Gary didn't answer the question. Instead, he passed it directly to Cynthia.
"I think Miss Cynthia should know the answer to that," Gary said.
As the Champion of the Sinnoh League, Cynthia naturally knew certain classified matters within the League. The existence of another world was certainly one of them. It was simply that the League had kept the matter confidential and had been quietly conducting research in private.
Everyone turned to look at Cynthia.
Cynthia was slightly taken aback. She hadn't expected Gary to shift the topic onto her.
"Grandma, this involves classified information. I can't talk about it," Cynthia said.
Although Cynthia refused to elaborate, everyone present immediately understood the implication.
Another world really did exist.
"I honestly didn't expect someone your age to have such ideas about time and space. You really don't think like an ordinary young man," Professor Carolina said in amazement.
She found it difficult to imagine a teenager knowing this much.
Carolina glanced at Cynthia. When her granddaughter had been Gary's age, she had still been focused entirely on raising Pokémon. She hadn't started studying Pokémon history until after becoming Champion, when she gradually developed an interest in Sinnoh's ancient legends.
But looking at Professor Oak's grandson...
At such a young age, he was not only an outstanding Trainer, but had also formed his own theories about Pokémon research. Without knowing anything about the League's classified research, he had still deduced so many theories regarding time and space.
"So, Gary, do you believe there are other worlds in the universe?" Cyrus asked.
"Of course. Not just one other world—there are probably countless worlds. There may even be a multiverse. If human technology ever reaches the point where it can truly interfere with time and space, it might even become possible to travel to parallel worlds," Gary replied.
"If that's really true," Cyrus said quietly, "then I'd rather return to the world's original beginning... to see what the world looked like before everything started. A world without war."
Cyrus's expression had already become somewhat fanatical, as though he truly longed for the world's earliest era.
"Mr. Cyrus, I think you've misunderstood something," Gary said. "The world's earliest era wasn't nearly as peaceful as you imagine. There may not have been wars between nations, but humans had to fight monsters every day just to survive. Medical care and technology were primitive. Diseases and natural disasters couldn't be dealt with. Human life was extremely fragile back then. Early humans lived miserable lives."
"Those problems can all be solved. At least now, humanity's greatest conflicts are caused by humans themselves," Cyrus replied.
Gary couldn't understand Cyrus's way of thinking.
Someone as capable as Cyrus should have easily realized this. Yet he still wanted to return the world to its original state. While there may have been no human wars, survival certainly wouldn't have been easy.
Every living thing in the world competed with one another. The best anyone could do was seek common ground while accepting differences.
Wanting to return to the past was simply running away.
"There he goes again. Cyrus is such a pacifist," Professor Carolina complained.
Pacifism wasn't unique to this world, nor was it unique to any other. Still, Cyrus was incredibly wealthy, so those who disagreed with him usually tolerated him for the sake of his financial support.
Boom!!
Suddenly, the entire vault shook violently.
Fortunately, it had been built sturdy enough that nothing collapsed.
Just then, the laboratory radio crackled to life.
"An explosion has occurred at the Celestic Ruins! A large number of Golbat have appeared around the site!"
Everyone immediately rushed out of the vault. Professor Carolina froze the moment she heard something had happened at the ruins.
Those ruins were the subject of years of her research. She had even built this laboratory here specifically because of them.
"Third and fifth squads, proceed immediately to the Celestic Ruins for rescue! Seal off the surrounding area! Fourth squad, head to Area B! Sixth squad, move to Area D and reinforce the defenses!" Officer Jenny immediately began directing the police officers outside to support the ruins.
Gary silently watched everything unfold.
He couldn't help feeling that Officer Jenny's response was too straightforward. Team Galactic was obviously creating a diversion.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
"That's strange... the vault door won't close."
Professor Carolina tried to shut the vault, but the system immediately sounded an alarm and completely locked up.
"What?!"
Officer Jenny looked shocked.
The Adamant Orb had only recently been stolen, and now the enemy was bold enough to strike again—even with the Champion present.
Just then, another voice came through the walkie-talkie.
"The laboratory's security system has been compromised. We have no control over it for the time being."
Officer Jenny frowned.
"At this rate, there's no way to guarantee the safety of the Lustrous Orb."
"Move it somewhere else," Cynthia suggested immediately.
"We'll help protect the Lustrous Orb too," Ash volunteered.
"It must be fate that you happened to come to Celestic Town today. Please lend us your help," Officer Jenny said.
This was the same Officer Jenny from Veilstone City, so she already knew both Ash and Gary.
"No problem."
Officer Jenny then called over several police officers to help.
Everyone found a transport cart, carefully placed the Lustrous Orb onto it, and began pushing it away.
Just as they were about to leave—
Flash!
A burst of white light suddenly shot out from Brock's pocket and landed on the ground.
As the light faded, a Croagunk appeared.
[Lv. 40 Croagunk / Elite]
This was the first time Gary had seen Brock's Croagunk.
Whenever Brock went to flirt with girls, Croagunk would always poison-jab him to stop him, saving the girls from an awkward situation. It was practically a gentleman among Pokémon.
This time, however, Croagunk didn't attack Brock.
Instead, it quietly walked toward the other end of the corridor.
Everyone looked confused.
No one knew what Croagunk was doing.
"You guys go ahead. I'll go see what's wrong," Brock said.
"Got it. Let's move," Cynthia replied.
Without waiting for Brock, Cynthia led everyone toward the laboratory's main hall.
Very soon, the group arrived there.
The moment they stepped inside, they saw Saturn standing at the entrance together with five Team Galactic members. Around them floated a Bronzor and several Golbat.
[Lv. 45 Bronzor / Gym]
[Lv. 40 Golbat / Gym]
[Lv. 38 Golbat / Gym]
[Lv. 42 Golbat / Gym]
Gary swept his eyes across Team Galactic's Pokémon.
Every one of them was below level 45, with Saturn's Bronzor being the highest level.
"Team Galactic!"
Ash immediately recognized Saturn and the others.
Saturn paid no attention to him.
"Hand over the Lustrous Orb," he said flatly.
"I see now," Cynthia suddenly said. "The explosion just now was nothing more than a diversion to draw the police away."
Officer Jenny had moved almost everyone outside, giving Saturn and the others the perfect opportunity to break into the laboratory through the main entrance.