Chapter 0766: Hoopa, Shiny Regigigas(Two-in-One)

The coarse yellow sand whipped against his face. Natsume stood atop a high dune outside the town, eyes fixed on the distant horizon, lips barely moving.

Far away, Hoopa laughed wildly, a dazzling red “Lv90” seemingly floating above his head.

A wild Hoopa jumped out from the bushes!

“Celebi?” Celebi fluttered its little wings, peeking at Natsume’s expression, then bowed its head in slight dejection.

Did I get the wrong time zone…?

Natsume stroked Celebi’s small head; the twin antennae on top drooped.

“It’s not your fault… We’d have run into this sooner or later, anyway.”

Natsume inhaled deeply, his gaze sharpening, the colossal demon god reflected in his pupils.

“It’s time for a real fight!”

“Hehe, let’s knock out the shadow!” Hoopa threw a few shadow punches at the air.

“Celebi?” Celebi’s black-ringed eyes turned to Natsume. An ethereal telepathic voice, almost like a little girl, whispered: ‘What should we do?’

Natsume pressed a Poké Ball, releasing a flash of red light—Latias appeared, hovering in the sky outside the dune.

“First, to the City of Wastes… Actually, at this point it should be called Desert Town, to meet up with Arceus’s Messenger, Ghris.”

Natsume mounted Latias, gripping the snowy white neck of the red jet. “Hoopa, keep close. Also—”

“What is it?” Hoopa’s head popped up with a question mark.

Natsume said solemnly, “If I fall off, make sure you fish me back with a portal.”

……

The shadow-casting giant demon god loomed in the desert outside the town, bluish-faced, fanged, six arms levitating separately from its body.

Opening its jaws wide, the demon crouched and roared at the townsfolk trembling in fear:

“Not enough! Hoopa can defeat even stronger opponents! Quickly, send out stronger monsters!”

Mayor Ghris stood in the center of the scattered crowd, brow tightly furrowed, saying nothing.

“What exactly… happened here?” Ghris asked hoarsely.

A subordinate stammered, “The town’s Beast Messenger challenged Hoopa to a contest… and then, Beast Messenger’s Dragonite was defeated instantly by Hoopa.”

“Hoopa thought the match was interesting…” The subordinate swallowed, “and almost wiped out all the town’s monsters!”

Screaming people scattered, Hoopa’s wild laughter echoing after them.

Ghris sighed deeply.

Human greed, anger, arrogance… all kinds of sins had freed the shadow deep within Hoopa’s heart.

But inside, Hoopa also had a childlike innocence... which was exactly what “Punishment” meant.

Ghris opened his eyes, face calm, robe billowing.

Even if humans were at fault, I must imprison the shadow again.

If I’m lucky enough to survive, I’ll apologize to Hoopa, too…

“Look, what’s that!”

“A monster I’ve never seen—and there’s a Messenger on its back!”

Gasps and exclamations erupted—the tribespeople stared in horror and awe.

Through the gray sky, a red streamlined flying monster trailed vapor and sped toward the town.

Upon the monster’s back sat a strangely dressed, black-haired young man!

Ghris’s eyes widened slightly. “That’s…”

It was Latias, an immortal being among the legends!

This Beast Messenger could actually ride a Legendary Pokémon!

“He’s getting close to Hoopa!”

People screamed in unison, shutting their eyes in despair, unable to bear what was coming.

Previously, any Beast Messenger who confronted the super demon god with a flying monster had plummeted to the desert below—life or death unknown!

In the desert outside the town, Hoopa leered at the oncoming Latias, grinning broadly:

“Now here’s an interesting monster!”

Hoopa floated above Natsume’s head and stuck his tongue out at the super demon god, pulling down a lower eyelid in a mocking face:

“Hoopa isn’t a monster, Hoopa is Hoopa!”

“You’re Hoopa?” The super demon god’s enormous eyes showed surprise. “Then who am I?”

It froze for a second before roaring upward, all six arms spreading out, the black holes in its chest swirling with a furious Shadow Ball.

“No matter what, Hoopa is still the strongest!”

Rumble!

Shadow Balls shot forth, bombarding the path of Latias!

The townsfolk gasped and stared in disbelief.

“Latias, Agility!!” Natsume shouted.

“Latias!!”

Latias shrilled, feathers glowing white like glass, nose-dived at impossible speed, streaking towards the small town.

Boom!

The Shadow Balls exploded in Latias’s wake, billowing black smoke skyward!

Hoopa’s eyes widened but then split into another wild grin:

“Interesting, Hoopa thinks this is interesting!”

The townspeople were stunned, stammering:

“That Beast Messenger—he dodged Hoopa’s attack?”

“He’s coming this way!”

“No, don’t let him in! If Hoopa notices, it’ll attack the town!”

A ripple of alarm, shock, and fear moved through the crowd.

Ghris’s gaze flickered as he looked up at Latias in the sky, then called out:

“I am Ghris, mayor of Desert Town! Stranger, state your purpose!”

Celebi, for now, stayed quietly inside Natsume’s Poké Ball.

Latias landed gently; Natsume hopped down, legs a bit shaky.

Hoopa’s oppressive power… wasn’t all that bad.

But that aerial view—now, that was truly terrifying!

Natsume looked at Ghris.

He radiated a faint gold pulse, unmistakable as an important NPC.

“I am…” Natsume began, “an Aura warrior from Cameron Palace. The queen sent me to resolve the super demon god incident.”

Trying to explain being a time traveler would be a nightmare.

Besides, Cameron Palace always had queens, and I do have the Aura of Ripple...

Wearing the Aura warrior hat? Sure, I’ll take that!

Somewhere in the darkness, Darkrai nearly choked.

Why don’t you just call yourself the Rainbow Hero of Mount Tensei while you’re at it!

But honestly…

Darkrai stared, expressionless, at Hoopa raging outside the town.

Following Natsume was always full of surprises…

“Aura warrior?” Ghris echoed.

In any era, Aura warriors were figures of respect, no less so than the Messenger of Overcome.

No wonder he had Latias’s trust…

Natsume presented his identity, palm glowing with soft blue light.

Ghris’s doubts melted away. He bowed respectfully: “Brave one of Aura, if that’s so, please join me—let us seal Hoopa together!”

“Eeek, Hoopa doesn’t want that!” Hoopa yelped.

“Not you,” Natsume said, shoving Hoopa back onto his shoulder. “Mayor, please continue.”

Ghris paused. “Forgive me, but this is…?”

Natsume: “Oh, it’s my Pokémon…my monster, a rare one around here.”

Ghris let out a thoughtful “hmm.”

This monster seemed oddly similar to Hoopa…

But the world is vast.

Some say people have even offered Fearow to Ho-Oh by mistake.

Similar monsters—it’s not rare.

“I need to use the power of Overcome to craft a Prison Bottle,” Ghris said. “If possible, I’d like you to buy me some time!”

Natsume pondered, then looked back.

The town guards had just sent out a Braviary to block Hoopa—it was swallowed whole by lightning from Hoopa’s portal.

Boom!!

Thunder tore across the desert, for a moment turning the gray sky white.

“Another round, another round!” the super demon god laughed.

Natsume turned back and suggested,

“How about I go make the Prison Bottle, and you hold Hoopa off?”

Ghris blinked.

“Honestly, this concerns the fate of your tribe, and your own people started it. I just came to help—”

Natsume offered modestly, “It’s more appropriate for you to delay Hoopa… Wouldn’t you agree?”

“You speak… reason,” said Ghris. “But to craft the Prison Bottle, you need The Power of One…”

The next second.

Natsume’s right hand glowed gentle blue, and his left shone with the pale golden light of The Power of One. He looked at Ghris inquiringly.

Natsume: “?”

Ghris: “……”

He hadn’t said a word, yet had communicated everything.

How is it possible for one person to be both an Aura warrior and Arceus’s Messenger?

And his Power of One was much stronger than mine!

It made no sense.

Ghris shook his head.

An Aura warrior is trustworthy—maybe he’s the best choice for this task…

“The Prison Bottle isn’t mere clay, not something you mold by hand, but a vessel constructed by channeling The Power of One to command the primordial forces of nature.”

Ghris hesitated, then said, “I’ll teach you the process in detail…”

“And if by some chance I perish… please, choose one of my tribesmen and pass this craft on to them…”

“I entrust this to you!”

Ghris bowed deeply to Natsume.

Passing down the Prison Bottle’s craft was an absolute necessity.

He’d need to bring it back to the present era and teach Baraz and Meray, too, if they can master The Power of One.

“I promise,” Natsume replied.

Ghris smiled in relief and closed his eyes, using the moment to the fullest.

Threads of white and gold light flowed out, transferring knowledge, experience, and understanding to Natsume.

Upon witnessing the “Aura warrior’s” Power of One, Ghris was deeply stunned.

His Power of One seemed given straight from Arceus—flawless!

Masterfully, quickly, and perfectly, Natsume learned the craft.

The Prison Bottle was a sacred knowledge first bestowed by Arceus to humanity, taught by The Power of One.

For this “Aura warrior” to craft it, its effect would surely surpass the original!

Ghris managed a wry smile.

Arceus is unfair indeed…

This Overcome Messenger was nothing compared to the Aura warrior!

Natsume, meanwhile, now understood the method for making a Prison Bottle.

When he returned to the present, he could teach Baraz and Meray too—if their Power of One was up to par.

“Hurry to the Desert Spire!” Ghris said. “I can’t guarantee I’ll hold Hoopa off for long… but I’ll do my best, no matter the cost!”

Natsume looked at Ghris’s resolute eyes and hesitated.

Honestly, just having the Prison Bottle formula meant he could return to the present right now with Celebi.

But the other’s trust, as the “Aura warrior”…

Natsume couldn’t bring himself to run away.

In the name of the hero, let the hero act.

“I’ll return with the Prison Bottle and aid you,” Natsume replied decisively.

Ghris faced him fearlessly. “I’m counting on you, brave one of Aura!”

……

Outside the town, Hoopa had already defeated every monster in its path.

But it still wasn’t enough!

His pupils reflected the panicking townsfolk, and he grew even more irritated.

That human was missing—Hoopa had to find him!

Hoopa extended a paw, plunging it into a glowing portal.

Natsume riding Latias soared towards the Desert Spire, when suddenly a Space Pulse surged beside them!

He turned sideways—a giant portal opened, and an enormous hand shot out!

“Block it, Darkrai!” Natsume yelled.

A shadow erupted. Darkrai rolled forth in black mist, flickering instantaneously into Hoopa’s grasp.

Darkrai bared twin Shadow Claws, forcing apart the massive fingers Hoopa tried to close.

“Hurry!” Darkrai rumbled. “Even for me, I can’t hold long…”

The giant hand released Darkrai, lifted high, balled into a fist, and crashed down!

Darkrai flickered away, eyes wide.

Boom!

The fist shattered the ground, houses collapsed, the earth burst with cracks!

Desert Spire was now close.

In front of the blocky tower, a space rift split through the air.

Hoopa’s monstrous head pushed through the portal.

His massive bulging white eyes were only a hair from Natsume’s, and he grinned widely.

“Hoopa’s found you!”

“Gengar——”

Natsume shouted, “Sludge Bomb!!”

“Gengar!”

Gengar launched forward, both palms pooling a sickly green, foul-smelling Sludge Bomb, hurling it straight into the super demon god’s white eyes!

Pow!!

Noxious green venom splattered.

“Roar!!”

Hoopa screamed in agony, clutching its eyes, and yanked itself back into the portal.

Outside the town in the shifting sands, the hundred-foot Hoopa clutched both eyes, roaring in pain.

My eyes—my eyes hurt!!

Hoopa was nearly berserk, black holes in his chest spewing endless Shadow Ball attacks that exploded through the desert, blasting crater after crater.

Ghris looked up at the mountainous demon, lips moving silently.

Aura warrior… thank you for your bold help.

I probably really won’t come back now…

Hoopa, eyes shut, howled skyward in pure rage:

“Hoopa—let’s fish!!”

With sand swirling and storm clouds raging, a massive figure emerged from the portal—a metallic giant, signal lights blinking.

It was a blue-metal shiny Regigigas.

Unknowing and unprovoked, the shiny Regigigas’s signal lights flickered angry red, dragging plates of earth with its huge hands, slamming them down into the desert!

RUMMBLE!!

Yellow sand exploded, the impact roaring like an earth dragon as it bore down on Hoopa.

Hoopa opened a portal, letting the quake pour out—Earthquake struck the City of Wastes!

Buildings shuddered and collapsed, people screamed, wailed, all sound drowned in Earthquake’s thunder.

Shiny Regigigas’s red lights flashed, convinced it was being mocked.

“Regi—gigas!!”

Regigigas charged Hoopa in titanic strides—but Hoopa’s six levitating arms caught and held its body tightly, freezing it in place.

Hoopa snorted angrily, the black holes in his chest firing a beam of light, slamming into Regigigas!

The ground shook; shiny Regigigas toppled back, raising a curtain of flying sand stories high!

“Again, again!!”

Hoopa opened crimson eyes, so consumed by rage it lost all sense.

Natsume climbed the Desert Spire.

Even amid Earthquake, the tower stood unshaken.

He glanced back toward the far horizon.

The red sun sank at the rim of the earth, the afterglow bloody; at the edge, black smoke billowed.

Shiny Regigigas was down, lights flashing red, as Hoopa raged anew.

Natsume felt mixed emotions.

You can’t catch me…

But please don’t drag shiny Regigigas out just to vent your anger!

Since Hoopa needs to be weakened before the Prison Bottle can work—

Natsume’s eyes flashed.

Just wait—I’ll call out the Ultra Brothers… (crossed out)

Summon another Regigigas!