"They said nothing too strong was supposed to appear on the first floor… I thought repeatedly running into Regigigas, king of giants, was already a low-probability event. I even went out of my way to research regional legends connected to that Legendary Pokémon, though I never managed to get a clear picture."
"Later, I encountered a Stellar Tera Terapagos carrying six Terastallized Pokémon, including two Koraidon and several Titan Pokémon. I couldn't understand what it was saying, but wasn't it already a bit excessive for it to appear on the first floor? Besides, it started with seven against one. So not only is it a Trainer, it can also enter the field itself?"
"The Stellar type doesn't just counter normal Terastallization. When it enters the field, it also activates a Tera Shield, clears stat changes, and steals charge from the Tera Orb!"
"Of course, considering that Terapagos is a Legendary Pokémon from our own region, I could barely accept that. But that thing clearly knew me, and it still didn't go easy on me in the slightest!"
"But hasn't the difficulty become even higher this time?"
"My apologies, my apologies! But there are some things I must say."
"Entei, could it be that when I previously said I hoped your daughter would come to Paldea for training, you got angry? Are you targeting me?"
In the rest area, Geeta wore her standard fake smile, but the veins bulging on her forehead fully revealed how foul the female Champion's mood was.
To put it plainly:
First, this first floor was absolutely not right.
Second, the difficulty of this challenge facility was garbage!
What kind of monsters were waiting on the first stage? A Champion was being beaten so badly she lost all face!
Would the planner of this tower dare step forward?
Geeta very much wanted to use Snarl. But after giving it some thought, she remembered that the builders and planners of this high tower were said to be three people, and one of them was the current Elite Four member of Paldea.
It was Hikaru.
Then never mind.
That forced Geeta to swallow the complaints she had been about to voice. All she could do was question Entei.
The phantom Entei glanced at the tower's exit.
"Mm… well… I don't know either."
"Could it be that you were marked by Regigigas because of what happened before? This time should be pure accident. Although there are strategy elements, this tower is random to begin with. I've heard quite a few challenge facilities are like that."
"As for Terapagos, I'm not close to it, but that fellow seems to appear as one of the Pokémon Elite Four. According to Hikaru, the four strongest Pokémon guarding the tower will appear here while carrying their exclusive battle systems, as well as the beneficiaries of those systems. I can't control that event either."
"And seeing a god should still be considered quite lucky. Creation and blessing are benefits, after all."
I don't know!
That was the truth.
Geeta maintained her irritated smile.
But that statement did not seem wrong either.
So she had no way to refute it.
According to her own research, the challenge facilities in various regions all had different "restriction rules." For example, some facilities forbade items. Some, like the Battle Factory, required challengers to make full use of Pokémon knowledge by choosing and swapping among specific Pokémon to battle.
"Wahahaha! This dream world really is fascinating! Just as Hikaru said before, this tower truly is an incredibly difficult challenge facility!"
Alder walked out of the tower. Yes, although he was the Champion of Unova, he had been stuck on the first floor, and after a fierce battle, he had been completely defeated.
However, just as when he had fought Hikaru before, although he had lost, Alder felt no pain or regret in his heart. He was filled only with the joy of once again encountering new life.
"Even though I lost, my Pokémon and I had a wonderful time battling! I even met an ancient god of Sinnoh with ties to my ancestors. I don't quite understand what it meant by 'coming here from a faraway otherworldly universe,' but I can ask little Cynthia about that next time!"
"How should I put it? Although it was our first meeting, the instant I saw it, a powerful stirring arose in my heart. It felt as though we had been friends long, long ago, and this meeting was only a reunion after an ancient farewell."
The black-haired woman's expression became extremely subtle. Her entire team had been defeated and was now recovering in the rest area. Hearing the old Champion, who had just come out of the tower and arrived at her side, speak with such emotion, she could not help rubbing her brow. She felt deeply troubled.
"…Ahem, Mr. Alder. Put that way, this matter is connected to you again. I had thought I would definitely find Regigigas's weakness, only for an even stronger Legendary creator god to appear instead."
"As a Champion, I was the first person invited into this space-time. Yet so far, I am still on the first floor…"
Geeta really was forcing herself to smile.
She recalled how confident she had been when she first entered this world, and how after losing to Regigigas, she had only been able to take a consolation prize. Then she looked at her current state.
Her subordinate Rika had reached far higher floors than she had!
"Such rotten luck!"
How could someone run into an opponent of that level blocking the first floor?
Alder raised his thumb. "Don't be so upset, young Miss Geeta. You're still young. One or two failures aren't a big deal. You'll succeed next time."
"Besides, once you reach my age, you'll understand that victory is not the most important thing. Failure is also an excellent teacher. The most important thing is to enjoy Pokémon battles! Every encounter, every battle, every time you grow stronger, everyone's world becomes broader!"
Geeta could only smile helplessly.
Before she had become Champion, Alder had already been Champion. This was teaching from a senior, so she could only accept it gladly and commit it to heart.
"What shames me is that I have actually lost more than once."
"It seems my luck really isn't good enough. I heard Hoenn's Battle Frontier has a facility specializing in luck. I think Paldea's battle facilities could add a similar building as well."
This was what people called changing fate through mysticism.
Alder rubbed his chin. "Mm, luck."
"That's right. No matter how solid your strength is, you won't necessarily win every battle. Because many times, at the final moment, what decides victory or defeat can also be luck."
"So-called luck is also a form of talent. Champion is merely a path one must pass through. It is not the end."
Geeta said, "What did you discuss with the god inside? Of course, I don't mean to pry into secrets. I am simply curious."
"And your clothes also changed."
Alder said, "That? Although it said many things to me, my own understanding of my ancestors only comes from that child Hikaru. What surprised me was that a god who had lived through such long ages would actually ask a dying old man like me about the relationship between humans and Pokémon."
"It said it wanted too much to understand Trainers from other worlds, so it suddenly appeared here."
Although Alder was very willing to share his life experience.
Still, even the creator god had come to him after hearing of him. That left him rather flattered.
As the two talked, the conversation shifted to Terastallization.
Geeta finally found a way to briefly escape the painful reality of her repeated losses. The moment she brought up the promotion of Terastallization and training exchanges, she became energized at once.
"You have already witnessed the power of Terastallization. Although it is not as visually shocking as Dynamax, it is absolutely an outstanding system in terms of battle strategy."
"Hikaru serves as an Elite Four member in our region. The enhanced Tera Orb he carries is one of only two unique items in our region. Because it allows Terastallization battles outside Paldea, it is essentially promotion and publicity for our region!"
"In the next few years, Orange Academy's enrollment numbers will surely rise sharply. More and more people will choose to come to Paldea for training in order to strengthen themselves, will they not?"
"Moreover, we are breaking free from the limitation that a battle system can only be used in its own region. Therefore, in the future, we can announce this: our system has surpassed Dynamax!"
"Therefore, the League decision-makers, myself included, have decided to make enhanced Tera Orbs the final reward for challenging all battle facilities, as well as Victory Road and the League. But before that, we can first develop a sample for Unova. We hope you will use it in battle."
"I heard that because of the appearance of a new Champion, a battle craze has arisen in the Unova region. Trainers with Elite Four-level strength are all planning to challenge the Unova League…"
Alder said, "Uh… you mean you want me to help promote it? I have indeed seen Terastallization battles. It's a very impressive and beautiful battle system, and it's very interesting too. If used flexibly, it can not only increase same-type damage, but also avoid original weaknesses by changing defensive typing, making it hard to guard against."
"More importantly, that energy doesn't seem to harm Pokémon's bodies. Tera crystals are also a natural substance from Paldea, aren't they?"
"But you see, I stopped handling League affairs much a long time ago. And where did you hear that information?"
Geeta smiled. "I have a personal friendship with Professor Juniper of the Unova region."
"Ahem." Alder coughed lightly. "That works too, I suppose. But I think rather than giving this enhanced Tera Orb to an old man like me, it would be better to entrust it to a more promising newcomer."
"A promising newcomer!" Geeta's eyes lit up.
"The young people who come to the Paldea region for Tera training will become a bridge and witness to the friendship between our two regions! Of course, we will also consider matters concerning newcomers. The Unova region seems to be building a new academy. Principal Cyrano has already heard about the superiority of Terastallization, and he has been an old friend of our Director Clavell for many years."
"He will soon come to Paldea for an on-site inspection, then reproduce Tera matter and the battle system in Unova through confidential instruments!"
"However, my goal is to promote Tera battles to other regions, not limit them to one academy. Therefore, I still need your approval and support! That said, since you phrased it that way, you mean to say you have already found someone you admire, correct?"
"They must be a great light illuminating Unova, yes? And if possible, I would also like to invite them to Orange Academy together with you."
In The Indigo Disk, Geeta said she went to Unova to look for the local Champion and League to discuss a certain matter.
The very next line was, "Considering that in the near future, more talent will go from Blueberry Academy to Paldea…" Her thoughts were obvious.
She would even attempt to recruit Kieran and Drayton. Although Drayton refused, saying, "You should find someone else for this," Geeta had never given up.
Moreover, when Juliana frequently went to Blueberry Academy, Geeta would show concern and ask, "Are you transferring your base from Paldea to Unova? Please do not do that."
In the end, although Paldea had a very pleasant environment and customs, a big city was naturally more attractive to people with a strong rural background.
So at this moment, Alder also sensed Geeta's intentions. The old Champion laughed loudly.
"Young lady, simply hoping to obtain a result favorable to you won't do."
"Your thoughts and goals are written all over your face. And isn't this a bit too obvious?"
"Of course, working hard for the development of your own region is a good thing. It shows you have a strong sense of responsibility… uh, compared to that, I come across as very irresponsible."
"However, I accept your invitation. Moving forward together with Pokémon, conveying that wonder to everyone, and passing one's knowledge to later generations."
"As for the new young people I admire… those are possible future events I heard about from Hikaru. Unova has had legends of heroes since ancient times. The children I am waiting for are those kinds of children."
"They will appear very soon."
Geeta said, "A prophecy? If he said it, then some part of it will certainly happen."
"Then, how many are there?"
Alder said, "Hey now, you even want to ask about that? Still, I don't mind telling you. Although there are only five heroes, there should be more than nine young people who can reach the level of battling me."
This was not nonsense.
Hikaru and Alder had mentioned these matters at the end before they parted ways in the past.
N, Hilda, Hilbert, Cheren, Nate, Rosa, Hugh, Iris, Benga.
If Drayton was included, the number reached ten. Saying their future was promising was not false at all.
Geeta said, "…?"
"Is that the conclusion after you went easy on them?"
Alder said, "No. That is the result after battling at full strength. Why would I go easy?"
For a moment, Geeta did not know how to respond.
She stood there in a daze, then began racking her brain. Under Alder's strange gaze, Geeta gritted her teeth and suddenly made a decision that defied her ancestors' ways.
"I heard the Unova region's current Elite Four has an opening?"
Alder said, "Oh! It isn't an opening. Caitlin, you see… She went to Johto and Sinnoh for the time being to seek greater heights. She used to be the Castle Valet of the Battle Castle at the Battle Frontier."
"Now, in her Elite Four tower, there are no Trainers, only the Pokémon she left behind battling autonomously. Mm… but she will return after training for a while. During this period, the other members of the Unova League's Elite Four can block most challengers."
"After all, the other young experts who also have a chance of reaching the Elite Four… being able to battle three Elite Four members in a row is already quite impressive. I think if they can do that, then directly challenging me is fine too."
"Wait, are you planning to recommend someone to act in her place here? Mm, I don't really object. It would strengthen regional exchange. Caitlin isn't here anyway, and that young lady still needs to temper herself again."
Geeta said, "Champion Alder, my apologies! I have an idea."
"Could I temporarily fill that vacancy?"
Alder said, "…?"
This time, it was the old man from Unova's turn to stare in stunned disbelief.
"Geeta! What are you saying?!"
"I am serious!" Geeta rubbed her brow. "Learning the battle experience of an advanced region, storing up talent, and retraining talent. I have deeply realized that simply importing talent from outside is too slow and unstable."
"We must strengthen our region's battle atmosphere. For that, I, as Champion, must lead by example!"
"Since Hikaru told you that in the future there will be at least nine young strong Trainers able to battle you, plus the Gym Leaders and challenge facility bosses of the Unova region… for me, this can also count as learning and training."
"Moreover, didn't you say so? It isn't good to think only of obtaining results favorable to oneself. Ahem. Although going to Unova to train would also benefit my own strength, I believe this can express my sincerity as Champion!"
"Besides, Orange Academy's Treasure Hunt for this year is almost over. From that point until July of next year, the Paldea League will not accept challenges from any outsiders. I have plenty of time."
A gentle female voice suddenly joined the conversation.
"There are cases where a region has two Champions taking turns. Isn't Hoenn like that?"
A blond beauty wearing a black coat entered the hall, observing the Pokémon here.
This was the supreme stage created by Arceus.
And this time, she was fortunate enough to meet other Champions here.
"Oh my! Little Cynthia!" Alder placed his hands behind his back and looked toward Cynthia in surprise. "I was just thinking about you earlier. I didn't expect you could enter this world too!"
"Of course. I came by invitation. I have also challenged this place several times already, but I didn't happen to meet you before. After all, our two regions have a time difference."
Cynthia and Alder knew each other, since she often went to the Unova region for vacations. Then she looked toward the surprised Geeta.
"Nice to meet you. You must be Miss Geeta, Champion of the Paldea region. I am Cynthia, Champion of the Sinnoh region."
Cynthia's reputation was very resounding. Of course, that was not because of her reputation as Champion, but because of her fame as a mythologist and archaeologist.
Geeta was startled, then greeted Cynthia and shook her hand.
She had just lost in a struggle against a god of Sinnoh, and now an actual local from Sinnoh had arrived!
Only, your timing is not good!
Cynthia said, "Arceus… the god from the Sinnoh region's legends. I have been entrusted by someone not to make this god's matters public before a certain incident ends, but I never expected another god to run here."
"Parallel space-time really is fascinating. Perhaps one day we may even encounter ourselves from parallel worlds."
"Battling oneself would surely be very interesting."
Cynthia looked meaningfully in a certain direction.
"To think I could even meet my younger self. How unbelievable. There should be at least five years of difference between us. But both worlds are simultaneously resisting Team Galactic. Perhaps we can even exchange information."
A young woman with a Gabite and a Lance from another world, whose hairstyle looked like something from a card game and who looked eighty percent similar to Lance, appeared at the entrance of the Dream Battle Tower.
Cynthia, the young Cynthia from another world, said, "We traveled for a full day and night to investigate history and the truth, but what is this place? Who was that woman just now? Was she me?!"
Lance from another world said, "So this so-called dream world is here. We should be able to see ourselves from other worlds. And I never thought you would be able to bring me straight in here in one go."
"Mm-hm! You two, would you mind stepping aside? The path before Us must be broad and free of obstacles!"
A voice rang out behind the two of them. Young Cynthia blinked, then blurted out:
"What a huge head!"
Calyrex widened its eyes and glanced at the two of them.
"Hmph!"
The king declined to comment and had no intention of refuting it.
It simply waved a hand. Behind it, several shadows even taller than the big-headed king drifted over. Calyrex led them into the tower. This time, it was Lance's turn to be shocked.
"That's Mewtwo! But it feels different. It really isn't the Mewtwo I've seen."
Just as Lance said.
Because of its recent vegetable promotion, Calyrex had gradually recovered its strength. Therefore, it had decided to come to this high tower and test how much of its power had returned.
However, coming alone felt a little uncertain, so it called along the friends who had been farming and training with it in the dream.
Mewtwo, the goddess Mewtwo, Individual Two; Deoxys, the Warrior of Light; and the Sacred Sword candidate, Keldeo.
The king descends from the heavens, furious and ferocious!
Calyrex, Keldeo Rider form!
The water horse king!
"Uh… this feels a little strange. Can this really make me a stronger Sacred Sword?" Keldeo was doubtful. It had been tricked into coming by Calyrex.
Of course, Kyurem had also said that going to the dream world to train was a very good choice.
Calyrex dismounted from Keldeo and tidied its appearance. Under the speechless gazes of the Pokémon, it elegantly tapped the counter beside Entei.
"We wish to challenge this tower!"
Entei said, "Oh, it's Calyrex… What? You want to challenge the tower? The tower is very dangerous today. Are you sure you want to challenge it?"
"Mm-hm! We have friends We can trust. No matter what Pokémon appears, We can defeat them! And is this not where the Elite Four are being selected? As one of the earliest Pokémon to enter the dream, do We not qualify to become one of the Elite Four?"
Entei said, "…You do not have a battle system."
"I hear the Galar region's representative system is Dynamax."
Calyrex said, "What?! The Darkest Day?! What is good about an unknown power that came from beyond the heavens? We are the one who determines the battle environment! When We ride Our steed, We can display Our strongest power! Therefore, the fourth system should be the mount system!"
"Huh! Is that Calyrex?" The three Champions conversing in the distance also noticed Calyrex. Although Pokémon appearing here to challenge the tower was not rare, Calyrex was also very familiar to Geeta.
After all, Paldea had signed a vegetable purchase agreement with Mistralton City of Unova. Calyrex's big-headed trademark had already become known to many people.
In any case, this fellow was no longer a "Legendary Pokémon that had lost its legend." It had returned to being "somewhat famous," and if it took one more step, it would reach the level of "known in every household."
Calyrex was fiercely denouncing the dangers of the Darkest Day, utterly heartbroken.
But when it came to power from beyond the heavens, Unova and Paldea were the same. Therefore, the two Champions standing nearby listened with some embarrassment.
"An ancient king's evaluation is unexpectedly sharp."
After that, Calyrex insisted on leading its little friends into the tower.
Amid chaotic air, light gathered.
Goddess Mewtwo said, "…I came with Calyrex to raise my strength so I can help my brother in the future. But I somehow feel we'll run into something dangerous. If only Tapu Fini were willing to come with us… Wait, what Pokémon is this?!"
Calyrex said, "Keldeo, combine with Us! We shall form the head! Everyone, do not worry. We possess As One! And Our power has already recovered!"
Keldeo said, "I came because I wanted to become a Sacred Sword… Huh? Now you suddenly say combine? King, your head is really heavy! I can't carry you!"
Deoxys said, "I came to persuade my companion inside the colossal meteorite… This is! This is bad. Isn't that Arceus? It's Arceus from another world! Everyone, use Protect!"
Dream Battle Tower, sixth floor.
Arranged by type, the tower's types were Normal, Fire, Water, Electric, and Grass. The sixth floor was Ice.
A giant dragon frozen from head to toe silently appeared inside this floor's hall. It used cold ice blocks to further process and decorate the place, making it look like Giant Chasm, with sharp icicles everywhere. Only then did it nod in satisfaction.
Behind Kyurem, the enormous black dragon and white dragon appeared. Reshiram told Zekrom about what it had seen when it followed Hikaru to the Sinjoh Ruins in another world, and the experience had shaken it greatly.
Therefore, the Tao trio, a rare sight together even in dreams, gathered and began a discussion. Although the Light Stone was very far from Unova, the signal in the Dream Battle Tower area was always at full strength.
Arceus-brand router signal strength, covering the whole universe, was indeed easy to use.
Zekrom said, "Oh, Kyurem. This idea of yours is rather good."
Kyurem said, "Exactly! To deal with possible incidents, guard against the return of the humans who were repatriated, and prepare for the actions of another mad scientist, we must make preparations ahead of time!"
"Although I was once criticized by Cobalion, I later thought it over carefully."
"We truly cannot only stay in Giant Chasm. If we choose heroes in advance, we can solve problems before they grow worse. In the past, passively choosing heroes, or waiting for ambitious people to come to us, was a mistake. I hope you understand that as well."
"So why not actively cultivate a hero? I thought you were inexplicable a long time ago. Instead of insisting on finding someone who recognizes you, why not cultivate someone you recognize?"
"Look. Those who can reach the sixth floor must surely possess ideals and truth, perhaps even thoughts of emptiness! I have already chosen my own hero and decided to begin guiding it. Of course, a world of emptiness has nothing in it, so what must be protected is actually the future."
In Kyurem's scrapped design, the element corresponding to it was precisely the future. However, emptiness became its final representative color, while the concept of the future was handed over to the more stereotypical Miraidon.
"This was suggested by a green-haired woman who previously fought her way here. She called it a hero interview. Bring the heroes you have chosen here, let them pass through layers of trials, and then we decide. Those who meet the criteria will be observed and evaluated. As for those who fail, we simply tell them, 'Go home and wait for notice.'"
"Now the sixth floor is our territory!"
Reshiram said, "Uh… your way of speaking has become very human. I feel that whether someone has the qualifications cannot be shown through a simple exam. But if it is to be tested through battle, then I approve."
"Let the recommended children come here and try."
Zekrom said, "Aside from the child of Celestica, there are also those girls and boys wearing hats! Look, someone has entered the sixth floor! It must be an idealistic warrior who has endured countless trials!"
Reshiram said, "Is it Hilda? Or Hilbert? Boys and girls already chosen by history… Shouldn't they be truth-seeking warriors who have endured countless trials?"
The Tao trio stared at the stage of the sixth floor.
Then…
Kyurem said, "We ask you: truth, ideals, or emptiness. Choose one!"
However, the girl who had been battling inside the tower, who had unexpectedly avoided Arceus from another world and fought her way through to the sixth floor, was not only Hilda. In fact, there was also…
Hilda said, "Although you said this world is a dream, having a challenge tower inside a dream is still way too strange. Of course, I don't dislike it! I was called here by some voice. Also, you look a little younger than me, but you're really strong!"
Dawn said, "My goal is to become the Champion of the Sinnoh region. And there is someone else I know much better who I want to defeat even more!"
"Huh! Pokémon I've never seen before! They look really strong!"
"Jet Ball, prepare for battle!"
"Wait, wait, wait! Isn't it weird to start by using that black iron ball? I wanted to say this before. Your battling is really exciting, but a Trainer entering the field herself is too excessive!"
Hilda expressed her confusion, then looked at the Tao trio before her, especially Reshiram.
"I can feel it. You were the one calling me, weren't you?"
"Then perfect. My partner has hatched too, and now it needs to grow. I'll let you see the battle method I learned from my friend!"
"Ability: Intimidate!"
"Litten, use Fake Out!"
A thirteen-year-old girl, a hero candidate, used Fake Out and Parting Shot for the first time in the Dream Battle Tower.
Johto region, Ilex Forest.
Hikaru and Leaf were sent back by Celebi.
"After a full day of travel, this experience was pretty interesting, wasn't it?"
Leaf said nothing. She only smiled.
"…!"
Seeing this girl completely addicted to imitating Red, Hikaru could only shake his head helplessly. Then the two of them saw that the area around Ilex Forest's shrine was actually covered in ice and snow.
One must not play pranks at the shrine, or else they would be taken away by the god.
However, it seemed the old man who had proactively released Icicle Spear had already been brought back by Celebi.
Hikaru also noticed that there was now something like a chip in his hand.
Was this thing the National Pokédex upgrade program?!
"Huh. A chip developed by Professor Samuel Oak. Could it be that Professor Oak's wish suddenly turned into a beam of light?"
Put that way, wasn't this chip like the Star of Ultra?
"You're finally back."
Pryce sat on a stone and looked at the two of them. His face also showed fatigue. Before Hikaru and Leaf could ask anything, Pryce sighed first.
"I never expected the legend of Ilex Forest to be true, nor that such things happened in a parallel world. My, if I had accidentally killed my own companions in the past, would I also have become that extreme?"
"But in the end, he also understood that life still has many days one can spend with Pokémon."
Leaf said, "Pryce, did you battle that old man, Pryce?"
When investigation was required, Leaf finally stopped playing the mountain god of Mt. Silver. Pryce smiled helplessly.
"With fifty years of Trainer experience, I thought I could win. In the end, I was soundly defeated."
"It seems I still have many shortcomings. Pain can make a person stronger, but I never expected it could make someone that strong. Making ice sculptures move and attack people… I never even imagined such a technique."
"It's far too unreasonable. Mm, but I also benefited greatly from it."
"Right, Hikaru. That old man said he wanted to thank you for your help, so he left something for you and asked me to pass it on."
Hikaru said, "He left something? It seems the old man Pryce saw what happened through the cracks of time and chose a better ending. Something like that, I suppose."
"Then what did he leave?"
Pryce took out a neat set of notes. "He wrote this on it in a hurry. Right, do you have an Ice-type Pokémon?"
"Ha!"
Hearing someone call, the playful leopard immediately jumped out of its Master Ball.
When it came to Ice-type Pokémon, who could be more powerful than the god of ancient Paldea who governed absolute zero?
"Gupao~!"
The leopard tilted its head and stared at Pryce, who was also an Ice-type master.
Quick, quick. What fun thing is there? Hearing something related to the Ice type is really rare!
Pryce said, "Huh. A white leopard. Is it an Ice-type Pokémon? My, I heard the other Pryce say he once fought Ho-Oh's guard. Cat-type Pokémon gave him quite a hard time."
"Put that way, isn't this secret manual perfect for you?"
"Listen. What's written here is…"
Hikaru accepted the notes. This notebook should have belonged to Pryce, not the old man from another world.
Then this was, of course:
Pryce's message: After snow and ice melt, spring arrives. The ice in my heart has also melted, as if bathed beneath the spring sun. And that sun rose in our world.
Burdened with deep sins, I was nevertheless able to protect the world I loved at the very end. Because my Pokémon also live there, no matter what, I had to let them continue living.
I truly envy all of you. You can transcend time and spend the rest of your lives with Pokémon. To me, my Pokémon were the entirety of life. For that, I captured Ho-Oh and Lugia, planned a series of evil incidents, blew up the Johto region's venue, and controlled Team Rocket.
I always loved them. When I spoke of tools, I meant all other things made for the sake of my beloved ones. Therefore, I could not let Gold and the others die, nor could I let my Pokémon disappear.
Thank you for allowing me to have this experience as well. I am returning to Mahogany Gym.
Secret item: training notes for "Eternal Ice Wall."
Description: the life's work of Pryce from another world. This is the ability to freely manipulate ice and make it move, while also making the frozen condition impossible to remove.
Effect: By manipulating moisture in the air, ice-made bodies and moves can be freely transformed. Pokémon hit by the light of the Eternal Ice Wall will have their frozen condition become difficult to remove. Ordinary Fire-type moves cannot remove the freezing effect.
Content obtained from the notes: legendary music, "The Boy on Lapras."
Pryce's message: Just like the song, the smiling faces I saw in my dream… That song failed to move me back then, but now it remains in my heart. I hope the song my friends left behind will allow this prayer to live on forever in other worlds as well.
"I hope to gaze there once more, soothing a sad and weary heart. May the quiet, quiet song become the place you can return to."
"I hope to begin again from dreams, searching for my courage. From dreams into smiles, soothing my heart and the passion I gradually forgot."
"My feelings never fade. The day I saw you riding Lapras, just like that day, I saw your smiling face again."
"Just like that day. I want to see it."
"You, shining once more."
(End of Chapter)
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