I open my eyes to see...nothing. I blink my eyes to try to get my bearings and I can make out in the dim moonlight...broken pillars. Broken pillars on an ancient ruins. An ancient ruins near the top of the tallest mountain in the world...
It is time.
I recognize that voice. And in the distance, bathed in moonlight was a large dragon that seemed to be clad in steel. I approached him and was enveloped in his verdant glow.
"I knew it was you."
Time to move forward. The crown descends, the rider gallops.
Well now. It hasn't been the firsttime I've been given cryptic messages, and it wouldn't be the last. There was just one problem...
"I thought I was to hold the anchor?"
"I can do that", spoke a voice from behind me. I turned around as the figure drew closer. And once I saw the owner of the voice, I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
" 'You?' "
The figure smiles. " 'Me'. Or the 'Other You'. Time-space dictates and alternate dimension business can be a little wonky."
"I'm just glad you don't live in a box saying 'The universe is in all of us' ".
The other figure gives a light chuckle. "I'm surprised you're actually taking this pretty well".
I gave a shrug. "I've been chasing a Nightmare to catch it for half a year. Anyway, are you sure about this?"
My other self gives a mock salute. "No worries. I got this."
We bring out both our pocket watches as Dialga nods. A stream of energy slowly flows between the us. And as suddenly as it started, it stopped. Dialga growls a guttural roar.
Now time moves again. I will see you soon.
I give a slight nod as my senses start lifting again. Before I lose consciousness, I smirk as I ask the dragon.
"Do you think we'll get back to Sinnoh again?" I think I heard Dialga snort at that question.
As Arceus accedes.
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"Mirai connection atarashii kyou kara hajimeyou, oh oh oh oh!"
I press the button on my RoPhone to put the call on speakers. "Hello".
"Alola!"
Cheerful as ever. Was I like that back in the Alola Region?
"That was quick. Are you ready to do the transfer?"
"The paperwork pretty much worked itself out when you gave me your pass details. I'm ready when you're ready, but are you sure you don't want to have them learn any moves from here?"
Now, that is a thought. In the past that was something to be considered...but with how Galar restrictions on moves were, who knows what will be blocked.
"Nah, it's all right - there's all sorts of restrictions here about them. I'll sort it out here."
"`Kie dokie, then just give me the warp coordinates...". We setup and finish the transfer.
"Mahalo nui."
"`Ayt that, guvnor", he jests at me. "Just make sure to take care of them, all right? Give me a ring when you want to get the others. Man...I sound like Bill...", my friend mumbles as he finishes the call.
As I was organizing the PC box to take a look at the transfers, the port for Poké Ball transportation suddenly starts to activate. After a few moments, a Poké Ball appears and out pops a floating Pokémon in white and yellow. It gives a squeal like cry as it suddenly gave me a hug and did a dancing headstand on my, well, head.
Yeap, you're definitely from Alola.
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"My, somebody looks pensieve. I haven't seen you look that serious for a very, very long time. Not since Leon stopped wearing his ad-filled cape at least."
I ignore my mom's jabs as she sets up dinner. I grab the Poipole (which my friend named Nuos★) sleeping in my lap and show it to her.
"Mom, he's cute, right?"
"Yesssss...", my mother hesitantly answers, wondering where the conversation was going.
"So, should I evolve him?"
"Hmmmm he evolves?", she wondered as I showed her the Pokédex entry for the draconic evolution. "Well, it's more of the Pokémon's choice," she continues, "but I suppose the trainer does have part to play on it. Why do you want him to evolve, anyway?"
"Well, I want him on my team!"
She hums as she sets down the casserole on the table. "You used to quote that League Master from Sinnoh a while back, after seeing that champion with the Pachirisu. 'Strong Pokémon. Weak Pokémon. That is only the selfish perception of people.' You could also turn that around. Cute Pokémon. Ugly Pokémon. Those too are perceptions. What's important is how much you care and trust each other, don't you say?"
I take a good look at a sleeping Nuos★ as I absorbed my mom's words. I turn to her and give her a big smile. "Wow, that was a Mr. Miyagi-level, mom."
She ruffled my head and said, " Don't forget who raised you, champ. Now get to eating, Karate Kid-kid."
I decided to take Nuos★ on my journey, and when the Poipole is ready to evolve, I'll still be his partner when he becomes a Naganadel.
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TL;DR
- I finally setup a new Pokémon Sword account that can host Shiny Raids, so I don't have to keep my original game on permanent date lockdown (that was really more restrictive than I thought, especially with the pass content).
- With the Crown Tundra update, I can finally move the legendary and mythical Pokémon I have to Gen 8, though some are still left in the the older generation games for various reasons.
- I decide to take the Shiny Poipole into my party, and will probably evolve him into a Naganadel in the future.