Not long ago, Clemont had been tinkering away at another experiment in his gym, just as usual.
His younger sister, Bonnie, was quietly staying by his side.
Everything was perfectly normal—just another peaceful day.
But then…
An earsplitting boom suddenly shattered the calm.
Immediately after, the entire Prism Tower began violently shaking, as if on the verge of collapse.
Without even pausing to think, Clemont had grabbed Bonnie and rushed outside.
Even as he ran, his analytical mind rapidly deduced possibilities.
Prism Tower was probably under attack by Pokémon, he reasoned.
Many powerful Pokémon existed in Kalos, and given the scale of the tremor, perhaps a whole group had attacked simultaneously.
It was the most logical assumption.
However…
When Clemont emerged from the tower and saw the two massive Pokémon in the sky, his brain froze entirely.
He'd never seen these Pokémon before.
Yet, the sheer aura radiating from Dialga and Palkia alone told him these were no ordinary Pokémon.
At least, he'd never encountered anything remotely as powerful.
Even worse…
Before Clemont and Bonnie could get to safety, the two monstrous Pokémon moved again.
Dialga unleashed a piercing roar, reverberating across half of Lumiose City.
The diamond-like jewel on its chest began glowing faintly, gathering energy.
An oppressive, terrifying presence swiftly accumulated around it.
Yet, upon closer inspection, the gem revealed a faint crack—leftover damage from its last battle with Giratina.
Seeing Dialga preparing an attack, Palkia responded in kind, refusing to back down.
At their level of power, neither cared in the slightest where they fought.
As long as they weren't intruding into the Distortion World or Arceus's domain, they faced virtually no rival.
Even in Kalos, they intended to settle their conflict right then and there.
Moments later, both Pokémon had finished charging their attacks.
Dialga tilted its head upward and unleashed a massive, bluish-white energy beam:
[Roar of Time]!
Seeing Dialga's signature move, Palkia immediately countered with [Spacial Rend].
BOOM—!
The two devastating attacks collided midair.
A second explosion, even louder and fiercer than before, shook the city.
Spectators, previously watching at a safe distance, finally realized how severe the situation was.
They scattered in panic, fleeing desperately.
Clemont suddenly felt Bonnie tug sharply on his hand, nearly pulling him down.
Turning around, he saw his sister crouched down, clutching her head in pain, eyes tightly shut.
"Big brother…"
Her weak, pleading voice trembled.
Clearly, the shockwave from the explosion had physically hurt her.
But Clemont had no time left to worry.
He'd just received news that other Gym Leaders were rushing over.
Yet, until they arrived, he had to find a way out himself.
Meanwhile, the previous clash seemed only a tentative strike to Dialga and Palkia.
Seeing their opponent unharmed, both Pokémon grew angrier.
Clemont watched, eyes wide in horror, as the two titans prepared to collide physically.
The previous attacks alone had caused catastrophic damage.
If these two Pokémon really clashed head-on…
He shuddered at the thought.
Yet Bonnie's current condition meant they couldn't run further.
And he didn't have any Pokémon strong enough to carry them both safely out of danger.
What could he do before Dialga and Palkia attacked again?
For the first time in his life, Clemont's usually brilliant brain failed him outside the realm of experiments.
He could only helplessly watch the two dragons readying their next devastating attack.
Yet…
Just as despair was about to overwhelm him, several black shadows streaked through the sky.
No, to be precise—several shadows.
Before Clemont could fully register what had happened, Dialga and Palkia abruptly reacted, as if struck by something incredibly powerful.
"ROOOAR—!"
Both Pokémon roared painfully, their once-overwhelming auras faltering. Losing control, they were flung forcibly back into the rift in space-time.
Clearly, they'd suffered a fierce blow.
Everyone froze, utterly bewildered by this sudden turn.
Not just Clemont, who'd narrowly escaped disaster.
The distant citizens and arriving Gym Leaders alike all halted, staring dumbfoundedly into the sky above Prism Tower.
"What…was that?"
Korrina, the first Gym Leader to arrive, swallowed hard, muttering softly in disbelief.
She'd been passing through Lumiose City with her Lucario, just in time for today's chaos.
When she'd heard the attackers were legendary Pokémon from Sinnoh, she had rushed in fully prepared for the worst.
Seeing Dialga and Palkia from afar, her heart had nearly stopped.
Yet, just as she'd drawn close, both Pokémon had suddenly been thrown forcibly back into the space-time rift.
Everything had happened too quickly for her to even process clearly.
Her communicator suddenly buzzed:
[You've seen Dialga and Palkia, right?]
[Stay away from them—don't even think about engaging those two in battle.]
The message was from Diantha.
Although far away, as Champion she still oversaw the situation.
Korrina stared at the message blankly.
How should I reply to this?
After thinking briefly, she finally typed:
[The crisis is resolved. Dialga and Palkia were…driven back into the space-time rift by someone.]
Far away in Alola, Diantha, gripping her communicator anxiously, stared at Korrina's message, a few question marks popping up above her head.
Driven…driven back into the rift?
...
Compared to the confused humans outside, the Twin Dragons' inner turmoil was far greater.
Their fury had peaked the instant someone dared interrupt their battle.
They'd even temporarily agreed to eliminate the intruders first, making them repent for their reckless interference.
But…
The instant Dialga and Palkia turned around, spotting that familiar Zoroark, that familiar Gardevoir…
And, worst of all, that all-too-familiar Giratina,
Both dragons felt a profound, existential despair descend upon them.
At that moment, they genuinely repented their recklessness.