Team Rocket's appearance added a certain theatrical flair to the struggle, as well as an unexpected twist to the incident.
From Ash and his friends' perspective, although Team Rocket's intervention at this moment did catch them somewhat off guard, it was also within their expectations.
After all, these guys basically did nothing else every day. Aside from occasionally finding time to earn money, they constantly pestered Ash, following him like a shadow. It would have been strange if they hadn't intervened at an opportunity like this!
It was very much in character for them, too.
But for the members of Team Galactic, Team Rocket's appearance briefly left them bewildered and confused.
Especially Cyrus, who was disguised as a businessman!
Where had these guys come from?
When exactly had they arrived?
Amid the chaos, the Team Rocket Trio also snatched the Lustrous Orb and took it out of the museum.
Both Cynthia's group and the members of Team Galactic, surprised as they were, naturally followed close behind, all chasing them outside.
There was no need to dwell on the process.
Nor on how Cynthia, Ash, and the members of Team Galactic fought over it, or how the Team Rocket Trio ultimately got sent flying as usual and disappeared into the sky.
In short, after a series of snatches and changes of hands, Team Galactic ultimately succeeded in taking the Lustrous Orb away.
That also meant that despite guarding it for so long, Cynthia had still failed to protect this treasure.
It was easy to imagine what a heavy blow this was for the Champion.
Especially after Courtney and Shelly had just provoked her.
Perhaps, since Cynthia became Champion-no, since she became a Pokémon Trainer-she had never suffered two setbacks in a single day before.
Even when Xia You had taken liberties