and economic center—could almost rival Celadon City in Kanto in terms of prosperity.
It was also the site of Team Rocket's Johto headquarters—deep beneath the city.
If nothing had gone wrong, Carr and the others should currently be in Goldenrod.
However, Lucas had no time to look for that kid right now. After landing, he and Marnie had a meal at a local restaurant and rested briefly.
Then, the two took to the skies on Dragonair, heading straight for Mahogany Town.
"You wait here for me. I've got something to take care of—I'll be back tonight."
By the time they reached Mahogany, dusk was settling in. Lucas arranged for Marnie to stay at a local inn and spoke to her with a smile.
"Alright, go handle your business. I'll take a stroll around the town."
Knowing he had something important to do, Marnie nodded understandingly. Besides, it was her first time in Johto—this new town was interesting to her.
Out in the outskirts of Mahogany, Lucas didn't rush. Instead, he walked slowly in a certain direction.
"The Jewel of Life… a gem that holds the miraculous power to restore all living things."
Lucas took out the Jewel of Life, gazing at the beautiful green gem that pulsed with a wondrous glow.
He had studied it alone at night after obtaining it, but hadn't been able to figure out anything new.
"Eternatus—do you have a way to restore the Jewel of Life back into the form of the original stone plates?"
He asked mentally, speaking to Eternatus in his heart.
He had no use for the Jewel of Life itself. What he needed were the Creation Plates!
Especially since one of the plates used to forge the Jewel of Life… was a Dragon Plate!
"That's not difficult," came Eternatus's deep voice in his mind.
With a click, the Heavy Ball opened, and Eternatus's massive and majestic form appeared in the sky.
A thin red beam of energy shot out from Eternatus's chest and struck the Jewel of Life directly.
"This object was forged from five elemental powers. All it takes is to disrupt that balance, and they'll return to their original forms."
Eternatus explained.
And sure enough, as Eternatus finished speaking, the Jewel of Life began to radiate a dazzling white light.
Bathed in that brilliance, the Jewel of Life slowly disassembled.
Five glowing stone plates floated silently in front of Lucas.
What he felt from them was mystery, ancientness, and boundless power.
"The Earth Plate for Ground-type, the Water Drop Plate for Water-type, the Lightning Plate for Electric-type, the Emerald Plate for Grass-type… and the Dragon Plate for Dragon-type!"
Gazing at the five quiet, profound plates floating before him, Lucas couldn't suppress the joy spreading across his face.
These were the Creation Plates of Arceus!
"These plates truly contain astonishing elemental rule energy."
Eternatus slightly lowered its head, the glowing white pupils of its dragon-like eyes staring deeply at the five plates.
Each of Arceus's plates represented a fundamental rule of the world's elemental system. The plates themselves were fragments born at the dawn of creation.
They later fused into Arceus, becoming the source of its life force.
"The Ground Plate can go to Rhyperior for now. The Water, Grass, and Electric Plates—I'll keep those for later."
"As for the Dragon Plate…"
Lucas released Rhyperior. The poor Pokémon had no idea what was going on and was completely confused as it caught the Ground Plate Lucas shoved into its arms.
"The elemental power within these plates provides incredible benefits to Pokémon. Eternatus—do you want the Dragon Plate?"
Lucas placed the remaining three plates into his dimensional backpack and looked at the final Dragon Plate, asking Eternatus directly.
Ah yes—his old, well-practiced method of splitting the loot.
"…The Dragon Plate holds an immense amount of draconic energy. If I can comprehend it, it would certainly help me. But…"
Eternatus's dragon eyes were locked firmly on the Dragon Plate. Even a creature that normally only cared about raw energy couldn't resist the allure of a Creation Plate.
Especially one that brimmed with vast and boundless dragon energy.
However…
This was one of Arceus's stone plates!
"Lucas… are you sure this is okay?"
Eternatus felt a little uneasy. They were just casually dividing up Arceus's divine plates like it was nothing?
What if Arceus showed up one day?
That guy wasn't in the same league as Zacian, the so-called Sword King, or anyone else…
"Relax, relax. We're just holding on to them for Arceus. If it's about to wake up, Dialga will contact me."
Lucas flashed a bright smile and waved his hand nonchalantly.
Yep—they were just safekeeping the plates for Arceus!
Once the llama woke up, they'd give them back. Until then, why not use them a bit?
After all, they were caretakers—it only made sense to collect a little "interest," right?
Eternatus: …If it weren't for you, that Jewel of Life would still be sitting peacefully, sealed away in the Michina Temple, untouched.
But Eternatus didn't say anything more. A red light enveloped the Dragon Plate, and it slowly floated into Eternatus's body.
As the dragon energy surged through it, Eternatus's glowing eyes lit up with exhilaration.
This power… was deliciously good.
"Grass, Water, Electric… sigh… Why couldn't it have been Rock, Dark, Psychic, or Fairy?"
Recalling Eternatus, Lucas sighed regretfully. These plates weren't useful for any of his current Pokémon.
"If only I could get more Dragon Plates… maybe I could try splitting it in half?"
"…Forget it. The llama might actually go berserk if I tried that."
After a moment of temptation, Lucas ultimately gave up the idea. He had no desire to be mercifully annihilated by the llama.
(End of Chapter)