Even though Gengar had managed to use [Protect] in time, it was clear that Giratina's power was on a completely different level.
The Renegade Dragon's massive form smashed into the green barrier of [Protect], sending a crushing ripple through the air. Web-like cracks instantly spread across the shield.
Feeling the overwhelming pressure, Gengar grimaced. Its usual wide grin was starting to falter.
Since the day it started battling, this was the first time it had faced an opponent this overwhelming.
Fortunately, just as [Protect] shattered, Gardevoir's [Psychic] struck—piercing through the air like a lance aimed straight at Giratina's head.
Giratina's crimson eyes flashed with disdain.
It was, after all, known as the Lord of the Reverse World. Its bulk and resilience were legendary. If it were Dialga or Palkia firing off something truly threatening, maybe it would've been a little cautious.
But a [Psychic] from a Gardevoir?
What could that possibly do to me?
Holding that thought, and with its eyes still locked onto Elias, Giratina didn't bother to dodge.
It spread its wings and swatted Gengar aside, then surged forward again.
But—
Just as it moved, a searing bolt of pain exploded in its skull.
It felt as if its head had been split open from the inside. Even Giratina had to come to a halt, snarling in frustration as it fought through the pain.
"Roooar—!"
A furious growl tore from its throat.
Taking advantage of that brief hesitation, Elias released Milotic beside him.
Meanwhile, Mew and Latias—both looking shame-faced—hurried back to his side.
They were clearly upset for failing to stop Giratina. Even Mew's face, usually carefree and cheeky, was unusually solemn.
"It's not your fault."
Elias reached out to gently ruffle their heads, his voice soft and reassuring.
Considering Giratina's strength, expecting them to hold it back would've been ridiculous.
Let alone the fact that the thing had opened with [Shadow Sneak]—a stealth ambush move.
"Gardevoir. (Get Elias out of here.)"
By his side, Gardevoir—now in her [Mega Evolved] form—waved a hand calmly.
She'd already gotten a rough read on Giratina's power.
This wasn't an opponent she could defeat easily—not one with such bulk and brute force.
To avoid Elias getting hurt, she'd made the call: Mew and Latias would take him and flee.
…Even if that meant leaving Elias in the care of that silly cat.
As expected, Mew's large eyes sparkled instantly at Gardevoir's command.
She darted forward, grabbed Elias's arm, and with a gleeful wave, prepared to Teleport them out.
But—
To Giratina, this was a direct provocation.
Even Dialga had never escaped from under its nose.
"Roooar—!"
With another deafening cry, Giratina stopped caring about pain altogether.
Gardevoir was unexpectedly strong, yes—but still within manageable limits.
The worst it might walk away with was a few injuries.
But Elias? Elias might possess the power to bend time and space itself.
He could be the key—the one to help reshape the harsh environment of the Reverse World.
With that thought, Giratina launched into motion.
A beat of its wings and a forceful stomp, and its enormous frame exploded forward at a terrifying speed.
The entire team reacted instantly. Gardevoir, Latias, Milotic, and Mew unleashed their most powerful moves, desperate to buy even a moment of time.
The air filled with shimmering light and bursts of energy—but none of it slowed Giratina down.
Seeing that, Elias narrowed his eyes.
Backed into a corner, he tried to activate his own psychic power to [Teleport].
But whether it was Giratina's interference or something else, it didn't work. He couldn't get away like he normally could.
With no other choice, he quickly cast a layer of [Protect] over himself.
BOOM—!
The instant the shield went up, Elias saw a blur—and then the world tilted violently.
Giratina had clamped its jaws around him.
With crushing momentum, the dragon surged downward, plummeting toward the sea.
"Mew!"
"Elias!"
"Gardevoir!"
…
The sudden shift stunned everyone.
Knocked away by Giratina's charge, Mew steadied herself and dove back toward the ocean, panic written all over her little face.
But Gardevoir had already moved ahead of her.
She intercepted Giratina mid-flight, trying to pull Elias free.
But she had underestimated the sheer difference in their sizes.
Even with her psychic power, she couldn't halt Giratina's descent.
Instead, she was dragged along—pulled helplessly down with Elias into the sea.
"Garde…~"
Eyes closed, Gardevoir suddenly felt a warm hand clasp her wrist.
Turning her head, she found herself wrapped in Elias's arms.
For a moment, she thought—
Maybe this interception wasn't such a failure after all.
With a mighty splash, Giratina plunged into the sea, dragging Gardevoir and Elias with it.
The glass-like calm of the water shattered. Waves rose and churned again.
Mew and Latias hovered above the water, still reeling from what had just happened.
Everything had happened in the blink of an eye.
"Elias!"
As her awareness caught up, Latias darted to the surface.
She waved frantically—but all she could touch was cold seawater.
Even her psychic scanning yielded nothing.
It was clear—Giratina hadn't just taken them underwater.
Her expression crumpled into guilt and frustration.
She'd only just reunited with Elias, and now… another Pokémon had torn him away.
Can I really protect him?
Or am I… just powerless after all?
For the first time, Latias—who had thought herself strong—began to question herself.
Nearby, Mew's face was equally grim.
She knew more about Giratina than the others.
And that only made this worse.
Because entering the Reverse World wasn't something one could just do.
The only shred of good news was that Gardevoir had been taken too.
At least Elias wouldn't be entirely alone.
Otherwise, Mew might have already broken down in panic.
Taking a deep breath, she grabbed the still-frozen Gengar and bolted toward the island base.
Giovanni's office was there—and she needed his help.
Meanwhile, unlike Mew and Latias, who had witnessed everything with their own eyes—
—young Mewtwo, still suspended in her tank, went completely still.
She could feel it.
Her psychic connection to Elias—gone.
Disbelief clouded her face.
This was the first time in her short life that she had felt what it meant to experience the unexpected.
"Elias…"
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T/N: well i guess storys ogver guys