Unknowingly, half a year had passed since the Masters Tournament.
In the finals, Aiden easily secured victory using his main forces, still maintaining his undefeated legend.
Of course, what was perhaps even more talked about was how he suddenly bolted at the speed of light before the award ceremony, heading to Hammerlocke City and casually teaming up with Leon to resolve the "Darkest Day" legend.
The appearance of the Darkest Day triggered a series of upheavals in the Galar region, further implicating the Hammerlocke Energy Plant and a series of schemes orchestrated by the mastermind behind the scenes, Chairman Rose.
Ultimately, under the intervention of the International Police, the incident came to a close a month later.
Chairman Rose resigned to take responsibility, and Galar Champion Leon temporarily took over as the new Chairman until someone else could succeed him.
And that powerful "Darkest Day" was officially named [Eternatus] under Aiden's strong recommendation.
Because the energy it unconsciously released was the exact energy source for "Dynamax," the slumbering Eternatus was ultimately relocated underground in Hammerlocke City, with comprehensive countermeasures put in place.
Should Eternatus awaken again, clear chimes would ring out in the Slumbering Weald. When that time came, the "Kings" who had protected the Galar region twice would surely return, sending this old rival into another deep slumber.
At this point, the vast majority of regions in the Pokémon League had experienced some degree of turbulence, yet they weathered the crises almost entirely unscathed.
And all of this, everything, seemed to be credited to a legendary youth.
---
Celestic Town.
This inconspicuous town at the foot of Mt. Coronet seemed exceptionally bustling today.
The sky was cloudless, and the warm sunlight spilled over the nearby pond, coating the surroundings in a layer of golden radiance.
On the rustic country roads, "upper-class" figures in suits or gowns passed by from time to time.
Their footsteps were hurried, yet their directions were perfectly uniform.
"Hurry up! Today is the day Cynthia marries Teacher Azure!"
"Are you sure you didn't say that backwards, Flint—"
"Ah, don't worry about it, just run faster!"
"If Lucian hadn't dumped so much work on us, how could we have been delayed until now!"
Chuckling, the quartet jokingly dubbed "Diglett" by a certain Teacher Azure hurried toward the town center. They only breathed a sigh of relief after entering the temporarily built open-air venue.
"Phew, we finally made it!"
After finding a random corner to sit in, Flint looked around and was immediately shocked by Teacher Azure's network.
Leon, Mustard, Steven, Wallace, the Kanto Elite Four led by Lance, and all the elites of the Paldea League—
There was even Professor Oak, Professor Kukui, Professor Magnolia, Professor Sycamore, and Professor Rowan!
The old man sitting at the very front also looked a bit familiar—
Could that be Pokémon League President Goodshow???
It was one thing for Champions and Elite Four members from various regions around the world to be here—
But how come even these great seniors who were normally impossible to meet were here!
With their status as rookies, sitting in the back row was actually quite appropriate—
Chime—
Here it comes!
The bell rang from the back of the venue. The quartet, who had just sat down, subconsciously straightened their backs, quietly waiting for the ceremony to officially begin.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the first to appear was Aiden, wearing a pure white suit.
He was being "supported" by Garchomp as he walked up the steps, stopping in front of the wedding hall and turning around, silently waiting for the other newlywed to appear.
Why does Cynthia's Garchomp seem very unhappy today—
Aaron watched the interaction between Aiden and Garchomp, then quickly shook his head and looked back at Teacher Azure.
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
As the new World Champion and the widely recognized holder of the next "Battle Legend" title, Teacher Azure had uncharacteristically not remained active on the front lines during the half-year since the Masters Tournament.
Rumor had it that he had been living in Celestic Town all this time, taking a rare long vacation for himself.
Therefore, for many people present, this might be the first time in half a year they were seeing him again.
'Compared to half a year ago, why does Teacher Azure seem even more handsome now?'
'However, compared to me, he's still lacking a bit!'
Flint blinked, suppressing all his inner questions.
Following Aiden's arrival, a melodious and ethereal singing voice soon echoed from the chapel.
A humanoid Pokémon had appeared on the previously empty piano at some point. Its melodious, pleasant voice blended with the chimes, adding a touch of sacredness to the atmosphere.
Under the eager anticipation of the attending guests—
A beautiful silhouette stepped out from the archway.
The Sinnoh Champion, Miss Cynthia, who was always full of majesty on the battlefield, was currently wearing a pristine white wedding dress, her beautiful long golden hair cascading down her back like a waterfall.
By Cynthia's side was Aiden's elegant and cute Sylveon. It was doing its best to extend its ribbons, acting as arms to lead the way for today's bride.
'Oh, ooh—'
On the other side, as Cynthia walked past her, Caitlin subconsciously covered her mouth to stop herself from gasping.
Cynthia today seems ten thousand times more beautiful than usual!
Under everyone's gaze, Cynthia slowly stepped onto the stairs, walking step by step until she reached Aiden.
"Vee!"
After completing its mission, Sylveon let out a cheerful laugh and patted the seemingly slightly disgruntled Garchomp with its ribbons, signaling it to leave the stage together.
"Gar—"
Garchomp sighed, sweeping its complicated gaze over Aiden and Cynthia several times before following Sylveon off the stage.
Once both protagonists of the day reached the main stage, Meloetta's singing paused for a moment.
The next moment, a new, stirring melody came from backstage.
"Da da da da—!"
"It's the Wedding March—"
People consciously showed warm, auntie-like smiles and clapped along to the rhythm.
The wedding ceremony officially began.
There were no complicated formalities, not even a proper officiant.
Aiden merely exchanged a glance with Cynthia, then slowly dropped to one knee, taking out the ornate box he had long prepared.
A pink diamond ring embedded with a diamond of eternity was taken into his palm.
"Diancie's diamond is a symbol of eternity."
Aiden spoke slowly, raising his eyes to meet the gaze of Cynthia, who was smiling down at him.
"Sinnoh has always had an old saying: 'Memories are pearls, and friendship is diamonds.'"
"I think love, too, can be an eternal diamond."
Encouraged by Cynthia's gaze, Aiden slowly raised his arm, gently holding her extended right hand.
"I love you, Cynthia."
Aiden's eyes were firm, sharing his innermost thoughts with his lover without reservation.
"If I must put a time limit on this love, I hope it is—"
"Forever and ever."
"So—will you marry me?"
"Cynthia."
"Marry him, marry him, marry him!!!"
The family and friends below started jeering at the perfect moment, and the joyful atmosphere made the smile on Cynthia's lips curve up a few degrees more.
"You dummy—you knew the answer from the very beginning."
Cynthia's eyes sparkled with brilliant starlight as she nodded firmly.
"I do."
"Oooooh!!!"
For a moment, salutes, confetti, and the cheers of the crowd rose and fell, and countless golden petals immediately rained down from the sky.
After receiving Cynthia's permission, Aiden looked into her eyes, his heart filled with a wondrous substance called "love."
From his eyes, one seemed to be able to read the taste of happiness.
Gently pushing the ring, sliding it onto Cynthia's ring finger—
Aiden stood up.
The two simultaneously reached out their arms, responding to each other with a passionate yet restrained embrace.
Finally, they concluded with a passionate kiss.
A beam of holy light descended from the sky, illuminating the embracing couple.
"Marsha—?!"
Atop the chapel, Marshadow, who was directing the other Pokémon to scatter petals and ribbons below, froze for a moment, subconsciously looking around.
Was there a spotlight step in the Hero's planned wedding sequence?
Marshadow subconsciously looked up, only to discover that the light actually came from the sky, and its origin point was completely invisible to the naked eye.
Could it be that the two sun and moon gods were lending their power?
Whatever, it should be a good thing anyway!
Marshadow scratched its head, not paying too much attention to this sudden change, and quickly immersed itself in the joyful atmosphere of the wedding once more.
---
That night.
Just like every night for the past half-year.
Aiden lay on the lawn outside the historical research institute, quietly watching the sea of stars in the sky.
A rustling sound came from beside him; it was the sound of the book in Cynthia's hands being blown by the wind.
—
"It would be nice if days like this could last forever—"
Aiden couldn't help but sigh with emotion, then sat up to look at the Pokémon accompanying him.
Sylveon and Cynthia's Glaceon were cuddling together, their little heads occasionally swaying left and right.
As his starter Pokémon, it was initially just a timid, cute, and attention-grabbing little Eevee.
But to bear the responsibility of reviving the Gym, it worked really hard, eventually finding a direction that suited it.
From learning some underhanded tricks at the very beginning, to later easily mastering even Blood Moon and Geomancy—
And that Z-Move comparable to Tsukuyomi—all of it was the result of its effort and sweat!
Even a gifted genius wouldn't be more than this, right?
"Vee?"
Seemingly sensing Aiden's gaze, Sylveon suddenly opened its eyes, flashing a sweet smile at him, its ribbons subconsciously wrapping around his arm.
It was a bit ticklish—
This blissful annoyance was very much to Aiden's liking, so he reached out and patted its little head.
Further out on the lawn, his and Cynthia's Lucario were enthusiastically sparring with fists.
For the past half-year, Cynthia's Lucario seemed to have been wanting to learn the "Unseen Fist" and the two accompanying martial arts styles.
His own Lucario didn't hold back either, passing down all the techniques it had comprehended.
However, it seemed that a normal Lucario really couldn't learn this move—
Aiden was also quite helpless about this.
Lucario joining his Gym stemmed from a gift given during his first meeting with Cynthia five years later.
It was also thanks to this hardworking little overachiever that the early Gym battles were able to pass so easily.
For a very long time, it and Eevee were the nightmares in those children's hearts.
As for after training on the Isle of Armor, the evolved Lucario also ushered in a surge in strength.
Today, not only had it learned the secret techniques of the Isle of Armor, but it also had the assistance of Chien-Pao as its "signature weapon", traveling further down the path of a Sword Saint.
It could be considered to have forged its own unique path.
As the saying goes—effort and sweat never betray anyone!
A Lucario that maintained a hundredfold effort inherently possessed the potential to be a king!
As for the third Pokémon in the team—
Aiden looked up at the blood moon hovering in the sky.
People often say Salamence is a "late bloomer" Pokémon, but his own seemed a bit different.
From the very beginning as a little Bagon who was pampered by everyone, to a Shelgon who swallowed a belly full of anger every day, almost suffocating itself.
To the current King of the Skies, Salamence, whom no Champion dared to underestimate.
The time span didn't seem to have been that long.
However, it should be considered an exception, right?
It had been "targeted" by that black Rayquaza since it was young, and even the Mega Stone in its stomach now was a gift from Rayquaza.
Salamence didn't disappoint his and black Rayquaza's expectations either, managing to grasp the ability to control its Mega Evolution by a stroke of luck.
And because of its pure nature, even when facing an existence as powerful as a Legendary, it could fearlessly take the initiative to attack, making it a powerful vanguard in the team.
Little Rayquaza, living up to its name!
"Roar—"
Under the moonlight, Miraidon lay on the lawn, lazily yawning.
"Oger—"
Ogerpon, not wearing its mask, was leaning against it, treating it like a comfortable dragon-shaped pillow, occasionally letting out a murmur.
He really hadn't trained these two little guys much; they were reliable powerhouses in the team as soon as they joined.
Ogerpon naturally needed no explanation. The story of how it fought one against four and obliterated Pecharunt and the Loyal Three back in Kitakami was still being talked about with relish by the local children.
The number one expert in Paldea, a single swing of its Ivy Cudgel could shatter the resolve of countless cocky kids!
As for Miraidon—
When Aiden looked at it, a trace of complexity flashed in his eyes.
It had been lost for a long time, and even now, it mostly maintained this lazy appearance.
So much so that even now, Aiden couldn't quite tell whether this "slacking off" was its protective coloration or just its innate personality—
However, even Miraidon had its moments of glory.
In the depths of the Great Crater of Paldea, facing its inner demons, it finally regained its full strength. By itself, it defeated the fellow Legendary Pokémon Koraidon, who is still acting as a guard beast at the Sunshine Gym to this day—
It doesn't move often, but when it does, it astonishes the world.
This was probably the best description for Miraidon, right?
Besides them, there was the female Indeedee singing a melodious song along with Meloetta, and Mewtwo, who had been entrusted to him by that street-wandering Mew—
Joining this big family by a strange combination of circumstances, the female Indeedee quickly gained the trust of all family members with her impressive cooking skills.
Although Aiden was a bit displeased about this, he truly couldn't beat her when it came to cooking.
Nothing to be said about that!
The female Indeedee wasn't actually good at fighting, but on the battlefield, she unexpectedly awakened some rather wicked hobbies.
Good at messing with people's mindsets, she didn't win by defeating opponents head-on, but every time she appeared, she would definitely pierce straight through the opponent's psychological defenses.
In the realm of magical attacks, there probably wasn't another Pokémon in the world that could compare to her.
Overall, although Indeedee had wandered for a long time, what she felt was almost entirely goodwill from human society.
Mewtwo, on the other hand, was the exact opposite.
It was born from Giovanni's genetic experiments, stepping onto the wrong path from birth.
Fortunately, Mew discovered Team Rocket's conspiracy in advance and, with his help, rescued it.
During its days of "enlightenment" at the Sunshine Gym, Mewtwo gradually opened its heart to him and ultimately succeeded in reversing its long-held views on humanity.
Nowadays, even though it still held some malice towards other humans, it was at least no longer so extreme.
However—
When the new semester in Paldea starts next year, Mewtwo would probably temporarily leave the team and officially start its own journey as a trainer, right?
When that time comes, hopefully, the newcomers in Paldea would be able to withstand its intensity—
After silently mourning for three seconds in his heart for the cute students, Aiden looked up at the sky once more.
A journey of over a year was neither long nor short.
Not only had he gained Pokémon who were like family and a love, but also the responsibility of an Elite Four.
Along the way, there were many partners with whom he had forged friendships, all remembered in his heart.
The somewhat cowardly Marshadow who never dropped the ball at critical moments; the Sinnoh dragons who would appear immediately to help him as long as he called;
Reshiram, the Dragon of Truth, who lacked his own truth; Zekrom, the Dragon of Ideals, still pursuing the path of ideals;
Xerneas, the Life Pokémon who bestowed blessings upon him and his partners; Zygarde, silently guarding the earth's ecology;
Those Legendary Pokémon had almost all become his friends. This honor was a glory, but at the same time, a heavy responsibility.
After all—he was the envoy of Arceus.
Aiden looked up at the sky. Upon seeing the familiar black-gold figure, a long-forgotten question surfaced in his mind again: 'Come to think of it, why did the black Rayquaza choose me in the first place?'
Did it reverse causality to see the current future in advance?
Or did it sense the aura of the Creator on him from the very beginning?
Regarding this question, Aiden still couldn't get an answer to this day.
But was the answer really that important?
Aiden smiled and casually waved at the figure in the sky.
As partners guarding this world, their bond needed no proof; it had long been integrated into each other's blood.
At least in the future five years from now, he would still be fighting side-by-side with the black Rayquaza.
Knowing this was enough.
Aiden smiled, stood up, and walked toward the house.
"Speaking of which, President Geeta has been urging you to return to Paldea again, huh?"
Cynthia followed, naturally wrapping her arms around his arm and asking curiously.
"Are you really going back to Paldea to be the Champion?"
"If you stay in Sinnoh, I can also hand over the Champion's responsibilities to you~"
Aiden smiled and shook his head.
"Although I've reached the end of my honors, and retiring now would be a good idea—"
"But there is still a part of my mission that hasn't been completed."
After speaking, Aiden took out a seven-colored crystal from his pocket, its peculiar structure making Cynthia blink.
"Is this—Terapagos?"
"Yeah." Aiden nodded.
"I've tried using ley line power to awaken it in multiple regions, but the results were always unsatisfactory."
"However, the new region announced to be joining the League this time seems to have given me a faint, predestined feeling—"
"Perhaps in that place, a brand-new power will become the catalyst for Terapagos's awakening."
"Before completing His task, let me support Paldea for a few more years."
"After all—that kid Red is still waiting for me."
Cynthia nodded.
She knew that during the Masters Tournament finals half a year ago, Aiden had made a promise to Red.
Next time, they would meet again on the stage of the Masters Tournament, where Aiden would once again witness Red's growth over the four years.
This could be considered a kind of inheritance.
So Cynthia finally nodded helplessly.
Entering the room.
As she was about to speak again, for some reason, a flush suddenly appeared on her face.
"Speaking of which—"
"Grandma said she wants to hold a great-grandchild sooner—"
Cynthia's voice grew quieter and quieter, and her tone became even gentler.
Like a mother's gentle coaxing.
"She said while she can still run around, we need to hurry up and train another future mythologist for Sinnoh—"
"..."
Aiden blinked, subconsciously covering his waist.
Oh no!
He was going to get solo-killed by his cute wife again tonight!
[The book is complete!]
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