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Cynthia couldn't remember how she had gotten home. All she remembered was jumping down from Garchomp's back, releasing her Pokémon, patting Blissey on the head, going to her room, and collapsing into bed.
She had never felt more exhausted in her life. Even after defeating Bertha, celebrating her victory all night, reveling in reaching the summit, and partying for two days straight, she hadn't felt this drained.
It was a long, drawn-out dream. In it, she saw Palkia and Dialga countless times.
Just as she had guessed, defeating Team Galactic hadn't been difficult at all. What was truly terrifying was Palkia and Dialga going berserk.
With the combined strength of the Pokémon League and the Trainers present, the chains left behind by Arceus shattered, freeing the two gods. Cyrus stepped into the new world created by them, too.
Logically, the next step should have been to finish off the remaining members of Team Galactic. Yet Palkia and Dialga truly went mad.
The two Pokémon began a violent clash the moment they were freed, as if they bore a deep grudge against each other that threatened their lives. Their eyes were red, and they refused to stop, unleashing move after move.
Cynthia had once wondered what would happen if the two gods went berserk and attacked humans. But the reality was that Palkia and Dialga consciously avoided the people and Pokémon present, chasing and fighting all the way up into the sky.
It was obvious; they weren't just crazed; there really was a conflict between them.
Palkia and Dialga were clearly thinking, "Since we've met anyway, we might as well settle this grudge," as they beat the living daylights out of each other.
There was no way to mediate or intervene. The situation was utterly bizarre, and no one knew what to do.
The Pokémon League had gathered so much power and mobilized so many people precisely to prevent the two gods from misjudging humanity because of Team Galactic's actions.
The Pokémon League even brought in a few people who could roughly understand Pokémon language, just in case.
But none of it was needed.
The current situation looked like nothing more than a personal vendetta between Legendary Pokémon…
Fortunately, the three Lake Trio were revived in time to establish a connection with Cynthia and the others. They finally calmed Palkia and Dialga's rage by communicating with them telepathically. Afterwards, the two gods departed separately.
The Pokémon League did not block the news. People outside Mt. Coronet reported seeing two massive Pokémon faintly appearing within the clouds many times.
Naturally, the Pokémon League had no intention of telling them that the two Pokémon were fighting, leaving those who posted about it to speculate on their own.
"How did you know they didn't get along...?" Cynthia mumbled sleepily.
Shortly after she set out, Luther had sent her a message.
"Palkia and Dialga bear no ill will toward humans, but there may be a conflict between the two of them. If they start fighting, go find the Lake Trio for help."
Cynthia was stunned for a while, unable to remember any Pokémon called the "Lake Trio."
Since it was a Sinnoh legend, the ones who should solve the problem are naturally local Sinnoh Pokémon, but who on earth are these "Lake Trio"?
It wasn't until Luther spelled out the names Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf that Cynthia called him immediately. Furious, she woke him up in the middle of the night and gave him a thorough scolding.
How could he give such nicknames to legendary Pokémon?
They were an important part of Sinnoh's legends!
Luther obediently took the lecture. There was nothing he could do; old habits died hard. "Lake Trio" had slipped out subconsciously, and typing it felt unnaturally smooth.
If Cynthia ever found out that he called Arceus an alpaca...
Cynthia was not startled awake by the frequent appearances of legendary figures in her dreams. To her, they were beautiful dreams.
Having studied all kinds of legendary texts and history in the hope of one day encountering these figures, she knew that this experience alone was enough to be recorded in history and savored throughout the rest of her life.
After calming down, Palkia and Dialga both turned back and looked at her before returning to their respective worlds.
They didn't speak. There was no other form of communication. They didn't show any special expressions; they only gazed quietly at her. It wasn't until after Palkia and Dialga had departed that Cynthia realized what it meant.
It was admiration and recognition.
They were Legendary Pokémon, but they were also part of this world. The interaction between humans and them was never one of humility, but rather, equality.
...
Blissey held up a Lucky Egg and rolled it back and forth across Cynthia's face as if ironing clothes.
After enjoying a blissful, replenishing sleep, Cynthia quickly woke up. It was already noon the next day.
Looking at Blissey holding the Lucky Egg high, Cynthia yawned. "Who taught you these weird things?"
A fragrant aroma drifted in through the open bedroom door. Having gone to sleep without dinner, Cynthia immediately sprang up and followed her instincts straight to the hall.
Seeing two dishes that looked, smelled, and tasted perfect, she rubbed her eyes in disbelief.
"I didn't order takeout. Where did this come from?"
Blissey picked up a frying pan from the counter and made a flipping-the-pan gesture at Cynthia.
Cynthia froze for a moment, then hugged Blissey tightly. "No more takeout ever again!"
Thinking she was about to be praised, Blissey pushed Cynthia away, picked up the plates, and walked toward the kitchen.
Cynthia hurried to praise Blissey, finally coaxing her back into a good mood. Blissey huffed as she set the two dishes back on the table, then ran off to serve Cynthia some rice.
As she watched Cynthia devour the food, Blissey suddenly realized that the things Chansey had taught her were actually quite useful.
She wondered if the Delibird Chansey had mentioned had any other moves she could learn secretly.
In the courtyard, all of Cynthia's Pokémon who had taken part in the great battle were lying in the shade, resting. When they heard that Cynthia had woken up, they only perked up their ears briefly before relaxing again.
Gastrodon, who had been sleeping by its pool, was nudged by Garchomp and rolled straight into the water. When it poked its head back out, Garchomp had already claimed its spot.
Gastrodon wanted to say something nasty but didn't dare. Pouting angrily, Gastrodon suddenly remembered the potted plants and big tree near the courtyard gate. That spot wasn't bad either.
However, Gastrodon wasn't the only one who knew about that good place. Glaceon lifted its head, glanced at Gastrodon, and looked at Roserade and Lucario beside it.
"Full."
Without Glaceon saying anything, Gastrodon knew there was no space left.
Lucario was sprawled out in an extremely domineering starfish pose, forcibly occupying most of the area. Gastrodon let out a long "Ugh," sighed, and lay down in the shadow of the front entrance. It leaned against a nearby flowerpot and promptly dozed off.
Just as it closed its eyes, a shadow fell over Gastrodon.
The newcomer was a middle-aged man with a resolute gaze.
His hair was neatly groomed, but the streaks of white mixed into the black were strikingly noticeable.
His stubble was clean-shaven, yet a trace of resentment lingered on his somewhat gaunt face.
Dressed in a black suit with a rose-red tie, he looked sharp and efficient, like a successful man who had just stepped out of a business gala.
Gastrodon curiously looked at him. This outfit didn't match the Pokémon League crowd, and among Cynthia's acquaintances, Gastrodon didn't recognize anyone like him.
The man pressed the doorbell and spoke into the intercom.
"I heard that you've returned home, Cynthia. Kukui Tetsu makes this unannounced visit."
Having finished her meal and fully restored her Energy, Cynthia had just stretched when she heard the doorbell and that name. She froze.
Why was Mai's father looking for her?
Wasn't finalizing contracts the Pokémon League's job? Could it be that he wanted to bypass the Pokémon League?
(End of Chapter)