A vast, endless clash of dark red and blue-purple beams erupted!
Eternabeam vs. Roar of Time!
At that moment, it felt as if even the eardrums had gone completely deaf.
Roar of Time collided head-on with the largest of the six red beams, while the remaining five death-like crimson rays were already blazing toward their target.
Dialga's draconic pupils shrank in alarm, a chilling sense of imminent danger washing over it. A green protective barrier instantly materialized.
Protect —Activated!
BOOM!!!
Eternabeam struck Dialga, even with the protection of its green shield, and sent it crashing downward. The residual force blasted into the earth like a meteor strike.
The deafening explosion shook the heavens. The shockwaves roared outward like a hurricane. Countless trees rustled violently, and within the forest, innumerable Pokémon fled in terror, running desperately in all directions.
"Ahhh!"
At the summit of Mt. Michina, Sheena and the others were still frozen in awe when the raging wind gust slammed into them.
Without warning, a ferocious force swept in. Sheena, with her slender frame, didn't even have time to react before she was lifted off her feet by the storm, a sudden sensation of weightlessness overtaking her.
"Sheena!!"
Holding tightly to a stone pillar, Kevin cried out in panic.
At the critical moment, a Togekiss swooped in with its wings spread wide, catching Sheena just in time.
"Champion Cynthia, you saved me again."
Back on the ground, hiding behind Garchomp, Sheena's face was pale as she patted her chest in fright, deeply grateful to Cynthia beside her.
This was the second time Cynthia had saved her.
"There's no need for thanks. It was nothing… but…"
Cynthia shook her head gently with a faint smile. Her beautiful eyes then grew slightly worried as she looked into the distance.
Under the bombardment of the Eternabeam, the terrifying crimson light still filled the skies, and the incomparably immense energy continued to surge.
She didn't know if Dialga… could survive that attack.
Cynthia's elegant brows furrowed slightly. Just before the Eternabeam completely slammed into the earth, she had seen Dialga dragged down with it… which meant Dialga hadn't dodged the attack at all.
With an assault that terrifying—could Dialga possibly be unharmed?
---------------------------------------------
"Boss… should we retreat now…?"
Meanwhile, inside the ancient temple, Mars peered in horror at the red light in the distance and whispered to Cyrus, who stood beside him with a grim expression.
Right now, Cynthia and the others were completely distracted by the battle of legends. No one was paying attention to them.
Wasn't this the perfect chance to escape?
But before he could act, Mars noticed something strange—Cyrus didn't seem to hear a word he said. His eyes were locked onto the epicenter of the explosion.
"Boss?"
"Can you hear me?"
Mars looked completely baffled at the usually calm and collected Cyrus. What was going on? Was the blast earlier really so loud that the boss had gone deaf?
"Dialga… it can't lose!"
Cyrus completely ignored Mars's words. In his heart, there was only one thought echoing again and again.
That's the foundation of my ideals!
And now, right before his very eyes, Dialga was going to lose? Why!?
For as long as he could remember, his dream had been to find Dialga and Palkia, to use the power of the gods of time and space to destroy the existing world and recreate a brand-new, perfect ideal world.
But now…
Now, in front of his eyes, his dream was about to be shattered. Dialga might actually lose to that unknown skeletal monster?
What the hell kind of joke is this!?
If that's the case, then what has he been pursuing all these years? A farce?
The Dragon of Time can't even defeat some skeletal freak, and it dares talk about destroying the world?
Dialga, you garbage! Give me back my years of dedication, emotion, and time, you bastard!
-------------------------------------------------------
Time ticked by.
Finally, the lingering aftershocks of the Eternabeam faded. The dark vortex that had been shrouding the sky also began to slowly dissipate, and the sky returned to clear blue.
Eternatus, now reverted to its standard form, descended from the sky, floating silently in midair. Its white-spotted draconic eyes calmly observed the scene below.
However, Sheena and the others, who had just started to breathe a sigh of relief now that the attack was over, froze once again at the sight before them.
"The mountain… it's gone…"
Kevin, utterly dumbfounded, raised a trembling finger to point ahead. His voice was filled with disbelief and dread.
Because before them lay a vast, empty landscape.
Where there had once been a continuous stretch of mountain ranges—
Now, it was completely gone!
Or rather, not entirely gone, but a massive chunk had been obliterated, and what remained in its place was a pitch-black chasm.
Even Cynthia gasped sharply at this. A scene where the very environment was forcibly altered in the blink of an eye—that kind of visual impact was too overwhelming.
Clatter—
With a faint sound, Dialga shook off the rubble and debris that had fallen on it and slowly took flight again, breathing heavily as it stared across at Eternatus.
But it was clear Dialga was in poor condition—its body covered in wounds, its energy clearly depleted and spirit weakened.
The Eternabeam had dealt a massive blow.
Lucas's lips curled into a faint smile. He threw out a Poké Ball, and the elegant Dragonair appeared before him.
He then mounted Dragonair and began flying toward Dialga.
Cynthia and the others exchanged glances but did not stop him—nor did they follow.
"So, Dialga, what do you think? Eternatus' power isn't bad, right?"
Riding Dragonair to face Dialga directly, Lucas gave it a quick once-over before speaking with a relaxed smile.
The battle had already proven enough.
He bore no hatred toward Dialga. The fight was only to prove the worth of his power.
Now that Eternatus had completely gained the upper hand, there was no need to continue.
"Indeed… very strong."
After a brief silence, Dialga's deep voice echoed telepathically.
Strong is strong, weak is weak. Dialga wouldn't debase itself by saying insincere things just to save face.
This world is vast. Although it is the god of time, there are many legendary beings whose strength rivals its own.
"Such a powerful existence… and Rayquaza didn't intercept it?"
Dialga's draconic eyes locked on Eternatus. The ozone layer of this planet was guarded by Rayquaza and its kin.
In theory, a being as powerful as Eternatus should never have been allowed to remain unchecked here.
"Maybe it wasn't noticed. Who knows?"
Lucas shrugged. After all, the world was huge. Even if Rayquaza's species was among the top-tier legends, there were only so many of them. An occasional oversight… was probably normal?
"Your power is surprising indeed. But human… I will never allow any being to tamper with time."
Dialga diverted the topic, its gaze shifting solemnly toward Lucas.
Even if this human possessed Eternatus, Dialga would not compromise its principles.
To travel back in time and change a past event? That was nothing more than a dream!
Though it appeared to be losing to Eternatus, the Temporal Corridor was its home turf! And if necessary…
If it truly came down to it, Dialga wouldn't hesitate to call on Palkia and Giratina for help!
Yes, it would be shameful… but better that than allowing a human to violate the laws of time!
"Tch… so stubborn. Can't you just make one exception?"
Lucas furrowed his brow slightly. He hadn't expected that even after proving his strength, Dialga remained completely unmoved.
"Absolutely not!"
Dialga raised its head, telepathic voice filled with unwavering resolve.
"Not even a little? I just want to go back to save two Pokémon."
"It doesn't matter who—it's a law!"
"Tch tch… Dialga, you really are a steel dragon. So cold-blooded."
"This has nothing to do with being cold-blooded!"
Dialga's expression twitched slightly.
Steel dragon, my ass! I'm only part Steel and part Dragon!
Besides, I maintain the entire flow of time across the world. The responsibility is immense. The world literally depends on me—and you're calling me cold-blooded!?
"The birth and death of life is destined by fate. Deliberately altering it—no one knows what kind of consequences might arise."
"You've already gained recognition from the legends. You have a brilliant future ahead of you, human. So, you, more than anyone, should understand what it means to protect the world!"
Dialga's deep voice rang out. This was already its limit—if not for this human's uniqueness, it wouldn't be offering so many explanations in the first place.
Lucas raised an eyebrow. It seemed that persuasion alone wasn't going to make Dialga budge. As for threats? Out of the question.
Though Dialga seemed to be no match for Eternatus, it still wielded the power of time. It could escape into another dimension at any moment. And more importantly…
Even if the Sinnoh trio often quarreled over small matters, when it came to real threats, they were always united. If Dialga were pushed too far, it would contact Palkia and Giratina.
Then it wouldn't be a one-on-one—it'd be a three-on-one beatdown against Eternatus.
"Arceus should be waking up soon, right?"
After a pause, Lucas asked Dialga.
Hearing this, Dialga looked at him in surprise.
He even knows about Arceus?
"Yes. The fluctuations at the Origin Point are growing stronger. Within two years, the Father God will undoubtedly awaken."
After a moment of silence, Dialga responded, its tone tinged with concern.
A thousand years ago, Arceus placed absolute trust in humanity, but that trust was betrayed with ruthless traps and attacks, leaving the unsuspecting god severely injured.
Now, a thousand years later, Arceus, filled with resentment, would surely seek vengeance on humanity.
"Two years, huh… You don't have a good solution yet, do you?"
"If I help you fight Arceus… would you grant me one opportunity to travel through time?"
Lucas's eyes gleamed slightly as he made his proposal to Dialga.
Although, recalling the scene from the original movie, Lucas now looked at Dialga with a strange expression.
After all, strictly speaking, Dialga is Arceus' child. But well… children grow up. Father and son, right? How touching.
"Father's power is beyond your imagination. Don't be so naive, human."
Dialga chuckled. Did he really think that suppressing it was enough to challenge Arceus?
If Arceus were only that strong, would the Sinnoh trio be this worried?
"No one questions the might of the Creator. But one more ally means one more chance, right?"
Lucas shrugged. Arceus could solo the Sinnoh trio effortlessly—its terrifying power was beyond dispute.
But there were still two years.
"Arceus' hatred comes from humans. So, the only way to resolve that hatred… is also through humans. Isn't it worth trying?"
"And you… you're the god of time."
"If Arceus really loses control when the time comes, you can send me back to the past. Let me change the original cause of the tragedy—and by doing that, change the outcome. What do you think?"
Lucas smiled slowly as he spoke to Dialga.
He was right.
Dialga might say no being would ever be allowed to alter time—but if even Arceus couldn't be stopped…
Then the only option was to go back a thousand years, and fix the root cause to prevent the future catastrophe.
Dialga froze at his words.
And fell into deep contemplation.
He… had never thought about it that way.
Now that he did, it actually seemed… kind of viable?
------------------------------------------
Legend has it that amidst chaos and swirling waves of energy, an egg appeared. That egg hatched into Arceus, who then created the universe.
Fragments of its creation became elemental plates, granting all things their powers.
Later, Arceus created Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina, appointing them to govern Time, Space, and Antimatter, respectively.
It then created Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf, bestowing knowledge, emotion, and will to all life in the Pokémon world.
Thus, the world of Pokémon was formed. Once matter and spirit had been set in motion, Arceus fell into slumber at the Origin.
This is the myth of Sinnoh's creation.
Arceus' power surpasses all. It is the origin and the one true supreme being of this world.
But a thousand years ago, humanity used Arceus' total trust against it, setting a trap and gravely wounding the unguarded god.
When Dialga learned of this, it was completely stunned.
They dared to harm Father!? Do they have a death wish!?
But no matter what, the deed was done. What mattered now… was how to quell Arceus' fury.
"Do we really have to use time…?"
(End of Chapter)