"You're right." I sigh, deflated saying this. "Ice cream does make everything better."
Taking another bite from my cone, I watched people walk by, still caught up on what had happened. Dawn nudged me, almost dropping her own sweet treat. "See, I told you. Whenever something has you down ice cream always makes up for it. Casteliacone only recently came to Sinnoh; I heard they were the biggest thing in Unova for a while. People would line up for hours just in the hopes of being able to purchase one."
Chuckling at this, I shook my head. "All we had to do was wait five minutes, the wonders of Sinnoh."
"To Sinnoh!" Dawn cheered as we continued to eat our ice cream. "Do you have a plan for Team Galactic?"
Browsing through my phone, I looked at her, curious. "Well, you're the expert in taking down the organization. Any pointers you can give?"
Dawn shook her head, frowning. "I only helped where I could. It was Lucas who saved the day in the end. They stole my Pokedex in Veilstone City, forcing me to tag with Lucas to get them back. When push came to shove, I didn't do much."
"You did more than most people, right? You and Barry, was it?"
"I can't believe we haven't run into that... energetic boy. But, maybe it's for the best; he; he can be a bit much." Dawn chuckles, turning to a disheartened look. "I don't even know where to start; it's not like Team Galatic will just show up out of the blue. I wish Lucas were here..."
"Stop them! They're getting away with my Pokemon! Team Galactic!"
Dropping my ice cream, I jumped up, seeing two grunts running for the city's outskirts. "Spoke too soon huh? Come on!"
"Y/N, wait!" Dawn shouted, grabbing her bag and darting after me.
Pushing through crowds of people, I wouldn't let Team Galactic leave my sight this time. Finally, making it to the outside of the city, I saw them getting away. "Stop! Mimi, shake them up."
Zorua jumped from my shoulder, running faster, getting in between the Galactic members and Oreburgh tunnel. Both stopped, stunned. "What the!"
"I said stop! I won't let you get away again, Team Galactic!" I shout Zorua growling at them. "Give that Pokemon you stole back."
"No way, we stole it fair and square!"
Readying to battle, Zorua turned around as a woman with red hair appeared from the tunnel. She wore the same sort of Galactic uniform, but it was torn and dirty, covered by a long trenchcoat. Her hair was long down by her side. The appearance raised the spirits of the Galactic members. "Commander Mars! Thank Arcues you're here; this twerp caught us!"
Mars looked at me shaking her head. "Give him back the Pokemon."
"Wh- but Commander Mars, why?"
Mars looked down at the grunts, a Pokeball in hand. "We are looking to build a new, better world; stealing Pokemon won't be needed. So give it back; that's an order not as a Commander but as the new boss of Team Galactic."
"Y-yes." They spoke, releasing the Pokemon.
I looked to my left as Dawn caught up, panting. "Finally caught up to you."
Mars' eye began twitching, seeing Dawn. "If it isn't the little child who ruined our plans last time, and that must make you the new recruit Jupiter mentioned. Already betraying us, I see."
"I'd never side with terrorists who steal other people's Pokemon!" I snap, Zorua running to my side.
"I don't understand; we beat you. Cynthia told us what had happened. Cyrus was pulled into the Distortion World, never to be seen again. You lost!" Dawn reminded, furious.
"Lost? Lost, no, no, we haven't lost. I've heard him; from across the stars, Cyrus wishes to be set free. I will do everything I can to bring back our leader, and these Time distortions are the perfect tool. With him back as our rightful boss, we will create the new world Team Galactic always desired."
"Never." Dawn clenched her Pokeball tightly, now more ready than ever. "Let's go, Turtwig! It's time to stop Team Galatic once and for all!"
"I'm going to make sure I make up for mistakes. Go, Mimi!"
Mars turned around, scoffing at our attempts to stand against her. Meeting with us, she pushed back her trenchcoat, taking out a worn-down Pokeball. "Hahaha! You're both in for a world of trouble! Purugly, I choose you!
Dawn gave me a quick glance nodding, ready for battle. "Turtwig, let's start things off! Use Razor Leaf!"
Turtwig's leaves glow as it launches a barrage of sharp leaves towards Purugly. But, taking a risk, I knew following up with an attack of my own could really give us the upper hand. "Mimi, get in close and dodge the leaves; strike hard with Feint Attack!
Zorua swiftly manoeuvres through the air, avoiding the Razor Leaf attack, and charges at Purugly with a dark aura surrounding it. Mars pointed to us, shouting. "Purugly, show them your Swift!
Purugly quickly unleashes a barrage of glowing stars that streak through the air, aiming directly at Zorua. I love it when trainers don't understand typing. Dawn stood before me, taking action where I wasn't bothering. "Turtwig, protect Zorua with Withdraw!
Turtwig withdraws into its hard shell, creating a defensive barrier just in time to shield Hisuian Zorua from the incoming Swift attack. Raising my hand, I spoke, feeling bad. "Ugh, Dawn, you di- Great job, Turtwig! Mimi retaliate with Dark Pulse!"
Zorua concentrates its energy and releases a powerful dark pulse towards Purugly, striking it with a burst of a sinister force.
"Purugly, use Hypnosis to put Hisuian Zorua to sleep!" Mars ordered. Purugly stares intensely at Zorua, its eyes glowing with a hypnotic aura, attempting to lull her into a deep slumber.
"Turtwig, interrupt Purugly's Hypnosis with a quick Tackle!" Turtwig charges towards Purugly, slamming into it before the Hypnosis can take effect, breaking its concentration.
"Nice work, Turtwig! Mimi, no mercy, follow up with Extrasensory!"
Zorua focuses its psychic powers and releases a powerful wave of energy towards Purugly, dealing a significant blow. Slightly backed into a corner, Mars was already preparing another Pokeball; the red shine blinded me briefly; it wasn't any Pokeball I recognised. "Purugly, no more playing around! Use Slash!"
Purugly's claws glow with a sharp gleam as it lunges forward, slashing at Turtwig with incredible speed and precision.
Dawn flinched, gripping her scarf, thinking of what to do. "Turtwig, hold on! Counter with Energy Ball!" Turtwig gathers energy and forms a swirling green orb, launching it towards Purugly before the Slash can connect, hitting it with a critical hit.
"Mimi, finish this with Night Daze!"
Hisuian Zorua releases a powerful blast of dark energy, engulfing Purugly and leaving it reeling from the intense attack. Before either one of us could jump in to finish Mars' Pokemon, she recalled it. "That's enough, Purugly return."
"Giving up so soon, huh?" Dawn taunted. "Or do you want a repeat of two years ago?"
Mars looked up at us, fuming. Her hand clenched the mysterious Pokeball. "Such pitiful children; if not for you, Cyrus would have achieved his goals, and I could be by his side! A new world, one where we are in control. But things are different; I will make amends and see Cyrus back in our ranks. Nothing will stand in my way!"
Mars readied herself to send in her next Pokemon as my Rotom phone was going crazy. Then, flying next to me, I received a call from Professor Rowan. "Now's not a good time for a catch-up, professor..."
"Ge- o- -f t-er- run!" He shouted, cutting out. Trying to pay attention, Rowan's worried look dawned on me. "A Time Distortion i-."
The line was cut off as something felt wrong.
The ground began to shake. Pokemon began to fly away. A feeling of nostalgia swept over me.
"I have a bad feeling about this..."
Suddenly a dome erupted, covering the area. Echoes of the past bled out into the open, a strong wind pushing us back. In the blink of an eye, I stood at the edge of a lush green field.
"Not this again... I need to get back."
The ground began to shake as the tree behind me was cut clean in half. Leaping out of the way, my eyes widened at the sight. It was the noble Pokemon protected in the Obsidian Fieldlands, Kleavor. But its presence was completely different. It looked in pain, any features caped in an electrical yellow. Walking backwards, I gulped. "Easy, easy, I mean you no harm. I-."
I could not finish my sentence and rolled forward, avoiding a devastating attack.
The battle commenced, and I wasted no time. "Goodra, let's start strong! Use Dragon Pulse!" I commanded, my voice filled with determination.
Goodra's eyes glowed with intense energy as it unleashed a concentrated beam of dragon-like power towards the Kleavor. The attack streaked through the air, aiming to catch the agile insect Pokémon off guard.
But the Kleavor, living up to its reputation, dodged the Dragon Pulse with remarkable speed, evading the attack effortlessly.
Undeterred, I quickly devised a new plan. "Goodra, follow up with Thunderbolt!" I instructed, adjusting our strategy.
Goodra summoned electricity from the atmosphere, forming a crackling lightning bolt within its grasp. Then, with a resounding thunderclap, it released the Thunderbolt, aiming to strike the elusive Kleavor.
However, the Kleavor, utilising its acrobatic prowess, swiftly manoeuvred through the air, avoiding the electrical assault with astonishing agility.
Realising we needed a different approach, I assessed the situation. "Goodra, use Rain Dance to summon a downpour!" I called out, hoping to gain an advantage.
Goodra responded, summoning dark clouds that swirled overhead. Raindrops began to fall, creating a damp and charged atmosphere.
The rain worked in our favour, reducing mobility. Sensing an opportunity, I seized the moment. "Now, Goodra, show them your strength! Unleash a devastating Outrage!"
Goodra's eyes blazed with fury as it succumbed to a temporary state of uncontrollable rage. Then, it unleashed a relentless onslaught of powerful dragon-based attacks, pummeling the Kleavor with a ferocious Outrage.
The attack didn't do anything, making me flinch. "That isn't possible!"
Kleavor struck down Goodra, forcing me to call him back. The noble Pokemon turned its eyes to me, running at me and slashing at the ground. I was falling back into the Time Distortion, escaping that monster.
While still on the floor, I saw someone in the darkness ahead. I couldn't quite make out the details, but my heart was racing. I just knew it was him; it had to be.
"Dad? Dad! Wait, come back, it's me! Dad!" I shout, crawling to my feet, vanishing from sight. The storm's intensity knocked me back again as it began to die down. Then, as quickly as it appeared, the Time Distortion faded. Panting, a faint trickle of blood ran down my head. Holding it in pain, I stood up, finding Mars gone.
Wincing, I fell to one knee, doing everything I could to stand back up. Everything was still hazy, but it was all coming back to me. Returning to my time again, the crazed noble Pokemon, my... Dad appearing. I wasn't sure how much more of these Time Distortions I could naturally handle. The Rotom phone began ringing again as it hovered near my face. "Professor... Can you hear me?"
"Y/N? Thank Arcues, I thought we lost you there; what happened? Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine, just a little bump on the head. A Time Distortion crashed on Dawn and me while we were battling Team Galactic's Boss...; wait, Dawn! Are you alright, Dawn?"
Looking around, I saw her in the distance, holding onto a tree and standing up. "Professor, she's fine; we're both fine."
I was meeting with Dawn. As I got closer, my heart sunk to the bottom of my stomach. I froze on the spot, eyes widened. "What. What are you doing here?"
"Y/N? Is that you, ahh, my head... Where am I? What's going on?"
It wasn't Dawn. It was just like the picture, staring at us in the face if Dawn was in the past.
"Akari," I muttered in a state of shock. "I am so sorry."