Chapter 132 Cresselia Dream

When Ash, Serena, and Lillie arrive at Vanhanen Castle, they find Delia already waiting for them.

Ash: Mom!

Ash hugs Delia since she is worried about Ash ever since what happened.

Delia: I knew you'll be back safe and sound, I'm so worried if something happened to you.

Ash: I'm sorry, Mom. But I heard that there is an anomaly here and we've come as soon as possible.

Delia nods as she walks into the castle, and Ash is surprised to see a door on top of the second floor of the hallway. It was just the same door when Lin dragged him inside.

Delia: I was waiting outside so that I could meet up with you, but now you're here, let's go inside.

Ash nods as they all step into the area, and now they are in the New World.

Ash: This was just like the place where Lin dragged me in...

Serena: Really? So that's where you've been...

Just then, the meteors are floating to become a path, and Luna jumps on it to greet Ash and the others.

Luna: Hello, Ash, and welcome. We last parted ways not far from here before, though it looked much different then, did it not?

Ash: So this was in the void?

Luna: Nothing can refuse the tides of change, not even nothingness itself. To you, I am eternally indebted for preventing Lin from overwriting our world with this new one. But you must understand, that I am also indebted to Lin for making this dream a reality. I have always said that the beauty of darkness lies in its infinite potential, have I not? One never knows just what lies beyond arm's reach, whether it is the warm embrace of a lover or the maw of a demon. Here, both exist. I believe there can be no finer edge to walk. No finer pleasure to savor... But I dally. You are here for business rather than pleasure.

Ash: Indeed, where are Anna, Noel, and Aunt Serra?

Luna: Rest assured, they are safe. Asleep, but safe. After all, even the worst nightmare is safer than the waking world. Still, is it not time they rose? As ever, Ash, the way forward is yours to take.

Ash nods as they all head forward by jumping on the meteors, and then they find a giant ground where some Pokemon are roaming.

Luna: One day, this germinal world will produce visions and landscapes far surpassing any among ours. But like an artist who's only just taken to the brush, what it can create right now is rather limited. Over time, as it too grows with experience and history, its productions will become more and more complex, with mountains as melodies and moments as motifs, each stroke it makes plays over each other as if building up to a melodious canon. I can only hope that I will still be around to hear its performance at its crescendo. For now, it is no such grand thing, but more like two songs played over each other, each vying for its listener's ear. You will find our world twisted together alongside it. In particular, it seems to have tangled up in my Master's estate. Look there.

Ash and the others notice the doors that are just like the ones in Vanhanen Castle.

Luna: It is still possible to step into our world there. Pockets of that world have been isolated behind and among this reality. It is how what should have been an ordinary trip to explore Master's castle ended up with each of them stuck in this realm. But that does not mean those pockets line up with what we see perfectly. If a door is locked, it may as well be as if nothing is behind it at all. And in this case, that is very well the truth. Like a lamp with no bulb, what we seek simply isn't there yet.

Serena: So that means we can't go inside just yet.

Luna: Fear not. In a world as unstable as this, I have no doubt that there is a way for us to connect the dots, so to speak. Let us search and find what belongs behind each door, so that it may put itself into place.

Ash notices that the doors have some sort of statue that looks like dominos beside them, and each one has a number, from 1 to 4. Ash knows that it might be possible to go through the door in each order, so they go to the first door, only to find it locked, but they are surprised to find the fourth door unlocked. When they get inside, they are surprised to see that the place is just like his father's castle.

Delia: This place sure is weird...but somehow dreamy as well...

Lillie: I agree...

After reaching the end of the hallway, they are outside again, but Ash notices a white sphere and touches it, it glows and disappears.

Ash: Did I just do something?

Luna: With this, two ends of our worlds have been stitched to each other. It is perhaps unsurprising that the needle required for such a thing would have been left about this place. I suspect that Lin may have intended the New World to serve as a sort of playground or toy box for her... And what a dangerous toy that is, isn't it, able to sew worlds together? It is just to her liking, I imagine. Nevertheless, there will be others now. Let us hope that they can be reached.

Ash then starts to remember what Lin has said, she just wants someone to play with her...but he escaped the moment she can get him... With the door one opened, they enter the room only to see Shiinotic sucking energy on Noel, much to their horror.

Delia: What is that Pokemon doing to my son?

Ash: We have to save them, but I don't think this is the right path for us to go...

After activating the white sphere at the end of the hallway, they rush outside and try to find the second door.

Luna: You saw Noel, did you? Worry not. I'm sure we'll be able to connect to him soon enough.

After going into the second room, they find that even Serra is being sucked by Shiinotic, so Ash decides to have Pikachu use Iron Tail on the Pokemon, causing it to quickly flee.

Delia: Serra, are you okay?

Serra: Nng... I didn't drink that much, did I...?

Then Serra wakes up and she realizes that the others are in front of them.

Serra: Oh, it's you... I haven't seen you since... The tournament in Labradorra, right? Here I thought you were gone forever.

Ash: But I'm back, that's what matters.

Serra: So, good to see you again and all that... But why are you here exactly?

Delia: We came looking for you, that's why we're here.

Serra: (Looks around) Why am I here? This is Gardevoir's room, isn't it? Er... wasn't it? I don't suppose there's any chance she's reappeared, is there? I'll take a quick look to be sure. (Tries to open the door)

Delia: Wait, Serra, I don't think it is a good -

Delia is cut off by Serra suddenly slamming the door after what she just saw.

Serra: What the hell?! I'm not still passed out, am I?

Luna: (Walks in) Auntie.

Serra: What?! Oh, Luna, it's just you... Geez, you scared me. I have no idea what's going on, or where we even... (Realizes something) Wait, Luna?! (Jumps onto the table)

Serena: Did she just jump into the table like that?

Ash: I saw it as well.

Luna: I've missed you, Auntie. There is no need for alarm.

Serra: No need for alarm? Last time I saw you, you were gleefully galloping right into a black hole!

Luna: I do apologize for my rather hasty prior exit. But I assure you, I have not regretted it for a moment.

Serra: Your apologies are almost worse than my son's.

Luna: Come with me and I will lead you to safety. I can explain everything along the way.

Serra: Fine, but I'm not getting off this table unless you promise to explain it in a way that makes sense. That means no "darkness darkness infinity" stuff, you hear me?

Delia: (Glares) You are not going to give my daughter a hard time, Serra.

Serra: I was just kidding, Mostly. Get me out of here.

Luna: As you wish, Auntie.

After Serra leaves with Luna, they also find another sphere and activate it, opening the third door and trying to save Noel from the Shiinotic.

Noel: (Wakes up) Ash. I assumed you also... Hm. (Looks outside) I see. The New World overlapped with here. We were exploring the place when it happened and became trapped here. So much for "Father's" castle. I should've expected him to disappear again. You got here, so an exit still exists. I'll find it myself. Don't waste time with me.

After Noel leaves, they find another white sphere and they activate it, opening the fourth floor, and much to their surprise, they find Anna lying on the ground with a Cresselia floating above her. Not only that, the Cresselia is emitting white light.

Luna: It would seem that we've arrived at our final destination here.

Delia: I guess Serra and Noel are back in the real world?

Luna: Fear not; the others have been safely escorted out of this place. Let us focus solely on the trial before us. To that end, there is something you must be aware of. This Cresselia was generated here in the New World, among all of its infinities, and as a result, it is the source of an Anomaly. That Anomaly is the swirling aura that encompasses Cresselia. It has the effect of attracting, strengthening, and directing other Pokémon, much like how a planet's gravity maintains its moons. When confronting an Anomaly, please be prepared to deal with these 'moons', as well. The Pokémon at the source of the Anomaly is also affected. You may find that the Anomaly gives it extra strength, or renewed life, for instance. There is no need for alarm, however. Once you defeat the Anomaly, it will disappear, leaving only its source. Its source may still be healthy afterward, but its power will be drastically reduced. At this point, you will be able to catch it, should you so choose to. Does all of that make sense?

Ash: I guess so.

Luna: Very good. But let us not dally too much further. After all, it seems that Anna is waiting for us. And it would seem she is not the only one.

Just then, the Cresselia growls and a Lunatone appears on the field, Ash realizes that he has to battle the Pokemon, so he decides to send out Feraligatr for the first battle. Lunatone goes for Power Gem, with the New World Field, it deals a lot more damage than usual. But Lunatone is defeated in the end with the boosted power Crunch. The second Pokemon is a Jumpluff, and it has the Flying Gem to strengthen the Acrobatics, so Ash switches into Glalie and uses Ice Beam, but Jumpluff tries to go with Sleep Powder, only to be knocked out by the Ice move once more.

Musharna is the third Pokemon, and it goes for Hypnosis to make Glalie fall asleep, so Ash switches into Zoroark to battle, with the Dark Pulse and Night Daze, Musharna is eventually defeated. The fourth Pokemon is an Amoonguss, and it goes for Spore and tries to make Zoroark fall asleep, but Ash switches into Incineroar and goes for the Flame Charge, boosting the speed and knocking out using Flamethrower.

Then two more Cresselia comes next, with the first one using Lunar Dance to sacrifice itself, and the second one boosts all the stats, and with the Magical Seed, the stats are boosted again.

Lillie: So this is basically Cresselia's world...but that Cresselia is going to be hard to defeat...

Serena: At least the Magical Seed's effect is that Cresselia needs to recharge for a turn.

Then the hardest part in the battle is that Cresselia is going for Moonblast and Psychic to attack while using Moonlight to heal itself. Fortunately, Ash still has Greninja by his side and Greninja has been given the power of Arceus, it goes for Night Slash, not giving time for Cresselia to attack, and then defeating the Pokemon in the end. After the last one is defeated, the Cresselia that was glowing is not glowing anymore.

Luna: Well met, as ever. The second phase begins now. With the energy dispelled, its defenses are weakened. If you wish to catch it, now would be the time. (Notices Cresselia approaching) It's coming back. Once more, please, Ash?

Ash nods as he battles the Cresselia, after Greninja's hard work, Ash throws an Ultra Ball, causing the Pokemon to get captured.

Ash's New Capture in New World: Cresselia

Luna: And so it's done. You've handled this as expertly as expected.

Ash and Delia walk toward Anna, who is still sleeping.

Luna: Curious. She isn't waking up like the others did? She is most certainly breathing...

Delia: But if Cresselia wasn't what was keeping her asleep, then what could it be? You don't suppose she's just having a sweet dream, do you?

Luna: Nevertheless, I'll take responsibility to see her to safety. I am aware that I owe her for several things, after all. Ah, by the way, I found this while I was exploring the nebulae. Now that you've returned, I suppose you may find some use in it.

Then Ash receives the Gather Cube, and he notices that it is actually for Zygarde Cells, that reminds him, Squishy and Z2 are now staying at the ranch with the other Pokemon in his house, so he makes notes that he is going to talk to them.

Luna: As always, it has been a pleasure. I understand the Nightclub has been serving as a base of operations for exploring this place? Would you like to accompany me there?

Ash: Sure, let's go there. (Leaves the New World with everyone)


I'll end the chapter right here, as you can see, Ash has captured the first Legendary (Besides Zygarde) in the Reborn Region. I hope you like this chapter.