Pokémon Gardens
Darkrai lay weakly beneath a towering tree.
Somehow, the Pokémon Gardens remained untouched—a serene, picturesque haven.
Shade dappled the lush grass, plump berries swaying precariously on branches.
Darkrai closed his eyes, resting against the trunk.
Then—
A cool tear fell onto him.
A gentle warmth brushed his head.
He opened his eyes, meeting a familiar face.
"Alicia?"
"I'm not Alicia."
Iris sniffled, smiling.
"I'm her granddaughter. Iris."
Darkrai closed his eyes again, savoring the warmth.
The soothing melody of "Oración" seemed to echo in his ears.
Memories flashed—
[Are you hurt? Does it hurt?]
Alicia's hand on his head, her soft voice:
[Shhh… the pain will go away.]
Darkrai remained silent, leaning against the tree.
[You can stay here forever.]
[Right here… in the Pokémon Gardens.]
Suddenly—
Darkrai's azure eyes snapped open.
A shockwave erupted.
Water surged from the lake behind him, forming a shimmering curtain. Leaves trembled.
Iris and Yellow watched, concern in their eyes.
"Darkrai…"
Darkrai's gaze locked onto the two warring deities in the sky.
His white mist swirled as he rose, black shadow billowing in the wind.
"Get out."
No rage—only resolve.
"This is—"
"Everyone's gardens!!"
Darkrai shot toward the Temporal and Spatial Dragons.
Lightning split the sky.
Meteors rained down.
The heavens themselves seemed to tear apart.
Iris and Yellow stood frozen, watching.
"Do you know what 'Oración' means?"
Iris wiped her tears, smiling at Yellow.
Yellow shook her head.
"Prayer."
"If you pray with all your heart… 'Oración' will grant blessings. The world will return to how it should be."
Yellow's eyes hardened. She clasped her hands, bowing her head.
"Darkrai…"
A soft glow enveloped her, spreading across the gardens.
The shimmering light seemed to whisper—
"Please… survive."
[Aura of Viridian]
The radiant energy surged into Darkrai.
A familiar warmth.
No regrets left.
Darkrai roared, and flew towards the Temporal and Spatial Dragons.
...
Boom!
Natsume roared, "What are you doing here!?"
The deafening collision drowned out Natsume's question.
The world was reduced to only two colors—blue and purple.
And standing alone against the shockwaves of space-time itself—Cynthia.
A bone-chilling dread gripped Natsume.
The movie's timeline wasn't supposed to have Cynthia in it…
If they could just hold out until Oración played, the conflict would end!
But why was Cynthia here!?
For her duty as the Sinnoh Champion? She'd already fulfilled that at Spear Pillar!
Even if she was investigating, there was no reason to charge straight into a dimensional rift!
A sudden bolt of lightning split the sky, illuminating the ruins of Alamos Town.
In that instant, Natsume understood everything. His breath caught.
"...For me?"
Wallace murmured, "Suppressing the Temporal and Spatial Dragons in such a short time..."
"Is this... the true strength of Sinnoh's Champion, Cynthia?"
Natsume snapped, "Stop commenting and fight. Can you still move?"
Wallace: "...Weren't you just telling me to rest?"
Natsume: "Changed my mind. We're going in together."
Wallace blinked, then nodded firmly.
Suddenly—a shadow streaked across their vision.
It stood between Spacial Rend and Roar of Time, palms outstretched, conjuring two swirling black holes.
In an instant—
The black holes expanded, their terrifying gravity sucking in both attacks.
Darkrai itself was swallowed, but from within the void, the distortion spread—engulfing Dialga and Palkia.
"ROAR—!!"
Even the gods of time and space staggered back.
BOOM!!
The redirected Spacial Rend and Roar of Time struck the dragons head-on!
For the first time in this battle, they had wounded the Temporal and Spatial Dragons!
Natsume's tense expression eased slightly as he shouted to Cynthia:
"Get over here, now!!"
Their eyes met—just for a fleeting moment.
Then, with a command, Cynthia and her Garchomp shot toward him.
The wind howled as Garchomp landed, battered but still burning with battle lust.
Natsume steadied Cynthia, ensuring her long, graceful legs wouldn't betray even a tremble in front of others.
Seeing Moe-Moe! unharmed, Natsume exhaled in deep relief.
Cynthia caught her breath, glanced at Wallace, and smiled.
"What are you doing here?"
"Not the time for small talk," Wallace sighed. "Altaria, Dazzling Gleam!"
The Champion-level Altaria soared, wings flaring as radiant light erupted.
Natsume's hand slipped slightly against Cynthia's waist.
"Is it nice to touch?" Cynthia asked softly.
"No."
"Hmm?" Cynthia raised her eyebrows.
"Yes, very good!"
A cool smirk curled Cynthia's lips as she looked up.
"Garchomp, Dragon Rush!"
A second Champion-level Pokémon surged forward, wreathed in draconic fury.
The sky itself trembled under the clash of titans.
Natsume opened his mouth—
He'd meant to order "Gengar, use Poison!"
But with everyone else unleashing ultimate moves, poisoning felt... cheap.
At the last second, Natsume barked:
"Darkrai, Dark Void."
Moe-Moe! & Wallace: ?
Darkrai obeyed, hurling twin black holes at the dragons.
Moe-Moe! & Wallace: ??
The Temporal and Spatial Dragons roared as the voids struck them—then retaliated with beams of raw energy.
Natsume: "Dodge it."
Darkrai flickered, reappearing hundreds of meters above, staring down at its foes.
Moe-Moe! & Wallace: ???
Cynthia narrowed her eyes.
"You're hiding something."
"Am not," Natsume said, raising a hand. "I swear on Arceus."
A thunderclap boomed overhead. Natsume flinched.
Cynthia's smile turned dangerous.
"Let me guess—this Darkrai just happened to live in Alamos Town. The dragons happened to invade. And you happened to command it?"
Natsume slapped his thigh indignantly.
"Wow! What are the odds!?"
"Agh—! Explanations later." Cynthia rubbed her leg, glaring.
"Sorry! Wrong thigh!" Natsume laughed awkwardly.
Wallace watched them, emotions tangled.
So... Natsume and Cynthia were... together?
"No wonder he panicked at 'Sinnoh Champion.'"
A pang of longing hit him.
"...I miss Winona too."
One slacker. Two Champions.
A legendary Darkrai. Champion-level Garchomp and Altaria.
Against the Temporal and Spatial Dragons, the battle raged over Alamos Town.
Auroras shimmered above the ruins.
Draco Meteors lit the sky like fireworks.
The townspeople, drawn by the spectacle, stepped outside, dazed.
"Is it... over?"
"Beautiful..."
For a moment, it felt like the nightmare had ended—
And the town's festival was just beginning.
"Look!" Someone pointed.
"Holy—! Cynthia's Garchomp!"
"Holy—! Wallace's Altaria!"
"HOLY—! NATSUME-SENSEI'S DARKRAI!?"
A golden-haired girl clasped her hands, praying in the garden.
Jasmine directed evacuations, pausing to watch the sky.
Ash and Team Rocket's hot air balloon neared the Space-Time Tower.
'Lickilicky!' Baron raised his fist and shouted:
"Go, Cynthia! Go, Natsume-sensei! Go, Darkrai!!"
Inspired by his fervor, the crowd behind him erupted in unison:
"Go, Cynthia! Go, Natsume-sensei! Go, Darkrai!!"
"Where's Wallace?" someone asked curiously.
"Ah… was he here? I didn't notice…"
From afar, the cheers of Alamos Town's residents echoed.
High above, Darkrai's gaze softened, a mix of emotion and sorrow swelling in its chest.
[Don't cry, Darkrai.]
Alicia gently patted its head, smiling:
[You can stay here forever.]
[Right here, in the Pokémon Gardens.]
Dialga and Palkia.
Roar of Time and Spacial Renderupted once more!
Darkrai roared in defiance.
It shoved Garchomp and Altaria aside.
Alone, it stood between the Temporal and Spatial Dragons.
The sky exploded with light, silencing all cheers.
Iris covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face.
Battered and exhausted, Garchomp and Altaria returned to their Trainers.
"You did your best," Cynthia murmured, stroking Garchomp's cheek.
A sharp pain flared in Natsume's chest. He whispered:
"Darkrai…"
The next moment—
Every pair of eyes widened in disbelief.
Amid the smoke, Darkrai staggered, its body riddled with wounds, white mist swirling from its form.
It took a deep breath, lifting its head.
Its azure eyes locked onto Dialga and Palkia.
Then—
Darkrai curled a finger, taunting the Temporal and Spatial Dragons.
For a heartbeat, the world fell silent.
Then—
The crowd erupted.
"DARKRAI IS INSANE!!"
"DARKRAI IS INSANE!!!"
"Can we save it?" Natsume asked.
Cynthia shook her head, her gaze somber. "It's burning its life force to buy us time."
Boom!
The Temporal and Spatial Dragons clashed once more with Darkrai.
Natsume glanced back toward the Space-Time Tower.
Suddenly, Darkrai's telepathic voice echoed in his mind.
[Natsume.]
Natsume responded through his Aura.
[What?]
[You owe me… those seven cans… buried at…]
Darkrai's words came slow, its consciousness fading.
Natsume smirked, his eyes sharpening.
[You never told me where the treasure is.]
[I won't let you die.]
"Cynthia," Natsume turned to her, "You brought the Space-Time Orbs with you, didn't you?"
Cynthia nodded and tossed a Poké Ball.
Roserade extended its leafy arms, revealing a luminous pearl and a dazzling diamond.
"The Griseous Orb… and the Adamant Orb…" Wallace's eyes widened in disbelief.
Cynthia frowned, her voice trembling slightly. "What are you planning?"
"Using the Orbs' power," Natsume said, his gaze fierce.
"To calm them down."
I won't let you risk yourself.
The words lingered on her lips, but Cynthia's gray eyes flickered. Instead, she gave a faint nod.
She understood.
There were times…
When Natsume had reasons he couldn't ignore.
The reason was simple.
Because he was Natsume-sensei. That was all.
"Gengar!" Natsume hurled a Poké Ball and called out, "Grab the Spear Key and float above me."
Gengar took the cube-shaped Spear Key from Cynthia and levitated into the air.
Natsume closed his eyes.
The Spear Key's composition resembled the Meteorite from Veilstone City.
But the Spear Key was also the link between the Griseous Orb and the Adamant Orb.
If anything could restrain the Temporal and Spatial Dragons—
Natsume's mind flashed to the Team Galactic Leader, the cold-faced Cyrus.
Standing atop Spear Pillar, holding the Griseous Orb and Adamant Orb.
Before him, the roaring Temporal and Spatial Dragons glared with disdain, mockery, and arrogance.
A mortal daring to rival a deity.
Cyrus coldly raised the two Orbs. Behind him, shards of the Meteorite shattered, releasing blood-red chains.
The chains coiled around the dragons' bodies, silencing their roars.
Pathetic. Cyrus sneered.
Now, it was as if his shadow loomed behind Natsume.
A hand rested on the Team Rainbow Rocket Mentor's shoulder.
Cyrus stared impassively at the Temporal and Spatial Dragons:
[Clowns.]
"Pathetic." Natsume's eyes flashed.
Under the stunned gazes of everyone present—
A surge of rippling Aura erupted, shimmering blue.
The Griseous Orb, Adamant Orb, and Spear Key floated into the air, forming a triangle.
Cynthia's voice trembled. "This… This is Sinnoh's oldest symbol!"
"ROAR!!"
Even Palkia and Dialga—
Faced with the rotating triangle, their eyes filled with terror.
"Roar!" (Big Bro, open a Space portal! I'm out!)
"Roar!?" (What?! You're the elder! Can't you stop time!?)
"ROAR!!!" (No time—RUN!!!)
Exhausted, Darkrai saw a crimson light pierce the sky.
Its body trembled, frozen in fear and awe.
The Red Chain—a legendary artifact said to bind even Arceus—
Now, from the triangle's center, it flew into Natsume's grasp!
BOOM!!!
The Red Chain coiled around Dialga and Palkia.
The sky trembled with their agonized roars, their bodies shaking in fear.
At this moment—
The Temporal and Spatial Dragons cowered before a mere human!
"A mortal daring to rival a deity."
Natsume gazed at the sky, the Red Chain binding the dragons, a smirk on his lips.
"Pathetic."
BOOM!!!
The Temporal and Spatial Dragons plummeted, crashing into the earth.
In the crater, they knelt, defeated.
The battle of legends—
Had ended!
Behind him, Cyrus' shadow dissipated.
Natsume's vision darkened as he collapsed backward, drained.
The triangular symbol fell from the sky.
CRACK!
The Red Chain binding the dragons shattered.
Palkia and Dialga exchanged glances.
"Roar?" (Still fighting?)
"Roar…" (Nah, what if he locks us up again…)
"ROAR!!" (Then finish him off now!!)
Their furious roars shook the air as they turned toward the unconscious Natsume.
Cynthia knelt, gently laying his head on her lap.
Then, she stood protectively in front of him, arms spread. "Darkrai."
From Natsume's shadow, Darkrai rose, arms crossed, eyes icy.
"ROAR—!!"
The dragons roared defiantly.
Cynthia's expression hardened.
Then—
A soft melody drifted from the Space-Time Tower.
Oración—the legendary song that soothed all hatred.
Glowing green notes enveloped the enraged Dialga and Palkia.
Their crimson eyes cleared, replaced by deep reverence for the black-haired young man lying unconscious.
"ROAR!!" (I'm leaving first, you take care of the aftermath!!)
Dialga tore through time, vanishing instantly.
"ROAR!!" (Screw you! Next time, I'm beating you up!!)
Palkia tried to flee, but Cynthia and Darkrai blocked its path.
"At least," Cynthia smiled gently, her golden hair swaying, "fix Alamos Town first?"
Darkrai jerked its chin in agreement.
"ROAR!!" Palkia nodded vigorously.
With a pulse of Space energy, the ruined town restored itself.
The thick fog lifted, revealing Alamos Town bathed in sunlight and joyful music.
The town had returned to Sinnoh.
Cynthia settled Natsume's head more comfortably on her lap.
Then, she smiled at Palkia.
"Thank you~"
"ROAR!!" (No problem, no problem!!)
Palkia cast one last fearful glance at the unconscious young man.
Then, it ripped open Space and fled.
The melody of Oración filled the air.
Darkrai's stern face softened into a rare smile.
"I'll move him somewhere shady," it said to Cynthia.
"He seems to like you," Cynthia mused.
Darkrai paused, then turned toward the Pokémon gardens.
"But I… have a reason to stay here."
Cynthia didn't argue.
Under the shade of the tree, Natsume slept peacefully on her lap.
A thought flickered through her mind.
He looks much cuter when he's asleep.
Her cheeks flushed.
Glancing around to ensure no one saw, she took a deep breath.
Then, like a dragonfly skimming water, she pressed a fleeting kiss to his lips.
A ripple of warmth. A flicker of light through clouds.
Suddenly, her face burned. She leaned back against the tree, silent.
The sky stretched blue, dotted with drifting clouds.
Natsume, nestled against her soft thighs, drooled slightly in his sleep.
A familiar chime rang in his ears.
[Ding! Movie Clash at the Space-Time Tower! Dialga VS Palkia complete!]
[Special Bonus: Adamant Orb Fragment x1, Griseous Orb Fragment x1, Space-Time Power (Pokémon-only) x1!]
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