April 21st, Wednesday. A clear spring day without a single wisp of cloud, the sky a pristine blue. Gazing past the low silvergrass, the shim
April 21st, Wednesday.
A clear spring day without a single wisp of cloud, the sky a pristine blue.
Gazing past the low silvergrass, the shimmering waters of Lake Verity came into view. A flock of Staravia flapped their wings overhead, while wild Gastrodon drank from the shore.
The scenery rushed by. After a brief tunnel, bright daylight filled the windows again.
Natsume sat on the streetcar, elbow propped on the windowsill, white headphones over his ears as he stared out the window.
Cynthia's voice came through the call.
"So, you're traveling to Eterna City soon?" she asked.
"Just passing through," Natsume said. "Thought I'd take in the sights around Mount Coronet."
"You didn't tell me in advance."
"Sorry." Natsume glanced at Marshadow emerging from the shadows. "It was a spur-of-the-moment decision."
"An impromptu trip?" Cynthia felt a little helpless.
"You could say that." Natsume chuckled. "Still busy with work?"
Cynthia tucked a wave of golden hair behind her ear, pausing before replying softly:
"Mostly monitoring active spacetime rift anomalies… So I might need to visit Celestic Town again to consult Grandmother."
"Give her my regards."
"Of course." She smiled.
Then, after a beat, she added, "The train from Sandgem Town stops at Floaroma Town along the way. It's famous for its flower fields and hills."
"I was planning to visit Floaroma Town," Natsume said. "Might find some high-quality honey there."
Gathering rare ingredients was a vital skill for any Trainer (scratch that)… chef.
"Besides honey," Cynthia said with a faint smile, "Floaroma's signature treasure is the Gracidea."
"Legend says the Mythical Pokémon Shaymin transformed the town's barren land into fertile meadows… The hills bloom with flowers of every color. The locals pray in gratitude for nature's blessing."
Her tone turned storyteller-soft. "Those who carry gratitude in their hearts can pluck Gracideas from the hills—symbols of thankfulness."
"Glad you mentioned that." Natsume took a deep breath.
"Hm?"
"I'll take a detour. Won't be passing through Floaroma after all."
"…" Cynthia rested a slender finger on her chin.
"I'll explain when I get back."
Natsume glanced beside him, where Marshadow and Gengar were squishing each other's cheeks, faces comically distorted.
"Gengar's about to start a brawl."
"Understood." Cynthia could picture it, her smile warming.
Ending the call, Natsume scanned the car—only an elderly couple dozed in their seats, oblivious.
Natsume quickly clamped a hand over both shadow Pokémon's heads.
If this continues, it feels like a big battle like [Shadow Punch Vs.Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike] will be staged!
"Marshadow!" Marshadow protested.
As the Trial Examiner, I must stay in the shadow closest to him!
"Gengar!" Gengar crossed its stubby arms defiantly.
Trying to steal my spot? Not a chance!
With that, Gengar executed a perfect dive, vanishing into the shadow behind Natsume.
Marshadow blinked, momentarily awestruck, then shook its head vigorously.
"Marshadow!" Marshadow glanced around before slipping into the shadow beneath Natsume's seat.
Natsume: "..."
I should be under the train, not inside it!
The old-fashioned train jolted slightly as a gentle announcement played.
"Next stop: Floaroma Town."
Outside the window stretched a vast, colorful flower field, where Grass-type Pokémon like Budew and Cherrim lived peacefully.
Natsume had no intention of getting off.
He'd deliberately left Gracidea at home… to avoid complications during the "Rainbow Trial."
After all, [Gracidea] was a key item—better to stay cautious.
An elderly couple rose unsteadily, leaning on their canes as they headed for the platform.
Natsume glanced around—no other Trainers in sight—so he sent Gengar to assist them.
As the train prepared to depart, Natsume watched through the window as the old man thanked Gengar.
Gengar grinned, scratching its head sheepishly.
Leaning against the windowsill, Natsume felt his mood lift—until he looked down and met Marshadow's glowing eyes.
Natsume: "What're you staring at?"
Marshadow: "Marshadow." (I think you're just trying to score points with the Examiner.)
Natsume scoffed lazily. "Think whatever you want."
If Ho-Oh were my Examiner, maybe. Besides, failing the "Rainbow Trial" isn't the end of the world—just gotta avoid Giratina.
When Gengar returned, it carried a small flower basket.
A token of gratitude and goodwill, Floaroma Town's specialty—
Gracidea.
Natsume: "..."
"Marshadow?" Marshadow tilted its head, puzzled by the Trainer's pained expression.
"Just… a bit of stomachache," Natsume muttered dryly.
Is Gracidea so common here that people just give it away?!
Gengar inspected the intricately woven basket, then pulled a vase from its pocket dimension—the one from home.
Comparing the two Gracidea, the ones in the vase seemed slightly more vibrant.
"Gengar!" Gengar beamed, offering the vase to Natsume. The dew-kissed Gracidea shimmered beautifully.
"It's expressing its thanks," Marshadow said.
Natsume: "..."
Deeply touched.
But why did you bring the Gracidea from home?! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
With a sigh, Natsume took the vase and placed it on the train's small table, resting his chin on his hand.
"So, we're heading straight to Mount Coronet?"
"Yes," Marshadow replied seriously. "The Rainbow Trial is the best way to set everything right."
Set everything right…
Natsume's mind flashed to the rampaging Temporal and Spatial Dragons over Alamos Town.
Arceus's impending revival had triggered Sinnoh's movie trilogy. "Setting things right" was indeed the perfect solution.
Natsume fell into thought.
If I recall, the conflict in "Giratina and the Sky Warrior" started when Dialga trespassed into Giratina's territory and used "Roar of Time" to trap it in the Reverse World, leading to Giratina's rampage and the ensuing misunderstandings.
But Natsume worried his presence might subtly alter the plot.
"At least Giratina's easier to reason with than those two idiot dragons."
Natsume mused, "If things escalate, I'll just talk Giratina down first!"
The train chugged along leisurely, still four or five hours from the final stop.
The small table before Natsume faced two empty seats, so he released Sylveon and Togepi from their Poké Balls.
While stroking Sylveon's snow-white fur, he watched Togepi play a game.
"Togepi doo-ee~" Togepi held a handheld console, its screen showing Togebo.
"Oh, so Togebo's your gaming buddy today?" Natsume remarked.
"Togebo!" Togebo clumsily operated the controller with its wings—a comical sight.
Not surprising… Gold's Togebo can even play pool with a cue.
After watching for a while, Natsume noticed Togepi's bad luck—it kept losing to Togebo in the item races.
Clearing his throat, Natsume looked away and checked the chat group, thinking:
"This… probably has nothing to do with me."
In the chat:
Gold complained, "Togebo won't give me the handheld console!"
Silver replied flatly, "It takes after you."
Gold gritted his teeth. Darn it… can't even argue!
Lucian, on a rare day off, was reading in Canalave City's library and even had time to chat.
"@Natsume-sensei, found some interesting archaic script journals. Want me to send them?" Lucian adjusted his glasses.
Steven chimed in, "Please send me a copy too. I'm curious."
Wallace teased, "Bet you're stuck on some excavation problem again!"
Steven responded with a meme, admitting it was true.
Lorelei watched the popular CP with a fangirl grin.
Flint, the newly joined Fire-type Elite Four, barged in:
"Taking Ash training today! Anyone wanna join?"
"Training?" Maylene asked.
"Yeah, heading to Mount Coronet's wilds!" Flint grinned. "Strong Wild Pokémon—perfect for leveling up!"
Ash's reckless energy amused him. Plus, Ash had reignited Volkner's fighting spirit, so Flint was happy to mentor him.
Breeding Prodigy (×) Grinder (√)
Blue Oak nodded. "Mount Coronet's like Mt. Silver in Kanto."
Ash's eyes burned with determination. "After this, I'm challenging Leader Volkner again!"
Lt. Surge smirked. "So you lost to him, rookie?"
"Yeah, but I gave it my all!" Ash laughed, scratching his head.
Lt. Surge rubbed his chin, baffled.
Weird… You wrecked my Vermilion Gym no problem.
Natsume stared at the chat, then gasped.
Oh no!
"W-which train are you two taking?!"
Standing on the platform, Natsume eyed the transfer sign, voice trembling.
"The one through Floaroma Town," Ash replied. "We'll pass the Gracidea fields!"
Natsume: "..."
Marshadow and Gengar peeked from the shadows, studying Natsume's conflicted yet still-handsome face.
"Marshadow?" (He seems upset?)
"Gengar! (￣▽￣)~" (Stomachache—his usual.*)
Natsume sighed.
Do I really have to travel with Ash?
"If we just go to Mount Coronet together and split up, it should be fine."
He reassured himself:
Ash hasn't met Shaymin yet, so the plot hasn't started… Maybe I'm overthinking this.
Then, noticing the shadow-dwelling specter, Natsume asked:
"Marshadow."
"Marshadow?" Its fiery gaze flickered.
"Can your shadow sneak-steal Nuggets from Wild Pokémon… for money?"
Marshadow: "..."
No way this guy's becoming the "Rainbow Hero"!
...
Sinnoh Region, Lake Valor
Departing from Sunyshore City, Ash and his group made their way toward Mount Coronet.
What kind of journey awaited him today?
"Pikachu?" Pikachu's ears twitched lightly as it stood on Ash's shoulder, glancing back curiously.
"What's wrong, Pikachu?" Ash asked.
"Pikachu." Pikachu shook its head.
"Probably just eager to show off in a wild battle!"
Flint threw a punch at the air, then grinned broadly. "By the way, Lake Valor's nearby. We can transfer trains there."
"Sounds good!" Ash said.
At that moment, an unseen ripple trembled through the air, making both Ash and Flint pause.
"Something feels... off," Ash muttered, scratching his head.
"Stay sharp, Ash."
Flint's smile faded, his expression turning serious.
"There's something you should know—a rumor about Sinnoh's fourth lake."
"Fourth lake?!" Ash's eyes widened. "But Sinnoh only has three!"
"I heard it from Lucian," Flint said with a frown. "Near Lake Valor, there's a lake that 'doesn't exist.'"
"They call it 'Sendoff Spring'—a gateway to the world's reverse side, the Reverse World."
Flint's voice lowered. "That's why it's nearly impossible to find in our world... unless..."
"Unless what?"
"Unless that big legendary makes a move."
Flint's brow furrowed. "Something huge is coming..."
...
Sinnoh Region, Sendoff Spring
The pristine lake lay shrouded in mist, as if detached from reality itself.
A small, green hedgehog-like creature timidly pushed through the tall reeds, its eyes darting nervously.
"Shaymin..."
I should leave... This place is dangerous, right?
Shaymin crept forward cautiously before suddenly perking up, its dark eyes gleaming.
Parting the reeds, it found itself before the tranquil lake.
Shaymin eagerly approached, dipping its head to drink from the mirror-like surface.
The moment it touched the water, ripples spread outward in concentric circles.
"Shaymin!" Shaymin flinched, curling into itself fearfully.
At the same instant—
The sky tore open.
A cobalt-blue Dialga surged through the rift, its Roar of Time withering the surrounding flora—yet the lake remained eerily undisturbed.
"Dialga!!"
Fresh from its escape in Alamos Town, Dialga emerged from the temporal rift, grumbling after a month lost in the river of time.
That brat! Ambushing me with the Red Chain!
If I ever see him again—no, better not.
Dialga shook its head, then paused, sensing something amiss as it peered down at the lake.
In an instant—
The water twisted into a massive vortex at its center.
A white-gold, six-legged Dragon-type with crimson-spiked wings shot out from the portal, sinking its fangs into Dialga's neck and dragging it into the Reverse World!
"Dialga—!!" Dialga's bellow was cut short as the portal sealed with an eerie shadowy glow.
Sendoff Spring returned to stillness, its surface smooth as glass once more.
"Shaymin...!" Shaymin scrambled backward in terror, fleeing as fast as its tiny legs could carry it.
Too scary! Gotta get away, right?!
...
Reverse World
The world's inverse—Giratina's domain.
At a glance, it mirrored reality, save for its distorted gravity, like streets suspended midair in Inception.
Countless bubbles floated through the Reverse World. When they popped, reality trembled in response.
A keen observer might've spotted Natsume walking atop a "mirror," beneath which hovered household appliances, snacks, and drinks...
Almost like something out of a horror movie.
"Dialga!!"
Dragged into this realm, Dialga had no time to marvel—it lunged at Giratina in retaliation.
But here, Giratina moved in its Origin Forme, its six ghostly ribbon-wings undulating as it evaded with eerie grace.
With a flick of its four golden spikes, Giratina pinned Dialga in place.
"Dialga!!" Dialga unleashed its Roar of Time.
Giratina's eyes burned crimson as it darted forward like a specter, dodging effortlessly.
The clash of Time and Antimatter shattered bubbles by the dozens.
The shockwave even reached the real world—
Sending Shaymin tumbling through the air, its small body erupting in radiant light—
Seed Flare!
Though Giratina controlled Sendoff Spring's gateway, Seed Flare could force it open.
In an instant, the lake's surface swirled into another vortex.
The exit reappeared.
Dialga bolted for freedom—Giratina hot on its tail—
Then Dialga whirled, unleashing another roar.
Time itself warped around Giratina, trapping it in a loop.
The portal snapped shut.
The Reverse World's ruler was now bound by Roar of Time, unable to escape on its own.
Helpless, it watched Dialga vanish.
Giratina drifted through its domain, its gaze darkening as it fixed on the fleeing Shaymin.
Then, with a slow flap of its phantom wings, it began to follow...
...
"Senior Flint, did you hear something?" Ash asked.
"Nah, you're just hearing things," Flint said loudly.
"Wait..." Ash's expression changed. "Could it be... that Giratina?!"
"Hey." Flint shot him a sidelong glance. "You think Legendary Pokémon just show up whenever you want?"
"Uh..." Ash scratched his cheek, hesitating.
The bushes rustled suddenly as a small, hedgehog-like creature burst out in a panic.
It crashed straight into Ash, then wobbled dizzily before collapsing backward.
When Flint got a clear look at the Pokémon, his eyes nearly popped out of his head.
"Th-this..." Flint stammered. "This is freaking Shaymin, isn't it?!"
"Shaymin?" Ash blinked in confusion.
"It's a Mythical Pokémon! Super rare!" Flint yelled.
Ash carefully picked up the dazed Shaymin, determination in his eyes. "We need to get it to a Pokémon Center first!"
Flint's face twisted in disbelief.
A Mythical Pokémon randomly charging out of the bushes was bizarre enough...
But knocking itself out by running into someone? That was like some old fable about waiting for prey to fall into your lap—just missing the Poké Ball part.
And the weirdest thing?
Ash wasn't even surprised!
"This is strange..."
Flint rubbed his chin. "When I tell Natsume-sensei about this later, he'll be just as shocked as I am."
Half an hour later, under Nurse Joy's care, Shaymin finally stirred awake and looked at Ash.
To everyone's surprise, Shaymin's telepathic voice echoed in their minds.
"Gotta get there, right?!"
"Get where?" Ash asked.
"There is there, right?!"
Joy smiled gently. "It's probably referring to the Gracidea fields."
"I've heard Shaymin migrate every year to the flower fields near Mount Coronet to reunite with their herd."
Ash nodded in understanding.
Looking at the tsundere-esque Shaymin, Ash grinned.
"Then let's take you there!"
Flint stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Should probably check in with Natsume-sensei first..."
After discussing, Ash uploaded a photo of Shaymin to the chat group and explained the situation.
"So," Ash said sheepishly, "if any Pokémon Doctors are around, it might help."
The ever-reliable Brock immediately volunteered to come to Sinnoh, expressing interest in Shaymin's habits and diet.
"Will Shaymin be okay on the way?" Yellow worried.
"Don't sweat it," Flint said confidently. "Natsume-sensei and I got this!"
"Even if Giratina shows up, we can handle it!" Flint declared boldly.
Natsume-sensei: "..."
Staring at the photo in the chat, Natsume turned to Marshadow with a grave expression.
"We're still heading to Mount Coronet, right?"
"Marshadow!" Marshadow nodded firmly.
"Can we... cancel the Rainbow Trial midway?" Natsume asked.
"Marshadow?" Marshadow tilted its head in confusion.
Natsume looked up at the sky, feeling inexplicably exhausted.
No escaping this... The entire Reverse World is Giratina's domain.
Might as well clear this dungeon now and save Moe-Moe! some trouble later.
Natsume let out a long sigh.
So in the end, it's two dungeons overlapping?
Why... Why does it always turn out like this...
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