Chapter 589: Delta Episode (4)
~Ruby POV~
[Hoenn Region, Meanwhile, Verdanturf Town – Contest Hall]
The perfectly manicured hedges of the Contest Hall garden seemed ludicrously out of place, almost offensive, against the backdrop of the unfolding catastrophe. I sat on a pristine white bench, polishing my Milotic, Feefee, with a soft cloth, though my gaze was fixed on the insistent, blaring news report on my Rotom Phone.
Meteorite showers. Grand Meteor Delta. Extinction-level event. Each word felt like a physical blow to my carefully constructed world of beauty and grace. I murmured, a tremor in my voice, "It's simply… uncouth."
Feefee, usually so serene, squirmed anxiously in my hands as I added, "To threaten such exquisite beauty with such… brute destruction."
My Pokémon responded to my anxiety. Nana, my Mightyena, let out a soft whine, nudging my hand. Mumu, my Swampert, merely dipped a heavy foot in the nearby pond, sending ripples that mirrored the chaos in my mind.
Normally, my biggest concern was matching the perfect ribbon to the right contest theme or ensuring my Pokémon's coats were utterly flawless. Now, the news channels were showing grainy footage of cities engulfed in panic, of people fighting over supplies, of the sky itself weeping fiery tears.
This was the end of beauty.
The end of contests.
The end of everything I held dear.
*BEEP*
My Rotom Phone rang
My father, Norman, had called, his voice strained, "Ruby, are you safe? Stay indoors! Stay with Sapphire if you can. The situation is… dire."
Sapphire. My thoughts immediately went to her. Out in the wilds, where those meteorites were likely hitting. Her reckless spirit, a constant worry even in normal times, now felt like a lead weight in my stomach.
The report continued, detailing the plan to stop it: a trainer, Azure, with a legendary Rayquaza, going into space. Steven had confirmed it, his voice grave, though he hadn't identified the trainer by name.
But I knew. I'd seen Azure at the Battle Frontier, witnessed his almost mystical connection with his Pokémon.
He was a force of nature, sure.
But could even he stand against this?
My fingers, usually so precise and steady, fumbled with Feefee's brush. The sheer scale of it was overwhelming. There was no Pokémon Contest for saving the world. No ribbon for preventing Armageddon.
I felt utterly useless, my meticulously honed skills suddenly irrelevant. I whispered, "What good is beauty if there's no one left to appreciate it?"
*Thud*
A distant thud reverberated through the ground, vibrating up through the bench. It was probably just another meteorite, but it felt like the world itself was groaning. I looked at Feefee, at her shimmering scales, at the perfect curve of her fin.
I couldn't let it all disappear.
My mind began, almost unconsciously, to shift. If beauty were to be preserved, it had to be protected. And if it couldn't be protected by traditional means, then… what then? Perhaps there were other ways to contribute.
To keep hope alive. To ensure that even in the face of oblivion, there was still something worth fighting for. My resolve hardened.
I closed my eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath.
*Click-click-click*
The clicking sound went off in the lens of my camera, as I instinctively took a photo of the sky, streaked now with distant, ominous light. This was not a picture of beauty, but a record of a world on the brink. A memory worth preserving.
/////
~Diamond POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Meanwhile, Veilstone City – Bakery]
*Grumble*
My stomach growled, a familiar comfort even amidst the chaotic symphony of Sinnoh. I was in a small bakery in Veilstone City, quietly munching on a freshly baked Moomoo Milk scone, while the news played on a small TV screen above the counter.
Meteorites… world ending…
The words floated past me, almost unreal, like a particularly dramatic movie. But the worried clatter of the baker's pots and pans, and the muffled sobs from a woman huddling by the window, told me it was all too real.
I mumbled around a mouthful of scone, "This is… not good."
My Munchlax, Lax, nodded solemnly beside me, still finishing his own giant pile of Poffins. Even he seemed less enthusiastic than usual about food, which was saying something. I looked at my Tyranitar, Lar, who sat patiently, his colossal form almost filling the small bakery.
He was usually so stoic, so unmoving, but even his predatory eyes held a flicker of something close to concern. My Torterra, Tru, stretched out, his tree-like shell providing a small, green oasis in the anxious room.
The news anchor, a frantic woman with wide eyes, was talking about 'Grand Meteor Delta.' And a 'chosen trainer.' And Rayquaza. My mind wandered back to the legends of Sinnoh, the ancient tales of creation and destruction.
This felt… bigger. More final.
I said calmly, offering him another bite of scone, "So, the world might end, Lax."
He took it, slowly, before I added sadly, "That means no more Poffins. No more snacks. No more yummy food."
Lax stopped chewing, his eyes widening in pure horror, "Munch?!"
I nodded, a pang of sadness hitting me, "Yeah. No more anything."
The simplicity of that thought hit harder than any dramatic news report.
No more laughter with Pearl.
No more quiet moments with Platinum.
No more enjoying the simple things.
The idea felt wrong.
Like a story ending too soon, without a proper resolution.
*BUZZZ*
My Rotom buzzed. It was Platinum as I answered, hearing her voice, usually so composed, had a tremble, "Diamond? Are you safe? Where are you?"
I replied, my voice calm, even though my heart felt heavy, "I'm at the bakery in Veilstone. Getting some scones. Lax is still hungry."
A pause on the other end before a groan followed as she exclaimed, "Dia, this is serious! The cities are in a panic! We need to understand what's happening!"
I said calmly, looking out the window at the increasingly distraught faces walking by, "I know, Platinum. But panicking doesn't help anyone. Someone's going to try and stop it, right? The news said so."
She trailed off, clearly frustrated by my apparent lack of urgency, "Yes, but…"
I concluded with a confident tone in my voice, "So then, we just have to trust them and make sure everyone here is okay. And maybe eat some good food while we wait. A full stomach helps you think better."
*BEEP*
I ended the call, knowing Platinum would probably reprimand me later.
But what else could I do?
My strength wasn't in flashy battles or complex strategies. My strength was in staying calm, in finding comfort, in reminding people of the good things. If the world were ending, then the best thing I could do was make sure the last moments were as peaceful and perhaps even as delicious as possible.
Clatter of pots, muffled news reports, the quiet chewing of Lax, a distant, sorrowful cry. I took another bite of my scone, savoring the taste.
*Crunch*
Hope, like a good meal, was best shared.
/////
~Pearl's POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Meanwhile, Battle Tower (Palmer's Home)]
I slammed my fist on the table, rattling the cups of tea in my father's study, "DAD!! WHAT IS GOING ON?!"
The TV, blaring out its doomsday message, filled the room with a dreadful static. My Chatler, my Chatot, frantically flapped its wings, mimicking the newsreader's panicked tone, "Meteor! Meteor!"
I asked my father again, trying to be a bit calmer but failing, "Dad, this isn't funny! This is a joke, right? A super-elaborate prank?!"
My father, Palmer, the Frontier Brain, looked unusually grim, his usually jovial face etched with worry. He said, his voice low, "I wish it were, Pearl. But the reports are too consistent. The Pokémon Association and the League are already mobilizing against this threat. There's a contingency plan in place, spearheaded by Steven Stone and the other trainer who conquered the Battle Frontier Azure."
I exclaimed in disbelief, hearing the news, "Azure?! The guy who beat the Battle Frontier? So he's going to, what, Rapid Spin the asteroid away?!"
My usual sarcasm was laced with genuine fear. This wasn't some Team Galactic scheme we could just punch our way through.
This was… external. Cosmic.
My Infernape, Chimer, bared his teeth, flames flaring around his head, sensing my agitation. Zeller, my Buizel, chattered nervously. Even the usually unflappable Rayler, my Luxray, seemed on edge, his tail twitching.
I paced the room, my frustration boiling, asking, "They're talking about Rayquaza, about a spacesuit, about a countdown of 10 days! 9 days now until the world goes poof?! This is insane! Why didn't anyone tell us sooner? Why wasn't there a bigger plan?!"
I thought of Diamond, probably somewhere calmly eating a Poffin, oblivious to the utter madness. And Platinum… she'd be analyzing, calculating, trying to find a logical explanation for the illogical.
I yelled, throwing my hands up, feeling helpless, "We can't just stand by! We gotta do something! Mobilize the trainers! Everyone's Pokémon, combine all our attacks! Maybe we can blast it out of the sky before it gets here!"
Palmer put a hand on my shoulder. He said calmly with a conflicted expression, explaining, "Pearl, it's not that simple. This is beyond our scope. We must trust that the designated individuals will handle it. Our job is to maintain order here. To keep people from falling into despair."
I scoffed as I shouted in a frightened tone, "Despair?! How do you not despair when the world's about to end?! We need to fight!"
I looked out the window at the distant, frantic crowds, their shouts reaching even this high vantage point. Yelling, frantic footsteps, the buzz of the TV.
My mind, usually so straightforward, was reeling. This was a challenge unlike any other. And the thought of sitting idle, waiting for some "chosen one" to save us, grated on my very soul. I was a Dex Holder, a trainer!
I fought!
I protected!
I said resolutely with a determined expression, my voice hardening, "Alright! Then if I can't fight it, I'll fight the panic. I'll fight the hopelessness. I'll fight to make sure Diamond and Platinum, and everyone else, have a world left to come back to. Come on, Chatler! We're going to make some noise! Positive noise! The world needs the comedic duo!"
My Chatot squawked, mimicking my determination. I burst out of the study, my heart pounding, a new furious energy propelling me forward.
If the world were ending, I was going to make sure it went out with a bang, not a whimper. And maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to help Azure after all. My steps echoed loudly, a defiant rhythm against the encroaching chaos.
/////
~Platinum B. POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Meanwhile, Sandgem Town – Berlitz Home]
The silence in my private study was stark, broken only by the soft whirring of my computer and the gentle rustle of the ancestral documents I was reviewing. My mind, usually a labyrinth of strategic calculations and academic pursuits, was now a fractured landscape, piecing together the terrifying reports. Grand Meteor Delta.
10 days. Or 9 days left...
Planetary impact.
My Empoleon stood by my side, his regal posture unwavering, though even she occasionally glanced at the holographic projection of the news, his gaze uncharacteristically somber. My Lopunny sat quietly, her expression one of profound concern.
I murmured, my voice betraying only a hint of the turmoil within, "This data… it confirms the initial leak. The scientific consensus appears to be… catastrophic.
I tapped a stylus against my chin, reviewing the projected trajectories and the energy output required to mitigate such an impact. The numbers were staggering, almost beyond comprehension.
My father, Professor Berlitz, had been on the phone constantly, coordinating with various academic institutions. His reports, though delivered with a scientist's detached precision, painted a grim picture of global panic.
The Pokémon Association and League, the Champions – Steven, Cynthia, Alder, Diantha, Leon, Geeta – all identified as being aware, involved. And Azure. The name resonated. A trainer of immense, almost legendary, prowess.
He was the linchpin.
I mused, the weight of the decision pressing down on me, "To entrust the fate of an entire planet to a single individual, a single Pokémon…"
It was strategically unsound, an immense risk. Yet, the alternatives were worse: utter annihilation. My Rotom Phone vibrated discreetly.
*Buzzz*
It was Diamond, his usual calm voice reporting from a bakery. My lips twitched. Even in the face of oblivion, his priorities remained delightfully consistent. Then Pearl, his voice a furious torrent of indignation and determination, wanted to fight.
I noted a flicker of appreciation for their unique responses, "They react… as expected. They're good friends to have."
I smiled, recalling that Diamond offered comfort, Pearl sought action. My own role, as always, was to process, to analyze, to plan.
The leaked information, while causing immense chaos, had also inadvertently raised global awareness. Perhaps, in a twisted way, it would foster a sense of collective purpose, however desperate.
But the cost… the sheer, unimaginable cost in terms of human and Pokémon lives lost to panic, misinformation, and despair, weighed heavily. I stood, walking to the large window overlooking the expansive grounds of the manor.
The usually vibrant Sinnoh sky seemed muted, already tainted by a foreboding gloom. The hum of computers, the quiet, authoritative tone of my own voice, these were the sounds of my world. Now, they were underscored by a new, terrifying silence – the silence of an impending end.
I stated resolutely in a steeled tone, my resolve hardening, "If the world is to be saved by 'Azure', then Sinnoh must be prepared for the aftermath. For the reconstruction. For the continuation of civilization."
My training, my lineage, had always prepared me for leadership, for the burden of responsibility. Now, that burden felt heavier than any crown. My Pokémon watched me, their silent support a profound comfort.
I commanded, my voice clear and steady, "Empoleon. Assemble the family council. We must begin contingency planning. And Lopunny, please prepare travel arrangements. I intend to consult with the regional professors to gather all available data."
There was no room for despair. Only meticulous planning, pragmatic action, and an unwavering belief in humanity's and Pokémon's capacity to endure. The future was uncertain, shrouded by cosmic dust, but I, Platinum Berlitz, would face it with the same unwavering resolve I faced any challenge.
The fate of Sinnoh, and perhaps even its contribution to the world's survival, rested on my shoulders and my intellect. And I would not fail.
/////
~N H. POV~
[Unova Region, Meanwhile, The White Forest]
The White Forest was a living tapestry of emerald leaves, a place where light filtered through the canopy in a soft, rustling chorus of wind and whispering branches. I walked its winding paths with Snivy coiled at my side, its emerald scales glinting like polished jade. Zorua trailed behind, its dark fur rippling with a mischievous snap as it darted between roots.
I was deep in thought, recalling my father's words about humanity's tendency to treat Pokémon as tools. The forest had always been my sanctuary, a place where I could watch the balance of nature untainted by greed.
*RMBL*
A sudden crash of distant thunder caught my attention. The sky above the forest darkened, a low, resonant boom that seemed to echo the planet's pain. I felt an unfamiliar vibration in the ground—rumble, rumble—as a wave of panic spread through the leaves.
I stopped, eyes narrowing, and listened to the news that filtered through the forest's natural broadcast—the wind carried whispers of a meteor hurtling toward the world. My heart sank. 10 days. Or 9 days until the planet could be shattered.
I thought of Azure Sky, the boy who had once been a mere human, now a legend who wielded the power of Mega Rayquaza. He was my greatest enemy… and perhaps, reluctantly, the only hope the world possessed.
Snivy hissed, its breath forming tiny clouds, "Snivy… (N, this is…)."
*Swish—swish*
I shook my head, the leaves rustling softly as I steadied my resolve. I spoke out calmly, "It doesn't matter whose side we're on. If the world ends, there will be no one left to argue over ideals."
*Thrum*
I pressed my hand against a tree trunk, feeling the life force pulsing within, and called upon the Forest's Pokémon. A chorus of Pidgeot wings flapped above, a rustle of their feathers like a soft flap‑flap, and the crash of a distant river sounded like a steady gurgle.
I whispered to the forest, my voice merging with the wind, casting my gaze to the sky, "Gather your strength, my friends. This is not a battle of trainers versus Pokémon, but a battle for existence itself."
*Whooosh*
Surrounded by the living forest, I felt a surge of energy. My mind connected with the ancient spirit of the White Forest, a force older than any league or champion. The wind lifted and carried my thoughts, spreading them outward like seeds.
*Fa‑la‑fa‑la*
A soft, bittersweet melody rose from the trees, the forest's way of saying it would stand with me. I turned to Zorua, its eyes gleaming as I said, softly rubbing my friend's head, "We'll be together to the very end, old friend. We'll have to say our piece for the liberation of Pokémon while we can. Share what we know. No more secrets. The world will need every voice, even yours, to survive."
*Thump-thump*
The forest seemed to approve, its leaves trembling in agreement—shiver, shiver. I took a deep breath, the scent of pine and earth filling my lungs, and set off toward the coast, the weight of the world on my shoulders, but my heart steady, ready to stand alongside even my greatest opposition.
/////
A/N: Hope you like the chapter!