The small town was located at the foot of Mt. Coronet, not far from the Gracidea flower fields. Team Rocket had carefully considered setting up their stall here.

The trio looked up at the sky where bubbles merged into fantastical shapes—Meowth presented a Gracidea flower basket to their boss, only to hear his deep voice respond:

"A flower basket symbolizing gratitude? How thoughtful... Indeed, I could use this to capture Shaymin."

"You three have rendered great service. From today, you're promoted to Sinnoh Region's three executives!"

The trio couldn't help giggling foolishly: "What a wonderful feeling~"

"So~nansu!"

Lu Ye approached the stall and knocked on the counter with a helpless expression.

"What would you like, customer..." Meowth's eyes widened, "E-executive~ meow!"

James quickly shoved Meowth under the table and scratched his head with an awkward laugh:

"What he means is... how may we help you?"

"I want that honey-preserved berry. It looks delicious," Flint licked his lips.

"No problem, this one's on the house!" Jessie rubbed her hands cheerfully.

"Huh?" Flint blinked in surprise. Nearby, Ash said, "We should get going soon."

Lu Ye sighed softly, giving Team Rocket a meaningful look they'd have to interpret themselves—a cold warning glance that essentially said:

'Follow us and I'll transfer you to Africa!'

The trio froze momentarily before noticing Shaymin curled up on Ash's head and immediately understanding.

'The executive's meaning is obvious, right?' they communicated through meaningful glances.

'He definitely wants us to follow and help capture the Mythical Pokémon, meow!'

'Pack up the stall immediately and follow the executive!'

As Teacher Lu walked away, Wobbuffet's loud "So~nansu!" echoed behind him.

"I feel like I've seen them somewhere before," Ash shook his head. "Oh well, can't remember."

Lu Ye: "..."

Brock, his dark face serious, adjusted his hiking backpack while unfolding a map: "Five more kilometers on foot and we'll reach the flower fields."

Flint tossed a Poké Ball and mounted his Rapidash with a boisterous laugh: "This'll be faster!"

"Mii..." Shaymin curled tighter, its cheeks flushing red.

Ash and Flint rode Rapidash while Teacher Lu and Brock traveled on Arcanine. Behind them, Team Rocket pedaled furiously on bicycles. Jessie peered through binoculars and shouted:

"Meowth, pedal faster!"

"It's because Jessie spent all our funds on cosmetics that we can't afford a robot..." James muttered.

"What was that?! It was all for entering Contests to win prize money!"

As they bickered, a nearby windmill silently opened a dark portal.

"What's this?" The trio's expressions changed.

A powerful gravitational pull slowed their pedaling until they were sucked inside.

"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off agaaain!"

Not just Team Rocket—Teacher Lu's group was also forced to halt.

Before them lay a river with Gracidea flowers' fragrance carried by the wind, but above the bridge yawned a void-like distortion. The river's surface was mirror-calm as the group tensed.

"What the hell is that..." Flint stared at the writhing shadows, his voice dry.

Lu Ye frowned as a gale blew toward them, specifically targeting the weakened Shaymin on Ash's head.

"Mii..." Shaymin curled up with a tiny shriek before being swept into the air.

At the same moment, Teacher Lu commanded: "Haunter, use Mean Look on Shaymin!"

Attempting to anchor Shaymin with 'Shadow Tag', but when Haunter's eyes glowed blue, even its elongated shadow was swallowed by the void.

The move failed!

"Useless."

Marshadow seemed to realize something, its small face scrunched up as it enunciated slowly: "All shadows are meaningless against that creature."

Lu Ye responded quickly: "What should we do?"

"Go to Mt. Coronet, complete the Rainbow Trial, seek Ho-Oh's help—" Before Marshadow could finish—

"Shaymin!" Ash leaped to catch the airborne Shaymin, only to be pulled toward the portal too.

Flint and Brock reacted instantly, grabbing Ash's pant legs—but half his body had already vanished into darkness before being completely swallowed.

Less than a minute later, the distorted shadows dissipated, the wind died down, and the portal slowly closed.

Could Ash handle this crisis alone? Could I calm Giratina's rage?

No time for doubts.

Lu Ye moved forward with the gravitational pull, gripping a Poké Ball tightly.

"What are you planning?" Marshadow trembled within Teacher Lu's shadow.

"I understand Giratina's nature better."

Lu Ye's voice was nearly lost in the wind: "I can find a solution!"

Hidden in Lu Ye's shadow, Marshadow clutched the faded Rainbow Wing tightly—easily taken since Teacher Lu harbored no suspicion.

As Lu Ye disappeared into darkness, the Rainbow Wing dimmed further, as if sinking into deathly silence.

Yet Marshadow felt its heart pounding, flames dancing in its eyes.

Perhaps he wasn't a conventional trainer—passive and reclusive.

But when necessary, he could become a fearless warrior.

This was the shining courage, the bond between trainer and Pokémon, the path illuminated by rainbow light.

"Maashaa!"

With determined eyes, Marshadow flew into the shadows after him.

The Rainbow Trial continued!

The breeze swept across the wilderness where Flint and Brock stood frozen.

Teacher Lu and Ash had vanished before their eyes as if it were all an illusion.

"What was that?"

Flint cursed himself quietly: "That was Giratina... I should've realized sooner!"

"Don't blame yourself, Elite Four Flint. It's not hopeless yet," Brock said steadily. "Let's contact the other Elite Four members—they might have leads."

Flint took a deep breath and pulled out his communicator. Lucian answered immediately.

"Thank heavens, finally got through."

Lucian, in his wine-red suit surrounded by frenzied wild Pokémon, calmly adjusted his glasses:

"Mt. Coronet's Pokémon are rampaging. Byron, Aaron and I are containing it—can't offer support now—"

A blood-eyed Rhyperior fired a devastating Rock Wrecker while an ancient Yanmega charged a Hyper Beam behind them.

Lucian snapped his fingers mid-call.

Bronzong's Psychic expanded like a dome, its engraved patterns glowing as a massive Psychic wave covered the area.

White light engulfed the wild Pokémon as Lucian turned away, adding solemnly:

"You're... on your own there."

"Understood," Flint inhaled sharply. "Don't underestimate me."

"Exhausting," Lucian suddenly admitted. "After this, I'm taking a vacation... Huh? He hung up?"

Brock watched Flint regain composure: "Well?"

"We need to find the Reverse World's entrance," Flint said. "Giratina's appearance means shadowy wormholes should be nearby—we'll locate and reinforce them."

Brock nodded, then looked up.

The entire sky had darkened, as if devoured by terrifying shadows.

Reverse World.

Lu Ye walked upside-down midair, staring at floating tiles below in astonishment:

"So this is the Reverse World?"

Kinda gives me 'Id:Invaded' vibes...

Ash hugged Shaymin, looking around before asking Teacher Lu: "What do we do now—"

"Shh."

Lu Ye tensed, sensing ripples through his Aura—Giratina in Origin Forme appeared before them.

Its dark gold body, six floating wings, black-red patterns, and emperor-like helmet with crimson eyes radiated menace.

"Mii..." Shaymin trembled on Ash's head, whimpering softly.

Lu Ye gently stroked the grass on Shaymin's back with a silent smile.

"Mii?" Shaymin looked up, its dark eyes glimmering slightly.

Whoosh—

Giratina surged forward, its oppressive aura shattering floating tiles.

"Can you communicate with it, Teacher Lu?" Ash asked.

Noticing the intruders' shadow aura, Giratina gathered a terrifying blue energy orb in displeasure.

Lu Ye's expression changed: "Does it look like it wants to chat?"

"So what do we do?"

"So we dodge first, duh!"

As Giratina's attack roared toward them, Lu Ye and Ash leaped onto floating tiles when a human voice suddenly called out:

BOOM!

"Over here!" A man with high-tech gear and a huge backpack waved urgently.

Newton Graceland, the Reverse World researcher? Or Cyrus, the Galactic leader stranded here?

No time to ponder—Lu Ye grabbed Shaymin from Ash and looked back.

"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

"Pika—CHUU!" Pikachu's Thunderbolt clashed with Giratina's Aura Sphere, staggering the dragon!

Holy crap.

No holding back now, Pikachu?!

Considering Giratina meant no real harm, it made sense—but they still needed a proper chance to negotiate!

Catching his breath, Lu Ye faced the middle-aged man who introduced himself:

"I'm Newton, a genius researcher studying the Reverse World. I've lived here for—"

Teacher Lu cut in: "Do you have an apprentice who likes flying fortresses?"

Newton blinked: "No."

Lu Ye relaxed—the villain from the movie plot wasn't involved.

Capturing Giratina with technology? Even for a movie, that was ridiculous.

Newton glanced at Lu Ye and the approaching Ash before explaining:

"After battling Dialga, Giratina severely wounded it but got trapped here in retaliation."

He then looked at Shaymin in Lu Ye's arms: "Shaymin's Seed Flare can open portals—that's why Giratina's pursuing it."

"Then have Shaymin use Seed Flare!" Ash exclaimed.

"Mii..." Shaymin fearfully glanced at Giratina and shook its head vehemently.

For its hedgehog form, facing Giratina—the embodiment of hell—was terrifying.

Newton frowned: "It's not that simple. My research shows Giratina isn't in a normal state."

"Dialga's Roar of Time may have awakened Giratina's dormant aggression—"

He smiled wryly: "Legends say Giratina was banished here precisely for its violent temper."

Outside their hiding spot, Giratina's roar resonated as formless ripples became piercing shrieks in their ears.

Lu Ye's eyes narrowed.

Ancient language won't work... Only Aura can reach it.

Too bad Aura can't calm emotions—Viridian Power or the Power of One would've helped...

Gently soothing the trembling Shaymin, Lu Ye theorized:

"Seed Flare absorbs negative emotions—that's why Shaymin's called the Gratitude Pokémon and can open shadow portals."

Yet.

Lu Ye stared at the prowling Renegade Pokémon with mixed feelings.

Can I really withstand enraged Giratina's onslaught long enough for Shaymin to heal it...

BOOM!!

Giratina roared again as distant screams echoed:

"Help us, meow!"

"I don't wanna die with Jessie!!"

"Fool! I don't want you either!" Jessie yelled before tearing up: "Executive!!"

Teacher Lu sighed.

Of course these three would show up...

"This way!" Newton urged.

Guided by his expertise, they reached a sanctuary—a floating platform with an ancient temple. Ghostly shadows flickered across its walls as Giratina circled overhead.

A natural battleground. Lu Ye steadied his breathing and decided.

"Ash, take Shaymin." Lu Ye handed Ash the Gracidea vase via Haunter: "If it transforms to Sky Forme, have it use Seed Flare."

"But," Ash cradled Shaymin, "Shaymin can't transform at night!"

"Mii..." Shaymin retreated on tiny white feet.

"There's always a way."

Lu Ye gazed at Giratina: "Hide till dawn... or I'll hold it off."

"E-executive, just hide with us, meow!" Meowth pleaded.

Lu Ye smiled: "I'm not stupid—I'll retreat if overwhelmed."

The trio froze as Ash clenched his fists: "Pikachu, we're helping too!"

"Pika-chuuu!"

Having Pikachu's support was reassuring.

Lu Ye pondered.

Berserk Giratina was extremely dangerous, but Haunter's gravity and shadow portal control should buy time.

Just then, cold darkness rose behind him.

Marshadow emerged from Lu Ye's shadow like a loyal soldier, declaring firmly:

"Maashaa." (I'll assist.)

"Examiners can interfere?" Lu Ye teased.

"Maashaa." (Just this once.) Marshadow said flatly.

With Giratina still searching for them, Lu Ye planned their strategy and escape routes.

Unlike the last crisis in White Poplar Town, they lacked a Legendary Darkrai this time.

Even with Marshadow's help... caution was vital.

Lu Ye checked his insulated gloves—already worn earlier for petting Pikachu.

The embedded Keystone glowed faintly.

Believe in your Pokémon, and they'll respond.

Lu Ye closed his eyes, inhaling deeply.

This dungeon's clearance hinges on this moment!

Meanwhile, White Poplar Town.

Night fell over the towering Tower of Time and Space where a Darkrai lingered in twilight shadows.

Its deep blue eyes observed the sky—the Reverse World's darkness had seeped into the clouds.

Darkrai silently recalled the black-haired man's gentle smile.

I hope my premonition is wrong.

With a sigh, Darkrai phased into shadows through its link with Haunter, speeding toward distant mountains.

Destination: Mt. Coronet.

Present world, Mt. Coronet.

The three Elite Four members gradually quelled the wild Pokémon hordes—though their numbers remained overwhelming.

No one knew how many Pokémon inhabited these misty peaks.

Nightfall brought eerie howls that heightened the tension.

"Hold until dawn..." Lucian murmured, his wine-red suit stained. "Seems challenging."

Byron and Aaron guarded the eastern and southern fronts respectively—ground-type endurance and bug-type swarms barely stabilized the situation.

Exhausted from continuous commanding, Lucian suddenly stiffened as meteors illuminated the night sky.

BOOM!

A fierce Garchomp roared amidst falling fireballs that shook the mountain.

Standing atop it was a blonde beauty in black—her golden hair fluttering, her expression ice-cold.

Sinnoh's League might seem lax, but only because it had the region's most formidable and radiant trainer—

Champion Cynthia.

Reverse World, temple on the brink.

Teacher Lu faced the roaring Giratina, his black hair whipping in the wind.

His Aura touched the dark ripples—unlike the Power of One's connection, it was instantly repelled.

Lu Ye's expression hardened.

"Can he endure...?" Newton murmured.

Against an enraged Giratina—

How could mortals oppose a deity?

"Let's go." Lu Ye said decisively. "Haunter, Marshadow."

Behind him, Ash and others held their breaths, Teacher Lu's back reflected in their widened eyes.

"Maashaa!"

"Gengaaarr!"

Two shadows materialized as the berserk Giratina charged the temple with crimson eyes.

Lu Ye raised his right hand high—the Keystone erupting with radiant light as he shouted:

"Haunter—"

"Mega Evolve!!"

Instantly, dazzling evolution light illuminated the entire Reverse World like daylight!