"Sawsbuck, this way!"
"Saw~"
Elsewhere in the Reverse World, a Sawsbuck was leaping swiftly between floating islands, carrying Zillion -the target Sato and his group were chasing- on its back.
But unlike before, Zillion now wore a pair of high-tech glasses. From his perspective, a clearly marked route was projected on the lenses, guiding him precisely forward.
In a place like the Reverse World, where no one should ever set foot, Zillion had navigation; clearly, he had come prepared.
It was even possible… that this wasn't his first time here.
"…Almost there, almost there…" Zillion muttered to himself, eyes filled with excitement.
---
On one of the relatively larger islands in the Reverse World, a massive gray figure suddenly emerged.
Its neck was covered in black and red striped patterns, golden ring-like structures adorned its back, and six ghostly ribbon-like wings floated behind it. A golden spike extended from its tailbone, cold and chilling.
If Sato and the others were here, they would have instantly recognized this terrifying creature.
…None other than the master of the Reverse World.
Giratina!
And it seemed that the arrival of Sato's group had disturbed this master. Perhaps a Rattata or two sneaking into its domain wouldn't matter…
But this time, there were a few too many.
"~~~~"
With a long cry, Giratina flared its six wings and began gliding rapidly between the islands, keeping well away from the patches of black mist.
---
After realizing that the Reverse World could indirectly affect the real world, Sato and the others had picked up the pace, eager to catch up to Zillion.
Sato and Mark had mounted Sharpedo, while Joseph used Gogoat, instantly increasing their speed.
"Gar~"
Suddenly, Gengar pointed ahead. Sato and the others looked and saw a small black dot moving quickly.
"Is that… Zillion?" Joseph asked uncertainly.
"Go after him." Sato had already seen clearly, that was definitely their target.
"Shar!"
Having locked onto the target, Sharpedo no longer needed Gengar to guide it. Aqua Jet erupted with explosive force, and in a place like the Reverse World, it moved as if swimming through water.
But before long, Zillion seemed to notice Sato and the others catching up, and his pace visibly quickened.
"Shar Shar~"
A flash of mockery appeared in Sharpedo's eyes as it surged forward again. Mark clung tightly to Sato's waist, terrified of being thrown off.
"DAMN IT! Braviary, Mandibuzz, block them!" Zillion glanced back at Sato closing in and wasted no time tossing out two Poké Balls.
Two Pseudo-Elite Four Pokémon -Braviary and Mandibuzz- spread their wings and charged toward Sato's group at high speed.
"Ralts, Thunderbolt."
Sato's expression was tense. Lately, most of the opponents they'd encountered had reached Pseudo-Elite Four level.
Aside from Ralts, the rest of his Pokémon were still at Elite level. While they could battle above their tier, the risk was far too great.
If Ralts couldn't cover the whole field, losing a fight was the least of their worries. Losing their lives was the real danger.
Once they got back, it would be time to enter a period of focused training. Sato thought to himself as he watched the two big birds get thoroughly punished by Thunderbolt.
Because of his complete trust in Ralts, Sharpedo didn't slow down in the slightest, and they closed the distance to Zillion once again.
"Mienfoo, Aura Sphere!"
This time, Zillion had learned his lesson. He didn't dare send out Pokémon recklessly to block them again. Instead, he had Mienshao seated behind him, mindlessly firing off high-accuracy Aura Spheres.
"Gallade, Psycho Cut!"
"Togetic, Air Slash!"
Joseph and Mark finally stopped sitting idle and sent out their Pokémon to intercept the Aura Spheres.
Veteran of countless battles, Sharpedo never once slowed down despite the incoming attacks. It was more than just trust in its companions.
It was confidence in its own strength.
Aura Sphere failed once again. In Zillion's eyes, a flash of despair and envy appeared.
Why did someone as young as Sato already possess such overwhelming strength, while all of Zillion's Pseudo-Elite Four Pokémon were ones he had bought?
It wasn't fair!
Zillion stopped caring about Sato behind him. A flicker of inner conflict passed through his eyes, and then he pulled a blue vial from his backpack and stabbed it into Sawsbuck without hesitation.
"SAAAAAAAAW!"
Sawsbuck let out a loud cry. Its once-gentle eyes turned blood red, every muscle in its body bulging, and its speed surged once again.
Mienshao's eyes shimmered with emotion -pity and sympathy- but all it could do was quietly continue using ineffective Aura Spheres toward Sato's group.
"Come back. You're useless now." Zillion recalled the heavy Mienshao back into its Poké Ball, unaware that Mienshao had let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"Another speed boost? Even if it's a Pseudo-Elite Four Sawsbuck, it shouldn't be able to go that fast…" Sato muttered, then shouted to Mark, "Hold on tight!" and gave Sharpedo another tap.
Whoosh~
Sharpedo went full throttle, no longer holding back its Speed Boost ability. Under Mark's horrified expression -practically foaming at the mouth- it once again overtook Sawsbuck, rapidly closing the distance.
A few minutes later, Sato was within a hundred meters of Sawsbuck. Without hesitation, Ralts unleashed its psychic power, forcibly slowing Sawsbuck's movements.
At last, Sato caught up to Zillion and cut him off directly. Sawsbuck was also immobilized by the psychic force.
"WHY ARE YOU STOPPING ME?!" Zillion shouted. With the guidance of his navigation, he had clearly been so close to his destination.
"Heh!" Sato let out a sarcastic laugh. "You took my Relic Vase and tried to bury us alive. Why do you think I'm stopping you?"
"Do you even understand the purpose of the Relic Vase? Do you know what I came to the Reverse World to do? You're nothing more than a lackey raised by the League… do you have any idea how dirty that so-called righteous League really is behind the scenes?"
Zillion sneered bitterly, his hateful expression making Mark's scalp tingle.
"So what? You think that gives you the right to bury us alive?" Sato's face remained calm, unaffected.
"Here's the deal… come with me. See for yourself what I'm trying to do. If afterward you still think it's unjust or wrong, you can do whatever you want to me. How about it?" Zillion suddenly composed himself, wearing a look of "noble sacrifice".
"I'm afraid that's not going to happen." Sato's tone turned serious. Before Zillion could respond, Sato continued, "Look behind you."
"~~~~…"