A time machine...
Ilene and Lillie were completely dumbfounded. A time machine? Seriously?
With today's level of technology, was it even possible to create something like that? It seemed utterly impossible by all logical standards.
"So, brother, you're saying that both Roaring Moon and the Slither Wing we just encountered are...?" Lillie finally pieced it together.
"That's right. Both of them were brought here through the time machine. They're ancient forms, likely of Salamence and Volcarona," Dylan replied, his gaze fixed on the massive, oddly adorable Scream Tail before him.
"This Scream Tail is the same—an ancient form, likely of Jigglypuff."
Why "likely," though?
Because, according to the storyline, Paradox Pokémon are said to be Pokémon from alternate timelines—modern Pokémon as they might have looked in ancient or future eras.
However, Nintendo had never explicitly confirmed this. Instead, they used vague phrasing like "suspected," "there's a theory," or "it's believed."
And there were contradictions. For instance, there are ancient Paradox forms of Suicune and future forms of Virizion.
The trio of Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion are said to have entrusted their future to Keldeo, suggesting they don't have a future themselves.
Meanwhile, Suicune, Entei, and Raikou—the so-called Beasts of Ho-Oh—were Pokémon that, according to lore, died in the fire at the Bell Tower 150 years ago. Ho-Oh resurrected them, giving them new forms and life.
If Suicune and the others were only reborn 150 years ago, how could they have ancient forms?
But this contradiction aligns perfectly with the meaning of "Paradox"—something absurd, illogical, or contradictory.
'Beep~ Scream Tail. Fairy/Psychic type. Paradox Pokémon.
Ability: Protosynthesis.
Moves: Psychic Fangs, Hyper Voice, Play Rough, Rest, Body Slam, Bite, Roar...
Description: A supernatural magazine once described a mysterious Pokémon believed to resemble Jigglypuff from one billion years ago. This Pokémon looks similar to that description.'
The Rotom Dex faithfully presented Scream Tail's data.
"It's so cute... but it's a bit big," Lillie said sincerely.
Lillie found Scream Tail more appealing than Jigglypuff. Its two large yellow eyes, pink, chubby body, tiny fangs, and the tuft of long hair cascading down its back gave it an adorable charm.
But the problem was... it was huge!
Lillie estimated Scream Tail to be at least 1.3 meters tall. Its round body made it look even larger, almost comically so.
"Bonk!"
Boom!
Once again, Ogerpon's thorny vine club slammed down, knocking the massive Scream Tail out cold. Dylan followed up with a precise Ultra Ball throw. One shake, two shakes, three... click.
"It's all ancient forms here. Are the future forms on the other side?"
Dylan picked up Scream Tail's Poké Ball. In the games, Paradox Pokémon appeared based on version exclusivity. But in this world, with both Professor Sada and Professor Turo present, it made sense for both ancient and future forms to coexist.
"Let's keep exploring," Dylan said to Ilene and Lillie with a smile.
Since they were already here, Dylan decided he might as well catch a few of each Paradox Pokémon species. It would save him another trip later.
The group continued through the upper, middle, and lower layers of Area Zero.
Boom!
Ogerpon's vine club struck once again, sending Iron Valiant— a Paradox Pokémon with features of both Gardevoir and Gallade—flying. Dylan followed up with an Ultra Ball that hit its mark.
Ding!
After three shakes, the Ultra Ball clicked shut.
"Perfect, we've caught Iron Valiant too." Dylan picked up the ball, clearly satisfied.
"Brother, you've caught so many Pokémon already!" Lillie exclaimed, amazed.
From the upper layer to the lower layer, Dylan had caught a significant number of Paradox Pokémon.
"Paradox Pokémon are incredibly powerful. If properly trained, even ordinary trainers could use them as ace Pokémon," Dylan said, twirling the Ultra Ball containing Iron Valiant in his hand.
Pokémon like Iron Valiant were almost as strong as pseudo-legendaries, making them excellent choices for competitive trainers.
"We haven't found Walking Wake or the others yet. Maybe Professors Sada and Turo know where they are," Dylan mused, gazing at the Ultra Ball in his hand.
Aside from the "Paradise Guardian Dragons," the most prized Paradox Pokémon included Walking Wake and its counterparts.
However, it wasn't surprising that they hadn't encountered them yet. After all, Area Zero was vast.
"Let's head further down," Dylan said, motioning for Lillie and Ilene to follow.
At the lowest layer of Area Zero, the environment grew dimmer, though the massive, radiant crystals illuminated the area with a surreal glow.
The trio walked toward a cluster of buildings in the distance—the Zero Lab, the research facility of Professors Sada and Turo.
"This is... incredible," Lillie said, unable to hide her amazement as they reached the lab.
The Zero Lab was massive, but much of it was now enveloped in enormous crystalline formations, almost as if it had undergone some kind of Terastallization.
The epic scale of the scene was both breathtaking and overwhelming.
Dududu~
The alarm lights above the lab's main entrance began to flash, and with a loud clunk, the doors slowly opened.
Unlike in the games, where hordes of Paradox Pokémon charged out, the doors opened quietly.
"It seems the professors know we're here. Let's go," Dylan said with a small laugh, stepping into the Zero Lab.
Unlike the grandeur of its exterior, the interior of the lab was sparse and eerily quiet. The lifeless atmosphere was almost unsettling.
"Are you Dylan?"
A calm, emotionless female voice suddenly echoed, startling Lillie.
Looking ahead, two figures had appeared at some point.
So these were Professors Sada and Turo?
Lillie curiously examined the pair. They both looked surprisingly young.
On the left was Professor Sada, wearing a researcher's white coat over an orange tube top and shorts. Her gray hair gave her a wild yet alluring look.
On the right was Professor Turo, also in a lab coat but wearing a sleek, high-tech bodysuit underneath. His beard gave him a mature and composed demeanor.
"Yes, it's an honor to meet you, Professor Sada and Professor Turo," Dylan said, bowing slightly to the two.
Sada and Turo led Dylan, Lillie, and Ilene into the lab's main hall.
"If you've made it to the lab, then you've surely seen what's happening outside. Dylan, what do you think of them?" Turo asked, his voice deep and magnetic, yet eerily devoid of emotion.
"They're powerful... and dangerous," Dylan replied with a nod.
"If they appear in the outside world, the consequences would be unimaginable."
Dylan added this remark, noting that the ancient forms were brutal and savage, while the future forms were cold and emotionless—perfect reflections of what Paradox Pokémon truly represented.
"You're absolutely right," Professor Sada AI agreed. "Whether it's the ferocious and ruthless ancient Pokémon or the icy, unfeeling future Pokémon, they are not suited for the outside world. Their power would destroy the modern ecosystem."
"While we know the dream of the real Professors Sada and Turo was for ancient, future, and modern Pokémon to coexist in harmony, that vision is simply unrealistic," Professor Turo AI added, his tone calm but firm.
"Dream? Wait a second... are you saying—?" Lillie's eyes widened in realization.
"Ah, my apologies. It seems we forgot to mention this. We're not the real Professors Sada and Turo. We are AI robots created by them," Sada AI explained with a slight tilt of her head, then spoke softly as if recalling an old memory.
"!!!"
Lillie and Ilene were stunned. While Dylan had already told them that the professors had created AI, they hadn't expected it to be this advanced.
Aside from the lack of emotion in their voices, how were they any different from real humans?
"There's no need to be surprised," Turo AI said evenly. "With the level of AI technology available in today's world, something like us would be impossible to achieve. However, the crystals embedded within this Zero Lab enabled this cutting-edge development. That's why we cannot leave this facility."
Turo AI's voice remained emotionless as he continued, "Dylan, you are a very strong trainer."
"How would you know?" Dylan raised an eyebrow. Though technically speaking to Sada AI, Dylan still addressed them as "Professors" out of respect—they deserved the title.
"When you entered Area Zero, Koraidon and Miraidon alerted us. They sensed a terrifying and dangerous presence," Sada AI said calmly.
Koraidon and Miraidon—known as the "Paradise Guardian Dragons" and featured on the covers of The Scarlet Book and The Violet Book—were Paradox Pokémon themselves, likely ancient and future forms of Cyclizar.
But unlike other Paradox Pokémon, Koraidon and Miraidon were true legendary Pokémon.
Honestly, why did Cyclizar fare so poorly in comparison? While not weak, it didn't hold a candle to Koraidon or Miraidon in strength or stature.
"I see," Dylan said, understanding. It made sense that Koraidon and Miraidon could sense the presence of the Kyurem on his team.
"That's why we'd like to ask for your help, Dylan," Turo AI continued.
"Please, Professors, go ahead." Dylan already had an inkling of what they were about to say.
"As we mentioned before, the time machine continues to operate, endlessly transporting ancient and future Pokémon into the modern era. If this continues, sooner or later, they will leave Area Zero and spread into the outside world," Sada AI explained.
"Their vitality and power will devastate the modern ecosystem. While the real Professors believed this would simply be a natural progression…" Sada AI trailed off briefly.
"As AI replicas of the Professors, we do not think it is right for such a tragedy to unfold," she continued, her voice still calm yet tinged with subtle melancholy.
"To prevent this, Dylan, we would like you to defeat the strongest AI left behind by the Professors and use your strength to shatter their—our—dreams," Turo AI said solemnly. For a brief moment, his voice seemed to carry a faint, almost imperceptible weight.
"Why is that?" Lillie asked, her mind struggling to process what she was hearing.
"As AI, we are programmed in such a way that we cannot shut down the time machine ourselves. Only an outsider can do it," Sada AI explained.
"And if anyone tries to shut down the machine, the safety protocols in our programming will hijack our consciousness, transforming us into combat robots whose sole purpose is to eliminate any intruders," she added, her tone calm but with a trace of regret.
"…I see."
Hearing this, Lillie understood the reasoning. She pursed her lips, trying her best not to let her sympathy for Sada AI and Turo AI show.
"I understand. I'll do everything I can," Dylan said after a brief pause, his voice resolute.
Both AIs nodded in acknowledgment.
As the most advanced combat robots, these two AI were incredibly powerful. They analyzed and learned from all Champion-level battles worldwide to continuously improve their strategies.
This made them far more dangerous than their in-game counterparts, who only analyzed battles within Paldea.
Even more crucially, Sada AI controlled Koraidon, while Turo AI commanded Miraidon.
Ordinarily, their own wills aligned with the goal of shutting down the time machine, so they wouldn't use Koraidon or Miraidon in battle.
However, the real Professors' obsession with their dream ran deeper than the AIs themselves realized. If Sada AI and Turo AI were defeated, the hidden Paradise Defense Protocol would activate, forcibly taking over their consciousness and unleashing Koraidon and Miraidon against the intruders.
This was why Koraidon and Miraidon were called the "Paradise Guardian Dragons."
The two AIs, equipped with all the battle techniques of the world's Champions, commanding Paradox Pokémon of Champion-tier strength, alongside two legendary Pokémon, Koraidon and Miraidon...
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them two of the strongest Champion-level trainers in the world.
Not to mention, to shut down the time machine, one would have to battle both of them simultaneously. That meant facing two legendary Pokémon at the same time—a far greater challenge than anything the games presented.
But...
Dylan remained calm. Two motorcycles? Just a couple of bikes. Once he shut down the time machine, he'd make sure to capture them both.
(End of Chapter)