You know what beats medieval life?

If you answered almost everything, then yes, you are technically correct. But there are levels to this. Valor Lakefront is really high on the list of best camping spots in Sinnoh.

Don't get me wrong. It could be better. When I close my eyes, I can picture how this landscape might be in the era of Hisui, untouched, wild, and pristine. We'd be the only humans around for a country mile, most likely.

In the present, we're one of dozens of people enjoying the scenery of the famed lake. That number is steadily increasing as well. Every day, a ship docks in pastoria harbor, and people from Hoenn; fans, coordinators, and even whole families are getting an opportunity to see Sinnoh.

Pastoria is the place to be, maybe in the whole Pokémon world, right now. Not only do they have the Wallace Cup ongoing, there's also the yearly Croagunk Festival. Don't ask me why this city has a poisonous frog fighter as its mascot, when it has a Water-type gym. That thing is everywhere!

They've got Croagunk balloons, Croagunk hats, Croagunk replica sashes you can wear around your waist, Croagunk themed temporary tattoos. There's even people who will paint your face so you look like a Croagunk!

Every bloody household in Pastoria is apparently supposed to raise a Croagunk for the festival. This place is obsessed with the frog.

Some of the other, more normal festivities involved include a showmatch between Wallace and a famous trainer from Sinnoh, whose indemnity hasn't been revealed to keep the suspense going. There's even a famous band flying in from somewhere to perform at the opening ceremony.

Business is booming all around the city, from the massive hotels on the lakefront to the little shops selling beach balls, umbrellas, and sunscreen. Even the Safari Zone has announced that it's brought in an assortment of Pokémon that can be found in swamps in other regions, for people to try their luck at catching.

Examples include Lotad, Poliwag, Bellsprout, and Ducklett. Essentially, lots of Pokémon that might be found in wetland-type ecosystems.

With all the activity in and around the city, it's no wonder Crasher Wake has canceled all gym battles until all this craziness is over. He's already facing one crisis, and I don't mean that portal somewhere in the lake that takes you to Hisui.

We managed to get the message across to not go there without revealing that it's actually a door to the past, and now that area has been sectioned off as unsafe. I'm sure the public notice said that a dangerous Pokémon was lurking there, or there were strong currents or something. Anything but the truth.

The actual crisis was further south, along the beach. Lawrence, the cocky and handsome Ace Trainer I met a while back, had told me a dead Wailord had washed up on Sunyshore's beachfront whilst he was there but apparently another one appeared on the popular beach east of Pastoria.

Obviously, the smell of a decomposing whale is one problem, but Wailmer watching, even though it won't get a huge boost in revenue, considering most people from Hoenn have seen Wailmer before, is a super popular tourist activity down here. Coupled with the fact that there was a pirate hunting Wailmer around here not too long ago, people are understandably worried.

What all of that means for me is that I have way too much time on my hands, since the gym battle is so far in the future. Going to the past has affected us in different ways.

For Lucas, it was just the tonic he needed. He's come out full of confidence and inspiration, and has dove straight into working with Stantler on a move that involves creating a psychic shield around oneself that can be used both to defend from attacks and offensively, to bash into enemies. That's all in between video calls with Professor Rowan, telling him about our adventure. The good and the bad.

I'm not sure how much Ursula's been affected, other than having a much greater appreciation for all the things we're blessed with in the modern world. She's gone straight back into contest mode, working constantly to perfect her appeal, and improve her battling.

Right now, though… Gabite and Helioptile are enjoying the sun, as they love to do. Meowth has found that while he may have been able to hold off Rockruff's attention, he can't do that to Rockruff and Growlithe at the same time, so he's been reluctantly roped into their roughhousing.

Masquerain is Ursula's choice for the appeal, so she's practicing her combos, while her trainer directs her attention elsewhere.

Being saved by Wallace the other day has only intensified her crush on the man. It's both adorable and pathetic at the same time how she takes a deep breath, squares her shoulders, and puffs out her chest before advancing whenever she catches sight of him.

Unfortunately, she doesn't get very far. Wallace was apparently hiding from the gaggle of fangirls that follow him everywhere he goes when he and his Milotic rescued us from a watery grave.

Today, as with six out of every seven days, he's surrounded by a bunch of aggressive ladder-climbers who have pulled out all the stops. There are your middle-aged housewives, a bunch of local swimsuit models, and several girls who look to be in college, wearing their high school cheerleading outfits.

Ursula basically has no chance. One, because she's knocked on her butt within a few steps by a lady with long red hair in a flamboyant outfit, brandishing a magazine cover that I assume she's on. This familiar woman's vain, selfish personality is a pretty good indication of what the rest of Wallace's fangirls are probably like.

And two, because while Wallace may seem like the strongest-willed man in the world, not reacting to the bikini-clad women throwing themselves at him, I know the truth. My man was checking out the handsome male lifeguard that he called over to make sure we were alright when Milotic pulled us out of the lake.

Maybe I'll tell Ursula that Wallace prefers men. One day. Because I've gotten pretty lazy after returning from Hisui. All that hard work in the village plus those brushes with death have made me want to lie on this beach towel, while my Pokémon get to know Basculin and take some much needed time off…

My naptime is interrupted by someone standing over me, cutting off my sun. I crack open an eye, and lift my arm up for someone to grab and lift me up. It's not that surprising to see them here, considering I just saw Jessie.

Dawn grips my hand with both of hers, grunting as she pulls me to my feet. I brush a few grains of sand off my lower body, and return Dawn's beaming smile, Ash's pretty wide one, and Zoey's frown.

Brock is off following the throng of women around Wallace, like some sort of stray puppy looking for scraps. Former gym leader he may be, but I don't think he's got the same appeal as Wallace, unfortunately for him.

"What's up?" I ask.

"Nothing much," Dawn replies. "Just getting ready for the contest, that's all." I like how casually she says it, as if it isn't her life's ambition. Though I suppose this might be her way of staying loose, and not letting the nerves get to her. "Are you entering this contest?"

"Nah. I always intended for the Solaceon Town contest to be a one time thing." I scratch my head, recalling my performance and battles. I did have a lot of fun doing it though. "Besides, if it weren't for Gabite evolving, I probably would have made it to the final. Imagine if I'd actually won! Then I'd be auto-qualified for the Grand Festival."

I shudder at the thought. "I've got plenty on my plate right now. If I ever enter another contest, it will be one where I wouldn't accidentally steal someone's spot."

"That's a shame," Ash tells me. "I'm entering the contest, and I was hoping to meet you there!"

Well, this is an interesting development. "Did you get a badge in Veilstone?"

"Sure did!" Ash exclaims. It actually came down to Buizel and Lucario, and they fought for what felt like forever, until it was at a standstill and neither one could continue. Maylene was so impressed, she gave us a badge!"

Even if he got a draw against Maylene, he seems super happy with the result. Then why… My face must ask the question for me. "It was actually after I met Wallace. He said that he could see Dawn's influence on Buizel's battle style, and he asked me to enter with Buizel as my partner."

"I thought it was a great idea!" Dawn chimes in. "Buizel and I never got a chance to compete together. I've always wanted to see what he could do in a contest!"

Sounds like pretty good reasoning to me. I look past them to the waters of Lake Valor. "Well, you picked a good time. I expect a lot of people will be looking to showcase their Water-type."

"Not everyone," Dawn confides in me. Her nervous expression tells me who she's referring to.

"Running it back with Ambipom, then?" I ask rhetorically, though she nods.

"Neither of us could live with ourselves if we didn't give it another go after what happened in Solaceon Town. I've taken in advice from so many sources since that time, and we've been working extra hard on an appeal that will showcase the best of Ambipom without going overboard. I know this time will be different!"

For her sake, I hope it is. "I guess that means the contest arena isn't going to be any different, then? I kinda expected a water component, considering where we are."

It's kinda hilarious how quickly Dawn starts to panic. It seems her confident aura is a little disingenuous. "A water arena? But I've never battled in a water arena before! What am I supposed to do?"

Zoey clamps down on Dawn's shoulders before she can run off in a tizzy, and spins Dawn to face her. "Calm down," she reassures her fellow coordinator. "There will almost certainly be some ground for Pokémon who aren't Water-types. You might stand out for not using one!"

"But what if the whole thing is a pool of water?"

Dawn is led to the edge of the lake. "We've got plenty of time to practice," Zoey assures her. "Ash and I have experience with this. You'll be ready for any situation by the time we're done with you." Quite nice of her, to help out one of her main rivals. Must be because she's in Ash's orbit. He's the type to help anyone, even Paul, with training, if they asked for it.

I follow them to the water. "You and Ash, huh?" I can't help but ask. "When did you get so comfortable with trainers entering contests? Last time, you weren't very happy when I was in the Solaceon Contest."

"Having Wallace around may have changed my opinion some," Zoey says, after several seconds. I could probably mention Fantina and completely sway her opinion, but I don't really feel like it. We don't have to be friends.

That said this is still a good opportunity, as the twerps bring out some of their Pokémon; A Shellos and Finneon for Zoey, Piplup for Dawn, and Buizel for Ash. I whistle and wave Basculin over, as we all take off our footwear, leave all our electronics behind, and wade knee deep into the cool water.

Ash has also left Pikachu on the shore to watch, but he turns to me, surprised, as my fish swims towards us. "You want to train too?"

I scan Basculin with the Pokédex to remind me of his moves. Water Gun, Aqua Jet, Take Down, Bite, Psychic Fangs, Waterfall, and something called Wave Crash for attacks, and Scary Face, Soak, and Leer, for utility.

Despite this one's stark personality difference from its much more violent red and blue-striped brethren, all Basculin are clearly attackers at heart.

After that's done, I turn back to Ash. "Yeah. I need some experience battling in a water arena too. Besides, Buizel hasn't been able to take his eyes off me since you brought him out. What do you say to a quick battle, while I pick your brain for a bit?"

"Awesome!" Ash cheers. We slowly back away as our Pokémon take their places. "This will give us a great chance to practice our contest moves! Buizel, Water Gun!"

"You too, Basculin!" Ours is quite a bit larger than Buizel's and it slowly pushes the other Water Gun back when they collide in midair.

"Why were you talking like this was your first time meeting with Wallace. You met him in Hoenn, right?" I call over.

Ash shakes his head, after commanding Buizel to use Sonic Boom. The crescent shaped attacks glide along the water, and then Buizel sends another volley of three at is, this time perpendicular to the surface. "I actually battled Juan, Wallace's mentor, in Sootopolis City. Wallace must have been out, doing something like this."

"Psychic Fangs." Basculin creates a manifestation of his jaws in the air, which surge forward and chomp through every Sonic Boom. Juan, huh? Pretty sure he was Wallace's replacement in Emerald, when Wallace was the champion. Unfortunately for the mustachioed man, I had a freshly caught Rayquaza when I faced him. "How did Juan lay out his gym?"

"Aqua Jet!" Ash orders first. Buizel dives under water for the attack, and I tell Basculin to reply in kind. "He actually had the battle in two stages," Ash explains to me. "The first was with floating platforms. And the second was mostly water, but with actual land as well!"

Floating platforms, or a full water battlefield, or one with a mixture of land and water. This has suddenly gotten extremely complicated. I look down, realizing I have no idea where our Pokémon are, with the visibility of the lake not being great. "How do you keep track of your Pokémon when they're underwater?"

All I know right now is that they are trading Aqua Jets. I don't know who has the advantage. "The gym had underwater cameras and speakers," Ash tells me, with a finger on his chin as he thinks back. You can't really rely on those though, because it can become hard to see when Pokémon are trading attacks. You really have to trust your Pokémon and believe in their ability!"

Cliche, but that's probably exactly what Ash instills in his Pokémon. HIs overwhelming belief in them, that they can overcome anything. Buizel's the first to resurface, unsurprisingly enough. The water weasel might have a flotation sack, but that doesn't help you to breathe underwater. Buizel shoots into the air with one final Aqua Jet.

"Now, Iron Tail!" Ash says, as Basculin resurfaces as well, though half submerged. Buizel comes down on the water with Iron Tail, sending an improvised Surf our way.

Impressive. "Waterfall!" I was kind expecting him to break through the attack but Basculin climbs the wave and races down it instead, with awesome power. It doesn't save me from getting drenched, unfortunately.

I hear some of my Pokémon laughing at me in this distance, and I resolve to flick them with some water whenever I get the chance. Basculin slams into Buizel, sending the opposing Pokémon tumbling back with several large splashes, though Buizel quickly rights himself.

"Your Water-type attacks are really strong!" Ash praises. I've noticed that too. "Use Agility!"

"Not so fast!" I counter. "Scary Face!" Basculin also leaps up from the water, his images changing momentarily into that of a much bigger fish. To Ash and Buizel, it must look like a Sharpedo or something equally frightening baring its fangs, because all the speed Buizel has picked up swimming in the water goes away as it stumbles in fear.

"Bite!" Basculin lunges towards Buizel, but our opponents aren't nearly finished.

"Brick Break!" Buizel catches Basculin on the jaw and sends my fish spinning back into the water.

Just as this is turning from a scrimmage into a proper battle, someone whistles from the beach. I look up to see Lucas waving at me. "Is this important?" I ask in annoyance, cupping my hands to my mouth to make myself heard.

"Very!" he copies me and shouts back, to which I sigh and turn back to my opponent.

"Sorry, Ash. Looks like we're going to have to call this one a draw and cut it short."

"It's fine!" He waves my apology off easily. "One of my friends is actually visiting from Hoenn for the contest, so I've been going to the harbor a lot to check if she's made it! Once Zoey and Dawn are done, we'll head there."

The two of us make our way out of the water. I grab my towel, shake it down a few times, and dry my hair before wrapping it around my body. "Hey," Ash begins. "That was a lot of fun! Do you want to have a real battle at some point, while we're both in the city?"

Eh, why not. I've actually learned a decent amount from him in the past half-hour or so. He jumps up and down when I agree, and promises to be ready to beat me whenever we do meet.

What a guy. I call all my Pokémon to me, take one step forward, and spin around, realizing I've forgotten something. Basculin can't come with us. He's confined to the edge of the water.

"Good job, Basculin. Return!" It's a little annoying because he doesn't feel like part of the team, since he's only able to function in water. I get the sense Lucas, who still disapproves of me bringing a Pokémon back from the past, is going to say something, so I preempt him as he leads me somewhere.

"Not a word." I put my index finger to his lips. "They were going to make him into sashimi! What did you expect me to do?"

He removes my hand from in front of his face. "I don't blame you for saving Basculin, but surely you see the issues. You can get away with it around here, but unless we find a pond or lake every time we set up camp, Basculin won't be able to come out of his Pokéball."

"Well, maybe I could dig a hole and fill it with water!" I suggest, to which Lucas frowns.

"Do you really want to have Basculin spend most of his life confined to a muddy hole? Besides, that solution won't work if he evolves, either."

"Not really," I mutter. "Does that mean you learned something about Basculegion?"

He eventually brings us to a clearing away from all the hustle and bustle of Lake Valor. I can barely hear the fun people are having. We both sit down in the soft grass. "A little bit. Apparently, Basculegion is the last survivor of a school of Basculin. The souls of the fallen wrap around it as it completes its journey. Had yours survived, he might have evolved. I don't know how to simulate that near-death experience, though."

Maybe Lucas can work on that after he teaches Psyshield Bash or whatever he's calling it to Stantelr. For now… "Did you call me here to talk about Basculin, or is there another thing?"

"No, this is far more important," he says, rather seriously. "You know I told Professor Rowan about our expedition to Hisui. He believes me. About all of it."

"Just like that?" I ask, a little surprised.

"Well, the pictures I sent of Growlithe and Basculin certainly helped-"

"Are you saying that we were right to bring them back?" I lean in to make my point.

He doesn't react. "I took a picture of the Lord of the Shadows while he wasn't looking, either."

I sit back with a huff. "Are you ever going to tell me what Pokémon that is? We're not in Hisui any more."

"I don't think so," he says, with a satisfied smile. "But when I said Professor Rowan believes me about everything, I meant it. Even that you can see Shadow Pokémon, and that Hunter J's men had some."

Oh. That is big news. "So, what does that mean?"

Lucas's expression is very serious now. "I told you. This is one of the worst crimes someone can commit. Someone with the power necessary to take action is coming over to talk to you about it, today. I brought you over here so we could have privacy, since we don't want anyone listening in."

I look around as if they're going to appear out of thin air. It is possible, with teleportation. "Who?"

"You know, I never got a clear answer about that." Lucas leans back, pondering. "It's not like Professor Rowan to hold secrets, but he seemed really amused. I made sure to mention that you were a little uncomfortable, so the person is someone you've met before."

"That doesn't make any sense, though. The only person I'm familiar with that's associated with Professor is you. And how are they here on such short notice? If they're that important of a person, they must have a tight schedule, no?"

He shrugs at me, as mystified as I am. "They must be here for the festivities," he hypothesizes. We both fall silent, trying to come up with a name.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Met me before and is on close terms with Professor Rowan, very important, and is in town for the Wallace Cup. Wallace, Milotic…

Lucas barely manages to catch himself as I jump up with a loud shriek, startling all my Pokémon. "Cancel! Cancel, cancel, cancel!" I shout at Lucas, who's absolutely bewildered.

"Weren't you fine a minute ago? I think they only want to hear it from you, firsthand-"

"You don't understand!" I all but wail, wringing water out of my hair while doing a mad dance in one spot. "I can't be seen like this!"

Glaceon comes over to try and calm me down, while Lucas tries to get an answer out of me again. "Who are you so concerned about meeting?"

"It's her," I moan. A few seconds later, she appears, looking as radiant as she did when I had seen her last.

"Hi there!" Cynthia greets us. "Long time no see!"

At least Lucas and Glaceon are as starstruck as I am at her entrance. The rest of our Pokémon look on curiously, as if wondering who this random mystery lady is, and why we're struck speechless by her.

Cynthia acts like nothing is wrong. "You must be Lucas! Professor Rowan speaks very highly of you, and believe me when I say, he isn't one to dole out praise lightly." I send Glaceon back to the rest of our Pokémon, so she can explain who this is to them.

He manages to return her enthusiastic handshake with a silly grin, courtesy of receiving a compliment from the champion herself, before she turns her attention to me.

"Luna, right? Last time we met, it was in Eterna City! You were preparing for your gym battle. How has your journey progressed since then? Have you met a lot of wonderful Pokémon and people?"

I'm really struggling to make my accomplishments seem impressive. "Uh, yeah. It's been great. I won that battle against Gardenia, and one more since then, to give me three, total."

If only I had beaten Fantina, I'd be halfway! That's so much better sounding!

I think Lucas senses that I'm nervous around Cynthia; hopefully, he can't tell why. "What brings you to Pastoria?" he asks, trying to break the ice.

"Oh, a couple of things," Cynthia says breezily. "Wallace had this wonderful idea of an exhibition match before the tournament, to really get people excited, and I have wanted to try out a contest battle for some time. It never appealed to me during my own Pokémon Journey, but now I must confess to being a fan."

"A Milotic versus Milotic mirror match, then?" I guess. "That should be interesting. Good thing it's on a time limit, though."

She shakes her head. "No, I am using Gastrodon, although we did consider it. Without either of our Milotic being differently colored, it would be difficult for the audience to tell who was who. Gastrodon doesn't really have the stamina for longer battles, so this is a great opportunity to use him in a match against a supremely skilled opponent once more."

"What's the other reason? Lucas questions.

"I always do enjoy coming to any of the great lakes of Sinnoh," Cynthia admits to us. "Azelf hasn't been seen in a very long time, and with so many people coming to the area, many for the first time, I wanted to have my ear to the ground in case Azelf does appear to someone."

With Lucas being able to lord (pun intended) over the fact that he has seen a unique and almost mythical Pokémon, he's a lot less sensitive over the fact that he went to Lake Verity all those times and never once saw Mesprit. "What does seeing one of the Lake Guardians impact someone, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Not at all!" Cynthia answers immediately, a smile lightning up her face. "Talking about the myths of Sinnoh is one of my favorite things to do! The most prevalent opinion is that seeing a Lake Guardian is simply a stroke of good fortune, that they've recognized the potential in you, and are urging you onwards. Some also say that you get a little boost after seeing one; more intelligence after seeing Uxie, more easily able to connect with others after seeing Mesprit, and having increased drive after seeing Azelf."

"And?" I prompt her.

"Stories say that there have been individuals in history, who are so aligned with the Lake Guardians, that they become truly connected, and partner with a Lake Guardian temporarily, among other things." She sighs, if accessing her own secret memory. "I haven't been able to confirm that one, though."

I get the sense that she saw one of the trio during her own journey. Cynthia's so smart, so it could have been Uxie. She's also super kind, so it could have been Mesprit, too. Oh, and she's ultra strong. Azelf surely would recognize that.

"Hey, I have a question," I pipe up, getting more into the conversation. For someone so high above me, Cynthia is rather down-to-earth. Contrary to the opinions of some people, who claim that she spends way too much time sticking her nose in archaeological ruins or books of mythology.

"I might have an answer." Cynthia looks at me expectantly.

"So, I'm assuming it takes a long time for a Feebas to evolve into a Milotic. How did you manage to ferry a fish Pokémon all around Sinnoh?"

"Luna's recently caught a fish Pokémon of her own, and she's been running into some difficulties," Lucas tacks on.

Cynthia's face falls for the first time since she's been here. "I'm afraid I won't be much help with that. As you might know, Lucas, Feebas are an extremely hardy species. They can live in salt or freshwater. They can tolerate high levels of pollution, or vegetation. And they can live without water, for quite a while, having developed the ability to breathe air like us."

That's disappointing. I hope a solution presents itself, because I don't think I could take releasing another Pokémon emotionally, and even if I could, I have little confidence that Basculin could make it in the harsh environment that's the vast ocean.

The champion grimaces for a moment. "As enjoyable as it is talking to you both, we now have to delve into less fun topics. Namely, the worrying things Professor Rowan told me the other day." She pulls out a weathered journal, in the same style that Lucas had. "I've been told only the basics, actually. I think that was Professor Rowan's way of making sure I was curious enough to meet you. Can you fill in some holes for me?"

We both nod. Cynthia clears her throat before beginning. "As I understand, Professor Rowan asked you to investigate some strange occurrences in an excavation site."

"He thought it might have something to do with the Solaceon Ruins and the Unown," Lucas adds in helpfully. "We, uh, with some help from someone else, of course, managed to make it to the end."

"You don't have to hide your accomplishment," Cynthia tells him, to which Lucas beams. "Some of the brightest minds in Sinnoh haven't made it to the end. It's very impressive that you did."

Neither of us mention that Cynthia surely did as well, and she's too humble to bring it up herself.

"You found a portal or door within that excavated cave," she looks at us expectantly for more detail.

"There were a lot of strange items there," I recall. "We saw a Protector for training a Rhydon, a Razor Fang for a Gligar, and I found this too." I carefully pull out the star shaped rock I found what feels like an eternity ago, and hand it over. "Is it anything?"

Cynthia takes one look at it and hands it back. "It's a Star Piece. Some say it came from a falling star. You could sell it at the market or to a collector for quite a lot of money, actually. Did you go into the portal looking for more rare collectibles?"

"Not exactly," Lucas says sheepishly, leaving it to me to explain, since I was technically at fault.

I reach into my bag, trading out the Star Piece for the egg I've been incubating, and place it on the ground between us. "A couple Pokémon emerged from the portal and tried to take this for their dinner. Two Sneasel. I had to follow them to get it back."

The champion holds out her hand, and I push over the incubator. She carefully extracts the egg, humming as she turns it over in her hands. "This is the one of the eggs we traded for the Hearthome Tag Battle Competition, no? How often has it been moving?"

Lucas and I glance at each other. "Occasionally?" I answer with a shrug.

She places it back in its glass container and gives it back to me. "I would have told you what it is, but it's only a couple of weeks away from hatching. You can take it out of the glass when it starts to move constantly, and you start to hear sounds from inside."

"So, you went through the portal," she continues. "Which took you to the past. To Hisui."

Cynthia keeps her voice very neutral, but Lucas feels the need to defend what we saw. "It was Hisui," he insists. "Most of the landscape was as if humans had never lived there. And even if the people we met didn't tell us outright, which they did, they way they talked and did things… it was definitely Hisui."

The champion presses on with her investigation. "You encountered a local, who took you back to his village. Which was under attack by Pokémon Poachers, who had also managed to find their way to the past."

"I know it sounds unbelievable, but it really happened!" I bring out the tranquilizer gun and the vial of antidote that I took off one of the poachers once we bested them, and hand those over this time. Cynthia seems really surprised, this time. "This is the poison they use on Pokémon, and the antidote. Lucas, do you have all the Pokéballs of their Pokémon?"

"They were sent back," Lucas mumbles, ducking his head ashamedly. "I don't have any of them any more."

"They eventually came around to the League Office," Cynthia says, preempting my berating of Lucas. She frowns again. "Some of their ID numbers, the ones that are registered to a Pokémon caught with a Pokéball, match Pokémon that belong to known poachers."

She goes silent, thinking to herself, but I can't help but speak up, when she hands back the antidote and tranquilizer gun, stating that we should keep it in case of emergencies.

"Why?" I ask incredulously. "You could get scientists to mass produce it, and render all her poachers useless."

Cynthia remains quiet, so I try again. "I'm sure you want to protect a couple of teenagers from getting involved with poachers, but the fact is, we already are. And we probably will in the future, considering neither of us can abide by their actions. If you want to know what I learned about them, you're going to have to let us in the loop."

It seems I've managed to convince her. "Very well," she begins. "Communication is a two-way street. It was unfair for me to ask you for everything you know without providing something in return. Firstly, if she realizes we have the antidote to her poison, she might change it to something much worse. Hunter J hasn't been able to evade us all this time for nothing. She's extremely well-funded and ruthless. A dangerous combination."

"Secondly, I told you in Eterna City that poaching plots were popping up with much more frequency."

"That goes against what the news has been saying," Lucas volunteers hesitantly.

Cynthia gives us a wry smile. "My doing. You see, for whatever reason, poachers have decided to descend upon Sinnoh en masse, in the last year or so. Hunter J is one. The pirate they captured here in Pastoria, Captain Claw, was another. So on and so forth. Normally, poachers avoid stepping on each other's toes. This was an unprecedented occurrence."

"But you're lying to people on the news, telling them that there isn't anything wrong." Lucas sounds extremely puzzled, and to be fair, so am I.

There's no judgment or reprimand in Cynthia's tone when she explains her actions to us. "Leadership can be a difficult crown to bear. My title doesn't only mean I'm the winner of a few large tournaments. I am literally Sinnoh's champion. In times of war, it would be me who would be the head of the military."

"That gives me all sorts of powers. I could have reinstated the draft, and turned every Pokémon trainer in Sinnoh into a soldier until this threat is resolved. I could send anyone that has even an inkling of a tie to a poacher straight to jail, no questions asked, without a trial or any assumption of innocence."

Her next statement sends a chill down my spine. "I could even reimplement a law that allows one trainer to take Pokémon away from another trainer that was abusing their Pokémon. All of which is why I like the current strategy much better. Instead of doing those things, the league has implemented a task force. Trainers, scientists, officers, rangers… The best of the best, that can respond at a moment's notice when a poacher is spotted to take them down. Every city has one now."

It seems that we're getting down to the crux of why she's here. "Why was that law rescinded in the first place?" Lucas asks quietly.

Cynthia's smile is a sad one. "Why else? People taking advantage of my good intentions. That was the first thing I pushed for, put my name behind, as champion. I traveled all over on my journey, and saw so much good, but also people using Pokémon for evil. I thought I could fix all those problems, that this would be a way to save those Pokémon from those who would abuse them."

"Instead, it was an unmitigated disaster," she reminisces. "I created more criminals and stolen Pokémon than I dealt with or saved. People saw a rare Pokémon they liked, claimed that someone was abusing it, and took it for themselves. Two months in and I had to rescind my own law. We spent so much time and money fixing that situation… Even several years into my tenure, there are those who still hold it against me to this day."

The Champion fixes her gaze upon me, and I gulp in response. "And now you're telling me Hunter J is using Shadow Pokémon."

"I-I wouldn't make this up," I promise, stuttering.

"I wouldn't have come if I thought you were," Cynthia replies, getting up and pacing back and forth. "You didn't strike me as the type to want attention for attention's sake when I met you. But you see how important this is for me. I need to know what you saw."

Right. I can do that. "The first time was probably in the fossil valley place, where Hunter J was rounding up all the resurrected Pokémon. When she showed up riding on her Salamence, I saw a dark cloud surrounding it."

Cynthia sucks in a sharp breath, and plops down next to us again. "Are you certain that you weren't imagining things?"

"For a while, I wasn't sure," I admit. "But this time, there was no doubt. Those dark clouds were like a manifestation of all their pain, and anger, and hatred. I hesitate to call them Pokémon. It's like their soul was taken out of them and they were turned to machines. So they only know how to fight. To kill."

There's a long silence again, before Cynthia breaks it. "That… almost perfectly matches the description that Rui of Orre gave before she disappeared. I'm inclined to believe you, that you do have this ability. But I still need to verify it."

"How are you going to do that?" I ask, as she reaches into her pocket.

"With the help of a friend," she says simply, revealing several Pokéballs. I'd actually like to bring a few of them out, which hopefully will distract your Pokémon from getting so antsy, and wondering why I'm monopolizing so much of you two's time."

We both nod, because who wouldn't want to see some of Cynthia's Pokémon? Unfortunately, while her Garchomp and Togekiss are just as spectacular as I remember them, and her Roserade is the picture of elegance and beauty, I get stuck with Lucario, holding out a palm towards my forehead.

"What exactly is Lucario doing?" I ask suspiciously, watching it glow a pale blue while closing its eyes.

"Try to calm down, and think of those memories," Cynthia advises me unhelpfully. "Lucario is analyzing your aura."

Am I supposed to know what that means? I lean back and try my best, although I'm not exactly pleased. "Sorry," I throw out there, not very apologetically. "Me and Lucario don't have the best history of getting along."

Cynthia nods understandingly. "You must be referring to Maylene and her Lucario. He's still very young and proud and headstrong. He'll be a wise and trusted companion for her, in the near future."

"How did the crisis with Shadow Pokémon resolve itself?" Lucas asks Cynthia while I'm being analyzed. "The way I heard it was that Rui ended up allying with someone on the other side, and they destroyed the power structure of Cipher from within."

"That's almost exactly what happened. It was a whole resistance, but the key figures were Rui and someone who defected from Team Snagem, criminals who caught and stole Pokémon for Cipher's use. He brought with him something called a snag machine, which overrides the normal functions of Pokéballs. They infiltrated enemy bases, caused mayhem, and stole Shadow Pokémon away from Cipher."

Lucario opens its eyes, signifying its done. "Are you gonna be able to get one of those for us?" I question her.

Cynthia ignores me, conferring with her Pokémon. She pulls something else from her pocket. A business card, which she hands to me.

Sadly, it doesn't have her number on it. "I understand that you were recently forced to take several lives. That can't have been easy. This is the contact information of one of the best counselors in Sinnoh, one that I would highly recommend seeing."

It feels wrong, talking back to Sinnoh Champion, but that's exactly what I'm about to do. Blame my rudeness on me not having a father figure in my life. "Thanks, but no thanks. The only therapy I need is making things right. Will you get me one of those snag machines?"

"No," Cynthia says simply.

"No?!" I repeat incredulously. "Do you not believe me?!"

She exchanges a look with her Lucario, no doubt mentally conversing. "We do, but-"

"Then what?!" I explode, interrupting her. "You know, and I know, that there's a way to bring them back. They deserve a chance."

"Hunter J's Salamence was committing atrocities long before it was turned into a Shadow Pokémon," Cynthia counters. "There's no guarantee it would turn good if purified. It would take the strongest of trainers, even to begin to be able to work with it."

"But that's not true of every Pokémon," I argue, meeting her gaze stubbornly. "You said it yourself; some of them are stolen, or captured out of the wild. It's our duty to try and help them. Even if it's in vain."

Cynthia has a very strange look on her face. "Has anyone told you you're quite the idealist?"

I shake my head. "No. But is it such a bad thing?"

She sighs. "If I'm going to go out on a limb on this, it had better be a strong one. I need proof. Ironclad proof. There are some, like yourself, for example, that aren't willing to trust Lucario's word on the matter."

Proof? "Such as? Do you need me to actually bring a Shadow Pokémon to you?"

"That would suffice, yes."

Easier said than done, considering they have a nasty habit of fighting to the death, but I'll figure it out somehow. "Deal."

"What about the task force?" Lucas pipes up, as Cynthia gets up and brushes her pants off. "Can we be a part of that?"

"My first instinct is to say no again, but you're already clearly shown a willingness to involve yourself. I'll consider it."

We'll take it, I guess. Cynthia gathers her Pokémon, before addressing us. "This has been an illuminating, if difficult conversation. Allow me to end things on a lighter note. The Celestic Town Museum is opening a new exhibit. I would be delighted to give you both a tour, so you can learn more about Sinnoh's history."

"Sure," Lucas answers for the both of us. "We'd love to come see the museum."

"Excellent!" Cynthia claps her hands. "My grandmother is the founder and director, so you'll get the inside experience. Until we meet again!"

With that, Cynthia takes her leave, and I turn to Lucas. "I think that went pretty well."

"I'd say so too," he muses aloud. "But, you've got your work cut out for you. Obtaining a Shadow Pokémon and getting on that task force aren't going to be easy to do."

No kidding. This conversation has made one thing crystal clear.

Break's over. It's time to get back to work.