Inside the castle's study, Aven sat with his eyes closed, his expression grave as he pondered deeply.
Floating quietly before him was Darkrai's figure. Dream energy gathered and condensed, materializing all the information it had extracted.
This information came from the three Grand Sorcerers. Compared to the black-robed Grand Sorcerer, these three were clearly the absolute upper echelon of the Sorcerer Organization and possessed an extremely thorough understanding of the organization's next course of action.
"So, their target is actually Dialga and Palkia?"
"As long as they find the Spear Pillar, they can summon the Time and Space Dragons."
"And the Three Lake Guardians are the keys to controlling Dialga and Palkia… Is that the true meaning behind the title 'King of Sinnoh'?"
Aven lightly tapped the tabletop with his fingers. Now the Sorcerer Organization's objective was unmistakably clear. What he needed to do next was to find a way to stop them—and rescue the Three Lake Guardians.
"Dialga and Palkia…" Mira's face was filled with shock as well.
Even for her, this was the first time she had heard of these two Dragon Gods. And the Sorcerer Organization's goal was actually to control these mythical beings that existed only in legend!
"If they really manage to control Dialga and Palkia, the entire Sinnoh Region could indeed fall under their control." Her expression grew heavy as she looked at Aven. "What should we do next?"
"Yes. Right now, the Sorcerer Organization is searching for the Spear Pillar."
"According to legend, Heatran was formed from fragments left behind by the battle between Dialga and Palkia."
"They want to capture Heatran likely so they can use it to locate the Spear Pillar."
Aven sorted through all the information in his mind. "For now, Heatran is still in our hands. They shouldn't be able to find the Spear Pillar anytime soon."
Hearing his analysis, Mira's expression eased slightly. At least this meant they still had some time—enough time to potentially rescue the Three Lake Guardians. As long as that was possible, there was still hope.
"Simply buying time isn't enough. We have to prepare for the worst," Aven said as he gazed out the window. In the distance, Fairhaven Town's reconstruction plan was already underway.
Although the power they possessed was already formidable, it was still far from sufficient to truly confront the Grand Sorcerers. Even if they managed to locate the Sorcerer Organization's base right now, there was no guarantee they could rescue the Three Lake Guardians.
"Yes. I've already ordered everyone in Aspiration City to go out and capture Pokémon as much as possible. After this battle, all the nobles of Aspiration City have realized that trainers are the future of this world," Mira explained.
This battle had proven, with undeniable facts, the power of trainers. As long as Pokémon were properly trained, even guardian deities could be defeated!
Upon receiving this news, the nobles and lords completely abandoned their former prejudices and would undoubtedly push forward the trainer system with all their might. In the near future, Aspiration City, and even the entire Sinnoh Region, would likely become a land dominated by trainers.
"That's good news," Aven nodded with relief. His long-standing efforts were finally beginning to bear fruit.
However, now was clearly not the time to dwell on this. Although the emergence of a large number of trainers would greatly enhance the overall strength of the Pokémon League, it was still impossible to stand against these two of the Creation Trio.
"Perhaps… there's only one option left. If we can awaken the third of the Creation Trio, we might still have a chance." At that moment, a glint flashed through his eyes.
"The third of the Creation Trio?" Mira asked, her face filled with confusion.
That's right—according to mythology, there were three Creation Dragons. Besides Dialga and Palkia, there was also Giratina, the one who controlled antimatter.
Back when they had seen the murals in the Abyssal Caverns, there had already been information about Giratina. Combined with what they had learned from the relic space beneath the Ironblood Fortress stone tower, Aven was almost certain that both the Abyssal Caverns and the Gray Mist were connected to Giratina.
Moreover, from the black-robed Grand Sorcerer, he had learned that a guardian deity was hidden beneath the Sendoff Spring. When all these clues were put together, an answer gradually formed in his mind—the being hidden within the Sendoff Spring was very likely Giratina!
"I plan to enter the Sendoff Spring and search for Giratina, if it truly exists there," Aven said solemnly as he laid out his plan.
"Enter the Sendoff Spring?!"
Mira's expression changed drastically, hesitation clearly written across her face.
After everything that had happened with the Abyssal Cavern, she harbored an unspoken fear toward it. She was afraid that once Aven entered the Sendoff Spring, he might never come back.
"Don't worry. I have Froslass with me, the Gray Mist won't pose a threat to us," Aven said after a moment of thought.
Through interpreting the relics in the Ironblood Fortress stone tower, he had already vaguely guessed the origin of the gray crystal within Froslass.
Just as the black crystal was connected to Darkrai, the gray crystal might have a similar connection to Giratina. This was likely the true reason Froslass could control the Gray Mist.
(TN: I vaguely remember a crystal obtained in the underground of a tower in Ironblood Fortress but can't remember what it was called or what color it was, so I'll just call it gray crystal since I've used black and shadow already.)
The Gray Mist contained Ghost-type energy, but it was entirely different from ordinary death energy. It carried destructive power, likely originating from Giratina's antimatter. And through the grey crystal, Froslass was able to control that antimatter energy!
Seeing how resolute Aven was, Mira hesitated for a moment before gently nodding. "Leave the Pokémon Domain to me. I'll help you protect this place."
"Mm. To find Giratina before the Sorcerer Organization discovers the Spear Pillar, I plan to depart immediately," Aven said, clenching his fist. At the thought of Giratina, a burning light appeared in his eyes.
…
Outside Fairhaven Town, Aven stood dressed in white.
Before him gathered a crowd of Pokémon, each of them looking at him with eager eyes, wanting their master to take them along.
"This time, I'm heading to the Sendoff Spring. The Pokémon Domain still needs your protection," Aven said gently, soothing them.
For this journey, he brought Lilligant, Froslass, Gardevoir, Naganadel, Rhyperior, Darkrai, and Heatran.
These seven Pokémon were the strongest he had at his disposal, giving him the confidence that even if he encountered Giratina, he would at least be able to protect himself.
As for the others, it was clearly better for them to remain behind and guard the Pokémon Domain. Forcing them to come to the Sendoff Spring wouldn't help much anyway.
"Plume…"
"Lux!"
"Awoo!"
Although the Pokémon were reluctant, they all nodded seriously in understanding.
"Aven… be careful," Mira said, wearing a white dress, her face filled with reluctance.
Aven smiled and nodded. "Mm. Don't worry."
As he spoke, he turned and prepared to leave—but just as he took a step forward, he suddenly felt someone hug him from behind. A gentle voice sounded by his ear, "I'll wait for you to come back."
After saying that, Mira quickly ran off. Her cheeks were slightly flushed as she stood at a distance. But she didn't wait for Aven's reply—his figure suddenly vanished from where he stood, leaving only a gentle breeze that stirred the girl's hair.
(End of Chapter)