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According to ancient legends, the entrance to the Dream World appeared at random intervals throughout history, and only a select few individuals possessed the ability to cross its threshold. Most who entered this mystical realm never returned, their remains eventually becoming nothing more than scattered bones across its ethereal landscape. Only an extraordinarily fortunate handful managed to escape with their lives intact. However, without exception, those rare survivors who successfully departed the Dream World would inevitably rise to become legendary figures whose names would echo throughout the world for generations to come.
The Dream World itself was renowned as a repository of unimaginable treasures and secrets beyond mortal comprehension.
"Could this truly be the Dream Castle?" Jacob whispered in awe.
Jacob and Nina craned their necks upward, gazing upon the magnificent European-style castle that towered before them, their expressions frozen in complete amazement. The structure radiated grandeur comparable to an emperor's most opulent palace, emanating a soft, otherworldly luminescence that seemed to pulse with mysterious energy. Stretching majestically from the castle's imposing gates was an elaborate staircase constructed entirely of pristine white jade, consisting of exactly one thousand individual steps.
The extensive stairway that lay before them resembled nothing less than a divine pathway leading directly to the heavenly realm itself.
Jacob found himself consumed with curiosity about the castle's origins, wondering which ancient architect or civilization could have possessed both the skill and resources necessary to construct such an extraordinary fortress within the Dream World's mystical boundaries.
"Would it be possible to use Teleport to transport us directly to the top?" Jacob inquired, studying the daunting thousand-step ascent with visible apprehension. He hoped that Alakazam might utilize its considerable psychic abilities to carry them safely over the seemingly endless staircase.
Alakazam shook its head with obvious regret. As they had approached closer to the castle's vicinity, the concentration of psychic energy in the surrounding atmosphere had grown increasingly dense and powerful. The very fabric of space near the castle had become completely sealed and impenetrable, rendering even Alakazam's advanced Teleport ability completely ineffective.
"I'm afraid we'll have to make the journey on foot," Jacob sighed with resignation. As he prepared to place his foot upon the first marble step, a sudden realization struck him – he still carried Indeedee's Pokemon Egg safely secured within his traveling backpack.
Since Indeedee belonged to the Normal and Psychic dual-type classification, and considering its exceptionally high potential rating, Jacob had made the careful decision not to leave Indeedee's Pokemon Egg in the Dragon Secret Realm for hatching. Instead, he had chosen to carry it with him during their travels for safekeeping. Similarly, Jacob also kept Scorbunny's Pokemon Egg safely stored in his bag for the same precautionary reasons.
The incredibly rich psychic energy that permeated their current surroundings was essentially equivalent to a naturally occurring energy nutrient solution of the highest quality – arguably superior to even the most advanced artificial energy formulations available through modern technology. If Hatenna's egg were to be exposed to this environment during its crucial hatching period, the benefits would undoubtedly be extraordinary and long-lasting.
With this revelation in mind, Jacob immediately retrieved Hatenna's egg from his backpack with careful hands. He observed with fascination as the surrounding psychic energy began flowing into the egg like a gentle, nourishing stream, continuously providing vital sustenance to the developing Pokemon within.
Simultaneously, Jacob made an astounding discovery regarding Hatenna's potential assessment. The qualification rating had mysteriously transformed from the standard "King level" to "Champion level (Growing)" – a change that filled him with tremendous excitement and anticipation. His instincts had been correct; this secret realm was indeed overflowing with incredible opportunities and priceless treasures waiting to be discovered.
Nina observed Jacob's careful actions with interest, also focusing her attention on Hatenna's egg. As she watched the continuous gathering of psychic energy around the egg, she couldn't help but comment thoughtfully, "If we manage to remain within the Dream Castle for an extended period, your Hatenna's potential could very well develop to truly extraordinary levels."
Jacob nodded in agreement, working to suppress the growing excitement building within his chest as he gazed upward at the imposing staircase that awaited their ascent.
Indeed, while this mysterious secret realm presented numerous dangerous challenges and unknown threats, it simultaneously offered countless remarkable opportunities for growth and discovery. It was little wonder that so many ambitious trainers and adventurers were drawn to enter secret realms like moths irresistibly attracted to flame, despite the obvious risks involved.
"Come on," Jacob said with determination, "let's begin our ascent."
Jacob placed his foot carefully upon the first white jade step. The moment his boot made contact with the smooth marble surface, he experienced an overwhelming sensation of profound reverence washing over his entire being, accompanied by an almost irresistible urge to kneel in worship.
At precisely the same moment, he became acutely aware of an invisible presence observing him from somewhere high above, as though a divine entity was gazing down upon a mere mortal with ancient, all-seeing eyes. Fear of potential danger prevented him from looking directly upward, but this extraordinary sensation lasted only a brief moment before vanishing completely without a trace.
Jacob suddenly jerked his head upward but discovered absolutely nothing above them. Apart from the magnificent Dream Castle itself, there was no sign of any person or Pokemon anywhere in the vicinity. However, the deep, primal fear that had originated from the very depths of his soul moments earlier had been undeniably real and tangible, causing an instinctive creeping sensation to spread throughout his body, making him tremble involuntarily.
Could it have been Cresselia, the legendary Dream God Pokemon?
Jacob remained uncertain whether the experience had been merely an illusion or something far more significant. He glanced toward Nina, who stood beside him, and noticed that her entire body was also trembling slightly with barely contained fear. It was abundantly clear that she had experienced the exact same supernatural phenomenon.
The two trainers continued their careful ascent up the ancient staircase, and with each successive step they climbed, they felt another wave of otherworldly shivers emanating from the deepest recesses of their souls.
This profound experience led Jacob to contemplate whether genuine deities truly existed within their world – though of course, they would simply be extraordinarily powerful Pokemon with god-like abilities.
When Jacob and Nina had successfully climbed approximately fifteen steps up the white jade staircase, a devastatingly powerful Dark Pulse attack suddenly streaked toward them from a distant location with deadly intent.
"Protect!"
Alakazam moved with lightning speed, materializing directly in front of Jacob and Nina while raising a shimmering barrier of protective light to completely deflect the incoming Dark Pulse attack.
Jacob and Nina immediately turned their attention toward the direction from which the Dark Pulse had originated, and they spotted a mysterious figure – a person wearing an elaborate mask to conceal their identity.
The individual appeared tall and imposing, dressed in a black athletic jacket that hugged their frame, with distinctively short gray hair that stood out prominently against the dark fabric. They wore black sneakers that appeared well-suited for combat, and their face was completely hidden behind a golden mask that had been crafted to resemble a crying expression, with the Arabic numeral "12" clearly engraved in the upper right corner.
Standing loyally beside the masked figure was an Umbreon of obvious King-level strength and power. It was immediately apparent that this Dark-type Pokemon had been responsible for launching the previous Dark Pulse attack.
Jacob and Nina, recognizing the formidable King-level Umbreon before them, frantically searched through their mental databases of known trainers and criminals who might match the mysterious person's physical description, but no candidates came to mind who could definitively be identified as their current adversary.
"Jacob, I know exactly who you are," the person spoke with a voice that sounded distinctly hoarse and mechanical in nature. It was obvious they were utilizing some form of voice modulation device to prevent their true identity from being revealed. "You're the innovative trainer who invented that exclusive Z-Move technique."
"Who are you?" Jacob demanded, studying the masked figure with intense concentration while maintaining a serious, guarded expression.
"Don't worry about your safety – I fully intend to spare your life," the masked figure replied with a tone that carried distinctly cruel undertones. They shifted their gaze toward Nina's beautiful face and made a disturbing gesture of licking their lips. "However, that woman beside you will unfortunately have to die. It's entirely her own fault for venturing into a place where she clearly doesn't belong."
"Come out, Gardevoir, Arcanine, Greninja, and Dragonite!"
The mysterious person released five additional Pokemon from their Poke Balls, and without any exception, every single one of them possessed strength that exceeded the King level classification.
A powerful King-level Gardevoir took its position on the person's left side, while a formidable Semi-Champion level Greninja stood ready on their right. The King-level Umbreon remained positioned directly in front of its trainer, and a massive King-level Arcanine that stood over two meters in height loomed menacingly behind them. Finally, a Semi-Champion level Dragonite circled overhead through the air, completing their terrifying formation.
Such an utterly overwhelming lineup of powerful Pokemon was enough to crush the spirits of even the most experienced trainers.
Jacob possessed no other Pokemon besides his reliable King-level Alakazam, while Nina had only her King-level Kommo-o available for battle. Beads of nervous perspiration began forming on Jacob's forehead as his mind raced desperately, searching for any possible strategy that might help them escape from this seemingly impossible situation.
Mega Evolution? Perhaps his Dragon Z-Crystal?
Jacob shook his head internally with frustration and growing despair. Mega Evolution, while certainly powerful, was far from omnipotent in its capabilities. At best, it could potentially increase a Pokemon's combat effectiveness by approximately one level, but it definitely wouldn't provide sufficient power to match the overwhelming strength of the opponent standing before them. The same limitations applied to his Dragon Z-Crystal's potential effectiveness.
What other options could possibly be available to them?
Jacob felt a crushing wave of despair beginning to overwhelm his thoughts and emotions. He glanced back toward the imposing Dream Castle and found himself thinking of Cresselia, the legendary Dream God Pokemon. Was his only remaining solution to this desperate predicament to offer devout prayers to the divine entity that might dwell within the castle?
The thought of such helplessness filled him with bitter disappointment, and he smiled with grim resignation at the irony of their situation.
"You should continue up the stairs, Jacob," Nina said with remarkable calmness as she stepped forward to position herself protectively in front of him, once again placing herself between Jacob and danger.
Jacob observed Nina's determined back and felt an unexpected surge of deep emotion flowing through him. Then, with newfound resolve, he took a decisive step forward, moving to stand in front of Nina and assuming the role of her protector instead.
"Teacher Nina, there's an old saying that important things never happen more than three times," Jacob declared with growing confidence. "This marks the third occasion, and I absolutely refuse to allow you to protect me again this time."
As Jacob spoke these words with conviction, he raised a mysterious item high above his head, and suddenly an incredibly brilliant light burst forth with blinding intensity!
The object in his hand was a one-time use device known as the Time Machine – one of the rarest and most powerful items in existence.
The radiant light shone with the intensity of the sun itself. Jacob's consciousness, guided by the Poke Ball transmitted through the Time Machine's incredible power, was carried through the swirling torrent of time and space itself, until two distinct branches of possibility appeared clearly before his awareness.
One branch contained countless red orbs of pulsing light, each representing ancient species from prehistoric eras long forgotten.
The other branch displayed numerous golden orbs of shimmering light, each representing futuristic species from times yet to come!
"I must survive this!" Jacob's heart filled with powerful, overwhelming obsession and determination. He absolutely had to exert every possible effort to ensure their survival!
Jacob didn't concern himself with the specific color of the light orbs before him. He could readily accept either a red orb from the ancient timeline or a golden orb from the future – such distinctions were irrelevant to his current desperate circumstances. The only factor that truly mattered was identifying which light orb appeared to be the largest and most brilliantly illuminated!
Only the largest and brightest orb would contain the most powerful Pokemon available, and only such a magnificent creature would possess the strength necessary to save them from their current predicament!
"Go, Poke Ball!"
The Poke Ball transmitted by the Time Machine's incredible power aimed precisely at the largest and most luminous orb among all the choices available, emitting a focused red beam of capture energy to successfully claim it. Then the flow of time itself began to reverse its course, carrying Jacob's consciousness and the Poke Ball safely back through the turbulent torrent of temporal energy!
The brilliant light gradually dissipated, revealing a standard red and white Poke Ball that materialized directly before Jacob and Nina before dropping gently to the ground with a soft sound.