Chapter 517 - 515
"The data on this Tera crystal tree has been updated. Let's keep moving."
"The deeper we go, the denser the Tera energy gets." AI Sada took out a Tera Orb and looked toward Hikaru, only to see that he had one too.
"The Tera Orb is glowing. The concentration of Tera energy here is absurdly high. But even at this density, it still isn't enough to awaken the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero."
Hikaru laughed. "Once you pull it out of that massive crystal cluster, it'll start absorbing the surrounding Tera energy on its own and then awaken. Professor Sada didn't do that before because she didn't understand it well enough and was worried something might go wrong."
"And after that, if you Terastallize Terapagos with an enhanced Tera Orb, its energy will surge abnormally and it'll transform into its Stellar Form, the state described in the Scarlet Book and Violet Book."
"Now that our Tera Orbs have been enhanced, things are different. Professor Sada probably never carried a Tera Orb this far down before, so you wouldn't know the current situation either. Anyway, it was influenced by the ancient turtle. The current Tera Orbs can now be used repeatedly without needing to recharge first."
"As long as we're in Paldea, and maybe even in places without Tera energy, they can probably still do the same thing."
Looking at it that way, the people from Blueberry Academy had really been reckless, and Briar had been more than a little unhinged.
AI Sada parted her lips slightly. After a brief moment of surprise, she shook her head.
"I see. Since that special crystalline gem was originally a dead Terapagos, once it came into contact with a complete Stellar Form, its Tera energy storage limit would increase enormously. It might even gain the ability to actively control crystal generation."
"You really do know everything. Walking alongside someone who feels almost like a prophet is pretty great. It goes against science, but I don't dislike the feeling."
"But just as I worried before, that form will erupt with tremendous power, right? Will it lose control? Are you confident you can suppress it and obtain a sample?"
Hikaru took out a Master Ball.
"The problem isn't that big. In a place where this star-like power is surging... it's already eager to appear."
"Tera energy also comes from the cosmos. As long as it's in the cosmos, it's basically returned home."
"I've got my own trump cards too. You normally never get to see them."
Unlike the unhinged stunt Kieran and Briar had pulled in The Indigo Disk, Hikaru had come prepared this time. His goal was to carry out an investigatory awakening of Terapagos.
Of course, once the little turtle transformed into its third form, its energy would inevitably spiral out of control.
But at that point, all they had to do was beat it down. That would solve the problem.
In the game, you could only fight Terapagos one Pokémon at a time, which made it feel especially troublesome.
But in reality, the situation should be this:
Against a little turtle rampaging from energy overload, there was no need to talk about Pokémon-world honor.
Everyone jump it together.
An Lv. 85 monster wasn't that big a deal.
Stellar Form didn't change its defensive typing, so the turtle was still a Normal type. If a +6 Close Combat hit it, wouldn't it still flop straight onto the ground?
Or they could just finish it in one burst.
AI Sada said, "To more thoroughly understand the power of Terastallization, to adjust its practical applications, and also to modify the time machine while uncovering the true secrets of time travel and this new form of Terastal energy, Stellar energy..."
"We have to make Terapagos reproduce its third form at least once. You may be confident, but I still think we need to prepare for every possibility."
"I trust your strength."
For Hikaru himself, coming into contact with Terapagos's third form was necessary too.
The power of Stellar energy could turn the hexagonal jewel Terapagos became into a giant Tera battery. It could even give his Terastallization the same kind of illegal raid-battle effect that even AI Sada had complained about before.
And there was another important point.
Through the power of Tera energy, it was possible to create machines beyond modern logic, things that did not belong to the present age. The time machine and the AI android were both products of Tera energy.
At the same time, it could serve as fuel for time travel, for reaching distant worlds, and for all sorts of entirely new applications.
No matter how he looked at it, in terms of an Energy Module, this recharge from Terapagos's third form was absolutely necessary.
Whether it was for making tools in the future, enhancing Pokémon strength, building machines, traveling through time, or Pokémon battles, Tera energy was absurdly useful in countless fields.
Even in places where no Tera energy existed, Terastallization could still be used continuously, as long as they returned to the Great Crater of Paldea from time to time to recharge.
"Maybe we should consider making these powerful Tera Orbs that no longer need charging into one of the rewards for clearing the Champion Assessment, and present them as a visible 'treasure.'"
Hikaru said to Sada, "That would carry major significance for promoting the Terastal battle system too."
"At the same time, it would let Champion-level trainers carrying Terastallization go compete in other regions without being restricted by local gimmicks."
"For example, Dynamax in Galar can't be used outside Galar, and it also requires a Dynamax Band. That obviously limits the strength of trainers from that region. Tera Orbs are different."
"So helping Terapagos release the tremendous energy built up inside it, and calming the Tera energy here, is also an important step."
AI Sada thought it over carefully and nodded.
"From the Paldea League's perspective, that does make sense."
"But your line of thinking, at least directionally, seems a bit closer to Geeta's."
Hikaru smiled. "That's fine. Chairwoman Geeta will be working for me sooner or later anyway."
AI Sada looked puzzled. "The way you say that, it sounds like you've got some kind of scheme going. But with strength like yours, do you even need schemes? I don't get it."
She thought back to the battle gauntlet Hikaru had mentioned before and quietly wondered if that was what he meant.
"You want Geeta, the woman who makes everyone work overtime every day, to go work overtime herself? As one of the Elite Four, you're really planning to overthrow your superior?"
Even her expression management loosened up. If that actually happened, it would be pretty entertaining.
Hikaru said, "Overthrowing your superior is a vital experience that must be appreciated. Besides, it's all for the development of the Paldea League."
The two of them, along with the rest of their Pokémon, walked deeper into the cavern.
Just like in the game, glittering crystals had nearly swallowed the entire cave, and that hexagonal jewel sat quietly embedded in the crystal mass.
Hikaru stepped forward, grabbed it, and yanked it free in one motion.
The reason Kieran had struggled to pull it out for half a day was simple: he was just a kid, and he didn't train much. Compared to the protagonist-level physique of a superhuman Paldean, the gap was obvious.
"This little thing weighs 6.5 kilograms, while its second form reaches 16 kilograms."
"Of course, for a Pokémon of the same size, that isn't heavy at all. If anything, it's a bit light."
The moment the gem was pulled free, its outer surface began to glow, and then it floated up into the air.
Hikaru and AI Sada quietly watched the scene.
Then Hikaru suddenly mused, "How exactly is this thing floating?"
AI Sada said, "...Maybe that's the power of Terastallization."
Turtles could fly too...
That sounded kind of weird.
Bathed in the gem's brilliant glow, the hexagon expanded about five times over, becoming a much larger crystal block. Then, with a pop, a turtle's head and four limbs stuck out from inside the gem.
Hikaru said, "Normal Form Terapagos. Ability: Tera Shift. Category: Tera Pokémon. Nickname: ancient turtle. Height: 0.2 meters. Weight: 6.5 kilograms. Hatch cycle unknown..."
"Huh? Why isn't it transforming? Come to think of it, this little turtle seems able to decide for itself whether it wants to transform."
In the game, of course, that wasn't possible. It always transformed the moment it entered battle.
But in the story and the anime, it had already been shown moving around in its base form.
As the so-called Third Legendary, Terapagos had barely shown any real personality.
Before it went berserk, when it saw the protagonist in front of it, it acted like it had spotted its mom and just toddled over on its own, which was what made Kieran snap and pull out the Master Ball.
Once caught, it fought when told to fight. Completely obedient.
After the rampage ended and the protagonist caught it, there was basically no further follow-up.
"If there's no character shaping at all, doesn't that just bring it right back to Mewtwo's role in the first-generation games, hanging out in Cerulean Cave? But at least Mewtwo had the anime and movies to fill in its past and personality. As for this little turtle..."
Was it just curious about people and its surroundings, and liked wandering around everywhere?
"Pago!"
Terapagos saw Hikaru and AI Sada, then crawled over curiously toward the two of them.
Left look, right look.
It noticed the glowing Tera Orbs on both of them.
Hikaru placed a hand on Terapagos and conveyed his thoughts to it. The little turtle clearly hadn't expected that, after sleeping for so many years, it would wake up and meet a living being that could communicate with it.
Huh! Are you a turtle like me too? But you don't look like one!
Mm, you want me to reveal my true form and lend you some of my power?
But Tera energy will cause me to lose control. Even I can't control that enormous power. The last time I fell asleep was because...
"I understand now. The reason there are so many Tera crystals here is because Terapagos once displayed that kind of power."
"That makes sense. The Scarlet Book and Violet Book already described that form. Two hundred years ago, after its power ran dry, it fell into hibernation. The Disk Pokémon, in a form like a world turtle. It looked like a planet floating in space."
"Its overall image resembles the cosmic soul described in philosophy, the most universal link between life and souls across multiple universes..."
"But you don't need to worry. We'll handle everything that comes after. Let's make a promise. Maybe during our future explorations, we'll find others of your kind."
That was because, while Terapagos as a species could be either male or female, the Terapagos caught in the storyline was fixed as male.
In other words, by the next generation, the little turtle might well get brought out as part of some mythical gift distribution bundle. And at that point, seeing a female one would be perfectly reasonable.
Just like that snack guy who always showed up to distribute legendary Pokémon, carrying all kinds of sweets around while talking about traces of Legendary Pokémon having once existed in Paldea.
Still, with some Pokémon, it made sense.
You could say Ho-Oh, Lugia, or Rayquaza wandered over here once, and that would be believable enough.
As for Solgaleo and Lunala, they were cosmic Pokémon. Opening holes and drifting around all over the place was normal for them.
But how exactly did the Tao trio wake up, and how did Glastrier and Spectrier make it all the way from the Crown Tundra to Paldea?
Somebody explain that to me.
Did Necrozma drag the Ultra Space legendaries over here while drilling through Ultra Wormholes or something?
"Teraaap... gos!"
Terapagos could sense that there was no malice in Hikaru's emotions. What it felt instead was a simple desire to fulfill a goal and a dream.
Neither of the two humans in front of it had even thought about capturing it.
Yes, a long time ago, someone else had come here and thought about capturing it. But in the end, that person gave up. Maybe he was afraid of its power, or maybe it was for some other reason...
"Capture... There weren't Poké Balls two hundred years ago, so 'capturing' you would have meant carrying you away somehow, or maybe putting some kind of ancient equipment on you. But that sort of thing can't forcibly control a powerful Pokémon. A strong enough Pokémon could easily break free."
"So that's probably why he didn't do anything to you. He may not even have been able to confirm what you really were. The person you met was Heath. Heath was both a writer and a natural historian. He was selected as a member of the Area Zero expedition team. Mm, you don't really need to understand all of that. Just know he wasn't a bad person either."
Terapagos stared at Hikaru.
After a long while, it let out a sound of agreement.
You don't have bad intentions, so I'll help make your dream come true. If that's all it is.
But my power is going to burst out all at once. All at once!
Can you really withstand it?
Its body began to transform, becoming its second form, the more beautiful and more familiar mane-covered turtle mode.
Hikaru said, "You're pretty considerate, Terapagos. Thanks a lot."
"Look, this is Terapagos in its Terastal Form. This is its second form. Its body has become heavily crystallized, and its limbs have shortened so much that only the front claws are visible. Its shape has become disk-like."
"Its shell has eighteen dark blue pentagonal crystals surrounding the central hexagonal Tera jewel, and each pentagon is carved with a pattern representing a different type."
"Its crystals and luster shine even more brightly than in its Normal Form, and glowing blue manes have grown from its neck and tail."
"The power of Terastallization may be connected to the power of heaven, the divine force that shares the strength of every type."
At the same time, Hikaru used his Pokédex to record the information and appearance in front of him.
"God?" AI Sada looked puzzled. "I've heard you say that word before. I originally thought you were just using it metaphorically. But now that you've said all that... are you telling me gods actually exist?"
"Oh, right. Time traveler... You said there are Pokémon that can control time and space. If beings like that exist, calling them gods wouldn't be strange."
"No, something above even them. Something stronger..." Hikaru revealed a mysterious smile. "That information can't be made public just yet."
"Well then, let's begin. Use my Tera Orb to Terastallize it."
AI Sada said, "I don't need a Tera Orb to battle, but you do. A Stellarized or Terastallized Pokémon, once it has built up enough power, can be very difficult to deal with if your own Pokémon don't Terastallize."
Hikaru nodded and tossed the Tera Orb toward Terapagos.
Terapagos drew in a deep breath, and then an intense burst of Tera light exploded outward.
The power of the entire crystal cavern gathered together. Dazzling multicolored radiance, accompanied by a rotating triple-turtle tower, poured out in a flood of immense energy, stirring up a violent Tera storm as endless particles of light blasted from the little turtle's body.
The force was so overwhelming that cracks began to form in the ground itself.
Ability: Teraform Zero!
When Terapagos changes into its Stellar Form, the power hidden within it reduces all weather and terrain effects to zero.
Hikaru said, "When it resonates with Tera energy, the treasure emits the light it was meant to. The crystal cave can't fully withstand the eruption of this power, but don't worry. Overall, it's still stable."
AI Sada observed as the violent currents sent her hair flying behind her.
"Incredible. So this is the third form. The energy it gives off is terrifying. It looks like some kind of model of the cosmos: the earth below, the firmament above it, then a crystalline shell and layer of water, and at the very top a fiery layer that acts as the source of light."
"A giant turtle carrying a small turtle, with endless turtles stacked into a tower. And the third little turtle on its head really does look like a crystalline gem. Or rather, like that strange eye that appears on the gem after Terastallization."
"Now that we've seen the third form, our goal is halfway complete. If power like this could be controlled..."
Hikaru said, "Terapagos actually can control this power. It's just that the energy concentration inside the cave is too high, so it can't stop. That's why the answer here is simple: blast it with one overwhelming hit and release all that energy. Once that happens, it'll be able to maintain this form in a stable way."
In the anime, Liko's little turtle could even open Stellar Form on its own and go flying around all over the place.
So it was perfectly reasonable to say that Terapagos itself already had the ability to control its Stellar transformation and maintain it while roaming around for short periods.
The one in the cavern storyline just couldn't suppress it because the energy level was too high.
In plain terms: it had overeaten.
"Then it's time for me to make my move too!"
The Master Ball opened.
And naturally, the one that appeared in a blaze of light, after waiting so long, was Deoxys.
The moment that humanoid Pokémon, like a warrior of light, appeared, AI Sada was so startled she nearly jumped.
A Pokémon she had never seen before. And when the glow faded, its shape looked almost human?
"...An alien?!" For some reason, that was the word that came to her mind.
Hikaru glanced at Deoxys. "You could say that."
"The human soul fell into the mortal world alongside Sophia."
"My Aibo is a stranger from the distant cosmos, a being from the divine world of the Pleroma."
"A Mythical Pokémon called Deoxys, evolved from a space virus within a domain of colossal light."
"Also known as... the Visitor from the Sky!"
Deoxys floated onto the field.
At that moment, a Tera Shield spread out in front of Terapagos. After gathering energy, it created a barrier that sharply reduced damage while also clearing status conditions and confusion.
At the same time, Terapagos also had the power to seize Tera energy.
"Deoxys's Tera Type doesn't seem to be Psychic."
Hikaru understood Deoxys's mood. Because it had been born from a meteor and had once been taught moves by Landorus, Deoxys's default Tera Type was not Psychic.
Instead, it was Rock.
A type related to meteors.
And Normal-type attacks weren't very effective against Rock.
Granted, Rock didn't hit Normal super effectively. It only resisted it.
But as long as the expected power was high enough, that didn't matter.
Hikaru said, "Gathering the power of the cosmos to raise Special Attack. Special Attack can't go any higher now."
"In this place where stars once fell, does power stay at its maximum forever?"
A +6 Special Attack boost meant its Special Attack stat had effectively been multiplied by four.
"Don't worry. One hit is all it'll take to calm the violent energy raging inside Terapagos."
"Armarouge, Hikaru, Reflect!"
"Palafin, Falinks, Bulk Up! Brace Deoxys's body together!"
"Man!"
Palafin stepped forward, using its solid muscles as the backing behind the warrior of light.
The crimson knight rapidly put up two walls in succession, reducing both physical and special damage.
AI Sada said, "...Are you about to use some move with absurdly high power? This setup feels dangerous."
Hikaru said, "Don't worry about the cave collapsing. You should understand Tera power better than anyone. Besides, we've also got Pokémon that can resist earthquakes and others that are good at digging. No matter what happens, nobody's getting hurt."
"The preparations are complete!"
At the same time, Hikaru also activated those special powers he had acquired before.
The conviction, strength, and momentum carried by the Three Heroes.
The will and bonds carried by the two Divine People, increasing the chance of landing a critical hit.
Deoxys's own celestial cosmic power, star divinity. The next attack's damage increased by 60%.
Held item: Hard Stone. Rock-type move power increased by 20%.
Held item: Stone Plate. Rock-type move power increased by 20%.
Held item: Rock Gem. Rock-type move power increased by 30%.
Held item: Life Orb. Move power increased by 30%.
The secret of stone, enhancing the energy of Rock.
Pulse of the Stars, O-Power, Special Attack Power, boosting the Special Attack of the first Pokémon to enter battle, further amplifying the energy of Rock.
"Armarouge, Helping Hand!"
The great crimson knight used Helping Hand on Deoxys, raising the move's power by 1.5 times.
Hikaru threw out the Tera Orb, surging with tremendous power.
"It's all up to you, Aibo. Deliver this massive strike!"
Light burst from Deoxys's body as it struck a pose to fire a cosmic ray.
[Cosmic power overflowed from Deoxys!]
At the same time, it changed forms into Attack Forme, with its Attack and Special Attack base stats rising from the usual 150 to 180.
And then, the Hisuian secret art: Strong Style. Base power increased by 20 points.
Without even counting all those attribute-energy boosts, and without borrowing the power of Victini or Victory Pieces...
The move's base power, under the Strong Style boost, rose from 120 to 140.
Hikaru looked at the little turtle ahead, which seemed a little scared.
"Don't be afraid. Hold your ground from the front. Once the violent Tera energy clinging to you is blown away in one burst, you'll be able to enter and leave the cavern freely and move around wherever you want."
"Preparations complete. Expected beam power: 817."
The little turtle couldn't understand the number, but the power inside it was already about to burst past its limit.
So above the crystal clusters in the cavern, it was as if tears had opened in space itself, and countless rotating stars began gathering in the "sky."
The power of crystals shone down to drive away its enemy.
When Terapagos used it in its Stellar Form, it could damage all opponents.
It dealt 1x damage to targets that were not Terastallized, and 2x super-effective damage to Terastallized targets.
And if Terapagos's Attack was higher than its Special Attack, the move became physical.
Tera Starstorm was ready to fire.
"Pagos!" The little turtle's power erupted with a deafening roar.
Hikaru took out a strange sphere, a transparent orb wrapped within the ring of the Thousand Cosmos Bracelet, containing earthshaking power.
"It's time for you to do your part again. Opportunities like this don't come around often, right? Space-Time Orb?"
After all, the cosmic hero's level wasn't that high. At only level fifty-something, if it wanted to take on an eighty-five-level third-form turtle, preparation was absolutely necessary.
So for this battle, the moment it began, it would end.
Deoxys took the firing pose.
The cosmic hero, unleashing its full-power strike.
"Terastallized Rock. 1.5x power modifier. Power increased to 1226!"
"Item: Space-Time Orb. Move power increased by 100%."
"Final power... 2453!"
"And if it lands a critical hit..."
His own critical-hit damage had been adjusted by Heart of the King from a 1.5x multiplier to 2x, returning it to the damage standard of Generations II through V.
Perfectly reasonable. Since this was power bestowed by the ancient king of Unova, of course it should use the fifth-generation damage formula. That too was part of "climate and land"!
And when a critical hit landed, all unfavorable stat changes on the attacking side were ignored as well.
So then...
The Great M87 Beam!
"Expected power... 4900!"
"Strong Style: Meteor Beam!"
(End of Chapter)
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