"Arceus?"
In front of the plaza, Professor Oak looked up in surprise, peering through the eye of the space-time storm at the God of Creation beyond the world.
This world did indeed have a "Creator."
The God of Creation, Arceus—that great existence who single-handedly shattered the void and created the world—was now casting His gaze upon this world.
As for His target—
There was no need to guess; Aiden must have done something to make Arceus personally step in and handle a problem that even the Space-Time Dragons couldn't solve.
A smile suddenly appeared on Professor Oak's face.
It seemed Aiden's identity was far more outrageous than he had imagined.
Even in regions outside Sinnoh, legends about Him and the stories left by His chosen "Envoys of Arceus" circulated.
For example, Ghris, who sealed Hoopa in the Kalos region a century ago, was the last known envoy.
And now, that Great One had finally cast His gaze upon the world once more.
No wonder Aiden was always on the front lines whenever a Legendary Pokémon awakened. Thinking about it carefully, perhaps he had shouldered a special mission from very early on?
He just never mentioned it to anyone, nor did he ever think of using this identity to gain more for himself—
Thinking of this, Professor Oak couldn't help but shake his head.
Sure enough, getting old makes one overthink. How could a good seedling chosen by that Great One be someone who chases fame and fortune?
His previous judgment wasn't wrong—
This era would probably become even more interesting under Aiden's guidance, right?
Professor Oak's gaze passed through the buildings, looking at that tiny figure in the distant sky.
Anyway, let's go see if that kid Aiden is injured first.
Sitting on Salamence's back, Aiden's clothes were already soaked by the rain.
However, upon seeing Arceus's figure appear, his expression visibly relaxed.
Thank goodness, this "hidden reserve power" was finally put to use.
Although this move had probably completely exposed his relationship with Arceus, there was no helping it—
As long as everyone was safe, that was all that mattered.
[You seem to think being my underling is degrading?]
The voice coming from the void carried a hint of amusement, like friendly banter between friends.
Without looking, he knew that the alpaca had opened a "private encrypted call" for him.
"That's not it. Who could refuse having a God of Creation as such hardcore backing?"
Aiden smiled and looked up, giving a thumbs-up to the golden figure in the void.
Since Its appearance, the chaotic and disorderly space-time storm that was slowly enveloping more than half of Lumiose City had fallen completely still. It was obvious that Arceus on the other side had done something.
For a trouble that even the Space-Time Dragons couldn't handle in their own professional domain, the only solution Aiden could think of was summoning Arceus Themself.
But, this meant—
"I just feel that the identity of 'Arceus's Envoy' is too big. If others knew, maybe we wouldn't be able to interact normally in the future."
After speaking, Aiden sighed.
Being able to summon Legendary Pokémon at crucial moments, and even having Arceus as a backup save in desperate situations, had always been his greatest confidence. But he originally planned to hide this fact for a while longer.
Given the current situation, however, there really was no other choice.
[I actually think you're overthinking it. Maybe my name isn't as effective as you think?]
Arceus's voice came again.
As It spoke, Its gaze looked downward.
Even standing outside the world, everything in this world was still intimately familiar to Arceus.
The people heading towards Aiden—their sights and thoughts—none could escape His observation.
Having created countless worlds, He had seen far too many short-sighted humans, and had even entertained the idea that perhaps this world should be destroyed.
Fortunately, He hadn't done that back then, otherwise He wouldn't be able to see this interesting world today.
[Aiden, the future of this world is in your hands.]
Arceus suddenly spoke, catching Aiden completely off guard.
"Wait, what are you going to do???"
Aiden's expression at this moment could no longer be described as just panic.
Why did this feel like someone entrusting their orphaned child? Was Arceus going to pack up and run away too?
[Ahem—, did you misunderstand something?]
Arceus sighed.
[The fact that I can interfere with this world again this time can only be called a stroke of serendipity.]
[Evil Hoopa's unrestrained use of cross-dimensional power has violated the world's rules I established when I left.]
[So, by taking advantage of this space-time storm that tore the world's boundaries, I was able to cast my gaze from outside the world.]
[I can naturally resolve this crisis, but the butterfly effect brought about by those children from other dimensions—]
"Oh, I get it!"
Aiden immediately caught on.
"In short, after this incident, it's likely that other Legendary Pokémon will sense the familiar aura and awaken ahead of schedule, right?"
[Yes, I leave them to you, Aiden.]
[Besides the XYZ trio of Kalos, the deities slumbering in Hoenn and Galar will also be affected.]
Got it!
Aiden nodded.
Having already experienced such a large-scale divine war, just the Legendary Pokémon of a single region shouldn't be a big problem for him.
Anyway, he had already promised Arceus to go door-to-door and "deliver warmth" to them, so he might as well use this opportunity to speed up his progress!
In his eyes, those two Hoenn fools were short on brains, the XY duo were incompetent, and as for Eternatus—
It was almost solo-killed by Leon, and couldn't even beat the two doggos!
[—Sure enough, you are the one I chose.]
As if seeing through Aiden's inner thoughts, the Arceus projection in the void lowered Its head, watching him with a kindly gaze.
[Then, I leave everything in this world to you.]
The voice in his mind stopped abruptly, and the big alpaca in the eye of the storm immediately raised Its front hooves, releasing a golden aura.
Bathed in the golden light, Aiden blinked and noticed that the stationary space-time storm above his head suddenly began to rotate in reverse, slowly converging towards Arceus's direction.
Once the space-time storm disappeared, Arceus would probably vanish too—
Thinking of this, Aiden suddenly scratched his head.
Why did this alpaca give off a "ten thousand years of loneliness" vibe?
He felt like he should do something at this moment.
"Hoopa, lend me your interdimensional ring!"
After shouting, Aiden suddenly reached his hand behind him.
Little Hoopa, who had quietly sneaked up behind him and was shivering while trying to avoid Arceus's gaze, violently jolted in fright.
Although startled, its body's instinctive reaction still made it immediately raise the interdimensional ring in its hand high.
Aiden's hand reached in, and quickly pulled it back out.
"Since you're already here, take some local specialties back with you!"
When the "local specialty" in Aiden's hand was tossed into the air, Arceus in the void suddenly froze.
That was—
A Paldean specialty, a sandwich?
"That's right!"
Even though Arceus didn't transmit a voice this time, Aiden judged Its current mood based on Its expression, and smiled as he nodded.
"I thought about it; since you created this world, giving you anything from it felt a bit wrong."
"So, I decided to just give you something I made myself!"
"Apologies for the poor hospitality~"
Arceus in the void didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
The converging space-time storm even stagnated for a moment because of this.
[How truly interesting. Since the creation of the world, you are the first human to give me a gift—]
[However, I really like your gift.]
[You put thought into it.]
[Thank you, Aiden.]
The "gift" in the air suddenly accelerated in place, almost turning into a ray of light as it passed through the clouds and entered the space-time storm.
Then, the void barrier surrounding Lumiose City quietly disappeared.
Two rainbows hung on the horizon after the rain had cleared.
Aiden breathed a sigh of relief, looking in the direction where the space-time storm had vanished with a smile.
I'm the one who should be saying thank you.
But, just like Arceus said.
I'm probably also the first human to be personally thanked by Arceus!
As expected of me!
Hoopa Unbound had disappeared, and the Legendary Pokémon it had teleported to this world had long since departed.
The final space-time storm also dissipated into nothingness after Arceus intervened.
A crisis that could very well have destroyed the entire region ultimately ended with a happy outcome for everyone.
"Phew—"
Giovanni on the ground breathed a sigh of relief, tugging at his suit which was sticking to his body from the rain.
"As our first battle fighting side by side, this fight should be considered interesting, right?"
"Landorus?"
In the low sky, Landorus, who had transformed from its Therian Forme to its Incarnate Forme, crossed its arms and revealed a satisfied smile.
"Naturally."
"I admit that you are an interesting human."
"Is that so?"
A hint of a smile appeared on Giovanni's face, his eyes gazing directly at the faintly visible rainbow in the sky.
"But I've always thought of myself as a very boring man."
"However, it seems there are people even more boring than me."
"Don't you agree, Kanto Elite Four Lance?"
Lance, who had appeared behind him riding Dragonite at some point, scoffed coldly, seemingly having no intention of communicating with him.
"I really didn't expect there would be a day of fighting side by side with Giovanni—"
It was Bruno beside Lance who scratched his head, his expression a bit complicated.
Regarding the Team Rocket affairs, most people who didn't know the inside story probably felt the same as Bruno.
After all, Giovanni's image in people's hearts had always been a reliable Gym Leader and senior; it was truly hard to equate him with the "Boss of Team Rocket"—
"Hehe, we will have chances to meet again in the future."
Giovanni smiled nonchalantly.
"It won't be long before the reborn Rainbow Rocket returns to the Indigo Plateau. I'll have to bother you all again then."
"—"
Lance remained silent, but a few veins visibly bulged on his face.
This guy had been provoking him since just now!
If he wasn't lacking a reason to settle old scores right now, he would want to arrest him on the spot!
"In the end, the main character this time is still Teacher Azure—"
Not far away, Steven smoothed his rain-disheveled bangs, his expression helpless.
"And this time it's even more ridiculous. Even the God of Creation was called in by this kid."
"Without him, the whole of Lumiose City might have been in huge trouble—"
Wallace, who was beside him, added a couple of sentences expressionlessly, but then suddenly couldn't hold it in and laughed out loud.
"Really, he got to show off again."
"After today, do you still dare to say you're going to snipe Teacher Azure at the Masters Tournament?"
Steven suddenly turned his head, also revealing a provocative smile at Wallace, who was chuckling with his head down.
"I dare to, why wouldn't I?"
Wallace said righteously.
"If that kid can actually call in Arceus on the spot at the Masters Eight, then just give him the championship!"
"But if he doesn't—"
"Wouldn't defeating the Envoy of Arceus once also be a very interesting experience?"
"So that's what you think—"
Just as Wallace was showing a wicked smile, Aiden's eerie voice suddenly came from behind him, startling him.
Turning his head, Aiden's resentful face and Hoopa, who was grinning widely on his shoulder, were right before his eyes.
???
"After today, I'm afraid everyone else participating in the Masters Tournament will make defeating Little Aiden their goal!"
Master Mustard beside him immediately chimed in, adding another stab.
"However, this is also a crucial step to becoming the strongest!"
"If you want to be the strongest, you must first be prepared to make enemies of the strong across the entire world~"
"Indeed."
Even Professor Oak nodded seriously.
"If you can win another Masters Tournament championship trophy—"
"Aiden, you will definitely be the next Battle Legend~"
".—"
This time it was Aiden's turn to be silent.
Why did it feel like people were taking turns putting pressure on him, and it even included a bit of a jinx?
It must be an illusion—
Chatting with these men is so boring, let's go find Cynthia!
Aiden turned around, just in time to meet the gaze of Cynthia, who was riding on Garchomp's back and casting a gentle look at him.
Even though neither of them had said a word yet, a warm current suddenly surged in his heart, and a smile involuntarily spread across his face.
But—
"Gah!"
Just as he was about to speak, he was forcefully interrupted by Garchomp, who was thoroughly sickened by the cloying atmosphere.
Hold on, you two are flirting right in front of my face!
In your dreams!
Garchomp suddenly dashed forward, flying right past Aiden and landing on the other side of the crowd.
The originally perfect atmosphere came to an abrupt end. Aiden couldn't help but twitch the corners of his mouth, and then sighed.
Forget it, everyone was watching him right now.
Especially since there was a completely self-unaware third wheel over there—
Aiden glanced at Sigilyph closely following behind Garchomp. Caitlin, sitting on its shoulder, immediately stuck her tongue out at him provocatively.
Whose kid are you, childish brat?
After Aiden fought back with a disdainful glare, he looked up at the sky again.
The rain had cleared, and two intertwined rainbows hung in the sky.
Lumiose City had returned to its former peace.
Little Hoopa had regained the power of its prime. Without Hoopa Unbound's interference, it should be able to take Meray back to their own space-time.
A happy ending, a happy ending indeed!
Aiden smiled and narrowed his eyes, looking at that slender black figure on the horizon.
Of course, he couldn't forget the great contributor this time either.
After waving continuously towards the horizon, Aiden put his hands together in front of him and shouted loudly to the sky: "Thank you, Rayquaza!"
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