Gary did not answer the question directly. Instead, he calmly shifted his gaze toward Cynthia.
"I think Miss Cynthia should be the one to answer this," Gary said.
As the Champion of the Sinnoh League, Cynthia was certainly aware of many confidential matters within the Pokémon League. Some of those secrets undoubtedly involved research into time, space, and even the existence of other worlds. It was just that the League had always kept such matters strictly classified and conducted research privately.
Everyone turned to look at Cynthia.
Cynthia was slightly taken aback. She had not expected Gary to throw such a sensitive topic to her so suddenly.
"Grandma," Cynthia said after a brief pause, "these matters involve League-level confidentiality. I can't speak about them openly."
Although she refused to explain further, everyone present understood one thing clearly—
The existence of another world was real.
"I really didn't expect you to have such deep thoughts about time and space at such a young age," Professor Carolina said in amazement. "You really don't behave like an ordinary teenager."
She was genuinely shocked.
When Cynthia had been Gary's age, she had still been focused entirely on training Pokémon and participating in Gym battles. She had not dared to touch the topic of Pokémon history or mythology until she became Champion and gradually developed an interest in Sinnoh's ancient legends.
Yet here stood Gary—Professor Oak's grandson—young, powerful, an outstanding Trainer, and already capable of forming his own theories about time, space, and parallel worlds without even knowing the League's internal research results.
The difference was striking.
"So, Gary," Cyrus suddenly asked, his eyes fixed on him, "do you believe that there are other worlds in the universe?"
"Of course," Gary replied without hesitation. "Not just one or two—there could be countless worlds. Parallel worlds, overlapping timelines, even something like a multiverse may exist. If human technology continues to advance and truly touches the field of time and space, traveling to other worlds may become possible."
Cyrus's breathing grew slightly heavier.
"If that's really the case…" he murmured, "then I would rather go back to the very origin of the world—to the earliest time and space—and witness the world's original form. A world without war… without conflict."
At this point, Cyrus's voice carried a clear sense of obsession.
Gary frowned slightly.
"Mr. Cyrus, I think you have a misunderstanding," Gary said calmly. "The earliest era of the world wasn't peaceful. There may not have been wars between nations, but humans had to fight wild Pokémon and monsters every day just to survive. Medical technology was primitive, natural disasters were frequent, and diseases were incurable. Human life was fragile and cheap back then. Early humans lived miserable lives."
Cyrus replied coldly, "All of that can be resolved. In the end, the greatest source of conflict is humans themselves."
Gary could not understand Cyrus's logic.
A man this intelligent should easily be able to think of such things. And yet, Cyrus still clung to the idea of returning to a so-called 'pure' world. Even without human conflict, survival would never be easy.
Competition existed among all living beings. The only realistic solution was to seek coexistence while accepting differences. Wanting to escape into the past was nothing more than running away.
"He's at it again," Professor Carolina complained softly. "Cyrus is always talking like a pacifist."
Pacifism did not mean that a world could exist without struggle. This world was no exception.
However, Cyrus was extremely wealthy and influential. Those who disliked him could only endure his ideas silently—for the sake of funding.
Boom!!
Suddenly, a violent explosion shook the entire vault.
The ground trembled, and the walls let out a deep rumble. Fortunately, the vault was built with reinforced materials, so it did not collapse.
"What's going on?!" Dawn cried out in shock.
At that moment, a sharp voice came from the laboratory's radio system.
"Report! An explosion has occurred near the Celestic Ruins! A large number of Golbat have appeared in the area!"
Everyone's expressions changed instantly.
"The ruins…!" Professor Carolina froze. Those ruins were her life's research. She had even built the Historical Research Center here specifically to study them.
Officer Jenny reacted immediately.
"Third and fifth squads, proceed to the Celestic Ruins for emergency response! Seal off the surrounding area! Fourth squad, move to Area B! Sixth squad, move to Area D and reinforce the defenses!"
Gary observed everything quietly and couldn't help but feel that Officer Jenny's response was flawed.
Team Galactic was clearly using a diversion. Drawing police forces away from the Research Center would inevitably expose its defenses.
"Something's wrong…" Gary muttered.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
An alarm suddenly rang out.
"It's strange—the vault door won't close!" Professor Carolina tried to shut it down, but the system flashed red and immediately shut itself down.
"What?!" Officer Jenny exclaimed in disbelief.
The Adamant Orb had already been stolen once. And now, with the Champion present, the enemy still dared to act so boldly?
At that moment, a voice came through the walkie-talkie.
"Report! The laboratory's security system has been hacked and is temporarily out of control!"
Officer Jenny clenched her fists.
"With the system down, we can't guarantee the safety of the Lustrous Orb."
"Then transfer it to another location," Cynthia said decisively.
"We'll help protect it too!" Ash volunteered immediately.
"Pika!"
Pikachu leapt forward, sparks crackling faintly around its cheeks.
"Piplup!"
Piplup puffed out its chest, clearly ready for action.
Officer Jenny nodded. "It's fate that you all are here. Then please assist us."
This Officer Jenny was the same one stationed in Veilstone City. She recognized both Ash and Gary.
"No problem," Gary said.
The officers quickly brought over a reinforced transport cart. The Lustrous Orb, still sealed within its protective container, was carefully placed on it.
The group began pushing the cart toward the main hall.
Just as they were about to leave—
Bang!
A Poké Ball suddenly burst open from Brock's pocket. A white light shot out and landed on the ground.
The light faded, revealing a purple, bipedal Pokémon.
"Croa!"
A Croagunk appeared.
[LV40 Croagunk / Elite]
This was the first time Gary had seen Brock's Croagunk up close.
Every time Brock tried to flirt with a woman, Croagunk would mercilessly jab him with Poison Jab, numbing him instantly. Yet outside of those moments, Croagunk always behaved like a calm and gentlemanly Pokémon.
This time, however, Croagunk did not attack Brock.
Instead, it turned its head sharply and stared down the corridor.
"Croa… gunk."
Then it began walking toward the other side of the passage.
"Huh?" Brock was stunned. "What's wrong, Croagunk?"
Everyone looked confused.
"Something's off," Brock said. "You guys go ahead. I'll follow it and see what's going on."
"Got it," Cynthia said immediately. "Let's move."
Cynthia led the others toward the main hall while Brock followed Croagunk in the opposite direction.
Moments later, Cynthia's group arrived at the central lobby of the Historical Research Center.
The moment they stepped in, everyone froze.
Standing at the entrance was a familiar figure—Charon—along with five Team Galactic grunts.
Floating and flapping around them were several Pokémon.
[LV45 Bronzor / Gym]
[LV40 Golbat / Gym]
[LV38 Golbat / Gym]
[LV42 Golbat / Gym]
Gary's eyes narrowed slightly.
All of Team Galactic's Pokémon were below level 45. The strongest among them was Bronzor.
"Team Galactic!" Ash shouted.
"Pika!!"
Pikachu leapt forward, electricity surging.
Charon showed no sign of fear.
"Hand over the Lustrous Orb," he said coldly.
At that moment, Cynthia suddenly understood everything.
"So the explosion earlier was just a diversion," she said calmly. "You lured the police away from here."
Officer Jenny had dispatched most of her forces to the ruins, giving Team Galactic the perfect chance to break in through the main entrance.