"I never imagined that the battle I had been looking forward to would end up like this."
Al took a sip of tea and looked at the scene before him with a hint of resignation.
At first, he had thought that these two individuals he had been rooting for would at least put on an exciting battle. After all, at this level, even if they were in the void, they would still be powerful beings of the same realm.
But now it seemed that the two young ones simply couldn't let go.
"So your purpose for coming to this world was to cultivate another version of yourself?"
Across from him, a shadowy figure also stared intently.
Hearing this cynical tone, Al couldn't help but sigh.
"I ask you, Year the Supreme, why have you come to my humble temple? This world can't accommodate your power avatar."
"So I only sent a phantom."
The phantom figure across from him was naturally Year.
"I've been watching this play for so long, and the people who used to watch it with me have left. I'm bored, and I just happened to discover you, such an interesting fellow."
Year's welcome reached out from somewhere and took a sip from the phantom's wine cup.
Al had nothing to say in response.
After all, the figure before him was merely a phantom. Even now, he could destroy the phantom with a single wave of his hand. But as the saying goes… Al wasn't stupid. There was no need to provoke this Supreme Being of unknown origin just out of boredom.
"Don't avoid my question... it's not a big deal."
Year said teasingly.
Al smiled and said, "It's not that, I just feel that the me in this world is really like me."
Hearing this, Year nodded, "From a conceptual clone to breaking free again, you're really something."
Year wasn't just blowing smoke; after all, he'd only ever heard of one other case like this.
And that person had already achieved great success and was an old senior of Year's.
"Aren't you afraid that this method of cultivation might produce another backlasher? After all, when one of them faced off against their own self, they really went all out."
Year said with a sigh.
Actually, that person was fine in every way. It was just because of this incident that they were subjected to a barrage of criticism.
"It doesn't matter."
Al shook his head but didn't explain his reasoning.
Year didn't ask.
The two watched the flames rise, each lost in their own thoughts.
After a moment, seemingly unwilling to let the awkward silence linger, Al said, "Speaking of which, shouldn't I congratulate you in advance?"
"What's there to celebrate?"
Year said with a half-smile.
"After this turmoil, the company will truly become a top power... and because of your existence, the company will be able to sit back and enjoy its achievements."
Al smiled modestly, looking very polite.
But Year completely wiped the smile off his face.
"You must know that a power that merely reaps the rewards will never last. Though the company is gone, another one will soon emerge. The pie is getting smaller and smaller, and I don't think I'm the only one who can reach this level."
"I still advise you, Thousand-Armed God," Year said solemnly, "to stay out of these matters. For the sake of how well you treated her in the past."
"This has nothing to do with you, Supreme Being," Al said casually. "The tide of events is rolling in. Don't judge based on the few things you've investigated."
"As long as the company hasn't become a top-tier power, you won't be able to see the full picture."
"What about you? Your strength… why do you know more than I do?"
Year asked.
After a long silence, Al smiled and said, "Because I sold myself for a decent price."
————————————
The flames gradually dissipated, and Rope's figure emerged from the flames. It seemed relatively intact. After all, no matter how intense the flames were, they were Rope's own flames. Rope wouldn't do something as self-destructive as burning himself to the point of losing limbs.
On the other side, Arceus's figure also emerged.
Originally a gentle white like white porcelain, Arceus's body was now slightly yellowish, with some areas beginning to turn black.
Its once divine and sharp eyes were now unfocused and hazy.
After swaying in the air for a moment, Arceus seemed to regain its senses and once again fixed its sharp gaze on Rope.
Rope was startled and was about to squeeze out another attack. But in the next instant, Arceus fell straight toward the ground.
Rope was startled, then let out a long sigh of relief.
To be honest, if Arceus hadn't fallen yet and was still coming back to fight him, Rope felt he would definitely lose...
He was truly out of strength now.
So he too fell lifelessly from the air.
Among those watching Rope, many let out a gasp.
Falling from this height, even a small shard would turn into a real shard, and even a stinky mud would turn into real mud…
However, people like Whitley and Cynthia didn't seem worried at all… After all, they were familiar with Rope's basic abilities.
Hmph, as if trainers knew their Pokémon's moves…
Hoopa watched Rope's fall from below but paid no attention, simply opening a door and crawling inside.
Rope wasn't asleep; he was just too lazy to move.
Feeling the wind whistling past his ears, he seemed to sense the breath of freedom.
But though the joy had lasted longer, it was still fleeting.
So Rope soon reached the height where he was close to the ground.
In the next instant, Rope landed, transforming into a ball of flame that erupted outward in all directions.
The flames spread in various directions, but within moments, they coalesced once more, taking on Rope's form.
With the ability to transform into an elemental form, Rope's long-standing fear of heights was finally cured...
However, moments later, Rope spotted Hoopa carrying the unconscious Arceus over from the other side.
"Will Arceus take care of you first when he sees you like this?"
Rope couldn't help but laugh as he watched Hoopa's tactics toward his former boss.
Hoopa merely rolled his eyes at him.
"Hurry up; there's no time to waste."
Saying this, he carefully placed Arceus on the ground, as if afraid that his movements might wake him.
Rope struggled to his feet and took the purple Master Ball from Hoopa's hand.
Rope looked at Arceus: "From now on, we're allies. Please take care of me."
The ball was thrown onto Arceus's body. Arceus transformed into a red light and was absorbed into the ball.
The ball didn't move at all, but it emitted a crisp click.
Capture successful.