Chapter 0771: Super Demon God: Champion Showdown – Legendary Destiny (Part 3)（Five-in-One）

The sun rose, casting waves of golden light across the sea.

Steven stood atop a skyscraper, morning rays brushing over his blue hair. His sapphire-like eyes shook as he watched the ocean bridge.

Beneath the dawn sky sprawled an enormous dragon; its black and gold body glittered, gold particles pouring from it, golden ribbons fluttering like silk, its tail a razored edge whipping through the air.

City of Wastes, North District.

The wind and flood retreated, revealing the residences submerged below; a yacht was stranded, Diantha and the others lost for what to do.

“That guy flew away!” Gold shouted, head raised.

A massive bird beat its wings, abandoned the yacht below, and turned toward the west.

Shadow Lugia cast a gloomy shadow over the red-haired youth’s face. Silver turned, demanding:

“Is there anything important in the west!?”

Diantha said, “Desert Spire is near the west… just beside the ocean bridge. I think it’s heading for Desert Spire.”

“That’s the one.” The red-haired youth bit off each word. “We have to defend the ‘Prison Bottle’ at Desert Spire!”

Gold rubbed his forehead, staring out. “Looks like more than one legendary Pokémon—all heading that way! And that black dragon!”

“Black dragon?” Silver flipped open his flip phone, entered the keywords, and his eyes went wide.

Torrential rain, extreme heat, and other extreme weather, all suppressed by Mega black Rayquaza’s ‘Delta Stream.’ Satellite signals returned.

On City of Wastes’ live feed, they saw the stern face of a black-haired young man. The camera pulled back—to reveal him standing on black Rayquaza’s head!

“Holy—Natsume-sensei!” Gold blurted out.

Diantha was dazed. “Can even a Champion do this…”

Gold: “There are Champions, and then there are Champions… mmph!”

Silver clapped a hand over Gold’s mouth, calm as he said, “Champion Diantha, please join us Pokédex Holders in supporting the ocean bridge—I’m counting on you.”

“Of course. That’s also my duty.” Diantha placed a hand on her breast and nodded gently.

Arche Valley.

Different dimension’s Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina abruptly abandoned their struggle, as if summoned, levitating toward the ocean bridge.

Seeing this world’s three gods had no more intention to fight, they slowly descended, levitating in the sky before Cynthia.

‘We meet again,’ said Palkia.

“It’s been a while.” Cynthia stood on the cliff, gave a worn smile, and gazed to the distance. “Has Natsume summoned you again?”

‘Not yet,’ said Dialga. ‘But driving those three fools out is our duty too.’

“In that case, please support Desert Spire. I’m counting on you.” Cynthia said.

‘Are you sure you wish us to go?’

Giratina’s eyes were deep below its platinum helmet. ‘Hoopa may endure different dimension’s spacetime load, but Natsume might not.’

If the Sinnoh Three Gods appeared at the ocean bridge and war erupted, Natsume would have to act as Commander…

Cynthia touched her chin, black dress flapping in the wind, the black velvet at her wrist wavering.

She breathed out, tired. “I have no right to decide.”

Palkia and Dialga suddenly looked skyward, transforming into twin beams—one red, one blue—and shot for the ocean bridge.

Giratina felt the same call. With one last glance at the City of Wastes, it turned to Cynthia:

‘He understands—so he made the decision for you.’

Cynthia trembled, raising her gaze.

She saw Giratina give a mournful cry, transform into shadow, and charge unhesitatingly for the battlefield!

She stood silent for a moment, then turned: “You three, heading for Desert Spire?”

The trio exchanged glances and nodded vigorously. “Yeah!”

“All right. But I’ll go ahead of you.”

Cynthia gave a gentle smile, mounted Garchomp, her black dress flowing, gray eyes focused:

“Garchomp, Dragon Rush!”

A missile-like streak of red tore across the sky—Garchomp racing to follow the Sinnoh Three Gods toward the ocean bridge.

Monument Square.

The red-haired man braced himself, blood-soaked bandages encircling his waist, gazing up at four streaks of light across the sky.

“Bonnie…” Lance croaked.

“What is it, need some water?” Bonnie hurried to him.

“My… cape, bring it to me.” Lance said.

Clemont’s eyes went wide. “Mr. Lance, your condition—there’s no way you can battle!”

“…I’m not that easy to kill.”

Lance received his cape, glanced at the tear with sadness, then flung it around his shoulders.

“What’s important is…”

Looking out at the black and gold form on the bridge, Lance smiled. “Can’t let him have all the glory, can I.”

“Ash!”

Lance’s eyes sharpened, roaring like a dragon in Outrage: “Come with me to Desert Spire! We’ll back up Natsume-sensei!”

Ash nodded hard and shouted: “Yes!”

Darkrai lay sprawled among shattered ruins, gazing wearily skyward.

White Kyurem hovered above a stone pillar, staring down at black Rayquaza, growing more eager by the second.

“If you want to go across, you’ll have to ask me first,” Darkrai said coldly.

White Kyurem looked down imperiously, sniffing in disdain.

‘Boring.’ White Kyurem meditated peacefully, coming to rest on the broken wall beside Darkrai. Fine, I won’t take part in this all-out war.

White Kyurem and Darkrai squared off, silent.

Darkrai sighed softly.

That’s all I can do for you, Natsume…

Come back safe—and remember, you owe me money…

Ocean Bridge.

Natsume gripped tightly to the two protruding crown fins atop black Rayquaza’s head.

‘Frightened? Hah! This old man is both nervous and excited!’ Black Rayquaza bared its teeth.

Natsume: “…I just have a fear of heights.”

‘?’

Hoopa hovered overhead, flanked by Primal Kyogre and Shadow Lugia.

The Sinnoh Three formed an equilateral triangle, streaks of red, blue, and gray crossing one another.

And in the waters below, ‘The End Land’ failed; Primal Groudon’s feet were immersed in the ocean, its head thrown back as it roared.

Rumble! The sky eroded! A furious earthquake shook the earth!

Armored Mewtwo and White Kyurem had vanished—but those two turning coats was to be expected.

Natsume surveyed the battlefield.

In the end, it all came down to fighting seven-to-one again.

Mega black Rayquaza alone wouldn’t be enough.

On the ‘Power of One’ radar, three lights flickered and sped in from Arche Valley.

“Almost here…” Natsume muttered.

There were two more lights on radar—slowly awakening in the Hoenn region.

Rumble!

Inside Mt. Chimney, waves of heat poured out. A crimson beast, magma welling on its back, snapped open its yellow eyes.

At the same instant!

In Seafloor Cavern, surging currents bore down on an ancient, indigo beast; a vast whale-song echoed.

The Hoenn duo, Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon, were awakening!!

Natsume’s eyes flashed.

The Sinnoh Three held space-time power, able to bypass rings entirely to intervene—but the Hoenn pair were clumsier, needing a little extra help.

“Hoopa, you’ve got two rings left, right?” Natsume asked quietly.

Hoopa, nestled in Natsume’s lap, looked up and grinned. “That’s right~”

“Good.” Natsume returned the smile. “Do as I say—bring in those two…”

‘It’s attacking!’ Black Rayquaza warned.

“Hoopa, strongest ever!!”

Hoopa’s shadows boiled, eyes going blank, its enormous head diving through a ring to appear above Natsume and black Rayquaza.

Natsume looked up—saw two more rings open at the sides of that giant head, as massive fists came hammering down!

Freeing Hoopa’s signature move: the ‘Mega Blastoise Barrage,’ bypassing Protect defenses!

“Dragon Dance—dodge!”

At the instant of the command, Natsume choked painfully, HP plunging fast—he hurriedly dug out a Cherish Ball.

“Roar!!” Black Rayquaza flared its talons, head raised in a yell, waving its black and gold tail; all the golden particles flushed with red, and it blasted up to speed, shooting through the gap between colossal fists.

Wind howled across black Rayquaza’s energy shield, Natsume clutching Victini tight at his crown, both hands white-knuckled on the dragon’s horns as he shouted:

“Victini, Hoopa, hold on tight!!”

“Victini!” Victini dug into Natsume’s black hair, its V-mark burning with red light, its whole body ablaze with gold.

In that moment, the Victory Pulse flooded Natsume’s body. His black-gold cape radiated golden light, as if he too had completed Mega Evolution, fire roaring over him in a golden aura—like Sage Mode.

The invincible Victory Star burned bright!

“Dragon Pulse!!” Natsume shouted, voice fierce.

Black Rayquaza dove and climbed in tight circles, seizing the high ground to look scornfully down on the super demon god in the ring, jaws splitting in a surge of draconic light.

Rumble!

A savage purple dragon’s shadow crashed down—‘boom!’—exploding against the super demon god’s head.

The super demon god pulled back, glaring up, baring its fanged grin as a Shadow Ball rocketed from its chest.

At the same moment, Primal Groudon belched Fire Blast, and Primal Kyogre fired Hydro Pump.

All three beams converged; Mega black Rayquaza’s eyes grew wary.

Natsume commanded, resolute:

“Victini, help out! Rayquaza, Hurricane!!”

“Victini!” Victini squeezed its eyes shut, the V-mark glowing, flames of gold flooding into Rayquaza’s black-gold body.

Black Rayquaza straightened, jaw open wide, unleashing Hurricane—a city-shattering tempest that tangled shadows, flames, and water columns together—‘boom!’—bursting a cyclone of smoke!

Suddenly—

Hoopa’s eyes turned cold, flicking sideways at the Desert Spire beyond the distant bridge.

Inside… hides something terrifying… it must be destroyed…

“Wreak havoc!!”

Hoopa swung its hand, sending blue, red, and gray beams streaking away.

Furious different dimension’s three gods screeched, plunging toward Desert Spire.

“You think I don’t exist—Giratina, leave it to you all!!” Natsume commanded.

The super demon god glanced back; from Arche Valley, three familiar forms streaked out.

“They’re… taking Natsume’s command?!” Hoopa was stunned.

Dialga roared ‘Roar of Time’; Palkia’s claws sliced ‘Spacial Rend.’

Different dimension’s Sinnoh Three Gods wheeled and charged. Giratina transformed into shadow, crashing the spacetime twins into retreat!

Hoopa gaped. “It’s really happening!”

Crash!!

Giratina dove into the darkness to regroup; Palkia and Dialga fell into the sea, staring up in shock—only to see black Rayquaza up above, forming, too, an equilateral triangle.

The black-haired young man gripped the dragon’s horns, centered at the triangle, surrounded by Giratina, Dialga, and Palkia!

“Now it’s four against seven.” Natsume said coldly.

The shelter was in an uproar.

“This…this is insane!”

“It’s like a collision of two whole worlds!”

Different Dimension’s Sinnoh Three Gods VS Sinnoh Three Gods!!

High above the ocean bridge.

Rumble!!!

Different dimension’s Sinnoh Three Gods struck from the west, beams of blue, red, and gray streaking out like cosmic destruction.

This world’s Sinnoh Three Gods met them from the east bank, six beams crossing and clashing in a supernova above the bridge!

Columns of water shot up as space-times interfered, six vast metallic beasts wrestling close-quarters.

Two four-legged Dialga, diamond horns locked; two dino-like Palkia, jewel-encrusted claws sparring; Giratina against Giratina, platinum bodies launching tidal waves as metal clashed!

Hoopa’s wicked smile froze on its face.

A mere human…

Why is he helped by so many legendary Pokémon?!

In the western sky, Garchomp raced by—a golden-haired, black-clad woman stared up, her eyes trembling.

This… is an all-out free-for-all of legendary Pokémon!

“Garchomp!” Garchomp led Cynthia, landing in the square beneath Desert Spire.

From here, the Grand Canal and battlefield were clearly visible.

Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon fired Hydro Pumps and flame; black Rayquaza pivoted effortlessly, Hurricane engulfing both deities, then turned to face Hoopa.

“Rayquaza—”

Natsume’s voice rang out: “V-create!!”

Victini’s V flared, ‘Victory Pulse’ surged into Rayquaza. Mega black Rayquaza’s golden particles blazed up in roaring fire—like a war god.

Boom! Rayquaza turned flamethrower!

A V-shaped heatwave lit up the super demon god’s face; Hoopa hesitated in fear.

This… ‘Victory Pulse’ locked onto me! The ring can’t transfer me away!?

Rumble!!

‘V-create’ exploded, a terrifying shockwave steaming the waters, black smoke spreading, leaving hideous burns on the super demon god’s arm.

“Hoopa… is hurt…”

Super demon god was shocked—then broke into a manic grin. “Again!”

Watching the battle of deities, Cynthia was thunderstruck.

But… she bit her lip, stared at the fiercely struggling black-haired young man, anxiety showing.

How much longer until ‘Prison Bottle’ is ready?!

Desert Spire, top floor.

Baraz and Meray channeled the ‘Power of One’ in their palms.

“Restore… Prison Bottle!” Baraz gritted out.

Radiance shrouded the forming Prison Bottle, as explosions rocked the tower outside, shaking even the top floor!

“What’s happening!”

Meray quaked, peering out.

In the sky, two rings swelled with red and indigo light.

Hoopa shouted loudly:

"Hoopa—recruit!!"

From the ring on the land, a colossal scarlet beast strode forth.

From the ring in the sky, an ancient indigo creature soared with wide, powerful wings.

Rumble rumble!! The citizens stood in shock—two more ancient Pokémon creatures had appeared!

"Senior Lance."

Ash, seated on Dragonite's back, clung to the red-haired man: "What is that!?"

"Ah… those are this world's twin gods of Hoenn."

Lance was incredulous. "Did Natsume-sensei bring them here too…?"

High above, Steven trembled, then gritted his teeth.

Natsume-sensei is still fighting desperately—I have to… Steven bowed his head, glancing at his trembling legs.

"Human muscles can betray the mind—the strongest willpower can't always overcome them," Steven said softly.

"Metagross." White Metagross tilted its head.

"What I mean is…" Steven vaulted onto Metagross's head, eyes steely as he charged toward Desert Spire. "On my own, I can't. But with 'our' strength, we can!"

Above the waters.

The two Primal Groudon stared at each other; in the sky, the form of black Rayquaza flashed past.

The super demon god looked up, eyes wide.

In the sky, too, there were two identical Primal Kyogre, locked in a distant standoff!

The super demon god scratched its giant head.

What the hell… am I Hoopa, or are you Hoopa?

Across the collapsed ocean bridge.

On the west: The Sinnoh Three Gods, the Hoenn twins, Shadow Lugia, and Hoopa.

On the east bank: The Sinnoh Three Gods, the Hoenn twins, black Rayquaza, and Natsume-sensei.

Natsume, astride black Rayquaza's head and backlit by the rising sun, overlooked them all, declaring:

“Now it’s seven against seven.”

Hoopa’s face darkened. Its fist swung through a ring, smashing toward black Rayquaza.

Signature move: “Hyperspace Fury!”

Black Rayquaza dodged swiftly. In that same sky, Shadow Lugia beat its wings, the gale shattering the energy shield around Natsume.

The air pressure howled past—Natsume’s face changed. As Rayquaza dove, he lost his balance, plunging from the sky!

Below, a sea of battling Legendary Pokémon: six metal-bodied titans clashing, two Primal Groudon wrestling in primal fury.

Natsume’s cloak fluttered wildly as he plummeted. He muttered blankly: "Falling into that is the end of me..."

"Hoopa, reel him in!" Hoopa—shrunken, hiding in Natsume’s arms—flung out a ring. Natsume dropped straight through it.

Hoopa levitated, beaming, waving into the distance : "Scared you, didn’t I!"

With a puff, Natsume—dazed and alarmed—landed squarely on Latias’s back. He looked up at Hoopa and nodded forcefully.

Then, Natsume patted the red jet: “Thank you, Latias.”

“La-ti~” (Now you finally remember me!)

Latias pouted her face into a bun.

Natsume smiled sheepishly, eyes wide, coughing: “Wind—ugh—got my throat!”

Latias quickly deployed a Light Screen, escorting Natsume down to land in the plaza of Desert Spire.

Black Rayquaza swooped down, standing upright, spreading its talons, looking at Natsume with concern.

“I’m fine, Rayquaza. Go support the others.” Natsume waved him off.

Black Rayquaza gave a little nod, then turned into a golden streak with Dragon Ascent, smashing Shadow Lugia straight through a skyscraper—‘boom’—the building collapsed at midsection!

Rumble, the building tumbled down!

Natsume was stunned for a moment.

Rayquaza, what exactly are you protecting?

He glanced back at the Desert Spire, that golden tower shining in the sunlight.

He steadied his breath, turning his head to the Waters.

On the Waters, Legendary Pokémon clashed in a massive free-for-all;

In the city, black Rayquaza hunted down Shadow Lugia in a one-sided brawl;

Above, the two Primal Kyogre exchanged Hydro Pumps—neither of them scoring a hit, looking rather dimwitted.

Exhaustion surged over him—two sleepless nights, commanding Regigigas, then black Rayquaza...

Natsume said blankly:

"It's going to end badly…"

As his consciousness wavered, Natsume glanced at the ocean bridge and stiffened in shock.

Hoopa was gone!

A shadow fell overhead. Natsume looked up— a portal had opened above.

THUD!!

A blue-faced, fanged, mountain-sized Hoopa crashed down, its six floating arms all aimed at Natsume.

The super demon god blotted out the sun—a cloud of malice, face twisted, smiling wickedly:

“Now there's no one to help you—this time, Hoopa wins.”

Fear, pressure, a stifling breath—

Natsume gazed up at the super demon god looming so close, cold sweat on his brow, his chest shuddering, his back soaked in sweat.

“It’s not your place to declare that.”

Natsume’s gaze burned with icy fire, his black-gold cape swirling, a Dive Ball gripped in his palm.

“I’ll smash you myself—with my own hands!”

A cold gleam flickered in the super demon god’s eyes, its smile splitting back to the tongue, shadows leaping skyward, snarling: “Big talk for a little worm.”

BOOM!!

A ‘Dark Pulse’ surged out!

Natsume braced his arms, blasted back by the shockwave, his cloak flapping in the wind, thick smoke rolling away.

Out of the white fog, a turtle shell refracting sunlight gleamed in the shadows.

Then came a pair of Sunglasses—glasses reflecting the sneering face of the super demon god.

Blastoise pulled off its sunglasses to reveal steely eyes and a toothy grin: “Blastoise.”

I sense a threat I’ve never felt before—my fighting spirit has never been fiercer!

BOOM!!

Blastoise’s shell flared with the crimson of ‘Focus Energy’, swirling with a dark red Pulse, eyes unfocused: “Blastoise!”

Torrent, unleashed!!

“Transcendence…no; Aura of Ripple.” The super demon god sneered. “Natsume, how much longer can you hold on?”

“Until I flatten you completely,” Natsume declared.

His eyes glinted. Gengar’s Mega form was gone, all ‘Aura of Ripple’ channeled to the limit, radiant blue energy powering Blastoise.

Blastoise bulged with corded muscle, his face wild in a fighting snarl, ‘Aura of Ripple’ bathing his body, dark red Pulse winding round shell, arms, and cannons.

“Just a Blastoise, nothing more.”

The super demon god laughed coldly. “I’ll crush it—just like squashing a child’s lollipop.”

“Go ahead and try—!”

Natsume raised his hand skyward. The Key Stone on his wrist flared with a rainbow glow, ‘Aura of Ripple’ merging with the ‘Bond of Fellowship’ linking the two. The shockwave rolled, a smoky Snarl in the air.

“Blastoise, Mega Evolution!!”

“Blastoise!”

A torrent of white light enveloped Blastoise—when it died down, a massive pair of cannons jutted from his shell, a horn on his brow, his eyes burning crimson, launchers on his arms trained on the super demon god above, a savage Aura behind the Mega Launcher, flashing icy blue in the sun!

“Blastoise—!”

Natsume took a breath, marshaled all his strength, and shouted:

“Origin Pulse!!!”

RUMBLE!!

Blastoise’s eyes shone crimson, those cannons blasted an enormous indigo Hydro Pump, roaring like the ultimate weapon, lighting up the heavens.

Cynthia jerked her head, hearing the sky-shaking roar from the far side of Desert Spire.

What… was happening over there!?

Just what kind of battle has broken out beyond that tower!?

“Garchomp, let’s go check it out!”

The indigo pulse lit the sky, catching the attention even of the two Primal Kyogre dueling above.

‘Origin Pulse’ surged with Kyogre’s primordial breath. Boosted by Mega Launcher, its power was still less, but the mastery surpassed the blue original.

The two Primal Kyogre seemed confused.

So that side is Kyogre? Then who are we!?

Hoopa clicked its tongue in dismay.

Confronted head-on by ‘Origin Pulse’—even the super demon god could barely withstand it.

Luckily, without the lock-on from ‘Victory Pulse’, this move could be dodged with a well-timed ‘Hyperspace Hole’!

BOOM!!

Steam and vapor poured forth, Hydro Pump tearing into the air, fog dispersing—super demon god’s chest opened a gigantic ring.

‘Origin Pulse’ shot straight through it.

A moment later, over the Waters, a circular ring expanded. Indigo energy beams came raining from the sky, blasting into the Waters like a nuclear strike—waves and air split apart, the ocean caved in, a tide a hundred meters high surged up.

The colossal wave soaked Dialga’s diamond horns. He roared, galloping on four hooves, like some ancient prehistoric dinosaur—clashing again with Mega Blastoise’s savage beast!

“Commanding Origin Pulse has pretty much tapped you out, hasn’t it...?”

Hoopa’s chest heaved, looking at the black-haired young man kneeling a dozen yards away, exhaling in relief, then smirking:

“Hoopa was startled! But if you want to hit Hoopa, you’ll need to practice for a few more centuries—ha ha!!!”

Natsume looked up, eyes deep, silently meeting Hoopa’s gaze.

Hoopa shivered—his spine ran cold—a terrifying Fairy-type Pulse suddenly surged from behind him.

“To make sure the second attack hits, the first one had to be good enough to make you use ‘Hyperspace Hole,’” Natsume said.

“What do you mean…?” The super demon god’s voice cracked.

“Both accuracy and fate—you have to seize them for yourself.”

Natsume’s gaze sharpened. “Origin Pulse was just the setup. The Pixie Plate is my true backstab!”

Hoopa jerked his head—Sylveon raised a pink Plate with ribbons, her snowy body completed the energy-absorption of Geomancy, singing triumphantly.

“Sylveon—” Natsume commanded, “Hyper Beam!!!”

“Sylveon!!!”

The Pixie Plate worked as a giant energy amplifier. The Hyper Beam, like a death ray, shot through the pink Plate, swelling even larger.

Super demon god’s pupils constricted, staring down at the incoming Hyper Beam. It tore toward the black holes in his belly, pinning him in place and, in the deafening rumble, triggered chained explosions.

“ROAR!!!” The super demon god shrieked in agony, upthrust in the blinding light, chained blasts devouring him alive!

BANG!

The aftershock sent Natsume to his knees. Blastoise, having shed its Mega form, lifted him up, cannons delivering a Heal Pulse, then offered a Revival Herb.

“No, that stuff is just too bitter…”

Natsume caught his breath, staring at the ashes where the super demon god stood, dazed, exhaustion finally overwhelming him:

“Seriously… will this ever end…”

Even a Plate isn’t enough to finish Hoopa!

“I want you—!”

From the ashes, the super demon god—like a demon returning from Hell, hair blazing, shrieked: “You will pay the price!!!”

Natsume’s mind blurred—no time to think. Was Hoopa this strong in the original story? Where’s the Prison Bottle? Rayquaza, dammit, stop chasing leftovers—get back here and defend the tower!

Countless thoughts collided. Natsume stumbled, crumpling into a heap.

“Cynth—ia…” Natsume weakly opened his eyes.

And saw…the wrinkled face of Boss Giovanni entering his line of sight.

Natsume: “......”

Giovanni: “...You seem pretty disappointed?”

Natsume: “Very disappointed.”

“No matter.” Giovanni grabbed Natsume in one swift motion, “You’ve done enough. Take a good rest.”

Natsume blinked, astonished. “Why are you stripping, Boss!?”

Giovanni swung off his trench coat, white undershirt stretched over rock-hard muscle, wrists and chest bound in bandages. He barked aloud:

“Go—Beedrill!!”

Across the sky, a Mega Beedrill—striped black and gold, blood-red compound eyes, three sharp tail stingers blazing white light, twin rapier arms launching needle missiles.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh! Pin Missile rained down like a storm.

As a Bug type, it was four times effective against Freeing Hoopa. Even for a super demon god, he had to momentarily avoid its onslaught.

“Cursed bug!”

Super demon god swept open a ring, letting the Pin Missile vanish through it, redirected toward the Waters.

Clang clang clang!! The agile Mega Beedrill, exploiting its type advantage, held Hoopa at bay for now.

Giovanni looked over his shoulder: “...There’s blood at your mouth.”

Natsume replied calmly: “I’ve gone Super Saiyan more times than I can count. Even Goku would be jealous of my ‘power-ups’.”

“Oh.” Giovanni nodded grimly, “Let’s run for our lives, then.”

Natsume: ?

Giovanni: “I can’t beat him.”

Indeed—just the two of them, facing the super demon god—

RUMBLE!!

“Garchomp, Draco Meteor!!!” Cynthia’s clear voice rang out.

Behind the super demon god, the sky split into streaks of red—a magnificent meteor shower, blazing rocks plummeting for Hoopa.

Natsume looked skyward. On Garchomp’s back, the golden-haired woman in black—her eyes flashed:

“Cabbage…”

BOOM!!

Meteorites crashed down on the super demon god’s back. Hoopa angrily spun, arms aiming for Garchomp—but from the side swept a roaring dragon shadow.

Natsume turned to look—across the battlefield, Dragonite soared carrying Lance and Ash, racing from the hellish Waters below!

“Dragonite, Dragon Pulse!” Lance shouted fiercely.

“Pikachu, Thunderbolt!” Ash called, throwing in his support.

Lightning and draconic energy entwined—the raging thunder-dragon crashed into the super demon god, ‘boom’, erupting a cloud of black smoke.

“Cunning!!” Super demon god roared.

“Metagross, Meteor Mash!!”

“Metagross!” Mega White Metagross’s X-mark blazed red; it loomed like a mighty hammer, comet-strong fist smashing into the super demon god’s face.

The blue-haired man knelt atop, Metagross coolly exhaling a blast, tail swiping as it parked itself beside Natsume.

“Natsume-sensei,” Steven said with a gentle smile. “Looks like I didn’t slow you down after all.”

Natsume: “...Are you hinting at one of the Champions, or…ache!!”

“Natsume-sensei.” Steven asked anxiously, “You sure you’re okay?”

“Do I look okay to you!?” Natsume shot back.

Steven paused, then nodded gently.

Natsume: “...You go join the team fight.”

Cynthia commanded Garchomp lower, alighting gracefully, locking eyes with Natsume.

Her gaze was anxious, steely, uneasy—a mission weighing on her shoulders, her face dust-smeared but still beautiful.

“You…” Cynthia hesitated. “Stay behind me.”

Natsume smiled, then looked slightly embarrassed, his voice hoarse: “For a Max Raid Battle like this, we need every main team member.”

RUMBLE! Thunder rolled through the sky!

To his left and right, Steven and Cynthia, plus Lance, Ash, and Giovanni—six all craning their necks, staring up at Hoopa.

“Hoopa!! Strongest!!”

The super demon god’s face twisted, irisless, six arms releasing another Dark Pulse, smoke billowing.

Above the city, black Rayquaza chased Shadow Lugia, fighting for all it was worth—then, gold particles scattered from its body, Mega Form dissolving.

Black Rayquaza blinked, face grave, turning its gaze to Desert Spire.

‘Natsume…’ a surge of worry rippled through the black Rayquaza.

In the monument square, Darkrai stared toward Desert Spire, his heart pounding uneasily.

No…this time the sense of crisis is different!

Natsume’s heart lurched. Suddenly everything around him shifted color—changing from vibrant hues to photo-negative yellows and blacks.

During the brief lull while the Champions battled the super demon god—

Natsume withdrew from the battlefield, collapsing on the plaza steps, gasping for air, sweat pouring down.

“Is this my limit…” Natsume murmured.

But after all—three Mega Evolutions, commanding Regigigas and black Rayquaza…can’t blame myself…

“Victini…” Victini hugged Natsume, trying to inject him with Victory Pulse.

After too long wielding the Aura of Ripple, the Power of One, his maximum life energy dwindled—even Infinity Energy had its limits.

“Victini…” Victini clung to Natsume, barely holding on.

Natsume rested his hands on his knees, rubbing Victini gently.

He seemed to hear Pokémon clustered around him, whispering…

Didn’t want to battle, but must battle.

Even fallen, still carrying the Champion’s mission.

His black bangs fell, hiding his face, lips quirking up—then fell with a sigh:

“That’s why…”

As if sensing it, Cynthia turned, gazing at the stone steps, her pupils trembling as she called out: “Natsume!!”

The Champions looked toward the sound. The smoke wave from Dark Pulse exploded—Ash and Lance were blasted away, landing among the ruins.

The sound was blurred, his mind a complete blank.

Oh, right… I still have Ho-Oh’s last trump card… I still have…

'Natsume.'

Natsume jerked his head up. Instantly, the world’s colors seemed to return, vivid and clear. A plump, purple figure grinned broadly before him, eyes squinting in mirth.

“Is it… telepathy?” Natsume’s voice trembled. “This is the first time I’ve heard it in a year…”

‘Become a remarkable Trainer!’

“Gengar!” Gengar extended a hand to Natsume.

Natsume reached out on instinct, his hand meeting Gengar’s.

His pupils shrank. Natsume saw shimmering flecks of light drift from Gengar’s body, pouring into his own.

“Wait, this is—!” Natsume’s eyes went wide.

Sharing each other’s life energy.

Not healing, but a kind of curse.

Gengar’s… 'Destiny Bond.'

Natsume’s breath shook; he pressed Gengar’s head tightly and said:

“What does Destiny Bond do? I’d rather just die than be forced to use Sacred Ash later.”

Gengar gave a sly laugh, squinting his crimson eyes:

“Gengar! (^▽^ )”

‘This way, we can fight side by side again!’

Natsume’s heart thudded in sync with Gengar’s. 'Destiny Bond' dividing their life together, linking their bond.

“You really are…”

Natsume drew a deep breath, looking up at the super demon god:

“A genius Trainer, I swear!!”

“Gengar!!” Natsume shouted. “Lick!!”

“Gengar! ヾ(≧▽≦*)o” Gengar gave Natsume a big, wet lick.

The Lick didn’t paralyze, but brought an exceptional clarity.

Natsume’s eyes flashed bright. He rose steadily, black-gold cape streaming, mounting Latias, streaking toward the battlefield sky—toward Hoopa.

“Let’s do this again!!”

“Gengar!!”

Desert Spire, top floor.

Baraz and Meray exclaimed in shock: “We did it!!”

Clutching the Prison Bottle, both dashed desperately outside.

Faster… Almost there!

High above.

The super demon god turned, gazing at Natsume. He saw in Natsume’s eyes, purple flames burned.

In those scant moments, the demon deity’s wild smile faded completely.

“You…”

The super demon god fell silent, then solemnly intoned, “You have truly impressive Pokémon.”

“And it has a truly impressive Trainer…”

“Gengar, Dark Void Z—”

Natsume slowly raised his right hand. The Z-Ring lit with midnight blackness; his gaze flared.

“A truly impressive Trainer,” the super demon god smiled with a crooked grin.

“Black Hole Eclipse!!!” Natsume declared, his voice chilling.

“Gengar!!!”

Gengar lifted its right hand high, palm supporting the black hole, gravity tearing the city and sweeping skyscraper fragments into the maw.

Boom!!

The ocean bridge, long past its limits, collapsed—span after span breaking into the sea!

Steel and concrete split and were drawn into Dark Void!!

The super demon god’s gaze quavered as he looked up at the vast, sun-consuming black hole.

“Gulp…” He actually swallowed.

Not even Arceus… could withstand such a force.

“Gengar!!” Gengar hurled Dark Void forth.

RUMBLE!!

Blinding light tore at the super demon god’s body. All six arms snapped shut, straining mightily against the collapse: “Ohhhh!!!”

Space-time shivered. The heavens peeled away.

Black Rayquaza, gazing at the Desert Spire and the massive black hole blocking the sky, could not comprehend it.

‘What an unbelievable power of Bond…’ Black Rayquaza murmured huskily.

As the shockwave rippled, Natsume plunged from the air—falling into a soft embrace.

Atop Garchomp’s back, Natsume looked up into Cynthia’s tired but gentle smile.

“It’s all right… You can rest now.”

“Yeah…”

Natsume closed his eyes, his lips curling in a weary smile.

“I can… rest for a while…”

Boom!!

The Dark Void shattered, flinging dust into the sky. The super demon god was left battered and miserable.

He swung his crimson gaze, then shuddered—a sudden chill. Baraz raised the Prison Bottle, standing upon a jagged reef.

He opened the Prison Bottle’s lid. The primal Power of One ceaselessly tore at Hoopa’s body. Hoopa howled in agony, but could not resist any longer.

Bang!!

Baraz gripped the Prison Bottle’s top with all his might. Dark shadows spread across his eyes.

His own eyes crimson, he glared at Hoopa, hissed: “You—vanish—now!”

Hoopa whimpered, “Hoopa, don’t…”

“Calm down!” Ash clapped Baraz’s shoulder, but the shadow surged into Ash.

Yet, the shadow was startled to discover—it couldn’t do a thing with this body!

Garchomp descended slowly; in Cynthia’s arms, Natsume sighed exhaustedly: “Pikachu—give Ash a Thunderbolt.”

Pikachu crouched, limbs braced: “Pikachu—Zap!!”

Electric arcs flashed; Ash convulsed and coughed up a cloud of black smoke—the shadow stopped cold.

Hoopa summoned his courage, floating over to Ash, palm glowing brightly:

“Shadow… together with Hoopa, like this, even shadow will feel happy...”

Images flashed—recollections of the Valley of Transcendence, the teachings of Ghris, the journey through time and space with Natsume…

The shadows gradually stilled, turning to radiance and flowing into Hoopa’s body.

Hoopa’s form grew, passing through a ring, descending from high above.

Boom!!

The Champions looked up, spines stiffening.

The sky-darkening Freeing Hoopa spread its arms, teeth bared: “Hoopa—has returned!!”

Ash grinned, “Don’t worry. That’s the real Hoopa.”

“Did I… scare you?”

Freeing Hoopa giggled, glancing at Natsume, stretching out an enormous hand to ruffle his head.

Natsume smiled helplessly, straightened his arm, gave Hoopa a high five—then started coughing.

“Freeing Hoopa… quickly send the five Deities from this world back.” Natsume said, weary.

Freeing Hoopa nodded hard, swinging wide a ring, enveloping the Waters and sky in golden light:

“Hoopa—recruit!!”

Giratina, Dialga, Palkia gazed back at Desert Spire.

‘So… has it all been resolved?’ Giratina murmured, eyes closing.

‘The Messenger of Transcendence is truly admirable,' said Palkia.

‘And his cooking’s not bad,’ Dialga chipped in.

The two dragons shot a look at Dialga. The Sinnoh Three Gods, their forms, faded away into the ring’s embrace.

Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon, not quite sure what just happened, dazedly headed back home.

“Groan…” Primal Groudon scratched his head, then buried himself in magma, catching a little extra sleep.

Different dimension’s Giratina, Palkia, Dialga, Primal Kyogre, and Primal Groudon—

Now, regaining their senses, watched the Desert Spire with grave faces.

Natsume was quietly placed on a bench, using Cynthia’s soft lap as a pillow, reaching out to pet Gengar’s head.

“Gengar~” Gengar grinned, scratching his own head.

Trainer and Pokémon—both their bodies shimmered with sparkling motes, fragments drifting away bit by bit.

“What…what’s happening!” Lance gasped.

“It’s…it’s like they’re disappearing!” Ash exclaimed.

Giovanni frowned, watching Natsume.

Indeed, for a human—Natsume had reached his limit…

Natsume looked down at the fragments scattering from his palm—he had his answer.

Even with Gengar sharing life energy with me… it still doesn’t change the fact that ‘I have already died.’

Steven stared at Natsume, his eyes quivering—the scene felt achingly familiar: “Natsume-sensei…”

Natsume’s gaze flickered… 'Destiny Bond' let me stand beside Gengar in battle. But the price—Gengar would vanish with me.

“There’s only one Sacred Ash.”

Natsume gently stroked Gengar, softly smiling: “So you have to stay here, all right?”

Natsume-sensei put a hand on his left shoulder, palm glowing with ‘Aura of Ripple’, erasing the curse of ‘Destiny Bond’.

“Gengar?!” Gengar startled, feeling his life energy ripple back into himself.

“Remember, use Sacred Ash to bring me back. If you can’t, get Gold to go find Arceus… And if not, I’ll haunt him forever… also…”

As the Destiny Bond’s effect faded, Natsume lay on Cynthia’s lap, dissolving into shining motes, raising a hand to stroke Gengar’s head:

“Be an excellent Trainer, all right? Gengar.”

“Gengar…”

Gengar stared blankly for a long time, then looked to Cynthia, fumbling helplessly for comfort.

“I’m fine.” Cynthia’s golden hair curtained her face. She pinched Gengar’s cheek, murmured, “All right, bring out the Sacred Ash.”

“Gengar!”

Gengar nodded hard and dove into darkness, returning with a packet of Sacred Ash.

“Ta-ta-da!” Gengar raised the Sacred Ash high, wobbling.

Boom! An Earthquake shook suddenly!

The Champions’ faces sharpened, looking warily around.

Ash gazed out: “What’s that…”

The City of Wastes seemed ringed by a giant dome, its edge crumbling as space-time buckled. The temporal storm crept ever closer.

“What’s happening!?” Steven called.

“This place’s space-time… it’s about to collapse…” Meray muttered in shock.

“We need to calm the time storm first!” Baraz cried in panic. “Otherwise, the time-space coordinates will go haywire—If we use Sacred Ash to revive Natsume-sensei, he might be safe, or he might turn up eight years old!”

Giovanni spoke solemnly, “Can we borrow Dialga and Palkia’s strength to calm the storm?”

Freeing Hoopa said, “Hoopa will try.”

Cynthia’s golden hair swayed. She drew a deep breath, steeling herself:

“Evacuate the citizens first… I’ll leave it to you, Hoopa.”

Freeing Hoopa, “Just leave it to Hoopa!”

The space-time storm closed from all sides, shrinking like a lethal zone. Hoopa flashed around the city, sending the citizens through rings to safety.

People evacuated, even the ones in the shelter, all leaving in an orderly crowd.

The citizens stood on the coast, the ocean bridge now destroyed, looking toward Desert Spire across the water.

RUMBLE!! The space-time storm cocooned the Desert Spire, shrinking further, threatening to crush it!

Black Rayquaza, Giratina, Palkia, Dialga…

The different dimension Legendary Pokémon hovered on the outer rim of the storm, helpless.

‘Spatial Dragon’ Palkia swung a blade of ‘Spacial Rend,’ trying to cut through the space.

The blade exploded with a bang—the spatial storm remained unscathed.

Citizens slipped into panic.

“Even the Spatial Dragon can’t slice through space!?”

The Legendary Pokémon all tried their might, but the storm would not yield.

The storm shrank even more. Under Cynthia’s persuasion, the Champions passed through the rings, leaving the Desert Spire behind.

The time storm tore at the Desert Spire. Inside the tower, only a sliver of space remained: Freeing Hoopa, Cynthia, and Gengar standing alone.

“It’s time for you to go.” Freeing Hoopa said softly.

“But!” Cynthia lifted her head, protested loudly, “The Sacred Ash hasn’t worked! It hasn’t succeeded yet!”

“The space-time here is collapsing. Natsume-sensei’s position will be nearly impossible to find…”

Freeing Hoopa poked at his own finger, dejected. “Sorry. Once we’re out, we’ll ask for help…”

“No.” Cynthia said coldly. “I want to stay here… If Arceus can, let it revive me along with him.”

“But you… you’re not the Messenger of Transcendence!”

Freeing Hoopa gritted his teeth, calling out, “Sorry, Champion Cynthia!”

Cynthia trembled—the devastating storm swept her away, and when she next opened her eyes, she was already on the coastline.

“Champion Cynthia…” Ash and the others hurried to her.

Cynthia’s golden hair hung low, face sad, forcing a faint smile:

“I… I’m fine…”

Turning from the time storm rising over Desert Spire, Cynthia turned her back. After a long moment, a tear slid down her cheek.

Inside Desert Spire.

Gengar clung to the Sacred Ash, its small face crestfallen. “Gengar…”

Freeing Hoopa scratched his head awkwardly, “I know Arceus… When we get outside, let’s have him help…”

“But he’ll probably lock me up again. Ah, whatever, just let him lock me up if he wants.” Freeing Hoopa sighed in resignation.

Gengar was silent, staring at the ground, where only Natsume-sensei’s trainer’s belt lay.

Gengar gazed vacantly, counting out the Poké Balls. Suddenly, he froze.

Wait, one, two… There are twelve of them.

“Gengar!” Gengar gasped in surprise.

There was an extra red and white Poké Ball!

The Poké Ball rattled and with a ‘pop’, burst open.

Blinding light poured forth, a streak of radiance shot from within.

Since returning from the ancient era, Celebi had always stayed within Natsume-sensei’s Poké Ball, never departing again.

As a traveler of space and time, Celebi held the miraculous power to locate coordinates in any timeline.

“Celebi ~”

Celebi gave a gentle smile, taking the Sacred Ash from Gengar’s hands.

‘Leave it to me!’

Gengar wiped his tears, nodding blankly. “Gengar…”

And then.

Celebi resolutely set off through time, flying straight into the temporal storm, with lightning and thunder raging, darting towards the very top of Desert Spire!

RUMBLE!!

Space-time trembled, the “eye” of the time storm was about to close.

The citizens gazed up at Desert Spire.

The tower itself had already been consumed by the storm, leaving only the golden rings at the summit, floating rootless in the vortex—isolated and adrift!

A flash of teleportation shone, and all eyes whipped to the source.

Freeing Hoopa and Gengar emerged, but Natsume-sensei’s figure was still nowhere to be seen.

“Gengar…” Gengar hung his head.

“It’s alright… really, it’s alright.”

Cynthia stood in a daze, then after a moment forced a trembling smile through her tears: “You… don’t need to feel sad… you don’t need to…”

Giovanni stood with hands in his pockets, silent. The red-haired youth with eyes much like his own stood at Giovanni’s side.

“So you couldn’t fix it?” Silver asked.

“Even Giovanni… has things he cannot do,” Giovanni replied.

“Oh…” Silver bowed his head, then felt a gentle pressure atop it and looked up.

Giovanni’s large hand ruffled Silver’s hair, eyes fixed forward.

“I’ve never seen you cry… You can cry in my arms this once. But only once.”

Silver hesitated for a moment, then flung himself into Giovanni’s embrace.

Giovanni betrayed no emotion, remaining calm, stroking Silver’s red hair gently.

“Hey, everyone, look!!”

The cap-wearing young man, face stricken with awe, suddenly pointed his pool cue to the sky and shouted:

“Look! At the very top of Desert Spire!!”

Giovanni, Steven, Cynthia, Lance…

All the citizens of the City of Wastes lifted their gaze as one to the very top of Desert Spire.

Swirling dark clouds converged overhead, thunder tearing at the fabric of space and time, storm clouds bearing down, leaving only the summit of the tower afloat.

In the next instant.

A streak of light burst from the storm, shedding rainbow brilliance everywhere.

At the top of the tower, suddenly, a blazing inferno ignited, undaunted by thunder, the flames riding the wind—graceful and magnificent!

Citizens gazed, motionless—uncertain why their eyes grew moist, bodies trembling as if in the presence of a miracle.

Fire twisted the air, the conflagration forming a burning gate.

From within the light and flame, a single figure strode out, black-gold cape billowing and scattering firelight.

He stood at the top of the tall tower, and his voice rang in the hearts of all:

“Grant me transcendence, the right to reshape the laws of this time and space.”

Pale golden light stemmed the time storm as it threatened to close, beams slicing upward to the skies.

The citizens trembled, hands over their mouths, bodies shuddering.

The gods stood beyond the storm, gazing at the young black-haired man who had returned through fire, all silent.

Natsume looked up and called:

“Arceus—!”

The heavy clouds parted, golden light split the heavens, and a sacred silhouette dashed through the mist.

Shaped like a centaur, a golden wheel circled its body, its gaze infinite and warm.

It stood there, walking through the sky—too holy for any mortal to behold.

Golden light spilled onto Natsume’s uplifted face.

In his eyes there was no fear, no resentment, only an unshakable calm.

“I wish…”

Natsume said, “I wish to become an excellent Trainer.”

Without speaking, the deity’s lips lifted into the faintest, most gentle smile; its golden hoof traced the air.

Ripples swept from that hoof into the swirling time storm—instantly, the clouds were swept away, sky clear, sunlight pouring down.

City of Wastes fell utterly silent.

Everyone gazed upward, frozen in awe.

Golden radiance spilled—above Desert Spire, Natsume and Arceus exchanged silent gazes.

That moment became indelibly etched in every heart, never to be forgotten.

Rippling golden light shone over the Waters.

Freeing Hoopa, Giratina, Palkia, Dialga, Primal Kyogre, black Rayquaza… the gods all hovered high above the sky.

They gazed first at Arceus, then with newfound respect turned to Natsume.

This respect was not from the “Messenger of Transcendence”—

But from Pokémon… and from Trainer.

Primal Groudon stood unmoving upon the sea, glancing upwards as if thunderstruck.

Seriously.

Am I really the only one who can’t fly!?

Brilliant pillars of light broke through the clouds, shining on the golden Desert Spire, spilling across the stunned masses along the shore.

In that instant, a torrent of unending cheers burst forth. People wept, shouted, embraced.

The Champions looked to one another, Steven and Lance breaking into grins, bumping fists.

Cynthia rested her chin on her hand, golden hair and black clothes swaying, arms folded and a faint smile on her lips.

Giovanni looked to the fire-born young man reborn atop the tower and chuckled hoarsely:

“A new Battle Legend… is born.”

“Gengar~٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶”

Gengar floated to Natsume’s side, gave him a long slurp, grinning wickedly.

Natsume smiled gently and patted Gengar’s head.

Then he reached up and settled a hand on his own shoulder.

You even managed to get Arceus to answer your call…

Closing his eyes, Natsume took a deep breath, gave his shoulder a firm slap, and declared:

“Well done, Natsume-sensei!!”

[Movie, The Super Demon God of Halo: Hoopa – THE END!]