Just as Chen Shi had expected, the moment Dialga and Palkia emerged from the rifts, their gazes fell directly upon him.
Dialga's eyes were cold and stern, and its voice carried an unquestionable authority.
"The time has come. The greater matter takes priority. We must send him there."
At those words, Palkia's expression immediately darkened, as though it had been reminded of something unpleasant.
"I don't need you to tell me that."
After snapping at Dialga, Palkia turned an unfriendly gaze toward Chen Shi and warned,
"Brat, once you get there, I suggest you refrain from doing anything unnecessary."
"Otherwise..."
Its eyes grew even colder.
The chilling gaze seemed almost tangible as it bore down on Chen Shi like solid frost.
Chen Shi narrowed his eyes slightly, then immediately put on a smile.
"Of course. Whatever you say."
Despite how readily he agreed aloud, his thoughts were considerably less polite.
Damn you.
You're actually threatening me? You're the first one who's dared to do that in this life.
Just you wait.
From the brief exchange between the two dragons of time and space, Chen Shi had already roughly guessed what he was about to do.
That was why he remained completely calm.
At that moment, Mew addressed the two Legendary Pokémon.
[I knew it was you two. So, what exactly are you planning?]
Dialga glanced at it.
"This has nothing to do with you. We are merely carrying out an order."
"I advise you not to interfere."
Mew immediately fell silent.
There was only one being in this world capable of commanding Dialga and Palkia.
Arceus.
Since this was Arceus's order, even Mew did not dare say much more.
Dialga then turned back to Chen Shi.
"You may only bring your own companions."
"The little one in your arms and Rayquaza cannot go with you."
"I also suggest leaving behind any companions that are too weak."
Chen Shi raised no objection.
He handed Jirachi and little Rayquaza over to Cynthia.
"Shi..."
Jirachi seemed to have guessed what was happening. It did not resist and obediently allowed Cynthia to hold it.
Chen Shi smiled.
"Don't worry. I'm going to find the you from a thousand years ago."
"Be good and wait for me to come back, alright?"
"Mhm! Jirachi will be good!"
Tears welled in Jirachi's eyes as it nodded its little head with all its strength.
Chen Shi then turned to Diancie.
"I'll be gone for a while. Stay with Big Sister Cynthia until I return, alright?"
"Yes, Lord Chen Shi. I understand."
Diancie nodded gently, behaving very obediently.
After thinking for a moment, Chen Shi also handed Cynthia the Poké Ball containing Frogadier.
"This journey may be dangerous, and he's still too weak."
"I'll have to trouble you to look after him for a while."
Cynthia silently accepted the Poké Ball.
She forced a faint smile onto her face.
"With the relationship between us, do you really need to say you're troubling me?"
From the conversation just now, Cynthia had already understood.
Dialga and Palkia had come specifically for Chen Shi.
Their purpose was to send him one thousand years into the past.
She did not know why he had to be sent there, but judging by the tone of the two Legendary Pokémon, it involved something extremely important.
Therefore, Cynthia did not try to stop him.
She merely said,
"Be careful."
"I'll wait here for you to return."
The words were simple.
There were no lengthy declarations of concern, nor any tearful reluctance to part.
Yet Chen Shi's heart still filled with warmth.
I'll wait for you to come home.
That single sentence surpassed every love confession in the world.
"..."
Dialga suddenly spoke again.
"Everyone except this human must leave."
Cynthia gave Chen Shi one final look before departing with Jirachi, Diancie, Mew, and the others.
After standing frozen for a moment, Tonio and Alice quickly followed her.
Once they were gone, only Chen Shi and the two Legendary Pokémon remained atop the Space-Time Towers.
"Is there anything else you need to tell me?" Chen Shi asked calmly.
Dialga snorted coldly.
"Human, after you arrive, you must conceal your identity."
"Apart from the three of us, the comet Pokémon, and the three gods of emotion, no one else may see your face."
Chen Shi paused.
"Why?"
"We do not know. Those were that lord's instructions," Dialga replied coldly.
It was obvious that, just like Palkia, Dialga did not particularly like Chen Shi.
The two Legendary Pokémon had only come because of Arceus's command.
Dialga then produced a white hooded robe from nowhere.
Resting atop it was an exquisitely crafted golden mask.
"That lord ordered us to give these to you."
"As long as you wear them, no being except that lord will be able to see through the disguise and perceive your true appearance."
Chen Shi looked at the robe and mask floating before him but did not refuse them.
He had no idea why Arceus wanted him to conceal his identity, but when someone that powerful gave an order, it was best to follow it.
At first, Chen Shi had assumed Celebi was the reason he would be able to travel one thousand years into the past.
But now, with Dialga and Palkia appearing under Arceus's command, he finally understood.
His journey into the past had been arranged entirely by Arceus.
Moreover, judging from what the two dragons had said, he likely had some special mission to complete there.
Seen that way, he was apparently quite important.
Arceus probably had no intention of harming him.
All he had to do was hide his identity.
That was a trivial matter.
After sorting through his thoughts, Chen Shi accepted the white robe and golden mask.
Then he looked at Dialga and Palkia.
"I'm ready."
Dialga shifted its gaze toward Victini.
"Recall Victini and the spectral dragon hiding in your shadow."
Chen Shi did not hesitate.
He called toward his own shadow.
"Dragapult!"
"Draga~"
Hearing Chen Shi call for it, Dragapult emerged from the darkness beneath his feet.
"You'll need to stay inside your Poké Ball for a while."
"Once we arrive, I'll let you out again."
"Draga~"
Dragapult nodded in agreement.
Chen Shi took out two Poké Balls and recalled both Dragapult and Victini.
Dialga immediately spoke.
"Then let us begin."
"Very well."
Palkia's expression became solemn.
Sending a human one thousand years into the past was not especially difficult for the two of them.
However, Arceus had ordered them to send Chen Shi to an exact point in time.
That made the task far more challenging.
They would have to use their full power and maintain absolute concentration.
Even the slightest mistake could cause the destination point in time to differ by an unimaginable margin.
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