"Was that a one-hit KO?!" Volo gasped as Spiritomb dropped the moment it appeared.
"Cynthia, that's a god you're fighting! How could you be so careless?!"
"It's fine, I've prepared for this!" Cynthia crossed her arms in front of herself as the massive shockwave from Judgment nearly blew her off her feet.
She clenched her jaw—now she understood just how overwhelming a being this "god" truly was!
"Pain Split!"
Though Spiritomb appeared to be down, it still had breath in its body. Before the battle, it had stuffed itself with berries, elixirs, and buffs that made its status bar look shorter than its effect stack. Being a Champion-level Pokémon, even facing the Creator Deity, it couldn't just be one-shotted—how humiliating would that be?
Crackling energy burst from Spiritomb—and in the next moment, the same ripple passed to Arceus!
Pain Split: it combines the user's and opponent's HP and divides it evenly between both!
"Oh! That move is incredible!" Volo's tone flipped instantly—his worry replaced by awe.
They just drained the Creator God's stamina!
The phantom Arceus sensed something. It looked down at its ankle—a shadow was rapidly fading.
"Shadow Sneak!" Cynthia gasped, regaining her stance. "My Pokémon used a priority move the moment you cast Judgment!"
Fairy and Ghost types don't interact with each other directly—but Arceus had access to every Plate. Even with type advantages, it rarely meant much.
Cynthia remembered what Hikaru said. Since Arceus's initial color was white—then it must've been Normal-type!
Which is immune to Ghost-type attacks. Her follow-up tactics wouldn't work until it changed type!
Using Shadow Sneak was the right call. If they'd used something like Sucker Punch—Dark-type—it might've backfired immediately. Who tanks a god's ultimate move with their face?
"…" The phantom Arceus glanced down at the still-standing Spiritomb. Spiritomb stared nervously back.
Did… did it actually manage to Pain Split?
Arceus didn't seem weakened at all…
Once more, light gathered on its forehead—but then unexpectedly faded.
"…?" The phantom god seemed perplexed. Cynthia seized the chance and pulled out a tool she'd received from Hikaru.
"I gave Spiritomb a special item—Cursed Spade!"
The Cursed Spade was one of Hikaru's exclusive tools. If a Pokémon holding it touched an opponent before falling, it inflicted Grudge: the last move used would have its PP reduced to zero!
Shadow Sneak was a contact move.
Though PP doesn't exist in real battles, moves fail to trigger either from "sealing" or because a Pokémon lacks the energy or stamina to use it.
Thus, Grudge-like effects were interpreted as move locking.
And Spiritomb's ability? Pressure—forcing the opponent to expend more energy per move.
"Hohhh…" The phantom Arceus let out a thoughtful sound—it seemed to appreciate Cynthia's unshaken strategy. Cynthia, meanwhile, had already lobbed a Sticky Glob!
Hikaru: "To face Arceus, a Calming Treasure would be best—but we don't have anything like that here."
Volo: "Ah! Calming Treasures—you mean the offerings we used to pacify 'Nobles' back in the day! So nostalgic. I remember making them from Pokémon's favorite foods. Does Arceus… have a favorite?"
Hikaru: "Yes. Smartphones."
Volo: "…???"
The so-called "Calming Treasure" used on Arceus was actually a Pokédex-smartphone hybrid. Its appearance was even a bit like the Origin Ball—the item crafted in the maze world by another Arceus to contain divine power.
It doubled the power of all moves with no side effects—a totally broken item. But what did it matter? He's the Creator.
Now Arceus couldn't use Judgment, and the Sticky Glob had slowed it down—that was its secondary effect.
Barely noticeable, but still a window of opportunity!
"Hypnosis!"
Spiritomb's eyes rippled with psychic waves—but Arceus instantly shifted color!
Black: Dark-type—immune to Psychic!
"This type-shifting is too fast…" Cynthia grimaced. Then Arceus opened its maw, and a surge of steel-blue light gathered—it was changing type again!
"Raaah!"
Roar of Time!
A devastating beam blasted Spiritomb into the sky—tearing the very fabric of time. The resulting storm blew across the entire field. Cynthia was thrown to the ground. Spiritomb was knocked out.
Arceus looked calmly at its chosen one.
Pain Split? Cursed Spade? Sealed Judgment?
Pointless.
"That was a Dragon-type Roar of Time. It leaves Arceus briefly immobile!"
Hikaru shouted from afar, and Cynthia wasted no time—sending in her second Pokémon: Milotic!
"Blizzard!"
A freezing storm erupted at the start—Milotic's strongest Ice move. It enveloped Arceus, freezing it solid… but a second later, flames burst forth!
Red—Fire-type!
Though Arceus switched types, the damage had already been done. Cynthia's pulse quickened. She had never fought such a disadvantageous battle in her life!
For a moment, she was back to being a novice… just a little girl…
"Let's finish this in one move—Hydro Pump!"
Milotic reared back, scarlet fins billowing. Water beat Fire—Cynthia was pressing her advantage!
A surge of water gathered—boosted by its held item: Mystic Water!
But Arceus's forehead gleamed. Fire burst forth—so intense it lit the entire starry field. Forming massive letters:
Overheat!
Water beat Fire—but Arceus's Overheat was far too powerful. Hydro Pump evaporated instantly. The collision triggered a massive steam explosion!
Milotic screamed in pain, while Arceus stood unfazed. It switched Plates again—vanished into shadows.
"Recover!"
Cynthia shouted, but before Milotic could react, Arceus shattered the space-time barrier and struck her down in one hit!
"Was that Giratina's Shadow Force?" Volo was stunned. "Don't tell me Arceus can use every Pokémon's move? Only Mew's supposed to be able to do that!"
Hikaru: "It's not quite the same… but close."
"Third Pokémon."
"I'm counting on you—Togekiss!"
"Serene Grace Air Slash combo?" Volo guessed, but Cynthia shook her head.
"My Togekiss has the Hustle ability. Lower accuracy, but higher damage. We've trained to overcome the hit-rate drawback!"
"Use Shadow Ball!"
Togekiss chirped and hurled a massive dark sphere at Arceus—only for the god to shimmer…
Normal-type again—Ghost attacks have no effect!
"Haah… haah…" Cynthia's golden hair drooped. She panted heavily. A deep exhaustion was setting in.
"You're resonating with your Pokémon. This bond gives strength—but prolonged use causes mental strain," Hikaru explained.
Cynthia nodded. When she resonated with Garchomp earlier, it wasn't this draining.
"In another world," Hikaru said, telling a tale, "powerful Trainers always resonate with their Pokémon. Their lives are connected."
"In our world, a few can use this power. But overusing it leads to fainting."
He was referring to the Special manga world. And in their world, only Ash could use true Bond Power—he'd later do it in Kalos with Greninja.
"Seems I need more training." Cynthia wiped the sweat from her brow and smiled, full of fighting spirit.
"I'm not done yet."
"Togekiss! Aura Sphere!"
This time—a blue energy sphere, a Fighting-type move.
Arceus shifted—Ghost-type! And that was what Cynthia had waited for!
"Aura Sphere and Shadow Ball—combo attack!"
Two energy blasts—one after another—slammed into Arceus, forcing it to stagger backward.
The god was losing health!
But Arceus wasn't about to let itself be worn down. Togekiss launched another pair of alternating blasts. Arceus responded directly—its body erupted with electricity!
Gold—Electric-type!
"Use Extreme Speed to dodge!"
Togekiss soared skyward—its speed now outrageous. But Arceus's eyes shimmered with Psychic light—a massive gravitational force yanked Togekiss out of the air!
Then—Thunder!
Gravity was now active—increasing all moves' accuracy!
The lightning strike landed. Togekiss collapsed, defeated. All that speed and boosted Sp. Atk didn't help. In a blink, Cynthia had just three Pokémon left.
[Phantom Arceus: Bring them all out.]
Cynthia: "All…?"
"It's a full-team battle!" Hikaru explained. "In another world, someone did the same. It's not disrespect—it's Arceus recognizing your strength. He wants to see your true power!"
Very few Trainers could command six Pokémon simultaneously. Only true wild-battle masters could. But commanding three at once? Doable.
"Garchomp, Lucario, Roserade!"
The dark land shark, the blue steel hound, and the verdant flower prince—all stood tense, locked on the Creator before them.
Cynthia knew now: Arceus truly wanted to witness power.
"Earthquake! Dragon Pulse! Sludge Bomb!"
Garchomp triggered a quake. Lucario gathered draconic light. Roserade launched toxic sludge. Three attacks closed in—
Arceus shifted Plates—White: Normal-type.
Back to its base form—only weak to Fighting.
Then—
A massive ring of energy formed before it—
Hyper Voice!
A sonic attack that hit every opponent—and even the Trainer!
It was almost a wipe. All three Pokémon were blasted away. Cynthia collapsed, ears ringing, hearing gone.
"Lucario…?"
She looked up—and saw three shadows standing protectively in front of her.
Though Arceus had knocked them down—they had returned to shield their Trainer!
They'd taken the blow directly. Normal-type or not—Hyper Voice had nearly destroyed them.
The gap in power was too wide.
Even with prep and power-ups, one misstep could erase it all.
Lucario, with its Focus Sash, had shielded Cynthia. But the sash was now shredded—it had protected her twice, once from flames, once from sound.
Hikaru rubbed his chin.
Focus Sashes—powerful tools, but in a battle of gods, even they broke under pressure.
"To let life shine… I must give you everything."
"If I don't give you my all, we'll never win. Yes, defeat tests Trainers—but I want to try to win."
"Someone beat Arceus once. That means someone in the future can too. History moves forward. The next will surpass the past, and reach even greater heights."
Cut off from outside sound, Cynthia's fear melted away. She closed her eyes. Her Pokémon rose once more in perfect sync—tattered, but burning with spirit!
"When someone defeats the one at the top, they too will be surpassed. That's how people grow stronger. And right now—the one at the top is you."
"Lucario!"
"Close Combat!"
Lucario charged—abandoning defense for all-out speed and force. Arceus prepared to switch to Ghost-type, but…
Where was Garchomp?!
Boom! Garchomp soared skyward—Roserade riding its back—both descending like comets!
Arceus's forehead gleamed with eerie orbs—
Confuse Ray—to induce confusion!
Roserade was hit—but closed its eyes and spread its limbs.
Flash!
A blinding light struck Arceus, dropping its accuracy by one stage.
It wasn't an attack—but even a god flinched from the flash.
Garchomp had waited for this—
Most status moves aren't affected by type matchups!
Crunch – Brutal!
With 40% chance to lower Defense or nullify Defense boosts!
Arceus hurled a Shadow Ball—but it only clipped Garchomp's fin. The rest sailed harmlessly into the void.
Thanks to the lowered accuracy—it missed!
Garchomp's jaws—surging with Dark energy—latched onto Arceus's neck!
The impact echoed. Garchomp held an item:
Life Orb!
Boosts damage, drains health.
Critical hit!
"She's learned the Brutal fighting style!" Volo clapped.
That kind of skill only emerges from real experience!
Arceus staggered, debuffed. Garchomp wouldn't let go. Arceus switched to—
Black: Dark-type.
Lucario had been waiting. Hidden beneath Arceus—after missing Close Combat—
Aura Sphere!
A blast of Fighting energy struck Arceus's weakest spot!
Fighting beats Dark—super effective x2!
Real damage at last! The three Pokémon—under silent command—fought as one. No words needed.
Arceus looked at Cynthia with approval.
But…
The battle wasn't over!
Arceus shifted again—and struck with Heat Wave!
Scorching flames engulfed the field. Lucario and Roserade—burned instantly.
Their already low HP and type disadvantage sealed their fate—they fell!
Only Garchomp remained.
But it… was no longer where it had been.
Cynthia clenched her fists. Garchomp listened to her heart.
In that moment—her form transformed!
Her black outfit turned pure white, adorned in golden patterns. The pendant on her chest and in her hair turned emerald green, sparkling like gemstones. Behind her hovered golden energy arms—
The Celestial Arm of Eternity!
"Oh…" Arceus's phantom saw the glowing Arm—and recognized it as the true blessing from the real Arceus of this world!
Arceus Gear!
A form only available when Bond Power reaches its peak—a state exclusive to a Chosen One!
In this form—
Speed, strength, conviction, and willpower—
All are vastly amplified!
(End of Chapter)
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