Master Craftsman of the Pokémon World Chapter 324 324

Hikaru muttered to himself as he knocked on the inventor's door. A voice soon answered from inside.

A spiky-haired man, looking very much like an ani protagonist, appeared in the doorway. He froze for a mont at the sight of Hikaru, then his expression shifted:

"Ah! Welco! You're the item developer that Mayor Drayden ntioned, aren't you?"

"Please, co in, co in! I've been waiting for you!"

Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "Mayor Drayden did contact you, but… waiting for ?"

Dr. Tamm chuckled. "Yes! I've been struggling with a certain device recently, and I've been hoping for a craftsman, inventor, or researcher—anyone who could lend a hand!"

"Of course, if you just want to look at my inventions, you're more than welco! After all, we're colleagues of a sort."

Dr. Tamm ushered Hikaru inside. His child was there too.

Tamm—the na itself derived from "ti."

He led Hikaru upstairs to his workspace, showing off various research instrunts and a large computer that looked fairly ordinary. Beside it stood another, far older computing machine.

"May I ask you sothing bold? Do you think humans can return to the past—or travel to the future?"

Dr. Tamm smiled as he rested a hand on the older machine. "This was invented by my father, Dr. Buck. It isn't finished yet."

"This machine was designed to connect the present to the future. anwhile, I'm working on one that links the past to the present. If the two are combined…"

"A ti machine. Sounds unbelievable, doesn't it? Like sothing out of science fiction. But that's what I'm researching right now. I've hit so bottlenecks, to the point I sotis feel helpless."

"But I still believe ti can be controlled by human hands. Don't you?"

Hikaru carefully examined the two machines. On the surface, they looked no different from ordinary mainfras.

"Indeed. So Pokémon can travel through ti," Hikaru confird. "And from what I know, not just here in Unova—people in distant regions are conducting similar research."

Yes—the ti machine!

In the Pokémon world, the earliest "ti machine" was indeed created by Buck and Tamm in Unova! Though in the gas it looked more like they connected parallel worlds, the result was the sa—they reached into past and future.

The problem was, their prototype had a very limited "operation ti."

Later, in Paldea's Zero Lab, Professors Sada and Turo—through research on Terastal energy—completed a more advanced ti machine.

That machine constantly brought paradox Pokémon from ancient and future eras. Though, strictly speaking, it may not have been a true ti machine either, but rather a gateway into distorted tilines…

Perhaps those paradox worlds were more like "Lostbelts"?

Stranger still, paradox Pokémon had appeared in the Zero Lab long before the ti machine was even built—perhaps the coordinates of the transfer had been corrupted?

Just like how the Tablets of Ruin distorted Walking Wake, Unova's Dream World, Sinnoh's Creation Trio, Johto's Celebi—all represented true ti-crossing phenona.

"Do you know Professor Park? He's been developing a Century Transfer Machine—said to teleport people vast distances through space, though in terms of ti the difference is minimal."

"And in Paldea, I've heard others are researching the sa thing as you."

Dr. Tamm blinked, then lit up with excitent: "Professor Park! Yes, I've heard of him—the designer of the Transfer System! I didn't expect that beyond him, there were others with ideas like mine."

He sighed ruefully. "But to be honest, my reasons aren't so grand."

"I quarreled with my father long ago. I want to return to the past. There are so many things I wish I could redo."

"My father, on the other hand, built his machine because he feared for —he wanted to glimpse the future, to be sure I wouldn't stray down the wrong path."

"Such a petty reason, right? Yet the machine we created turned out to be great. If a ti machine existed, people could choose the right future… or nd their past regrets. That's what I truly believe."

"When I was little, I often thought—what kind of person will I be when I grow up?"

Hikaru placed his hand on the joined computers.

[Item: Machine Linking Past and Future (Ti Machine)]

[Description: Designed to connect past, present, and future. Still incomplete—missing vital components, coding unfinished, and lacking an energy source. Requires a Pokémon from another world that knows the move Charge.]

At that mont, Hikaru's Miracle Diamond pendant shone again, as though resonating with sothing. The strange feeling of being watched grew stronger.

He pulled out the Link Cable, activating the C-Device.

"I think I can help you finish this. Aside from being an item developer, I'm also a programr and chanic. I've even helped Professor Park repair his Transfer Machine. I understand machinery quite well!"

The C-Device booted up, loading special knowledge—knowledge derived from interworld communication systems. It could sync with nearly any program or machine, provided the proper coding and a special item: the Link Cable.

The Link Cable first appeared in the Mystery Dungeon series, and in mainline gas only beca an official item in Legends: Arceus, allowing trade-evolution Pokémon to evolve without external connection.

"O-oh… you're willing to help? That's amazing… you really are incredible!" Dr. Tamm stamred, overwheld. Then he snapped out of it: "Wait, no—I'll work with you!"

"I never imagined anyone else would share such passion for a ti machine. Everyone else calls it delusion. Even Professor Park—people mock his experints constantly, saying they always blow up."

Dr. Tamm rambled on, then pointed out: "This part here—this component was supposed to finish the drive program, but I never managed to complete it."

[Knowledge Acquired: Ti Machine Assembly!]

[Description: Partial knowledge for building a prototype ti machine. Incomplete due to missing code and parts. Use the C-Device and advanced coding to finish it!]

[The Miracle Diamond is resonating! Starting it with this might yield unusual results!]

[Ti sync has begun. Space distortion detected!]

With Tamm's assistance, Hikaru rapidly fabricated the missing parts, his speed shocking the inventor.

"You already finished them?!" Dr. Tamm gaped at the newly built components.

"Of course. chanics work fast!" Hikaru grinned. You've never seen Team Rocket build sothing in a day.

Next ca coding. Hikaru hooked the C-Device to the machine via Link Cable and began programming a new startup system.

This was normally a highly technical task—but Dr. Fennel and Professor Park had both proven themselves masters at quick coding, whether from genius or sheer practice born of countless explosions.

As Hikaru entered code, the C-Device absorbed knowledge in return. The machine's systems expanded rapidly, producing strange phenona.

Rotom stirred, drawn awake by the energy surging through the C-Device. Its mischievous face flickered across the screen.

"Amazing!" Dr. Tamm exclaid, trembling with excitent. He had never expected a guest inventor to also be a top-tier technician capable of advancing his life's work so far.

"No wonder it never started before… that was the flaw…"

"With this redesign, even temporary, it should work!"

"Master Hikaru, you've done a great service—no, this machine is practically yours now! You've completed the dream my father and I shared!"

"So… can we start it now?"

Hikaru shook his head. "One more thing—what power source will you use?"

"Well… a Pokémon that knows Charge. But last ti it failed. Maybe this ti?" Tamm sounded unsure.

Hikaru understood.

In a single-tiline world, Tamm could never have guessed the solution: using Pokémon from other worlds. To him, that would seem too bizarre.

In fact, research on alternate worlds wouldn't beco widespread until the Alola era, through Professor Burnet and the Aether Foundation. Only Dr. Fennel had studied Dream Worlds before then.

"I'll use my Pokémon. It cos from another world—the Spirit World, the realm of the dead."

"Rotom, Overdrive Form! …No, base form is fine this ti."

"Roto-roto~!"

Rotom popped out of the C-Device in its plasma form, circling the ti machine curiously.

"What is that Pokémon?" Dr. Tamm asked in amazent. Hikaru explained: "Rotom, the Plasma Pokémon. Research hasn't caught up yet, but the first academic paper is due soon. Keep an eye on Professor Yew's institute. Rotom can possess electrical devices, powering them—and sotis playing pranks."

"Now, Dr. Tamm, what matters is timing. If the theory holds, then in so past mont, your father activated his prototype. If we align to that exact instant, we can connect to him."

"Yes… precise to the millisecond! My father left records!" Dr. Tamm scrambled to retrieve the notes.

Once the crucial ti was set, Hikaru commanded: "Rotom, enter the ti machine—use Charge!"

Rotom zipped inside. Its face appeared on the monitor, mischievous grin flashing as pixelated sparks flew.

The whole machine humd and whirred, roaring to life with trendous power.

Rotom, Ti Machine Form!

Bzzzt—!

The screen blazed with light.

"Fair warning—it may still fail. I just patched the code and parts…" Hikaru began—

But Dr. Tamm suddenly shouted in joy:

"It worked! I've gone back! Father—I see you! Father, it's , Tamm—"

He froze mid-sentence. His body locked as though ti itself had been stripped away. On the screen, the middle-aged man—his father Buck—was also frozen, eyes wide in shock.

Then, with a spatial twist, Tamm vanished.

Zzzzt—crackle—

Whummm—!

The Miracle Diamond flared with blinding light. Ti warped. Space fractured.

{Regret of the past. Fear of the future. Hearts full of unease split the fabric of space.}

{Space is the extension of all things. The mind, too, is part of space. In certain spaceti, thoughts beco reality.}

{Offer it. Offer your heart.}

The hollow, vast voice echoed out of the glowing ti machine.

In the light, Hikaru glimpsed a colossal pink centaur-like Pokémon!

[Knowledge Triggered: Shining Ti / Voice of Another World!]

[Description: An impossible summons has arrived. Ti cannot bind you. The vortex of the mind expands. Longings for past and future distort reality. With the birth of the ti machine, so "pasts and futures" beco real!]

[The Miracle Diamond releases waves of Ti!]

[Sensed: the Breath of Space!]

[Temporary Power Acquired: Great Psychic Amplification!]

[Effect: All your psychic/telekinetic/aura/creation powers increase by one tier in this space-ti! ntal strength maximized!]

[Link Proven—creatures of another world begin with 50 affinity toward you.]

As the light faded, the enormous pink centaur bowed its head and vanished.

In its place stood towering skyscrapers made of unknown alloys—and the ruins of collapsed structures.

"A spaceti leap?! That was… Shiny Origin Form Palkia?!"

No doubt, one of the Creation Trio. Then the distortions in Opelucid made sense—caused by the ti machine!

"The Miracle Diamond and Palkia's power resonated—sending to so future node?"

"Tamm returned to the past… while I've arrived in the future? How do I get back?"

Opening the C-Device, Hikaru saw a new option: "Ti Machine Link."

"But the button shows insufficient power…"

Machines were the riskiest way to ti travel. Dialga could roar you safely through ages without issue. This was Hikaru's first ti with a chanical crossing.

Looking around, the changed buildings still faintly resembled Opelucid. A parallel Opelucid, perhaps?

Then—an explosion!

A massive Pokémon was blasted into the ruins, gasping heavily. Its body glead like alloy tal, battered with dents and rust.

Even so, Hikaru recognized it instantly.

Yes—a Duraludon!

The Alloy Pokémon, Steel/Dragon-type. Standing upright like a kaiju, body of aluminum-like steel, its head and torso clearly segnted, a large protrusion forming its tail. Its design evoked chagodzilla.

And from atop the ruins, shadows spilled down between skyscrapers. A humanoid machine descended—half Gardevoir, half Gallade.

Click—clack—tallic steps echoed.

It had pixel-red eyes, locking onto the fallen dragon before turning toward Hikaru.

[Duraludon. Steel/Dragon-type Alloy Pokémon.]

[Anomaly detected: organic form not chanized?]

The android's lodic but cold synthetic voice rang out as it raised a gleaming energy blade.

Hikaru's breath caught.

This was… the future! The Violet tiline's paradox world!

And the opponent—Iron Valiant!

The Paradox Fairy/Fighting-type Pokémon! A fusion-like entity resembling both Gardevoir and Gallade. Rumor had it a mad scientist created it as the ultimate psychic warrior. Brutal by nature, it slashed down any who opposed it without hesitation.

Hikaru grabbed a Poké Ball—but it remained shrunken.

Electric sparks flickered through the ruins. Strange interference scrambled the electromagnetic field!

"Locked… electromagnetic jamming?"

That was the flaw of chanical Poké Balls. Suddenly, Apricorn Balls made by Mr. Kurt felt invaluable.

At their feet, currents surged—Iron Valiant's power rising! It had created the field itself!

Electric Terrain! Grounded Pokémon couldn't sleep, and Electric moves grew 30% stronger.

Iron Valiant's ability activated—Quark Drive! With Electric Terrain, its highest stat increased by 30%—if Speed, by 50%!

It moved. A massive pink aura gathered on its blade, the air shaking with heat!

Aura Sphere!

The android's battle cry rang out. Duraludon wheezed, weakly summoning light in its jaws—trying to fire a Flash Cannon. But its beam was pitiful, its strength nearly gone.

The Aura Sphere blasted forth. Duraludon's Flash Cannon collided—only to be instantly overpowered. The energy sphere surged closer, about to level the battlefield—

Hikaru slamd a potion into Duraludon and shouted: "Use tal Burst!"

The dragon blinked, then obeyed—the bond of Dragon Tar's aura reaching it.

As the Aura Sphere struck, Duraludon's body shone with tallic brilliance, absorbing the force.

Then—

BOOM!

A burst of steel energy erupted, detonating across the ruins. Iron Valiant was engulfed in the shining blast!

For the first ti, its pixel eyes flickered with confusion. Even in the glare, it saw Duraludon—and the strange human.

"Whoa… what a powerful move!"

A voice piped up. Hikaru shielded his eyes with his dark glasses and turned—only to see… a Ledyba holding a spear?!

"Quickly! Follow , human!"

The Ledyba spoke, then darted off. Hikaru frowned, hefting the fallen Duraludon.

Despite its size, it was surprisingly light—lighter than a Larvitar. About 40 kilograms on average.

This one was even lighter. Its Ability must be Light tal—halving its weight.

A 20-kilogram dragon? Practically hollow!

As Hikaru carried it away, Iron Valiant knelt among the wreckage, smoking, one knee to the ground.

Its eyes blinked. Data recorded.

[Anomaly confird.]

[Species: Extinct organism "human." Possesses flesh, social traits, and the ability to command Pokémon in battle.]

Iron Valiant's cold expression wavered, deep in thought.

It was the strongest machine Pokémon. Yet this sortie had failed.

Humans… unknown beings, unknown data, unknown power.

Its eyes glowed blue and yellow.

A command ca from base, harsh and reprimanding:

[Unit T-1006-01. Why didn't you unleash full power? Why did you disobey orders in capturing Duraludon?]

(End of Chapter)

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