"The resonance between the Primals is growing stronger, Dylan."
At night, Peppa's expression was grave on the video call.
"I contacted Dialga. According to it, Arceus is likely to awaken soon."
Dylan nodded slightly as he stroked the head of the "Clefairy" curled up beside him.
The only reason Clefairy wasn't lying on his stomach was simple — the little thing was way heavier than it looked, and Dylan's body just couldn't take that kind of weight.
"Any estimate on the exact timing?" he asked seriously.
After all, this was Arceus they were talking about — and not just any Arceus, but one filled with resentment. Even weakened by the loss of five plates, it was still a being Dylan had to treat with the utmost caution.
"Dialga says around three months," Peppa replied, worry flickering in her eyes. "Give or take a month at most."
"Got it. I'll head to Michina in three months," Dylan said after a pause.
"Alright. Then I'll be counting on you, Dylan."
Peppa still looked uneasy, but there wasn't much else she could do.
Since Dylan said he had a way to handle it, she had to trust him.
And indeed, Dylan did have a solution — the movie had already shown the answer: have Dialga use time travel to return to the past and stop Damos's betrayal.
If Arceus was never "betrayed," then the future would change naturally, and all misunderstandings would vanish.
Simple, really.
Since Dylan knew the original story, he wasn't worried in the slightest.
If things could be resolved peacefully, great. If not, he had other options — including his own Origin Forme Dialga.
"Relax," Dylan said with a wave of his hand. "I've got this."
"By the way, there's something strange," Peppa said suddenly.
"What is it?"
"For half a month, I couldn't reach Palkia. Then this afternoon, it finally responded — but it sounded weak, like it was barely conscious."
She tilted her head in confusion. The power of the Aura of Sinnoh was truly unique — it allowed her to connect with Dialga and Palkia even across different dimensions.
But the connection wasn't two-way. Whether they responded was up to them. If they were emotionally unstable, Peppa could even be hurt by the backlash of their turmoil.
Until today, she hadn't been able to reach Palkia for weeks. And since Dialga and Palkia didn't exactly get along, she hadn't asked Dialga about it either.
But when contact was finally made, Palkia's weakened state alarmed her.
"Looks like it managed to escape from the Reverse World," Dylan chuckled.
"Huh?" Peppa blinked, confused.
"It's fine. Nothing serious. Its brother probably locked it in a 'dark little room' for a while. Just let it rest."
Dylan brushed it off casually.
Giratina really was a piece of work.
Unlike the time it had dragged Dialga into the Reverse World at full strength in the movie, this time Palkia had been badly wounded before it was pulled in.
What it suffered in that pitch-black realm… only Palkia knew.
One thing was certain — it wouldn't be leaving its dimension again anytime soon.
"I see…" Peppa said, curiosity still on her face, but seeing Dylan's lack of concern, she dropped the subject.
After hanging up, Dylan casually scrolled through the latest headlines.
"Brother, all the Poké Balls are cleaned!"
Lillie turned around with a sweet smile after carefully polishing the last Luxury Ball.
"Good work," Dylan said.
"It's no trouble! Oh — by the way, brother, um… there's something…"
Lillie washed her hands, neatly placed the Poké Balls on the bedside table, and sat down shyly.
"What is it? You can tell me anything," Dylan said, curious about his adorable companion.
"It's like this… Mother contacted me earlier. She asked when we'd have time to visit Alola for a family dinner."
Her cheeks flushed a faint pink, eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Of course, that wasn't all Lusamine had asked.
The woman had also pried into some very personal topics.
Who could blame her? Her precious daughter spent every day glued to some man — calling him "brother" this, "brother" that — and barely remembered her real family.
Ever since leaving Alola, Lillie hadn't once come home.
Not even during New Year's — just a quick video call, no plans to return to Aether Paradise at all.
Poor Lusamine didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Alola, huh? You really haven't been back in a while," Dylan mused.
They'd been traveling the world nonstop ever since the World Championships began, but come to think of it — they hadn't set foot in Alola once.
"Of course we can go," he said at last. "After we visit Kalos, we'll head there. How's that sound?"
"Yay!" Lillie beamed with delight.
And why Kalos first?
Because there was going to be one hell of a match.
Kanto's third Elite Four member, Blue, was challenging the No.7 Master — Kalos Champion Serena!
A true heavyweight clash.
This was one of the matches Dylan had been most looking forward to.
Blue — the first-ever Champion of the main Pokémon games — versus Serena, the Champion of Generation VI.
Without question, it would be spectacular.
"By the way, Lillie," Dylan asked suddenly, "you still don't have your own Pokémon, right?"
"Ehhh? Is big brother going to give me one?" Lillie giggled, tapping her lips playfully with a finger.
She didn't have a Pokémon of her own — and truthfully, she didn't mind.
Taking care of Dylan's Pokémon every day was enough for her.
In fact, she was their unofficial caretaker.
And safety wasn't really a concern. Not only did she spend nearly every moment by Dylan's side, but he also usually entrusted her with a few of his team's Poké Balls when they traveled.
Even if something happened, his Pokémon didn't need her commands — they could handle it themselves.
"I think you'll really like this one," Dylan said, winking.
Anything my brother gives me, I'll love, Lillie thought to herself, her cheeks glowing pink.
But she didn't dare say it out loud.
Her radiant smile said enough.
"Hehe~ then thank you in advance, brother!" she chirped, voice as sweet as honey.
"You'll meet it tomorrow," Dylan said with a grin.
"Hard to believe it's already been a year…" he added, glancing at her.
Time really did fly.
A quick glance told him — yeah, she'd gotten a bit taller, but… some parts hadn't exactly "developed."
Tsk. Must've inherited that from Lusamine.
"Yeah! I still remember the day I first met you and Uncle Ito and Aunt Azalea," Lillie said happily, oblivious to his thoughts.
That day had been the turning point of her life — when she'd been "rescued" by the kind couple who turned out to be far more than they seemed.
Honestly, who would believe her story?
An heiress of a multimillion-dollar foundation, found on the streets and adopted by a billionaire couple.
Sounded like something out of a drama series.
And then—
"Lillie."
"Yes, brother?"
"It's already nine. Shouldn't you head back to your room?" Dylan said with a teasing smile.
"Eh?! I— um— goodnight, brother!"
Blushing furiously, she bolted from the room, leaving Dylan chuckling to himself.
Lillie, Leaf, Ilene…
His smile faded slightly as his thoughts turned to what his father and mother had discussed with him — and whether it was truly possible.
The next day, Kalos – Arche Valley.
"Welcome, Dylan! It's been a while." Kevin greeted them warmly.
Sheena stood beside him, smiling brightly.
"Well, not that long," Leaf said, peeking curiously past them. "So this is where you live?"
Arche Valley was a hidden sanctuary, much like Meteor Falls — a secluded community of Arceus's descendants and devotees.
But only a few had any real power.
Kevin was the strongest among them, though still far from his ancestor Damos, who once forged the Jewel of Life.
"Yes, please, come in."
Kevin led the group through the valley.
There wasn't anything particularly remarkable about the place — just quaint architecture and tranquil scenery.
To Dylan, it wasn't much different from Meteor Falls.
But to Lillie and Leaf, the mystique of such a hidden place was fascinating.
Seizing a quiet moment, Dylan motioned for Hoopa Confined to follow him aside.
"How's it looking, Hoopa?"
"Mmm~ no problem at all!" Hoopa said proudly, puffing its tiny chest. "Both of them are ready!"
"As expected of Hoopa — reliable as ever," Dylan praised.
"Hehehe~ Dylan is Hoopa's best friend! Your business is Hoopa's business!" it giggled, practically glowing with pride.
"Alright then — bring them through. I'll handle the captures."
"Okay! Hoopa~ ring-ring~!"
Two golden portals expanded in midair, and moments later, two small Pokémon emerged.
"Hmm? Where are we?"
The pair tilted their heads curiously, ruby-red eyes sparkling as they looked around — communicating telepathically.
Perfect.
Two of them, just as planned.
Dylan smiled in satisfaction at the sight of the cute Pokémon with brilliant gems adorning their foreheads.
Lillie was going to love them.
(You can probably guess what they are, right? It's pretty obvious~)
(End of Chapter)