I thought I had seen it all in all my years of traversal and exploration. Then I was transported to Paldea, and it all changed. From the Naranja Academy to Area Zero, I was foolish enough again to believe I understood the world.
Now I'm left in the dark, feeling that bit smaller in an ever-expanding universe. Nothing here made sense. Floating platforms crumbling apart echoed on throughout the abyss. There were blends of twisted dimensions, floating platforms, and swirling vortexes. The landscape consisted of jagged cliffs, floating landmasses, and fragmented pieces of terrain suspended in mid-air. These fragments defy gravity, forming pathways and bridges stretching and contorting into different shapes.
"What am I even looking at?" I muttered, horrified. "Is this hell?"
"I had hoped never to return here again. The Distortion World is beyond any reasonable understanding, but what we do know is it's the home world of Giratina after Arceus banished him here." Cynthia explained, looking around. "But it feels different this time."
"Do you think it has something to do with Cyrus?"
Cynthia didn't respond, focusing on one point in particular. "Whatever it is, that wasn't there before."
Looking to where Cynthia was pointing, I saw a colossal tower drifting through the abyss, falling apart. It took me a moment to process it as I cleared my throat. "It looks like the tower from those stories Dawn showed me."
Nodding with me, Cynthia crossed her arms, concerned. "The Temporal Tower, at the top Dialga. If Dialga is here, that would explain many of the time disputes. It shouldn't be down here."
"Then what are we waiting for? If the legends are true, we need to save Dialga for the sake of the world."
****
There was no sign of Mars or the mysterious Cyrus I had heard little about. We had been climbing the tower for some time now with little sight of the top. Taking a quick breather, I leaned back, stretching. "It feels like we're just going on forever."
"It does seem like that, doesn't it? No matter how much we climb, it feels like no progress is being made." Cynthia returned cautiously. "Regardless, we cannot stop now."
"You're right..." I whisper as we continue to climb. I decided to ask the burning question I had for quite some time. "Cynthia, this Cyrus. What did he hope to achieve? Destroying this world and creating a new one... You'd have to be insane to attempt something like that without reason. What was his?"
Cynthia paused, glancing at me with a sigh. "I could never work out what was going through that man's head. Unlike anyone I had ever met, he was cold, malice, yet fair. He believed emotions like joy, depression and anger were a weakness that would be our undoing. Creating a new world was just to escape this one; if he had succeeded, his world would be void of emotion, ambition and hope. Just about everything that made us human."
"That sounds worse than just having no reason. How could anyone believe such a lack of feelings could fix our problems? Cyrus couldn't possibly think like that."
"I agree. To be misunderstood is quite possibly the worst outcome for anyone. I wanted to help Cyrus however I could. But ultimately, he chose his path, and there was no going back from that."
"If given the chance to confront Cyrus would you still try to save him knowing his mind is already made up?"
Pausing, Cynthia took a moment to think it over, giving just a one-word answer. "Yes."
"Volo would tell me tall tales about Giratina, legends on the distortion world and other worlds beyond. Like many of Hisui's legends, I always wrote it off as just that. A legend. The more I spend time here in Sinnoh, the more I think back to Hisui, back to home. Once we close these Time Distortion, does that mean my best way home vanishes too?"
"I couldn't imagine the sort of troubles you've gone through, Y/N, and while I would love to sit here and give you hope of returning home. But, you've got to be ready to accept that this might not be the way."
"Yeah," I mutter, deflated. "I've been disappointed once already. I can take it a second time."
A faint breeze brushed against my face making us both stop. "That's strange... There shouldn't be any weather in the Distortion world."
"Meaning, we're close to the top?"
"Must be. Dialga won't be an easy feat; we must work together to stand a chance."
"Two Champion trainers? What could go wrong?"
Climbing the last set of stairs, a voice shouting made us stop.
It was Mars.
"That's quite far enough. You did this last time, didn't you? The last time you were here when you ruined Cyrus' perfect plan." Mars snapped. "Not this time."
"Perfect plan?! How is genocide a perfect plan?!" I snap.
Cynthia quickly cuts me off, holding her hand up. "It's alright, Y/N. It's alright; what are you doing here, Mars? Where's Cyrus?"
Mars glared at Cynthia shaking her head. "I don't know. I haven't found him yet, but that doesn't mean anything. I know he's alive; he has to be. But that also means stopping you two from intervening any further."
"We're not threatening your plan, Mars. Can't you see that? We're here to help a hurt Pokemon. So let us pass, and we can help you find Cyrus together."
"That isn't how this is going to work." Mars snarled, holding the Pokeball Palkia resided in. "I'm getting Cyrus the revenge he deserves."
Taking half a step-down, Cynthia stopped me with a smile. "No, Y/N. We don't have time; I'll hold Mars as long as possible. After that, it's up to you to free Dialga and return the world to how it should be."
"But I- I understand. Thank you, Cynthia." I nod, running up the stairs.
Taking out her lipstick, Cynthia twisted it smirking. "Not many trainers get to see me go all out, Mars. So take it as you will but know this, we're about to have a mega of a time."
****
Reaching the top, I began to stumble, feeling the weight of raw power pressing down on me. Covering my eyes, I saw it in the distance—the Legendary Pokemon Dialga. The stories described it entirely. But it looked different, corrupted by the distortion world. The longer it stayed here, the worse things would get. The air crackled with electricity, and the ground trembled beneath my feet. My heart pounded with anticipation as I released my trusted Pokémon partners: Goodra, Liligant, and Shinx.
"Goodra, Liligant, Shinx, let's give it everything we've got!" I called out; my voice filled with determination. The Goodra's eyes gleamed with confidence, Liligant's petals rustled with excitement, and Shinx bared its tiny fangs, ready to prove its strength.
Primal Dialga towered above us, emanating an aura of immense power. Its red eyes glowed with an otherworldly intensity as it unleashed a roar that shook the very foundations of the battlefield. I could feel the pressure, but I wouldn't back down.
"Goodra, Dragon Pulse!" I commanded, pointing towards the imposing figure. Goodra released a brilliant energy beam that soared through the air, heading straight for Primal Dialga. The attack struck its mark, but Dialga only seemed mildly affected, shrugging off the damage with disdain.
"Liligant, use Sleep Powder!" I shouted, hoping to neutralize Primal Dialga's advantage. Liligant twirled gracefully, scattering a cloud of soothing spores towards Dialga. But the ancient Pokémon proved resilient, resisting the soporific effects with sheer willpower.
As the battle raged on, Shinx leapt into the fray. Its eyes sparkled with newfound determination as it faced off against Dialga. The time had come for Shinx to evolve to show its true potential. I could feel the energy surging through the air as Shinx's body transformed, growing more powerful. Luxio stood before me, radiating electricity and exuding confidence.
"Luxio, show Dialga what you're made of! Use Thunder Fang!" I exclaimed, urging Luxio to unleash its new abilities. The electric lion lunged at Dialga, jaws crackling with lightning. Its fangs sank deep into Dialga's metallic hide, sending a surge of electricity coursing through the ancient Pokémon's body. Dialga roared in pain, momentarily staggered by the powerful attack.
Seizing the opportunity, Goodra unleashed a devastating Dragon Pulse, and Liligant followed suit with a graceful Petal Dance. The combined assault hit Dialga with tremendous force, causing it to stagger and lose its footing. The mighty creature's defences were finally starting to crack.
"Keep it up, team! Luxio, use Thunderbolt!" I commanded, knowing that our victory was within reach. Luxio's electrified mane stood on end as it unleashed a massive bolt of lightning, surging towards Dialga with blinding speed. The attack crashed into Dialga, overwhelming its weakened defences. Dialga let out a final, collapsing it suddenly retaliated with its second wind.
Charging up, it unleashed an almighty Roar of Time Dialga burned through my entire team as Goodra, Liligant and Luxio all went down fainting. Eyes wide with horror, I began stumbling, calling back each of them.
"We were so close..."
Dialga's mighty roar made me fall back, fear sinking in as I struggled to come to my senses sending in my next Pokemon. Taking too long, Dialga's own attack began to rally, targeting me. All I could do was watch in absolute terror, expecting the worst, but out of nowhere, Garchomp came crashing in, striking Primal Dialga with an earth power. It quickly followed up with a dragon rush finishing what I couldn't.
Dialga screamed before collapsing the battle over. Taking several deep breaths, I was overwhelmed but grateful to be saved again. "Cynthia... You made it just in time. Is Ma-."
My words fell silent, disbelief washing over me. I didn't move, dazed. It wasn't Cynthia's Garchomp. "How are you here?"
"What are the chances? This must be fate laughing at me." Volo chuckled, approaching and staring me down. "Hello, Y/N, You're too late, 300 years too late."
To be continued...