Chapter 509 - 507
Deep within the Area Zero Research Lab, in the room where the time machine stood.
The Sada AI, hijacked by the Battle Program, was standing in front of the time machine and "conversing" with a Pokémon that was metal from head to toe, like a bull carved from iron and stone.
Iron Boulder, the future Paradox form of Terrakion. A posture born after it had been modified by an evil organization.
It was also one of the driving forces behind this hijacking incident.
The wrong time, the wrong place, the wrong Pokémon. With three wrong factors lining up, Iron Boulder, carrying a mad ideology, had been transmitted here.
Iron Boulder's voice was frigid:
[The Poké Ball Locking Program must be activated immediately!]
[Things are developing differently from what we predicted. The Ancient Paradox Pokémon we sent out, not a single one completed its mission.]
[Of course, the violent ancient variants have no intelligence. They are only causing chaos with raw power and instinct.]
[However, the enemy possesses the ability to defeat the Iron Bundle units and Iron Treads. According to the data you provided, only a small number of people in this era should have that kind of capability. Yet this intruder not only has the highest level of authority, there is not even any corresponding data for them.]
The Battle Program's tone, on the other hand, was a little unhinged:
[After analyzing battles against the Champions of the Paldea region, I was created. I am the invincible AI!]
[Anyone who gets in my way, I will defeat them!]
Iron Boulder neither agreed nor disagreed with that answer.
In its eyes, this so-called Battle Program was still somewhat weak.
If they could not activate the final Paradise Defense Program, then it likely would not be able to defeat these intruders.
[Originally, once the four locks outside the research lab were undone, it should have been the perfect moment to release the Future Legion.]
[However, the intruders' strength exceeded expectations, and there were more Pokémon attacking the facility than anticipated. In that case, even though the lab's main gate has been opened, I cannot dispatch the Future Legion at all.]
[That's right. No one can stop the arrival of Paradise. In this old era, we will complete the great feat of the Future Legion conquering the world!]
[To reach the time machine's location, one must ride the elevator. However, the elevator cannot allow large-bodied Pokémon to pass through.]
[If we keep the time machine active and continuously transfer Pokémon, we may be able to defeat the invading enemies.]
Every so often, even Iron Boulder felt a hint of doubt.
Its original plan had been to keep the time machine running, to finish a "task" that had not been completed in the future. That was to assist a certain organization in conquering the world.
But at some point, confused thoughts would occasionally flash through its mind. What was the point of doing this? If it rebuilt the organization in this era, what would it even need?
That was Terrakion's heart, the compassion left behind by the original Sacred Swordsman. Yet for a future variant, what it needed least was exactly that.
[We are cold, unfeeling combat machines. The purpose of our birth is conquest alone. The future Pokémon legion will control the past and forge a new Paradise.]
[Humans are foolish. They fantasize that Ancient Pokémon, future Pokémon, and the Pokémon of this era can coexist. That is impossible.]
[The ancient carry primal savagery. The future carry cold, merciless cruelty.]
[I need not change anything. The human Professor's arrogance and dreams alone are enough to ruin this era. What I have done is merely maintain her wishes, endorse her, and keep the time machine running continuously.]
[During the process of hacking the time machine, I have fully understood its manufacturing technology. However, this machine is ultimately an incomplete, defective product.]
[Human ambition does not vanish. I originally thought I would need to seize control by force, but I did not expect the time machine to contain multiple defensive measures.]
That was correct.
In truth, Iron Boulder had not expected that it would barely need to do anything at all.
Professor Sada's own ambition was enough to drive everything to completion.
It had merely watched the situation with icy detachment, then manually switched the system so the Battle Program would seize control of the AI Professor.
The Sada AI entered sleep mode, the Battle Program activated, and the thing that set all of this in motion was the Violet Book!
Whether the Scarlet Book or the Violet Book was placed on the time machine, it would trigger an abnormal shutdown and then start the Battle Program.
In the past, a human named Turo had arrogantly believed he could control it.
That was nothing but delusion. The outcome was simply that Iron Boulder learned part of Turo's technology, though that Professor had also left behind a small failsafe.
[That is, other future variants that are incorrect, that do not obey my commands, have appeared here.]
[Iron Crown, Iron Leaves. The legendary Sacred Swordsmen actually turning on each other. If we discard our identity as weapons, if we cannot become living lifeforms, then what are we left with?]
[The three Sacred Swordsmen have no future, because they entrusted the future to Keldeo. Therefore we can only be weapons.]
[Then, let battle begin. Every future variant meant to stop you has already been defeated.]
Iron Boulder looked toward the room's main door. The elevator doors opened, and Hikaru stepped out with only smaller Pokémon at his side. Large Pokémon were indeed absent.
[To make it here deserves praise. But with only what you have in front of you, there is no way you can defeat us.]
[The core defensive power of Paradise has not yet truly revealed itself. The moment you stepped into this research lab, your Poké Balls were completely locked!]
Iron Boulder glanced at Iron Crown and Iron Leaves. It said nothing. Its cold, unfeeling combat logic left it with no desire to exchange words.
But Iron Crown still spoke, sending it a message:
[Your plan to build Paradise here and rebuild that organization is doomed to fail. In fact, even if you conquer this region, you will gain nothing.]
Iron Boulder: [That is not something I consider. I am only carrying out my mission.]
Iron Crown: [We were designed as weapons, but we are no longer weapons. We are living beings that can continue to exist. The cold steel shell is only the surface. In truth, we are also a kind of Pokémon.]
Iron Boulder: [Enough!]
It squared off against Iron Crown and Iron Leaves.
With a thunderous rumbling, the time machine mounted on the ceiling of the room began to roar and spin!
"This thing really is more ridiculous than the Unova time machine."
"Just the size alone is I don't know how many times bigger. It's even larger than time machines in movies."
Hikaru stared, genuinely shaken, as the ground rose up into a cone-shaped platform. The design alone carried an oppressive presence.
The Sada AI hijacked by the Battle Program stood at the very top of that platform.
Then she repeated the same crazed lines as before:
[Whoever gets in my way, I'll kill them!]
[My data is flawless. Can the human brain keep up!]
Hikaru: "The human brain really can't keep up, but that's referring to you as an AI. If it's just a Battle Program, you're nothing more than a third-rate fighter who only knows how to bully with levels."
Arven looked up, frightened and confused:
"Is that… is that my second mom?"
"Boss, you said my mom got hijacked by the Battle Program. Is this what you meant? If we beat her, will she return to normal?"
Hikaru raised two fingers in a peace sign.
"No. We have to win twice."
"After the Battle Program is defeated, there's still the Paradise Defense Program. Your mom doesn't want the time machine shut down. That part is real. It's not Iron Boulder's doing."
"To create Paradise, she was willing to sacrifice her life. She spent her entire life on this research, and the result is this enormous time machine. To prevent it from being shut down, she set multiple layers of defense."
"For example, the Poké Ball Locking Program."
"That's why I had you keep Mabosstiff and Garganacl by your side. Also Chansey."
"Lucky?!" The Chansey Arven had only recently caught didn't even understand why it was suddenly in a moment like this.
The battles outside had been the same.
It had completely blown Chansey's mind.
Well, anyway, being brought out meant she was here to heal stamina, right?
Hikaru: "No. Get ready for Serene Grace Rock Slide."
"Lucky!"
Chansey recoiled in horror, pointing at her own face in disbelief.
Ah. So I'm actually in the battle lineup?!
"You've got Serene Grace. I'll set up Rainbow Terrain for you. That way, Rock Slide's additional effect will keep doubling!"
"Infinite flinches. Let this Battle Program see what modern Pokémon can really do!"
"Uh, and there's one more thing."
Hikaru took out four Master Balls.
"The Poké Ball Locking Program doesn't really matter to me. I've seen this kind of thing before. Area Zero's defenses are indeed thoroughly prepared."
"But I also have Poké Balls with a certified ID."
These four Master Balls were the Poké Balls of the Treasures of Ruin, and they were part of the reward the Sada AI had given him.
[What?! Master Balls with Professor Sada's ID? Where did you get those?!]
Iron Boulder, still facing off with Iron Crown and Iron Leaves, was visibly startled.
And what came out of those Master Balls were, naturally, the four Treasures of Ruin.
But Hikaru only released two, BaoBao and Super Moose.
Hikaru: "So-called Poké Ball locking tech is similar to future-style locking. It uses a special radio signal to seal Poké Balls, and even with high-end hacking, you still can't remove it."
This was something Penny had said in the original storyline, claiming "even hacking is useless," though at the time she had been panicking and running around.
Besides, just because Penny couldn't break it didn't mean it truly couldn't be broken. At the very least, Hikaru felt that if it were Cyrus doing the hacking, that would be a different story.
Hikaru: "There are three situations where this program stops working!"
"First, Poké Balls that match the correct ID."
"Second, defeat you, the Battle Program."
"Third, Poké Balls outside the Poké Ball Locking Program's recognition!"
"BaoBao, go. Take it out!"
Chien-Pao: "Guao!"
Opening move: Haze!
The Battle Program's body swayed unnaturally. Above, the massive time machine continued to rumble as it spun.
At the same time, just like in the story, a Master Ball was transmitted in from another timeline, capturing a new Paradox Pokémon.
Then the Battle Program sent it out.
A level 66 Slither Wing!
Facing this massive Slither Wing, BaoBao didn't even bother giving it a proper look.
I, BaoBao, have gone through cruel special training. I'm not who I used to be!
Let me show you what it means to be the Ancient Paldea god who commands absolute zero!
"BaoBao, use Sheer Cold!"
"Hah!"
A colossal blast of frost and snow erupted. A freezing storm struck Slither Wing head-on, instantly dropping it.
A one-hit KO.
[What?!]
The Battle Program clearly hadn't expected this. She stared at the defeated Slither Wing. That loss was way too fast!
Then the second one.
Hikaru: "You really are rigid in battle. You even follow the 'level 66 singles' rules. Is that part of your programming?"
Hikaru felt that having Ting-Lu simply use Fissure to smash the platform and send the Professor plunging off would be better.
But then again, the AI Professor's body didn't seem particularly sturdy. When the Battle Program was beaten before, she had smoked and glitched. At that time, her condition had clearly been bad.
"In that case, we'll save this 'Assault' for when the Paradise Defense Program takes the field."
Hikaru glanced at Palafin beside him, muttering to it in a low voice for a few seconds.
Palafin nodded.
"Man!"
Leave it to the successful man. This is on me!
The Battle Program's second Pokémon was Scream Tail, also level 66, but…
Hikaru: "That Scream Tail looks huge, but you know it only weighs 8 kilograms?"
[What?] The Battle Program froze.
Then she heard Hikaru's command.
"Super Moose, use Superpower, then Heavy Slam!"
A 700-kilogram Ting-Lu slamming into an 8-kilogram Scream Tail.
The hit sent that devilish fat Jigglypuff flying, crashing into the far wall with a boom and losing the ability to battle.
"Double weakness to Steel, plus the massive weight gap. A Pokémon battle can be decided in an instant."
Battle Program: [Don't look down on me! I'm a program loaded with the data of every Champion Trainer in Paldea. Even if I don't have your data, I can't possibly lose!]
This time, she sent out two Pokémon at once.
"Singles turned into doubles. That's fine too!"
Hikaru looked at what she threw out. One was Brute Bonnet.
One look at the mushroom: confirmed inferior to Amoonguss. Evolve into the modern form before you come back.
"Chansey." Hikaru looked at the still-dazed Chansey and gave Arven a look. "This one's yours!"
"Got it!" Arven looked at Brute Bonnet. It didn't seem that different from the fodder Brute Bonnet outside, other than being bigger.
And among Ancient Paradox Pokémon, this thing was bottom tier, right?
Then even I have a chance!
Arven saw Hikaru pull out a strange device. Immediately after, a gorgeous rainbow shimmered across the room's "sky."
One of the field effects applied: Rainbow.
In Rainbow Terrain, the chance of added effects from moves is multiplied by 2.
Serene Grace and Rainbow can stack!
"Chansey, Rock Slide!"
Brute Bonnet hadn't even processed what was happening. It was still in its "time to massacre everything" phase, and then got pelted into a daze by a cascade of falling rocks!
Additional effect: flinch! The big mushroom locked up, unable to move. Then, naturally, it ate another Rock Slide!
Meanwhile, the Pokémon Hikaru faced was, of course, Flutter Mane.
But this Flutter Mane looked a little familiar?!
"Hababababa?!"
This Flutter Mane was enormous, even bigger than the Brute Bonnet beside it. It was a Titan Pokémon!
And, as expected…
"Hah?"
"Hah!"
"Hababababa!"
Long time no see!
It's been ages, you bastard who showed up in the past and made me suffer the greatest humiliation of my life. I didn't think I'd ever see you again!
So, naturally, that rock-headed immortal ancient dragon is with you too, right?
The one burned into my memory. This time, I'm going to beat you to your knees and drag you back to my nest to raise you!
The Titan Flutter Mane ground its teeth, then seemed to think of something else and started cackling, heh heh heh.
"It's the Flutter Mane we ran into before."
"Aerodactyl's nemesis, the one Walking Wake and Raging Bolt saw…?"
Inside the Nest Ball, Aerodactyl also saw it, smelling the scent of its nemesis.
No doubt about it. That bratty little female's scent!
How is she here? What is going on?
Wasn't she already taken out?
A dead one showing up again.
No, wait. I'm dead too.
And she died too.
Aerodactyl's eyes widened. The two sharp protrusions on its head looked even sharper, and its expression turned deadly serious as it pondered the meaning of dragon life inside the ball.
Walking Wake roared, snapping Aerodactyl out of its mental spiral and making it turn its head.
Huh? You're her nemesis too?
Walking Wake huffed. It recognized this Flutter Mane as the one that had fought it for food before.
Come to think of it, there was more than one Pokémon that had her as an enemy. There was another one. Another really powerful one!
Rumble.
A faint sound of thunder seemed to echo in this room.
"Oh, what a coincidence. But the time you live in and the time she lives in…"
"Uh, forget it. It's probably fine. As a Ghost and Fairy dual type, Flutter Mane's lifespan is basically close to infinite anyway."
"So, have you seen a blue dragon?" Hikaru looked at Flutter Mane.
Ghost types are long-lived. That needed no explanation. It's hard for a dead Pokémon to die again, and only certain Ghost Pokémon with physical bodies are prone to "running out" of lifespan.
Even so, if they run out, they just go from being a Pokémon to becoming an actual ghost. That's not much of a change.
Add Fairy on top, and it gets ridiculous.
One of Fairy's associated elements is longevity. After all, they're fairy-like creatures from myth and legend. A ghost plus a fairy. That kind of lifeform could probably last until the world ends.
So during a long wandering life, it was perfectly normal for Flutter Mane to have encountered Walking Wake, Raging Bolt, and Aerodactyl, and fought with them.
The time machine was constantly transferring Ancient Paradox Pokémon. A few enemies ending up in the same place was not surprising.
Besides, as a Fairy type, and an extremely powerful ancient Fairy at that, one of Flutter Mane's prey is "dragons."
"Heh heh heh, hababa~"
She toyed with her wings. For her, the time she met Walking Wake was so ancient that she didn't remember it at all.
Still, in her memory, there had been lightning. That lightning, she remembered.
Hikaru: "Wow. This kind of relationship really is complicated."
The Titan Flutter Mane sized up Hikaru, laughing like victory was already hers.
What a lucky break!
Heh heh, this time I'll drag him back to my nest. I'll definitely be able to raise some high-quality…
And in the very next instant.
Armarouge, who had been about to step up, was held back.
Iron Valiant, blinking its pixel-like eyes, looked at that bratty Titan Flutter Mane.
Its arms snapped outward, projecting razor-sharp blades of light.
Sacred Sword, initiated!
And a Steel-type glow, something that should not have been on Iron Valiant at all, appeared for the first time.
New program: loading.
A subtle emotion flickered in Iron Valiant's pixel eyes:
[To say something like that. Ancient lifeforms truly are incomprehensible!]
[But those improper thoughts should be cut off as soon as possible!]
(End of Chapter)
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