Within a valley that retained its primal, untouched landscape, a pair of brand-new hiking boots stepped upon a soil blanketed with wild grasses.
Following closely, a voice sounded.
"Follow this path, and you'll reach the Research Station No. 1."
Lucas examined the paper map in his hands seriously as he spoke.
This time, he didn't have Larry, his usual gold-medal backup, to show the way. With Arven along too, Lucas had no choice but to take the lead himself.
Fortunately, he'd visited the Great Crater of Paldea some months before. Though he'd only hurried through back then, Lucas still remembered the environmental features and terrain here.
With this map — a gift from Larry — even in the Great Crater of Paldea, where ordinary electronic devices failed and communication was impossible, he could find the correct route.
As long as he stuck to the rule of "go downward," he would definitely reach the destination safely.
"I understand."
Arven nodded earnestly, carefully watching his every step.
The environment in the Great Crater of Paldea was something Arven had never seen: unknown plants grew everywhere, and the landscape itself seemed to ooze a sense of timelessness.
It was all fresh and new.
But also exceedingly dangerous.
Arven had no choice but to stay completely alert, paying attention to every little detail of their exploration.
In fact, they had only just survived a fierce battle some time ago.
Unlike Lucas and Larry's previous safe descent, this time they were ambushed mid-descent by a Paradox Pokémon — an ancient, Dragon/Dark-type known as Roaring Moon.
Thankfully, Dragonite's mastery of air currents had reached new heights. Even carrying both Lucas and Arven, it lost some maneuverability, but manipulating air flows alone was enough to crush that Roaring Moon.
After Roaring Moon's defeat and crash, the two of them safely touched down.
This sudden ambush made Arven realize just how much more dangerous the Great Crater of Paldea truly was compared to the fields he'd once traveled with Nemona and Eri.
He quickly set aside his wandering thoughts and followed Lucas with unprecedented focus as they continued their descent.
Arven understood: Lucas wouldn't always be able to accompany him down here. Sooner or later, he'd have to come alone. The more he learned now, the better prepared he'd be for the future.
Glancing at his side, Arven whispered, "Toedscruel, I'm counting on you to keep watch."
"Niku," came the reply.
A Pokémon that resembled a tentacled jellyfish, standing agilely on the ground, with a pinkish protuberance on its head that looked oddly like a black fungus fused with a bleeding tooth fungus, nodded slightly.
Its Ability was "Mycelium Might," whose effects were complicated and not immediately relevant — but more importantly, it gave this Ground/Grass Pokémon the ability to control underground mycelium.
It could propagate a web of mycelium throughout the surrounding soil, and if any wild Pokémon approached within a certain range, it would detect them at once.
As an environment detection measure, it was more than sufficient.
Lucas, for his part, had his own bodyguard: a physically imposing Swampert, brawnier than most of its species, followed close, responsible for the safety of both himself and Arven.
He could have ridden Raging Bolt, but considering its speed and maneuverability might not surpass his own agility on foot, Lucas chose to walk.
The Area Zero of the Paldea Great Crater was enormous.
On his prior trip with Larry, they'd hurried nearly the whole way and still took almost ten hours to reach the middle zone.
This time, they took it easy, advancing at a steady pace.
Whenever wild Pokémon attacked, Swampert would step forward, land a few heavy blows, and promptly drive the threat away.
Aqua Break, High Horsepower, Ice Punch — whatever the situation called for.
Watching Swampert violently smack around a Copperajah larger than itself, Arven swallowed hard.
It seemed Lucas's Swampert was even more brutal than before.
That kind of strength was intimidating just to watch.
With a few more thunderous blows, Swampert chased off another attacking Copperajah, then quietly returned to Lucas's side, taking his backpack to lighten his trainer's load as much as possible.
In Paldea's Area Zero, the wild Pokémon were indeed ferocious — and among them lurked even deadlier Paradox Pokémon.
Even Gym Leaders and Elite Fours had to tread with caution when exploring.
But compared to months ago, Lucas's core Pokémon had all undergone a new round of growth. In this upper area, he and Swampert swept through everything like an unstoppable force.
Even better, since many of the fiercest Pokémon were inactive during the day, they actually reached the Research Station No. 1 earlier than last time.
Just as Lucas remembered, the station's doors and interior were caked in a thick layer of dust — clear evidence that hardly anyone had visited.
Imitating Larry, Lucas used a "human authentication" device to enter the station — which had no password set — glanced around, and pointed to the single bed. "We're safe for now. Take half an hour to rest, and we'll carry on after."
After all, Arven wasn't an adult like Lucas, nor the tireless worker Larry who could spend all day hiking in loafers; a proper break was necessary.
Arven knew Lucas meant well, and felt a warm gratitude. Before sleeping, his curiosity got the better of him and he asked:
"Brother Lucas, why does the Research Station No. 1 look like no one's lived here for ages? Don't they need someone stationed here?"
He'd noticed that the station's dust seemed to have accumulated like that of a long-sealed family home.
Lucas pondered, then explained based on what he'd learned the last few months:
"In the past, people used to live here from time to time for specimen collection and research.
Now, apart from supply teams like us stopping for a rest, almost no one comes. Basically, this place serves as a safe house."
Arven blinked, half-understanding.
With a glance from Lucas and after Toedscruel cleaned the dusty bedding, Arven lay on the single bed and soon drifted off.
In his dreams, he heard his parents' voices calling him. Overjoyed, he reflexively murmured their names.
Not until a pair of hands rested on his body did he begin to wake, still hearing his parents' calls, thinking he was still dreaming.
But---
"Arven! Arven!"
Lucas, rather than continuing to shout, had Swampert spray water onto his hands and slapped the groggy Arven's face, forcing him awake.
As for the voice, it had come from the overhead speaker system in the station.
Now fully alert, Arven realized he was hearing Turo and Sada's voices!
Eyes wide, he shouted with excitement, "Dad! Mom!"
On the other end, Sada and Turo replied instantly.
Amid the excitement, Arven looked to Lucas, wanting to ask how this was possible.
Lucas, as if reading his mind, chuckled, "Before we came, I learned some tech from Penny. While I was at it, I fixed this old communication module. Now we can talk to those below."
On the other end, Professor Turo chimed in, "We heard you'd be coming down soon, but the station's sudden signal still surprised us."
Sada added, "You're still at least a day's journey from the Zero Lab — take care on your way."
"Please take good care of Arven, Teacher Lucas — we'll be waiting for you at the research station," said Sada and Turo together.
Arven chatted a bit more with his parents, but Lucas hoped to reach the Research Station No. 3 in the middle zone before sunset to rest for the night, and then make for the Zero Lab the next day.
Reluctantly, Arven said goodbye and they set off again.
To save energy, Arven rode his Ursaluna, while Lucas mounted Arcanine for the journey.
These two Pokémon, both having origins in Hisui of the past, meeting here in the present, struck Lucas as unexpectedly touching.
When they ran into foes that Arcanine and Ursaluna couldn't handle, Lucas simply called out his ever-energetic Raging Bolt, who would clear the field with a single Discharge attack.
On the way, Arven asked when Lucas would go public about Ursaluna's existence, since people kept pestering him about Ursaring's evolution and he was a bit annoyed.
Lucas could only answer that he was "getting ready." He planned to visit Professor Oak in Pallet Town, deliver a Auspicious Armor to Ash, and just in time for Ash to depart on his Hoenn journey. He'd consult Professor Oak about publishing Ursaring's new evolution, maybe even let Oak announce it, since Lucas himself wasn't a researcher.
After pressing on, they reached the central zone's Research Station No. 3 before the clouds overhead fully darkened.
This time, they didn't encounter Iron Thorns, but caught a fleeting glimpse of Flutter Mane.
Lucas remembered these ancient Paradox Pokémon were very aggressive, but perhaps because it was daytime, this one hadn't attacked. On the other hand, that didn't quite align with what he knew about their natures.
To be safe, Lucas fortified the observation station's defenses while fixing the communications module, intending to take turns on night watch with his Pokémon.
Ghost-types could appear out of nowhere; even though the station was in a relatively safe location, there was no guarantee it wouldn't be invaded.
Fortunately, night passed without incident. Flutter Mane did not appear, and both Arven and Lucas got much needed rest.
After breakfast the next morning, the two continued their descent.
By late that night, they'd reached the lower spiral of the crater, shimmering with dazzling crystals and blooming Glimmoras, and finally arrived at the Zero Lab at the very bottom.
"Hmm…"
Rubbing his chin, Lucas gazed thoughtfully at the massive structure before him.
"Compared to last time, things have changed a lot."
He sighed.
When he'd last come, there was only a shabby elevator.
Now, not only were there huge buildings, but the lab's central structure was encased in gigantic crystals, looking fantastical.
Just as he remembered.
He guessed this was a byproduct of the professors' research into Terastalization — to arm the facility with crystal armor to resist attacks from the ferocious Pokémon below.
The entrance, however, was not the in-game elevator, but a different side.
He reckoned that the elevator led beyond the bottom of the zone, to the so-called "Area Zero Underdepths" mentioned by the professors.
At the entrance, Professor Sada and Professor Turo waited, along with several researchers in white coats. Among them, Lucas even spotted Moru.
Seeing Lucas and Arven approach, both professors beamed and came forward to greet them.
"Welcome to—"
But before Turo could finish, Arven shot into his arms like a cannonball.
Fortunately, Turo's build was even sturdier than Kukui's — he only staggered slightly before catching Arven.
Sensing the trembling body and noticing the tears soaking his coat, Turo softened, gently patting Arven's back. "Long time no see, Arven."
"And… sorry, for leaving you home alone."
Even the bold, hearty Sada quietly embraced her husband and son.
Parent-child reunions always strike the heart.
The researchers behind turned away to secretly wipe their eyes.
They, more than anyone, understood the professors' feelings.
After a long, warm embrace, Moru — now a full researcher — gently prompted, "Professors, it's about time."
Raising her head, Sada replied softly, "I know."
Turo, still hugging Arven, turned to Lucas, "It's nearly time for the prototype time machine's maintenance. Since you've arrived, we could activate it for the first time whenever you're ready."
"But you've just traveled so far — would you rather rest here and wait until tomorrow?"
No matter their eagerness, the professors wouldn't force Lucas, who'd just safely delivered Arven, to start working immediately.
Arven pulled his face from Turo's chest. "I'm not tired," he murmured.
Reading Arven's intentions, Lucas smiled, "We took plenty of breaks along the way. We're not that tired. Why not just go ahead and run the activation experiment now?"
"Alright, let's get started right away," the professors said, moving quickly to prepare.
Meanwhile, Moru took Lucas and Arven for a late-night snack, then led them by elevator to the deepest level of the lab.
Inside a massive chamber, Lucas gazed at an awe-inspiring technological creation — the "Time Machine"— utterly unlike anything from this era.
Even he felt a rising sense of anticipation.
It wasn't just the prospect of seeing the time machine's first activation; everyone was curious about which Paradox Pokémon would become the very first summoned to this era.
Which would it be?
…
…
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