Pokemon Heroes: Sinnoh Saga [Book 1]

Chapter 74: Through the Tunnels of Mt. Coronet

"Team Galactic had made their plans clear. They would strike all three of Sinnoh's sacred lakes, and steal from within the ancient chambers, the Legendary Pokémon that slumbered. The Lake Guardians: Uxie of Lake Acuity, Azelf of Lake Valor, and Mesprit of Lake Verity. Together, these three Pokémon would allow Team Galactic to forge the Red Chain and summon and control the Creator Gods of Sinnoh and eventually, the one who created them all. But that...that is a story for much later on in our tale; for now, we were still rushing towards Snowpoint City and Lake Acuity, trying—though we knew better—to stop Team Galactic from kidnapping the next Lake Guardian, Uxie. It also just so happened that my next Gym Battle was with Snowpoint City's Candice, so that worked out for the better."

After everyone met up again, a plan was hatched immediately to decide how to proceed.

It was decided that the force at Lake Valor would split up and go to the two remaining lakes.

Crasher Wake, Valentina and Maylene remained at Lake Valor to assist the people and Pokémon who remained and begin discussing the logistics of the clean-up efforts.

Fantina had to return to Hearthome to deal with both a challenge at her gym and cancel prior engagements with the Pokémon Contests in Hearthome going forward—at least until further notice. She also wanted to call her daughter, Drasna, home, and put her in charge of the gym until the matter with Team Galactic was sorted out, after which, Fantina promised to head towards Lake Acuity in northern Sinnoh.

Rort returned to his job, and his rest, as his foot was no longer able to deal with the fast-paced action of chasing Team Galactic.

Sakura Oak was sent home to Twinleaf Town, where she would stay with Jeremy's mother and Sam's grandmother until things called down.

Lou was forced to return to the ranch, as he had taken the bulk of his farm hands with him and needed to reorder work schedules and duties and redistribute who he had with him to ensure the ranch could run smoothly for extended periods of time with his absence to come. Lou pledged himself and some farm hands to the future battle with Team Galactic and would be ready for the fight and would meet up with everyone at Lake Acuity.

Professor Rowan, Cynthia, Byron and Roark returned to Lake Verity. They took with them Dawn and Lucas.

Barry made his own way up to Lake Acuity—for reasons he refused to share.

Gardenia and Nilama chose to join him, as did Palmer.

They agreed to meet Sam and his friends at the lake, and guard it before Team Galactic arrived.

Sam and his friend's job was to check in at Lake Acuity, and also go to Snowpoint City and recruit Gym Leader Candice, who hadn't been responding to messages sent by the Pokémon League.

Sam figured he would take the opportunity to battle the Gym Leader and take the badge too.

In fact, he disguised his desire to meet Maylene by sending her a Writ of Challenge.

Cynthia proposed that perhaps Team Galactic or someone with sinister plans were attempting to cut communication with the nearest, and most isolate Gym Leader, who was also conveniently closest to Lake Acuity.

Volkner had not responded to the call either. Though a blackout in Sunyshore City had left the Gym Leader too preoccupied to join the fight—supposedly the explosion at Lake Valor had shattered many of the solar panels embedded into the roads and roofs of the city, causing power shortages and an eventual failure and shut off.

The city was working hard on fixing the issue, but they also closed off all ports of entry until the problem was fixed.

The destruction wrought by Team Galactic's attack of Lake Valor had far reaching circumstances, whether intended or otherwise.