Chapter 576: The Power of Transcendence
The restored temple stood majestic and solemn, with sparkling light particles drifting through its halls.
"Senior A-Jin, you're so cool!" Ash's eyes sparkled with admiration.
A-Jin rested a pool cue on his shoulder, rubbing his nose smugly. "Not bad, huh? I'm always this awesome, haha!"
During the decisive battle in Ilex Forest, A-Jin had once fallen into chaotic spacetime before being revived by Celebi's power.
For A-Jin, "getting written off" was just routine operation!
It was precisely this fearless courage in the face of death, along with the deep bond between trainer and Pokémon, that deeply moved the sorrowful and disappointed Arceus.
Lu Ye could only smile wryly.
Though reckless, it was undoubtedly a unique battling style.
In wilderness battles, even Red might suffer losses against "Gold the Fifth"!
As for Ash... well, he was a special case. Revived by Ho-Oh, the kid might achieve physical sanctity... The crisis had been resolved.
Both young men turned to look at Teacher Lu, who had fought continuously at full strength.
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
Lu Ye said casually, "It was just taking down one Arceus."
A-Jin and Ash both froze momentarily before breaking into grins.
That was Teacher Lu's signature style through and through!
Despite his seemingly careless attitude, he always stepped forward when needed.
It was precisely this trust that led A-Jin to pass the baton to Lu Ye.
"I do have good judgment!" A-Jin thought proudly.
"Gengarrr~(⁎˃ꌂ˂⁎)"
Haunter materialized behind Lu Ye, giving him a big lick.
The emotions that erupted in desperate situations were the most beautiful things in the Pokémon world.
After this battle, Haunter's strength had grown significantly again.
Enduring paralysis, Lu Ye rubbed his chin.
In gaming terms, Mega Haunter had shattered Arceus's avatar, gaining massive experience points!
"So I'm a Champion now..."
The realization came belatedly, accompanied by exhaustion and surrealism.
Beyond skill, what defined a Champion most was conviction and purpose.
Hoenn Champion Steven single-handedly held back Kyogre and Groudon in "Pokémon Adventures: Ruby &
Sapphire."
Sinnoh Champion Cynthia rode her Garchomp to Spear Pillar against the Temporal-Spatial Twin Dragons in "Pokémon Generations."
Galar Champion Dan Emperor faced Eternatus in its Gigantamax form alone in "Pokémon Sword &
Shield..."
Lu Ye looked down at his palm, slowly clenching it.
Now, this was my Champion moment.
To be precise... this was a Champion achievement created together with my comrades.
Smiling faintly, Lu Ye surveyed his Pokémon team.
Haunter grinned broadly: "Gengarrr~~"
Lu Ye reached out to pat the purple puffball's head.
"Gengarrr~~" Haunter stood on the ground, laughing with its mouth wide open.
The subtle Sylveon with shimmering eyes, Blastoise chewing Revival Root, the battle-scarred Arcanine...
And Togepi who miraculously summoned the forbidden "Oración" to calm Arceus's rage.
Larvitar was busy gnawing on the Hall of Origin's marble pillars: "Yogee~(￣～￣)"
Lu Ye suspected even Arceus's plates would be digestible for this little one...
"My apologies."
Looking up, Lu Ye's gaze fell upon Sirfetch'd.
The valiant white knight who had stood at the vanguard—
"Quack! (´థ౪థ)σ"
The duck was trembling in belated fear, face ashen.
I just slashed Arceus!
Will it come beat me up after reviving?!
So scary~~ quack!!
Lu Ye's mouth twitched.
I suspect this Sirfetch'd is illegally powerful.
You've already cut Arceus, and now you want to slack off?!
"When will our duck stand up!" Lu Ye felt his limbs grow cold with frustration.
"Beep beep... Pokédex has registered Arceus's data, Rotom!"
The Rotom Pokédex floated midair, saving a photo of Arceus.
The Pokédex showed Arceus's encounter count as '1'.
Defeat count... clearly displayed as '1'!
Well now, that's concrete evidence of beating Arceus!
Moreover, this marked a proper conclusion to this series of trials.
Teacher Lu's eyes shimmered as memories flashed before him.
From the spacetime turbulence in White Poplar Town, forming connections with the Temporal-Spatial Twin Dragons and Darkrai.
To surviving Giratina's catastrophe in the Reversed World and the glacial collapse.
Now here, standing in the Hall of Origin after battling Arceus.
The longest and most arduous journey in Sinnoh had finally ended... probably.
Lu Ye chuckled, patting his own shoulder.
_______, Teacher Lu!
Exchanging glances, A-Jin and Ash nodded at Teacher Lu.
The next moment, they rushed forward to tackle-hug Lu Ye!
A-Jin was intercepted by Togebro protecting its sister: "Toge! (〃´皿`)q"
But Ash's charging momentum carried terrifying pressure—more frightening than facing the llama earlier!
Lu Ye's expression changed dramatically: "Stay back!!"
The superhuman's acceleration was too fast to brake.
Teacher Lu used "Dodge."
Sidestepping neatly, Ash's tackle met only air.
"Huh?" Ash stopped in confusion, scratching his head.
Teacher Lu exhaled deeply in relief.
Thank goodness for that evasion—getting hit by this "Satoshi" might have meant instant retirement!
Speaking of which... could the Sinnoh League reimburse medical expenses?!
Golden light particles drifted through the temple.
A sense of peace settled over everyone as they rested in the hall.
A-Jin lay surrounded by Pokémon while Togebro vented its anger on him: "Toge! (╬◣д◢)"
This Togekiss was physically offensive!
"Help!!" A-Jin screamed.
No one paid attention.
Ash carried Pikachou on his shoulder, surveying the temple: "How do we leave?"
Lu Ye, with Sylveon's ribbon around his arm while chewing [Forest Yokan], said: "Not sure. Palkia should be able to locate us."
"That looks tasty." Ash eyed the jade-like dessert.
"Stick to Pokéblocks." Lu Ye said. "They're quite good—I eat them often too."
"Teacher Lu," A-Jin called out amidst the scuffle, "You have to unban me when we get back!"
After a thoughtful pause, Lu Ye nodded: "Fine... considering your performance earlier."
"I'll even give you a one-day admin trial!"
A-Jin: !!
His long-held dream was finally coming true!
Who knew Gold could become a power-tripping (scratch that)... administrator one day!
"Who should I mute first?"
A-Jin crossed his arms, muttering: "Miltank, Marshal..."
Lu Ye's eyelid twitched.
So you've got a grudge list too?
One thing was certain—Arceus's power had revived A-Jin.
Arceus stood above other Tier 1 legendaries, with only Ultra Space's "Blinding One" Necrozma as peer.
Though Eternatus's Gigantamax form had higher base stats than Arceus... its actual performance fell short of Mewtwo and Deoxys.
There were many legends about the llama. Teacher Lu believed Arceus had avatars across timelines.
The earlier Arceus, influenced by negative emotions, gradually dissipated after renewing trust in humans.
New avatars would form in this timeline.
Whether they'd retain memories of Ash and others remained unclear.
But judging from later Hoopa movie events... Arceus didn't "reset memories" like Ash.
As he pondered, a golden light pillar descended upon the highest platform at the staircase's end.
This phenomenon surprised Ash, while A-Jin quietly gripped his pool cue.
Within the light, Arceus's form materialized, its white aura radiating goodwill, eyes gentle.
Soft light enveloped Arceus and Lu Ye. After signaling A-Jin and Ash, Lu Ye approached the glow.
Testing the waters, Lu Ye asked: "Arceus?"
No verbal response came, but after a pause, Arceus's gentle voice resonated in his mind.
"We meet again, Lu Ye."
"You are..."
Meeting Arceus's gaze, Lu Ye found its eyes strangely familiar—as if sorrow had receded, replaced by hope.
"The original one?" Lu Ye ventured.
Arceus gazed profoundly at the golden light pillar before speaking gently:
"I am Arceus, here to express apology and gratitude."
The rational Arceus recognized Lu Ye's efforts to mediate Sinnoh's spacetime crisis.
It had witnessed the legendary Pokémon's full efforts and human courage.
Arceus sensed Lu Ye sought no reward.
He saved the collapsing world purely from personal responsibility.
But the fair Arceus owed apology and thanks—hence reviving A-Jin.
"Your efforts and courage deserve recognition," Arceus said.
Lu Ye hesitated.
I always get dragged into movies unwillingly.
First Wallace, now Ash and A-Jin.
If anything motivated me, it was simply "surviving with my Pokémon."
But facing Arceus,
Teacher Lu carried the wills of A-Jin, Boss Giovanni, Ash and others.
They chose to trust me, and I had to respond.
Lu Ye sighed deeply, smiling wryly: "I had no choice."
Avoidance is shameful but effective.
Yet when needed, someone must shoulder responsibility—even unwillingly.
Arceus's eyes showed faint amusement, recognizing a brave, kind soul.
Despite mastering hypnosis, poisoning, Perish Song... even Togepi knowing "Grass Whistle,"
He remained qualified as an emissary—
A mediator of disasters, savior of worlds.
Compared to reckless A-Jin and inexperienced Ash, Arceus favored this human's character.
"I trust you won't refuse this duty," Arceus said smilingly.
Lu Ye: ?
A warning bell rang as Lu Ye interrupted:
"Wait, what duty? Explain first!"
"This is my gratitude—power from my essence."
Arceus tapped its hoof, sending a glowing orb floating toward Lu Ye.
Instinctively catching it, Lu Ye watched the light merge into his palm.
"It can rectify spacetime order and sense Pokémon's hearts."
Arceus explained: "Humans call this... the Power of Transcendence."
Teacher Lu froze.
"At what cost, Arceus?"
"Simply my thanks," Arceus smiled.
"Though this power can pacify hatred—when disasters come, you may need to intervene."
"This is a trainer's duty." Arceus blinked humanly.
Lu Ye: "..."
So your "thanks" means free labor?!
What kind of dangerous trainer life is this?!
"You mean..."
Lu Ye took a deep breath, exemplifying: "When Groudon and Kyogre fight, an emissary must mediate?"
"Unnecessary."
Relieved, Lu Ye heard Arceus add:
"But I believe you wouldn't ignore it."
Lu Ye: ?
Pokémon deities generally favored humans.
When legendaries rampaged, Aura Guardians or Rainbow Heroes emerged.
The Power of Transcendence symbolized Arceus's authority.
Teacher Lu felt conflicted.
Stacking buffs? One title after another?
Just then, the system pinged after long silence.
[Ding! Achievement unlocked: "Arceus and the Jewel of Life" movie plot!]
[Special reward: Power of Transcendence!]
This isn't a reward!
You're skimming what Arceus gave me!
[?]
Arceus gazed profoundly at Lu Ye, stating slowly:
"This power transcends spacetime laws, correcting paradoxes as humans call them."
"It's yours... matching your spirit and character."
Lu Ye fell silent.
Arceus clearly discerned something, but neither pursued it.
What mattered was the trainer's conviction and genuine bonds with Pokémon.
Shaking his head, Lu Ye examined his palm. Unlike the blue "massage therapy" Aura,
Transcendence emitted white light—like radar detecting Pokémon locations.
Could this be...
No more worrying about Sylveon getting lost?!
For gym leaders, this was good news—Teacher Lu could promptly retrieve challengers.
Withdrawing the glow, Lu Ye told Arceus: "I'll accept it, but no promises about mediating."
Arceus's eyes smiled gently:
"One more matter requires your help."
Now Arceus was making demands?!
"In Kalos, my Fairy-type plate remains unrecovered. This power can locate it."
"I cannot retrieve it directly... hence needing your assistance."
"In return, I'll lend you the Fairy plate temporarily."
Arceus smiled: "It will greatly benefit your Sylveon."
Teacher Lu pondered.
In Sinnoh, Arceus's plates were incomplete.
Mainly because... Generation IV lacked Fairy-type.
Thus that plate must relate to Kalos's Diancie or Xerneas.
This was Sylveon's chance to grow stronger...
No turning back from the Champion path now!
Lu Ye sighed deeply.
"Let me think it over. Just send us back for now!"
Arceus nodded as white mist dispersed: "Very well."
"Additionally," Arceus paused, eyes twinkling with learned speech: "Lu Ye, we're friends."
Surprised, Lu Ye nodded with a friendly smile:
"Then could you fix my turtle's cracks and polish it too?"
Arceus slowly produced a question mark: ?