Michina Temple, the dungeon.
With Spiky-eared Pichu leading the way,
Li Wei and the others fought their way past every obstacle and reached the dungeon where Damos was imprisoned.
Damos was bewildered.
Even after Lucario shattered the shackles binding his hands and feet, he still looked utterly confused.
The people before him wore clothes completely unlike anything in present-day Michina. They did not seem to be locals.
"Thank you..."
Li Wei nodded and asked, "Are you Damos?"
Damos nodded. "Yes."
In the dim light, Ash and the others could finally make out Damos's face.
It was indeed him-the Damos they had seen commanding Pokémon to attack Arceus at a later point in the timeline.
Ash demanded angrily, "Why didn't you return the Life Orb to Arceus?"
At that accusation, Damos's expression grew serious.
"I never did such a thing!"
Damos said firmly, "I never intended to keep the Life Orb. I was going to return it to Arceus!"
"Liar!"
Having witnessed that scene earlier, Ash did not believe Damos.
Li Wei asked in return, "Ash, why don't you think about why he's in the dungeon?"
Ash blinked at Li Wei's words.
Li Wei continued, "Think carefully about his eyes when he gave that order."
Since there was still plenty of time before the total solar eclipse, Li Wei decided to hear Damos out.
Ash suddenly began seriously questioning himself.
Back then, Damos's eyes had seemed... completely vacant?
Brock suddenly caught on. "Maybe it was Hypnosis!"
Dawn understood at once as well. "It must have been that man named Marcus! He used Hypnosis to control him!"
Li Wei gave his orders. "Lucario, Diancie, Meloetta, Dragonite, go keep watch."
"Luca!"
Although Li Wei had brought only three Pokémon himself, Ash and the others still had their Poké Balls.
That made things much