The Transfer Student

Shadows in Lumiose

Ash and Greninja rushed back to the school, their minds racing after the warning from the mysterious man. They knew they had to tell Professor Sycamore immediately.

When they arrived at the professor's office, Ash didn't waste any time. "Professor, something just happened. A man in a dark cloak approached me. He said that Team Flare is planning something big and that we're being watched."

Professor Sycamore's expression turned serious. "That's concerning. Did he give you any more information?"

Ash shook his head. "No, he disappeared before I could ask anything else."

Sycamore leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. "I've been making some inquiries about that night at the festival. A few of my contacts mentioned seeing someone suspicious in the area before the event started. But no one knows who he is."

Clemont, Serena, and Gary had just entered the office, overhearing the conversation.

"That's strange," Clemont said, adjusting his glasses. "If he knows about Team Flare's plans, maybe he's a former member or someone working against them."

Gary crossed his arms. "Or he could be setting us up. How do we know we can trust him?"

Ash clenched his fists. "I don't know. But if Team Flare is planning something, we have to find out what it is before it's too late."

Sycamore nodded. "We need to gather more information. There are a few places in Lumiose City where we might find answers. A friend of mine works at the Prism Tower observatory. He might have security footage from the night of the festival."

Clemont's eyes widened. "That's a great idea! If that man was at the festival, the cameras might have caught him."

Serena looked at Ash. "Then we should go check it out. The sooner we know who he is, the better."

Professor Sycamore handed Ash a small device. "This will let you access the observatory's footage with my authorization. Be careful, Ash. If Team Flare really is watching, they won't like you digging into this."

Ash took the device and nodded. "We'll be careful, Professor. But we have to do this."

With that, Ash, Serena, Clemont, and Gary left the school and made their way to Lumiose City. The streets were lively as usual, but Ash couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching them.

As they approached Prism Tower, Clemont led the way. "The observatory is on the upper floors. If anyone has access to security footage, it'll be my old colleagues."

They entered the building and took the elevator up. A scientist greeted them at the entrance. "Clemont! It's been a while. What brings you here?"

"We need access to the security footage from the night of the festival," Clemont explained. "Professor Sycamore authorized it."

The scientist hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright, follow me."

They entered the security room, where multiple screens displayed live footage from around the city. The scientist pulled up the footage from the festival night and began rewinding.

"There!" Ash pointed at the screen. The cloaked man was visible, moving through the crowd.

Serena leaned closer. "Can you zoom in on his face?"

The scientist adjusted the footage, but the hood still covered most of the man's face. However, for a brief moment, his face was partially visible.

Gary frowned. "I've seen that face before... but where?"

Clemont typed on the computer. "Let me run it through the city's database."

As the computer searched, Ash felt his heart pounding. Who was this man? And what did he really know about Team Flare's plans?

Serena, noticing Ash's tension, placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "We'll figure this out together, Ash."

Ash glanced at her, offering a small smile. "Yeah, I know. Thanks, Serena."

The moment was interrupted by a beep as the screen flashed with a name.

Serena gasped. "It's..."

Before she could finish, the screen suddenly went black. A message flashed in red letters: Unauthorized Access Detected.

The scientist's eyes widened. "What?! That shouldn't happen!"

Clemont quickly started typing again. "Someone just cut the connection."

Ash turned to the others, his expression serious. "That means someone doesn't want us to know the truth."

At that moment, the lights in the building flickered. An announcement came through the speakers: Security lockdown activated.

Serena instinctively grabbed Ash's arm, her voice laced with concern. "Ash, we're trapped!"

Gary clenched his fists. "Looks like we've been caught."

Ash glanced at Greninja. "Then we'll have to fight our way out."

Suddenly, the door behind them slammed shut, locking them inside the security room. Red emergency lights cast an eerie glow over the walls. Outside, they could hear the distant sounds of footsteps approaching.

Clemont frantically typed on the control panel. "I'll try to override the lockdown, but it might take a few minutes."

Ash and Gary took defensive stances near the door while Serena stood beside Clemont, keeping an eye on the screens.

A voice echoed through the speakers. "You should have stayed out of this, Ash Ketchum."

Ash narrowed his eyes. "Team Flare."

The sound of locks disengaging echoed through the room. The door creaked open, and in the dim hallway beyond, shadowy figures began to appear.

Serena took a deep breath. "Here they come."

Ash nodded at Greninja. "Then let's show them what we can do."

To be continued...