Chapter 650 - 647

Within the rift between time and space.

Countless Unown fled in panic as tremendous energy poured into the area, causing time and space to begin overlapping.

Whenever two unrelated spacetime dimensions intersected, the god of time and the god of space would each assume the other had invaded its territory, leading them into a ferocious battle.

However, neither of them naturally possessed the attribute of being the other’s [nemesis]. Their battles occurred only occasionally—or as the result of deliberate manipulation, just like now.

It wasn’t merely the energy produced by the Galactic Bomb. The spacetime dimensions of this world had already been gradually drawing closer together.

Dialga and Palkia simply hadn’t realized it yet.

Just as Giratina had once observed, there were times when those two genuinely weren’t as clever as it was. That was precisely why the Red Chain, which maintained the world’s balance, was needed to control them.

As for the Renegade Pokémon itself, if it couldn’t win, it would simply run away.

The raging energy plunged spacetime into chaos. Coupled with the tidal surge of power from the distant [realm of Arceus], it caused something else that should never have occurred to happen here.

Compared to Dialga, which had already begun roaring mindlessly, Palkia still retained a small measure of reason.

It realized that space had become unstable. The vast energy pouring into it had created ripples that resonated with another energy fluctuation in a distant universe, leading to the current influx of power.

Unfortunately, its brother had clearly failed to notice any of that.

Dialga was always like this, no matter where they were. Apparently, it had been exactly the same 150 years ago!

And then—

They were going to be dragged down!

[If this much energy is poured into the region... combining Mount Coronet’s magnetic field with the energy from Stark Mountain will trigger a spacetime collision. Just like the clash between time and space in that distant age, two unrelated worlds will overlap, creating a space-time rift. Afterward, a path leading to a new universe will open.]

[That person also appears to have been summoned into that era in this manner... However, most of those memories have been altered and blurred by changes to the flow of time.]

Time could overwrite itself. Therefore, even Dialga, its own brother, could not perceive the entirety of time. Events in the future could influence the past, creating entirely new timelines.

In fact, in one distant universe, Dialga itself had once suffered greatly because of that very phenomenon.

[If I become frenzied, I will lose consciousness and retain nothing but the instinct to fight.]

[Without question, the instant when time and space violently collide and give rise to a cosmic explosion will be like the moment Mount Coronet was born being recreated.]

[We must calm this frenzy! In this era, the object capable of doing so is "that"...!]

[My consciousness... is fading.]

——————————

East of Mount Coronet, in the Sinnoh region.

The underground ruins of Michina Town.

A mysterious device known as the Time-Space Axis had monitored the condition of Sinnoh’s spacetime for thousands of years. It could display the state of time and space as they constantly changed throughout the world.

Now, the blue sphere representing time and the red sphere representing space had begun crashing into one another.

The priestess guarding the device wore an expression of intense concern.

At the same time, somewhere else...

A young researcher with hair that resembled a duelist’s hairstyle detected changes within the antimatter world.

He froze for a moment, then burst into laughter. His expression twisted with crazed delight.

The effects of the abnormal event at Spear Pillar were spreading—and growing even more severe!

——————————

Canalave City.

Hikaru tried using his emblem to call Giratina, but received no response.

Clearly, the spatial anomaly had created some kind of barrier between them, much like what had happened in Alamos Town during the movie!

Back then, Giratina had remained in the Distortion World like a helpless husband, watching black clouds appear everywhere. It repeatedly cursed out the Steel Dragon and Water Dragon through reflective pools, but couldn’t do a single useful thing about it.

That was also why Giratina had spent so much time chasing Dialga down and beating it afterward.

However, according to Volo’s investigation, a space-time rift had also appeared in the distant past. That was why the name had survived into the present.

Cogita had likewise known what the phenomenon was called.

In other words, something must have happened even before the Hisui era. If they ever wanted to make another game, there was still plenty of material left to work with.

All the necessary foreshadowing was already in place. Then again, repeatedly beating up the two spacetime dragons probably wasn’t something players wanted to see forever.

Unless they were given another new form—something like a "Mega Evolution" or the "Origin of the Origin Forme."

"Dialga really is the Pokémon world’s officially designated punching-bag final boss. The Steel Dragon causes trouble in several different worlds, and it’s much more prone to going crazy than the Water Dragon. Maybe that’s because Dialga is quadrupedal while Palkia is bipedal? The bipedal one looks more intelligent than something with the posture of a pure beast."

It all made sense now.

After all, humanoid Digimon really did tend to be more intelligent than beast-shaped Digimon.

"It feels like something terrible... is about to happen again."

"Something terrible is already happening."

"We have to do something. We can’t remain trapped in this city and do nothing but watch the news, can we?"

The professors exchanged worried remarks as they considered the predicament before them.

However, some of them looked thoughtful rather than afraid. Professor Oak was one of them.

Professor Oak had seen situations like this plenty of times before.

It was only the power of time. What was so unusual about that?

"All right! Everyone, listen to me!"

Professor Oak raised one finger and addressed the researchers, whose expressions ranged from grave contemplation to outright panic.

"We’ll divide the researchers into five groups. The first group will assist Professor Sada in monitoring spacetime. Professor Burnet, Professor Fennel, Professor Sonia, and Professor Juniper are all highly skilled in this field, so I suggest placing all of you in Group One. How does that sound?"

"I have no objections," Professor Burnet replied with a nod. "There’s little else we can do right now. Our greatest priority is analyzing the [spatial structure] before us."

"O-Okay! I’ll do my best!" Sonia agreed tensely.

"An emergency research project..." Fennel adjusted her glasses, her gaze sharpening. "The situation may be dangerous, but the greater the danger, the more important our findings will be..."

Professor Oak and Professor Rowan exchanged nods.

"Group Two will consist of Professor Magnolia, Professor Samson Oak, Professor Cedric Juniper, Chairperson Erma, and Principal Lamont. You’ll provide technical and theoretical guidance while coordinating personnel."

"Group Three: Bill, Celio, and Brigette. You’ll be responsible for remote monitoring and communications."

"Group Four will consist of the younger professors—Kukui, Elm, Willow, and Mirror—as well as Professor Rowan, Professor Hastings, and me. We’ll provide support at Mount Coronet!"

"All remaining researchers will form Group Five. Please remain here on standby and provide technical support!"

Professor Kukui enthusiastically slammed one fist into his palm. He didn’t look worried in the slightest. If anything, he seemed excited.

"We’re going to Mount Coronet under these conditions? You really are incredible, Professor Oak!"

"As scientists," Professor Oak replied with a laugh, "one of our responsibilities is to personally confirm the laws governing the facts we observe!"

"Researchers cannot stand idly by when something like this happens!"

"Professor, this is far too dangerous," Professor Elm protested. "You’re one of the most distinguished authorities in the entire academic world. If something were to happen to you..."

Professor Oak laughed again.

"I’ve been through all kinds of situations. Don’t underestimate me. I’m still more than capable of holding my own."

"At times like this, researchers must enter the field themselves and unravel the mystery!"

Not long ago, Professor Oak had been reminiscing about his encounter with Celebi.

Oh, those events...

Whenever he remembered them, they felt as though they had happened only yesterday.

How nostalgic.

Was he planning to battle again after all these years?

Hikaru couldn’t help commenting inwardly when he saw the eager expression on Professor Oak’s face.

According to Agatha, Professor Oak’s strength had once completely overwhelmed her, even after she became one of the Elite Four. However, after turning his attention toward research, he stopped focusing on Pokémon battles.

The original games even contained unused battle data for the old professor. Every Pokémon on his team was at some of the highest levels in the entire game. Because of that unused data, the Pokémon Adventures universe had established Professor Oak as the first Champion of the Indigo League.

Unfortunately, anyone who became Champion in the Pokémon Adventures universe was destined to be brutally beaten by villains sooner or later.

That title might have been better left unclaimed.

In Pokémon Masters EX, seeing Mew reignited Professor Oak’s desire to battle, and he set his sights on winning the Pokémon Masters League on Pasio. Despite not battling seriously for years, he could still crush Agatha!

Then there was the famous "Professor Oak’s Calamity Chronicles" from the anime. In various shorts, Professor Oak had endured all kinds of Pokémon moves with his bare body. He had even cosplayed as a Pokémon Ranger and fought using a Capture Styler...

Come to think of it, Professor Oak might genuinely be the best fighter among all the professors present—in every possible sense!

Professor Rowan going to the front lines was perfectly normal.

He was Sinnoh’s local Pokémon Professor and had been deeply concerned about this incident in the games. In Pokémon Adventures, he had grabbed his briefcase, thrown on his coat, and charged directly into danger despite already being sixty years old.

These elderly professors truly remained as formidable as ever.

By comparison, younger researchers who were "bad at battling," such as Professor Elm and Professor Sycamore, looked almost frail. Of course, they had grown up during a peaceful era. People like Kukui, who had somehow reverted to his primal instincts and become the Masked Royal, were ultimately in the minority.

"Besides, we have several Champion-caliber researchers on our side," Professor Oak continued. "There’s nothing to fear!"

"If even people like us allow ourselves to be overcome by fear, how terrified will ordinary people become?"

He turned toward Blue.

"So, Blue, I want you to remain here and protect the other professors."

"Hmm. I didn’t expect things to turn out this way," Blue replied. "But Sinnoh’s people should take the lead here. If that’s what you want, Gramps, I guess there’s no helping it."

"Be careful, Gramps!"

Emotionally, Blue naturally wanted to head straight into battle and cut loose.

From a security standpoint, however, remaining here truly was more important. There were still two Champion-level Trainers in Canalave City.

"Miss Cynthia has already departed," Hikaru said. "She’s flying to Mount Coronet on Garchomp. In that case, let’s set out as well, professors."

"If you don’t mind, you can ride my Flying-type Pokémon!"

"Uh... Professor Hastings? Oh, right. I forgot that you’re apparently afraid of heights."

"Cough! Never mind my fear of heights!" Professor Hastings barked. "I’ll just cover my eyes! Wait—how did you know about that? Did Wendy tell you? That woman tells people everything!"

"In any case, this isn’t the time to be frightened by something so trivial!"

"No, that wasn’t what I meant," Hikaru said. "I also have a [request] that I’d like your help with."

"Oh?" Professor Hastings raised an eyebrow. "A request from the Chief Ranger himself? That doesn’t happen often."

"Here’s the situation. This is merely a precaution, but if we intend to prepare for every possibility, then we naturally shouldn’t allow anyone to be injured."

"Therefore, I would like you to travel to a different location and search for something. I’d also appreciate the other professors’ assistance."

"Huh?" Professor Kukui asked. "We aren’t heading directly to Spear Pillar? Still, if there’s anything we can do to help, don’t hesitate to put us to work."

Hikaru cleared his throat.

"In that case, I won’t hold back."

"The place I want you to visit truly isn’t Mount Coronet. The [Stone Portal] is already open, so to be honest, we can enter Spear Pillar whenever we wish. However, with communications disrupted, I can’t confirm where the [Trainer] I’m counting on is currently located."

"Mount Coronet’s powerful and abnormal magnetic field is common knowledge. Inside the Stone Portal, signals from mechanical devices become even weaker, rendering them nearly useless."

"Therefore, I would like everyone to divide into two teams. One team will travel to Spear Pillar and participate in the battle. The other..."

"Must go to [Alamos Town]."

"The energy spilling from the space-time rift will forcibly summon Sinnoh’s Legendary Pokémon into this world. Dialga, whose heartbeat sends time surging forward like a river, and Palkia, whose every breath strengthens and stabilizes space."

"When their fury reaches its peak, both will lose all reason and enter a violent frenzy. That isn’t what they truly want, so we need something capable of subduing them."

"I happen to possess an item that can accomplish that. However, with the energy levels rising this much, even something known as the [Red Chain] may not work reliably."

"That is why we need a second item."

"We must find the sheet music and music disc left behind over a century ago by Godey, a designer who came from a distant land. They contain a unique melody."

"Whether it was passed from the future into the past or carried here from an even more distant universe, nobody knows."

"Its central melody can be activated only after an Electric-type Pokémon supplies it with an enormous amount of electricity. The instrument used to play it is the landmark towering over Alamos Town—the [Space-Time Towers]."

"The ’music’ it produces can correct all things and calm the fiercest fury in the world. It allows all tragedy to be forgotten, every miracle to be witnessed, and the heart of prayer to be born anew."

"Its name is—"

"[Oración]!"

The decisive battle at the Space-Time Towers had arrived at the wrong time.

Yet for the story of Pokémon Platinum...

Perhaps it had also arrived at exactly the right time?

——————————

"So this is the path through the [Stone Portal]. You travel through the dark depths of Mount Coronet, climbing ever higher until you finally emerge from that pitch-black world of stone. And what awaits you are these shattered pillars, each one resembling a broken spear!"

Cyrus despised the human spirit, yet even he couldn’t help feeling deeply moved upon seeing Spear Pillar.

Bombarding Mount Coronet. Blasting open the Stone Portal. Searching ancient records for information concerning the space-time rift...

Everything he had done had been for the sake of realizing his lifelong ambition at this very moment!

"The Red Chains..."

Cyrus held two crimson chains.

Naturally, neither was genuine. They couldn’t even be considered high-quality imitations.

He had previously visited all three lakes, but the surrounding areas had been filled with security personnel, patrols, and an enormous number of Trainers. Cyrus had been forced to leave empty-handed.

A direct assault hadn’t seemed possible either.

His only remaining option had been to use meteorites and volcanic minerals as substitutes, pouring tremendous energy into them to create artificial copies.

Items made according to ancient legends weren’t guaranteed to work.

That was why Plan B was such a dangerous gamble.

"These two crystalline chains contain none of the lake guardians’ power. They were created using Team Galactic’s most advanced technology! Even if they fail to function, the ancient records state that time and space will fight whenever a space-time rift appears!"

"All I need to do is provide one final push at that moment! A new universe will be created from the collision of their tremendous power—or a new path will open before us!"

"It is complete—the seed of a new world! A new century is about to begin! Team Galactic and the Sinnoh region will vanish beneath humanity’s star-filled gaze. Everything ambiguous and incomplete will disappear!"

"Jupiter was captured. Mars betrayed me. Charon was utterly useless. Their many different spirits are precisely what caused them to behave that way."

Among the Grunts standing behind Cyrus, the only Commander present was Saturn, who shouldn’t have been at Spear Pillar in the original story.

Unfortunately, Cyrus had no other choice.

Saturn likewise felt that he shouldn’t be here. He should have remained at the Team Galactic HQ in Veilstone City.

However, his technical expertise had been indispensable for proving the bomb and space-time-rift theory, as well as conducting the necessary demolition work.

Charon had been abandoned and used as both a scapegoat and decoy. Mars’s betrayal had been discovered, and she had subsequently been placed under control.

"Boss, wait!" Saturn shouted. "There’s someone up ahead!"

"What did you say? How could anyone else be present at the sacred Spear Pillar, the ancient domain of the gods...?"

Cyrus looked ahead in confusion.

Deep among the ruined stone columns of Spear Pillar stood a girl gripping a Poké Ball. She wore a hat and a warm pink-and-red winter outfit.

She didn’t look particularly dangerous.

Yet a terrifying power radiated faintly from her!

"Pressure!"

"I don’t know who you are... but no one will stop me from creating a new world!"

Cyrus violently raised his hand.

Holding the defective Red Chains—artificial crystals filled with energy from Stark Mountain and meteorites—he roared toward the space-time rift.

"Everything shall now end, and everything shall begin anew! With the space-time rift flooded by the bombardment of the Galactic Bomb, open the gates to another dimension! Appear before me, twin sovereigns who stand at the summit of Sinnoh!"

"Legendary Pokémon who command time and space—the twin helix that created this world! Transform your power into my power and create a new galaxy!"

"Erase this ugly, incomplete world! Let everything begin again! Every spirit shall disappear!"

Violent lightning exploded across the heavens.

The twin shadows of the gods appeared within the space-time rift, just as they had 150 years ago.

[Oh... This seems somewhat familiar.]

[An enormous influx of energy will destroy the balance and disrupt the powers of time and space. Naturally, those two will be summoned to Spear Pillar in the form of [divine shadows]. Yes, it is precisely the same phenomenon that occurs when the Red Chain is used to summon them.]

A voice echoed from within the girl’s Poké Ball.

[A promise must be honored. I have waited for this moment—not to fight for "Hisui," but for the day when I could fight for "Sinnoh"!]

[This may sound slightly strange coming from me, but I remained silent for so long to thoroughly temper my body and spirit. I did so to defeat our friend, to cleanse our—no, to cleanse my humiliation—and to carry you to the summit!]

[Use that object. Summon "them" as well. Now, Hikari—call out our names!]

The girl murmured softly.

"Just as you instructed, I visited all three lakes. I captured the three lake guardians and passed their trials. What I received was—"

"Azelf’s Fang, Uxie’s Claw, and Mesprit’s Plume! I combined them at the Shrouded Ruins near Solaceon Town, and the final result was..."

As the divine shadows appeared within the space-time rift, Cyrus roared his command.

"Fight each other and create a new galaxy!"

At the same moment, Dawn raised another Red Chain.

Cyrus’s eyes widened in shock when he saw her mirror his actions.

"Dialga! Palkia! In the name of [Almighty Sinnoh], I command you!"

"Stop fighting and leave [Spear Pillar]! Return to your own worlds!"

The three Red Chains began struggling against one another for control!

The frenzied divine shadows descended, transforming into two streaks of light that produced a violent shock wave across Spear Pillar.

Then, the azure shadow of the Steel Dragon and the white shadow of the Water Dragon seemed to seize the opportunity created by the chains’ conflicting commands.

Even as they fought, they attempted to return to their respective worlds—or escape in an entirely different direction!

"How can this be...?!" Cyrus exclaimed. "That chain... Is it the true [Red Chain]?! How are you able to command them?!"

"The chains’ commands are rejecting one another! They’re confused!"

"Look! Their shadows are moving! They aren’t returning to their dimensions, but they aren’t remaining on Mount Coronet either! Where are they going?!"

"Those crystals were created by the lake guardians! Why do you have one?! Who are you, girl?! Give me the Red Chain!"

"This is the genuine Red Chain," Dawn replied. "I’m not giving it to you."

"If you want it... then come and take it yourself."

After staring blankly for a moment, Cyrus released a furious roar.

"I understand now. I must defeat you here!"

"I will never forgive you!"

Dawn drew a deep breath.

She had trained tirelessly and endured countless trials without anyone knowing.

While her rival Barry had been busy challenging Gyms, and Lucas had been preparing academic materials for the conference, she had also been working.

There was only one thing she could do.

From beginning to end, there had only ever been one thing!

"You reject the human spirit, yet you still become furious when you fail. You claim to oppose conflict, yet you’re the one who launched this attack."

Dawn threw the Poké Ball in her hand toward the sky.

At the same time, Giratina’s cries and advice echoed within her heart.

It was somewhat embarrassing, and she didn’t know why Giratina was so fixated on this particular line, but she didn’t dislike it.

Perhaps there were moments when a person needed to say such things aloud to strengthen their heart.

Words were the manifestation of the heart. If they remained unspoken, no one would ever understand them!

"Knowledge, emotion, and will support and complement one another, allowing an imperfect heart to become complete. That is what I believe."

"You have no heart, yet you still want to create a new galaxy. Perhaps the reason lies somewhere in your past."

"I have no right to casually judge another person’s experiences. But I also have a home that I want to protect."

"If you intend to erase the entire world, then battle me!"

The first Poké Ball opened, releasing a dazzling surge of electricity.

Cyrus abruptly froze.

That familiar figure.

That familiar Pokémon.

That familiar flash of electricity.

"Y-You’re...!"

Cyrus could hardly believe it.

After more than a decade apart, his dearest friend had reappeared before him under these circumstances!

Even if Cyrus had been the one who chose to sever their bond.

Rotom cried out affectionately, overwhelmed with joy.

"Rotoooom!"

The partner Cyrus had lost had finally appeared before him again.

Dawn had truly fulfilled her promise to Rotom!

But why...

Why did its former friend now look so tormented and twisted?

Rotom didn’t understand.

It wanted to draw closer to Cyrus’s heart, but all it could sense from him was rage and pain.

Could someone who had sealed away his heart never return to the person he once was?

Cyrus looked as though he were weeping tears of blood.

Nostalgia briefly appeared in his eyes as he stared at Rotom, but it quickly disappeared.

"When something vanishes, its absence causes pain. To ensure that I would never endure such agony again, I transformed myself into a demon king."

"That bond was one I severed with my own hands! I abandoned such things long ago! Why have you brought it before me again?!"

"You foolish girl!"

"Your emotions guided you here and drove you to commit this foolish act. You have no connection to Rotom, do you? Did you travel with it and appear before me merely because you pitied it?"

"Was it compassion and kindness born from that flawed thing known as the human spirit?"

"Could it be..."

"Do you pity me as well?!"

"You!"

"You actually sent out Rotom here!"

Dawn fell silent for a moment.

The darkness surrounding her grew even denser.

"It isn’t only Rotom."

"Can’t you feel it?"

"There is another presence here—one that makes everyone tremble in fear!"

A pitch-black aura appeared across Spear Pillar.

Power surged as sinister shadows spread outward.

At the end of the Red Chain in Dawn’s hand appeared a Gigaton Ball—the very "ball" she had been holding earlier!

Bang!

Dawn swung the Red Chain like a weapon.

The Pokémon weren’t the only ones fighting.

The Trainer intended to attack as well?!

Cyrus froze.

The Team Galactic members surrounding him immediately prepared for battle.

But they could all feel it too.

Was something furious?

[We apologize. It would appear that we are the ones with the problem!]

A furious roar surged from the shadows and black mist!

Dawn drew a deep breath.

Facing Cyrus and every Team Galactic Grunt surrounding him, she assumed a battle stance.

"Guardian who comes from the shadows."

"Bring time to a halt and seal away space."

"Come forth, Giratina!"

"Defeat Cyrus!"

(End of Chapter)

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