Giratina left. It felt that what Damian said made sense.
Challenging Arceus was not an easy task, and one had to be fully prepared. It had already waited for a very long time, so a little more time wouldn't hurt.
Since this human was confident, Giratina was willing to wait a bit longer. After all, it had plenty of time.
"Hahahaha!"
Damian looked at the Cherish Ball in his hand and laughed.
He didn't force Giratina to stay inside the ball, but Giratina still acknowledged him.
That was the key point. This Cherish Ball was now linked to Giratina. Even if Giratina stayed in the Distortion World most of the time, Damian could still treat it as a partner under his command.
And as long as he had the Griseous Orb, Damian could summon Giratina whenever needed. When the job was done, Giratina could return to the Distortion World again.
"Congratulations, Damian."
A thin smile appeared on Caitlin's face. She was happy for Damian.
Damian had become even stronger.
"Congratulations."
Cynthia also offered her congratulations, though her feelings were more complicated.
Damian had become stronger again.
And this time, the one who acknowledged him was Giratina, the strongest among the six ancient Pokémon tied to creation. Damian was probably already close to unbeatable in this world.
Cynthia sighed to herself. She didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
"Damian, you're amazing!" Mesprit sounded full of admiration.
"To even have Giratina acknowledge you… Damian, you're the best." Azelf sounded full of respect.
"Damian, do you really intend to challenge the Great One with Giratina?"
Uxie was calm, and also a little surprised.
"The Great One" was the respectful name Uxie and the others used for Arceus. In their hearts, the Great One was an unbeatable god. Even for Giratina, there wouldn't be a real chance.
"Thank you," Damian first replied to the two women.
"Of course. But that is something for the future. Besides, it's just a challenge. There's no harm in that, right?" Damian looked toward Uxie.
"The Great One is merciful. As long as you do not offend it, a challenge like that will not be a problem." There was still a hint of uncertainty in Uxie's telepathy.
As the one created by Arceus to represent wisdom, Uxie never imagined that someone would actually agree to something like this. What Damian and Giratina had agreed on was completely different from what that hero did back in the Hisui era.
"Then it's fine." Damian shrugged. As long as that "alpaca" didn't take it too seriously, there was nothing to worry about.
It surely wouldn't beat a challenger to death, right?
The rain clouds in the sky had already scattered. Having ended its Primal Reversion, Kyogre looked up at the sky with mixed feelings. It looked like it wanted to say something to Damian but hesitated.
Wait, are we really going to fight Arceus in the future? Can I be like Reshiram and just stay in the back and support? And then just use Helping Hand?
The big whale seriously thought about what its job would be in that future battle.
"However, I do not suggest that you use today's method to try to see the Great One," Uxie suggested after thinking for a moment.
"Oh?" Damian raised an eyebrow.
"Giratina's method is only for when there are no other options. The space-time rift caused by Dialga and Palkia fighting is unstable. It is not guaranteed that you will find the dimension where the Great One resides."
"Furthermore, if Dialga and Palkia fight for too long, it will cause serious consequences. This might also anger the Great One."
Uxie's telepathy was very clear. Damian nodded.
"Then do you all have any other way?" Damian asked Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf.
Even though their battle strength was low, their knowledge was not something anyone could ignore. They had existed since the beginning of creation. Especially when it came to Arceus, they knew more than anyone.
"There is a way," Mesprit's telepathy carried a hint of a smile.
"As long as you can find the Azure Flute, Damian, you can open the gate that leads to the Great One's dimension," Uxie replied.
"The Azure Flute?" Cynthia was curious.
"It is an object left behind by the Great One in the past. As long as you have the Azure Flute and come to the Sinnoh Temple… oh, I mean here, it's called Spear Pillar now, right?" Azelf blinked.
In the Hisui era, Spear Pillar was still the Sinnoh Temple. It was a temple dedicated to Arceus. Inside, there were stone statues of the ten Pokémon that had once received power from Arceus.
However…
The Sinnoh Temple was destroyed by Dialga and Palkia's battle. Over time, it became the current Spear Pillar.
"As long as you bring the Azure Flute to Spear Pillar and play it, you can travel to the Hall of Origin where the Great One stays," Azelf continued.
"But the Azure Flute has been lost for a long time. Even we do not know where it is," Uxie added.
If they knew, they would not mind telling Damian. They had a good impression of him. And if Damian could take Giratina to challenge Arceus once and settle Giratina's fixation, that might prevent trouble later.
But the key problem was simple: the Azure Flute had disappeared long ago.
"It's fine. I will have people search for it. Thank you for telling me this," Damian said.
"I will also have the Sinnoh League help search. Uxie, can you draw what the Azure Flute looks like?" Cynthia spoke up as well.
Sinnoh was the League's territory. With the League's help, finding the Azure Flute would be much easier.
"Okay!" Mesprit answered quickly.
Cynthia took out a drawing board. With psychic power, Mesprit drew the Azure Flute. Its design was abstract, and the body of the flute was purple.
Just then, a low roar sounded.
Damian and the others looked up. Dialga and Palkia had regained their senses and were watching them from the sky.
"It looks like you've regained consciousness," Damian said with a smile to Dialga and Palkia.
Today, Dialga and Palkia really did nothing but take losses.
First, they were controlled by Saturn with the Red Chain. Second, Giratina drove them into a frenzy and forced them to fight each other. Now both of them were injured, and they could only swallow it.
Especially Palkia. The injuries on its body were obvious.
"Thank you for today, human."
A low telepathic voice sounded in Damian's ear. It was Dialga's.
"You're welcome. It was for myself as well. If you two kept fighting, time and space in this world would become a mess," Damian replied.
"Do you need treatment? You look quite injured."
"It does not matter. These injuries will be fine after I go back and rest for a while," Dialga replied calmly.
Beside Dialga, Palkia glared at Dialga. Palkia's injuries were heavier. At the joint of its right arm, there was a very obvious bite mark.
Noticing Palkia's glare, Dialga stared right back.
The atmosphere became tense again.
Palkia was furious, but right now the priority was to return and recover. It turned its head away.
Seeing that, Dialga snorted.
"Human, did you agree to help Giratina challenge the Father?" Dialga asked.
"That's right."
"Heh… contact me when you challenge Him. I want to be there to watch."
Dialga laughed and spoke without hesitation. At the same time, it released the Adamant Orb, letting it fall in front of Damian.
"That… shouldn't be a problem." Damian caught the Adamant Orb. He understood immediately. Dialga wanted to watch Giratina take a beating.
"We shall meet again if fate allows." A time vortex appeared above Dialga. But just before entering, Dialga paused and looked at Damian.
"Your future daughter is very cute. When she is born, give this Adamant Orb to her."
"Huh?" Damian froze.
Caitlin and Cynthia, who also heard this, had their expressions change.
Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf also looked at Dialga in surprise. Palkia was confused as well.
"Can you tell me… who is the mother of my daughter?" Damian hesitated for a moment, then asked.
Caitlin looked at Dialga with clear expectation.
"I do not know. Goodbye," Dialga replied, then entered the time vortex and returned to its own dimension.
It left behind the three humans, Palkia, and the Lake Guardians, all stuck in silence.
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