April 21st, Wednesday.

A clear spring day with not a single wisp of cloud, the sky washed bright blue.

The gaze passed over the low tallgrass, revealing the shimmering waters of Lake Verity. A row of Staraptor fluttered their wings and took flight, while wild Gastrodon drank by the water’s edge.

The scenery sped backward, and after a brief tunnel, bright landscapes once again filled the view.

Lu Ye sat on the tramcar, elbow resting on the window sill, wearing a pair of white headphones, his profile turned toward the window.

Cynthia’s voice came through the call in his ear.

“So, you’re traveling to Sunyshore City soon?” Cynthia asked.

“Just passing through,” Lu Ye said. “Planning to check out the scenery at Mt. Coronet.”

“You didn’t tell me beforehand.”

“Sorry.” Lu Ye glanced sideways at Marshadow emerging from the shadow. “It was a sudden idea.”

“A spontaneous trip?” Cynthia sounded a bit helpless.

“You could say that.” Lu Ye smiled and asked, “Are you working much recently?”

Cynthia tucked her wavy golden hair behind her ear, thought for a moment, then said softly,

“Mainly monitoring active temporal rifts... So I might have to return to Celestic Town to consult Grandma.”

“Say hello to her for me.”

“Of course.” Cynthia smiled gently.

Then she paused and said, “The tram departing from Masago Town stops at Eterna Town along the way, where there’s a famous sea of flowers and rolling hills.”

“I was planning to visit Eterna Town,” Lu Ye said. “Should be able to get some quality Sweet Honey there.”

Collecting rare ingredients for cooking—that was an important quality for a trainer (strike that)... chef.

“Besides Sweet Honey,” Cynthia smiled lightly, “Eterna Town’s signature is the Gracidea Flower.”

“It’s said that the mythical Pokémon Shaymin made Eterna’s barren land fertile and lush... The whole hillside blooms with flowers of different colors. Locals pray and give thanks for nature’s gifts.”

Cynthia spoke calmly, “Those with gratitude in their hearts can harvest Gracidea Flowers symbolizing ‘thankfulness’ from the hills.”

“Good thing you reminded me.” Lu Ye took a deep breath.

“Hm?”

“I plan to take a detour and skip Eterna Town.”

“...” Cynthia rested her slender hand against her chin.

“I’ll explain when I get back.”

Lu Ye glanced at the side;

Marshadow and Haunter were pushing their cheeks against each other, squishing their faces into a lump.

“Haunter and the others are about to fight.”

“No problem.” Cynthia could picture the scene and smiled.

Lu Ye pressed the Bluetooth button by his ear and looked around;

only an elderly couple was dozing, cuddled together, paying no attention.

Teacher Lu hurriedly held down the heads of the two ‘Shadow Pokémon.’

If this continued, it felt like the ‘Substitute’ battle between Shadow Punch and Soul-Stealing Seven-Star Kick was about to unfold!

“Marsha!” Marshadow protested.

As the trial examiner, I must stay in the shadow closest to him!

“Gengarrr!” Haunter crossed its two tiny arms on its hips.

Trying to claim my exclusive spot? Don’t even think about it!

Then Haunter executed a perfect dive pose and leaped into the shadow behind Teacher Lu.

Marshadow was momentarily stunned and felt inferior, then shook its head hard.

“Marsha!” Marshadow looked around and slipped into the shadow of Lu Ye’s seat.

Lu Ye: “...”

I should be under the tramcar, not inside it!

The old-style tram jolted, and a soft broadcast voice sounded.

“Next stop, Eterna Town.”

Outside the window was a vast field of colorful flowers, with Budew, Cherubi, and other Grass-type Pokémon resting there.

Lu Ye did not intend to get off.

He had deliberately left the Gracidea Flower at home... precisely to avoid complications during the Rainbow Trial.

After all, the Gracidea Flower was a key item and needed careful handling.

The elderly couple shakily stood, leaning on canes as they walked toward the platform.

Lu Ye looked at the platform and noticed no conductor.

So he had Haunter go up and help them.

The tram was about to depart.

Through the window, the old man could be seen thanking Haunter.

Haunter grinned shyly, scratching its head embarrassedly.

Lu Ye rested his hand on the window sill, his mood lifting, and lowered his head to meet Marshadow’s deep eyes.

Teacher Lu: “What are you staring at?”

Marshadow: “Marsha.” (I suspect you’re deliberately trying to impress the examiner.)

Lu Ye ‘tsk’ed lazily, “Think whatever you want.”

Ho-Oh would be a better examiner anyway.

Besides, it doesn’t matter if I don’t clear the Rainbow Trial, as long as I avoid Giratina.

When Haunter returned, it had a flower basket in its hands.

A symbol of ‘thanks’ and ‘goodwill,’ Eterna Town’s specialty—

Gracidea Flower.

Lu Ye: “...”

“Marsha?” Marshadow looked at the trainer who seemed troubled, tilting its head in confusion.

“A bit of a stomach ache,” Lu Ye said dryly.

Could it be that Gracidea Flowers were so common in Eterna Town that anyone could just pick some to gift?

Haunter examined the intricately woven basket, then took out a vase from its pocket dimension.

Comparing the two bunches of Gracidea Flowers, the ones in the vase seemed fresher and more vibrant.

“Gengarrr!” Haunter grinned, handing the vase to Teacher Lu. The dewy Gracidea Flowers were delicate and radiant.

‘It’s expressing its thanks to you,’ Marshadow said.

Lu Ye: “...”

Very touching.

But why did you bring the Gracidea Flowers from home too! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

Teacher Lu reluctantly took the vase, placed it on the small table in front of the tram seat, and propped his face on his hand:

“So, should we head straight to Mt. Coronet then?”

‘Yes.’ Marshadow answered seriously.

‘The Rainbow Trial is the best way to set everything back on the right track.’

Back on track...

In Lu Ye’s mind appeared the temporal twin dragons raging over White Poplar Town.

Because Arceus’ revival was imminent, triggering the Sinnoh trilogy of movies. ‘Back on track’ was indeed the perfect solution to this series of events.

Teacher Lu fell into thought.

I remember the cause of the “Giratina and the Sky Warrior” movie was Dialga offending Giratina’s territory and using Time Roar to trap Giratina in the reversed world, causing its rampage and subsequent misunderstandings.

However, Teacher Lu worried the plot might subtly change due to his arrival.

“At least Giratina is easier to deal with than those two dumb dragons.”

Lu Ye thought quietly, “If a fight really breaks out, I’ll try to fool Giratina first!”

The tram slowly moved again, still four or five hours from the final stop.

At the small table before Teacher Lu, the two opposite seats had only him sitting.

So he released Sylveon and Togepi from their Poké Balls.

Stroking Sylveon’s snowy white back, he watched Togepi play games.

“Chakidu-ee~(ﾉﾟ▽ﾟ)ﾉ” Togepi held the game console, and the communication screen showed Togebro’s figure.

“Oh, Togebro is playing with him today,” Lu Ye said in surprise.

“Bok! (≖ᴗ≖)✧” Togebro operated the controller with two wings, looking quite comical.

This was normal... A-Jin’s Togebro could even play billiards with a cue stick.

After watching for a while, Togepi seemed unlucky today, repeatedly overtaken by Togebro in the racing item battle.

Lu Ye cleared his throat, turned his head, and opened the chat group, thinking:

“This probably... has nothing to do with me.”

In the chat group, A-Jin complained:

“Togebro keeps hogging the console, won’t let me play!”

“Well, he has a similar personality to you,” Xiao Yin said lightly.

A-Jin gritted his teeth angrily. Damn... no way to argue!

Lucian, rare to have a day off today, stayed home reading at Suimài City’s library and even had time to chat online.

“@Teacher Lu, I found some interesting journals on ancient scripts;

want me to send them to you?” Lucian pushed up his glasses.

Steven took the lead and smiled: “Please send me a copy too... I’m quite interested.”

Wallace laughed: “You probably ran into a tough problem while out on an archaeological dig again!”

Steven sent a sticker, indicating that was exactly the case.

Cynthia watched the pair of widely admired handsome men and smiled fondly.

Just joined the chat was Flint, the Fire-type Elite Four member, who said loudly:

“Today I’m taking Ash to train, anyone want to join?”

“Training?” Lily asked doubtfully.

“Going to Mt. Coronet for experience,” Flint chuckled. “The wild Pokémon there are strong—it’s the best place to train!”

Flint liked Ash’s reckless personality.

Besides, Ash was the key to reigniting Volkner’s fighting spirit, which was why Flint took the initiative to lead Ash’s training.

The breeder (×) leveler (√) Green nodded: “Indeed, Mt. Coronet is like Mt. Silver in the Kanto region.”

Ash’s eyes burned bright: “I plan to challenge Gym Leader Volkner after training!”

Marshal smacked his lips: “Ash baby, you still lost to that guy, didn’t you?”

“Ah, I gave it my all, no regrets in losing,” Ash scratched his head and smiled.

Marshal stroked his chin, puzzled.

That’s not right... How did Ash baby become so fierce when battling the Rustboro Gym?

Teacher Lu stared at the chat, seeing Ash coming to Mt. Coronet, and gasped.

Damn!

“Which route are you two taking?”

Teacher Lu stood on the platform, looking at the transfer sign, voice trembling.

“The one transferring at Eterna Town, passing the Gracidea Flower fields,” Ash said.

Lu Ye: “...”

Marshadow and Haunter quietly peeked their heads from the shadow, looking at Teacher Lu’s unsettled but still handsome face.

“Marsha?” (He looks in a bad mood?)

“Gengarrr! (￣▽￣)~*” (Stomach ache, old problem again~)

Teacher Lu’s expression was complicated.

Could it be... I really have to travel with Ash?

“Going to Mt. Coronet together and then splitting up should be fine.”

Lu Ye reassured himself:

“After all, Ash hasn’t met Shaymin yet, meaning the plot hasn’t started... Maybe I’m just too nervous...”

His eyes fell on the dark little figure hiding in the shadow. Suddenly he asked:

“Marshadow.”

“Marsha?” Marshadow’s eyes flickered with fire.

“Can your Shadow Steal ability snatch Gold Orbs from wild Pokémon and then sell them?”

Marshadow: “...”

No way I believe this guy will become a ‘Rainbow Hero’!

...

Sinnoh region, Lake Valor.

Starting from Hearthome City, Ash and company headed toward Mt. Coronet.

What adventures awaited him today?

“Pika?” Pikachu’s ears twitched softly as it stood on Ash’s shoulder and looked back curiously.

“What’s wrong, Pikachu?” Ash asked.

“Pika.” Pikachu shook its head.

“Probably eager to show off in wild battles!”

Flint threw a fist into the air and laughed loudly, “Right, we’re near Lake Valor, you can transfer trains there.”

“No problem!” Ash said.

A ripple spread from the void world. Ash and Flint both paused.

“Feels kind of strange.” Ash scratched his head.

“Be careful, Ash.”

Flint’s smile faded, his expression serious.

“What I’m about to tell you is a rumor about Sinnoh’s fourth lake.”

“Fourth lake!” Ash’s eyes widened. “Isn’t Sinnoh supposed to have only three lakes?”

“Me too, I heard it from Lucian,” Flint frowned. “Near Lake Valor, there’s a ‘nonexistent lake.’”

“That lake is called ‘Sengen,’ a gateway to the back of the world, the passage to the reversed world.”

Flint’s voice lowered: “So it’s hard to see Sengen in the real world... unless...”

“Unless what?”

“Unless the legendary big guy shows up.”

Flint’s brow tightened, “Something big is about to happen...”

...

Sinnoh region, Sengen.

A clear lake, shrouded in mist on both shores, like a world not existing in reality.

A small, cute green hedgehog pushed through the tall reeds, looking around worriedly and fearfully.

“Mi...”

Hurry up and leave here! This place is dangerous!

Shaymin moved slowly and rustled, its curled body suddenly stretching as its bright black eyes shone.

Pushing aside the reeds, a crystal-clear lake appeared before it.

Shaymin eagerly approached and lapped the mirror-like calm water.

The moment it touched the surface, ripples spread outward from the center.

“Mi!” Shaymin recoiled in fear.

At the same time, the sky tore open a crack, and the blue Dialga flew out. Its terrifying Time Roar withered countless plants, yet the lake surface remained undisturbed.

“Roar!!”

Just having left White Poplar Town, having crossed a month of the time stream, Dialga cursed and stormed out of the temporal rift.

That young man was so rude! Using red chains to ambush!

If I see him again... well, better not meet him at all.

Dialga shook its head and looked at the mirror-like lake, sensing something odd and looked down.

In an instant, the lake twisted like a whirlpool, forming a massive portal.

A large platinum-colored dragon with six legs and black-red spiked wings suddenly flew out of the passage, fiercely biting Dialga’s neck and dragging it into the reversed world!

“Roar!!” Dialga’s roar lasted only a moment before the portal radiated a seductive shadowy light and closed.

The lake surface returned to calm, clear as a mirror.

“Mi...” Shaymin retreated in fear and quickly fled from Sengen.

Too scary, I have to get out of here!

...

Reversed World.

This was the world’s back side, the habitat of Giratina.

To the eye, it looked just like reality, except gravity was unbalanced, like the roads in the movie Inception floating in the sky.

Countless bubbles floated in the reversed world;

when the bubbles popped, reality was affected.

If one looked carefully, they could see Teacher Lu walking ‘on the mirror,’ with household appliances, drinks, and snacks hidden beneath his feet...

Giving a feeling reminiscent of a horror movie.

“Roar!!” Dragged into the reversed world, Dialga had no time to observe and launched an attack on Giratina.

However, Giratina in its Origin Forme roamed continuously, six ghostly ribbon-like wings floating behind its back.

Immediately, Giratina extended four golden spikes and tightly restrained Dialga!

“Roar!!” Dialga opened its huge mouth, unleashing Time Roar.

Giratina’s eyes flowed with scarlet light, gracefully dodged, and swiftly approached Dialga like a plankton.

The collision of time and antimatter shattered countless bubbles.

In the real world, Shaymin was blown away by the extraordinary shockwave, its green body blossoming with dazzling light—

Seed Flare!

Giratina controlled the entrance and exit of Sengen, but Seed Flare could open the passage.

In an instant, Sengen stirred up whirlpools again.

The exit from the reversed world opened;

Dialga rushed toward the portal with Giratina in close pursuit.

Next moment, Dialga turned and roared explosively. Within the time tremor, Giratina’s surrounding time repeatedly looped.

The passage closed.

As the reversed world’s lord, Giratina was restricted by Time Roar and could not leave the reversed world alone.

It helplessly watched Dialga leave.

Giratina drifted in the reversed world, its deep gaze fixed on the escaping Shaymin.

Then, it flapped its ghostly wings and slowly followed Shaymin in the real world...

...

“Flint senior, did you hear anything?” Ash asked.

“Yes, you’re just hallucinating, kid,” Flint shouted.

“Could it be...” Ash’s expression changed, “That Giratina!?”

“Hey.” Flint glanced sideways at Ash, “You think you can just see legendary Pokémon whenever you want?”

“Uh...” Ash scratched his cheek, hesitating to speak.

The grass suddenly rustled, and a small grassy hedgehog dashed out.

It bumped into Ash, dizzy, and fell backward.

When they saw the Pokémon clearly, Flint was shocked.

“This, this...” Flint struggled to speak, “That’s Shaymin, damn it!”

“Shaymin?” Ash asked blankly.

“A mythical Pokémon! Super rare kind!” Flint shouted.

Ash held the fallen Shaymin, eyes firm: “We have to take it to the Pokémon Center first!”

Flint’s face was strange.

A mythical Pokémon suddenly darting out of the grass was already absurd enough...

Then knocking itself out was like the Eastern ‘Waiting for the Rabbit by the Tree’ story, just missing a Poké Ball hitting itself.

More importantly,

Ash wasn’t surprised at all!

“So strange...”

Flint pondered, “I’ll tell Teacher Lu later;

he’ll be as shocked as I am.”

Half an hour later, under Nurse Joy’s examination, the slowly waking Shaymin looked at Ash.

In the curious gazes around them, Shaymin’s telepathic voice sounded.

“We have to get there!”

“Where’s there?” Ash asked.

“There’s only one ‘there’!”

Joy smiled: “It probably means the Gracidea Flower fields.”

“I heard Shaymin migrates and every year rushes to the flower fields near Mt. Coronet to meet its group.”

Ash suddenly understood.

Looking at the proud Shaymin, Ash smiled:

“Then I’ll take you there!”

Flint rubbed his chin:

“We should contact Teacher Lu first...”

After discussing, Ash uploaded a photo of Shaymin to the chat group and explained the situation.

“So...” Ash scratched his head, “If a Pokémon doctor comes along, it might be easier.”

The reliable Brock said he could reach Sinnoh and was very interested in Shaymin’s habits and diet.

“Won’t Shaymin have any accidents on the way?” Dawn worried.

“No problem.” Flint laughed loudly, “With me and Teacher Lu around!”

“Even if Giratina shows up, we can handle it!” Flint said firmly.

Teacher Lu: “...”

Looking at the photo in the chat, Lu Ye glanced at Marshadow beside him, serious:

“The place we’re going is Mt. Coronet, right?”

“Marsha!” Marshadow nodded lightly.

“Can the Rainbow Trial be stopped halfway?” Lu Ye asked.

“Marsha?” Marshadow scratched its head.

Teacher Lu looked up at the sky, feeling inexplicably tired.

There’s no escaping... The whole reversed world is Giratina’s home turf.

Better solve this instance first, so Sylveon can have less trouble.

Teacher Lu sighed deeply.

So in the end, two instances are overlapping.

Why, why is it like this...

...