June 25th, Thursday.
Several days had passed since the Ice-type Masters Tournament ended.
Even the contestants had long since returned to their daily routines, and the Alola region had gradually returned to calm.
However, today Aiden appeared once again on Melemele Island.
The reason was simple—
He had previously made an agreement with Tapu Koko. Having completed his task of assisting in repelling the Ultra Beast, it would naturally help him craft a special Z-Crystal.
One that had never been discovered before—a Sylveon-exclusive Z-Crystal.
Because they had agreed to return to pick it up half a month later, Aiden specifically took a few extra days of leave in the Alola region to properly enjoy the exotic island atmosphere.
However, after learning about his agreement with the Island Guardian, Professor Kukui, as a Z-Move expert, immediately couldn't sit still.
"Exclusive Z-Crystals can actually be crafted using blank Z-Crystals! If we can figure out the mechanism, it would definitely be a major breakthrough for Z-Move research!"
"Not only could the eighteen type Z-Crystals be mass-produced, but with sufficient materials, we could even let every trainer develop their own exclusive Z-Move!"
Walking on the path toward the Ruins of Conflict, Professor Kukui appeared incredibly excited.
It was precisely because he held such thoughts that he actively requested to accompany Aiden to visit Tapu Koko after he mentioned this matter.
"However, it seems only the Island Guardians have the ability to hand-craft Z-Crystals, right?"
Halfway there, Aiden suddenly turned back and responded to him.
In his impression, Z-Moves and Ultra Aura were essentially both related to energy emanating from the Light God Necrozma. Without the ability to control this power, humans fundamentally couldn't create Z-Crystals.
Even the Island Guardians originally didn't possess this power—it was only after losing to the Sun and Moon deities in ancient times that they were granted the power to control Ultra Aura.
It wasn't strange that Solgaleo and Lunala could freely utilize Ultra Aura. They originally had countless connections with Necrozma, and could even "armor merge" with it to form entirely new forms.
And the Z-Crystals discovered by humans basically all relied on this land's natural generation, so production was very unstable.
The complete set of type Z-Crystals that Professor Kukui previously gifted him as thanks for his commentary work in Alola was already considered the highest standard treatment locally.
"That may not necessarily be true."
Regarding Aiden's question, Professor Kukui only smiled mysteriously, then looked up and sighed with emotion.
"A hundred years ago, humans also couldn't have imagined that in the brief future, our technology could develop to this level."
"This world has never lacked geniuses. Perhaps sooner or later we will research and understand all the principles of how the world operates, and integrate them into our lives."
"However—there's one thing you did say correctly: we currently indeed don't have the ability to create Z-Crystals."
"That's why I'm so curious about that Sylveon Z you commissioned from Tapu Koko!"
Professor Kukui laughed heartily, not concealing his thoughts at all.
Regarding this, Aiden only nodded, not surprised.
The vast majority of humans of the Pokémon world were indeed very straightforward, and didn't speak in convoluted ways.
It seemed like every time he could very easily get along well with them?
It was like this when meeting Leon at the Isle of Armor dojo, like this when encountering Steven in the Paldea mines, and even Professor Kukui whom he had only met a few times was the same.
When the two crossed the wooden ladder and arrived at the Ruins of Conflict, Tapu Koko immediately appeared before them.
"I've resolved the Ultra Beast invasion incident on Akala Island. It should be about time now, right?"
Aiden got straight to the point, smiling as he spoke to Tapu Koko.
Tapu Koko nodded. Clearly it had roughly sensed what happened on Akala Island, or heard about it from Tapu Lele.
[Since it's a transaction, I will naturally keep my promise.]
Tapu Koko's mental communication transmitted, and then its statue-like arms spread open, revealing its beak-shaped fingers.
Aiden immediately noticed the Z-Crystal held between its fingers.
The shape was still a smooth rhombus, but the color had changed somewhat compared to the Eevium Z previously given to it—it had now transformed into light pink, somewhat similar to Fairium Z.
"This is the Sylveon Z?"
Professor Kukui blinked, looking somewhat excited.
"This is a brand new Z-Crystal that has never appeared before. Does this mean other Pokémon can similarly obtain their own exclusive Z-Moves?"
Tapu Koko only glanced at him, didn't speak, and quickly returned its gaze to Aiden, shaking its arm slightly.
Its meaning was obvious:
Take it and try it out first.
Aiden nodded, reached out to receive it, and carefully felt the surging energy contained within on his palm.
"According to the agreement, the move inscribed in this Z-Crystal should be Sketch, right?"
He thought to himself while using his other hand to take a Poké Ball from his pocket and immediately press the trigger.
"Syl~"
Sylveon appeared, landing lightly, and then immediately noticed Tapu Koko not far nearby.
It——looked so familiar?
That's right, that fellow that felt somewhat like the Miraidon at the gym!
Feeling the faint electric current and paralysis sensation coming from beneath its feet from time to time, Sylveon shivered and immediately remembered meeting it half a month ago.
"Try it quickly, Aiden!"
Professor Kukui excitedly urged, while reminding him.
"Although I heard you already have experience using Z-Moves, Z-Moves are very complex, especially using a brand new move that no one has ever used before."
"If there isn't an absolutely trusting powerful bond, just finding the appropriate dance pose might take considerable time."
"..."
Aiden was stunned.
He indeed hadn't thought of this before, but the fact that Z-Moves required an awkward dance to maximally draw forth Ultra Aura was indeed the underlying logic of this world.
Then, his and Sylveon's exclusive Z-Move obviously had no one else's homework to copy from—they could only explore it themselves.
But the problem shouldn't be too big——
After all, before Ash used Pikashunium Z, he didn't seem to carefully study how to do the awkward dance either. The most distinctive move was handing his hat to Pikachu to wear.
Saying this was a "full-power pose" was somewhat of a stretch.
"..."
So, everything just needed to flow naturally when conditions were ripe, and Ultra Aura would definitely respond.
Aiden thus no longer hesitated, looked at Sylveon and nodded.
He had both the Z-Crystal and Z-Power Ring ready-made, so he could just try it out right here at the Ruins of Conflict.
"Syl!"
With his and Sylveon's current bond, even before he spoke, Sylveon already understood his thoughts and immediately prepared to use the move.
A warm current surged through Aiden's heart. He then spread his feet apart, closed his eyes in a standing posture.
"According to previous experience using Z-Moves, first I should feel Ultra Aura flowing through the full-power Z-Power Ring, driving the energy in the Z-Crystal to burst forth."
While recalling the details from when he previously used Eevium Z, Aiden gripped his right wrist.
The essence of Ultra Aura was light, so when the Z-Crystal in his palm gradually began to shine, a burning sensation also came from his wrist.
This feeling——it really felt like he was about to transform any second now——
"Light is the bond——never mind, can't say that!"
Aiden complained inwardly, then continued increasing the power of drawing Ultra Aura into the ring.
Originally when in the Paldea region, he didn't actually need this step to use Z-Moves.
Because his ring was Arceus-made, it could be used even without Ultra Aura.
However, since he was already here, he might as well do as the locals do and strive to develop the move's maximum power.
"Syl~"
Sylveon also imitated Aiden's movements, immediately closing its eyes and focusing on feeling the energy from its trainer.
But for some reason, after half a minute passed, it seemed to not feel any changes either——
"Syl?"
Sylveon turned back, looking somewhat confused at its trainer, only to discover—he seemed to have already become immersed in his own world, completely forgetting that to use a Z-Move, that Z-Crystal needed to be embedded into the Z-Power Ring!
No wonder it couldn't feel anything just now——
Sylveon hummed discontentedly, then patted its trainer's shoulder, and used its feelers to slightly exert force, easily wrapping around his arm.
Reminded by it this way, Aiden finally reacted, his face immediately turning red.
It had just been too long since he last used it, he forgot the correct usage method!
My mistake, let's try again!
This time Aiden made complete preparations, struck a handsome pose, raised his right arm while his left hand's two fingers also formed a scissors hand along the Z-Crystal's shape, and shouted: "Receive my power, Sylveon!"
"Syl!"
Sylveon made a forceful response, and then both human and Pokémon simultaneously shone with golden light.
"Here it comes!"
Professor Kukui, who had been quietly waiting nearby, subconsciously exclaimed.
A never-before-seen Z-Crystal, a brand new Z-Move that no one had ever used—would here display its unique power!
As for Tapu Koko beside him, it maintained its calm gaze, staring at Aiden who was emanating Ultra Aura energy and shining with light all over his body.
According to his request, this exclusive Z-Crystal didn't choose to strengthen move power, but focused on "versatility" instead.
Although very compatible with the Sketch move, giving this exclusive Z infinite possibilities, however——
When using it, the difficulty would correspondingly increase.
So, even as the envoy of the Creator God, wanting to master this Z-Crystal on the first use was also very difficult.
After completing the starting gesture of the full-power pose, feeling the power filling his body, Aiden immediately spoke: "Sylveon, this is our exclusive move belonging only to us!"
"Its name is—"
"Mirror Flower Water Moon Eternal Dream!"
"Syl!"
Aiden actually hadn't thought of this move's name at all before this; he only subconsciously blurted it out based on instinct.
And——when he spoke, his body also began to move instinctively, quickly dancing an impromptu street dance.
Guided by the "full-power pose," the originally exposed Ultra Aura was gradually transmitted by him into the Z-Crystal and Z-Power Ring, and guided into Sylveon's body.
Of course, just this move was far from enough—
As a member of the Eevee family, even after evolving, Sylveon should still possess the ability to integrate into the "Eevee Network."
Having had one experience borrowing the power of Eevees from around the world, this time Sylveon also subconsciously let out a cry.
The sound crossed space, spreading throughout the entire Alola islands and even the world at terrifying speed.
In the Alola region, in a certain warehouse of the Thrifty Megamart, a shop clerk suddenly looked up, seeming to sense something.
"Borrowing power again——"
"Really, remember to pay me back double next time!"
And behind him, various Eevees also made the same movements.
Clusters of energy were sent out from around the world, and soon arrived above the Ruins of Conflict, gradually gathering above Sylveon's head.
After absorbing the power of Eevees from around the world, Sylveon's aura suddenly skyrocketed, rapidly breaking through limits and reaching a level that even made Tapu Koko somewhat dumbfounded.
A drop of cold sweat slid down from Tapu Koko's head, making it momentarily somewhat doubtful—
Was this still a Z-Move? Why did it feel somewhat wrong?
"Syl!!!"
After energy accumulated to the limit, Sylveon let out another roar, and its Z-Move also quietly activated at this moment.
Without any flashy extravagance, just a mass of pure, clean energy stagnating in the air, slightly tinged with pink under the influence of Pixilate.
Professor Kukui only took one look, then suddenly discovered that himself, who had been at the Ruins of Conflict just a second ago, had in the blink of an eye suddenly arrived at the place he could never forget.
The Kanto Victory Road, ten years ago.
And that man known as the "Strongest Dragon Tamer," Dragon-type Elite Four Lance, had also already appeared before him, showing him a somewhat mocking smile.
"Is this—a dream?"
Professor Kukui couldn't help but freeze, and subconsciously observed himself.
He could feel that his consciousness was extremely clear right now, but couldn't see any flaws in the opponent and field before him.
In other words, relying solely on his own will might not be sufficient to leave here—
But that was fine too.
Because he had never thought about leaving here to begin with!
"If it were his current self in that decisive battle ten years ago, perhaps he could rewrite the ending!"
Thinking this, Professor Kukui no longer hesitated, immediately took a Poké Ball from his pocket and threw it out.
"Go, Incineroar!"
"Even if it's a dream, show our full power!"
Ruins of Conflict.
Half an hour had passed since Sylveon used its Z-Move, and Aiden had already recalled Sylveon.
Sylveon's Z-Move had undoubtedly succeeded, and had borrowed the power of other Eevees, evolving its Sketch move to a terrifying degree.
However——
A small problem had currently appeared.
When would these two wake up?
Staring at Tapu Koko and Professor Kukui not far away, both lying on the ground seemingly immersed in dreams, Aiden's expression couldn't help but show some lingering fear.
So Sketch could actually advance further, directly forming an effect similar to illusion, making opponents directly lose combat capability?
Then wouldn't he be invincible in wild battles in the future?
Just need to use a Z-Move, and all opponents directly lose combat capability, allowing him to slaughter them——
Even in formal competitions, one move guaranteeing to eliminate one Pokémon was pretty outrageous!
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