Heatran was classified as a Legendary Pokémon, but it was not a truly unique existence.
Although rare, there were still multiple Heatran scattered throughout volcanic regions across the world. As long as one searched enough active volcanoes and magma caves, it was possible to encounter one.
Because of this, Gary was certain of one thing:
The Heatran that had recently appeared was not Tobias's Pokémon.
After Tobias revealed his terrifying strength by using Darkrai, he had immediately become the center of attention. Every Trainer, researcher, and League official was watching him closely. If Tobias also possessed a Heatran and registered it for the League, there was no way it would have gone unnoticed.
If a Heatran had truly appeared at the registration hall, other Trainers would already be spreading the news.
Which meant that the Heatran Mars had captured had nothing to do with Tobias.
Night gradually descended over Veilstone City.
Gary was having dinner at the Pokémon Center restaurant when Ash, Dawn, and Brock returned from outside, looking cheerful and satisfied.
In the morning, Dawn had battled Maylene at the Veilstone Gym and had lunch there afterward.
In the afternoon, Ash had challenged Maylene as well. After the battle, they had joined a guided tour to visit the famous Meteorite Pit, one of Veilstone City's main attractions. After sightseeing, they had hurried back to the Pokémon Center to rest.
"Gary, you're still here?" Ash asked in surprise when he saw him. "I thought you left this morning."
"I'll leave tomorrow," Gary replied calmly. Then he asked, "Did you get your Badge?"
"Of course I did!"
Ash proudly opened his Badge Case. Three Sinnoh Badges gleamed inside.
"Then keep collecting them," Gary said. "Good luck."
After saying that, he returned to his room.
Ash and the others went to the counter to order food. They had spent the entire day battling and sightseeing and were starving.
Back in his room, Gary turned on his laptop and searched for information about Stark Mountain.
Stark Mountain was located on an island north of Sinnoh. The entire mountain was covered in thick volcanic ash, and its rock formations were unusually dense and heavy.
According to research notes, the rocks of Stark Mountain contained a high concentration of metal elements, which made them extremely hard. It was rumored that Protector, the evolution item for Rhydon, was refined from minerals found there.
Gary also read posts from Fire-type Trainers who had explored the area. They shared maps of lava tunnels, temperature warnings, and advice on avoiding sudden eruptions and cave collapses.
Many Trainers had gone there hoping to capture Fire-type Pokémon.
"Fighting-type Pokémon will be more suitable," Gary murmured.
Using overly destructive attacks inside Stark Mountain could trigger landslides or magma bursts. Fighting-types had strong control over their power and could fight in confined spaces without destroying the terrain.
After making up his mind, Gary left his room and prepared to teleport Machamp to his location.
When Gary reached the first-floor lobby, he immediately sensed something was wrong.
The hall was crowded, and people were speaking anxiously.
"My phone doesn't work!"
"The Pokémon transporter is down!"
"Nurse Joy, what's happening?!"
Nurse Joy looked flustered. The healing machines behind her had stopped functioning, and several Pokémon were still in the middle of treatment.
"Please stay calm," she said repeatedly. "We're working on restoring the system. Please wait patiently."
Gary glanced at the large screen on the wall.
Instead of the usual news broadcast, it displayed static.
It wasn't just the Pokémon Center.
All electronic systems in Veilstone City had lost signal.
"Team Galactic has started moving," Gary muttered.
He looked at the clock.
It was only 8:30 PM.
It was still early, and most citizens were awake.
For Team Galactic to act at this time meant they were no longer concerned about hiding.
In the original timeline, Cyrus had accelerated his plans after repeated failures and constant monitoring by the Sinnoh League and International Police.
Mars's earlier capture of Heatran had already drawn too much attention.
From then on, every one of their actions had been obstructed.
Gary understood something clearly:
Cyrus was running out of time.
No one truly knew what kind of world Cyrus wanted to create—whether it would be a parallel universe or a void beyond space and time.
But Gary believed it would be a parallel world.
Cyrus would be sent to ancient Hisui, where Team Galactic would continue to exist, forming a closed cycle of cause and effect.
But that was another world's history.
In this world, technology had developed fastest in Kanto, and only recently had other regions begun to catch up.
And now—
Team Galactic was acting again.
Gary did not stop to question Nurse Joy.
He rushed outside, released Magnezone, and summoned Cyclizar.
The Meteorite Pit was located in Veilstone City's scenic park, not far from the Pokémon Center.
From a distance, Gary could already see two helicopters hovering in the sky.
Each helicopter had an open hatch underneath, and thick steel cables hung down, swaying slightly.
Gary immediately drove toward the park.
At the entrance, he saw familiar figures.
Ash, Dawn, and Brock were already there.
They had noticed the problem at the Pokémon Center and rushed out to investigate.
"Gary!" Ash called when he saw him.
"Did something happen?" Dawn asked anxiously.
"What are you riding?" Brock added, staring at Cyclizar in surprise.
"Don't ask questions," Gary said quickly. "Get on. We're going to the mountain."
"Okay!"
Ash jumped onto Cyclizar's back without hesitation. With Cyclizar's size, carrying two people was no problem.
Brock and Dawn climbed onto Magnezone and held on carefully.
"Let's go," Gary said. "Full speed."
"Cyc—li—zar!"
Cyclizar accelerated instantly.
Its speed surged past one hundred kilometers per hour. Magnezone struggled to keep up and lagged slightly behind.
"Whoa!" Ash exclaimed. "What Pokémon is this? It's insanely fast!"
"We'll talk later," Gary said. "First, we check what's happening."
Ash puffed out his cheeks and pulled out his Pokédex.
Pokédex:
"Data unknown. This Pokémon is not recorded in the Sinnoh Pokédex."
Ash blinked.
"So it's not from Sinnoh…"
That explained why his Pokédex couldn't identify it.