Chapter 403

If they lose these, their defeat is only a matter of time, so Qiao Ran is willing to take the gamble.

"Reshiram, find a distant Floating Island and drop me down!"

He must return to the battlefield.

Even though this would expose him to great danger, it was a last resort; he couldn't just sit and wait to die.

"..."

Reshiram didn't answer directly, and Qiao Ran could sense her hesitation. At the same time, the next wave of attacks from the two Pokémon opposite them came one after another. Although Reshiram tried its best to dodge, a beam of light hit Reshiram's body directly. A sharp pain spread from Qiao Ran's chest. He could clearly feel that without his command, Reshiram's ability to dodge skills had decreased.

Previously, when facing Tapu, Qiao Ran was able to defeat the stronger opponent, even risking his life, not because of overwhelming luck, but because of his control over the battle. He could predict the timing and angle of the attacks, and under his command...

Most of the time, Pokémon can avoid obstacles by simply moving in a certain direction.

They can also focus more on showcasing their skills and performing well on the day.

However, now, Reshiram has lost this function that only Qiao Ran can provide. With her own limited perspective and observation, it is difficult for her to pay attention to and calculate all of this while fighting.

"Reshiram! You can't win like this!"

Qiao Ran could understand her thoughts, but his tone still couldn't help but become urgent. Her desire to protect him was indeed touching, but this really couldn't go on.

This is just escapism; it prevents us from ever facing the reality of the present.

"..."

Qiao Ran's repeated persuasion softened Reshiram's attitude. She flapped her wings and flew towards a floating Floating Island in the distance. After quickly placing Qiao Ran on the Floating Island's ground, she launched an attack on Solgaleo and Lunala, who had also arrived, in an attempt to draw their attention.

Reshiram breathed fire as she increased the distance. Although the opponents were very powerful, they were not powerful enough to completely ignore her attacks. Without a doubt, she remained the primary target.

Now that he was put down, Qiao Ran had more free time and was able to make more commands and judgments from a distance.

"Fortunately... those two Pokémon don't seem very interested in me either."

It's unclear whether it's because Reshiram Defeat Solgaleo before, but they still have a lot of hatred towards Reshiram, which allowed Qiao Ran to breathe a sigh of relief. After Reshiram deliberately distanced itself from him, he was truly defenseless. If anything attacked him at this moment, he would probably have no chance to fight back and would be killed on the spot.

However, at this distance, both the assessment of the situation and the "communication" with Reshiram become quite "inferior," but it is a compromise that is better than nothing.

Command is still necessary.

After some time.

Or rather, after a period of time that felt like an eternity.

"... Ha... hahahahaha... ha..."

Qiao Ran lay on the ground, clutching his chest and panting heavily. During this fierce battle, Reshiram had occasionally managed to counterattack, but most of the time it had been extremely difficult to cope, after all, this was an attack from two super- Pokémon. No matter how excellent Reshiram's performance was, the gap was too huge and too cruel.

Qiao Ran's physical pain was something she could feel, and it was even a thousand times more painful than his. Judging from Reshiram's physical strength, she might also be approaching her final limit.

By then, everything will truly be over.

"No, Reshiram! You come here first!"

Qiao Ran sent a message to Reshiram, hoping that Reshiram could come closer to him so that he could use the Tokiwa Power to help her recover her strength. However, Reshiram seemed hesitant. She did not want to attract those two annoying things to Qiao Ran's side. Most importantly, with her current strength and condition, she was clearly no longer able to protect Qiao Ran.

If we do that rashly, it will definitely...

However—just as the two hesitated, Solgaleo and Lunala opposite them made a strange move.

Third Eye simultaneously bloomed on their foreheads, and a blood-red aura began to spread from their originally dark purple bodies. This was the gesture of raising their hands for the exclusive moves of these two Legendary Pokémon. However, the change in color was probably still related to that strange substance.

Solgaleo's signature move is called Sunsteel Strike, which allows him to charge his body with energy and Tackle his opponent like a meteor. Lunala, on the other hand, can use a move called "Moongeist Beam." Like Sunsteel Strike, Moongeist Beam can ignore the opponent's Ability and deal damage, making it a rather terrifying move.

"Reshiram!"

Qiao Ran anxiously called Reshiram's name, but when the two Pokémon simultaneously opened their Third Eye and began using their signature moves, Reshiram was already a beat too slow.

A massive Energy Beam with Ghost-type shot out from in front of Lunala, while Solgaleo, like a meteor, crashed directly into Reshiram.

We're doomed!

Meanwhile, on Poni Island in the Pokémon World.

"What... is this?"

Mei and the others stared in disbelief at the "cocoon" that Lillie had taken out. It was the Nebby that Nebula had formed. They had seen the cocoon's appearance countless times, but the only thing that seemed a little strange was that a spot of light, like an eye, had appeared directly above the cocoon's tightly closed eyes.

This was something that had never appeared before; they had never seen it before, not even on the pre-evolutionary Nebby. And this unprecedented thing...

The fact that this is happening in the West now clearly indicates that there are deeper reasons behind it.

"Nebby..."

Lillie looked at the bizarre scene before her with a worried expression.

"Could something have happened to Qiao Ran?"

In this Torn World, Qiao Ran and Reshiram's situation is getting worse and worse.

Qiao Ran had already done his best to turn the tide, and Reshiram's performance was also impeccable. However, this was not Competition where performance was the sole criterion for victory. The decisive factor in winning would depend on who the opponent was this time.

Solgaleo, Lunala.

These two Pokémon are far beyond what is expected of the Alola region. In fact, they are not Pokémon in the true sense, but rather Pokémon Ultra Beast from the Ultra World, and among the strongest of Ultra Beast all. However, since they had spent too long in the Pokémon World when they first appeared in Alola, their Ultra Beast Aura gradually dissipated.

Moreover, aside from that the Blinding One from Otherworld, only these two Child of the Stars's ultimate evolution forms possess the ability to directly open the Ultra Wormhole and traverse worlds. If we were to use the Ultra World Pokémon World, then Solgaleo and Lunala would be among the very pinnacle of existence in the Pokémon World.

Perhaps it wouldn't be an exaggeration to compare them to Palkia Dialga.

While such a direct conversion will inevitably have some discrepancies—after all, no one knows whether the creator god of the Pokémon World or the supreme god of the Ultra World is more powerful—it is enough to prove the strength of Solgaleo and Lunala.

The current situation is overwhelmingly in favor of the opposing side.

Just now, Lunala's Energy Beam struck Reshiram again, leaving her with a serious wound.

"... Reshiram!"

The pain made Qiao Ran's mind go blank, but he still stretched out his hands and formed a bright green sphere between them.

Reshiram, dragging its battered body, flew rapidly over Qiao Ran. Just then, Qiao Ran's Tokiwa Aura Sphere struck Reshiram. Emerald green energy emanated from Reshiram's body, healing many of its wounds, while Qiao Ran remained lying on the ground, panting heavily.

"... Ha... Ah... Ha... Ah..."

Discovering this ability was actually due to an accident, but Qiao Ran never expected that she would actually have to use it one day.

He can combine the Tokiwa Power and the Aura Power to transform the Aura Sphere, which was originally only used for attack, into a "Healing Light Orb" that can directly heal Pokémon. This Healing Light Orb can produce very good effects even when touched directly.

Most importantly, this ability can increase the output range of the Tokiwa Power. Even without prolonged contact, it can use Aura Sphere to launch the Aura needed to replenish Reshiram. Aura are a very suitable "concept" as an energy carrier, and in this situation, they are even more appropriate and suitable.

Surprisingly, this cooperation produced good results; however, it still couldn't determine the outcome of the battle.

Qiao Ran and Reshiram's hearts continued to sink into the abyss. If this were a battle with hope, they wouldn't be in such a state. However, in this battle, no one could see any hope of victory.

Reshiram is currently struggling even to perform simple defense, let alone inflict damage on his opponent. If he can't inflict damage, how can he possibly win this battle?

Sudden breakthroughs and epiphanies only exist in imagination; in the real world, such things are nowhere to be found.

Therefore, Reshiram couldn't help but have different ideas.

"..."

If I'm destined to fall here, then at least...

Reshiram pondered how to keep Qiao Ran alive—however, in this world without end or limit, even she couldn't see where the so-called reality of this world truly lay.

The being that created this world is beyond her reach, and the ruler of this world occupies a higher position than her.

All she could do was lure the two Pokémon away, giving Qiao Ran some time to catch his breath. Perhaps... during that time, Qiao Ran would be able to come up with a way out of here.

After all, he was his master...

Reshiram could only console himself with this thought; it was the only way to cut his losses. If it really came to this, it was the only option left.

"Reshiram?"

Qiao Ran, who could sense Reshiram's thoughts, immediately Frisk her unusual behavior. Although the distance was much greater than usual, and their connection wasn't as close as before, Qiao Ran still Frisk her intentions. Moreover, her gaze was constantly observing the situation further away, as if she were considering which way to go next.

Like flying.

"Reshiram, what are you doing?!"

Qiao Ran's eyes widened, and he shouted in that direction. However, Reshiram's body still moved. While defending against the attack, she flew further away.

An attack grazed her wing, but Qiao Ran didn't feel much pain in her hand. At this moment, Qiao Ran already knew that the distance between her and Qiao Ran was already quite, quite far.

"..."

"...!!!"

Qiao Ran took several deep breaths, his eyes widening. He seemed to see Reshiram give him one last look before leaving, and he understood the meaning behind that gaze.

"No... no, don't!"

She's sacrificing herself just to live a little longer. Yes, her purpose in doing all this is simply for that humble... little bit of time.

In the distance, Qiao Ran could vaguely see the two Pokémon made of Monster begin to flash with blood-red light again, and their blue Third Eye unfolded on their foreheads. This was the sign that they were about to unleash their special moves. A chilling energy began to fluctuate throughout the entire space, and even the space itself seemed to be transmitting some kind of invisible energy Ripple.

"..."

Qiao Ran's heart was also greatly shaken.

The same applies to the Cynthia before, so why is it the same for Reshiram?

In times like these, is there truly no hope left at all?

No, we shouldn't give up yet.

We shouldn't give up yet.

We shouldn't give up.

The situation is far from being one where we should give up.

The more chaotic and desperate the situation, the faster Qiao Ran calmed down. Since the two of them, himself and Reshiram, couldn't achieve victory, what other options did they have?

Just like when Tapu Lele appeared before, she seemed to sense her location by relying on something left on it. Previously, Qiao Ran had also discussed this matter with Fini from Poni Island. Her reply was that if Tapu Lele could cross that world, then she could probably do it through that passage as well. After all, they had spent a very long time in this world and had gained some understanding of it.

However, to get here, you need to know the other party's location.

Tapu Lele can mark those she cares about with her Shield Dust and sense their location, but Fini doesn't have this ability. So, even if she could come to this world, finding this place would probably be impossible for her.

Moreover, after the last battle, much of what Tapu Lele left on him had been reduced, since she had directly helped him withstand an attack, which was already quite powerful.

"... So, we have to find a way to transmit this location out?"

"But... what can we do?"

Qiao Ran pondered, but couldn't come up with a good solution.

Meanwhile, on Poni Island, beneath the peak of the Altar of the Moone, a "cocoon" that had opened its Third Eye Levitate silently in the air.

"Nebby?"

None of the people present understood the significance of this scene, so they simply watched cautiously from the sidelines. Trainer like Cynthia released their Pokémon, ready to deal with any unexpected situations.

They probably didn't know that in this Torn World, two Pokémon had also opened their Third Eye and were unleashing their strongest attacks.

As those attacks were launched, some strange memories began to flood into Nebby's mind.

At this moment, it is still immersed in its own dream. The cocoon is a dream about the universe that it has woven. However, those memories have interfered with its beautiful dream. It actually saw that person being Beat Up by two strange Pokémon, and... the situation is becoming more and more critical.

"..."

The sleeping cocoon cannot speak, nor does it know how to express itself. However, amidst its unconscious movements and anxiety, a white wormhole slowly opens before it—that is the power unique to the Child of the Stars.

--The Ultra Wormhole.

"...!"

Everyone present stared wide-eyed, but a figure flashed past and flew into the Ultra Wormhole. After it passed through, the Ultra Wormhole did not remain open for more than half a second before disappearing from everyone's sight.

The blurry figure was none other than Tapu Fini, who had been observing the situation for quite some time.

As the only Pokémon present who has survived from ancient times, she has seen those "Child of the Stars" before, and to some extent, she understands some of their abilities.