When the shield broke and Ash was out of Aura, Yellow was also low on energy. She couldn't heal the legendaries fast enough. The bright golden light came down toward them, and they couldn't do anything.
They couldn't outpower this thing. They couldn't tire it out. They were already exhausted, and their Pokémon were battered from the beatdown Arceus had just given them.
Ash stood further in the front. He had tried to make a shield to stop it, but now that it had failed, he was still there. He raised his arms like he was going to try and protect everyone else. As the beam descended, he could hear everyone's muffled voices, probably yelling at him to move out of the way, but that wasn't an option.
The golden beam struck. It exploded where Ash stood, wind bursting outward violently, throwing Vee and Pikachu back, Dragonite barely managed to swoop in and catch them. Everyone else behind was shoved back and would've gone flying if their Pokémon hadn't caught them. Where Ash had been standing, a massive dust cloud swallowed everything.
"Ash!!" they yelled, some louder, some breaking, because just when they thought everything might be okay, they had lost Ash again.
But then… they heard laughing.
It wasn't Ash's laugh. It was higher-pitched, childish, playful.
As the dust settled, pink light shimmered. In the center, Ash stood inside a pink bubble shield. Floating above him, laughing and spinning in circles, was Mew.
"M-Mew…?" Ash blinked up at it. "What are you doing here?"
Mew giggled and pointed down at Ash's hand. When Ash looked, he saw his ring glowing faintly, the tiny engraving of Mew's face lit up.
Arceus' eyes narrowed, its voice dropping into a rumble that shook the chamber.
"You dare stand against me as well? Why? As one of the gods of this world, you should stand by me to destroy these filthy mortals. I will give you one chance—destroy them, and I will spare you."
Mew tilted its head, stuck out its tongue, and spun around midair. Its tiny paw glowed pink as it pressed against Ash's ring. The glow brightened, and other faces began to shine—Celebi, Ho-Oh, and Lugia.
Arceus' mouth opened to unleash another beam, but as the blast launched, it suddenly froze in midair, then unraveled, pulling back like time itself was reversing, returning to Arceus as though it had never fired.
From the side, a figure zipped in next to Mew, Celebi, laughing right along with its best buddy.
Before Arceus could react, the ruins shook violently. The ceiling split apart with a deafening crack. Two enormous shapes crashed through, Ho-Oh and Lugia dove straight at Arceus, unleashing a blazing [Sacred Fire] and roaring [Aeroblast]. The attacks combined in midair, detonating in Arceus' face and forcing the husk to flinch in pain for the first time.
This time, the real Ho-Oh and Lugia landed at the gang's side. Their gazes swept down to Ash, then across the rest of the group, and finally to their fellow legendariez, Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Suicune, Raikou, and Entei. They understood enough.
"Wait, wha…" Yellow blinked several times, her voice small and confused. "I… I don't get it. What just happened?"
"Join the club," Silver muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Pretty sure the club's full," Ethan added weakly, though his eyes were still glued to the legendaries gathering around them.
Even Pikachu, perched on Dragonite's shoulder, tilted his head and squeaked, "Pika…?"
Nobody had an answer.
"But honestly?" Gary muttered, rubbing his temple. "I don't even wanna question it."
"Agreed." Silver crossed his arms, though relief flickered in his eyes. "If they're on our side, that's all that matters."
Arceus shook its head violently, the air trembling with its fury, "You would side with mortals over me? You have lost your sense of justice!"
Mew and Celebi only stuck their tongues out, grinning in unison. Then, with a knowing glance exchanged with Ho-Oh and Lugia, they pressed their powers together.
Ash's ring flared to life. The carved faces of Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Suicune, Raikou, and Entei blazed with light, joining the others.
The power rushed outward. First, it healed every wound, their bodies renewed, their Pokémon restored, even Ash and Yellow's drained stamina returning with something extra pulsing deep inside them. The legendary beasts and birds stood tall again, brimming with strength.
And then—
Clothes began to glow. Energy flared like streams of light.
Kris gasped as Suicune's power enveloped her. Her torn sports outfit shimmered and lengthened into a flowing sapphire dress with ribbon-like accents, a shining tiara forming on her head. Her hair tied itself neatly, and her sneakers shifted into graceful heels.
"Wha-Suicune?!" Kris stammered, spinning in place as the dress flowed around her. "This is… this is a dress! Why a dress?!"
Lyra barely had time to laugh before she too was caught in the light. Celebi's glow wrapped around her overalls, reshaping them into a vivid lime-green dress with a short cape like layered leaves. Her hat dissolved, replaced by a delicate emerald circlet, and a leaf-shaped pendant rested against her chest.
She twirled once, then gasped. "Hey, this looks really cute! …Wait, Celebi, you chose me?!" she snapped her gaze to the little onion fairy. "You could've warned me first!"
"Looking good, forest princess," Ethan teased, grinning.
"Shut up!" Lyra pouted, though she tugged at her skirt with a smile.
Then the glow reached Ethan and Silver. Both boys clutched their keepsakes, the Silver Wing and Rainbow Feather, just as they pulsed with power.
Ethan's Jacket started glowing as it shifted to a gold and white version, with a opening on the zipper, his pants and shoes turning a matching color. A gleaming crest of the Silver Wing badge shimmered on his chest.
Then Silver's tattered outfit reshaped into a similar gold and white outfit, his jacket cape turning longer and flowing down, and across his chest spread a golden crest rainbow wing badge
Ethan tugged his new golden sleeves and smiled as he turned his hat backwards, "Now this I can work with."
Silver looked down at his golden sleeve, frowning. "I… I don't get it. Isn't Ho-Oh supposed to only acknowledge pure-hearted people? So why me?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Ethan said, slapping his back. "You are pure-hearted, best buddy."
"I know, right? It seems like everyone except you sees it," Kris added, still tugging at her dress.
Silver's ears turned pink. "I… I—shut up. I'm not pure anything."
"Keep telling yourself that, little bro!" Green shouted over to him, smirking. "Denial's a good color on you!"
"Pfft—he's blushing!" Lyra laughed.
"Am not!" Silver snapped, turning away.
Before he could argue further, it was their turn.
Mew giggled mischievously, then floated over to Yellow and booped her nose. A soft pink glow spread outward, and Yellow gasped as her clothes began to change—
Yellow's outfit began to glow, shifting into a light pink and white dress with soft pastel accents curling like swirling ribbons. The skirt was short and petal-shaped, her sleeves flowed gently, and in the center of her chest rested a gem the same color as Mew's eyes.
"W-wha!" Yellow blurted out, staring down at herself. "Wha-I mean, why—"
Green clapped loudly. "Wooo! Ten out of ten, it looks super cute on you, Yellow!"
"Yeah, you look great," Lyra nodded along, clapping with Green.
Yellow blushed furiously and yanked her straw hat down to cover her face. "I-no, please stop…"
Chuchu hopped onto her shoulder and patted her head comfortingly.
Meanwhile, Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres screeched into the air. Their cries echoed as their power descended toward Ash, Gary, and Green.
Green's outfit changed first. Her clothes shimmered into a sleek black dress with long sleeves that flared at the ends, paired with elegant black gloves. Gold trim traced the edges, and across her chest burned a red, flame-like design mirroring Moltres's fire. Her usual hat reshaped into a wide-brimmed black one with a red-orange emblem shaped like Moltres's feathers.
Gary's jacket shifted into a sleek black coat with gold trim and sharp, angular designs like a tailored suit. The coat flared with long coattails, a high collar framing his face. Instead of a cap, the golden emblem of Zapdos's feather gleamed proudly on his chest like a badge.
Then Ash's clothes ignited with light. His outfit turned jet black with golden edges and accents. A bright blue sash stretched across his chest, matching the scarf-like cape flowing behind him. His hat turned pure black, marked with a badge shaped like Articuno's feather.
Mew giggled and darted in for a finishing touch, Ash's bright blue sash shimmered, a streak of pink threading through it until it gleamed in both colors as it flowed behind him.
Ash flexed his hand, adjusting his new sleeves. His eyes flickered to the ring pulsing with light, wondering if it had been the one to summon them, and what else it might still be hiding.
Pikachu leapt onto his shoulder, cheeks sparking with renewed strength. Now that the Legendaries had shared their power, everyone, trainers and Pokémon alike, was back to full strength.
"So," Ethan said, twirling his scarf. "We just went from near-dead to… what is this, superhero mode?"
"Looks like it," Kris muttered, brushing the flowing hem of her dress. "Still feels weird, though."
"Wha-but you look great, sis!" Lyra bounced, eyes sparkling. "And honestly? I totally think it's more like a magical girl transformation."
"I see it," Gary admitted as he adjusted the collar of his new coat. "Still… I feel like I could take on anything right now."
"Sure it's not just because you look good?" Green smirked, clicking her tongue and flashing a hand symbol. "Seriously, you guys in suits? Absolutely killing it. I'm totally sending this to the group chat later. Didn't think you could pull it off."
Gary groaned. "You're impossible."
"So what, a wardrobe change?!" Arceus bellowed, its voice dripping disdain. "You are truly desperate, mortals."
"Don't get cocky." Silver's voice cut through, quiet but sharp as his eyes narrowed on Arceus. "This isn't over. Not by a long shot."
Ethan stepped forward, standing at his side. "Yeah, we've been through way worse."
Gary muttered, "Like having to listen to Ethan's rambles."
"That was rough…" Silver nodded solemnly.
"Hey!" Ethan barked, but even he cracked a grin.
Ash clenched his fists, tugging at his glowing sleeves with a smirk. "But now it's time to take this sucker down!"
Gary cracked his knuckles, smirking back. "Couldn't have said it better myself."
Arceus's roar split the chamber, shaking the ruins around them, "So be it, mortals! Let me show you what defiance against a god truly means! And you will be destroyed for the sake of true retribution!"
Every trainer's Pokémon stood tall beside them, the Legendaries gathering at their flanks. Ash pulled out one last Pokéball, "Then let's show you," he shouted, holding it forward, "what we mortals can really do!"
Arceus let out a roar that shook the temple as both sides began their final charge.
–
Meanwhile, back outside in the stadium, people were finally starting to calm down after the invasion ended. The Gym Leaders relaxed for the first time in hours, gathering together in small groups, until the sky itself began to split.
Multiple cracks in space tore open above them, jagged lines spreading like broken glass across the air.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me!" Whitney screamed at the sky. "Can we not have a break?!"
"You just had to try and reverse jinx it," Morty muttered dryly.
"Okay, that is not my fault, well… mostly," Whitney said, pointing at herself defensively. "I thought it would work!"
"Either way, looks like we're not done here…" Brock mumbled, watching the rips widen. What they didn't realize was that the chaos was a side effect of the battle raging inside the ruins.
From the tears, figures began to emerge, three hulking shapes pulling themselves through. Ultra Beasts. A massive Celesteela drifted forward, a towering Buzzwole flexed with an ear-splitting roar, and a Blacephalon twirled its eerie head before tossing it up like fireworks.
"What, what are those things?!" Whitney yelped, flinching back.
"Don't know," Chuck said with a grin that was way too eager. "But they look strong. Guess we're still in for some fun!"
"Agreed. I call dibs on the one that looks like a clown," Morty said, already drawing a Pokéball.
Falkner nodded sharply. "Then I'll back you up on that one."
"Alright, hey Bugsy, you're with me, we'll take down the big red one!" Clair smirked, already stepping forward.
"W-wait, what?! But I—I—" Bugsy sputtered, fumbling with his Pokéballs, but was ignored.
"Count me in too!" Chuck bellowed, cutting him off with a grin.
"Then I'll take the last one." Jasmine adjusted her gloves, eyes narrowing at Celesteela. "Brock, Whitney, can I ask for your help?"
Whitney shot her a thumbs-up with a cheeky grin. "What kind of best friend would I be if I said no?"
Brock exhaled, squaring his shoulders. "Not like we've got a choice anyway."
The Ultra Beasts fixed their gazes on the crowd, then down on the Gym Leaders, the last line of defense between them and the civilians. The ground trembled as they prepared to strike.
"[Earth Power]!"
The attack shook the arena floor, golden light erupting beneath the beasts' feet. They reeled back in surprise, and when the dust cleared, everyone turned to see the Kanto and Johto Elite Four rushing out from the stadium tunnels. At the lead was Darach and his Flygon, wings buzzing as the dragon growled.
"Hope you're not planning to have all the fun without us!" Will called, his Xatu swooping overhead.
"Not at all. We could use the help." Erika sighed with relief, stepping back-to-back with them.
"Then it's a good thing we're here too!" another voice rang out. From the side, a second Electivire leapt in, unleashing a [Thunderbolt] that lit up the arena and struck the Ultra Beasts head-on.
Through the doors came Misty, Lt. Surge, and Blaine. They were battered, bruised, and breathing hard, but determination burned in their eyes.
"Sorry we're late." Blaine straightened his tie, trying to keep composed despite the scorch marks on his coat. "Had to send a message first. Now then…" His eyes locked on the Beasts. "Looks like we've got some new visitors."
"You can say that again," Misty muttered, shivering as her eyes landed on Buzzwole. "Who's the big red ugly one?"
"No idea," Brock admitted grimly. "But I'm just glad you're all safe. Did you find Ash? Is he okay?"
Misty hesitated, then sighed, her voice softening. "It's Ash. What do you think?"
That was too good of an answer, as they sighed, "Fine, let's deal with these, then we can try to find Ash," Brock said.
"In that case, mind if we cut in?" they heard an energetic voice call out.
From the other side, Blanche, Spark, and Candela came flying in on Blanche's Metagross and Candela's Salamence.
"Yo, Spark, good to see ya! You've really grown up, huh?" Surge called out.
Spark waved over happily. "Hi, Uncle Surge!"
"Uhhh… I'd ask for introductions, but I feel like it's not the time right now…" Morty mumbled.
"I agree. I recommend we find a way to make sure more of these things don't come through," Sabrina explained, making everyone realize the portals hadn't closed.
"Alright, let's split the work," Blanche said. "We'll focus on making sure no more come out. You all should take out these ones."
"Fine, but you know…" Whitney tapped her chin with her finger. "If these are Pokémon, you know what that means?"
"It means we can catch them," Bugsy finished what she said. They all realized they did have a way out of this, they just had to finish it once and for all.
—
In the ruins, back with Giovanni, Lance, and Pryce taking on the Creation Trio, the results were mixed.
The one having the easiest time was Pryce. He and his Lapras, La Glace, were giving the fake Dialga a brutal beatdown.
Dialga was sent flying to the ground again, now struggling to stay standing. As it looked up, it saw Pryce and La Glace moving toward it slowly.
Dialga let out a growl, then shot a point-blank [Roar of Time] at them, but they just kept moving through it, immune to anything Dialga could do.
"What's wrong?" Pryce said, looking down at it. "Don't tell me you're scared of an old man like me. I can't even walk, and you call yourself a legendary…"
Dialga tried again, blasting [Roar of Time] over and over, desperate to do something. But it was useless against Pryce, a living paradox.
As they got closer, Pryce snapped his fingers. "I grow tired of you. La Glace, finish this."
La Glace reared back and bellowed, then slammed a full-force [Sheer Cold] onto Dialga's head. The frozen shockwave cracked across its form, leaving the dragon writhing in shards of ice. Dialga collapsed, finally unmoving, before dissolving into sparkles and nothingness.
Pryce fixed his coat and looked back, deciding who he should help next.
Meanwhile, Lance stood across from Palkia, his cape torn and his chest heaving. The battlefield around him was shredded, jagged rock floating in the air from Palkia's power.
Lance looked around at the constantly shifting space until he found a path. Flicking his wrist, his Dragonite swooped in close, fists glowing, and slammed a [Thunder Punch] into Palkia's chest, only for the blow to be dragged sideways, redirected by the warped field.
But that was exactly what he wanted, "Now, [Dragon Rush]!" Lance shouted.
Dragonite used the warped space to its advantage, spinning with its tail and slamming Palkia in the face before the Legendary could unleash a [Spacial Rend].
Palkia reeled back, roaring, then twisted reality again. A beam of [Spacial Rend] tore through the air, surging straight toward Lance and Dragonite.
But they didn't move. They stood their ground. As the beam was about to hit, it bent upward and around them, like it had predicted a dodge that never came.
By now, Pryce had rolled up alongside him, "Need some help?" the old man asked dryly.
"I wouldn't mind it," Lance replied, gripping his keystone. "Now… I've figured out how this Palkia is shifting the space. Dragonite, let's kick it up a notch, Mega Evolve!"
He pressed the stone. Dragonite flared with light, the glow cutting through the warped reality and revealing paths hidden within. As it transformed, Dragonite grew larger, two massive, soft wings sprouting from its head, a gleaming pearl forming on its tail. Mega Dragonite roared, shaking the field itself.
"Let's finish this once and for all," Lance said as Pryce wheeled next to him.
Dragonite reared back, charging a [Hyper Beam], while Palkia countered with another [Spacial Rend]. Both attacks fired at once, colliding in a cataclysm of light and distortion.
—
Meanwhile, Giovanni was locked in combat against Giratina alone. His Mega Beedrill carried most of the fight, while his other Pokémon struck in support.
Giovanni stood firm, eyes narrowed, coat whipping in the chaotic wind. His sharp gaze darted across the field, searching for an opening, "Beedrill, [Pin Missile], focus on the core!"
Beedrill blurred forward, stingers glowing as volleys of darts pelted Giratina's chest. The beast reeled, but recovered instantly, dissolving into shadows before striking from behind with [Shadow Force]. Its massive maw opened wide.
"Now!" Giovanni barked.
From the side, Nidoking lunged out of hiding, ramming Giratina's flank and sending it crashing against a shattered pillar. Beedrill was already there, diving upward with a gleaming [X-Scissor].
Giratina shrieked as it smashed into stone, ghostly wings spasming. Giovanni flicked his wrist sharply. "Rhyperior now!"
The ground split open, and Rhyperior erupted forth, slamming Giratina and pinning it for a heartbeat. Mega Beedrill shot forward like a missile, stingers glowing emerald.
"[X-Scissor], full force!" Giovanni commanded.
Beedrill carved both stingers across Giratina's chest in a brilliant cross of light. The husk-like body roared, then exploded in a violent blast that nearly sent Giovanni tumbling back.
When the smoke cleared, Giovanni didn't relax, he knew better. From the haze, Giratina's eyes opened again as its body warped and twisted into its Origin Forme.
Giovanni grit his teeth, but before he could move, he heard the crackle of teleportation behind him, followed by footsteps. He didn't need to look to know who it was, "Took you long enough," he muttered.
"Really? Struggling already? You've gotten soft, John," came the dry voice.
It was Oak, stepping forward with his Alakazam still glowing from Teleport. His eyes hardened as he glanced at Giratina, "Blaine and the others told me you needed backup. Looks like they were right. We're in quite the predicament."
"Yeah? So are you gonna keep talking, or are we doing this?" Giovanni snapped, his eyes never leaving Giratina.
Oak smirked as he slipped off his professor's coat, letting it flutter to the ground. He rolled up his sleeves with a casual ease that didn't match the battlefield around them, "It's been a while since I've had the chance to stretch these old bones," Oak said, stepping forward. "Let's do this like old times, John."
He tossed out a Poké Ball, and with a burst of light, his Dragonite roared to life beside Giovanni's team.
Giovanni scoffed, but a smirk tugged at his lips. "Fine. Let's do this, Sam." the 2 faced down Origin Forme Giratina