Lucas hesitated for a second, then bent down to pick up the mysterious crystal.
The crystal felt cool to the touch, and its surface was smooth—almost as if a master craftsman had purposely shaped and polished it. All in all, it didn't seem like a product of nature.
It had a hexagonal shape with irregular patches of blue and pale yellow. Unexpectedly, it was actually quite pleasant to look at—if anything, its unique colors only added to the sense of mystery.
Lucas examined the crystal closely for a couple of seconds and couldn't help but comment, "It kind of looks like a turtle shell."
With that, he turned and walked straight toward Professor Sada and Professor Turo, who were watching from a distance. Without hesitation, he handed the crystal to them.
"After the time machine was activated, this was the only thing that appeared. Do you recognize what it is?"
Professor Sada stepped forward, accepting the crystal from Lucas. She opened her palm wide so that Professor Turo beside her could get a clear look at the palm-sized object.
The couple exchanged a glance, a flash of puzzlement in their eyes.
Could it be... Their minds instantly recalled the Terastal Source they'd found during their exploration of Zero's Great Crater a few months back—the dormant form of an ancient Pokémon they'd named 'Terapagos.'
That one was also a hexagonal crystal, but it was much larger and heavier than this piece. If you compared them, the one in their hands could be made into a pendant, whereas the one from the Zero Lab could fill half a drawer.
In terms of color, this crystal was brighter and more vivid, too.
As for any other differences, they'd probably need to run more tests with specialized instruments.
Seeing that Lucas didn't seem all that interested in the crystal himself, the couple's minds both turned to an idea they'd secretly planned for a long time.
Currently, the world had only a single known example of a Paradox Pokémon forming a bond with a human: the Raging Bolt, who was now keeping watch nearby.
They'd already planned to prepare a thank-you gift for Lucas—a token of gratitude for being there as Arven's emotional anchor during their absence.
Originally, they'd planned to give him the first successful transfer from the prototype time machine once it operated.
If things were as they'd guessed, and this crystal was the dormant form of Terapagos—the 'Foundation of Paradise'—then, if Lucas were the recipient, they could feel assured handing it over.
Both Professor Turo and Professor Sada were super-geniuses who had designed a time machine; their minds swiftly reached the same conclusion.
Breathing out in sync, they replied to Lucas, "We'll need to do further tests once the experiment ends."
"Would you mind holding onto it for us in the meantime?"
Professor Sada handed the crystal back to Lucas.
"Uh, okay."
Casting a slightly suspicious glance at the two doctors, Lucas didn't press for more details. He nodded and slipped the crystal back into his pocket.
Even though both Scarlet and Violet Legends—their first arrivals in the games—were described as uncommonly gentle, with his presence as an unforeseen factor, he decided it was best to stay cautious.
Besides, the games never depicted both professors appearing together, nor the simultaneous appearance of both legends, or that the first time transfer result would be just… a hexagonal crystal.
Best to stay on guard.
Lucas indicated for everyone else to keep their distance. Only Professor Sada followed him to the control center to fetch Professor Turo's copy of 'The Violet Book,' then initiated the time machine again.
This time, the target of the transfer was obvious—an ancient Pokémon that Professor Sada deeply wished to see.
Immense energy surged again. Lucas signaled his Dragonite and Raging Bolt with a glance.
They'd already rehearsed the tactics: if an Ancient Paradox Pokémon appeared and showed hostility, Dragonite and Raging Bolt would use 'Rain Dance' together, maximizing Swampert's overall power.
But if even Mega Swampert couldn't keep the enemy at bay, they'd use their last-resort, secret backup strategy to summon the legendary Calyrex.
With Calyrex's power, it would take at most a minute to arrive at Area Zero's deepest point, half that time spent just to find and mount its steed.
In short, Lucas was taking extreme precautions.
At that moment—
A blinding light flared. Having learned his lesson, Lucas donned sunglasses, determined not to be caught off guard by the bright flash a second time.
Once the surge of energy faded, the sound of something landing echoed through the room, followed by a heavy, sharp exhale.
Professor Sada, standing well back, saw the new data pop up on her tablet—her face instantly took on a fervent, almost fanatical expression.
"A completely new energy reading... A new lifeform—we did it, Turo!"
"Yes, I see it too, Sada," Professor Turo nodded, already looking forward to the third time machine run.
But before that—
"So it really is you..."
Lucas let out a soft sigh as he looked at the bipedal, muscular creature ahead.
Nearly its entire body was a vivid scarlet, with white patches here and there. Its thick, powerful tail could produce an ear-piercing whoosh with a swing. Mustache-like whiskers trailed down its back, ending in blue-violet feathers—its powerful build and regal posture distinguished it as a true apex predator.
Such bold coloring was for creatures with no need for camouflage—beings that ruled the ancient wilds.
Even the Raging Bolt couldn't help but tense up upon seeing it, instinctively wary of the mysterious newcomer.
Ancient texts called this Pokémon the "Winged King," but Lucas knew its true name:
The legendary beast said to shatter the earth with its fists—Koraidon!
Type: Fighting + Dragon.
Suddenly thrown into a completely unfamiliar environment, Koraidon was highly alert, radiating such intimidating pressure that even the distant researchers felt their breathing grow labored, as if wading through mud.
Mega Swampert, Dragonite, and Raging Bolt watched it closely. If it showed aggression, they were ready.
But for now, they did as Lucas instructed—no aggression, just quietly observing and waiting for Koraidon's next move.
Luckily, Koraidon's curiosity soon got the best of it. Its tail flicked more gently, careful not to damage anything interesting.
The sight even made Raging Bolt's eyes light up—could this seemingly fierce guy be a kindred spirit like me?
Just then, Koraidon finished surveying its surroundings. Satisfied that nothing threatened it—aside from a wary glance or two at Mega Swampert, Dragonite, and Raging Bolt—it relaxed.
"Gaa-sii," it let out an indistinct cry, striding toward the group.
Each of its steps seemed to echo in everyone's hearts, tension mounting.
Especially the researchers who'd previously seen countless ferocious Paradox Pokémon—now their faces were pale, and their legs were shaking so badly it seemed they'd faint any moment.
Only Moru, used to even wilder situations, kept his composure (though his face was still a little pale).
Koraidon strode past Mega Swampert and the others, then sniffed curiously at Lucas, before giving the same treatment to the Papas.
At last, it reached the open elevator at the back.
Its animal intuition told it this was the way out.
Koraidon stepped into the elevator with great anticipation—but nothing happened.
Irritated, it turned to the humans, urging them with a "Gao!"—which, to most of the researchers, sounded more like a death sentence than a request.
But not to Arven's family.
Professor Sada's eyes sparkled, glued to Koraidon, muttering to herself. Koraidon felt as if her stare was licking up and down its body, prompting it to voice its impatience again.
Confirming Koraidon's behavior lined up with its canonical depiction, Lucas stepped forward with relief and quipped, "Maybe it wants to go up?"
The room fell into deeper silence at those words.
Koraidon looked at Lucas approvingly. At least this one understands me!
Professor Sada, now clearly excited, said, "Let me take you up, then. I bet you're eager to explore our world."
"You all stay here and get ready for the third verification," Sada added.
"Sada, isn't this a bit..." Professor Turo frowned, trying to object.
"If the future transfer succeeds, you'll be even more excited than me, Turo," Sada gently stroked the beast tooth necklace on her neck, giving a reassuring smile. "Besides, I have a hunch we'll get along just fine."
"Mom—"
Arven tugged at Sada's sleeve, hesitant.
In the past, Sada wouldn't have explained much. But recalling her recent conversations with Lucas, she knelt down and whispered in Arven's ear, "The most important moment of Daddy's life needs you there. Don't worry, I'll wait for you all upstairs."
She left a soft kiss on Arven's forehead, then turned to step into the elevator, where Koraidon waited, a bit impatient.
Lucas didn't try to stop her, simply watched the elevator rise, and then turned to Professor Turo, reminding, "It's about time for the third experiment."
The third time machine transfer was much quieter than before.
The blinding flash appeared as always, but this time the creature didn't make a sound upon arrival.
Because it was levitating.
On its head sat a pair of sharp, lightning-shaped horns, their energy glowing gold and coursing along the length of its tail, up to its head. Deep purple metal covered much of its body, with razor claws hanging at its sides, legs tucked in, floating via some unknown method.
It was more machine than creature, exuding a distinctly futuristic vibe.
Just like before—
Ancient explorers had called this one the "Iron Serpent," but Lucas knew its true name:
The legend that turns the earth to ash with lightning—Miraidon!
Type: Electric + Dragon.
Unlike Koraidon, whose every emotion was written on its face, Miraidon was… impassive.
It simply hovered, its artificial "eyes" scanning the room like a sensor.
Lucas couldn't help but wonder—a machine from the future, would Miraidon be able to crack the real secret of the time machine?
Sure enough, Professor Turo was just as Sada predicted: overcome with excitement, arms open, he strode right up to Miraidon.
Perhaps annoyed by the noise, Miraidon started moving, making a leisurely circuit around the area, then—like Koraidon—drifted over to the elevator.
As it passed Mega Swampert and Dragonite, Miraidon kept its gaze forward—but Lucas was sure it snuck a glance at him.
Strangely, Lucas saw in Miraidon a strange familiarity—like the time he first met that stray Luxio in the city. Cool and aloof on the surface, but clearly bursting with curiosity beneath.
Koraidon, meanwhile, didn't yet show the personality of a big goofy dog.
Normally reserved, Professor Turo now chased after Miraidon into the elevator, only tossing back a quick "Let's finish the experiment" to Lucas before leaving.
Lucas: "..."
Guess this whole trip was pointless.
Mega Swampert, Dragonite, Raging Bolt: "..."
Guess all that tension was for nothing.
"Phew, good job everyone. Let's head upstairs," Lucas said—mostly addressing the Pokémon, but also the researchers.
The researchers, led by Moru, quickly declined; unreliable or not, the two doctors had left, but as researchers, they needed to stick around and clean up, record data, check video logs…
So Lucas didn't say any more.
When he stepped into the elevator, he noticed Raging Bolt on the verge of climbing in, and gently persuaded, "How about heading back into your Poké Ball for now?"
…
…
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