After the sudden explosion in the distance, Hareta and Byron return to Canalave City from Iron Island. They ask what is going on and discover that the explosion was at Lake Valor. Hareta remembers hearing about the three lake Pokémon at the Celestic Ruins being the keys to meeting Dialga, and is convinced that Team Galactic must be trying to obtain these Pokémon for themselves. Hareta is about to hurry off to get there, but before he can leave he is stopped by Byron who offers him Roark's old bicycle, as it will be quicker to use it. Hareta thanks him and starts running off, carrying it above his head, when Byron stops him again, telling him he has to ride it. After mounting it like a skateboard, Byron tells him he's doing it wrong and it takes half an hour to properly explain it to Hareta. As Hareta heads off, Byron goes to prepare himself for the upcoming battle.
When Hareta arrives at Lake Valor, he finds that all the water is gone and the Magikarp are left without anywhere to swim. It is at this point where he finds a large group of Team Galactic Grunts led by the one with the swollen buttocks. He reveals the briefcase he held during a previous encounter contained the Galactic Bomb, which was used to dry up the lake. He then states that the Legendary Pokémon is now theirs. Hareta says that he won't let them, however the Grunt replies by asking how he expects to defeat all of them by himself. However, Crasher Wake, Fantina, Roark, Gardenia and Maylene all arrive, having been called into action by Byron. Wake tells Hareta that he and the other Gym Leaders will take care of things here and that he should worry about protecting the Legendary Pokémon. Inside Valor Cavern, Hareta finds Saturn, who comments on the fact that he managed to survive. He proceeds to explain everything about the lake trio and shows the now captive Azelf to Hareta. Hareta demands that Saturn release it, however his reply is that he won't survive this time and attacks with Toxicroak's Sludge Bomb. Just as he is about to finish Hareta off, Byron appears just in time with his Steelix, apologizing for the delay and saying that he'll take over from here. Steelix is then taken down by a Solar Beam from Saturn's Bronzong. Byron then attacks with Bastiodon, but is blocked by Reflect. Saturn asks if that's all a Gym Leader has, before defeating Bastiodon with a Gyro Ball. Hareta charges at Saturn, but before he can do anything, Saturn and Bronzong escape with Azelf, burying the cavern with an Earthquake.
The other Gym Leaders show their disbelief at the fact that Hareta and Byron could have been beaten, as Team Galactic cheers for Saturn. However, the ground where the cavern was opens up by a Hydro Pump by Piplup, and Hareta crawls out carrying an unconscious Byron. Saturn comments that Piplup won't do any good against his Pokémon, to which Hareta replies that Piplup isn't his opponent and to look above, where Riolu is riding the top of the water. Riolu jumps down with a dive bomb Focus Punch. Bronzong is defeated, but Riolu is also exhausted by the effort. Saturn then comments that it has been a long time since anyone has forced him to take a battle seriously, as he sends out his Gallade.
