[Zaelum: There is a poll in P@tr3on to decide the fandom of the next fanfics! It is free for everyone!]

In the noisy night, a joyous sound flowed from the flanks of those sci-fi towers—the quick lick of electric guitar rang clean in our ears.

"This melody carries our hope. It will pass into the future."

[Quest Complete.]

[Release Orb ×30, Special Classes ×2, Art Progress +10%!]

[Special Class 1: Sci-Fi Trooper (Defense Force)!]

[Description: Technology from the future lets you master mechanical techniques beyond this era—and you've actually piloted colossal sci-fi kaiju-mecha. Mecha piloting +100%; you can draw out mechanical performance to 150%; Perception +30%; Shooting +110%.]

[Art Progress: Visiting the future granted you mechanical art! The Paradox aesthetic has been folded into "Unova Art" and "Confluence Art." Your cross-regional popularity in Unova rises to 86%!]

[Special Class 2: Spacetime Explorer (Limited)!]

[Description: A special class only for beings—human or Pokémon—who have traversed time and space in a certain world! You can found your own Expedition Team and issue special badges. While time-traveling, you completely resist the influence of [Ultra Aura / Star Stop / Dark Matter / Wind of Despair / Distortion of Time & Space]!]

[You may let a Pokémon hold the Spacetime Orb and unleash its full power!]

[Missing: Ripple of Time & Aura of Time; missing two corresponding pendants—temporal travel temporarily unavailable.]

[Craftable: Expedition Team Badge, Bond Scarf, Pokémon Expedition Set, Space-Transfer Panel.]

[Later Repairable: Temporal Tower, Spacial Tower.]

[You learned the legendary track: "Opelucid City (Black) · Hope of the Future"! Perform it with a bass, ukulele, or electric guitar!]

Hikaru drew a deep breath.

"Sci-Fi Trooper"—that's a movie-trainer archetype from Pokémon Hollywood… yup, the tokusatsu "Defense Force" arc!

Now I can righteously blurt, "Dare to invade Earth? Bunch of space hicks!"

But that second class—Spacetime Explorer—I didn't see that coming.

It's still constrained, but the passives are busted. Which means—

"I can shuttle through Ultra Space on my own?"

From the follow-ups in the class description, Hikaru knew exactly whose legacy this was.

It came from the Mystery Dungeon world—Explorers of Time/Darkness/Sky. The heroine there, together with a Grovyle, crossed distant time to mend a catastrophe.

"Phew… 86%—almost at a full 100."

"If I finish that marble statue of Opelucid City and donate a copy to stand before the Gym, it should draw a crowd of creators and onlookers, right?"

On this topic, Hikaru got fired up.

After all, one of my earliest day jobs was statue sculptor!

"Alright—next, let's find a place for everyone to get acquainted—"

Just then, a call resounded.

[Come, to the Dragonspiral Tower! I shall become your strength! You are the hero of truth!]

A neutral dragon's roar rang through the heart. C-Device light washed over Hikaru; a fierce aura coiled around, then quickly faded.

What his eyes now showed—was Dragonspiral Tower.

"Reshiram…!"

Of course he knew this power; they'd crossed paths for ages in the Dream World. How could he not?

Reshiram… at Dragonspiral Tower?

"I thought both Dragon Stones were in Relic Castle… oh right, both in Relic Castle is a Specials-verse thing."

He hadn't expected Reshiram's summons, and fell into brief thought.

"Did I… snatch Touya's title?"

"Either way—Icirrus City it is."

At this pace… am I actually going to speedrun Victory Road?

But I've got other promises soon—I might not stay in Unova long.

A Poké Ball snapped open on its own—Aegislash popped out, eyeing the two Blue Poké Balls at Hikaru's hip.

The future world is wondrous—and these two Pokémon are the same!

Shame I was locked in my Ball; otherwise I'd have made a name for myself out there…

Crackling sounds—one partner after another leapt out!

Iron Valiant's pixel eyes locked onto Aegislash, and Aegislash stared back.

She felt it—the watcher from inside the Ball all along… was this sword?

[Analyze: Steel-type Pokémon.]

Her lightblades glimmered. She lowered her gaze to her own edge.

If my lightblade fought that sword… who would win?

"Ge—uh…"

(Both 'knight' archetypes? Are we overlapping roles? Well, 'knight' has many branches…)

Aegislash muttered to itself.

"Ge!"

From now on, you shall call me Knight-Commander!

Iron Valiant blinked.

[Cannot compute!]

She turned—and noticed a Lilligant whose color scheme mirrored hers. Lilligant wore a curious expression as she looked Iron Valiant up and down.

Mm… that look—an unusual feeling.

[Do you… love me?]

"Dore?!"

Iron Valiant still couldn't parse this bursting feeling. She sensed Lilligant's attention and care, but it differed from "her master's" concern.

So she just asked outright—and Lilligant, stunned a beat, flushed red… then got a little mad!

This… is the power of a straight fastball?!

No wonder Trainers love her—

Even a body of steel can be so "competitive"?

So that's the source of my faint jealousy…

This gal—opening with "love" is way too direct!

So cheating! So cheating!

Next Day — Opelucid Gym

Since last night, Drayden-san had sensed it—that abnormal force that had long watched over Opelucid seemed to vanish.

The warping of space, the drag on time, appeared to be easing. Ordinary citizens couldn't perceive such power; whether it faded or not barely mattered to them.

But Drayden still sighed in relief.

Opelucid holds many secrets. The three legendary dragons all left hidden messages here. He didn't know if that feeling was a "legendary dragon's" gaze, but a notion tugged his mind:

The disappearance of that anomaly might be tied to the young man who arrived in Opelucid yesterday.

He came; one night passed; the force was gone without a trace. That's no coincidence.

He who comes for Draco Meteor—the strongest Dragon-type move…

Could it be that the owner of that vast power expects me to teach Draco Meteor to that youth?

Drayden's anticipation for today's Gym battle rose. Before him stood Drayton—the toothpaste kid with a far-too-white grin—and the fluffy-haired Iris.

As for others, Drayden had made no arrangements.

"I—I'm the blocking Trainer? What a pain…"

Drayton swallowed. Remembering yesterday's loss and his opponent's effortless command, a twinge of self-doubt crept in.

Setting me as the Gym's trial wall… that's overrating me.

Anyway, I was going to take my Razor Claw and challenge Iris-san today—

"No worries! We'll do our duty as Trial Trainers!" Iris was fired up. "No one's challenged Opelucid in ages! Buck up, Drayton! It's a great chance to show our strength!"

Drayton only muttered:

"What even… Am I just cannon fodder?"

Drayden mused: "A Trial Trainer, as the name says, holds the line in the Gym. Yet the meaning of a trial isn't merely obstruction—it's also self-examination and a battle with oneself.

"If you call yourself cannon fodder, your power will never show. A crack in your heart is a cut to your ability.

"You wouldn't want the Haxorus you just received to laugh at you, right? Its former master was strong. And you gave your word."

Drayton fell silent, patted his cheeks, and breathed deep.

Drayden watched them. "If you two combine your strength, you'll reach higher ground. At a Pokémon Trainer's summit—what view will you see? That depends on now.

"In a Pokémon battle, Trainers and Pokémon can bring their hearts to oneness."

While Drayden taught, Hikaru arrived at the Gym.

A white giant-dragon statue guarded the entrance; stepping in, the very same stone dragon from the games rose before the eyes.

Crafted by Unovan stonemasons—a stone mechanism.

"Yo! Dragon-tamer bro, you made it!"

"Impressive, right? Only at Opelucid will you see sculptures this grand! It's the biggest dragon statue in all Unova!"

First blocker Drayton squared his shoulders and introduced the Gym:

"This is Opelucid Gym—where might and art stand side by side!"

"Less talk—let's start! Otherwise Gramps will scold me. I had to give myself a whole pep talk to agree to fight you."

He knew he might get "fodder-ized," but when he considered Drayden's words, they began to make sense—

"Pleased to meet you! I'm Iris of Opelucid Gym! I'm also one of your opponents today! If you want to fight Gramps Drayden, beat me and Drayton first!"

"Eh?" Drayton goggled.

Wait—wasn't I supposed to go first?

"There will be only one trial," Drayden's voice boomed from the distant dragon's head. "You and Iris together—in a double battle!"

"Each of you may use two Pokémon!"

D-double?! Drayton balked, then glanced sidelong at his sis-in-name.

All that training—yet we've never teamed up. This last-minute "blocking squad"… will it even work?

"Don't worry!" Iris gave a big thumbs-up. "Pokémon and Trainers trust each other; Trainers can trust Trainers too! It's our first time—but let's try!"

"Ugh… like I've got a choice." Drayton drew his Poké Ball. Among the Blueberry Elite Four, he alone didn't use specialty Balls.

No referee for the double trial—when a Pokémon falls, it's out. When one side's entire team can't battle, the other side wins.

"Two-on-one—we're better on paper."

"But our commands could clash…"

The kids traded views; they didn't match. Hikaru inhaled and sent out two Pokémon.

He'd swapped the Blue Balls last night—into two Cherish Balls.

Now he used one Dream Ball and one Cherish Ball—which meant—

"Awooooo!"

"Gurururuu!"

A hulking ancient dragon—and a silver dragon hard as steel!

In the Opelucid Gym, you lead with dragons, of course!

"Dragons!" Iris beamed—two unknown dragons lit her eyes with stars.

Drayton facepalmed. "Of course they're dragons—he came for Draco Meteor—uh! Careful! Unknown dragons!"

"Duraludon… and the other…"

Even Drayden recognized only Duraludon—a Galar species—unknown in Unova. The second looked a bit like a distant Legendary, but its form and typing didn't match.

"Let's go!" Iris threw Zweilous; Drayton thought a moment, then sent out Haxorus!

Thud! Haxorus landed. Seeing Hikaru across, it blinked, then dipped its head and barked happily.

We're on opposite sides now—but only battle shows growth—

…Well, it's only been a night. Not much "growth"—I just learned a lot of your toothpaste kid's secrets.

"Let's use this to sync up," Hikaru encouraged Haxorus, then looked to Iris's Zweilous.

No doubt that Zweilous would be a mainstay in Iris's Champion roster; she usually didn't bring it out for a Gym trial.

And Iris's Zweilous, in the Champion fight, shows up as a Hydreigon at Lv. 57… which is below its evolution level (64). Illegal Pokémon!

Walking Wake eyed Duraludon, then threw a look.

Though Duraludon only met me last night, I've watched it in the Ball for a long while!

This guy likes eating—just like me!

Different grub, same gluttons—so we're pals!

"Hururuu…" Walking Wake rumbled.

Let's show them the Ravenous Brothers combo!

Duraludon looked around. First time in this kind of bout—very curious.

It swung alloy claws, answering the invite.

"Gururuu!"

No idea where I am—but I do know I'm gonna wreak havoc!

Skip cutscene!

Both dragons roared.

Stealth Rock spikes shimmered into the field, and Walking Wake used War Cry—a bellow that cowed foes, dropping Attack and Sp. Atk!

"Eh, no verbal commands… Dragon Heart?" Iris inhaled. She wanted to trigger her Dragon Heart, but if she stayed silent Drayton wouldn't follow, so she gave it up.

"Zweilous—Sunny Day!"

Judging by colors, one foe is a Water/Dragon, the other Steel/Dragon, so sun and Fire should pressure them—except Walking Wake grinned and Protosynthesis flared!

Sp. Atk +30%!

"These two goofs—Steel + Dragon doesn't really fear Fire… and the other one—yeah, bad read."

Drayden shook his head, then sighed. Unova doesn't see Steel/Dragon—habit says "use Fighting or Fire on Steel," which usually works.

"First Impression!"

Drayton remembered Hikaru's style yesterday and synced the call.

Haxorus lunged—an opening strike with brutal power!

Its fangs slammed Duraludon—and the steel dragon only shuddered. Silver light burst—

Metal Burst!

Damage paid back with interest—Haxorus yowled, blasted flat!

In that instant, Iris called: "Fire Fang!"

"Feel the Hustle!" Iris grinned.

Zweilous's Ability: Hustle—Attack ×1.5; physical accuracy ×0.8.

Fangs bathed in flame, Zweilous charged Duraludon—

Duraludon and Wake traded a look—

Steel Dragon + Water Dragon—Fusion Art!

Dragon War Cry! Twin roars lifted the team's morale—critical-hit ratio rose. With a Dragon ally, the crit stage jumped two!

Then the wave-like tail and the exhaust-pipe-like steel tail crossed—

They both used Breaking Swipe!

A sweeping team strike that also lowers Attack—

A surge of dragon force crisscrossed; Zweilous was launched!

Crit ×2!

Haxorus threw up Protect just in time, blocking the combo.

"Z-Zweilous?!"

Iris watched it fall in an instant—shock widened her pupils.

Dragon Pokémon can combo like this?!

"Haxorus, Dragon Claw!" Drayton tried to steady the ship—but Duraludon barked:

Roar—forced a switch!

A formless shove bounced Haxorus back to its Ball—yanked the next out: Dragonair blinked, confused, and smacked into Stealth Rock!

Walking Wake's tail cracked—Knock Off!

Thwack—down went the Haban Berry that halves one Dragon hit.

"Uugh!" Dragonair winced—

Next instant, the brutal ancient dragon swelled a Draco Pulse—and exploded it across Dragonair!

"Dragonair!" Drayton gasped. Compared to yesterday, the move power was fiercer—and the method, nastier.

Dragonair couldn't weather Protosynthesis + Dragon War Cry—it was one-shot!

"U-uh… Excadrill!"

Iris threw her second. Hikaru blinked.

I thought this Iris wouldn't be carrying Excadrill… but she still is? And she doesn't look traumatized?

So, "game Iris" is better at command, communication, and combat than "anime Iris"?

Different trainers, different journeys—Hikaru had seen several Excadrill in Unova already.

"Haxorus—Guillotine!"

Drayton suddenly chose an OHKO move!

Yes, switching reset your boosts; Dragon Dance goes poof—but the field is rough. If we land the coin-flip—

He and Iris locked eyes—non-blood siblings syncing in an instant.

"Rapid Spin!"

The move cleared the Stealth Rock. Excadrill spun, shattering the spikes—opening a lane for Haxorus!

"Guillotine + Stomping Tantrum? I've used that," Hikaru smiled. As Shauntal said, the "Tantrum" line is a common high-level line: hit with OHKO = jackpot; miss = huge follow-up. Either way, value.

"Rock Slide!" Iris called the spread; Rock Slide also has a 30% flinch chance on targets that haven't acted.

If they don't want to flinch, they must Protect.

As Iris expected, the instant boulders fell, both Walking Wake and Duraludon raised Protect—green screens sponged the stones. But repeated Protect might fail…

"Now!"

"Oh!"

Haxorus already crashed into range!

First KO target wasn't Duraludon—but Walking Wake! It knew how scary the senior was.

That ancient wyrm toppled the Lord of the Distortion World—

Pride flashed in Wake's eyes.

Lil' bro—good memory.

(What's there to be proud about being the KO target?!) Duraludon yelped—then heard Hikaru's call and Wake's mischievous wink.

Bro—lend me your body! Our bond will prove it!

U-turn!

Wake slammed into Duraludon—then flowed into water and zipped back into its Ball. Haxorus's Guillotine whooshed into air, cleaving dust. Cold sweat—because right nearby, Duraludon glowed and fired like a shell!

Focus Energy—sharpening mind; next strike will crit!

"Stomping Tantrum!" Drayton roared!

"Horn Drill!" Iris punched the air; Excadrill's steel bit howled like a cyclone!

Another OHKO!

Thunk!

The killer combo met a golden shield—Aegislash had pivoted in off U-turn. King's Shield hit the ground, blocked the OHKO—and dropped Excadrill's Attack!

"T-Tsuchi…?!" Excadrill flinched.

Blocked—an OHKO?! Was that Protect?

Same time—Haxorus slammed the earth—Stomping Tantrum boomed; Duraludon staggered—but an even fiercer Metal Burst blew Haxorus away!

"Not down?!" Drayton computed. Steel/Dragon should be weak to Ground!

Only Hikaru knew why—

Duraludon was holding Eviolite.

If the holder can evolve, Defense and Sp. Def +50%!

Even Kabu—no, even Raihan the Duraludon expert would be baffled why Eviolite works here!

Meanwhile, Aegislash's blade fell upon Excadrill—

Sacred Sword—boom!

From the stands, Drayden's eyes brightened. His grandkids' first double—and the support wasn't bad.

This was only the sync stage. A temporary loss can't shadow a bright future.

[Beat Iris & Drayton—your New-Bloom Power is reinforced!]

[Your Pokémon's EV growth and level growth have increased!]

"W-we lost!" Iris deflated and hugged Excadrill. Drayton knelt to Haxorus: "Sorry. I'm still not enough."

But the prone Haxorus glanced up and rumbled, a touch pleased.

Not bad. To fight Walking Wake and come out like this—that's solid. That guy toppled a Distortion Lord. With weather on and Protosynthesis roaring, few could stand.

I still need growth, too.

Drayden walked up:

"That—your dragon Pokémon are very strong. This is the battle I seek."

"Now I look for youths who let me see a bright future. However strong you are—let me test it with my experience—my love for Pokémon."

"You… can still fight, right? For you, that shouldn't be a problem!"

Hikaru nodded. "Of course, Drayden-san. Then, as for the formal Gym challenge—"

"3-on-3! No more words—battle!" Drayden flung a Ball; a fierce Druddigon roared down!

A standing dragon with diamond-shaped scales, plenty of spikes, two wings—

Its head was red, face-hide harder than stone; it warms itself by sunning those wings; vicious and sly.

Hikaru opened the second Cherish Ball.

[Battle order received. Shall I fight?]

Iron Valiant tilted her head.

Hikaru answered by heart: "Yes. This is a thing called a Gym challenge—a form of battle unique to our era.

"It's like a match. Both Trainers send Pokémon and, through battle, learn what the other Trainer and Pokémon are like.

"And in battle we grow—we come to understand more… feelings, knowledge, and will."

Iron Valiant's eyes lit.

[If we fight like this—will you be happy?]

Hikaru: "What matters is whether you are. If you don't like this, I'll call you back."

[Battle is necessity for survival. The genes flowing in me say so.]

[I don't know if I'll be happy. But I will fight—for you.]

She stepped onto the field—the mechanical knightly aura snapped every Dragon Tamer's gaze to her.

"W-what Pokémon is that?" Iris gasped. "She looks like Gardevoir, but also like Gallade?"

Drayton: "No, that's a robot—that's really a Pokémon?"

"Hm… never seen that kind… but if it comes out of a Poké Ball, it's a Pokémon. No doubt."

"Typing… Steel? Psychic? Fighting? Normal?"

That holy-knight aura pointed to Psychic/Steel. Drayden chose a probe:

"Flamethrower!"

The flames rushed—

Iron Valiant's body surged with power!

Booster Energy · Quark Drive!

Speed +50%—instantly.

A single heartbeat—her lightblade split the fire. Iron Valiant blitzed Druddigon—

Moonblast! A fairy-glittering slash sketched a lunar arc—and detonated—one-shot!

As Druddigon hit the ground, Iron Valiant's voice chimed—clear and cold:

[Typing: Fairy.

Dragon—subjugated.]

(End of Chapter)

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