The group walked down from the bleachers to meet up with Verity as she put away her badge. Dawn ran up first and jumped on Verity's back.
"You did it!" she exclaimed happily.
Verity almost stumbled, "Waaah! Dawn, don't do that!"
Dawn laughed as Verity caught her balance, "Sorry! I got excited!"
"You nearly made me drop my new badge!"
"But you didn't!" Dawn grinned, hopping off her back, "And you won!"
Verity smiled as she looked down at the badge in her hand, "Yeah...I actually did."
Lucas walked up next and gave her a thumbs-up, "I think this calls for a celebration dinner," he said, totally not because he wanted to eat more.
Barry crossed his arms, "Not bad! I mean, obviously my battle was better, but—"
Ash reached up and pushed his head down slightly, "Not the time, bud, but congrats to you too," Ash said playfully, making Barry huff and mutter something under his breath.
Verity chuckled, then looked over at Ash. She was honestly happy he had made it back. A small part of her had been worried that maybe he took so long because of what she said when she told him who cares if he watches her battle, and he took it seriously, but she wasn't gonna admit that.
Instead, Verity crossed her arms and gave Ash an annoyed look, "About time you showed up."
Ash blinked innocently, "Oh?"
"Yes, oh!" Verity huffed, "You missed almost my entire battle!"
Ash scratched the back of his head, "Yeah...about that."
"You said you were going to watch!"
"I know."
"And then you just disappeared!"
"I had a family emergency," Ash reminded her.
Verity huffed, "Still," she said, but at this point she wasn't even mad at Ash, "You're still late."
"I know."
"Stop saying that!"
Ash laughed again.
Dawn covered her mouth, trying not to laugh at Verity's frustration.
Ash stepped closer to Verity, "Look, I really am sorry. I wanted to see the whole thing."
Verity glanced at him, "Really?"
Ash nodded solemnly, "Then I guess I owe you."
Verity looked at him suspiciously, "You do."
"How about this?" Ash held up one finger, "One request."
Verity blinked, "Huh?"
"One request. Anything you want. I'll do it."
Verity stared at him, "Anything?"
Ash nodded, "Anything."
Dawn immediately leaned toward Verity, "Careful. You could make him do something really embarrassing."
Ash pointed at Dawn, "Hey, I said anything."
Barry lit up, "Hey, do I get one too? You missed my battle too!"
"Sure, what do you want, or are you just gonna fine me~?" Ash teased.
Barry huffed, "Maybe I will. You missed my entire battle. I'll fine you 1 million bucks for that."
Ash just looked at Barry. Dawn also looked confused, "That's it?"
Barry immediately pointed at her, "You don't count. We all know you're from a freakishly rich family."
But as he was pointing at Dawn frantically, Ash pulled out some bills and quickly counted some of it. Before getting the needed amount, he placed it all in Barry's pointed hand and patted him on the head, "Don't spend it all in one place."
Barry froze as he looked at the stack of bills in his hand. He did not actually think Ash was going to pay him. He was planning on just telling Ash that next time he gets first dibs on the Gym battle.
To be honest, did you ever wonder why Barry keeps saying he'll fine people? Sure, it is partly a joke when he says absurd numbers like a billion or a million, but when it's small amounts, he means it. And it's because he's trying to save up enough money so he can open up his own Battle Tower.
So that one day he can challenge his dad there, and maybe, just maybe, his dad won't be so far away all the time.
Anyway, as Barry looked like he was broken, Gardenia walked up to the gang after putting her Pokémon away to get some rest. When she got up to the gang, she gave a small smile.
"Congrats, you guys really pushed me a lot. I don't remember the last time I gave out 3 badges in one day," she said, clapping slightly, "But now that we finished, how about I walk you out? I have to close up the Gym and do...very important Ranger duties."
Verity slowly turned and looked at her, "It wouldn't happen to be telling people that the Old Chateau thing is dealt with, while conveniently leaving what we did out of it?"
"No!" Gardenia said a little too quickly as she looked away and whistled, looking away from them, to which Dawn and Verity both deadpanned at her, but dropped it. There was no point.
Gardenia led them toward the entrance of the Gym, and as they walked, Barry finally seemed to snap out of his daze.
"Hey," Barry suddenly said.
Everyone looked at him, "What?"
Barry looked around before rubbing his stomach, "I'm still thirsty."
Lucas raised an eyebrow, "You're thirsty?"
"Yeah."
Gardenia nodded, "Actually, I could use some water too. But..." She sighed, "I told you guys, the vending machine is still broken."
Ash looked over toward the side of the Gym, "You mean that one?"
He pointed toward the vending machine in question.
Gardenia nodded, "Yeah, that one."
Ash walked over and looked at the machine for a moment. He then nudged-slapped his watch, "Hey, get out here."
A small flash of light came out of the watch, and Rotom appeared.
Gardenia immediately froze, "Wah! Is that a G-G-Ghost-type? I'm not good with scary stuff..."
Rotom floated happily in front of her, making Gardenia shake like a baby Skiddo. Dawn smiled, "Yep. That's Rotom."
Gardenia slowly backed away. Rotom grinned and laughed as it flew into the vending machine.
"Ah! Rotom disappeared into the vending machine!"
Everyone watched as the vending machine suddenly began shaking. The lights flickered, and then the machine started making all sorts of strange noises.
Gardenia stared in amazement, "Oh wow, look at how much it's moving! That's pretty impressive." She slightly forgot that Rotom was a Ghost-type for just a moment.
Verity tilted her head, "Is it actually fixing it?"
Ash nodded, "Probably. Rotom can enter machines and mess around with the stuff inside."
Rotom popped out of the machine and floated proudly in front of them.
Lucas blinked, "That was fast, Rotom. Were you able to fix the vending machine?"
Rotom happily spun around in a circle.
"It's working again! The buttons are lit up!" Gardenia walked up to the newly fixed buttons. She cautiously pressed one of the buttons, and out came a water, "Oh hey, it's fixed!" Gardenia said, taking the water.
Rotom floated in front of her, looking smug. Gardenia still flinched, but she gulped, "Um, thanks, Rotom...Sorry I was scared of you."
Rotom spun in the air, and Ash translated, "It looks like Rotom's trying to tell you not to worry about it."
Barry meanwhile lit up, then he quickly went and got a water too, quickly waiting for it to come out of the machine.
Gardenia nodded, "Still, thanks a lot! Now I can get some water..." Gardenia started to open the cap, as Barry got his and did the same.
Dawn tapped her chin, "Though, wasn't this one kinda mischievous when we saw it at the Old Chateau? I'm surprised it didn't try to do a prank…"
As she said that, both Barry and Gardenia took a sip, then immediately spat the water out.
"Ouch, that's hot!" Barry called out, rubbing his mouth.
Gardenia was trying to use the air to cool her mouth too, "Huh, what happened? This water's piping hot!"
Verity poked Dawn in the side, "Looks like you spoke too soon~" and Dawn nodded once.
Ash shook his head and grabbed Rotom, shoving it back into his watch, "Maybe let the water cool off for a bit before drinking it. Anyway, Gardenia, we won't hold you. We know you have your 'important Ranger' business to take care of."
Gardenia snapped out of trying to cool her mouth down and nodded quickly, "Oh right, yeah. Good luck, you guys." She waved as they all went their separate ways.
Barry was still trying to cool his mouth, so he wasn't saying much, but Dawn put her hands behind her head, "Sooooo, the 3 of you got your badges. How are we gonna celebrate?"
"Well, you already know my vote. I say we go to a restaurant." Lucas raised his hand.
"I wouldn't be opposed," Dawn nodded, "I hear there is this high-class dinner that opened here recently. I could get us a reservation quickly."
Verity opened her mouth to protest, but when she heard Dawn say they could get a reservation quickly, she calmed down, "Well...if it's not like one of those places that you need a month in advance to get a reservation, maybe it's fine."
Little did she know, Dawn didn't say that they could get a reservation quickly. She said that SHE could get a reservation quickly. This restaurant needed a reservation 6 months in advance, but because of the Berlitz family's influence, she could do it.
Dawn nodded twice, "Yep, I'll call them now. Don't worry, leave it to me!" Dawn said with a thumbs-up, and for some reason, that smile didn't sit well in Verity's 'poor' little heart.
Ash nudged her with his shoulder, "Well, while Dawn does that, how about you put any thought into what you're gonna use your 1 favor for?"
Verity thought about it, "Do I have any limitations at all?"
"I mean, don't be an A-hole, I guess, but yeah, no. Go ahead, ask for anything," Ash said casually.
Verity thought about it, then she got a smile and pointed at him, "Ok, I want an Eevee. You said you could get Dawn one, well, I want one too."
Ash raised an eyebrow, "Sure, I guess?" He wondered if Verity forgot that Ash said he would get her one if she impressed him, so isn't this kinda a waste of a favor? But hey, it's her favor.
Verity pumped her fist, but as she did, a Poké Ball on her waist opened, and out came her Piplup, who got out to look at her, then crossed his arms and looked away, huffing.
Verity quickly waved her hands, "Wait, Piplup, you're still the cutest! It's just, imagine if we had an Eevee. It could help a lot!" she tried explaining, but her Piplup wasn't having it. He just kept huffing.
Dawn meanwhile finally walked back over from her call and heard the tail end, "Wait, you're getting Verity her Eevee? No fair, I want mine too! Ash, please, can you get me one?" Dawn clasped her hands together.
Ash took a step back as Dawn kept following him step after step, "I already said sure, but do you guys think I can just bring it out of thin air? I can get Eevees, it's just kinda a process."
"...but you are planning on giving me an Eevee, riggghhhhtttt?" Dawn said again.
Ash sighed. Like mentioned before, if his friends really beg him, he really finds it hard to say no, but he snapped out of it and put his hands on Dawn's shoulders, pushing her back, "I already said I'd get you one, just be patient."
Dawn puffed out her cheeks, "But I want it now."
"I know."
"Please?"
Ash stared at her.
Dawn clasped her hands together again, "Pleeeeease?"
Ash's eye twitched, "Dawn."
"Please?"
"Stop."
"Pleeeeeeease?"
Ash groaned and covered his face, "Why are you like this?"
Dawn smiled innocently, "Because it works."
"Is it really that easy?" Verity asked.
"No, not at all!" Ash quickly said.
But Dawn cut in, "Oh yeah, believe it or not, if you ask reallllyyy nicely, Ash can't say no~"
"You shut your mouth." Ash put his hand on Dawn's hat and pushed it down to cover her face, making her flail slightly.
Verity, watching the scene, slightly smiled and snorted, "Alright, can we murder each other later? I am kinda hungry."
"Fine, as long as Dawn doesn't spread such lies." Ash crossed his arms, and Dawn pushed her hat up and playfully stuck her tongue out.
"Alright, let's go, follow me," Dawn said playfully as she ran ahead, and the group followed along shortly.
—
{In the Team Galactic Base}
Cyrus was standing at a screen, looking at the results coming back and forth. He narrowed his eyes, looking at everything. His plans were going smoothly, but you can never be too cautious.
Suddenly, Jupiter walked into his office and bowed, "Master Cyrus, I have word from the T.G. Eterna Building."
"Speak," Cyrus said, not looking back at her. He just kept looking at the screens.
"I have word, Champion Cynthia attacked and captured the Grunts we had positioned, and now the League is asking questions," Jupiter explained.
Cyrus listened, and then spoke, "And?"
Jupiter blinked, "I'm sorry, sir?"
Cyrus finally turned and looked at her, "Anything that is actually worth my time?"
Jupiter blinked, "Um, no, that is all."
"Then send a statement saying that I had no idea that Team Galactic took over my building, and that I can only hope my real employees are safe and sound," he said with the same monotone voice he always used.
This was all to Cyrus's expectations. After all, he already moved all the 'important' members and information out of the building. He just left all those grunts to use as scapegoats.
And as for the building, yes, he did own it, but it wasn't under Team Galactic. It was under him, but he already took precautions. He's been doing things like this to cover his tracks from all his businesses. After all, how do you think Team Galactic gets all its funding?
Along with being a scientist, Cyrus owns multiple businesses, and he tracked the stock market, always making investments that always saw profit, and he could always get a payout before there was a crash.
Sure, they would have to lie low in Eterna City for a while, but Team Galactic had never truly depended on the building in Eterna City. It was simply one of many locations they used to move things around, gather information, and conduct experiments without drawing attention.
Everything that was lost was replaceable, and so that is what would happen, including the grunts. And as for if he's scared that they will reveal secrets, not possible. He made sure that they would never be able to.
Cyrus calmly looked toward Jupiter, "You may leave."
Jupiter bowed, "Yes, Master Cyrus."
She turned around and walked out.
The moment the door closed behind her, Cyrus turned back toward his computer and smiled as he watched the transfer he was watching get completed.
Meanwhile, Jupiter walked down the hallway with a tablet in her hands.
She stopped when she reached Mars, who seemed like she was waiting for her.
Mars looked over, "Well?"
"Cyrus says the building is to be treated as a loss."
Mars blinked, "That's it?"
"That is all."
Mars stared at her, "What about the grunts?"
"Disposable."
Mars raised an eyebrow, "You know, sometimes I think he genuinely doesn't care about anyone."
Jupiter shrugged, "He doesn't."
Mars thought about that, "Fair."
Jupiter started walking, and Mars went with her, "How was your mission?"
"I got the necessary power, but I ran into some annoyances," Mars sighed.
"Really? Who?" Jupiter asked.
"Hunter J."
"I see. Were you able to gather more information on her?" Jupiter asked. Cyrus has been trying to get into contact with Hunter J, but she isn't really the kind of person who listens.
But he also mentioned that, soon, he will have something, and Hunter J will be unable to say no to what he offers.
"No, we got ran out by something. I don't even know what. All of the Grunts I took got taken out, and so did hers."
"Hm, strange," Jupiter said simply as she kept walking, "But if you have time to annoy me, can you get this to Charon? I need to send out the statement," she said, holding out a folder.
Mars sighed, "I missed when we could make Io do this for us," she said, taking the folder.
"She was captured," Jupiter said simply, "So someone has to pick up the slack."
"Now that I think about it, if Io is gone, who is in charge of Agent Lily?" Mars asked.
"I dunno, but not like I care. I'd rather not have her following me around. Could you imagine having some little girl follow you like a lost Poochyena?" Jupiter rolled her eyes, "You're free to try and get her on your team if you want, I don't care, but not right now. Saturn sent her on a mission."
"Nah, I don't want her either," Mars said, as she looked at the folder and sighed, "Fine, I'll go drop it off."
"Good," Jupiter nodded, as she kept walking and walked off, leaving Mars in the hall. She sighed one more time and rubbed her temple before she turned on her heel and walked to the lab. There was still so much work to do.
—
{With Ashtwo}
D and his team, after taking the quick detour at Eterna City, quickly made their way to the real black market, which was their real goal.
Thanks to the information D managed to grab, he knew the way in and the codes, and when someone saw them and thought they would be easy people to rob or even kidnap, D reminded everyone of the time he ran their pockets back in Johto, and he could do it anytime he wanted.
Anyway, they got in, and that's what's important. Once they got in, he led his squad aside. They would split up, Annie and Oakley on one team, Enid and Jay on another, and Helena and Domino on the 3rd. Meanwhile, he would go on his own.
Their main objective here was to learn as much as they could get, and if they had to use money, they all had a budget of 10k bucks, and no more. They could not afford to pay their way through.
And even though they would have preferred to not let D go off alone, they also knew that D was way stronger than them and they could not stop him, so it was better to just wait to see if he would call them himself.
That left D to go off on his own. He looked around the market and noticed a few things, including that Team Galactic currently seemed to have the main control over most things down here. Not everything, but it was certainly hard to find something that they didn't run.
As he walked looking around, he did 'door' duty, asking stall after stall, never directly asking because that would be way too suspicious, but as long as he danced around it, he could get snippets that he could piece together.
As he walked, he also saw if there was anything useful he could get here, but it didn't really look like it. Most of the things down here were Pokémon that came from hunters, but mostly Hunter J. Speaking of which, he still had her wristband that let her freeze Pokémon. He should use that after the modifications he made to it.
And sure, he could beat most of the people here, but that would cause too much attention, and if he did that, then it might get to Cyrus, and he could not let that piece of garbage get any leverage on him.
But as he walked past and got to the other side of the market, when he was planning on regrouping with his group, he stopped because his eyes landed on someone he 'recognised'. It was Pokémon 7, AKA Hiori.
Welp, looked like things were about to get way more interesting