In just a brief clash, three of Akari's strongest Pokémon had already fallen. Even in a weakened state, Palkia's power was still utterly overwhelming.
Thankfully, Akari's tactics had taken hold. Both Curse and Toxic had successfully afflicted Palkia.
"Return! Goodra—you're up next!"
Once again repeating her tactical cycle, Akari sent out her Hisuian Goodra.
Facing the awe-inspiring Space Deity of Sinnoh, Goodra's wide teary eyes pleaded pitifully, softening Palkia's Attack and Special Attack via the move Tearful Look.
But pity was not a luxury Palkia granted. In return came a Spatial Rend, less potent than before, but still terrifying.
"Protect! Shelter in!"
With an attack that could cleave space itself incoming, Goodra withdrew into the massive metallic shell on her tail. A green barrier shimmered over her as she used Protect and Shelter.
Spatial Rend collided with the shield. For two seconds, the forces contested—until Palkia's power triumphed. The shield shattered and slammed against Goodra's shell with an echoing metallic crash that rang throughout the temple.
Though grievously injured, Goodra had not fainted. Her immense durability kept her conscious, though barely.
Tearful Look, once again.
Palkia's power dropped further.
Still unmoved by the pitiful display, Palkia launched a Dragon Breath straight into Goodra's face, dealing a critical blow that finally knocked her out.
Unlike in the games, reality imposed no party size limit. Akari sent out her remaining Pokémon in waves—Kleavor, Hisuian Arcanine, and Decidueye—each stalling, weakening, and exhausting Palkia further.
After Typhlosion, her eighth Pokémon unleashed Infernal Parade and used Protect to endure a round, the mighty deity's intimidation factor had plummeted. Palkia was visibly fatigued, panting heavily.
For her ninth Pokémon, Akari chose Lucario. It unleashed Dragon Pulse from afar, scoring decent damage before finally being overwhelmed by Palkia's manipulation of space.
"Palkia's going down." Paul silently assessed from behind.
"It's all yours now, Samurott!"
For her final card, Akari summoned her starter.
"Secret Sword: Thousandfold Waves!"
Her Hisuian Samurott surged forward in a torrent of water, eyes solemn, twin blades drawn. In an instant, it closed the distance.
Palkia, nearly spent, summoned the last of its power. Space folded again as it tried to immobilize Samurott and counter with a devastating Spatial Rend.
But Samurott's eyes flared blue. Its mastery pierced the spatial bindings. A burst of energy propelled it past the incoming attack and its double shell-blades struck home.
"YAAAAH!"
With a final roar, Palkia collapsed.
"Go, Ultra Ball!"
Not even bothering to confirm if Palkia had fainted, the well-practiced Akari pulled out a special ball from who-knew-where and smashed it against Palkia's head. The motion flowed seamlessly into a capture.
Ding… ding… ding… — Click!
The Ultra Ball fell silent. The red glow faded.
Palkia—captured successfully!
"Yahaha!"
"What the—?!"
"You kill-stealed my boss!"
Samurott's eyes widened in disbelief. It had nearly achieved the mythical feat of "godslaying," only for Akari to steal the final blow.
"Hehe~ Sorry, force of habit. Couldn't help it!" Akari stuck out her tongue with a sheepish grin, scooping up the ball.
"Guess that counts as a mortal defeating a god, huh?"
Watching the scene, a faint smile crept across Paul's face. That phrase surfaced unbidden in his thoughts.
Not that he'd ever wanted to catch Palkia himself. He had more important things to do.
"Did… did you seriously just catch the deity of space?!" Irida finally snapped out of his shock.
"All thanks to the Lake Trio and that Red Chain." Akari started explaining, only to pause. "Wait, what?!"
"Where's the Red Chain?!" Adaman suddenly cried out, eyes wide.
Everyone turned.
The shattered fragments of the Red Chain that had scattered across the temple floor—were gone.
"Professor Laventon! Rei! You're here!"
Akari, proudly holding the Ultra Ball, turned and saw Laventon and Rei arriving, both smiling warmly.
"Incredible, Akari! I saw everything, from your brilliant tactics to the capture itself. You've made the Survey Corps proud!" said Laventon.
"Of course she did! She's my protégé!" Rei beamed, his face red with excitement. He looked like he was the one who had just caught Palkia.
Rei: We're amazing!
Akari did all the work, but I'll take partial credit anyway!
Akari laughed, but then blinked in confusion as her eyes landed on Paul.
"Hey, Paul—what's your Mysterious Pokémon doing?"
Paul wasn't paying attention to her. His gaze was locked on Mewtwo.
The Psychic-type was levitating shards of the Red Chain, a Poké Ball, and Origin Ore, seemingly in the middle of a mysterious process.
"Wait—what's the Red Chain doing with you?! What are you up to?!" Adaman shouted.
He'd only now realized Paul had quietly collected all the Red Chain fragments.
"Crafting a Poké Ball." Paul replied flatly.
Without elaborating, he tossed out all his Pokémon.
"Chaaah!"
"Vireee!"
"Ursaaah!"
...
Hisuian Samurott, Electivire, Ursaluna, Drapion, Garchomp, and Torterra all appeared in the temple.
None of them wasted a second. They immediately launched into movements—sword dances, pressure-point strikes, dramatic stances…
Each one solemn, focused, and moving as if preparing for the ultimate battle.
"Torterra. Life Dew. Heal everyone."
Paul ignored the surrounding stares—whether confused, wary, or awestruck—and gave his order.
"Raaaa!"
A radiant glow burst from Torterra, countless motes of life energy flowing into every Poké Ball in the room.
All Pokémon present began recovering stamina and status at a terrifying pace.
"Paul… what's coming next?" Akari asked.
"The deity you just caught isn't the only one Sinnoh reveres. Prepare every Pokémon. Full power. Boost all stats."
Paul's voice was steady and serious.
Palkia had only barely been brought down after being severely weakened by the Red Chain and drained by ten Pokémon.
If Dialga appeared especially in Origin Form, there would be no time to recover.
He wasn't counting on Palkia returning to full strength in time. Nor did he believe a rampaging Origin Form Dialga would just sit around politely waiting to be caught.
This wasn't a video game. An Origin Ball throw might not even connect, let alone succeed.
Best to end the crisis now.
Or retreat… and return when Palkia was ready.
Either way, they needed to be ready.
(End of Chapter)
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