When a player settled into the Pokémon world, it wasn't just their room that fused with this reality... everything they had acquired in the Infinite World came with them: the Pokémon Paradise, all purchased items, even the very fabric of their digital life.
Caleb set the sky of Pokémon Paradise to a starry night, then, he and Cynthia strolled through the grass, surrounded by the quiet hum of nature.
Wild Pokémon occasionally poked their heads out from the bushes, watching them with curious eyes. These were the ones Caleb had rescued from the burned-down Ilex forest during the Mythical Pokémon Contest Instance.
"Whenever I left you all before, I would come here to look at the stars," Caleb said softly, "Sometimes I would contemplate, wondering whether you were real; whether everything I've experienced was just a dream... In my old world, there were no Pokémon, only endless workdays and long-awaited days off that never seemed to come. Back then, I used to wish I could live in the Pokémon world. My understanding of life amounted to; work, earning money, and building a better future for the next generation… but I wasn't happy. That life felt awful. I thought I'd never experience pure joy."
Cynthia listened quietly. Sometimes, she felt that Caleb seemed like a child who'd been abandoned. Hesitantly, she asked, "Did you not have any family in that place?"
"I grew up in an orphanage," Caleb said with a small smile.
Cynthia fell silent.
Caleb went on, "Then I came here. I met Mimikyu, Dragonite, Lucario, and everyone else. I'm so grateful they've walked this path with me. I love this world where everyone is together. So, I want to make this place even better."
"I'll be with you," Cynthia said, hesitating for a moment before gently reaching out and firmly grasping Caleb's hand.
"It's time to go," Caleb nodded, giving her hand a return squeeze, "Let's protect this world together."
It sounded a bit corny, but the message was simple and clear.
They left Pokémon Paradise and returned to Pastoria City...
...
By now, Officer Jenny had received word from Kalos: "They've already sent people to Geosenge Town to stop Team Flare!"
Cynthia nodded, then turned to Caleb, asking, "Are you going?"
"I–" Caleb began, but was interrupted by shouts outside.
Officer Jenny frowned, "What's going on?"
The officer at the door didn't answer. He stared at the sky, murmuring, "That Pokémon is…"
No one liked cryptic answers, so the three of them stepped outside, only to freeze at the strange sight before them.
A deer-like Pokémon was riding on the back of a massive bird with lightning-like feathers, rapidly flying towards them.
Caleb was stunned, because he was looking at Xerneas standing on a huge Zapdos' back!
The bizarre scene naturally drew crowds from all over Pastoria. People rushed out as Zapdos descended slowly, landing gracefully. The Legendary Pokémon scanned the humans with a proud, majestic gaze.
Xerneas leapt down lightly and walked straight to Caleb under everyone's wide-eyed stares.
Caleb was baffled. He didn't know this world's Xerneas, and he wondered how a Legendary from Kalos even get all the way to Sinnoh.
>..Human… please help us!..< Xerneas pleaded telepathically.
Caleb instantly sobered. He assumed this was about the crisis in Kalos.
"What happened?" he asked.
>..They have captured Yveltal and wounded Zygarde. I can feel their life forces fading. If this continues, the balance of nature will collapse!..<
*Boom!*
Thunder cracked, and rain began to pour.
Zapdos raised its head, staring solemnly at the sky.
"Don't worry. There are people already on their way to rescue them," Caleb reassured. He turned to Cynthia and asked, "Is Sinnoh safe now?"
Cyrus still hadn't been dealt with, but Cynthia didn't tell Caleb that. She shook her head and said, "I'll handle things here. You go!"
Caleb nodded, then reached for Dragonite's Poké Ball.
But Zapdos let out a sharp, impatient screech: >..Human! Stop dawdling! Don't waste time and just get on already!..<
Caleb: "…"
Xerneas had already hopped onto Zapdos's back and was now looking back at him expectantly.
With a twitching eye, Caleb climbed up, gripping Zapdos's glossy feathers as the whole city watched.
"I'm off!" he called to Cynthia.
Zapdos shot into the sky so fast, Caleb didn't even hear her reply.
Beneath him, Zapdos's feathers shimmered with raw Electric aura. More importantly, its size was enormous. Caleb guessed this wasn't just any Legendary, it was one with an actual divine role, unlike the Suicune that had once been captured in nets...
Zapdos flew at blinding speed, but Xerneas activated its Life Aura, wrapping Caleb in a protective field so he wouldn't be ripped away by the wind.
The distance between Sinnoh and Kalos was vast. So Caleb glanced at Xerneas and asked, "Why did you come to me?"
He didn't believe he was some chosen one just because he was now bound to this world.
Xerneas gazed at him and explained: >..You carry the blessing of another [me]..<
Both Yveltal and Xerneas were embodiments of nature itself. And those who gained their recognition were worthy of trust.
Caleb nodded in understanding, since he was indeed blessed by Xerneas in a different Instance long ago.
Xerneas added: >..And you carry the power of the forest..<
"This?" Caleb conjured a green orb of Viridian aura in his palm.
Xerneas nodded gently: >..This world favors you..<
Caleb got it. The world itself world was actively accepting him.
He looked down at the Zapdos serving as their transport and asked, "How did you two meet?"
Xerneas replied warmly: >..This one heard my call, and so came to help..<
Just then, Zapdos glanced southeast and said abruptly: >..The clash between land and sea has begun again..<
Xerneas: >..How many times is this now?..<
Zapdos: >..I've lost count. But it's been a long time since their last fight..<
Caleb: "…"
"Are you talking about Groudon and Kyogre?" he asked.
Xerneas hummed in affirmation.
Caleb's head spun with confusion...
'What now? Hoenn is in trouble too? Steven and Wallace should be able to handle it, right?'