Dylan twitched slightly at Palkia's last desperate cry before Origin Forme Giratina dragged it into the Distortion World.
Hmm. It was obvious—Palkia's feelings for Dialga ran very deep.
"Um… Dylan, is this really okay? That Pokémon was just…"
The battlefield had calmed. The black vortex to the reverse world had vanished. Everything looked unchanged.
But Cynthia knew better.
Palkia had been seized by that terrifying Pokémon and dragged into some mysterious dimension. What would happen to it now?
"Giratina—one of the mythical Pokémon banished by the Creator into the 'Ruined World.' It must have sensed the clash between time and space and came to ambush."
Dylan shrugged, giving a simple explanation.
The "reverse world," the "ruined world"—all names for that place. A realm without sky or earth.
Compared to the gods of time and space, Giratina's existence was far more elusive, with almost no records left behind.
"Don't worry. It'll probably suffer a bit of… 'torment,' but Giratina won't kill Palkia."
Dylan was sure. Giratina hated Dialga and Palkia—and even Arceus—but it wouldn't kill them.
At most, it would rough them up. And though Palkia wasn't Giratina's match, escaping the Distortion World wasn't impossible.
Just like in the movie: Dialga had only been drinking water in the real world before Giratina ambushed it and dragged it away. Dialga was beaten badly—but it still escaped in the end.
"…Dylan, you seem to know a lot about them?"
Cynthia let out a breath, running her fingers through her golden hair as she questioned him.
These were Sinnoh's legendary Pokémon, yet Dylan understood them so well. Then again, he did have Dialga and Palkia.
"I've always been interested in legends. All of them."
Dylan replied with a smile.
"With Dialga gone and Palkia dragged away, Twinleaf Town is safe now. Cynthia, you can have Officer Jenny spread the word—it's over."
Though the townsfolk had been badly shaken, they were safe.
"…Alright. Thank you, Dylan." Cynthia nodded.
"No need. We're friends." Dylan waved it off with a smile.
Cynthia pulled out her communicator, while Dylan released Reshiram, who flew them back into town.
In a small garden, a heavily injured Darkrai lay weakly on the ground.
Though most of the damage from Roar of Time and Spacial Rend had been blocked by Palkia's Origin Forme, what leaked through had still hit hard.
And Darkrai had already been hurt beforehand.
As Reshiram landed, Darkrai immediately turned with wary eyes.
"Don't worry—we mean you no harm."
Dylan dismounted and spoke gently.
"..."
Darkrai's blue eyes flicked upward toward Origin Palkia behind Dylan. It knew—that Pokémon had protected it at the last moment.
Otherwise, it would have been erased in the clash of gods.
"You were incredible, daring to stand against Dialga and Palkia."
Dylan knelt beside it with a playful smile. His hand glowed green as he summoned the healing power of Viridian.
Green motes fell gently, mending Darkrai's wounds.
Cynthia's eyes widened in curiosity. She had known Dylan possessed the power of Viridian—but this was her first time seeing him use it.
It really was a convenient ability.
She couldn't help but feel a flicker of envy. Healing wounds at will and strengthening bonds… that was a tremendous gift for a trainer.
But she quickly reminded herself: talent and effort mattered more than gifts.
"..."
Darkrai silently watched Dylan.
"I have a Darkrai of my own. Want to meet it?"
Dylan asked casually, still channeling his healing energy.
Darkrai's eyes flickered. After a moment's hesitation, it shook its head.
"You prefer solitude, huh? That makes sense. Your kind often does." Dylan chuckled softly.
Darkrai said nothing. Its kind had always been shunned. Its Bad Dreams ability meant anyone who slept nearby would suffer nightmares. Even other Pokémon couldn't tolerate it.
Most Darkrai grew solitary by nature and by necessity.
"I admire your courage—taking on the gods of time and space. I'm guessing this town holds precious memories for you, which is why you protected it so fiercely."
Darkrai's eyes shimmered with emotion. It was true.
"…She… Alicia was special."
Its voice rasped, low and rough.
"She once helped me. This place… it's everyone's garden."
Long ago, wounded, it had stumbled here. The girl Alicia hadn't feared it—she had cared for it, comforted it, even let it stay.
Because of her, Darkrai had felt kindness for the first time.
Even after so long, it still protected this place—for her. Even if the enemy was a god.
"I believe, if Alicia could see you now, she would be proud."
Dylan's smile was gentle as the healing light faded.
But Alicia was long gone. She had been human, after all. In the movie, this very Darkrai had even mistaken Alice for Alicia.
"…Thank you."
Darkrai rose unsteadily, bowing in gratitude.
"No need. Your courage amazed me. Darkrai, have you ever thought about leaving this place?"
"..."
Darkrai fell silent, conflicted. Leave? It didn't know.
Because of Alicia, it had long considered this town its home. For decades, it had defended it. It had even saved young Alice once.
And yet…
No matter what it did, the townsfolk still despised it. Simply because it was Darkrai—an omen of nightmares.
Could it truly ignore that hatred?
"…Sometimes, choices must be made. Perhaps this town has meaning for you. But your future is too long to remain bound here."
Yes—too long. Darkrai's lifespan far outstripped humans.
But Alicia was gone. Only the rejection of the townsfolk remained.
Was that really what Alicia would have wanted?
Darkrai lowered its gaze, sinking slowly into the shadows.
"…I want… to see Alicia."
"Go on." Dylan nodded softly.
Darkrai vanished. Dylan stared at the spot for a moment before shaking his head.
"You looked really moved. You already have one Darkrai—were you planning to catch this one too?"
Leaf leaned close curiously.
"I just think… it's wonderful, that this world has Pokémon." Dylan looked at the Poké Ball in his palm with a warm smile.
Yes. This world, with Pokémon, was truly wonderful.
The sincerity of their emotions—the sight of Darkrai fighting to protect what it cherished—was beautiful.
Leaf tilted her head in puzzlement.
"This town… is just a shackle for that Darkrai. The good memories bind it to a place that's already changed."
"It deserves somewhere better."
Dylan's voice was firm.
Originally, he hadn't wanted to catch this Darkrai. But after seeing its courage against Dialga and Palkia, he'd changed his mind.
"And maybe… it really is special."
He thought of something. In the official games, a special Darkrai from Twinleaf had been distributed—one that could use Spacial Rend and Roar of Time.
Though… this one hadn't shown those moves. Unless… it would awaken them after being struck by them?
"…Shame Galactic didn't show." Dylan muttered.
Cyrus had always sought Dialga and Palkia, to destroy and remake the world.
Surely he would've rushed here—but perhaps he was too late.
"…No wonder I want to challenge you more and more, Dylan."
Cynthia's eyes sparkled, fixed on the black-haired man.
"Oh? I look forward to it too." Dylan raised an eyebrow.
"After this, I'll apply to challenge Steven. If I win, I'll be No. 2—and earn the right to face you." Cynthia brushed her bangs aside, speaking firmly.
"Eh? Cynthia, you're serious?" Lillie and the others stared.
"Yes. I can't hold back any longer."
She raised a hand to her chest, smiling elegantly—but her gaze burned with passion.
As Sinnoh's strongest, she had to aim for the very top.
"I'll be there to watch your battle with Steven."
Dylan's lips curled into a smile as he met her eyes.
Cynthia versus Steven.
Who would win?
(End of Chapter)