"The emblem on the stage… it depicts the Pokémon who created the world?"
Cynthia couldn't just ignore that line. Her eyes flared with passion as she looked back and forth between the two men, a small smile forming at the corners of her lips.
The Ruins held the lost legends of Sinnoh—and today, those secrets would be unveiled.
Cynthia had already seen the engravings when she arrived. While she had found vague mentions in ancient texts, no detailed depictions of the three emblems remained in modern Sinnoh.
"All the answers I've been searching for… they're right here!"
She murmured as her smile faded, and her expression turned solemn:
"For years, I've studied the myths and ruins of Sinnoh… maybe all of that was leading me to this day."
"I was guided here to this stage. But who am I supposed to guide now?"
The person who had once needed guidance now stood before her.
And to that quiet question, Hikaru had an answer.
The one Cynthia was meant to guide should have been either Ethan or Lyra—the protagonists from Johto. But in reality, it's impossible for Arceus to willingly partner with a mere mortal.
In all recorded history, only one person had ever gained Arceus's companionship. Perhaps that too was a form of Arceus's atonement.
So Cynthia had lost the one she was supposed to guide.
And now, Arceus seemed especially focused on her. The guide had become the guided. And as for Cynthia's original role—
"I'll be taking over."
Naturally. Hikaru muttered under his breath as he pulled out his tools and began working just off to the side of the battlefield.
But if this was going to be a display of power, it needed…
"Gueh! (A referee!)"
Aegislash volunteered itself, flying to the center of the field and dramatically thumping its shield—eager to serve as the referee!
"Oh? You want to be the referee? You're… Aegislash, right?"
"Hm, Ms. Cynthia said you were a blade for kings? Ah, it's been a while since we've met. Last time you were just a little Honedge—this new form is hard to get used to! Very regal, though!"
Aegislash shot a satisfied glance at Volo. It remembered being weak in the past, but even then, it had the potential of a Sacred Sword.
Not bad, you sure know how to flatter someone!
But don't think I'll be biased just because you said something nice!
"Oh no, I plan to let my strength speak for itself. I've no intention of bribing the referee." Volo chuckled awkwardly.
Cynthia was clearly amused. "Aegislash will referee, then?" She glanced at Hikaru, who was already hard at work, and nodded in understanding.
"Please use your aura to oversee the match. I trust you'll be a fair and capable judge."
"Gueh!"
However… Aegislash's aura detected something.
It sensed a terrifying power hidden within Volo.
As a final evolution, one of Aegislash's special traits was the ability to manipulate hearts and minds through spiritual force. So in terms of spiritual intuition, it was no slouch.
"He's hiding something?" Aegislash whispered to Hikaru.
Hikaru wasn't surprised.
"Of course. This guy used to hear Giratina's voice, remember?"
Hikaru wasn't the first "contractor" of Giratina!
If anything, Volo—who once tried to team up with Giratina and punch Arceus—was the original contractor!
And as an ancient Sinnoh native, Volo undoubtedly had some aces up his sleeve—just like Cogita, another elder who had lived since the Hisui era.
But before the battle began, Aegislash suddenly floated to the center and began gesturing wildly.
"Gueh! (Would the two Trainers like to choose some items to power up before the match?!)"
"Uh… Do you guys want some items?" Hikaru translated, surprised Aegislash would bring up battle item shopping right before a showdown. He'd been too focused on crafting the Millennium Wrist Pendant and another Arceus-related tool to consider selling combat items to the two before him.
"But if we're showcasing strength and bonds… we should fight at our best."
"Ah, I was thinking the same thing," Volo nodded.
Cynthia and Volo exchanged glances and nodded in sync. As fellow Trainers chosen by the gods, neither wanted to be outdone.
"Battle Item Selection"
"You go first," Volo smiled at Cynthia. She paused briefly, then nodded. "Alright, thank you—I'll take the lead."
Hikaru said, "So it's a full battle, right?"
"Of course. To show our bonds, all our Pokémon must enter the field!" Volo looked at Cynthia. "Any objections?"
"None." Cynthia nodded calmly. She agreed with the format.
Full Battle meant a 6v6 match. Each Trainer would use six Pokémon, and the first to lose all six would be defeated.
That said, both parties shared five Pokémon in common. After a hundred years, whether Volo's lineup remained unchanged was uncertain.
"These are…" Cynthia had previously purchased some items. Beyond familiar ones like the Pure Pendant, Focus Sash, Light Clay, Glass Whistle, and Leftovers, she also saw common items used in battle arenas—Shell Bell, King's Rock, Silk Scarf, various Herbs, Heat Rock, Soft Sand…
But two certificate-like items stood out.
"Bright Boost. If a move misses due to accuracy, Speed rises sharply." Hikaru pointed at the golden one, then at the silver-green one: "Weakness Policy. When hit by a super-effective move, Attack and Special Attack increase sharply."
"These aren't sold online. The materials are too rare—I can't mass-produce them."
He then laid out a new batch:
"These are also upcoming items. You can try them first, and I'll use this as a marketing trial."
"The 'Choice' series—Choice Specs, Choice Scarf, Choice Band. They boost Special Attack, Speed, and Attack by 1.5x respectively but restrict you to one move. You'll need to rotate strategically."
"Eject Button—if hit by a move, the Pokémon automatically switches out. But it's fragile—it can break during battle."
"Black Iron Ball, Black Glasses, Cursed Shovel…"
"Indigo Chiffon, Celestial Veil, Dragon Silk; Violet Chiffon, Shadow Gem—these empower Dragon- and Ghost-types. They're more for development and training."
"This one—Phantom Cloak." Hikaru held up an old, yellowish cloak. "Perfect for Garchomp. When Dragon-types take Ice-type attacks, they recover HP instead of taking damage."
Cynthia and Volo immediately locked eyes on that ancient cloak.
"Oh my, Garchomp's fatal weakness is Ice-type attacks. Dragon + Ground makes it suffer a quadruple disadvantage. Shouldn't you be grabbing that immediately?"
Learning its effect stunned Volo. That kind of cloak—if real—would nullify Ice weakness for Dragon-types. That was practically erasing a fatal flaw!
But Volo thought carefully.
No… In other contexts, it would be very useful. But for this battle, it wasn't necessary. Other items would prove more beneficial.
"I've never seen anything that nullifies a weakness. I definitely want to buy that cloak—but not now. In battle, focusing on offense suits me better."
"If you only try to guard your weakness, and the enemy doesn't hit that weakness, then the item's useless. The others are more versatile—at least for now."
In reality, Trainers had two main tactics: "Dodge it!" and "Hang in there!" So if your Pokémon had high enough mobility, even disadvantageous matchups could be survived and countered.
Cynthia quickly made her decision and selected the items best suited for her. Though many were new to her, as a Champion-level Trainer, she could simulate item effectiveness in her mind almost instantly.
Despite the variety, items must match the tactics.
Cynthia's Pokémon already carried some rare gear of their own.
"With these, I've built an almost perfect battle model. Let's begin."
"You're looking pretty confident." Volo stepped forward for his turn. Like Cynthia, as a traveling merchant, he had plenty of his own stock.
He chose just three.
"I found some rare things on my travels. Watch closely."
He pulled from his pack a familiar orb—Life Orb!
"Ah, good eye. This is a rare gem that significantly boosts a Pokémon's power."
He gave it to his Garchomp. Then… he began undressing.
"Eh?" Cynthia blinked.
Was this him going into "serious mode?"
"Today is the happiest day of my journey. I mean it."
This time, his smile wasn't deceitful. It was sincere joy. He looked toward the nearby Ruins, overflowing with emotion, fighting spirit, and excitement.
"Whether it's you or me, no matter who reaches the stage of light…"
"Let's show our full power. Which of our bonds will Arceus recognize?"
"I'm not certain I'll win—but I hate the idea of losing. So I'll win this with precision!"
Volo had changed. He shed his heavy merchant outfit, revealing a short-sleeved white shirt, green pants, and his body adorned with Millennium Wrist charms and decorations.
And his eyes no longer held warmth or playfulness—only cold intensity and zeal.
Cynthia's expression was confident and serious:
"You once said Pokémon were humanity's claws and fangs. I don't agree. That kind of bond is too cold. Would a god like Arceus truly accept such a bond?"
"If there's a chance to meet Arceus, I won't miss it! I used to dream of seeing the legendary Pokémon of Sinnoh. So this battle—I'm full of confidence!"
"And even if I lose, I'll have no regrets—this is the history I've forged with my Pokémon! I may be Sinnoh's Champion, but I aim to surpass that title and reach an even greater peak!"
"Let's go!" the two shouted together. In a flash of white light, two identical Pokémon thundered onto the battlefield—
Garchomp (×2)!
Their appearance resembled hammerhead sharks, dark blue with red bellies and yellow underparts, their bodies covered in white bone-like spikes—a blend of shark and dragon.
Both Garchomp locked eyes and exchanged low growls, feeling the powerful aura radiating from one another.
Garchomp (Volo): Hah! That's some impressive pressure for someone so young! But in battle, age means nothing! No mercy for the young or the old! Don't blame me if I play dirty!
Garchomp (Cynthia): Seems like an old-timer… What a pain. But with Cynthia at my back—I trust my Trainer. I won't lose!
"Unlike you, I chase Arceus to fulfill my ideal," Volo muttered, watching the two Garchomp face off. Cynthia's passionate declaration reminded him of someone from long ago…
I once immersed myself in myths… in Arceus…
Do you have a dream?
I see… you do. And yours is likely the opposite of mine…
Maybe one day you'll feel lost or hurt.
I was a Trainer of Pokémon. You… you fought with them.
In the end, I was alone. But not you…
You'll achieve your dream, won't you?
Take this plate from Giratina… my story ends with my defeat.
That memory—his defeat at the Sinjoh Ruins in the Hisui era—returned to him clearly.
And that young figure from the past gradually merged with the granddaughter standing before him now.
"Yes… You too are someone who fights with Pokémon!"
"But I'm not the same person I once was! Arceus—if you want to test me, then bring it on!"
"Cynthia, do you know the Spear Pillar?"
"What?" Cynthia blinked.
For the first time, Volo smiled sincerely: "It's where you can meet Arceus—deep in Mount Coronet! I gave it that name!"
"The broken pillars looked like spears… It's an ancient temple of the highest order. Right, Hikaru? You know the legend too!"
"Talking about ancient myths during battle will distract her," Hikaru noted. Cynthia's obsession with history was dangerous—at their level, even a moment's distraction could cost her the match!
And it worked. Cynthia was hooked.
"The Spear Pillar, the one the Galactic team couldn't find in the archives—wait, no! Focus!"
She inhaled deeply. But just then, Volo's Garchomp struck first!
His Garchomp was over a century older than Cynthia's—it was the same one he raised back in the Hisui era!
Dragons were legendary, after all. Their lifespans were incredibly long.
Volo's face twisted with passion. He thrust out his hand—
"Dragon Claw – Ferocity!"
(End of Chapter)
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