Chapter 647 - 644

It was like a massive boulder crashing into a lake, like lightning streaking across a clear blue sky.

The rudimentary form from which the world was born—and the original nature of all things—connected everything humanity already knew. It brought together the research subjects studied by countless professors and researchers, combining them with every established result to form a complete whole. And upon that foundation, it opened a brand-new road that no one had ever traveled before.

Clap. Clap.

The applause began with Professor Oak, followed by Professor Elm and Professor Rowan.

Then the researchers joined in.

At first, it exploded through the center of the hall like a sudden peal of summer thunder.

The applause from the rear seats quickly joined it.

Wave upon wave overlapped, eventually merging into a dense, powerful, rhythmic roar. A faint tremor ran through the hall, as if the entire space were shaking beneath the force of it, until—

Thunderous applause erupted from every direction!

Like a tide that had been building for ages, it was passionate and unending!

Professor Rowan said, "...At last, the research of the past has received an answer that everyone can accept. And because of that, we can now see a far more distant sky!"

That was what everyone was thinking.

And the applause was the finest possible expression of their feelings.

After Hikaru’s presentation ended, Professor Juniper took the stage to give the team’s concluding report.

At the same time, she dropped yet another bombshell.

It concerned the humanlike Pokémon that had previously been sighted around the world!

Professor Juniper declared, "This is the new Pokémon that came aboard a meteorite from outer space and was born after exposure to high-energy cosmic particles—the Pokémon that substantiates our theory of Origins: Deoxys!"

"Deoxyribonucleic acid—DNA! It is a complete, naturally born DNA Pokémon! It stands in a relationship to the artificially created Genetic Pokémon, Mewtwo, that is at once opposite and identical!"

"This provides powerful evidence for the overlapping nature of space-time, as well as the influence regional environments on different planets exert upon the origin of Pokémon! Deoxys must reach a planet possessing life energy before it can complete its growth and transform into a true living organism!"

"If insufficient energy is available, the birth will fail! The Nacrene Museum in Unova once housed a meteorite containing a space virus!"

"A space virus mutating into a Pokémon undoubtedly provides strong evidence regarding the origins of Pokémon. In other words, we can now confirm that Pokémon do not exist solely on this planet. In fact, some of the oldest Pokémon may themselves have come from outer space!"

"As for the energy carried by meteorites, the Millennium Comet, meteorite legends from various regions, changes in geological structures, and the distribution of ancient organisms..."

At the laboratory, Professor Juniper had conducted a full-body examination of the "superhero from space."

The examination had been so meticulous that even Team Rocket’s investigation in the special manga could not compare!

Fortunately, the laboratory belonged to Professor Cedric Juniper, so it possessed a complete collection of advanced equipment.

Unlike the Dream Research Institute, where Fennel had to build many things by hand!

The person who had originally named Deoxys was actually Professor Lund.

However... Professor Lund’s research probably could not continue.

After all, Mebius had already left.

He would have to move on to meteor technology next.

"The Ranger Union previously discovered this Pokémon’s official name. So it really is Deoxys—the outsider!"

Professor Hastings nodded.

Seated beside him were the Ranger Union’s other two leaders, Chairperson Erma and Principal Lamont.

Principal Lamont said, "Could that possibly be the Pokémon rumored to have appeared in the Fiore region...?"

Erma replied, "The Pokémon that Solana and Lunick witnessed—and once protected—appeared in the skies over Hoenn. Was it because of that gigantic meteorite?"

Hikaru thought about it.

Although Leaf had visited the Sevii Islands, she had never investigated Birth Island.

The same went for Brendan.

He had never obtained an AuroraTicket.

After all, obtaining that ticket required watching the movie Destiny Deoxys.

Uh... Ash had not even started acting in it yet. How could anyone watch it in advance?

However, the protagonists of the first Pokémon Ranger game, Solana and Lunick, really had encountered Deoxys.

That had indeed been a special distribution mission in Pokémon Ranger.

As for why the Rangers knew Deoxys’s name...

Obviously, it was because the game set in the Fiore region belonged to Generation III! It was released in the same era as the three gemstone games!

The two later Ranger games were Generation IV titles!

Deoxys’s Browser entry in Fiore even stated:

"We know very little about it."

At the same time, when Deoxys changed Forme, the emotions transmitted through the Capture Styler could no longer reach the alien.

Hikaru recalled that portion of the story.

Thus, the Ranger Union’s intelligence had most likely come from Professor Lund four years earlier.

"As for Pokémon with unusual coloration, our laboratory’s newest technological creation is the Shiny Charm!"

"After researching Origins, I tested devices that emitted specific wavelengths. Following adjustments made by Researcher Hikaru, we successfully produced an effect capable of attracting Shiny Pokémon!"

"Does this mean that Shiny Pokémon also possess a strong connection to regional environments? Under what conditions are Shiny Pokémon more likely to appear? There appear to have been relevant documents in ancient Sinnoh..."

She was referring to Massive Mass Outbreaks.

But as for that portion of the research...

"Scholars once investigated the phenomenon, but their research records appear to have been lost."

The appearance of the Shiny Charm reminded some professors of the radio-wave experiments Team Rocket had once performed.

Those experiments had caused the Magikarp in the Lake of Rage to suffer and had led to the appearance of the red Gyarados!

"Shiny Pokémon!"

The most shaken person was Professor Elm.

Hikaru had previously given him a certain item capable of producing Shinies, but that item was a mystical creation.

The object before him was the product of science!

They were different!

Completely different!

The researchers’ hearts, swept up in a raging storm, remained unable to calm down for a long time.

Professor Juniper said, "Thank you all very much for listening. This concludes our team’s research presentation."

In high spirits, she became the last member of the team to step down from the stage.

Roseanne’s voice followed, inviting the next professor to present their academic findings.

However, for the moment, no one seemed to be in the mood to listen.

The audience was extremely noisy.

After being struck by an academic bombshell like that, how could the researchers possibly calm down?

Sonia was visibly excited.

"Grandma, does this mean I participated in the project too?"

Professor Magnolia adjusted her glasses.

"Of course. Although your name wasn’t included this time, it should be added when the paper is published in a journal. But were you the one who completed the proof for that section?"

Sonia’s face reddened slightly.

"Well... I may have appropriated someone else’s academic work, but he was the one who asked me to speak."

She looked around.

The professors had already launched into uncontrollably loud discussions!

The professors used Snarl!

Everyone’s Special Attack fell!

"This isn’t merely a single academic achievement. An obscure researcher has suddenly become a rising star in the scientific community... No, perhaps it would be more accurate to call him the founder of an entire field, just like young Elm."

Not far from Sonia, Professor Willow stroked his chin in contemplation.

As one of Professor Oak’s students, Professor Willow’s principal field of research was also ecology. It overlapped with the work of Professor Cedric Juniper and even Professor Birch.

However, Willow specialized in the more deeply buried field of lost ecology.

His research required him to cross mountains and rivers and travel through the most remote reaches of the world. Producing no results for three to five years was perfectly normal.

His dream was to map the distribution of every Pokémon on the planet.

Now that the Theory of Regional Ecology had been proposed, Professor Willow felt that producing results would no longer take merely three to five years. Even seven or eight years might not be enough.

If Pokémon were organisms that continuously adapted to energy throughout infinite space-time, perpetually evolving in the process...

Then, after every certain length of time, their appearances and distributions might change.

That meant local ecosystems would have to be surveyed all over again.

The bad news was that his dream could never be completed. Lost ecosystems would become even more complicated, while ancient Pokémon forms that no longer existed in the modern age might overturn portions of his previous research.

The good news was that this research subject could feed him for the rest of his life.

Professor Willow’s Research—Discard your entire hand, then draw seven cards from your deck.

"We need to launch a program of Field Research! We must involve more Trainers, gather information about regional environments and geological changes from all over the world, and cultivate more researchers. That will help us understand this world more completely."

Do not fear failure.

Failure was the staircase leading to success and progress!

Meanwhile, Professor Samson Oak was speaking with Professor Birch.

Hoenn possessed a pronounced tropical climate, yet none of its Pokémon had undergone the kinds of Form changes seen in Alola.

Could there still be some unknown factor involved?

Or did Hoenn’s natural energy allow most Pokémon there to preserve their original forms?

Had the Pokémon of Alola changed because they were exposed to excessive amounts of light energy?

"The subject I planned to research—regional forms—has already been proposed by someone else. But that’s a good thing! Samuel told me I absolutely had to attend this conference, so I traveled all this way. As expected, I’ve gained a great deal!"

"And as the deputy director of the Dimensional Research Lab... Wait, isn’t that newly completed laboratory located in Alola?"

Professor Samson Oak decided that he would invite Hikaru to conduct joint research with him.

But although that was his first thought, the current situation made it obvious that Hikaru was the pioneer in this field.

Samson should be the one asking to join Hikaru’s team.

Still, there was nothing wrong with that!

Professor Samson Oak had become interested in regional forms not merely because his character had literally been designed as Professor Oak’s "regional form," but also because of the Aether Foundation’s activities.

There were three parties in Alola researching changes in Form.

The first was Professor Burnet—who had once discovered the Therian Formes of the Forces of Nature—and her Dimensional Research Lab.

The second was Professor Samson Oak himself.

The third was the Aether Foundation.

Researchers at the Aether Foundation had produced descriptions of Form changes, but their reports mentioned that regional forms appeared to differ from ordinary Form changes. Consequently, most of the subject remained poorly understood.

Of course, the Aether Foundation’s main reasons for investigating the subject were the Ultra Beasts and Silvally.

They had never sincerely devoted themselves to researching regional forms.

Their lack of results was perfectly normal.

"The next presenter is Blue? As Professor Oak’s grandson and the former Champion of the Indigo League, his findings are certainly interesting. Although we heard the basic outline at the entrance, I would still like to hear a detailed explanation."

"Ahem. Right now, we should be thinking about regional ecology. But first we learned that humans and Pokémon may share the same origin, and now we have regional ecology... Thinking about it that way, Blue’s research is also closely related to Origins! Isn’t Pokémon training one of his greatest specialties?"

"Now that you mention it... that’s true! His findings echo the Theory of Regional Ecology we just heard!"

Listening to the surrounding researchers, Blue began to regret his timing.

"Hey, come on! If I’d received this information earlier, I could’ve revised my report! It would’ve made my findings far more complete!"

"Ugh. I’ve been used as a speed bump—a glorified stepping stone. This is so frustrating!"

Blue had originally believed his discovery would be the greatest bombshell of the conference.

He had been completely confident that it would shock everyone.

Instead, his work had gone from being the flower to being one of the green leaves around it.

Not that there was anything wrong with being a green leaf.

Flowers needed leaves to make them look beautiful, after all.

But among the new generation of researchers, he was coming in second again?!

Why did this scene feel so inexplicably familiar?

Fine!

Blue thought about it.

Hikaru’s monumental findings indirectly supported Blue’s own conclusions, so he did not mind acting as a speed bump this time.

"And it isn’t only me. Grandpa will benefit from this too."

Blue listened to the surrounding discussion, gathered his documents, and rose from his seat before making his way through the crowd.

Among the authoritative subjects being discussed by the researchers was Terastallization!

Although Professor Sada had yet to present her consolidated report, the appearance of a fourth system once again verified and strengthened Professor Oak’s foundational Pokémon theory—specifically, the importance of Types.

It could now be concluded that although the Types of certain Pokémon might change under the influence of different forms of energy, the fundamental concept of Types had existed since ancient times.

Every Tera Type corresponded to an established Pokémon Type.

Those Types matched Professor Oak’s findings perfectly!

"No matter what happens, the core foundations of Pokémon Studies will never change."

"Professor Rowan’s Theory of Evolution may have been overturned, but only the hypothesis that Pokémon have already reached evolutionary completion was disproven. Evolution itself wasn’t wrong. If anything, Professor Rowan’s work has received even more support!"

Blue muttered under his breath.

It had indeed been strengthened!

Pokémon continuously evolved in order to adapt to their environments and different kinds of energy.

That made Professor Rowan’s research even more solid and provided further evidence for the true nature of Evolution!

The only unlucky person here was Professor Sycamore, who researched Mega Evolution.

Evolution itself was unquestionably one of the world’s central principles.

Even humans formed part of it, didn’t they?

Unfortunately, humans could not Mega Evolve.

"Types, Egg Groups, habitats, and Evolution," Blue said. "These are the four great cornerstones of the Pokémon world—unshakable mountains that will only be filled in and grow taller. They will never collapse."

"By comparison, dreams, Mega Evolution, space, time, ancient writing, Dynamax, and similar subjects are all branching fields of study. But from what we have seen today, the Origins of Regional Ecology may become the fifth mountain."

"Even so, that mountain was constructed upon the foundations of the first four."

Network Centers, Pokémon Storage Systems, virtual banks...

Although those things were connected to Pokémon, they did not belong to Pokémon Studies itself. They were auxiliary sciences that nevertheless advanced the relationship between humans and Pokémon.

If anything, Bill’s machine—which could fuse a human with a Pokémon—was even more astonishing.

By fusing with a Pokémon, a human could come to understand its heart.

Of course, that had merely been the result of an operational error.

Blue could not possibly know that, in Pokémon Sun and Moon, Lusamine had fused with Nihilego. The stimulation from its energy and toxins had transformed her into an organism that could no longer be clearly identified as either Pokémon or human.

After the fusion was undone, Lillie decided to travel to Kanto and seek someone’s help regarding the incident.

That person was none other than Bill, who had likewise fused with a Pokémon!

However, the incident never occurred in the world of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. Thus, Gladion ultimately traveled to Kanto to train, rather than going there to find Bill.

"That’s the nature of an emerging field," Blue said. "It comes with both problems and difficulties. Expecting a few years of research to surpass decades of accumulated work is impossible."

"Even Professor Juniper and Hikaru’s world-shaking Theory of Regional Ecology..."

"It was developed upon the foundations laid by Professor Cedric Juniper."

Among the assembled researchers, Professor Cedric Juniper—the elder Professor Juniper—was already beside himself with delight.

Although, to be fair, he always looked delighted.

Cedric said, "At Dragonspiral Tower, I witnessed the Light Stone being revived. Was the so-called world of truth already revealing itself to me at that moment?"

"My goodness! Ecology, distribution, ancient writing, legends, history, and the true nature of Origins! As expected of the Champion scholar recognized by both my daughter and me! As expected of someone acknowledged even by the Dragon of Truth!"

"Unova was once influenced by the Entree within the Entralink, and later experienced another transformation under the founding dragons. When everything is combined... that must be why Unova possesses ecological characteristics so different from those of every other region."

Those completely different ecological characteristics referred to the fact that Pokémon from older generations could not be encountered during the first playthrough.

Only during the postgame, when it was said that "the ecology has changed," could Pokémon from previous titles be encountered.

Two years later, the ecosystem underwent an enormous transformation. The changes spread from the cities in the southwest into the Unovan mainland, causing many Pokémon from earlier generations to become common sights.

"Different environments cause changes in both hearts and footprints. How fascinating! Even Pokémon of the same species will leave different footprints. I’ll be able to collect so many more footprints!"

The person who excitedly exclaimed this was Sinnoh’s Dr. Footstep.

Footprints revealed everything.

He lived in a seaside house on Route 213.

Originally, Dawn would encounter him while pursuing a Team Galactic Grunt after the explosion in Pastoria City’s Great Marsh.

But now Dr. Footstep had come to attend this conference, while the Galactic Bomb did not appear to have been deployed as it normally would.

Therefore...

"Dr. Footstep hasn’t met Dawn yet. Still, his ability to determine a Pokémon’s thoughts from its footprints sounds less like an academic skill and more like a psychic power."

Hikaru and Professor Juniper returned to their seats beside and behind Professor Rowan.

Professor Rowan turned, nodded to both of them, and offered his congratulations.

"Juniper, your research and presentation were extremely successful."

"We could never have achieved it without your help, Professor Rowan, or Miss Cynthia’s," Professor Juniper replied. "Without the support provided by Evolution and mythology, our research into Origins and Regional Ecology could never have achieved such success!"

She remained deeply excited, even now unable to calm herself.

As she had listened from the stage while Hikaru explained and completed their findings, she had felt as though a new world had truly appeared before her eyes.

The world of the past and the world of the present had overlapped.

She could not tell whether it had been an illusion or merely her imagination.

"However, it is unfortunate that we were unable to explain that particular section," Professor Rowan said.

He shook his head, looked at Hikaru, then at Cynthia.

"That Pokémon whose name begins with A... If information about it could be made public, it would provide further supporting evidence for today’s findings. Unfortunately, because of Team Galactic’s previous investigation..."

"What a pity."

"Even without that evidence, however, these findings have moved me deeply. This is the first time in sixty years that I have felt such emotion!"

The first time in sixty years...

Hikaru froze briefly, then smiled.

Those were the words Professor Rowan had spoken to Dawn in the laboratory after learning that she had encountered Sinnoh’s three great deities and quelled the crisis.

He had also said:

"Could Sinnoh’s legends have descended into this world for the sake of meeting Dawn?"

That might not actually have been wrong.

Her ancestor had been far too remarkable, and the two of them looked identical.

Perhaps Arceus had missed Akari so much that it had borrowed the body of Dawn’s mother, Johanna, to create a divinely fashioned human.

After all, Johanna did not resemble Akari in the slightest.

"That day will come."

Hikaru nodded to Professor Rowan before turning to Cynthia.

"I think we should eventually record this material in books and place them in the Canalave Library."

Even now, they had yet to encounter the Hiker from the Canalave Library.

Regardless, those books would be written sooner or later.

And there would be more than one.

The Hiker had investigated myths throughout the world, refuted Cyrus’s theories, and written a large number of books that were later placed in the Canalave Library.

Those books were what eventually set the events of Pokémon Sun and Moon into motion.

"The investigation of Legendary Pokémon is an extremely important part of academic research," Hikaru continued. "It should allow lost legends to reappear in the world, making it a field of enormous importance."

"Unfortunately, the malicious intentions of certain people prevent the findings from being published in full."

"To be honest, Professor Rowan previously had a similar idea," Cynthia said. "Rather than continuing to investigate here, he thought we should ask the subjects themselves."

"That was why he intended to ask Dawn to meet the three lake guardians. But how could something like that possibly be accomplished so easily?"

Professor Rowan cleared his throat.

"Ahem. Looking back, I admit the idea was rather fanciful. Asking children to investigate the lake deities... If those Pokémon were unwilling to appear, then even attempting to catch them—Ahem. No, it would be impossible."

Impossible?

That had originally been Dawn’s next assignment!

And the assignment would have been issued in the Canalave Library!

Barry, Lucas, and Dawn were supposed to travel separately to the three lakes and capture the Legendary Pokémon.

Looking at it now, even if all three of them went, only one would actually encounter a lake guardian.

The other two would be left fishing or staring blankly at the water.

"Hmm. Let us cancel that assignment."

"Returning to the subject of regional ecology, I believe these findings are unquestionably deserving of the highest award!"

"This is no small step toward changing the world. It is an enormous leap forward!"

"After conducting so much research, I no longer place much importance on awards. The truly important thing is that we have achieved a major academic breakthrough!"

Professor Rowan canceled the previous assignment and delivered his final judgment on the research.

He looked toward Professor Oak and found the latter smiling and nodding.

The two were old friends and equally authoritative figures in the academic community.

Once both of them recognized the value of something...

No.

They were certain to recognize it!

"Don’t leave after the conference," Professor Rowan told Hikaru. "That fellow Oak wants to speak with you! The two of you have met before, haven’t you?"

"And it seems several other professors are looking this way as well. You’ve become the man of the hour, Hikaru!"

"Excuse me!"

On Cynthia’s other side, Professor Spencer Hale finally found an opportunity to interrupt.

He leaned forward excitedly.

Behind him stood an even more excited Professor Silktree.

"Hello, Professor Hale," Hikaru said.

Professor Hale smiled.

"So you still remember me. Regarding the Unown... and Molly and Entei... In any event, thank you."

"I wanted to ask about the ancient writing. Would it be possible to receive a copy of the information you previously obtained?"

"Uh, I understand that researching Unown is extremely dangerous, but now that we understand their writing, I believe certain problems can be avoided."

"As long as we possess that Pokédex."

"Actually, those materials were originally researched by Professor Laventon one hundred and fifty years ago," Hikaru explained. "Unfortunately, his research records disappeared, and the academic community of his era never placed much importance on his work."

"Professor Laventon was also the first pioneer to investigate regional ecology. He brought Pokémon from three different regions to Hisui, which allowed him to discover Pokémon that had undergone unusual changes."

"I’ll ask Miss Cynthia to make a copy of those materials and send it to you later."

"Laventon?" Professor Hale had never heard the name.

"He appears to have been a former professor here in Sinnoh," Cynthia explained. "He was originally from Galar, but very little information about him has survived."

"I searched through a great many ancient records, yet found only scattered fragments. Consequently, we could not credit him in the Theory of Regional Ecology."

"And furthermore..."

"If someone has passed away and all of their materials have disappeared, then naturally you cannot base a formal presentation upon that person’s theories," Professor Hale said regretfully, shaking his head. "But if this information comes from Sir Hikaru, I am completely willing to believe it!"

Professor Hale had personally entered another dimension and formed a bond with Entei.

How could he possibly remain ignorant of such supernatural matters?

He certainly did not want to assemble those Unown symbol tiles a second time!

"It wasn’t limited to regional ecology and writing," Hikaru said. "There was also research into Shiny Pokémon."

"That’s right. A great deal of knowledge disappeared because of changing eras and causes we still do not understand."

Professor Hale looked deeply distressed.

"For the academic community of the distant past—the academic community of one hundred and fifty years ago—to disregard findings of such tremendous importance and allow them to vanish from history..."

"It pains me beyond words! How could they have allowed such a thing to happen?"

What the fuck was wrong with academia back then?!

How could anyone conduct proper research while surrounded by those ancient vermin?!

But there was nothing that could be done about it.

Humanity had only begun setting aside its prejudices and properly studying Pokémon in the modern era.

"It is as though history has suffered a complete discontinuity," Cynthia said, shaking her head. "And it appears to have happened more than once."

"There is still so very much left for us to uncover."

The group reached an agreement regarding the materials.

Professor Silktree eagerly leaned in from the side as well, but Blue had already begun his presentation onstage. With no other choice, he turned his attention back to the report.

It did not take long for the other professors to realize that Blue’s theory was more than simply explosive.

It truly was connected to Regional Ecology and even concerned humans’ use of Pokémon writing and language.

There was something substantial here.

A great deal, in fact!

The researchers were—

Deeply moved!

Thoroughly shocked!

And completely convinced!

"This academic conference is the greatest one in nearly fifty years—ever since Professor Oak introduced Types and laid the foundations of Pokémon Studies!"

"Um..."

Professor Sycamore, who was seated near Professor Rowan, had wanted to ask a few questions.

Unfortunately, the ongoing conversation left him no opportunity to interrupt. And now that Blue had begun his report, Professor Sycamore could only abandon the idea for the moment.

He tried his best to listen to the presentation.

However, his thoughts were far too chaotic for him to absorb any of it.

He was the complete opposite of Professor Elm, who was furiously scribbling something with an expression of intense excitement.

Before long, however, Professor Sycamore discovered a new direction for his research.

Whatever else might be true, Mega Evolution required energy.

Whether that energy came from physical stamina, light, or the heart...

No.

Perhaps the correct answer was that mind, technique, and body all had to be present?

Was that why Mega Evolution occurred only through the relationship between humans and Pokémon?

The energy available in nature was insufficient. Therefore, a Key Stone and Mega Stone converted a Trainer’s physical stamina and life force into the energy required for Mega Evolution!

"Wait! That’s it!"

"If humans and Pokémon were once the same species, then that shared origin may be what allows them to lend one another strength—and Evolve!"

Professor Sycamore’s own muttering left him briefly dazed.

Time passed as he examined the many pieces of evidence Blue presented.

Then, accompanied by a second round of thunderous applause, Professor Oak’s grandson stepped down from the stage.

He had completed the most explosive presentation of his academic career.

Without question, his discovery represented an enormous breakthrough in the relationship between humans and Pokémon!

Unfortunately, it had become a supporting act for the Theory of Regional Ecology.

That made more than a few professors smile knowingly.

Of course, their smiles soon changed.

"Next is a report on research into the Dream World! Representing the Dream Research Institute: Fennel, Hikaru, and Amanita!"

The tiny institute had only three researchers in total.

Yet Hikaru’s name stood prominently among them.

Many professors suddenly remembered the young man’s original introduction.

His name had been affiliated with several different laboratories.

But now, it appeared those had never been honorary affiliations at all!

Professor Fennel was brimming with excitement.

"Our research into the Dream World has demonstrated that Dream Mist can allow us to enter the world in which Pokémon exist while dreaming."

"Dream Mist can materialize objects from those dreams."

"The Dreamyard’s clean-energy research was originally related to this very subject. However, a laboratory explosion occurred long ago because the evidence and experimental data available at the time were extremely incomplete!"

"Nevertheless, that explosion caused the Dreamyard to begin attracting certain unusual Pokémon!"

"The discovery of Musharna was confirmed by Hikaru, Professor Juniper, and me!"

"The C-Gear I developed can access a space known as the Entralink."

"Near the Entralink ruins in Unova stands an ancient bridge called the Wireless Connection Bridge."

"Research into travel through alternate dimensions causes people to enter a black-and-white world. Several Champions have already experienced it personally."

Another dimension?!

Hmm.

Fennel had beaten the others to publishing her spatial theory.

With the Theory of Regional Ecology fresh in everyone’s minds—and with Hikaru credited as one of the researchers—the professors immediately began taking the subject seriously.

The Dream World was an old research project.

It had been mentioned in the past, but most people had dismissed it as a fantasy.

Now it had been proven real.

"This professor isn’t making empty claims. She came completely prepared!"

"The Dream World can produce Pokémon with rare Abilities, and Dream Mist allows Pokémon to... But Musharna is an exceedingly rare Pokémon."

"If its nature has been conclusively confirmed, could that mean the species itself originally came from the Dream World?"

"Is there already a precedent for Pokémon coming here from other worlds? It’s unbelievable!"

That was what the researchers thought.

Professor Fennel presented all of her findings, drawing an enormous amount of discussion and applause.

She practically skipped down from the stage.

The next presenter was Professor Burnet!

Research credits: Dimensional Research Lab, Aether Foundation, and Magnolia Laboratory.

Professor Burnet, Hikaru, Sonia, and Lusamine.

"Another one?!"

What astonishing revelation would they hear this time?

Only now did many professors realize that Hikaru and Sonia were not merely affiliated with the young man’s newly founded institute.

They were also the researchers who had previously spoken in support of the theory and supplied important evidence!

Following that logic, Professor Rowan and Cynthia had already revealed their hands. Hikaru’s name would undoubtedly appear in their findings as well.

Were there still others?

Professor Elm?!

No.

Although Egg Groups were closely connected to Professor Elm, his previous reaction suggested that he possessed no research concerning regional ecology.

That left only the person whom Sir Hikaru had specifically called upon earlier—

"Huh?! Why does it feel like everyone is staring at me?"

Sonia abruptly straightened in her seat, feeling countless gazes boring into her back.

Professor Magnolia wore a complicated expression.

"Heh. It appears everyone’s expectations of you have risen to their highest point, Sonia. You had better not disappoint them."

"Trust the results you stayed up all night to write."

"Th-this—"

Being watched by everyone was completely different from being called upon to provide theoretical support.

This was a genuine "Look at me!" moment!

Thud!

Professor Burnet slammed her documents onto the podium.

"This report concerns our research into space!"

"The information we have currently confirmed regarding alternate dimensions agrees with Professor Fennel’s statement. I believe dreams themselves constitute a type of alternate dimension!"

"In another region, we discovered the mysterious Ultra Space, which appears to connect to other universes!"

"Our hypotheses are no longer mere hypotheses. These events have occurred in reality. Different dimensions truly possess a powerful relationship with regional ecology!"

"In Unova, Sir Hikaru discovered Ultra Space and captured an individual from within it—an otherworldly Pokémon resembling a gigantic rocket."

Research into Ultra Space had originally been conducted by Professor Mohn several years earlier.

However, the project had been terminated following Professor Mohn’s disappearance, after which Lusamine took it over.

The Aether Foundation had not deliberately concealed the research, but neither had it intended to publish the findings in full.

As far as Professor Burnet was concerned, however...

Who cared what they intended?!

The Dimensional Research Lab had indeed received funding from the Aether Foundation, but it was not one of the foundation’s subsidiaries.

What Professor Burnet found slightly strange was that Lusamine herself had approved this disclosure regarding Ultra Space.

Perhaps it was because no one understood Ultra Space better than the Aether Foundation. They were therefore unafraid of anyone catching up to them.

Alternate dimensions and spatial research were already highly specialized fields.

In other words, was space really something that could be torn open so easily?

They had chosen to make the announcement in Sinnoh precisely because Sinnoh possessed legends related to space, although those legends remained unclear.

There was one more important detail.

Ultra Space appeared to have some connection to the International Police.

However, the International Police’s latest answer had been:

"No comment at this time."

Professor Burnet already knew some of the older information and had previously spoken with Hikaru at the Nature Preserve.

It appeared that the policy from above had changed.

But that probably involved past events or classified intelligence.

One researcher asked, "Incredible! Are there truly Pokémon that come from other worlds?"

"No," Professor Burnet replied. "We cannot yet conclude that those organisms are Pokémon."

"However, I believe ’Pokémon’ can serve as a general term for mysterious organisms other than humans."

"On other planets and in other dimensions, some of these strange beasts may be perfectly ordinary forms of life."

"On that subject, please examine the four confirmed organisms that have appeared in the Nature Preserve, Alola, and Galar."

"We and the Aether Foundation refer to them as Ultra Beasts!"

"We have named them Celesteela, Kartana, Nihilego, and Buzzwole!"

"Furthermore, we have confirmed the true identity of one of these Ultra Beasts."

"Celesteela is the legendary ’Starship’ of the Alola region!"

Professor Burnet’s discovery once again ignited a heated discussion.

Spatial research was an entirely new type of academic field, yet it had produced so many results in such a short time.

Some people had heard about the recent events in Galar and immediately began making entirely justified connections!

"Professor Sonia! Regarding the recent news from Galar, it was said that the true form behind the Darkest Day could summon meteors. Does it possess a connection to outer space?"

"Pokémon such as Clefairy, Beheeyem, and Starmie are believed to have come from space—or even to be aliens. Do those species need to be reinvestigated?"

"There was also the confirmed incident in Hoenn involving an enormous incoming meteorite that was destroyed by a super-ancient Pokémon. Although the news was never officially released, rumors have circulated."

"What kind of Pokémon is Celesteela? Does this mean Alola’s space was already unstable hundreds or even thousands of years ago?"

"And there was also that object observed crossing the sky... According to the Ranger Union’s report, could Deoxys possess the ability to open spatial rifts?"

"Huh?!"

Sonia froze.

Wasn’t Professor Burnet the one giving the presentation?

Why were they asking her?!

"I... I don’t know!"

(End of Chapter)

[Get +30 Extra Chapters On — P@tr3on "Zaelum"]

[Every 300 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]

[Thanks for Reading!]