Underground, Mt. Rose.
The rampaging chaos of the Pokémon subsided. The immense power of the Yellow Crystal swept away those radio waves; the Giant King stopped moving, and the signal lights ceased flickering.
The frenzied Pokémon around them regained consciousness. But after their power had been forcibly heightened, what followed was extreme exhaustion. Even the Pokémon of the Elite Four were no exception.
"Ugh! H-how could it fail?! Colress's machine always breaks at the most critical moment!"
Smura frowned deeply, clutching the device in his hand with rage. He didn't understand what had just happened.
That enormous golden light had left an afterimage in his eyes. As he looked at the weakened Pokémon, Smura suddenly froze, for a pain unlike anything he had ever felt welled up from his heart.
"Urgh… my chest… why does my heart ache so much?!"
Smura knew something was wrong. He tried to leave at once, calling out to the darkness.
"Chandelure, Overheat!"
Shauntal's crystalline Chandelure appeared suddenly. The ghostly lanterns flared, spraying searing spectral fire. Smura was engulfed in a sea of flames and let out a horrified cry. But fortunately, one of the Shadow Triad appeared just in time. Binding Shauntal in place, he teleported away with Smura.
All that remained was Colress's damaged prototype machine.
"Tch, what a shame—he got away!"
Marshal huffed heavily. Beside him lay a pile of unconscious Pokémon—this Fighting-type Elite Four member had subdued a great number of the berserk Pokémon with his own strength, beating them until they lost the will to fight.
"What was that just now? My body suddenly wouldn't move… was that Psychic power?"
Shauntal frowned slightly. As a member of the Elite Four, watching a troublemaker escape right before her eyes left her feeling extremely dissatisfied. She wasn't the type who enjoyed battle, but… this was humiliating.
"The Shadow Triad are psychics who possess both restraining abilities and teleportation. They're the Plasma Team's core cadres," Hikaru explained. "If we want to prevent them from escaping… Lady Caitlin should be able to do it, right?"
Caitlin's powers included clairvoyance, brainwave links, explosions, precognition, and teleportation. But in the Special manga, even she couldn't track the Shadow Triad's movements.
Still, if it came down to tearing down buildings with her bare hands, Hikaru was certain this noble lady would never lose.
"Lady Shauntal, these Pokémon are dangerously weak! They need treatment!"
Skyla was examining the collapsed Pokémon. Sensitive to the fragility of life, she could sense that many had overdrawn their vitality—their very life force was on the verge of collapse.
She quickly pulled out some Revives, but after glancing at the meager number, realized it wouldn't be nearly enough.
"Use this."
Hikaru came to her side and handed over Emergency Jelly.
"No one carries that many Revives. In times like this, specially prepared medicines come in handy."
"They're recovering!" Skyla looked at the Mandibuzz in her arms. After taking the special medicine, the faint, dying life force rekindled, its eyes opened, and it let out a relieved coo.
Hikaru had many medicines; he handed some to Skyla so she could treat the weakened Pokémon who had gone berserk.
Looking around, he noticed—
His own Pokémon were sprawled across the ground, completely spent.
Soul-battles consumed spirit, not flesh. Their bodies had taken damage during the earlier fights and were in desperate need of healing.
Hikaru pulled out potions from his bag and began treating his injured partners.
His Herdier and Larvesta leaned against Torterra, chewing berries and swallowing Revival Herbs, sometimes biting into an Energy Root.
Aegislash and Lilligant absorbed the energy of Revival Herbs and berries.
Walking Wake lolled its tongue, its large head rumbling with a low growl.
Hungry—that was what it meant.
But Energy Roots and Revival Herbs were far too bitter; it didn't want to eat them.
Torterra, on the other hand, kept growing plants to heal everyone!
"Relax, I've still got Pokéblocks!"
"Seriously, are you all treating Torterra like a Pokémon Center? Is this thing a supply depot?!"
The Revival Herbs growing on Torterra's back attracted other weakened Pokémon. They gathered of their own accord, chewing the leaves and slowly regaining their stamina.
At that moment, Torterra really was like a moving Pokémon Center. With the blessings of several forests augmenting him, so long as there was natural energy, Revival Herbs could be endlessly supplied.
As for the humans, Mr. Vardo and N weren't here.
Vardo wasn't present because he hadn't been pulled into the spirit world. But Teacher N…
Still, Hikaru could feel N's soul. It was a mysterious sensation. Then Azelf's voice resounded in his heart:
[Do not worry. That one has returned to the Celestial Tower. He has already departed!]
Hikaru started, then nodded softly.
So it had been Azelf's power that transported them here.
"Colress's machine…" Hikaru retrieved the strange device, and text appeared in his vision.
[Item: Colress Machine (Prototype #99)]
[Description: A special device capable of forcibly awakening a Pokémon's abilities. However, being a prototype, it is incomplete.]
[Effect: Trial Product #99, deemed a failure. It excessively induces berserk states in Pokémon and drains their life force.]
[Note: By analyzing this device, special powerful equipment can be crafted—]
[Craftable Items: Wave-Canceling Device (Anti-Colress Machine), Galactic G-109 SP Radar, Pokémon Control Gun, Anti-Pokémon Control Gun, Aura Scanner.]
[Machines related to controlling Pokémon work by burdening their minds with special radio waves, pushing them into a battle-ready state and raising their power to the limit—but at the cost of harming the Pokémon themselves.]
The Yellow Crystal's voice rang out.
[Modern human technology is nothing but petty tricks. Beneath the radiance of crystal power, these machines are no more than heaps of scrap!]
Ancient spirits looked down upon modern creations. In the Pokémon world, this was surprisingly common.
Ancient mystical sciences were enough to spawn entire movies on their own, while modern tech merely gave villains fancy gadgets and capture devices—yet when faced with mysterious ancient sciences, they crumbled instantly.
"Even though I've heard it before, a talking crystal still gives me a jolt."
Hikaru tried speaking with the Yellow Crystal: "The Blue Crystal has helped me many times, but it never spoke to me. So… are you the soul of the Yellow Prince?"
[I am only a fragment of the prince's soul.] The Yellow Crystal's voice was airy and songlike. [Friend, you are special. Perhaps you can help us fulfill our wish.]
[The Blue Crystal says you know of Almia's ancient legends—our story?]
[The Blue Crystal does not speak to you because it does not wish to burden others with such a wretched tale. It also fears you may be tempted by the Dark Crystal, a dangerous thing. Only one chosen by destiny can erase its power. That is why it entrusts itself to fate.]
[But I do not believe in such things. Long ago, when I traveled alone to the desert, I knew then: I must resist destiny and make amends for past mistakes.]
[Long ago, our scheming and struggles for power threw the kingdom into chaos. The king grew wrathful and exiled me and the red-haired one, while the blue-haired remained. Later, the greed of men swirled like a vortex, staining the king's heart and soul black…]
[You still have duties here. Once you are done, if you are willing, please come to Almia.]
[You are a craftsman of tools, a seeker of rare materials. And nothing in this world is more precious than our primal stones.]
The Yellow Crystal's voice faded, as though falling silent, though it still glowed faintly, seeming to commune with the Blue Crystal, deliberately avoiding Hikaru.
Bzzz—
The call of Regigigas drew Hikaru's attention.
The Legendary Giant King stood before him, fully awakened from confusion, its gaze fixed upon Hikaru.
[The dragon has been driven back. The task is complete.]
[Ancient king, bearer of the key—you still lack strength.]
The strange protrusions on Regigigas's body lit up.
[By the old covenant, I shall bond with you and grant you the Heart of the Giant!]
———
"Boss Clay! We were just about to ask you—what's the deal with this gigantic Pokémon? Why did all the Pokémon here suddenly go mad?"
"Just now, when we were in the Spirit World, it appeared out of nowhere and punched down that legendary dragon!"
Shauntal recounted excitedly what had happened. Watching Hikaru establish a connection with Regigigas made her heart race with exhilaration.
Too fascinating, too beautiful! The materials she and the shopkeeper had encountered along the journey were countless!
"The battle at Celestial Tower, the Spirit World, the silver-blue dragon, the twin gods of wind and thunder, the legendary giant… this is a literal bargain sale of Legendary Pokémon!"
Boss Clay scratched his head in disbelief.
"The Spirit World… you're telling me a dragon dragged you there? Fine!"
"If it were the old me, I'd laugh at the notion. But after everything in the Ancient Castle, I don't doubt it one bit now!"
"Especially since it involves that guy. If he's in the picture, weird things happening are par for the course!"
"That giant called us earlier. By your account, it was when the stars appeared—just as a twisted black gate opened here. It simply walked out from behind that wall, vanished, and in the next moment returned here with you!"
"What do you think, Marshal?"
Clay turned to Marshal. The earnest Fighting-type master wore a resolute look.
"I am a warrior. I do not understand these mystical things. As long as no disaster occurs, that is enough."
"However…" Marshal's expression turned serious, his gaze locking onto Hikaru's back.
"A strong one… an absolute strong one! I don't just mean his qualities as a Trainer—his body itself gives me the sense of unshakable strength!"
"Now that you mention it, Mr. Hikaru is indeed very strong!" Skyla added. "Maybe he's a martial artist?"
Marshal grunted. "A martial artist, eh… a young prodigy of the fighting arts. Not unheard of. Just the other day I received a letter of recommendation—a young karate genius from Galar wants to come train with me."
A faint smile tugged at his lips. "And that giant… it's incredible. I don't know what it is, but it must be a Legendary Pokémon!"
Shauntal pushed her glasses up. "You don't even know what it is, yet you call it a legend?"
Marshal waved his big hand. "Don't sweat the details! Sometimes not knowing the legend makes it a legend in itself!"
Shauntal gave him a sidelong glance and whispered: "Weren't you saying earlier that you wanted to thank the maker of that special medicine? That shopkeeper over there—he's the one."
"And he's also the one who commissioned the search for Champion Alder."
Marshal froze.
"So it was him… the one who freed Master Alder from the storm of public opinion, who turned aside Plasma's attacks… all thanks to those special medicines sent from afar!"
As Alder's disciple, Marshal was deeply grateful to the man who had crafted those medicines. He never expected that person to be standing before him now!
And he had just quelled the chaos of the Giant King and the Pokémon!
"Hmm… so he's a martial artist. Martial artists like Fighting-type TMs or Black Belts? That feels a bit plain…"
"Wait, I've also collected martial arts manuals from all over the world. If I give him those as thanks… yes, and add some TMs too!"
Marshal began muttering to himself.
It was a personal debt of gratitude, and he had to give something valuable and meaningful in return!
And besides, if he really was a martial artist… then Marshal's instincts as a warrior were igniting!
He wanted to spar with him personally!
Ah right—there was a venue for that!
At the end of this very year!
That was why that martial arts prodigy from Galar was coming too!
———
On the other side, Hikaru received the battle settlement rewards.
Azelf had already departed, but it left behind a strand of power, a force that could strengthen the emotions between him and his Pokémon.
[The stronger the emotions, the greater the power they manifest. Different emotions grant different strengths. Use them wisely!]
[Although the arrival of the silver-blue Giratina was unexpected, the distortion here has been repaired. A new Griseous Orb has been born, and it has become your friend. Another crest has appeared upon your hand… and now, two remain!]
Azelf's voice faded away.
On Hikaru's other hand appeared another crest. When not in use, it would remain hidden. Unlike Giratina's crest, this new one from the silver-blue dragon shone a pale silver-white.
Within his soul, Giratina's dissatisfied growl echoed.
What "heavenly god from another realm"? Wasn't it still defeated by its own chosen partner? And worst of all—it even tried to steal away its contractor?
Your crest is the most useless! Giratina was very unhappy!
Still, within the Distortion World it praised Hikaru, admitting that the battle had shown the dignity of their universe, brimming with spirit, bringing no shame!
This way, when Arceus faced its other fragments, it too would feel honored!
"You actually know how to save face for your father… but Arceus probably doesn't care. By the way… is the Arceus of another universe golden?"
[Mission complete!]
[Rewards: Release Orbs ×15, Seeker's Conviction ×1, King's Proof ×1, Fiery Soul, Soul Liberation!]
[Seeker's Conviction: Projects one's beliefs onto their Pokémon, allowing them to inherit part of their fallen comrades' strength, and doubling the activation chance of move side-effects!]
[Fiery Soul: Your medium powers have increased massively! Title obtained: Master Medium! You can call upon the power of souls through prayer, drawing upon the emotions of humans and Pokémon alike to strengthen yourself and your partners. When in dire straits, indomitable soul force will surge dramatically!]
[Note: This is the power of an ancient grand medium!]
[Soul Liberation: You can expand your soul's limit and unlock its shackles. By resonating with your Pokémon, your soul can unleash unimaginable power; you can awaken wandering spirits, shielding them from malice in the material world, and open a passage into the Spirit World, safely guiding them there.]
[Note: This is a gift of power from the Celestial Tower!]
[C-Device Skin (1): A skin usable on the C-Device. Completing a special world event records it once, possibly capturing unique signals. Recorded: "Silver-blue Giratina"! Usable Skill: Spirit World Signal—boosts spirit training efficiency, allowing the C-Device to receive and transmit signals from the Spirit World.]
[You have learned the legendary music: "Starlight Requiem (Imitation)"—which can be taught to Giratina!]
The stronger the emotions, the stronger the soul, and the stronger the soul, the greater the power!
Fiery Soul, Soul Liberation, Spirit World signals… an ancient master medium—don't tell me this person was called Atum?
"Thank you, Azelf, and the Tree of Connection. This is truly useful!"
Being a medium had been his very first profession. Now, he had essentially reached the pinnacle of his field!
Hikaru thought of Hoenn's Elite Four member Phoebe. She must be at the level of a grand medium—able to communicate with the Spirit World, escort the dead, perhaps even freely travel between the worlds of the living and the spirits.
In later generations, even among Ghost-type masters, it was rare to find anyone as extreme as Phoebe.
Shauntal, though also a Ghost-type Elite Four, was not a medium.
Now, it was Regigigas's turn.
The Giant King muttered in a tongue unintelligible to others, but perfectly clear to Hikaru.
The feelings and voice of the Giant King flowed into his heart.
[Long ago, the King of the Sun City made a covenant with us. The giants came into this world to help them face the great dragon from beyond the stars. But I failed.]
[The faith in the dragon replaced the faith in giants. Yet the people of the Sun City did not forget me… they built a colossal statue in the city and a gateway in the earth leading to the Moon Kingdom. By switching mechanisms between day and night, they could travel between worlds.]
[The three Pokémon I created guarded both the sunlit world and the moonlit world, the black world and the white world. Ordinarily, only by bringing them here could I be awakened.]
[But you are different. From you I sense the same aura as my creations. Have you met them before?]
"Regirock, Regice, Registeel… Giant King, there are other rulers like you in this world. Did you know?"
If only one Regigigas existed, it would appear at the Snowpoint Temple.
But if a Regigigas appeared in Unova, then it meant these giants existed all across the world.
"In my homeland too, the three Regis appeared. They lived and worked with the ancients of Sinnoh. But after the people scattered, the three slumbered in their shrines. Now they have awakened, become my friends, and reside in the separate space I created."
[So that is how it is… but aside from that, there is another.] Regigigas pointed to the pendant hanging on Hikaru's chest.
The Yellow Crystal glowed with soft waves of light.
[The owner of this crystal once shared the friendship of my kin as well. You are the one chosen by this shard. But this is no primal stone—only a fragment. You should seek out the true original.]
With a sigh, Regigigas spoke:
[We dragged the continents of the world, shaping them into separate regions. Then we settled upon them, injecting our power into the earth. That was how we lost the colossal strength once used to shift the continents.]
[This mountain is a fragment of land torn from a continent known as Hoenn. That land was among the world's first. Groudon, the continent beast, raised volcanoes and land; Kyogre, the sea beast, filled the oceans. We were the ones who moved them into place.]
[It has been long since my kin last saw one another. Each left shrines in their own lands, did they not?]
And if the giants spoke with one another, what would they say?
Perhaps they'd discuss the shrines they each guarded, or the state of their continents?
Regigigas sighed. [I sense one of my kin once fought in another land, and then fell… history forgotten on another continent… the Darkest Day.]
Hikaru thought to himself—oh damn.
"You knew the Regigigas of Galar?"
[Galar—that is the name humans gave that land. Yes, the Giant King there fought the alien dragon, and fell.]
Hikaru's eyes widened. "Another king who fought against a dragon."
The Eternatus incident?
The Regigigas of Galar fell at the Crown Tundra. The calamity brought by Eternatus robbed Calyrex of some of its memories. About three thousand years ago, Eternatus absorbed Galar's energy to sustain itself, causing the red light phenomenon.
That led to the Darkest Day. Nearby Pokémon underwent Dynamax and Gigantamax, nearly crazed, threatening to destroy Galar.
Perhaps that Giant King also went mad. In its frenzy, it too clashed with Eternatus… and collapsed in the Giant's Bed.
[The Regigigas of Snowpoint Temple was given a mission—a divine mission. All in this world was shaped by God. We dragged the continents, shaping the regions. At God's command we slumbered, then awakened to protect the world. Yet failure followed failure.]
[You were entrusted with destiny by the Ancient Castle. The souls of men chose you. So I too shall choose you.]
[Tell me—what has the world become now?]
Hikaru projected his memories into the Giant King, showing him the present day.
Ah… the world no longer needed the giants' help.
Time had moved on too quickly, while the giants' memories lingered in the distant past. Regigigas looked confused at this new age.
The Giant King was silent for a long while. At last, the strange signal-like protrusions on its body glowed once more.
[Humanity has carved out a new future. Whether the Sun Kingdom or the Sea Kingdom, they are now distant myths. Were there no victors in those ancient disputes?]
[So this is the "new world."]
[But I believe the history of mankind and Pokémon will not vanish so easily. You are the last king. Use this power to do something—leave behind traces of both us and yourself in the history of the new world.]
[By the ancient covenant, I grant you strength!]
Regigigas declared. Then Hikaru felt a surge of energy flood into his spirit!
[Obtained: Heart of the Giant!]
[Description: A unique power from Regigigas. The ability to charge Pokémon using natural energy. Regigigas used this power, through lava, glaciers, and stone, to shape unique Pokémon. Ancient humans, using this same power, created Baltoy and Claydol. Those who possess the Heart of the Giant can summon giants to aid them.]
[Craftable Items: Illusory Tablet, Spiral Tablet, Never-Melt Ice, Legendary Black Gold, Ancient Rock, Volcano Keystone.]
[Bonus: Your strength and constitution increase by 200%. You have mastered the power of the giant (Mega-Ton Punch).]
[Bonus! New Profession Unlocked: "Martial Artist"! (Fist Tablet enhances this class.)]
[You have comprehended the unique power: Qi—an aura-force only Fighting masters can perceive, projecting their fighting spirit outward.]
[Effect: Establishes extreme affinity with Fighting-type Pokémon, while also granting mastery of martial arts.]
[Martial Arts Secret (obtained via Craft): Scroll of One Strike – Piercing Scroll.]
[Description: A secret martial art from a faraway land, focused on defeating the foe in a single blow. By condensing Qi, it pierces the barriers of elemental energy. Martial Technique: "Bullet Breakthrough." When used as a Pokémon move, it has base power 120, ignores weaknesses, resistances, and any additional effects upon the opponent!]
[Craftable Item: Radiant Robe.]
[The Heart of the Giant resonated with your other powers, unlocking special crafting formulas.]
[Connection Modification Craft (S-): Enables different Pokémon to link powers. By nurturing/repairing/modifying them through natural energy flows, deep alterations can be made. May result in illegal traits or abilities. Consumes one Release Orb and other materials!]
[C-Device Skin (2): A skin usable on the C-Device. Completing a special world event records it once, possibly capturing unique signals. Recorded: "Regigigas, Giant King of Unova"! The C-Device can now receive signals from giants and send messages to them!]
An overwhelming flood of information poured into Hikaru's consciousness.
Martial arts. The power of giants. Special scrolls…
Qi! A Fighting-type energy. Not only Pokémon, but even humans could wield it through training! But only true martial arts masters could comprehend the power of Qi!
He felt currents of force surge within him—energy that had always been there, but unnoticed until now. With knowledge of Qi, the flow became clear.
Now that both his body and spirit had strengthened, Qi could be projected outward! Manifesting as overwhelming fighting aura—and the wind of fists!
And the Connection Modification Craft…
Hikaru had already considered trying to "repair" the Pillar King one day. But he hadn't expected that gaining the Heart of the Giant would help so much!
What was this—some kind of Pokémon modifier?
Well then—time for gratitude!
"Thank you for your gift. But after this—"
Hikaru suddenly proposed: "Would you like me to repair you?"
"You said you lost your strength because you infused it into the earth. Is Slow Start really the result of that? If I repair you, perhaps… that ability could vanish."
(End of Chapter)
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