"Go, Miraidon."
Before the Arven AI could throw its Poké Ball, Aiden acted first.
Because he suddenly remembered a trivial matter—
In his memory, when the Paradise Defense System's alert level reached maximum, it would activate a final protection protocol of the Time Machine.
The manifestation was sealing all Poké Balls of everyone present except itself.
Originally, this should have been overwhelmingly oppressive, even despair-inducing.
In the Scarlet/Violet main story, it was Miraidon who awakened its will at the critical moment and broke free from the Poké Ball with all its might, turning the originally dead-end situation around.
But for Aiden's team, this move seemed meaningless.
After all, even if all Poké Balls were sealed, he could still send out the super-powered "Pallet Town Rookie" whose physical strength rivaled Paradox species and who could put Iron Hands to sleep with three punches.
In a sense, Red's presence directly caused a bug in the Paradise Defense Program.
Who said trainers could only command Pokémon?
Of course, even without Red, it would just unlock Teacher Azure's final form—without accompanying partners to protect his personal safety, the enemies would next face Marshadow hiding in his shadow, Mew who could teleport over at any time, and the Temporal/Spatial Dragon trio coming from the Reverse World.
And there was also the strict father of all Paradox species circling above Area Zero—Black Rayquaza.
Using the realm of gods to bully a mere AI robot, Aiden felt it might be a bit too bullying, so he might as well let Miraidon get some practice.
"Roar—"
Red light flashed as Miraidon landed steadily before the Time Machine.
Unlike its usual expression, the typically lazy creature today had an incredibly sharp gaze, even maintaining a bipedal battle stance the moment it landed.
Accompanying its entrance, dark golden electric currents rapidly spread across the Time Machine's floor, with crackling sounds echoing throughout the interior space.
Electric Terrain had been set up, signaling that Miraidon was ready for battle.
When something unusual happens, there must be a reason.
Watching Miraidon standing ready for battle, Aiden couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
It seemed his guess was indeed correct—ever since he fed it the five secret Herba Mystica, Miraidon's body had already recovered completely.
As for why it hadn't been able to display its full power until now, only occasionally showing glimpses of its potential, it was probably all for this moment, right?
Speaking of which, this seemed to be the first time he was commanding Miraidon in battle.
"Miraidon, let's fight well together."
Aiden smiled and stepped forward, patting Miraidon's head.
"So it was Miraidon. So the one that escaped back then was caught by you?"
The red-eyed AI spoke without any emotion, still expressionless.
"What a pity. Even Miraidon cannot defeat Koraidon. There is a world of difference in strength between the two."
"Paradise Final Protection Protocol activated—"
"Anyone who gets in the way must be eliminated, including Miraidon!"
The Arven AI, completely overwritten by the defense program, lost the light in its eyes and immediately threw the Poké Ball.
"ROOOAR—!"
A ferocious creature with scarlet skin covering its body and sharp white feathers growing from its head and limbs appeared before the Arven AI, roaring toward Aiden and Miraidon's direction.
Like Miraidon, its appearance also somewhat resembled Cyclizar, especially the tire-like protrusion on its chest.
However, compared to the high-tech futuristic Miraidon, Koraidon's overall appearance could only be described in two words—
Wild!
Its powerful tail, extremely strong bite force, and sharp fangs and claws all demonstrated its formidable close-combat capabilities.
Its aura clearly overpowered Miraidon, causing the previously majestic Miraidon to shrink back its neck, looking somewhat intimidated.
Once Miraidon was engaged in close combat by it, the battle would clearly enter a one-sided disadvantage.
No, it couldn't win at all!
Sure enough, it couldn't stay cool for three seconds. Miraidon instantly broke character and returned to its usual weak demeanor. If Aiden hadn't been behind it, it probably would have fled without looking back.
Moreover—
With Koraidon's appearance, the energy inside the Time Machine also began to rampage.
Soon, Aiden discovered that a special energy seemed to have entered the Poké Ball in his hand, completely sealing it.
And the target wasn't just him.
"The Poké Ball—can't be used?!"
When she saw chains appearing on the outer shell of the Poké Ball in Aiden's hand, Nemona's eyes widened immediately. She subconsciously took out the Poké Ball from her own pocket.
Sure enough, just like Teacher Aiden's situation—
"We can't battle like this!"
"Penny, is there any way to cancel the effect???"
Arven turned around and asked Penny, who was holding a tablet with a similarly confused expression.
"No—my tech is being interfered with by strange waves! I can't even hack into the system!"
After reacting, Penny immediately made several attempts, but all ended in failure.
"Damn it!"
Arven punched his chest in anger.
"How despicable! Is this what adults should do!!!"
"..."
Red remained silent, only revealing the martial arts starting stance he learned after challenging the Fuchsia Gym.
Can't battle without Pokémon? Pokémon battles aren't such an inconvenient thing!
If Teacher Azure was in danger, even if he had to defy Teacher Azure's orders, he would intervene in their battle immediately.
Sure enough, it's come to this—
But well, that's fine too. Consider it adding some pressure to Miraidon.
Aiden sighed and put away the Poké Ball in his hand.
"It seems the Poké Balls can't be used anymore—well then, I'm counting on you, Miraidon!"
Deliberately showing a somewhat troubled expression, Aiden suppressed the smile at the corner of his mouth and spoke with as panicked a tone as possible.
"Roar—?!"
Miraidon instantly turned around, looking at Aiden with terrified eyes.
Me? Fight Koraidon?
You don't know, but this was the guy who almost killed me back then!
Seemingly seeing Miraidon's fear, Aiden could only helplessly spread his hands, taking out all the sealed Poké Balls from his pocket to show it.
The meaning was simple—
I'm out of options, you figure it out!
Miraidon looked suspiciously at the shadow beneath Aiden.
If I remember correctly, you should still have a trump card, right?
Isn't there a strong guy hiding in your shadow? Shouldn't it be able to help?
"Meow—?"
Seemingly sensing the gaze from outside, a slight murmur came from within the shadow, but was quickly covered by something, the sound disappearing rapidly.
"No way, that newcomer Flutter Mane doesn't understand what I'm saying, and I can't command Marshadow either, so I have to rely on you, Miraidon!"
Aiden "forced" a smile and gave Miraidon a thumbs up.
"Don't worry, I'll be right behind you!"
Miraidon was almost laughing in anger.
Back when we went to Sinnoh, that Marshadow wasn't like this at all. With just a word from you, it dared to kick other legendary Pokémon. Now you're telling me it won't listen?
Fine, fine, you're not even pretending anymore, huh!
"Roar—"
Looks like there's no avoiding this fight today—
Life isn't easy, Miraidon sighed helplessly.
However, although being fooled by Aiden made it very unhappy, after this little episode, its fear had actually lessened considerably.
At least when looking at Koraidon who looked down on it, it could remain calm.
Really no other way. If only it could turn the tide—
Just this once, okay?
Seeing Miraidon's steel tail already swaying gently behind it, Aiden knew he had bet correctly.
Miraidon was also a tsundere at heart. Sure enough, treating a tsundere required going with the fur—repeatedly showing its importance had given it confidence.
So easy to coax, even easier to read than Mewtwo.
Seeing that the interaction between Aiden and Miraidon had concluded, the Arven AI, who had been waiting quietly for half a day, finally spoke: "Ready? Then—"
"Accept your final judgment. You will accomplish nothing and wither away in Paradise!"
After delivering the emotionless verdict, the Arven AI extended its hand.
"Go, Koraidon!"
"ROOOAR!!!"
Though it received the Arven AI's command, Koraidon didn't immediately rush forward. Instead, after letting out a heaven-shaking roar, it beckoned toward Miraidon with its finger.
This move was all too familiar to Aiden—it was the Taunt move that students were forced to learn.
However, unlike the battle tactic of sealing the opponent's status moves, Koraidon seemed to use this purely to taunt Miraidon.
Because in the previous battle, it had beaten Miraidon to the point of fleeing in a miserable state, so it looked down on its opponent from the bottom of its heart?
Aiden pondered thoughtfully, then quickly revealed a confident smile again.
It's a pity, times have changed. Now Miraidon has an external brain!
Since the opponent was being this obvious, he might as well bait Koraidon with a feint first.
"Miraidon, use Thunder!"
After Aiden gave the command, Miraidon acted without hesitation.
A bolt of lightning descended from the sky with zero-frame startup, crashing toward Koraidon at extreme speed, letting out an explosion the moment it made contact.
Koraidon didn't make any dodging movements. It simply let the opponent's attack hit it, then showed another contemptuous look, even yawning.
As if the Thunder just now was merely scratching an itch.
"Roar—"
The pressure in Miraidon's heart instantly surged. Images of being defeated by Koraidon in the past flooded its mind again, forcing it to be cautious.
Its attacks couldn't deal effective damage to the opponent, and once it let the opponent get close—
The battle would fall into an extremely disadvantageous situation.
Therefore, it must remain vigilant at all times. Once the opponent made a rushing motion, it must immediately start up and distance itself as much as possible.
Just as Miraidon was thinking, Koraidon suddenly kicked off with its hind legs.
This gave Miraidon a fright. It subconsciously wanted to make the same movement to maintain distance.
However, Koraidon was only feinting. In reality, it was purely to scare Miraidon. Seeing that Miraidon had indeed taken the bait, it immediately let out a noisy laugh.
"Calm down, Miraidon."
Just as Miraidon was furious at being toyed with and was about to strike again, Aiden's voice suddenly came from behind.
"The process isn't important. As long as final victory belongs to us, that's what matters."
"So, endure for now. There will definitely be a suitable opportunity for us to discover its weakness."
Though Aiden's voice was calm, his tone carried an unquestionable authority that made Miraidon subconsciously feel convinced.
"Roar—"
Miraidon nodded, finally calming down.
Aiden was right. It was already at a physical disadvantage. If it lost its temper at this time, victory would be difficult.
Moreover, so far Aiden seemed to have never lost a single battle, at least not in its memory.
So he must have already seen through the opponent's weakness to be showing such confidence—
After understanding this, Miraidon's face also quickly revealed a confident smile identical to Aiden's.
"ROOOAR!"
However, its expression seemed to instead enrage the Koraidon opposite it.
Koraidon, who had still been interested in playing with its opponent, suddenly pushed off with its feet. In an instant, it charged forward several steps, rushing toward Miraidon's position with full force.
During its sprint, the silver-white claws revealed on its forelimbs were also quickly dyed with a deep purple glow.
Was it the Dragon Claw move?
Aiden wasn't surprised by Koraidon's attack.
After all, compared to the more intelligent future species, the ancient species were generally more impatient, completely following their instincts to battle like brutal creatures.
Dragon-types restrain each other, so Dragon Claw was especially useful in dragon-versus-dragon battles.
With this one claw, as long as it hit, it would definitely deal heavy damage to Miraidon.
However—
Aiden was exactly waiting for this move!
"Miraidon, now!"
"Use Dazzling Gleam!!!"
Seeing that Koraidon had finally taken the bait, Aiden immediately gave the command.
"Roar?"
Miraidon was stunned for a moment, seemingly not reacting in time.
This move—do I know it?
Originally, it had prepared to use Dragon Pulse to clash with the opponent, but being suddenly interrupted by Aiden's command, it fell into a brief state of confusion.
However, seeing the ferocious Koraidon approaching step by step about to reach it, Miraidon knew there was no time to worry about such things at this point.
Whether it knew it or not, just try it first!
"Roar!"
Recalling how Sylveon used Fairy-type energy, Miraidon hardened its heart and simply closed its eyes to fully concentrate its power.
After following Aiden for so long, the only thing it had learned was—
Nothing is impossible!
If Lucario can learn Unseen Fist, and Sylveon can learn Sketch, why can't I quickly learn Dazzling Gleam?!
They're all Aiden's Pokémon. I can definitely do it too!
Facts proved:
Sometimes if you don't push yourself, you might not even know you have this "backup hidden energy."
As Miraidon began to meditate, dazzling pink light quickly shone around it, rapidly wrapping around its body while quickly spreading outward.
Clearly, it was the starting motion of "Dazzling Gleam," and it even seemed to incorporate some of Sylveon's understanding of Blood Moon?
Aiden immediately showed a delighted expression.
I knew it!
Breaking through on the spot was indeed real!
And that gentle yet murderous energy made the previously contemptuous Koraidon feel terrified, subconsciously braking.
But it seemed that being scared by Miraidon made Koraidon even more broken, so it only hesitated for a moment before its eyes turned scarlet red, rushing toward Miraidon without regard for anything.
And the prominent scales protruding from its chest also indicated the move Koraidon was currently using—
Outrage, one of the Dragon-type's most powerful moves, only used when most furious to rampage about!
But sometimes, being too reckless isn't good. It really can easily cause accidents—
Aiden shook his head helplessly, knowing that this time Koraidon was going to suffer a big loss at Miraidon's hands.
Dazzling Gleam is a proper Fairy-type move. You're a Fighting/Dragon-type who would take 4x damage. You dare to confront this head-on?
Who gave you the courage!
"ROOOAR—!"
"Roar!"
The rapidly charging Koraidon quickly arrived before Miraidon. With scarlet-red eyes, it forcibly endured the pain of being surrounded by Fairy energy, forcibly swinging its claws forward.
And Miraidon, who also had red eyes at this point, simply gave up on defense entirely. After a roar, it used Dazzling Gleam with all its might, advancing instead of retreating against Koraidon's offensive.
Boom—!
Energy collided with energy, repeatedly letting out powerful explosions. Meanwhile, the light emitted by Miraidon gradually became more dazzling until the students couldn't open their eyes.
Even Aiden had to cover his eyes to barely withstand this wave of "A1 high flash"—
Fortunately, the confrontation between the two sides didn't last too long.
After about half a minute, with a "bang—," a crimson figure instantly flew backward, heavily smashing into the interior wall of the Time Machine.
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