Although there had been a few hiccups, Miraidon's unexpected friendliness had done a great deal to ease the tension in the laboratory.
Seeing that their initial contact had gone smoothly, Geeta stepped forward and asked, "Xia Chi, shall we continue?"
Xia Chi nodded, his gaze returning to the imposing Time Machine. "Yes. This time, let's try connecting to a point in the past."
With their first successful attempt behind them, the entire startup procedure went much more smoothly, every stage fitting seamlessly into the next.
Even Professor Turo's finger was much steadier when he pressed the bright red activation button again.
Already prepared, everyone closed their eyes to avoid the flash of light that flared up again, just as expected.
Meanwhile, Xia Chi's Aura had already spread out silently.
Unlike the violent, chaotic energy he had sensed last time, the Aura response coming from inside the machine was noticeably gentler this time. There was only one Pokémon, too.
What surprised Xia Chi even more was that the frequency and shape of this Aura carried a strangely familiar feeling.
The machine's humming gradually subsided, and the chamber door slid open again.
When the scene inside came clearly into view, Xia Chi froze for a moment.
Flutter Mane?
And a Flutter Mane that seemed almost gentle, nothing like the vicious temperament described in the Pokédex?
It surveyed its surroundings in confusion, showing no intention of attacking.
After looking around, it finally turned its gaze toward Xia Chi amid the crowd. Its crimson eyes held a hint of puzzlement, as though it were trying hard to recognize something.
"Tini~"
Before Xia Chi could signal Meowha to stay alert, the air beside him rippled, and Victini's tiny figure suddenly appeared out of thin air.
It seemed to sense something. With a cheerful cry, it