Cynthia's speed was indeed fast. After learning the news, she did not doubt Ash nor did she hesitate, but immediately vouched in her capacity as Champion to lead the team into action.
Despite this swift response, they barely managed to catch Cyrus, who had already erased all the intel.
This indicates that Cyrus was prepared in advance, and they still arrived a step too late.
Cynthia continued, "I had a battle with him. His strength is considerable, and the Pokemon he's cultivated are above Champion Level, but he had no intention of lingering in the fight."
"Just as I was gaining the upper hand, he tore open a space rift behind him. It's a technique I've never seen before, seemingly beyond the current capabilities of human technology."
Above Champion Level… In humanity, that represents the most elite group of Trainers. As the leader of Team Galactic, it's not surprising Cyrus would possess such level Pokemon.
And Cynthia also displayed her Champion prowess; even though the opponent had a whole lineup of Champion-level Pokemon, they were no match for her, as there are still differences among Champions.
Yet, he was unable to win and still managed to escape. Team Galactic certainly has plenty of tricks!
"In advance, I had my Psychic-type Pokemon seal the space of the entire villa. The Champion Peak Level Energy Barrier should prevent even Champion Peak Pokemon from using Teleport to break through."
"But that rift completely defied the space laws of this world, tearing through the seal. By the time my Pokemon caught up, the rift had disappeared without a trace."
Cynthia's voice slowly echoed back in the laboratory, and when Ash heard Cynthia mention the word 'rift', he had already guessed that it must be related to Giratina's power.
While Giratina was under Cyrus's control, Cyrus used Team Galactic's technology to extract a lot of Giratina's power, thereby creating various strange gadgets that traverse space.
Like today in the Crystal Tower, the two from Team Galactic used Giratina's power to tear open space when they left, preventing even Mewtwo and Rayquaza from stopping them.
Although this was because time was somewhat pressing, it also shows that Team Galactic has created quite the monstrous tools using Giratina's power.
"Indeed, a sly fox with many den escapes. Someone like Cyrus probably planned his escape route since the day Team Galactic was established." Professor Oak sighed but was not too surprised.
How could the leader of Team Galactic be so easily captured? Just like how Team Rocket is in shambles now, but they still haven't located Giovanni's whereabouts.
As the head of an organization, they're not so easily caught.
"Exactly." Cynthia's voice carried a hint of reluctance but was quickly subdued. "However, I at least removed a poisonous thorn from Sinnoh's internal affairs; all the networks he built on the surface have been completely taken over by us."
"All his commercial partners, political connections, and those gray industries disguised as charities were eradicated in this operation."
"He was able to remain so discreet before because of the protective umbrella shielding him. Now that the umbrella is gone, it's much harder for him to stir things up than before."
She paused, her voice tinged with unspoken gratitude.
"Ash, this intel is invaluable to our Sinnoh League. If we allowed him to continue hiding, the consequences would be unimaginable. If he advanced further, he'd reach Sinnoh's upper echelons, with consequences beyond prediction. I, along with the Sinnoh League, owe you a favor."
Ash scratched his head and smiled sheepishly, "No need to exaggerate. We just happened to stumble upon this intel. Even if it wasn't me, someone else, knowing about this, would surely find a way to inform Miss Cynthia and the Sinnoh League."
"A coincidence… Ash, can you tell me why you knew Cyrus was the leader of Team Galactic? He hid himself perfectly, and if you hadn't provided this intel, even after ten years we might not have caught his tracks."
"Yet, before you informed us, he was already prepared to evacuate. It suggests he foresaw this scenario… so, what exactly did you experience?"
Cynthia's curious voice came from the other end of the phone. She genuinely wanted to know how Ash managed to uncover such a deeply hidden individual.
If Ash hadn't provided the intel, Cyrus would still be a thriving Sinnoh tycoon.
Ash hesitated for a moment, finally choosing to share the day's events under the slight jostling of the Gravity Ball, "Miss Cynthia, is there anyone else beside you?"
"No. Rest assured, I guarantee that after you tell me, I won't reveal anything to anyone else, including the League." Cynthia assured.
"Alright, here's what happened…" Ash proceeded to narrate everything that occurred inside and outside the Crystal Tower to Cynthia.
The sudden appearance of Pluton and Saturn, their mind control over Mitsumi, Unown forcibly infused into Yveltal's origin, Rayquaza descending from the sky, the Netherworld Dragon disengaged from control with one Dragon Ascent from Rayquaza, and finally, the two from Team Galactic making a hasty retreat.
When Ash mentioned that Giratina willingly expressed a desire to stay with him, the breathing on the other end of the line clearly paused momentarily.
When he explained that Giratina told him the Griseous Orb in Cyrus's hand could locate the Netherworld Dragon, Cynthia softly uttered the words "Griseous Orb," with an indescribable complexity in her tone.
"So Giratina is with you now because it has nowhere else to go."
"Cyrus can locate it at any time using the Griseous Orb. It can't return to the Reverse World or seek out Palkia and Dialga, fearing it would attract Cyrus's attention, so it can only stay by your side, right?"
Ash responded with a hum, then added, "I will protect Him."
There was a pause of several seconds on the other end of the phone.
Then a sigh filled with helplessness and emotion emanated from the phone.
"A fifteen-year-old boy defeated the ruler of the Reverse World and even captured Him, then made a future challenge agreement with Rayquaza, the sky's totem." Cynthia's voice was soft, almost as if she were talking to herself, "Ash, do you realize that every single thing you've done could make someone brag for a lifetime."
A lifetime? Ten lifetimes!!
Cynthia was speaking lightly, but in reality, each of Ash's feats was something countless people wouldn't encounter or accomplish in ten lifetimes.
She had tried to think in the most extreme direction, but no matter how much she pondered, she couldn't imagine that Ash even defeated and captured Giratina!
Even though Ash said Giratina is temporarily by his side, you just say whether He's entered a Pokeball or not!
Moreover, with Ash's charm and the promise made by the Netherworld Dragon, Giratina truly belonging to Ash is only a matter of time.
Though Cyrus is strong, in Cynthia's view, Ash is the more extraordinary presence. In the struggle between the two, Ash is bound to win; evil never prevails over good.
Having said that, Cynthia quickly followed up with, "What are your travel plans for the coming days?"
"Coming up?" Ash was momentarily confused; he almost forgot he was still traveling through Johto. So far, he had collected four Gym Badges, plus a Pyramid proof.
This totaled six badges. He only needed two more to participate in the Silver Conference.
But Serena only had two badges, and her team wasn't complete yet, so it was uncertain whether she would have the chance to participate in this year's Silver Conference.
They could only take it one step at a time.
As for where they originally planned to go next, it should be...
"Blackthorn City, where there are two very strong Dragon-type Gym Leaders. I'm planning to get both badges there in one go, which will make my badge collection complete."
Blackthorn City, currently home to the strongest Gym in the Johto region.
The strongest Gym in the Johto region used to be Pryce's Gym in Mahogany Town, but it seemed he retired from battling due to some issues. Though the Mahogany Gym still existed, it was mostly run by his apprentices serving as Gym Leader.
So at present, the strongest Gym in the Johto region is the Blackthorn Gym in Blackthorn City.
Not to mention, the Dragon Gym from the Galar Region is stationed at Blackthorn Gym.
The Dragon Gym in the Galar Region is called the Hammerlocke Gym, led by Raihan, who boasts to be Leon's rival.
In truth, he could indeed hold his own against Leon, and even among Champion Trainers, he is exceptionally strong.
In the Galar Region, he is regarded as second only to Leon, meaning he is the second strongest in the entire Galar Region.
Thus, when Ash learned that Blackthorn City housed these two Gyms, he set his next destination to Blackthorn City. But for an unexpected Crystal Tower incident, he would have already set out by now.
"Blackthorn City? Do you plan to teleport there directly, or return to your original departure point and walk?" Cynthia asked again.
At this point, Ash already found it odd; why did Cynthia need such detailed information? Still, he honestly replied to her: "I'll return to my original departure point and walk."
Even though he could have Mewtwo teleport him to his destination, as he said before, it would take away the essence of the journey.
Moreover, there is still a long time until the Silver Conference begins. Even if he walks to Blackthorn City and wins both gyms, there are still probably several months left.
The remaining time could be spent both on improving himself and preparing Serena for her Gym challenges.
"Alright, I'll depart from Sinnoh and wait for you in Blackthorn City. Until Cyrus is captured, I'll travel with you," Cynthia's cool voice came from the other end of the phone, catching Ash and the others by surprise.
Does Cynthia mean... she's planning to stay with them on the journey ahead?!
"Miss Cynthia, this is..."
"I know, Ash, your strength is impressive, but the matter with Cyrus is not just a personal affair. It involves the Sinnoh League. You could even say it concerns the entire Pokemon League. In every aspect, I must see this through."
Cynthia's voice was extremely calm, as if she were stating the most normal thing: "After all, I promised you, Ash, not to publicize this matter. Therefore, it can only be addressed by me, the Sinnoh Champion~"
"Besides, I'm also planning to take a little break, and traveling with you is just as good. I'm also planning to take my apprentice to see the world."
"Apprentice?" Ash's eyes widened. When did Cynthia take on an apprentice?
With a Sinnoh Champion accepting a disciple, the news should have spread worldwide already.
"That's right, a friend of mine asked me to take her along for a while, to let her see the world. I found that little fellow quite talented, so I accepted her as my apprentice," Cynthia's clear voice transmitted from the other end of the phone, confirming that the mention of her apprentice was indeed serious.
"Alright then, it's settled. I'll wait for you in Blackthorn City," Cynthia concluded, hanging up, leaving Ash and the others exchanging bewildered looks.
The Sinnoh Champion joining their travel group? Even though she mentioned staying in the background, it still felt like a dream.
Nevertheless, Cynthia's concern wasn't without reason. It's easy to catch a thief once, but guarding against one perpetually is much harder!
With Giratina, a 'locating device,' on Ash, there was always the risk of an ambush by Cyrus. Meanwhile, they had no way to locate Cyrus, leaving them entirely on the defensive.
Cynthia's offer to discreetly protect them was simply an added layer of security.
An additional Champion at the peak wouldn't just bring a little extra power; even accounting for Ash's current strength, he couldn't underestimate the assistance of a Champion's aid.
Moreover, although Cynthia plans to accompany Ash, she emphasized not becoming part of Ash's group but keeping a distance, so she could ambush Cyrus effectively if he attacked.
With the decision made, Ash didn't dwell on it anymore; if Cynthia wanted to come along, she could.
For now, the priority was to settle matters in Pallet Town and start afresh.
...
Time flew by, and two days passed. In that time, the impact on Pallet Town began to fade and even disappeared entirely.
Mitsumi also woke from her coma, and while she couldn't recall what happened with Team Galactic, she did remember creating a mysterious Pokemon and mistaking it for her father.
Awake again, she found it odd that she had recognized a Pokemon as her father, yet it didn't change the fact her father could never return...
With Mitsumi awake, the Unown regained some strength, and Ash wanted to try using Aura Power to communicate with them, hoping they might lead to Dr. Showry's whereabouts.
Instead, the Unown all flew away in unison.
Ash and Mewtwo followed, eventually arriving at some ruins where they saw the Unown enter a mysterious space. Simultaneously, a figure was expelled from the space—none other than the long-missing Dr. Showry!
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