After buying new clothes, Zayn and Xavier decided to head back to the Pokémon Center first.
"Hmm..." Zayn hummed, glancing at his watch—1:45 PM. He nodded decisively. "Okay! The exhibition's still a while away. Maybe we should go meet Rayne and Raizer first."
Xavier, who had been walking ahead, noticed Zayn checking the time and slowed down. "Hey Zayn? I want to ask you something. Just to be sure."
Zayn replied casually. "What do you want to ask?"
"If you know you're going to die at the museum tonight... why don't you just not go? Wouldn't that stop it from happening?"
Zayn answered with certainty. "You know what Rayne saw was just a glimpse of events, right?" He glanced at his watch again. "And you know we won't actually know anything until it happens. I've already told you that."
Xavier pressed. "So... you're still going to the museum?"
"Of course I am," Zayn replied without hesitation. "This exhibition only runs for a few days. I'd be losing a huge opportunity if I skipped it just because of some prediction."
Xavier's voice was quieter now. "So... aren't you afraid of dying?"
Zayn met his gaze. "I'm gambling tonight on whether that prediction is true or false. You could say I'm betting with death." A confident smile crossed his face. "And I'm sure I'm going to win."
Xavier said nothing more. He understood now—this was just how Zayn made his decisions. They continued walking toward the Pokémon Center, where Rayne and Raizer would meet them.
---
Meanwhile, at the museum, Xian and Alied had finally arrived outside the curator's office.
*BAM!*
The door swung open hard.
"We're here to conduct an interrogation," Alied announced, stepping inside. "I hope you'll cooperate so we can avoid any... damage to the premises. Mr. Alfred."
The man behind the desk turned to face them. Despite his age—his hair was streaked with gray—he still had the solid build of someone who had once been much more than a museum curator. His blue eyes were sharp and clear.
"I knew you'd come eventually," Alfred said calmly.
Alied and Xian stepped forward, displaying their badges.
"So," Xian began, "why exactly are you planning to exhibit an artifact like the Nexus Sapphire?" He studied Alfred's expression. "Isn't that dangerous?"
Alfred leaned back in his chair. "I planned to exhibit it because I thought it would be fascinating to display an artifact of such historical significance to the region. The public deserves to see it. Besides, this was also a request from the university."
Alied's eyes narrowed. "Isn't that risky? There could be parties interested in stealing it. Or worst-case scenario—someone might try to use it right there." He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "And how exactly did you get permission to exhibit such an artifact? Which university requested this?"
Alfred's confidence didn't waver. "You know the government wouldn't have granted me permission if I couldn't guarantee its safety. I've already arranged for specialized security to protect the artifact." He folded his hands on the desk. "As for the university—are you familiar with Viora City?"
The moment the name left Alfred's lips, Alied's eyes went wide. Xian slammed his fist on the desk.
"Are you forgetting the Alcrypna Incident?!"
Alfred didn't flinch. "Relax. That incident won't repeat itself." A pause. "I certainly hope it won't."
Xian's voice was hard. "I still don't trust this. Even with specialized security—you know this world has more than one criminal organization. And every single one of them would want an artifact like this."
Alfred's expression remained calm, almost serene. "Don't worry. I'm sure everything will be fine." He smiled slightly. "Besides, I've already prepared a backup plan in case someone does manage to steal it."
Alied leaned forward. "Where is the artifact now?"
"I've placed it in a Warp Box," Alfred answered. "It's currently in a special storage room in the basement."
The two agents exchanged a glance. They'd need to verify this themselves.
"Fine," Alied said finally. "For now, we'll consider this situation under control. But if there's another incident tonight, you will be held responsible."
They turned and left, heading toward the basement to check on the artifact themselves.
---
Across town, Raizer and Rayne had finally reached their battle arena.
"I'm going to prove that what I saw will happen," Rayne declared, her hand already reaching for Litwick's Pokéball.
Raizer crossed his arms. "It only happens if it actually happens."
They moved to opposite ends of the arena.
"Come out, Litwick!" Rayne tossed her Pokéball. The little candle Pokémon materialized on the field, its flame flickering with anticipation.
Rayne reached forward with her abilities, peering into the immediate future. She saw Raizer's choice and barely stifled a laugh.
Raizer selected his own Pokémon. "Alright. I choose you—Azumarill."
Rayne couldn't hold it back. "I didn't expect your Pokémon to be Azumarill," she managed. "It doesn't suit your style at all."
Raizer shrugged. "I don't care about style. I care about results."
The battle began.
"You can make the first move," Raizer offered.
Rayne didn't hesitate. She looked into the future, saw Azumarill's incoming Liquidation, and calculated her options.
*Will-O-Wisp? No—I see it disappearing. Shadow Ball? That could work, but it's risky. Better play it safe.*
"Litwick—Protect!"
A shimmering barrier appeared around the candle Pokémon.
Raizer watched her choice and immediately understood. *She's playing it safe. Afraid to take risks.*
His voice was calm. "Azumarill—Belly Drum."
Azumarill slammed its hands against its belly, the force of the blow echoing through the arena. Its attack power skyrocketed. Golden light flickered around it, and Rayne recognized healing energy.
She froze.
*This doesn't match what I saw. Why isn't it following my prediction?*
She reached forward again, trying to see further—
Seconds ahead. Azumarill launching Aqua Jet. Litwick going down. Defeat.
Her hands dropped to her sides.
"Azumarill—Aqua Jet."
Water exploded from Azumarill as it shot forward like a missile, slamming into Litwick with devastating force. The little candle Pokémon was hurled out of the arena, tumbling across the ground.
Rayne rushed to her partner's side. "I'm so sorry, Litwick. We lost."
She recalled the defeated Pokémon and stood, facing Raizer as he walked toward her.
"Honestly," Raizer said flatly, "you're kind of a terrible trainer."
Rayne's head snapped up, eyes blazing. "What do you mean by that?!"
"You're an Esper. Your fate might be determined, but that doesn't mean you have no freedom. And you're treating your Pokémon like it shares the same fixed destiny."
Rayne looked down at Litwick's Pokéball. Zayn's words echoed in her mind—*destiny is what's happening right now.*
She finally understood.
*I can see the future, but the future is never specific. Maybe he was right. Destiny is the present moment. The past and future are mysteries. And because they're mysteries... anything can happen.*
She took a deep breath. "I admit it. I lost."
Raizer nodded. "You seem to understand now. You can't rely entirely on your predictions. Besides—in all those stories, when characters learn their fate, they usually try to change it. Not just accept it."
Rayne managed a small smile. "I hate to admit it, but that actually makes sense."
Then her eyes went wide. "Oh no! I completely forgot!" She nearly jumped. "I have to go to Professor Miranda's lab to pick up my Rotomdex!"
Raizer sighed. "Alright. Let's go then."
They started walking. Raizer glanced at his watch—2:10 PM.
---
At the police station, Aron was deep in interrogation.
"So you're actually from a different organization than Genryumon, Darian," Aron said, studying his subject.
Darian's eyes widened. "How do you know that?!"
Aron calmly retrieved a file he'd prepared earlier. "You're from the Carnia Region. Nineteen years old. Went to Areon for university. You joined the New World Association." He closed the file and placed it back on the table.
Darian stared at him, genuinely shocked. "How do you know all that?! Are you some kind of stalker?!"
Aron's smile was thin. "I have many informants. That's basic information for me. If I wanted, I could tell you your home address, your parents' names, and your exact birth date."
Darian slumped slightly. "So... what do you want to ask?"
"I want to know who your teammates are," Aron said. "You weren't working alone."
Darian shook his head. "I don't know their names."
"Seriously?"
"What, you don't believe me? No one's stupid enough to give out their real names."
Aron made a mental note. *I forgot—in this world, everyone is too clever.*
"Then tell me—what is the New World Association's true goal?"
Darian looked genuinely confused. "Which branch of the New World Association? There are so many. Their goals are all fragmented."
Aron pulled out his Pokédex and activated his notes. "Tell me about those goals. All of them."
"I don't know about the others," Darian said slowly. "But my team leader's goal is to preserve every moment. To make them last forever."
Aron made a careful note. That explained the camera—it wasn't just a tool. It was the entire point.
A telepathic message from Ren reached him.
*Aron. I got the information. Fye Ling is after the Nexus Sapphire. Your guy probably wants the same thing.*
Aron turned back to Darian. "Your goal in this city—was it to obtain the Nexus Sapphire?"
"Yes. My team was sent to get it."
"Why?"
"I don't know. But our leader said it was the artifact most likely to work for his plan."
Aron raised an eyebrow. "Your leader seems to know a lot about artifacts."
"He was one of my professors at university. He knows things."
Aron stood. "That's enough. Thank you for not being difficult."
He left the room and headed straight for the computer station. He powered on a terminal and began compiling a list of potential suspects.
---
Meanwhile, Devon was still digging into the Nexus Sapphire's secrets.
"So that's how it works," he murmured.
Zero nodded. "It would be catastrophic if it fell into the wrong hands. I hope your people can protect it during the exhibition."
Devon frowned. "How did an artifact like this even end up in a public exhibition?"
Zero smiled knowingly. "An inside job, obviously. What else?"
Devon rubbed his temples. "That explains everything." He paused, a new realization settling in. "You know, I just realized something. In this world, space, time, dimensions, laws, stories, concepts... they're all just toys. Things to be played with."
"Exactly." Zero's expression was unreadable. "We can control everything. We have unlimited potential. And because of that..." He looked away. "We'll never be equal."
Devon stood. "Well. I have what I need now."
Zero waved his hand, and the dimensional space dissolved around them. Devon was back in the archive room, Zero already gone.
He pulled out his Pokédex and called Alied to share what he'd learned.
---
Meanwhile, Zero remained in his own dimension, staring at the endless data streams around him.
"This story has branched too much," he thought. "Too many threads running at once. I'll split it into two main narratives for now. Maybe it'll branch again later, but this should be enough for the moment."
The data continued to flow, endless and infinite, waiting to be shaped into whatever came next.