Pokemon: Gym Leader

The Great Hole of Zero is an even deeper part of Paldea's Area Zero.

The Terastal energy here is far more intense, causing the rocks and terrain to become crystallized, and even some trees have taken on a crystalline form.

Arven remained in the Zero Lab while Dylan and his group, guided by Sada AI, made their way to the Great Hole of Zero.

"This place… it's incredible!"

Lillie gasped as she observed the surroundings. Everything, from the ground to the trees, gleamed with a crystalline sheen.

"That's because we're close to the source of the Terastal phenomenon," Dylan explained, his gaze glinting with intrigue.

"So, Dylan, is the source of Terastal energy really this Terapagos?" Ilene asked curiously.

"That's right. All of the mysteries surrounding the Great Crater of Paldea ultimately trace back to Terapagos," Dylan said with a nod, as they continued deeper into the Hole, guarded by his Galarian Slowking.

"Terapagos has been alive for over two million years. But during that time, violent geological activity nearly wiped out its species—only one Terapagos survived.

"This lone Terapagos was able to crystallize its internal energy, using it to protect itself while in a dormant state.

"It has many names: 'The Blue Disk,' 'The Treasure of Zero,' and 'The Source of Terastal.' All of the mysterious crystals and Terastal energy found in Area Zero are merely byproducts of Terapagos's slumber."

Dylan's explanation was calm and steady, but the deeper meaning left both Lillie and Ilene in awe.

Even with the conclusion of Scarlet and Violet, Terapagos remained shrouded in mystery.

For example, when players brought Terapagos to the crystal pool in Kitakami after completing the main story, a unique event would occur. Terapagos would display its powers, summoning the past version of Professor Sada—not Sada AI, nor a version from a parallel world, but the real Sada from the past timeline.

This version of Sada, who had not yet built the time machine, would take interest in the protagonist's Koraidon, recognizing it as the "Winged King."

After exchanging her Scarlet Book for the protagonist's Violet Book, this encounter would eventually be recorded in Sada's notes.

This proved that Terapagos had the ability to manipulate time—not through parallel worlds, but through actual time travel or causality manipulation.

In fact, this was why Sada had such faith in the Scarlet Book's accounts and became determined to build the time machine to meet ancient Pokémon.

It also explained how, two centuries earlier, Heath—the explorer who authored the books—encountered Paradox Pokémon in Area Zero despite their absence during his era. Heath likely saw Terapagos in the Great Hole, triggering a time-travel event that brought him forward in time, where he witnessed Paradox Pokémon in Area Zero.

This created a closed time loop: Heath documented Paradox Pokémon in the Scarlet Book, inspiring Sada to build the time machine, which then brought the Paradox Pokémon into the present.

So, what was the cause? What was the effect? The entire narrative was rife with paradoxes and loops.

But to Dylan, none of that mattered. Whatever abilities Terapagos had, he was determined to capture it.

At the deepest point of the Great Hole, Dylan and his group finally arrived. Before them stood a landscape of intersecting crystalline pillars.

"This is beautiful~ but where's Terapagos?"

Lillie scanned the surroundings, her curiosity piqued. Despite the dazzling view, there wasn't a single Pokémon in sight.

"It's right there," Dylan said, his eyes fixed on a pale green stone resting atop a crystalline platform.

Walking up to the stone, Dylan raised his hand, which began to glow faintly green as the energy flowed toward the stone.

"Taa…"

A soft, adorable cry echoed through the Hole as the stone emitted a radiant glow.

Moments later, a small, deep-blue turtle Pokémon emerged, shaking its head and looking up at Dylan with curious eyes.

It was Terapagos.

"Ta-le~!"

Terapagos's large, sparkling eyes blinked as it observed Dylan, its soft chirps brimming with innocence.

"So this is Terapagos?"

Ilene and Lillie approached, their eyes wide with wonder.

This was the so-called "Source of Terastal"? It was far cuter than they had expected!

Terapagos was quite small, only about 0.3 meters tall. Its body was a deep blue, with large, bright blue eyes accented by rose-colored eyeliner. Its shell and parts of its body were made of hexagonal, teal-colored crystals.

It didn't seem to radiate the overwhelming aura one would expect from the "Source of Terastal."

'Beep~ Terapagos. Normal type. Terastal Pokémon.

Ability: Terastal Morph.

Moves: Tera Starburst, Rock Polish, Double-Edge, Heavy Slam, Earth Power, Protect, Tri Attack…

Description: Converts energy into hardened crystals to protect itself. Known as the Source of Terastal. (Base Form)'

The Rotom Dex floated over, providing an introduction.

"This is just its base form? So it must have other forms," Lillie realized. No wonder it looked so small and harmless.

"Little one, you've been sleeping for so long. How about coming out to explore the world?" Dylan asked with a gentle smile.

"Ta-le?" Terapagos tilted its head, confused.

"I can show you many fun things and let you eat delicious food," Dylan said enticingly.

"Ta-le!"

Terapagos's eyes lit up.

Despite having lived for millions of years, its mindset was quite simple—likely due to its long periods of dormancy. It found Dylan's offer quite appealing.

"Then why don't you become my Pokémon? That way, we can be partners," Dylan said, holding out a Luxury Ball and giving it a slight shake.

Terapagos hesitated, its innocent nature causing it to pause.

"Ta-le?"

"You want a battle first? Fine by me."

Dylan smirked, stepping back with his companions as Terapagos leapt down from the crystal platform.

"Taa-goooos!!"

With a cry, Terapagos's body erupted with dazzling light, and a powerful gust of wind swept through the area.

When the light faded, a completely transformed Pokémon stood before them.

Terastral Morph!

In battle, Terapagos's body underwent a dramatic crystallization, taking on a form resembling a large disk. Its shell became adorned with 18 deep blue pentagonal crystals surrounding a central hexagonal core, each crystal bearing the symbol of a different Pokémon type. Its neck and tail sprouted shimmering blue crystal-like manes.

"This is…" Lillie's eyes sparkled. This form of Terapagos was completely different—it now exuded a commanding presence worthy of its title as the "Source of Terastal."

'Beep~ Terapagos (Terastal Form). Normal type. Terastal Pokémon.

Ability: Terastal Shell.

Description: Senses danger and creates a sturdy crystal shell for protection. (Terastal Form)'

"Necrozma, Lunala," Dylan called, tossing out two Luxury Balls.

Necrozma and Lunala appeared in front of Dylan. The latter glanced at Dylan with a slight hint of annoyance.

"It's alright, Lunala. This won't take long," Dylan reassured his giant bat.

Lunala seemed unconvinced, its gaze growing more resentful.

Ever since Necrozma had merged with it, Lunala had been in an awkward position. Though the merger no longer suppressed its consciousness, Lunala couldn't deny its fascination with the immense power it gained in its Dawn Wings form.

It even felt guilty for enjoying the power so much, considering its bond with Solgaleo.

"Necrozma."

At Dylan's command, Necrozma disassembled itself into black crystals, fusing seamlessly with Lunala's body.

With a flash of light, Necrozma: Dawn Wings emerged.

"Necrozma, Ultra Burst."

"Liiiii~!!"

A deep, raspy cry echoed, and a certain bat's excited voice could be faintly heard.

Dylan sighed. Lunala, weren't you the one who said you didn't want to merge?

A surge of gray-blue energy engulfed the fused Pokémon, transforming it into a massive, radiant dragon of light—Ultra Necrozma.

The cavern was bathed in blinding light as the overwhelming pressure of Ultra Necrozma's presence filled the air.

"Taa…"

Terapagos's demeanor changed instantly, sensing the overwhelming threat before it.

"Alright, Terapagos, let's begin!" Dylan said with a smile. "Show me the full extent of your power!"

But…

"Taa-le~"

Terapagos's glow suddenly faded as it reverted to its base form—a small, adorable turtle.

"Ta-le~ Ta-le~!"

It chirped innocently at Dylan, its message clear: Why fight? Fighting is bad. Peace forever!

Lillie: (—)

Ilene: (.)

"I just had Necrozma transform… Terapagos, you can't do this to me…"

Dylan was left speechless as he stared at the playful little turtle. Sure, he didn't expect the battle to be difficult, but he at least wanted some action!

"Ta-le~!"

Terapagos happily floated over, landing on Dylan's shoulder and nuzzling his cheek.

Ultra Necrozma turned its head, its gaze almost mocking.

'Should we blast it just once? That little turtle has no respect,' Lunala's voice suggested in Dylan's mind.

"No need," Dylan said with a sigh, pulling out a Luxury Ball.

Terapagos curiously tapped the ball with its nose and was instantly captured.

Beep… Beep… Click!

The ball locked.

"Terapagos, captured."

Dylan gazed at the Luxury Ball in his hand, his smile deepening.

The legendary "Source of Terastal" was now his.

(End of Chapter)