"This way."
Newton Graceland pulled Ash and the others toward a corner of the Distortion World, evading Giratina.
"Professor, what should we do now?"
Ash asked Newton Graceland as he ran.
"Right now, we can only try our best to hide and wait for Shaymin to use Seed Flare to save us."
Newton Graceland said without looking back.
Ash looked at Shaymin on his head. Having entered the Distortion World and lost the fragrance of the gracidea flower and sunlight, Shaymin had reverted from its Sky Forme back to its Land Forme, looking like a little hedgehog.
At this moment, it was lying on top of Ash's head, gathering its strength.
"But Shaymin is very weak right now."
"We can only hide here and wait until dawn for it to change back into its Sky Forme and take us out."
Hearing this, Ash took Shaymin off his head and held it in his arms.
"Don't worry, Shaymin. I will definitely protect you and take you to the Gracidea flower garden to find your friends."
"Miiiii—"
Shaymin replied to Ash weakly.
In the illusion of the Distortion World on the other side, Lucas lay on a blanket, holding a Gengar-shaped plushie in his arms, constantly searching for Cynthia's screen.
Nearby, the Team Rocket Trio had gathered around a table with Gengar to play cards and pass the time. Gothitelle sat next to Ninetales, constantly knitting something, while Lilligant leaned against Latias, staring at the mirror screen along with Lucas.
"Why is it so hard to find!"
Lucas was on the verge of a breakdown; after searching for so long, he still hadn't found Cynthia's screen.
The real world.
"Rampardos, Headbutt!"
"Bastiodon, Iron Head!"
"Machamp, Hyper Beam!"
Maylene looked at the endless stream of wild Pokémon and let out a painful cry, "Just how many of them are there—"
Beside her, Machamp was also panting heavily.
"Roark, if you can't hold on, take a break first. Leave the rest to me."
Byron looked at his son, Roark, adjusted his hard hat, and said.
Roark snorted, "Even if you can't hold on, I can keep fighting. This is my responsibility as a Gym Leader."
Byron's lips curled up. This kid.
"Roark, let's fight together again after all this time! Bastiodon, Earth Power!"
"I don't need your directions! Rampardos, coordinate with Bastiodon, Earth Power!"
Rampardos stepped up next to Bastiodon, turned to bump its head against Bastiodon's square face, and then they smiled and used Earth Power together.
The earth began to tremble as shockwaves swept toward the wild Pokémon, flipping a large group of them over and knocking them unconscious.
Yet, many Pokémon still rushed toward Byron and the others.
"Machamp, we can't lose either!"
Maylene's voice rang out as she kicked high into the air and roared, "Use Earthquake!"
Machamp leaped in front of Rampardos and Bastiodon, pounding the ground repeatedly with its fists, causing the earth to shake once more.
Numerous fissures spread forward, kicking up a massive cloud of dust as they hit the wild Pokémon. As the dust cleared, the remaining wild Pokémon were all trapped in the cracks.
"It's finally over—"
Just as Maylene let out a sigh of relief, before she could finish her sentence, she saw another wave of wild Pokémon rushing down from Mt. Coronet.
Maylene: ————
Is there no end to this!
On Lucian's side, Lucian was fighting side-by-side with Gardenia, the Eterna City Gym Leader.
"Bronzong, Hypnosis."
"Breloom, Sleep Powder."
"Girafarig, Expanding Force!"
A powerful psychic power erupted from Girafarig, hitting the wild Pokémon that hadn't fallen asleep.
Lucian pushed up his slightly frosted glasses, staring at the endless stream of wild Pokémon pouring out of Mt. Coronet.
He and Gardenia were guarding Mt. Coronet's largest exit, while Aaron and Grandma Bertha were stationed in the most densely populated town area near Mt. Coronet. The Gracidea flower garden was guarded by Flint and Brock, and the remaining location was guarded by the three Gym Leaders: Maylene, Roark, and Byron.
"Guard until dawn—"
Lucian muttered to himself.
"Gardenia, how many hours left until dawn?"
Gardenia glanced at the time. "Three hours."
Three hours?
Lucian pulled out a herb he had swiped from Lucas's Breeding House and tossed it directly into his mouth to chew, his brow furrowing from the bitterness.
But the effect was excellent; he felt his energy recover slightly.
"Gardenia, hang in there a bit longer."
Lucian said.
"Don't worry, Elite Four Lucian."
On the other side, Grandma Bertha was commanding Hippowdon to use Earthquake.
Aaron's Drapion quickly scurried out of the range of the Earthquake.
"Bertha, be careful."
Aaron couldn't help but say.
Grandma Bertha laughed heartily, "I know, I know. Hippowdon, let's go!"
Aaron sighed at the sight, then leaped onto a tree, crouching there as he stared at the road leading down from Mt. Coronet, behind which lay countless lit houses.
In terms of strength, Aaron and Grandma Bertha's location was undoubtedly the easiest, as the two Elite Four members were the strongest combination.
Therefore, Sinnoh Champion Cynthia focused her attention on Lucian's and Roark's locations, ready to provide support wherever it was needed.
When she wasn't providing support, she stood on Garchomp's back, flying in the sky to cut off all routes for wild Pokémon attempting to fly out of Mt. Coronet.
Cynthia stood on Garchomp's back with her arms crossed, her black trench coat rustling in the wind. Under the moonlight, her expression was serious, yet her eyes were exceptionally calm.
Her grandmother had taught her from a young age that the more critical the situation, the calmer she had to remain.
There was also another reason: she believed that Lucas, who was in the Distortion World, could resolve the issues there.
Lucas—
Cynthia's lips curled up slightly.
Meanwhile, in the Distortion World, Ash and his friends were surrounded by a swarm of Magnemite.
A white-haired man was standing on a flying vehicle, staring down at Ash's group.
"Long time no see, Professor."
The white-haired young man looked down at Professor Newton Graceland and greeted him.
Newton Graceland looked at the man before him and fell silent. After a long pause, he asked, "How did you... get in here?
"Zero."
Zero laughed, "By following you in, of course, my beloved Professor."
"Professor, do you know him?"
Dawn asked.
Newton Graceland nodded. "He used to be my assistant. We researched the Distortion World together, but we parted ways later due to a difference in philosophy."
"Zero, what are you doing in the Distortion World?"
"To open the portal to the Distortion World, of course!"
Zero's expression instantly turned sinister. With a wave of his hand, Magnezone and the Magnemite all launched an attack on Ash's group.
A powerful bolt of lightning struck down from above, knocking all the Magnemite unconscious as they collapsed to the ground.
Zero furrowed his brows, looking at the yellow-haired man.
"Gym Leader Volkner?"
Volkner stepped in front of everyone. "Ash, leave him to me. You guys take Shaymin and get out of here first."
Ash and the others nodded, then turned and ran.
Zero wanted to give chase, but he was blocked by Volkner, Jolteon, and Raichu.
"Your opponent is me. Where do you think you're going?"
Volkner said.
Zero thought for a moment and suddenly turned to shout.
"Giratina, Shaymin is here!"
Volkner whipped his head around and saw Giratina chasing after Ash and the others. Leaving Zero behind, he dashed after them.
Just before Giratina could attack Ash's group, he had Raichu use Thunder to draw Giratina's attention.
Facing Giratina directly and feeling the overwhelming pressure radiating from it, Volkner bit his tongue. Feeling the metallic taste of blood in his mouth, he gritted his teeth and commanded Raichu and Jolteon to battle Giratina.
Meanwhile, Ash's group had already been captured and restrained by Zero's Magnemite. Zero forced Shaymin to inhale an excessive amount of Haze. After inhaling too much Haze, Shaymin's body began to suffer, and immediately after, a brilliant light erupted from its body.
Shaymin used Seed Flare once again, opening the portal to the Distortion World, and then escaped. Zero followed closely behind.
Seeing the portal to the Distortion World open, Giratina abandoned the battered Jolteon and Raichu, turning to slither toward the portal Shaymin had opened.
Along the way, it cleared out all the Magnemite, allowing Ash's group to regain their freedom of movement.
After Giratina left the Distortion World and entered the real world, Ash's group followed it out.
Inside the illusion, Lucas finally found Cynthia.
On the screen, Lucian was covering his mouth, commanding his Pokémon to do their utmost to stop the wild Pokémon pouring down from Mt. Coronet. Behind him, Gardenia was taking the opportunity to recover her strength.
What... is going on here?
Lucas kept swiping across the mirror surface.
Grandma Bertha and Aaron were fighting wild Pokémon.
Flint and Brock were fighting wild Pokémon.
Byron, Roark, and Maylene were also fighting wild Pokémon.
"Lucas, something is wrong."
Lugia looked at the screen on the mirror and said.
"The negative energy of the Distortion World has leaked out, causing the Pokémon on Mt. Coronet to fall into a state of frenzy."
"You know, the Distortion World itself is the reverse side of the world, so a lot of the world's negative emotions accumulate there. It's not a good thing for this energy to escape into the real world—"
"I remember now. No wonder there was so much Haze in the Distortion World; it's all a product of the real world's distortions manifest in the Distortion World. If I guess correctly, it must have been created when Palkia and Dialga fought in Poplar Town. Although Palkia restored Poplar Town in the real world, the Distortion World wasn't restored, and it needs Giratina to fix it."
"Then, unable to let it go, Giratina caught Dialga while it was drinking water and dragged it into the Distortion World, planning to teach it a lesson. Unexpectedly, they were interrupted by a Pokémon that accidentally wandered in. That Pokémon used Seed Flare to force open the portal to the Distortion World, allowing Dialga to escape. At the same time, Giratina was trapped in its own time loop by Dialga and couldn't leave the Distortion World on its own, which is why Giratina targeted that Pokémon, Shaymin—"
Lucas took over from Lugia and explained.
Lugia was stunned for a moment. "Accidentally? Is that how it was?"
Lucas remembered the plot of this movie very clearly, but he recalled that a wild Pokémon riot would happen.
What exactly happened in the middle of all this?
Lucas swiped the screen back to Cynthia.
There was still over an hour left until dawn.
Lucian's legs were trembling uncontrollably.
Could he still hold on?
Was he going to become the first Elite Four member to retreat?
Bronzong and the others' psychic power was also nearly depleted.
Damn it!
As Lucian faced the wild Pokémon rushing down from Mt. Coronet once again, preparing to brace himself and fight them head-on, he suddenly saw countless meteors falling from the sky.
"Garchomp."
A cool, crisp voice rang out from the sky.
"Draco Meteor!"
Countless meteors rained down, crashing into the wild Pokémon.
Then, a figure descended from the heavens.
Cynthia leaped off Garchomp's back and stood in front of Lucian and Gardenia.
"You've done well. Leave the rest to me."
Stepping forward in her high heels, Cynthia took a step.
"Dragon Rush!"
The dragon god descended from the sky!
Lucas stood up, startling the Team Rocket Trio.
"Manager, what's wrong?"
Jessie, holding her cards, asked cautiously.
Lucas shook his head and said in a deep voice, "We can't wait any longer. We're going out now."
"Lugia, I'm counting on you."
"Lucas—"
"Gothitelle, can you wrap those bubbles with your psychic power?"
Lucas looked at Gothitelle. Gothitelle thought for a moment, then nodded slowly.
"Gothe."
"I'll do my best."
Having said that, she closed her eyes, and a powerful psychic power erupted from within her body.
"What is the manager talking about?"
Jessie whispered to James and Meowth.
James and Meowth shook their heads in unison.
"Gen gengar—"
Meowth translated Gengar's words.
James and Meowth instantly hugged each other, hoping to minimize the impact when they forcibly broke through the illusion.
Jessie hesitated for a moment, then patted Lucas on the shoulder.
"Um... Manager."
Jessie said.
Lucas turned his head, "What's wrong, Jessie?"
Jessie pointed in the direction they had come from, "Manager, it seems like we just passed straight through there earlier. I even heard a 'pop' sound when we came in."
Lucas looked where Jessie was pointing and looked up at Lugia. Lugia sensed it for a moment.
"Lucas, that is the weakest point. It seems that breaking through won't damage those bubbles."
Lugia's voice echoed in his mind.
Lucas nodded, "Thanks to you this time, Jessie. Next time you come to the Breeding House, I'll make you something delicious."
Jessie was praised by Lucas and was so happy she felt like she could fly.
"Step back, you all."
As soon as Lucas finished speaking, the Team Rocket Trio hid behind Lucas with teleportation-like speed.
Lucas: ————
"Lugia, please."
Lugia transformed into a divine bird and crashed straight into it.
A crisp sound like glass shattering rang out, and everything around them returned to normal.
Lucas mounted Latias, recalled Gothitelle and the others into their Poké Balls, and looked at the trio who were still hugging each other.
"Jessie, James, Meowth, can you do me one more favor?"
The trio patted their chests.
"Just tell us what to do, Manager."
"That's right, Meowth! We will definitely do our best."
Jessie also nodded repeatedly, "Even if it's capturing Giratina————"
Before Jessie could finish, James and Meowth covered her mouth.
Lucas laughed, "Help me watch the screen here. If anyone enters the Distortion World on the screen, help me catch them. If they resist————"
"We know this. Poison them, paralyze them. You taught us that at the Breeding House."
James raised his hand to answer.
Lucas: ————
"Then I'll leave it to you. You can have those snacks to pass the time."
"No problem!" ×3 (Salute)
"Wobbuffet~"
In the real world.
At this moment, Giratina was trapped by a huge machine. Its wings, feet, and body were all bound by the machine, and its body was wrapped in an extremely powerful electric current.
At the same time, Giratina felt that the energy it used to control the Distortion World was being continuously absorbed by this machine.
"Roar!"
Giratina let out a helpless Roar.
"Giratina!"
Ash just rushed over, but was repelled by the electric current.
"Ash!"
Dawn and Brock ran to Ash's side and helped him up.
"What is this thing?"
Flint looked at the machine controlling Giratina and asked.
"That is a machine I researched and developed. It was originally intended to harness Giratina's power to master the power of the Distortion World. But later, after learning that mastering this power would require sacrificing Giratina, I stopped continuing to build this machine. However, I didn't expect that after he left, he secretly finished building this machine————"
Newton Graceland's voice was somewhat bitter.
"That is to say————if this continues, Giratina will die————how could this be————"
Dawn said in disbelief.
"No, there is still a way. This machine was developed by me. I need to enter the inside and stop it from within. Can you cooperate with me?"
"Okay!"
Ash stood up, looked at the suffering Giratina, and said, "We must save Giratina."
"Let me cooperate with you all."
Flint looked at Volkner, and then said.
After Newton Graceland formulated the battle plan, just as he was about to act, he discovered that the machine had been hit by a powerful energy, and Giratina fell out of it.
A spaceship flew out of the machine, with Zero piloting it.
"Who!"
He questioned angrily. He was just a little bit away from absorbing all of Giratina's energy, thereby becoming the true master of the Distortion World.
A powerful dragon breath swept past, which Zero barely dodged.
A figure appeared before everyone, and Cynthia walked over in her high heels.
"You did all of this?"
Cynthia asked coldly.
Zero: "Cynthia————Champion?!"
Cynthia's eyes turned cold, "Garchomp, Dragon Rush!"
Seeing this, Zero hurriedly controlled the spaceship to use Giratina's ability, opened the entrance to the Distortion World, and flew into the Distortion World.
Seeing that Cynthia still wanted to chase him in, he shouted loudly, "Instead of chasing me, you should think about how to save Giratina's life, otherwise it will die."
Cynthia stopped, turned her head, and looked at Giratina crawling out from the lakeside.
Giratina took two weak steps, then its huge body collapsed to the ground.
"Giratina!"
Ash ran over immediately.
Newton Graceland checked it, "Giratina's injuries are too severe. It must be treated immediately, but we don't have any items to treat it right now————"
"I'm counting on you."
Cynthia's voice was gentle, and then everyone heard two crisp, ethereal sounds.
"Sha~"
Two Celebi flew in front of Giratina. The Celebi wearing the wooden plaque came to Shaymin's side, took Shaymin's little hand, and then the three Pokémon used their power together to heal Giratina.
Giratina stood up, looked at Zero in the Distortion World, and let out an angry Roar.
Due to the influence of the violent emotions of all the wild Pokémon on Mt. Coronet in the real world, coupled with the anger over having its energy stolen, the shadows in its heart kept emerging until they completely covered its consciousness. Now, it was left with only anger and violence.
Just as when it was banished to the Distortion World by Arceus, it had lost its self-awareness.
Giratina began to attack the surroundings crazily, then kept roaring at Zero in the Distortion World within its pupils.
It had just opened the gate to the Distortion World when it was closed by Zero.
This made it even angrier.
"Roar!"
Thief! How dare you!!!
A powerful shadow force blew everyone around away.
Giratina looked at Zero, who was destroying everything in the Distortion World, and turned its head to look at Sendoff Spring beside Lake Valor.
That was the true entrance to the Distortion World. As long as it went there, it could return to the Distortion World.
Meanwhile, Zero was in the Distortion World, controlling the spaceship to destroy things, and a powerful force destroyed an icicle.
Mt. Coronet.
The snow mountain began to collapse, and a huge iceberg began to slide down from the summit.
Cynthia looked back at the huge iceberg sliding down from the summit.
Below was the town, and the personnel hadn't been fully evacuated yet. If this iceberg were allowed to slide down, the consequences would be unimaginable.
At this time, Giratina also rose and flew towards Sendoff Spring.
If Giratina, in its unconscious state, were allowed to pass through the town, the consequences would also be unimaginable.
Cynthia fell into a dilemma.
The next second, Cynthia's eyes became firm. "Flint, take Ash and the others to the iceberg. Block it at all costs, and wait for me to return."
Cynthia jumped onto Garchomp's back. "As for Giratina, I will block it."
"Yes!"
Flint flipped onto Arcanine and pulled Volkner up as well.
"Ash, let's go."
Ash nodded. Just as he was about to leave, he noticed two Celebi coming to Shaymin's side.
The little hedgehog looked at Celebi in confusion. The Celebi wearing the wooden plaque pressed its forehead against Shaymin's forehead.
"Shaymin."
Shaymin widened its eyes.
"Can you use Seed Flare once? Help me open the entrance to the Distortion World. We need to stop Giratina————"
Shaymin listened to Lucas's gentle voice, nodded, then closed its eyes and used its last bit of strength to open the entrance to the Distortion World.
Giratina stopped its movements and looked back at the suddenly appearing vortex.
Cynthia looked back at the vortex.
"That is————"
Before Ash could finish, a long cry shot straight into the sky, and then a beautiful divine bird appeared out of thin air, forcibly smashing the unprepared Giratina into the vortex.
Cynthia was stunned for a moment, then the corners of her mouth curled up.
Ash and the others were full of confusion.
Then Ash heard a familiar voice, "Thank you for your hard work, Ash, Dawn, Brock. You did very well. Leave the rest to me."
Lucas walked out of the smoke, with Gengar and Latias following by his side. He came to everyone's side, patted Ash and Dawn's heads, and said with a smile.
"Manager!"
Ash shouted in surprise.
"Manager!"
Dawn felt her eyes starting to get hot.
Lucas comforted Dawn, "It's okay, just leave it to me from here on."
Then he looked up at the figure in the sky, his lips moving slightly.
Cynthia nodded, then flew towards the iceberg.
"Celebi, help me————"
The two Celebi covered their mouths, laughed, nodded, and then flew towards Snowpoint Temple.
Releasing Ninetales, Gothitelle, Lilligant, and Machamp from their Poké Balls, Lucas gave them instructions, and Gothitelle's body floated into the air.
After high-fiving Lucas, it headed towards Mt. Coronet with Ninetales and the others.
After Lucas arranged everything, he looked at Ash and the others, "Shall we go solve Giratina's problem together?"
Ash grinned.
"Okay!"
Lucas smiled and rubbed Pikachu's head. Pikachu tilted its head and narrowed its eyes comfortably, with yellow sparks flashing on its cheeks.
Lucas's smile began to stiffen. Afterwards, he withdrew his hand without changing his expression and sat on Latias.
"Ah!"
Latias let out an "Ah".
It turned its head and looked at Lucas with dissatisfaction.
Lucas shook his head, and Latias bared its teeth at him.
"Then, let's go."
After speaking, Latias carried Lucas and rushed into the vortex, with Gengar following closely behind.
Ash, Dawn, and Brock followed without hesitation.
Newton Graceland saw this and followed as well.
Volkner hesitated for a moment, then got off Arcanine's back. "Flint, I'm worried about them. I'm going in to take a look."
After Volkner went in, the vortex disappeared.
Flint scratched his afro, "Lucas is there, what are you still worried about————"
After speaking, he rode Arcanine and headed towards Mt. Coronet.
As soon as Newton Graceland walked into the Distortion World, he saw a large white bird fighting with Giratina.
"That is————"
Newton Graceland opened his mouth wide, wanting to say something, but couldn't get it out.
"Lugia————how could it appear here?"
The moment Lucas entered, he went to look for the culprit, Zero. After commanding Gengar to destroy the spaceship, he didn't find Zero's figure.
"He can really run————"
Lucas said, then looked back. The Distortion World was ultimately Giratina's home turf. Lugia was constantly at a disadvantage in the battle against Giratina.
"Roar!"
Lugia was knocked into a floating wall by Giratina.
It really hurts like hell.
Lugia bared its teeth and grimaced, a stinging pain radiating through its body.
"I'm counting on you, Jessie, James, Meowth."
Lucas whispered, then rode Latias back to Ash and the others.
Lucas jumped down from the air and, utilizing the properties of the Distortion World, landed stylishly.
Standing in front of Ash and the others, Lucas took a deep breath. Then, the wooden plaque with the key stone embedded in his chest floated in the air. Lucas grabbed it, ripped it off, stared at the Giratina in front of him, and shouted out loud.
"Latias, make the clouds roll!"
"Mega Evolution!"
A strong light erupted from Latias, merging with the light erupting from the key stone in Lucas's hand.
Lucas clenched his fist.
The light dissipated, and Latias transformed into Mega Latias.
Giratina: ???
Volkner: ???
Newton Graceland: ???
Ash, Dawn, Brock: "Wow! Can Legendary Pokémon also Mega Evolve?"
Newton Graceland stared at Lucas in front of him.
Who exactly is he? Why can he enable Latias to achieve Mega Evolution?
"Lugia, Aeroblast!"
"Latias, Draco Meteor!"
"Gengar, Dark Void!"
Newton Graceland, Volkner: ???
"Roar!"
What the hell is this!!!
***************************
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