[Obtained: Icicle Badge!]

[Description: A symbol of victory over the Icirrus Gym. Designed after three icicles—bear the Icicle Badge and show the world your cutting edge!]

[Effect: One of the proofs that open the door to the Pokémon League. A reward item.]

[Note: The Link-Into Tree has connected to the Icicle Badge and granted Special Knowledge—Frozen Will!]

[Frozen Will — Description: Focus your mind, freeze your heart for absolute calm, perceive the opponent's movement lines and weak points. An esoteric "Ice-style" martial art!]

"Now you've gathered all eight Gym Badges. The Pokémon League's gates are open to you," Brycen exhaled, while Professor Cedric Juniper applauded:

"Didn't think I'd witness a League challenger again! But for now—let's ascend Dragonspiral Tower!"

"Brycen, with such a powerhouse joining us, we won't have to worry about safety either."

Brycen nodded. "In that case, enter the tower. But like I said before, Dragonspiral Tower has no entrance from below. To get in, you've got to fly!"

"Mm… could you give me a lift?"

After a beat of thought, Professor Cedric Juniper fell back on his main talent—mooching.

Back in the day, to survey ecosystems, he'd often mooch rides from Skyla's plane; on the road he'd hop on Rangers' mounts or even Bikers' rides. Everyone knew this.

"No problem. Riolu will take you up."

"Eh? Really? Whoa—up we go! Such strength!"

While the professor was still weighing it, Riolu had already acted—using electromagnetic levitation plus raw power, it hoisted him straight into the sky.

"Uwaaah!"

"Alright, I'm going too! Aegislash!" Hikaru summoned Aegislash, planted a foot on its Shield, gripped its Blade, and whooshed into Dragonspiral Tower!

"…" Brycen stared blankly as the two of them vanished above, then chuckled and shook his head.

This sure deviated from orthodox flight!

These days, what can't a Pokémon use to fly?

He didn't go up. To guard against accidents, he waited at the base.

What would happen up there…? Brycen wondered.

The birthplace and resting place of the legendary dragons… Would a dragon truly awaken? Isn't it said only a hero's arrival rouses them?

The hero who passes ancient knowledge to later generations…

In dreams, Hikaru had only reached the tower's exterior, never deeper. He'd thought the one inside would be Zekrom, but it was Reshiram again.

This was one of the battlefields where Reshiram and Zekrom once clashed—burning from the Ancient Castle all the way to Dragonspiral Tower, scouring Unova with blazing fire and thundering lightning.

The ancient tower loomed sublime. Inside, fallen columns lay everywhere; parts had begun to collapse, though mightier stone pillars still stood, propping each floor.

Hikaru studied murals and carvings along the tiers. Antiquity saturated the tower, and a great draconic power was stirring.

[Unlocked Craft Motif: Dragonspiral Tower!]

[Effect: Strengthens the forces of Birth, Traverse, and Slumber.]

"Heavens, look at these patterns… This might be Unova's oldest structure—perhaps tied to the First King."

Professor Cedric Juniper recorded the motifs, pulling a sketchbook from his pack. He redrew murals and patterns in exacting, rapid strokes—his hand a blur! Even Hikaru gaped.

"How is it, young man—shocked by my sketching? Before cameras were common, I did ecology and archaeology with this hand."

"And of course, don't use cameras on cultural relics if you can avoid it!"

The professor grinned wide. "I'm not just a Pokémon Professor; I'm an archaeologist, mythologist, painter, artist, and Pokémon observer!"

He is a world-renowned veteran—able to sit at the table with Professor Oak and Professor Rowan—and he does have unique tricks.

"Never thought you wore so many hats, Professor." Hikaru praised from the heart.

So this is what a truly formidable elder looks like.

"See here." Professor Cedric Juniper pointed to marks on a tower wall. "These strange spirals are everywhere."

"What do you think a spiral is?"

Hikaru pondered. "They look a lot like…the spiral plates on Baltoy."

"Those Baltoy are artificial Pokémon made by an ancient kingdom—some mysterious, incredible craft."

"Exactly—just like the spirals on Baltoy and Claydol." The professor's face turned solemn. "Spirals… In nearly every Unovan legend, a crucial element has been buried."

"Was the founding dragon one—or two?"

"That depends on when we speak of the dragon," Hikaru replied. Professor Cedric blinked. "Oh? You know more of the legend?"

Hikaru answered without pause:

"At first, the founding dragon was one. Later, because the twin heroes' ideals diverged, it split into three dragons."

The professor didn't reply—he held Hikaru's gaze, then suddenly split into a grin:

"Correct! Three! Didn't think you even knew that!"

"Most people believe it split into two. But in truth there was a third. Drayden of Opelucid is an old friend—his clan has guarded a secret for generations."

"He never told me that secret—but I still dug it out."

He shared his conjecture: "The third dragon—who, where, what—it can wait."

"What matters is the origin dragon. I suspect its constitution was like these spirals."

"Say 'spiral' and 'fission'—what do you think of?"

"Genes. DNA," Hikaru said.

Spiral and division? First thing that comes to mind! Besides, he literally travels with a DNA Pokémon.

The professor beamed. "Exactly!"

"In Johto, that promising junior, Professor Elm, discovered Pokémon Egg Groups and categorized them. A watershed in research."

"Though no one has found a Legendary Pokémon's egg, I believe even Legendaries are born from eggs."

"Jewels and meteorites," Hikaru picked up the thread. The professor's surprise deepened as Hikaru voiced the hidden knowledge: "Legendaries are born from wondrous gems and meteorites—stone. I think stone is where legends lodge their life."

Three Dragon Stones, three colored Orbs, three Divine Plates… They correspond to the Tao Trio, the Weather Trio, and the Creation Trio.

"You seem to know quite a bit…" The professor looked very interested.

Hikaru shook his head. "I'm also a mythologist—but only as an amateur."

"There's no 'amateur' in myth," the professor laughed, sweeping an arm. "As everyone knows—myths are true!"

"The more one knows of legend, the more one embodies it!"

Hikaru was honestly startled.

"In this world most call them mere stories. Few would insist they're all real—your eye is singular, Professor."

"Haha—that proves my professionalism!" The professor coughed lightly:

"Genes, DNA—the origin of life, and the engine of evolution and propagation. The harmony of genes… In an ancient ruin I found similar writing. I spent no end of effort translating it—and discovered it was a name."

"Harmonia. The name wrapped in spirals! 'Ideal' and 'Truth' entwined—like a spiral."

Harmonia—the surname of Unova's ancient kings; said to be handed down from the King of the Seas; the surname of the two heroes; and of Ghetsis and N.

Hikaru grasped the name's true meaning.

In the Pokémon world, plant-based naming is common. But some special figures bear names divorced from plants—these often hide deeper design.

For example, Ghetsis—his name evokes… a diabolus of music.

And Harmonia is…!

Hikaru murmured, "Could the ancient king have been granted, by the origin dragon, power at the genetic level? 'Harmonia'—upon retranslating, the surname truly means…"

[Harmony.]

A vast Aura boomed in Hikaru's heart, resonating with memories tied to that name!

Hikaru turned; even Professor Cedric Juniper jolted, breath catching. "You… heard something just now?"

"I think it was the true Aura of the ancient king." Hikaru pointed outside the tower. "On the eastern Unova seafloor lies a ruin. My Pokémon and I once heard voices from there."

"They say a King of the Sea sleeps in its depths, ancestor of the twin heroes. Or—perhaps their father, or one of them."

The professor stroked his beard. "The Abyssal Ruins… I've heard the tale. But they say a tomb raider dove there and returned empty-handed—calling it a hoax."

Hikaru smiled. "Because you have to dive at specific coordinates to find it."

Right—in the games you must dive exactly at the right spot.

Mm, that 'tomb raider' was probably Reiho. There's no grave she won't sniff out.

"Harmony of Life—that's the name's true sense! In the Ruins' depths, people and Pokémon can communicate freely—minds as one. The ancient Sea King held the same power."

"Legends… where did you hear all this? Or are you the one who keeps them?" The professor was curious but didn't pry. "In any case—fascinating! Thank you!"

"Mhm! So Harmonia points to harmony, the unified harmony of DNA and genes—and of natural energy!"

"Exactly! The founding dragon granted the king special primeval knowledge, then split—and gave different hero lines different knowledge! The secret of that knowledge must lie within the spiral."

The professor and Hikaru talked on, unstoppable!

[Gained Knowledge: Theory of Harmonious Unity!]

[Description: Professor Cedric Juniper's research thesis—deduced from the ancient kings' surname—nearly grasping one of the world's truths! The spiral signifies the birth of life and power! In theory, master the spiral and you wield the power to create life!]

[You and your Pokémon gain +15% adaptability to all things in the world! +5% Origin Theory! Your Genesis Power has reached (Intermediate)!]

"Professor, let's head up."

They pushed on, crossed the tricky maze, circled ring-spiral tiers, and wound around a massive central pillar ever upward.

"Baltoy all over…"

Hikaru noticed the Baltoy moving through the spiral tower, and occasionally a distant Claydol. When the professor whispered that they should sneak, Hikaru waved him off.

"No need. We can just walk through."

"Those Baltoy and Claydol are ancient sentinels, living in Dragonspiral even today. But this time, we won't be stopped."

"Follow me, Professor. If you're really nervous, I've got Silent Spray—it'll erase your footsteps."

Hikaru passed him a canned sprayer. Under the professor's wide-eyed stare, the Baltoy only glanced at Hikaru and parted to open a road.

Sunlight filled Hikaru's hands, dissolving their hostility—and the Giant's Heart activated.

'Call on the Giants' doesn't only mean the Regi Trio and Regigigas—Baltoy and Claydol are giants too!

"They really moved… hoo! Remarkable! Is that—psychic power?!"

Delighted, the professor followed as they reached a collapsed but open area—the tower's summit!

A white stone, fist-sized, rested at the center. Outside, a vast power was taking shape, radiating downwards and sheathing all of Dragonspiral Tower.

At the highest tier, the walls were cracked—outside, seas of cloud rolled.

The Light Stone—Reshiram's body, after destruction, made manifest as a stone!

Hikaru stepped forward and lifted it. The white stone erupted with light and heat—but not the burning sort. The aura of the tower surged alive, pouring into the Light Stone!

[The Light Stone has absorbed ambient "aura" and unleashed tremendous energy!]

Air cyclone gathered around it; with piercing brilliance, a transparent white barrier flowered open. Reshiram's body congealed from the Light Stone—still "asleep"—then suddenly opened its eyes!

Blue eyes burned with roaring flame; when Reshiram landed, holy white fire cloaked it head to toe, exploding with power!

"A d-d-dragon?!" Professor Cedric Juniper almost yanked out his beard. "A true legendary dragon?!"

"White and immaculate, wrapped in blazing light, with blue eyes… No doubt—the Dragon of Truth, Reshiram!"

"Mm-ba-ni~ ka-ka!"

Reshiram loosed a thunderous bellow—aimed not at them, but at another dragon beyond the tower!

Then it lowered its head, fixing the traveler from Sinjoh with a gaze.

I want to battle—here. Let me be your partner. Together, drive out the remaining two dragons!

Since meeting in dreams, Reshiram had felt deep gratitude toward Hikaru—called back from a far nightmare, empowered, and guided through a truly beautiful time.

…Though Zekrom barged in later and spoiled the mood a bit…

After many events—and under the Link-Into Tree's influence—Reshiram had even learned who the "appointed hero" originally was meant to be.

But now history had changed. The heroes' futures were no longer fixed. Team Plasma would not be easily uprooted, true—but change for the heroes was possible as well.

"Those blue eyes…" Hikaru looked up into Reshiram's.

A white dragon with blue eyes. In a sense—doesn't that make Reshiram a sort of Blue-Eyed White Dragon?

The professor trembled with awe:

"Legend holds Zekrom and Reshiram appear before those they acknowledge as heroes! The dragon who burned the world to ash in myth aids those who build the real world!"

"Wait—they fight each other. But if you're the chosen hero and there's no Zekrom here, why is Reshiram so eager to b— Who else is here?!"

"There!" Hikaru pointed into the void beyond the tower. A dazzling light detonated; ripples of space spread and wrapped the entire tower, remaking it into a pocket dimension!

DONG!

From the heart's radiance, Shiny Palkia appeared—centaur-like in Origin Forme!

The lord of the mind, the deity who calls to the heart!

{Reshiram, is it? Excellent. The dragon of legend has seen your deeds and would help drive us off.}

{That is precisely what I was waiting for.}

{The original dragon split three ways—Truth, Ideals, and Void. Those notions are facets of the heart. The origin dragon's heart was born here. Did you hear it…?}

Stellar power bled from Palkia; space here was fortified to unimaginable density, and a vast starfield unfurled above the cloud-sea!

Reshiram roared—flame incandescent.

"On type matchups, this is rough."

Fire doesn't lose to Water—but Water/Dragon quadruple-resists Fire! Against Reshiram, this otherworld Palkia had a decisive edge.

Palkia knew it. As an otherworldly master of the heart, committed to "fairness," it said:

{Does the legend not need allies?}

{Summon your other two dragons as well.}

Even one-versus-three, Shiny Palkia was confident. This time would be a battle of bodies, not souls—so no need to fear some soul-power surge and a random oneshot.

Yeah, no.

"If you insist—don't call it cheating later!"

Walking Wake and Duraludon thundered in. At the sight of Reshiram, Walking Wake clicked its tongue.

So this is a true legendary dragon?

Wow, that's a unit. No wonder folks call me a counterfeit—the size gap is real.

Duraludon was even more shaken.

"Guu-HOO!"

Wh-what do you even eat to grow that big?!

Also… the one across from you looks even better fed!

Which drew a growl from Walking Wake:

All you do is eat! Try using your head!

"Three dragons—go all-out!"

"Use Dragon Roar Rally!"

Walking Wake and Duraludon traded a look. They'd only teamed once, but their last-minute "combo finisher" worked great!

They roared in unison to rally the dragon—today, their job was to BUFF Reshiram!

Dragon howls shook the firmament; Reshiram's power spiked—only for Shiny Palkia's eyes to flash. Buff auras shimmered around it too!

"Guu-huh?"

"Aoo-hou?"

{Don't be so surprised,} Shiny Palkia replied to their confusion. {I am lord of the heart. When your hearts shift, I copy that power.}

{That move you used is Self-Suggestion.}

{Now—let us begin!}

Walking Wake slapped its tail, bubbling with protest.

Yeesh, you're dirty! I thought you were cool for helping those robots in the future—turns out you're this kind of dragon!

"Don't worry. Time to use something important."

Hikaru possessed a treasure that amplified strength. He soothed Walking Wake and Duraludon, then synced hearts with Reshiram!

"Reshiram—Imprison!"

Invisible seals locked around Shiny Palkia. Imprison prevents the foe from using moves you also know. Palkia was unfazed: even if Dragon-type moves were sealed, it didn't fear Reshiram. It merely watched.

Until a blue gem—set like the "Thousand-Aeon Wrist"—was drawn with flourish!

The moment Hikaru set the Lustrous Globe upon Reshiram, Shiny Palkia thought its eyes deceived it.

Hold on. What did you just pull out?!

Isn't that—why is that here?!

{Arceus's Lustrous Globe, you—!} Shiny Palkia blanched.

This was to be a trial. But now…

This isn't a trial at all!

That thing's a cheating tool—how is it on you?!

Come on, I only meant to test you—are you trying to murder me?

"Riolu, Helping Hand!"

Hikaru looked to Riolu by the professor. The blue pup instantly understood, channeling Ripple-breathing, invisibly pushing a surge of strength into Reshiram!

An unseen palm smacked home!

Helping Hand—a Normal-type move that puts the ally into a "helped" state. Until the end of the turn, that ally's move power is boosted by 50%!

"Reshiram!"

Hikaru leaned against Reshiram, hand stroking warm white scales; its wind-tossed mane billowed like fire, comforting and blazing. Reshiram's tail ignited with shining light!

Over Icirrus, the sky itself heated—air raging in violent motion!

[Ability: Turboblaze!]

The Lustrous Globe erupted, power fully unleashed!

An ultimate sphere that surpasses time-space; when held, the user's move power is raised. The greater the base power, the bigger the boost.

"Use Draco Meteor!"

The Lustrous Globe has no recoil here—it directly doubles the move's power!

Guaranteed crit lines, Dragon STAB, Helping Hand, Dragon's breath of might… Soul Unbound!

All forces doubled by the Lustrous Globe—this Draco Meteor reached a terrifying magnitude.

Witnessing a deluge of colossal meteors tumbling from space, Shiny Palkia was shaken. It had never seen a Draco Meteor this huge. Fear spiked—yet it flared with vast will!

Even the Lustrous Globe can't one-shot me!

Though armless in Origin Forme, it slashed reality with rifts of space! Its eyes burned orange; shoulder pearl blazed; the surrounding space twisted and tore!

Spacial Rend!

Rend foe and the surrounding space for damage. High crit ratio!

The flow flipped in an instant. Spacial Rend shredded space itself—but a torrent of meteors still punched through and slammed home.

With the Globe's amplification, Shiny Palkia cried out—driven back hard in this warped arena, nearly collapsing, gasping for breath.

Damage overflowed!

This "Truth's Power" is crushing!

——————

Meanwhile, far in outer space, inside a super-massive meteor from distant reaches, another Deoxys flinched.

All its vanguard meteors were suddenly diverted. What the—?!

Something terrifying on that planet? Good thing I didn't slam straight in. Keep observing…

(End of Chapter)

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