"What are your plans?"

After making arrangements with Arven, Naoki turned his attention back to Professor Sada's AI and Professor Turo's AI.

The two artificial professors were silent for a long while before answering:

"We want to use the time machine to travel into the ancient world, the world the original professors always dreamed of seeing."

Naoki's brow furrowed. "Wouldn't that be too cruel for Arven? I didn't understand before… but now that I have my own child, I know exactly how painful it is when a parent is gone."

AI Turo shook his head. "We're not the same as you. The real Professor Sada and Professor Turo are long gone. We're only AI copies, created in their image."

He paused, then continued gravely:

"And there's another issue. The programming in our bodies is fused with the time machine. As long as we remain here, the machine can't be shut down."

Naoki frowned. "What if I destroy the time machine by force?"

It was true, even without the professor ID stored in Arven's Scarlet/Violet Book, Naoki could forcibly disable the time machine. But he hadn't. He wanted Arven to come here and see the professors one last time, even if they were only digital echoes.

Naoki had watched Arven grow up, lonely, isolated, a child with a withdrawn personality who relied only on Pokémon for companionship. Pokémon were wonderful partners, but they weren't the same as people. Naoki wanted to ensure that Arven had friends, Nemona, Penny, and Juliana, to stand by him in the future.

That way, even after the professors' AI were gone, Arven wouldn't be completely alone.

But AI Sada only shook her head gently. "This isn't simply about shutting down the time machine. Turo and I want to see the world of the past and the future with our own eyes, no matter what."

Naoki sighed. He understood. They weren't truly Sada and Turo, just digital guardians carrying on the original professors' obsession.

"Alright," Naoki said finally. "If that's your last wish, then I'll help you fulfill it."

...

Under Naoki's careful watch, Arven and his friends continued their journey much like the events of the game.

Nemona battled fiercely, earning her badges. Penny unraveled the secrets of Team Star, reconciling with her friends. Juliana climbed through the ranks, earning all eight gym badges and finally defeating Geeta to become Paldea's new Champion.

At last, the four came together, not only to search for treasure in the depths of Area Zero, but also to help Arven face the truth about his long-lost parents.

With Geeta's permission, they descended into the Great Crater of Paldea.

When they arrived at the research facility, Arven froze in shock. Standing before the entrance were Naoki and Koraidon.

"Mr. Naoki…" Arven's voice trembled with disbelief.

Nemona's eyes widened in excitement. "Mr. Naoki?! You are here too?!"

Penny and Juliana exchanged puzzled glances. They didn't recognize this man.

The Koraidon beside Juliana immediately stiffened, trembling as it spotted Naoki's Koraidon. It whimpered softly and hid behind her.

"Long time no see, Nemona, Arven… and you must be Penny and Juliana," Naoki said quietly.

Penny blinked in confusion. "Wait, you know us?"

Naoki gave a faint smile. "I'm the mysterious guide who led you here, to this treasure hunt. And now… your journey is reaching its true purpose."

His gaze lingered on the Koraidon trembling behind Juliana. His chest tightened.

'Was this the one Sada and Turo sacrificed themselves to protect?'

He exhaled slowly, then turned. "Come. The professors are waiting for you."

He stepped forward, leading the way down the cold steel corridors.

The usually energetic Nemona stayed quiet, feeling the heavy tension in the air. Arven's chest felt tight, something about this was wrong. Why hadn't his parents come to greet him themselves? Why was Mr. Naoki speaking on their behalf?

At last, they arrived in the time machine chamber. The colossal device loomed above them, humming with unstable energy.

And there, beneath its glow, stood Professor Sada and Professor Turo's AI, smiling softly as though they had been waiting all along.

"Hello," AI Sada greeted warmly. "It's good to finally meet you."

Naoki quietly stepped aside.

Arven's fists trembled as he clenched them tightly. No matter how much things had changed… in the end, they were still the same.

Professor Sada's AI noticed his expression. With an apologetic look, she spoke in a calm but painfully blunt voice:

"First, I must apologize. We are not the real Professor Sada or Professor Turo."

Arven's head snapped up. "What do you mean?"

AI Turo bowed his head slightly. "I'm sorry, Arven. The professors used their knowledge and memories to create us, artificial intelligences. We are not human… we are robots powered by those AIs. After the incident at Lab 4, the real professors passed away."

Arven froze in place, his face pale with shock.

Nemona's brow furrowed. "Gone? What do you mean, gone?"

AI Sada glanced at Koraidon, who was standing protectively by Juliana's side. "The professors sacrificed their lives trying to protect the Pokémon."

Her voice softened slightly.

"If they were still here, they would be relieved to know that Koraidon, the one they gave their lives to shield, is alive and well."

AI Turo straightened and turned his gaze on the group. "Arven, Nemona, Juliana, Penny… we asked you here for one reason. To finish the professors' work in Area Zero. We need you to shut down the time machine they built."

Nemona's eyes went wide. "What?! After everything, after finally getting here… this is what you're asking us to do?"

AI Sada's expression was heavy with guilt. "The accident at the lab destroyed the professors' bodies. It's a painful truth, and we knew it would be hardest for you, Arven."

Arven's hands tightened into fists again. He lowered his head, his face hidden in shadow. No one could tell what he was feeling.

Seeing this, Nemona and Juliana quickly stepped forward, standing beside him in silent support.

It was Penny who finally spoke up, her voice steady despite the tension. "What exactly is this… time machine?"

"The time machine," AI Sada explained carefully, "is a device the professors created that can transport Poké Balls through time, summoning Pokémon from other eras into the present."

She paused. "Professor Sada dreamed of seeing ancient Pokémon with her own eyes. Even now, the time machine continues to pull Pokémon from the distant past."

"The professors imagined a world where Pokémon of all eras could live together. But…" her tone darkened, "…the primal strength of these Paradox Pokémon is too overwhelming. Their presence threatens to destroy Paldea's ecosystem."

She looked at Naoki briefly before continuing.

"Not long ago, the Paradox Pokémon already rioted. If not for Naoki's intervention, the entire region might have been devastated."

"Though I've contained them within Area Zero using the lab's barriers, Pokémon like Great Tusk have already broken through. If more were to escape, the Paldean ecosystem would collapse."

Her voice lowered. "As the professors' copies, we cannot allow that tragedy to unfold. So the time machine must be stopped."

Her eyes turned to Arven. "To do this, we need the Scarlet/Violet Book. It contains the professors' ID, the key to shutting the machine down. Arven, please… place the book on this console."

Arven stood there, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.

AI Sada's voice trembled slightly as she added, "Arven, I'm so sorry. We should have told you the truth long ago."

Her words grew softer still. "Even though we aren't them, we carry their emotions and memories. Your mother and father… they loved you, always."

Arven's eyes welled with tears. He tried to blink them away, but the dam broke. His voice cracked as he cried out:

"You're so cruel… why did you wait until now to tell me this?!"

"I'm sorry," said AI Sada softly, her voice reluctant but firm. "Arven… as much as it pains me to leave you, this must end."

The time machine roared to life, its massive gears grinding as a brilliant white light flared from its core. The glow engulfed the two AIs, lifting them slowly into the air.

"Mom! Dad!" Arven cried out, racing forward in desperation.

"Don't cry, Arven," AI Turo said gently. "We're not disappearing. We're only traveling to another time and place."

AI Sada's voice grew heavier.

"If the time machine were to stop while we remained, our wills would be overridden by its program. We'd become nothing more than battle units, machines forced to fight those we care about."

Her gaze softened.

"And as long as we exist, the time machine can never truly shut down. That's why… we choose to use it ourselves, to journey to the ancient and future worlds we always dreamed of seeing."

"This is the only way."

Arven ran beneath the machine, stretching out his hands to grasp them, but he was too late.

The two professors, their figures bathed in light, looked down at him with faint, loving smiles.

"Goodbye, Arven."

"Goodbye, brave adventurers."

"Goodbye, Naoki."

"…Safe travels."

The machine pulsed one final time—BZZZZT!—and the AIs vanished into the glow.

The time machine continued its whirring hum, but its operators were gone.

Arven stood frozen, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Only when Juliana, Nemona, and Penny rushed forward and placed their hands on his shoulders did he stir from his daze.

Slowly, he wiped the tears from his eyes, pulled the Scarlet/Violet Book from his bag, and placed it onto the console.

At once, the system responded in a calm, mechanical voice:

[ID verification complete.]

[Time machine shutdown sequence initiated.]

[3… 2… 1…]

[Shutdown complete.]

The light within the cavern flickered and dimmed, leaving only silence behind.

Arven clutched the book to his chest. His parents' legacy. Their favorite research journal. The last trace of them he would ever hold.

As a child, he had never understood their choices. Only now did he realize: Professor Sada and Professor Turo had loved him, always.

"Mom…" Arven buried his face into the book, a soft sob escaping his lips. For the first time, he felt utterly alone.

But then, warmth. Several hands rested on his shoulders again.

He looked up through blurred eyes to see Nemona, Juliana, and Penny standing with him. None of them said a word; their presence alone was enough.

Off to the side, Naoki let out a long sigh. Watching the scene, his chest ached. 'Thank goodness I didn't bring Arven here earlier… If he'd been forced to go through this without support, I can't even imagine how broken he'd feel. Maybe even beyond saving.'

This child… truly pitiful.

Finally, Naoki stepped forward, his voice carrying across the room.

"Everyone… thank you for everything you've done on this journey." His gaze swept over the four young trainers.

They turned to him, weary but attentive.

"I've watched your adventures from here," Naoki said softly. "I've seen each of your hearts."

He looked to Penny first. "Penny, who fights through fear for the sake of her friends."

Then to Nemona. "Nemona, whose determination to grow stronger drives her to pour her whole soul into battle."

And finally, his eyes landed on Arven. "…And you, Arven. Who stands bravely against overwhelming odds, just to protect the ones you love."

"Juliana… the girl who tirelessly catches Pokémon and battles, always searching for the treasure meant only for her," Naoki said softly.

He let out a long sigh. "But this treasure hunt is over now. I believe you've already found your true treasure."

Juliana blinked, stunned by his words.

"Don't be sad," Naoki continued gently. "Forge your own future."

Koraidon let out a sharp cry. "Agas!"

...

Three Days Later

The group of four finally left Area Zero.

Before departing, Arven carefully gathered every item left behind by the two professors. Each relic carried memories of his parents and had become priceless to him.

Once they were gone, Naoki mounted Dragonite and soared high above Area Zero.

For days he had been using the time machine to send the Paradox Pokémon, those the Paldean League had captured, back to their rightful eras. By now, only a handful remained in the depths of the crater.

Even if some lingered, their presence would no longer threaten Paldea's ecosystem.

To prevent future disasters, Naoki knew what had to be done: destroy everything that remained.

He turned to Koraidon, his voice steady. "Koraidon… I'm counting on you."

"Agas!" Koraidon roared in reply.

It flew above the research station, electricity crackling through its frame. Summoning its power, Koraidon called forth the Draco Meteor.

The heavens shook. With a deafening roar, a blazing meteor streaked through the sky, trailing fire as it crashed down upon the institute. The entire facility was engulfed in a sea of flames, crumbling into ruin.

Naoki and Koraidon watched the inferno silently.

Perhaps… the dream of Professors Sada and Turo had been misguided from the very beginning. Now, their legacy lay in ashes.

Naoki sighed. "It's over."

The crisis was finished. At last, they could return home.

"Koraidon… let's go."

"Agassi."

Koraidon lowered itself, and Naoki climbed onto its back. With Dragonite recalled, they left the crater behind, piercing the clouds and returning to the wide-open skies of Paldea.

Someday, new explorers would venture into Area Zero again, chasing mysteries and treasures hidden in its depths. But none of that would matter to them anymore.

Naoki reached down, stroking Koraidon's head.

"Koraidon…"

"Agassi?" the Legendary cooed softly.

"I just… feel a little sad," Naoki admitted. "If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have ended up like this." The thought of the past, the Pokémon once just a humble partner, now a godlike paradox, twisted painfully in his chest.

But Koraidon shook its head, crying out, "Agassi!"

It had never blamed him. No matter what form it took, as long as it could stay by Naoki's side, that was all that mattered.

Past or present, it was still itself. And it had never truly left.

Naoki smiled faintly. "So then… should I call you Cyclizar or Koraidon from now on?" he asked with quiet humor.

"Agas!" Koraidon tilted its head and dove through the autumn air, the answer clear without words.

Naoki chuckled, exhaling deeply. His eyes swept over the vast, peaceful land of Paldea below them.

"Alright then… let's go home, Koraidon."

It had been spring when he left. Now, it was late autumn when he finally returned.