In the dimness.
Countless shattered images flashed before Baimu's eyes.
It was as though he were living through countless people's dreams, taking on countless identities and dreaming countless dreams.
Yet strangely, he knew who he was from beginning to end. The memories felt like playing a game in VR: immersive, but no more than that.
Was this the Simulator's doing?
His first thought was of his special ability. This experience was almost indistinguishable from a simulated dream, which seemed to confirm it.
Meanwhile, in the real world.
Shan Ren half-supported Baimu, tense with worry. Pheobe wore a grave expression as she shook a bell, chanted under her breath, and pressed a string of prayer beads against his chest.
The round antenna atop Dusknoir's head shone like a lamp.
Baimu's Pokémon gathered around him, every one of them deeply worried.
Aggron held the two Dreepy siblings in its claws as they glared at Banette, while its thick tail hooked around Giant Steelix's tail to keep them from acting up.
In truth, if Aggron hadn't feared disrupting Pheobe's efforts to save their trainer—and known that, as his ace, it needed to stay composed—it would have been the first to tear Banette to pieces.
But their trainer's safety came first. Settling the score could wait.
Mawile felt the same way. It crouched atop Aggron's head with a cold expression, its usually lively red ribbons drooping listlessly.
Hydreigon, normally so noisy, was unexpectedly quiet. Too quiet. Aggron kept glancing its way, afraid it might do something foolish.
Blissey and Shiny Milotic prayed fervently for Baimu. Dragapult had even forgotten to turn invisible and flew back and forth in a panic.
Galarian Corsola opened its eyes irritably. A pent-up gloom felt ready to burst inside it, making sleep impossible.
Inside the phone, Porygon2 frantically searched