Chapter 0768: Different Dimension Assembly(Two-in-One)

Night pressed down on the boundless desert, storm clouds rolling overhead.

In the direction of the tribe, fires flickered in the darkness, drums beating “doom, doom” like the heartbeat of the earth.

Shouts and cheers, grief and weeping.

The tribespeople paid the price for their desires, yet rallied to face the crisis of the super demon god, showing courage in the face of coming enemies.

Mayor Ghris stood atop a dune outside the town, gazing at the small settlement, his mind far away, as if questioning himself:

“Why is it only in times of disaster that everyone can set aside their past grievances and face hardship together?”

“The humans of ancient legend…” Natsume paused, then explained, “They were masters of cooperation, building a tall tower to reach the Hall of Origin, attempting to catch Arceus.”

“Arceus, in fury and anxiety, cast down punishment, causing humans to distrust and covet, leading to endless war.”

“Hoopa… is the incarnation of greed, pride, sloth—all kinds of desire.”

“But, to keep humanity from extinction, the gods of the lakes granted humans emotion, wisdom, and will—a contradiction, but an enduring one.”

In the black night, Natsume stood on a wind-blasted ridge, his voice quiet:

“Suffering makes us thrive, comfort brings our end—so it has always been.”

Ghris fell into silence.

The Aura warrior commanding Regigigas, Crush Grip smashing the different dimension golden ring, suppressing Hoopa…

These images still rocked him to his core.

This Aura warrior possessed both courage and wisdom as well.

“As you say.” Ghris looked up at the heavens. “Even as the Messenger of Overcome, I am filled with desires.”

“Master yourself, and then master your enemy—that, perhaps, is the meaning of ‘Punishment Hoopa’,” Natsume said with a smile.

After all, even a blind man in the jungle must wield punishment…

Ghris nodded deeply. “I will bring the Prison Bottle back to the Valley of Overcome, guard the shadow inside, and then release Punishment Hoopa… When Hoopa awakens again, I’ll take it in and teach it the meaning of punishment.”

Natsume smiled slightly. “I’m counting on you.”

Ghris shook his head. “I should be the one thanking you.”

As both mayor and Messenger of Overcome, Ghris’s gratitude was beyond words.

Hoopa hid behind Natsume’s shoulder, his bright eyes darting nervously toward Ghris.

Catching the gaze, Hoopa quickly shrank back and muttered softly, “Goodbye, Ghris…”

Latias appeared beside them. Natsume climbed onto the saddle—Devon Corporation custom, racing model.

“You’re returning to Cameran Palace now?” Ghris asked.

“Yes, the queen is waiting for me to present myself,” Natsume said offhandedly.

“I haven’t even given you a proper welcome from our people.”

“No need. Save it for Hoopa when it awakens.” Natsume’s tone was gentle.

“If you insist… very well…”

After all, the Aura warrior had urgent business elsewhere.

Ghris sighed quietly, his eyes full of respect and warmth, watching as Latias slowly rose into the night and called out:

“Thank you for your guidance, Aura warrior!”

Under the night sky, Natsume waved in reply, commanding Latias to fly to a secluded spot.

Now that the craft of the Prison Bottle had been obtained, he had to return immediately to the contemporary era…

That strange sensation of foreboding was growing ever stronger.

“As time goes on, will the shadow—symbol of desire—just grow stronger…?”

Natsume looked up at the sky.

As for human desire, he supposed his own “shadow” was contributing as well.

……

Ghris returned to the town, announcing the Aura warrior’s feat in sealing Hoopa.

Aura warriors had always possessed the strength to seal monsters.

He recalled the sight of Latias’s cometlike trail above the town.

And the two giants, Regigigas, fighting the super demon god, shaking the desert with their battles.

The tribespeople looked up to the empty black sky, as if witnessing a miracle.

Shhhhhh—

A mass of people knelt down.

Children stopped crying, staring up at their mothers with wide black eyes.

Tears ran down a mother’s cheeks; she bowed her head in silent gratitude.

Scenes like this played out throughout the small town.

People were battered and bruised, amidst the ruins, but a will to rebuild burned in their eyes like flames in the night.

Days later, Ghris would search at Cameran Palace for the Aura warrior in vain. On returning, he raised a nameless statue in the town.

Years later, the statue’s face had eroded and cracked. Decades later, it was destroyed in a storm, giving way to wild grass, berries, and flowers, and was eventually rebuilt as the monument square—close by the Valley of Beginnings.

The effects of Celebi’s time travel had once changed Steven’s fate. The associated paradoxes, however, were of no interest to Natsume.

Now, he stood on a dune outside the town, gazing at the silent settlement below.

Darkrai appeared beside him, arms crossed, coolly saying:

“You stepped in, I see.”

“I am the Messenger of Overcome—can’t sit back and watch.”

He recalled the long, meaningful look Arceus gave him when granting him the Power of One.

Natsume felt mixed emotions.

That old fox, as if he’d used Future Sight to see all this in advance!

“Hoopa’s going home!” Hoopa called out loudly.

“Yes, let’s go,” said Natsume, turning around. “Celebi, I’m depending on you.”

Celebi fluttered its fairy wings, twitching her two antennae, and opened a glowing portal before them.

“Celebi” Celebi beckoned cheerfully, “Follow me!”

Natsume checked his party one last time, took a final look at the small town, then turned to walk into the time portal.

The night was silent, the north wind sweeping sand across the desert, footprints erased as the portal’s glow faded, leaving only quiet.

……

Contemporary era, City of Wastes, skyscrapers standing tall.

“Hey, how long have Natsume-sensei and Celebi been time traveling?” Gold asked, tilting his head.

“One hour,” Silver said, closing his flip Pokedex, “But with different dimension travel, the time flow isn’t synchronized—you should know that.”

“That’s why I’m asking,” Gold replied. “Maybe Natsume-sensei has become a king somewhere, and gathered a huge harem by now.”

“Um… Is it true that Natsume-sensei’s girlfriend is the famous Miss Cynthia?” Meray whispered.

Implying Natsume-sensei couldn’t possibly do such things.

“Well, since he can’t do it here, maybe he’ll try in ancient times.” Gold shrugged.

Silver: “……”

Behind Gold, Crystal fumed, dark flames burning, eyes glowing red.

“Aibo, Double Slap!” Crystal commanded.

Gold blinked, glanced back at the Ambipom in his backpack. Aibo giggled, then slapped Gold across the face with both tails.

“Ow, ow, ow—Aibo, why are you listening to class rep’s commands instead of mine?!” Gold cried, clutching his face.

Ambipom jumped to Crystal’s side, joining forces, snickering together.

“Cut it out.” Silver slid a hand into his pocket, eyes on the group chat interface. “A helper’s coming.”

“Who?”

Flap-flap—the sound of wings. In the sky, vapor trails were sliced by the figure of a yellow Dragon-type in flight.

On Dragonite’s back, a red-haired man loomed, exuding silent authority. His cape flew in the wind, snapping sharply.

Gold looked up, eyes bulging in disbelief.

“Lance, Lance the Birdbrain!?”

“I’d like to hear you say that to his face,” Silver said.

“No way, I’m not stupid,” Gold complained.

“Shame…” Silver sighed. It would have been great to see Lance scold Gold.

Silver and Lance were friends and rivals, so Silver was always on point with the nicknaming.

With a soft swoop, the plump yellow Dragonite touched down.

The red-haired man, dressed in a blue uniform and champion’s cape, leaped gracefully to the ground.

“What were you talking about, just now?”

“Natsume-sensei’s time travel!” Gold blurted.

“Time travel?” Lance seemed slightly surprised.

Crystal quickly recounted the whole story of “Natsume-sensei traveling to the past to learn the Prison Bottle craft.”

Lance folded his arms, nodding: “Indeed, having Natsume-sensei handle it is better than letting some reckless fool try.”

Gold glanced sideways. “He means you.”

Silver ignored him and asked, “Why are you here?”

Lance cast a look at Baraz; the dragon’s aura made Baraz shiver.

“The Valley of Overcome requested support from several leagues,” Lance replied coolly. “I was free, so I came right over.”

“I see… So the Hoenn and Unova regions will be sending people as well?” Silver asked.

“Uncertain.” Lance ruffled his red hair. “What kind of event requires so many champions anyway?”

If not for the Valley of Overcome’s authority as Messenger habitat, so many leagues would not have responded.

“Let me explain…” Baraz said. “According to Great-grandfather, Hoopa’s strength grows with the rising human population.”

“Compared to a hundred years ago, the shadow’s power has grown multiple times over.”

“If the shadow escapes now… it’ll be nothing like last time…”

“And where is the shadow?” Lance frowned.

Baraz pointed to the cracked remains of the Prison Bottle. “Just now it tried to escape, but Natsume-sensei sealed it back. But with the Prison Bottle so badly damaged, we need a new one—hence Natsume-sensei went to retrieve the technique.”

“So that means…” Lance rubbed his forehead, sighing, “You lost the Prison Bottle craft in your generation?”

“That’s right.” Baraz and Meray lowered their heads together.

“I’m not blaming you. Not every Messenger of Overcome can reach your great-grandfather’s level.”

Lance crossed his arms. “Right now, we must prepare for the worst—prepare for battle.”

Silence fell. The air was tense.

Gold ventured, “You know, Lance, if you don’t know what to say—”

Lance glared: ?

Gold promptly hid behind Silver:ﾍ(･_|

Not far from the monument square—

Led by a blue-haired man, Ash and friends walked toward Arche Valley, chatting and laughing.

“Really? Besides Mega Evolution, there are other Evolution Forms?” Ash asked excitedly.

“Yes,” Steven answered gently, “It’s an ancient legend from Kalos—Bond Evolution. Happens only once in a millennium, very rare.”

“So Dedenne and I can Bond Evolve too!” Bonnie lifted Dedenne high.

“Well… perhaps, when you’re all grown up, Bonnie.” Steven smiled.

“Wonderful!” Bonnie cheered, Dedenne riding on her head.

“Hey—you with the blue hair!” Gold made a show of holding an invisible megaphone. “Dangerous zone ahead, turn back now!”

Steven looked over, surprised. “Gold?”

“And… Mr. Lance!”

The two groups met.

Lance led the Johto Trio; Steven, Ash and company.

With the two champions at the head, Lance brought everyone up to speed.

Steven nodded: “So Natsume-sensei was already on the move.”

“I didn’t expect that guy to be so quick,” Lance sighed, arms crossed. “Maybe he figured if he solved it, Cynthia wouldn’t have to.”

“What a reliable Natsume-sensei,” Steven mused.

Every time he traveled with Natsume-sensei, they’d encounter legendary Pokémon, but always escape disaster.

Attracting legendary Pokémon—maybe it’s a gift, or just fate.

“What about the other leagues?” Lance asked. “Since Arche Valley called for help, Unova and others should have received the message.”

“The title of Unova Champion is currently vacant,” Steven said thoughtfully. “But Diantha should be coming.”

“Diantha?” Lance was startled. “Isn’t she in the middle of a film production?”

“The shoot is nearby, in City of Wastes.”

“No wonder…”

“So this is the Prison Bottle?”

Ash reached out, about to touch the Prison Bottle.

Everyone’s face changed at once.

Thankfully, Gold remembered Natsume-sensei’s warning, caught Ash in a headlock, and yelled:

“Don’t be stupid! This thing can control your mind!”

If the Prison Bottle were broken, Natsume-sensei would take his anger out on me first!

“Really…” Ash scratched his cheek, “Oh, and on the way here, I saw Team Rocket.”

“You mean the guys in the black uniforms with the giant R?”

Lance folded his arms indifferently. “Probably just Rocket Delivery. They’re legal now—pay them no mind.”

Steven, dressed in a suit, hand to chin, gazed at the Prison Bottle with piercing sky-blue eyes.

He was seized with unease.

This feeling… it’s exactly the same as facing legendary Pokémon with Natsume-sensei.

BOOM.

A sudden tremor ran through the ground—not too strong, but the Prison Bottle’s rings jingled and clinked.

“What was that?” Ash asked.

Clemont adjusted his round glasses, digging a strange device from his backpack.

“According to my earthquake detector, we just had a 3.0 quake. Nothing major.”

“Amazing what science can do!” Ash said.

BOOM!

The tremor grew much stronger. Everyone staggered, losing their balance.

“This is way more than a three!” Gold cried.

Clemont squatted by his computer, sweating bullets.

“No way… The space-time energy around City of Wastes is in chaos—this isn’t an earthquake, it’s a dimensional disturbance!”

Lance started.

“Like what happened in Alamos Town?” Steven said in a low voice.

Slowly, a Meowth-shaped hot air balloon drifted by overhead.

“Are we really going in?” James asked.

“If we wait, there’ll just be more champions, meow,” Meowth said.

“So let’s strike now—grab the Prison Bottle while everyone’s distracted!” Jessie said, raising a fist.

With a “pop,” Wobbuffet sprang out of its Poké Ball, shouting, “Shaa-namese!”

Meowth pressed a switch. “Meowth Claw, go!”

A mechanical hook shot from beneath the balloon, dropping toward the Prison Bottle below.

Everyone gasped, looking up.

You dare to act in front of two champions?!

“Who are you?!” Lance demanded coldly.

“That hot potato is ours—leave it to Rocket Delivery, meow~” Meowth called out.

The instant the hook gripped the Prison Bottle—it exploded into fragments!

“What’s going on?!” the trio all screamed at once.

Above the hot air balloon, the sky split open, big chunks peeling away to reveal gaping black holes, swirling time distortions, space quaking!

James stared up, sweating hard. “I don’t know what’s happening…”

“But…” Jessie gulped.

“What a terrible feeling!!” The trio howled in terror.

The Prison Bottle’s rings jingled, black mist gushing from the broken mouth.

Steven jolted, sending out a white Metagross. “Everyone, behind Metagross!”

“ Metagross!” The white Metagross slammed its fists together, the X blazing, Pink Psychics surging out, trying to restrain the Prison Bottle.

Shadows surged from the bottle, spirits grew wilder as time and space crumbled—Will-O-Wisps flickered, dark shapes spinning madly!

BANG!

The shadows flung aside Metagross’s Confusion, detonating in explosions and black smoke that swept the plaza.

“Dragonite, clear the smoke!” Lance shouted.

Dragonite flapped its wings, blowing the haze away—the Prison Bottle was shattered, its rings scattered everywhere.

Baraz’s pupils shrank in horror.

“The Prison Bottle… it’s broken?!”

Steven and Lance stood side by side, grave and silent, staring at the giant form in the plaza.

A hundred-foot-tall super demon god—form immense enough to blot out the sky, a darkness that brought infinite pressure and fear.

A blue-faced, fanged giant, six claws levitating, black holes gaping in its chest, huge eyes glowering at all assembled.

An oppressive silence. For a long moment, the super demon god gave a grim smile, and swept out a hand, opening seven portals.

Within each portal—a terrifying legendary aura. Each and every one possessed world-wrecking strength: the Different Dimension Assembly!

Roars shook the heavens as, from within the portals, the forms of legendary Pokémon began to appear—deep blue, brilliant red, smoky gray, magma, floodwaters…

Steven and Lance’s pupils shrank in disbelief as they watched the portals.

“No… this can’t be…” Steven whispered hoarsely.

Those nightmare shapes—had returned once again to this world.

Hoopa’s body towered above the skyscrapers, pupils vanished—only whites of the eyes showing, a grin literally splitting his face to the corners of his mouth.

“Hoopa—let’s fish!!”