Time began to flow once more in Hisui.
To celebrate the end of the calamity.
To offer devout prayers to the heavens.
And to understand how Pokémon and humanity should live alongside one another from that day forward.
People came from the summit of Mount Coronet, from Lake Valor, Lake Verity, and Lake Acuity, from the white snowfields, the emerald plains, the ancient wilderness, the cobalt coast, and the crimson wetlands...
They gathered from every corner of Hisui in Jubilife Village, the settlement built by the pioneers.
As though by unspoken agreement, that day was redefined as a day of celebration for Sinnoh, a holiday that the entire Sinnoh region would one day commemorate.
A tall stage was erected in front of Galaxy Hall. Countless lanterns stretched from the fields west of the village all the way to the eastern gate.
Led by the head of the Pearl Clan, the people revived the songs and dances of ancient times. The beating of drums and the melody of flutes echoed through the sky above the village, offering their great power to the heavens.
The Diamond Clan, Galaxy Team, the Ginkgo Guild, the hermits of old, and the descendants of those who had crossed the sea and made their homes here all joined the celebration. For some of them, this was their first visit to such a relatively modern village.
Fireworks soared into the sky one after another, burning with brilliant light for a fleeting instant before dissolving into trails of smoke. They blossomed into a sea of luminous flowers across the night sky. Each new volley rose like the Milky Way spilling from the heavens, like stars revolving as streams of dazzling color filled the air.
Hikaru: "March fifteenth... Ah, the Sinnoh Harvest Festival. I heard diamond dust began falling in the Alabaster Icelands, right? So this is a Sinnoh holiday that originated in Hisui. But a fireworks festival, or rather, this kind of uchiage hanabi..."
[Even now, I can still remember the shore we gazed upon that day... and the words we carved into the sand.]
[Light burst into bloom, and fireworks filled our eyes.]
"Fireworks festivals usually take place in summer, but in Sinnoh, this one happens at the transition between winter and spring... Ah, I suppose the bitter winter has already ended. Spring has arrived."
Despite the cheerful celebration, some people were still discussing work.
Cyllene was writing down several important matters in her notebook.
[And so... the kings, the hero, and the lords would no longer exist for the sake of the gods. They would become sovereigns who existed for the people.]
[All living things in Hisui will also take a new step forward, crossing an age spanning three thousand years. Let us celebrate that future.]
Irida came down from the stage to rest. She approached Hikaru and Cyllene, who were both recording the day's events.
"If our ancestors, who were constantly at odds with one another, could see this..."
"They would be incredibly surprised."
Cyllene: "However, I need to confirm something. Does the Temple of Sinnoh... no, Spear Pillar, truly not need to be restored? To demonstrate Galaxy Team's sincerity, we could assist with the repairs. After all, we have highly skilled craftspeople among our ranks."
Irida: "The Transcendent Almighty has returned to the heavens, while Almighty Sinnoh now walks beside us. We have seen them all with our own eyes, whether it was the deity of the Diamond Clan, the deity of the Pearl Clan, the forgotten third deity, or the true creator."
"We also witnessed feelings that transcended time and people from both the distant past and the far-off future. Now I truly understand the power of time that the Diamond Clan always spoke of."
"The true ancient god has bid farewell to everyone. Meanwhile, humans and Pokémon will gradually become partners, and the title of 'magical beast' will disappear."
"That also means the lords who once served as humanity's protectors will probably fade into history."
"From now on, the people of Sinnoh and the Pokémon who have lived here since ancient times will gather beneath the same sky and stand upon the same land once more. Together, they will share this boundless space."
Adaman approached carrying a plate piled high with fruit and potato mochi.
"Hey, I brought you something to eat! Dig in! Beni's cooking is second to none! Although he kept grumbling something about how 'the age of the ninja is over'... What does that even mean?"
Cyllene did not stand on ceremony. She took the plate and immediately began eating.
"That man is actually a ninja."
Adaman was utterly stunned.
"A ninja? Why a ninja?! What even is that?"
Hikaru: "It's an occupation from a distant region. Put simply, they're assassins and killers... although Beni hasn't done that kind of dirty work in a very long time. These days, he's just an old man who runs a dining hall."
"There was a town in the Johto region known as the homeland of ninja, although its people also seem to have crossed the sea from somewhere else..."
"You've seen Smoke Bombs while exploring the wilderness, haven't you? You throw one down, it creates a cloud of smoke, and then you use it for stealth. Those were originally tools made by ninja. They would conceal themselves within the landscape and ambush passing Trainers. Didn't the Miss Fortune sisters use the same tools whenever they ran away?"
"You smash one against the ground and flee while the smoke provides cover. The fine powder scattering through the air obscures everyone's vision. I imagine these tools originated from the Smokescreen phenomenon created by certain moves."
"Sootfoot Root is a tuber used as a material for Smoke Bombs. It can be mashed and used in cooking, or dried and ground into a light, fine powder. Smokescreen can refer to both a move and an environmental effect."
Adaman's eyes widened.
"Ninja... assassins?!"
"So that's where Galaxy Team's famous Smoke Bombs came from... That's pretty interesting! Ninjutsu sounds unbelievably dramatic!"
During the middle and later stages of their development, the Diamond Clan adopted many of Galaxy Team's fascinating inventions. Smoke Bombs were one such item.
Mai, the warden stationed in the Obsidian Fieldlands, particularly enjoyed them. After Hikaru completed the investigations into the massive mass outbreaks, she would even offer Smoke Bombs as compensation. She was clearly having the time of her life with them.
Adaman would also become so interested in ninjutsu that he went to study under Beni.
However, judging by his descendant Perrin, even if he succeeded in learning ninjutsu, none of those techniques were passed down through his family. His descendant chose photography instead.
Rather than learning ninjutsu, Adaman would probably end up playing with Professor Laventon's camera.
Adaman's interest intensified.
"So what exactly is ninjutsu?"
Hikaru: "The dirtier tactics used in Pokémon battles."
Adaman calmly fell silent.
"..."
Time to change the subject.
"Well, the power of time truly is terrifying. If the ninja are destined to disappear, then let them disappear. Even the great Dialga has closed its eyes."
"In any case, this taught us about more than just time. Space can also be crossed. When Cogita said that the four directions, above and below, together with the past and future, formed the universe, this must have been what she meant."
"Ahem! Anyway, we have an idea."
"If we're going to build statues, I think we should make some for those people as well... We couldn't see them clearly at the time, but we still remember their general shapes and appearances. Someone even managed to photograph them, didn't they?"
"The more people who climbed the mountain and saw them, the more accurately we can describe what they looked like!"
Cyllene: "You want to carve statues of the convictions that gathered at Spear Pillar? The people from the distant past and the far-off future..."
Irida: "Legends and myths can be carved into stone. Stone can endure for ages and carry vast amounts of information across time."
"Future generations may not understand who those people were. But as long as they understand that those figures once appeared in Sinnoh and brought about a tremendous change in the relationship between humans and Pokémon..."
"No, those people were already bridges between humans and Pokémon."
Cyllene: "Hmm... You have a point. But if we're carving statues, then you must be included among them. We cannot ignore the contributions you made on Mount Coronet."
"Besides, these statues would symbolize unity, wouldn't they?"
"Statues of humans, statues of Pokémon, and a combined statue of the Almighty Sinnoh. Whether we use stone or metal, we will establish these monuments at one of our base camps... No, at a place of great importance."
"The Temple of Sinnoh becoming Spear Pillar symbolizes the passing of the previous age. We need a new place capable of carrying the history that follows."
She closed her eyes.
In truth, Cyllene did not need to think about it. She had already made her decision.
Still, she turned toward Hikaru.
"I expected you to offer your opinion. If these statues are carved, your likeness will certainly be engraved into history as well."
"However... the Almighty Sinnoh warned us that history would gradually be lost over the next one hundred and fifty years. The statues of the past will once again become ruins."
"The world may develop and change so quickly that people forget what came before, eventually creating a blank century."
Hikaru: "There are already many Pokémon statues buried beneath Sinnoh... Do you remember the area near the Celestica Ruins? Anyone who has explored the Coronet Highlands should know about them. There are statues of Pokémon such as Probopass and Clefairy, but they have all been damaged."
During the incident at Oreburrow Tunnel, a Galaxy Team member named Kochika and an Alpha Onix had also mentioned that someone planned to turn any high-quality stone they discovered into statues of Pokémon.
At the same time, they had said that Lian discovered vast coal deposits hidden inside Oreburrow Tunnel.
Cyllene: "...A human life is so brief before the power of time. That is what you're trying to say, isn't it?"
"However, once you return to the future, you will certainly see the message we left for you. Galaxy Team will take responsibility for this work."
Irida: "Even if the statues are eventually buried or broken, the gratitude and remembrance we wish to express will surely be passed down."
"Those feelings truly exist within us at this moment."
Cyllene: "My proposal is to build the base camp and the statues near Alabaster Forest... Yes, the place where you first met us, as well as Alec. It carries considerable meaning, doesn't it?"
"The white forest and the white Lake Acuity."
"A lake overflowing with wisdom, a place that remains eternally unchanged by time."
Hikaru froze for a moment.
"It's... Eterna."
Eterna, a name derived from eternity, carried meanings such as long ages, antiquity, eras, ruins...
And forever.
Irida covered her mouth and smiled.
"You just said a word I've never heard before! That must be the name of a town passed down to future generations, right? It seems our plan will be a great success!"
"Eterna, the eternally unchanging city. Yes, it should last for at least a hundred years!"
Adaman smiled as well.
"That proves our feelings have already reached the future. In the language used by our learned professor, Galarian, this is how you would say it: Eterna City."
"The Eternal City."
Hikaru's expression became somewhat complicated.
"However, that city had already existed for a very long time in my era. Yet here in Hisui, it truly... doesn't exist yet."
"Why is that?"
"That city is also my home in the Sinnoh region. It contains many ruins, and legend says it was once the center of every celebration."
Why had the Eterna City that did not yet exist been built?
How had the countless ancient ruins left behind there eventually been forgotten?
Those questions would forever remain mysteries within Sinnoh's history.
Irida clasped the flute in her hand.
"You gave us time, so we will meet again someday. The power over space that you possess will guide us back to you."
"You will see me again... No, you will see all of us again. The time we have experienced together will become an incomparable treasure."
"Here. This is something you once told me about... I am entrusting this treasure to you!"
"This is an extraordinarily important object, and in the vast land of Hisui, no one can resist the allure of treasure!"
[Pearl Clan's Treasure, Lustrous Globe: A very large and lustrous pearl. When used on Palkia, it causes the Pokémon to gain power and change form.]
The Pearl Clan would soon face another vacancy among its wardens. However, Irida intended to care for Sneasler herself. In any case, Sneasler would no longer remain at its arena.
Irida once again wore her familiar smile, the one that seemed to say, Isn't that just fine?
"I don't know how distant the land of Alola truly is, but Professor Laventon told me a little about it. Even in this era, it lies across an immensely vast distance."
"It may be easy to reach in your time, but I also heard something else..."
"Alola's ancient laws forbid people from flying without permission, don't they? In that case, the power to move through space should prove useful."
"At the distant Sinjoh Ruins, you will also receive Palkia. Every time you see this Lustrous Globe... please don't forget me."
"Remember that someone in this distant age once thought of you like this! When you battle alongside the newly born Palkia, it will feel as though I am standing at your side."
"Meeting you made my life infinitely broader. It became as vast as Palkia's heart, filled with boundless space! I'm truly glad."
Hikaru: "I understand. I also have to thank you, so I'll make a promise with you as well."
Irida stared at him.
"...Huh?!"
Hikaru: "Don't look so surprised. I told you about this from the very beginning, didn't I?"
"When you board the vessel of time and drift toward the future, do you think it must be an endlessly long journey that requires you to bid farewell to your homeland and prepare yourself for the worst?"
"Even within dreams, the day of our reunion will eventually arrive. Through the Eternal Battle Reverie, you can encounter all kinds of people from distant lands and different eras!"
"That is the world I want to show you."
"There was another extremely important reason I came to Hisui. I wanted to restart the training facility known as the Eternal Battle Reverie here. Its story was always meant to begin in this era."
"This will be my final gift to the people and Pokémon of this age, as well as to the Transcendent Almighty that has already fallen into a long slumber!"
"And every gift carries the feelings of the person who gave it."
"Your wish, and all those distant, boundless places you longed to see, have now been delivered into your hands. I have fulfilled your wish. This is how I will express my gratitude!"
"Thank you for believing in me. I may be capable of granting life to others, but I cannot make them acknowledge or accept me."
"You gave me that precious acceptance."
"You are the one who acknowledged me."
"And you are also the final shrine maiden of Celestica. That is what you should be called!"
The atmosphere suddenly became strange.
An indescribable emotion rose within Irida's heart, like green grass and flowers beginning to sprout across a frozen winter field.
She had never resented it.
The spring she had chosen was no ordinary spring.
Before its arrival, enduring an even crueler winter was only natural.
"I... I...!"
"You can express your gratitude outside," Cyllene suddenly interrupted.
Her stern face appeared between the two of them. Even if she had not spoken, Hikaru already knew what Cyllene wanted to say.
[Stop flirting in front of me!]
Hikaru: "This isn't flirting. I'm simply expressing my profound respect for our esteemed leader."
Cyllene: "Enough already...! Although that may truly be what you think..."
She coughed and cast a thoughtful glance at the leader of the Pearl Clan.
Were Irida's complicated emotions simply the admiration of someone gazing up at the sun?
Or was she trying to draw even closer to it?
However...
[Their relationship could only be described as calm and understated. They could discuss anything with each other, and although they had known each other for a long time, nothing ever seemed to change. Even when someone deliberately created the right atmosphere, it would end as a joke, leaving the truth forever unspoken.]
That was probably what it felt like.
Still, young people were often like that.
Irida had not inherited the position of clan leader very long ago. Although she always tried to act like an adult in front of Commander Kamado, one could not ignore the fact that she was still a young woman.
Of course, the same was true of Adaman. He was merely a little larger than most people. He had once been a child as well...
Adaman: "Captain Cyllene, why are you suddenly looking at me?"
"The Diamond Clan wasn't lucky enough to pick up a swordsman who fell from the sky. Now I finally understand the saying that the world exists because time and space are intertwined..."
"You aren't about to throw me through the air like Commander Kamado, are you?"
Cyllene: "...I have no intention of doing that. However, now that both of you possess the power of time and space, I suppose you truly do have plenty of time ahead of you."
"There is no need to decide the answer to every troubling problem right now. You always think too much. Sometimes, you need to keep things simple."
Irida blinked. Her confused emotions gradually settled.
"Keep things simple... That's right. I won't be left behind."
"I've never liked people who act as though time is chasing them, always rushing from one thing to the next..."
Hikaru: "...Captain Cyllene, it almost seems as though you've secretly learned to use Aura. No, I suppose it's still only a faint ripple for now?"
Cyllene: "You...! I did not secretly imitate your Aura! Over the course of several months of training, I finally managed to..."
"Besides, have you forgotten that someone in the village can already use Aura? Rye! He's here right now!"
She exhaled.
"Still, when I think about it, I felt a certain sense of destiny from the very beginning..."
"As a fellow swordswoman, I agreed to accompany Alec to Alabaster Forest. I also helped the Pokémon there, and I met Abra, my first partner..."
Her expression, normally as unchanging as an iceberg, softened into a rare and gentle smile.
Before Cyllene became the captain of the Survey Corps, back when she was still captain of the Security Corps, she had not yet developed her famous poker face.
She had once been quite expressive. She had not yet become someone like Cyrus, who walked around with a blank expression every day.
Perhaps the pressure she faced later in life became too overwhelming, forcing her to change.
She probably began drowning her worries in food every day.
"This is how a swordsman offers a blessing, isn't it?"
"May fortune favor you in battle."
Adaman: "What? So Captain Cyllene also had words of gratitude she wanted to say..."
"It's true that the technology Hikaru shared with us improved the lives of everyone in Galaxy Team. Both the Diamond Clan and Pearl Clan have benefited immensely."
Hikaru: "In that case, I'll offer you my blessing as well."
"May your courage, my sword, and each of our duties stand together with the sun."
Those words made Cyllene freeze.
Every long night would eventually end.
Alec, the Dawn Star, and Cyllene, the Starry Moon, would both sink beyond the horizon.
Then the sun would rise once more, casting its light across the earth.
And so, she held hope for that sun...
Cyllene: "I suddenly found myself wondering whether Alec is gazing at the same stars and moon from some distant land."
"The stars and moon will eventually fade, making way for the sun."
The sun...
That was also someone's name.
Yes, if she had descendants someday...
How dazzling.
Cyllene: "What are my descendants like in the future? Do they grow up strong in a place bathed in sunlight?"
"Or do I never have any descendants?"
Hikaru: "Oh, you mean... No, I can't tell you."
Cyllene: "...?"
"If you're concerned about altering history, then you don't have to say anything. But are you afraid I might leave behind some kind of family creed and influence the future?"
"However, if history can be overwritten and freely corrected, then couldn't we look at it another way?"
(End of Chapter)
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