Chapter 495: Final Battle at the Tower of Time and Space: Mortal Flesh Rivaling the Gods (2)
Pokémon Garden.
Darkrai lay weakly beneath a large tree.
For some reason, the Pokémon Garden remained untouched, beautiful as a natural painting.
Shade from lush greenery, fragrant grass, plump berries hanging precariously from branches.
Darkrai closed its eyes, quietly leaning against the tree.
Suddenly, it felt cool teardrops falling on its body and a gentle warmth atop its head.
Opening its eyes, it looked at the familiar face before it and whispered:
"Alicia?"
"I'm not Alicia."
Alice sniffled, smiling as she said: "I'm her granddaughter, Alice."
Feeling the warmth atop its head, Darkrai closed its eyes again.
The soothing, intoxicating melody of "Oración" seemed to echo in its ears.
Many thoughts flashed through its mind, countless memories surfacing.
[Are you hurt? Does it hurt?]
It remembered Alicia gently stroking its head, speaking softly:
[There, there, the pain will go away.]
Darkrai remained silent, leaning against the tree.
[You can stay here forever.]
[Stay in the Pokémon Garden.]
Suddenly.
Darkrai opened its azure eyes.
With a 'boom', shockwaves erupted.
Water splashed from the lake behind it, creating a watery veil as leaves rustled.
Alice and Ash's faces showed concern as they called out softly:
"Darkrai..."
Reflected in Darkrai's pupils were the two gods engaged in their epic battle.
Its white mist swirled in the wind as it flew resolutely into the air, black shadows billowing.
"Get out of here."
Darkrai's azure eyes showed no anger, only determination.
"This is—"
"Everyone's garden!!"
Darkrai suddenly charged toward the Temporal-Spatial Twin Dragons.
Lightning crisscrossed the sky as terrifying asteroids plummeted, tearing the heavens apart.
Alice and Ash stood below, looking up at Darkrai.
"Do you know what 'Oración' means?"
Alice wiped her tears, smiling at Ash.
Ash shook his head.
"It's prayer."
Alice said: "With sincere prayer, Oración grants blessings, restoring the world to its most beautiful state."
Ash's eyes shone with determination as he nodded slightly.
Then, he clasped his hands together, closed his eyes, his yellow ponytail swaying in the wind.
"Darkrai..."
A soft white light emanated from his body, momentarily covering the entire Pokémon Garden.
The garden's hazy glow seemed to silently pray for Darkrai.
"Please... you must survive."
[Power of Viridian]
Glowing particles flowed into Darkrai's body.
It felt a familiar, comforting energy.
As if it had no more regrets.
Darkrai roared as it flew toward the Temporal-Spatial Twin Dragons.
......
BOOM!
Lu Ye shouted: "Why are you here!?"
The deafening collisions drowned out Teacher Lu's question.
The world was reduced to just blue and purple.
And before the shockwaves of the clashing dimensions, Cynthia stood alone to face them.
Lu Ye felt bone-chilling cold.
The movie's timeline didn't include Cynthia appearing...
If they could just hold out until "Oración" played, this battle could be resolved!
But why was Cynthia here!?
For her duty as Sinnoh Champion? She'd already fulfilled that at the Spear Pillar!
Even if investigating, there was no reason to charge straight into the dimensional rift!
A sudden lightning bolt illuminated the sky as all of White Poplar Town teetered on destruction.
In that instant, Lu Ye understood everything, stunned:
"For... me?"
Wallace murmured: "Suppressing the Temporal-Spatial Twin Dragons in such a short time..."
"Is this... the true power of Sinnoh Champion Cynthia?"
Lu Ye: "Stop with the commentary, can you still fight?"
Wallace: "...Didn't you just tell me to rest?"
Lu Ye: "Changed my mind. Let's go together."
Wallace paused, then nodded firmly.
Suddenly, a dark shadow streaked across their vision.
It stood between [Subspace Slash] and [Roar of Time], both hands forming distorted black holes.
In an instant.
The black holes expanded, their terrifying gravity sucking in both attacks.
Darkrai was also swallowed by the black hole, using itself as the center to draw Dialga and Palkia in.
"ROAR—!!"
Even the gods of time and space took half a step back.
BOOM!!
The [Subspace Slash] and [Roar of Time] that emerged from the black hole struck the twin dragons directly!
For the first time in this epic battle, their side had wounded the Temporal-Spatial Twin Dragons!
Lu Ye's furrowed brow relaxed slightly as he called to Cynthia:
"Get over here first!!"
Their eyes met in that moment.
Then she commanded Garchomp to fly rapidly toward Lu Ye.
Shockwaves surged as the battered Garchomp, its crimson eyes still burning with fighting spirit, approached.
Lu Ye steadied Cynthia, ensuring her long, slender legs wouldn't tremble before others.
Seeing Mengmengda safe, Teacher Lu deeply exhaled in relief.
Cynthia caught her breath, glanced at Wallace, and smiled:
"What are you doing here?"
"Not the time for small talk," Wallace said helplessly. "Altaria, use Dazzling Gleam!"
The champion-level Altaria soared, its feathery wings flapping as radiant light erupted.
Lu Ye held Cynthia's slender waist, his hand slipping slightly.
"Enjoying the feel?" Cynthia asked softly.
"Nope."
"Hmm?" Cynthia raised an eyebrow.
"Okay, very much!"
A cool smile played on Cynthia's lips as she looked up:
"Garchomp, Dragon Rush!!"
The second champion-level Pokémon, Garchomp, surged with fierce red energy as it pounced through the air.
The sky became a battleground, the very heavens trembling.
Lu Ye opened his mouth.
He'd meant to say 'Haunter, use Toxic.'
But considering everyone else was throwing ultimate moves, poisoning seemed unfair...
Changing tactics, Teacher Lu commanded:
"Darkrai, Dark Void."
Mengmengda &
Wallace: ?
Darkrai obeyed, forming black holes in both hands before launching them at the twin dragons.
Mengmengda &
Wallace: ??
The Temporal-Spatial Twin Dragons endured the black holes, gathering beams in their mouths to blast Darkrai.
Lu Ye: "Dodge."
Darkrai flickered, reappearing hundreds of meters above, looking down on the twin dragons!
Mengmengda &
Wallace: ???
Cynthia glanced at Lu Ye, whispering:
"You're hiding something from me."
"Nope," Lu Ye looked up. "I swear on Arceus."
Lightning flashed overhead with a thunderous boom, making Teacher Lu shiver.
Cynthia asked with an amused smile:
"You're not going to tell me this Darkrai just happened to live in White Poplar Town, the twin dragons just happened to invade, and you just happened to command it?"
Lu Ye's eyes widened as he slapped his thigh.
"Isn't that just the craziest coincidence!?"
"You'll explain properly later!" Cynthia rolled her eyes.
Wallace stood nearby.
Suddenly feeling complicated.
So... Teacher Lu and Cynthia... these two champions were a thing?
"No wonder he panicked hearing 'Sinnoh Champion'."
Wallace's gaze flickered as he glimpsed the truth, sighing inwardly:
"Now I'm missing Winona..."
One slacker, two champions.
The legendary Darkrai, champion-level Garchomp and Altaria.
Clashed fiercely with the Temporal-Spatial Twin Dragons over White Poplar Town.
Auroras crisscrossed beautifully above the town.
Draco meteors lit up the sky like fireworks.
This celebratory scene drew people from the Pokémon Center.
The light illuminated every face.
"So beautiful..."
"Is the disaster over?"
Before this beautiful sight, everyone seemed dazed.
As if the earlier events were just a nightmare.
Now, White Poplar Town's true celebration was beginning.
"Look up there!" someone pointed.
"Holy—! Cynthia's Garchomp!"
"Holy—! Wallace's Altaria!"
"Holy—! Teacher Lu's Darkrai!?"
The yellow-haired ponytailed girl stood before the garden, praying for everyone.
Ami directed Steelix, calmly organizing evacuations while gazing at the beautiful auroras.
Ash and Team Rocket approached the Tower of Time and Space in their hot air balloon.
Baron 'Lickitung' raised his fist, shouting:
"Go Cynthia! Go Teacher Lu! Go Darkrai!!"
Inspired, the crowd behind him cheered:
"Go Cynthia! Go Teacher Lu! Go Darkrai!!"
"What about Wallace?" someone asked.
"Oh... was he here too? Didn't notice..."
Distant cheers from White Poplar Town residents echoed.
In the sky, Darkrai's gaze softened, filled with emotion and sorrow.
[Don't cry, Darkrai]
Alicia had stroked its head, smiling:
[You can stay here forever.]
[Stay in the Pokémon Garden.]
Dialga and Palkia.
[Roar of Time] and [Subspace Slash] erupted again!
Darkrai unleashed a furious roar.
It pushed aside Garchomp and Altaria.
Standing alone between the twin dragons.
Explosions filled the sky, silencing the cheers.
Alice covered her mouth, tears streaming.
The battered Garchomp and Altaria, exhausted, returned to their trainers.
"You did well," Cynthia stroked Garchomp's cheek.
Lu Ye suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest, murmuring:
"Darkrai..."
Then.
Everyone's pupils contracted in disbelief.
In the explosion's epicenter, the severely wounded, staggering Darkrai, its white mist churning.
It took a deep breath, raising its chest.
Azure eyes locked onto Dialga and Palkia.
Then.
Darkrai curled a finger at the twin dragons.
In that moment.
Only cheers remained.
"Darkrai is amazing!!"
"Darkrai is amazing!!!"
"Can we save it?" Lu Ye asked.
Cynthia shook her head, eyes dim: "It's burning its life force to buy us time."
BOOM!
The Temporal-Spatial Twin Dragons clashed with Darkrai again.
Lu Ye looked back toward the Tower of Time and Space.
Suddenly, Darkrai's telepathy reached him.
[Lu Ye.]
Lu Ye responded with his Aura.
[What?]
[You owe me... those seven cans... bury them...]
Darkrai spoke haltingly, consciousness fading.
Lu Ye smiled, then hardened his gaze.
[You didn't tell me the treasure location.]
[I won't allow you to die.]
"Cynthia," Lu Ye looked at her, "you brought the orbs, right?"
Cynthia nodded, tossing a Poké Ball.
Roserade extended its petals, revealing the Lustrous and Adamant Orbs.
"The Platinum and Adamant Orbs..." Wallace's eyes widened in shock.
Cynthia frowned, voice unusually shaky: "What are you planning?"
"Using the orbs' power."
Lu Ye's gaze sharpened.
"To calm them down."
'I won't let you risk yourself.'
The words unspoken, Cynthia's gray eyes flickered as she simply nodded.
Like her.
Lu Ye too had reasons he couldn't ignore.
Simply because he was Teacher Lu.
At the Ruins of Void, the [Spear Key] had recognized Lu Ye as the bridge between time and space.
Now, only Teacher Lu could accomplish this.
"Haunter!" Lu Ye threw a Poké Ball, shouting, "Take the [Spear Key] and fly above me."
Haunter took the cube-shaped [Spear Key] from Cynthia, floating midair.
Lu Ye closed his eyes.
The [Spear Key]'s composition resembled Veilstone's meteorite.
And the [Spear Key] was the link between the [Lustrous Orb] and [Adamant Orb].
If anything could control the twin dragons, it was the red chain that could 'control deities.'
Lu Ye envisioned the emotionless leader of Team Galactic, Cyrus.
Standing atop Mt. Coronet, holding both orbs.
Before him, the roaring twin dragons gazed down with disdain and mockery.
[With mortal flesh rivaling the gods.]
Cyrus coldly raised the orbs as red chains emerged from meteor fragments behind him.
The chains tightly bound the two dragons, silencing their roars.
[Pathetic.] Cyrus sneered.
Now, that Team Galactic leader's shadow seemed to stand behind Lu Ye.
A hand resting on the Rainbow Rocket mentor's shoulder.
Cyrus emotionlessly observed the twin dragons:
[Pitiful clowns.]
"Pathetic." Lu Ye's eyes flashed.
Under everyone's awestruck gazes.
Turbulent Aura energy, shimmering blue.
The [Lustrous Orb], [Adamant Orb], and [Spear Key] rose, forming a triangle.
Cynthia was stunned: "This is... Sinnoh's most ancient emblem."
"ROAR!!"
Even Palkia and Dialga.
Faced with the rotating triangle, their eyes showed fear.
"Roar!" (Brother, open a space portal so I can escape!)
"Roar!?" (You're the elder brother, can't you stop time!?)
"ROAR!!!" (No time, just run!!!)
The exhausted Darkrai saw a red light illuminating the sky.
It stared in shock, trembling with fear and awe.
The Red Chain, legendary for binding even Arceus.
Now, from the triangle formed by the three 'keys' in Lu Ye's hands, it emerged!
BOOM!!!
The Red Chain tightly bound Dialga and Palkia.
The skies echoed with the twin dragons' desperate roars, their bodies trembling with terror.
Now.
The Temporal-Spatial Twin Dragons trembled before a mortal!
"With mortal flesh rivaling the gods."
Teacher Lu watched as the Red Chain immobilized the twin dragons, a smirk forming.
"Pathetic."
BOOM!!
The twin dragons crashed to the ground.
In the massive crater, they knelt.
The epic battle.
Had ended!
Cyrus's shadow faded behind him.
Teacher Lu's vision darkened as he collapsed backward.
The triangular emblem fell from the sky.
CRACK!
The Red Chain binding the twin dragons shattered.
Palkia and Dialga exchanged glances.
"Roar?" (Still fighting?)
"Roar..." (Nah, he might chain us again...)
"ROAR!!" (Then let's surrender together!!)
The twin dragons roared again, their furious gazes fixed on the unconscious Lu Ye.
Cynthia knelt, cradling Lu Ye's head, gently laying him down.
Then she stood protectively before him, arms spread: "Darkrai."
From Lu Ye's shadow, Darkrai rose, its shadowy shoulders swaying as it crossed its arms, gaze icy.
"ROAR—!!"
The twin dragons roared defiantly.
Cynthia's eyes grew colder.
Suddenly, the distant Tower of Time and Space played a soothing melody.
The legendary song that could calm all hatred, "Oración."
The melody's shimmering green notes gradually soothed the enraged Dialga and Palkia.
Their crimson eyes regained composure.
Leaving only deep reverence for the unconscious black-haired young man.
They had witnessed the Red Chain that could bind Arceus... that soul-deep fear and awe.
"ROAR!!" (I'm out, you handle cleanup!!)
Dialga tore through time, vanishing without hesitation.
"ROAR!!" (Screw you, next time I see you I'm throwing hands!!)
Palkia tried fleeing but was blocked by Cynthia and Darkrai.
"At least," Cynthia smiled gently, golden hair swaying, "restore White Poplar Town?"
Darkrai tilted its chin, arms crossed.
"ROAR!!" Palkia nodded vigorously.
Under its spatial power, the ruined town was restored.
Thick fog dissipated as the town bathed in renewal and joyful music.
White Poplar Town returned to Sinnoh.
Cynthia laid the unconscious Lu Ye across her lap for comfort.
Then she smiled at Palkia:
"Thanks for your hard work~"
"ROAR!!" (No problem, anytime!!)
Palkia deeply regarded the young trainer, sensing their paths might cross again.
"Roar!" Shaking its head warily, Palkia tore through space and vanished.
White Poplar Town resonated with "Oración"'s cheerful melody.
Darkrai's tense expression showed exhaustion.
"I'll take him somewhere shady," Darkrai told Cynthia.
"He seems to like you," Cynthia smiled.
Darkrai paused, mouth opening slightly, then looked toward the Pokémon Garden, solemn:
"But I... have reasons to stay here."
Cynthia didn't argue.
Leaning against the shaded tree, Lu Ye's head resting on her pale thighs, she smiled.
"Much cuter when asleep than awake."
The thought flashed through Cynthia's mind.
Glancing around to ensure no one saw her flushed cheeks, she took a deep breath.
Then lightly kissed his lips.
Like a dragonfly skimming water, ripples spreading, clouds shimmering.
Suddenly blushing, Cynthia leaned silently against the tree.
Clear blue skies streaked with wispy clouds.
Teacher Lu, cushioned by the fragrant lap pillow, drooled slightly as a long-awaited notification sounded.
[Ding! Movie "The Final Battle at the Tower of Time and Space! Dialga VS Palkia" completed!]
[Special Rewards: Adamant Orb Fragment*1, Lustrous Orb Fragment*1, Temporal-Spatial Power (Pokémon-only)*1!]
......
......
Movie "The Final Battle at the Tower of Time and Space! Dialga VS Palkia" concluded.