Chapter 8 (The Rescue)

Being transported in front of the rift, Ethos, and the two trainers saw a cordoned-off around where they stepped, police officers, including Jenny, walking about and surveying the area.

"Officer Jenny!" Nero called to her.

"Oh, it's you two. They've already entered the rift into a dimensional space but it seems we can't go through it by normal means. We are going to borrow some Pokémon from Professor Sycamore to travel there. So, do you three have plans of entering the rift?"

"Yes, officer! So..."

Ethos discussed their decisions to go in advance before backup came. Upon gaining permission to do so, they entered the rift into a dimensional space.

"Now, what Ethos? We are just floating in this vast space."

"Remember the staff? We can use the magic of the staff to get across!"

He waved the staff and the trio drifted slowly through the dimensional space.

"Halt!" a deep voice echoed reverberated in the dimensional space. "I am Archeus, the guardian of this dimension, this world. I know you want to rescue your friends. Ethos, I know you are in possession of the Staff of Spacetime which your friend used to break the rules of space."

"So…?"

"Your friend, Espie took the staff and ripped holes in space just to traverse the dimensions, infuriating Palkia. Her actions have incurred the Syndicate to go to where they don't belong. It's due to the rifts in the space creating vulnerability in the dimensions, a mess I have to fix once the each being is rightfully back to their dimensions, including you, Nero. Anyway, since she broke the rules of space, I will have to confiscate the staff so it shall not be misused like that again."

Ethos hesitated before he passed it to Archeus.

"In exchange, I shall give you the powers of spacetime since the staff will be with me now. Share it with your friend so that you can travel dimensions without the staff whenever you intend to do so but not with anyone else. Please don't use it for evil purposes. I saw through you and Espie, and recognising that you two are trustworthy, I'm just going to grant you this power."

Arceus gave him the powers and Ethos absorbed his magic, developing the new abilities immediately.

"Wait! One more ques…"

"I know what you're gonna ask. You're wondering how I know everything that I spoke of aren't you? It's because I'm omniscient and I am aware of anything that happens in my dimension. That is all for now. Farewell. Time for you to go rescue your friends."

Arceus used his psychic powers and assisted them to drift towards the other side of the dimensional space into the rift opened to Nibel.

Upon stepping on Nibellion soil in the Sunken Glades, both trainers was fascinated by the thick foliage and refreshing air that they do not normally see or feel in their world.

"This is your world huh? What's is this place called?" Nero asked.

"We are currently in the forests of Nibel. That giant tree is the Spirit Tree, the birthplace of spirits and the place where they congregate for celebrations."

"That's quite nice. And…"

"Our priority is to set my captured race free. Any delay might compromise the rescue mission. Let's go now!"

Minutes were spent as the trio ran around for some time, finally sighting a metallic airship in the distance partially hidden by vines, elusive to their eyes for a moment.

"I shall rescue Espie and the captured spirits, you two handle the Dragon Syndicate!"

Running alongside him, the two trainers sent out Greninja and Delphox, preparing for incoming battles. Coincidentally, all three of Drake's accomplices were transporting spirits in capsules, ready to load the ship with the captured.

The two trainers initiated a battle with them, keeping them distracted while Ethos sneakily ran passed them, skulking in while silent. Running through the entrance the ship, he saw many of the spirits in the chambers, including Espie.

Drake was standing in front of a few rows of captured spirits.

"Let us out!" They demanded over and over again.

Irritated, he pressed a button, electrocuting all of them simultaneously.

"Stop whinging you little rats! These chambers are customised to be inextricable, so stop causing a commotion!"

As he marched off in frustration, Ethos proceeded closer to try to free the spirits. Seeing Espie again, he felt relieved and excited.

"Espie! I found you!"

"Shhh!" She looked at him with a nervous expression, putting her finger in front of her mouth signalling him to be quiet. Noticing that Drake was right behind and preparing to capture him, she whispered, "Lookout behind you!"

Avoiding a laser net, he dodged captivity by an inch.

"So, you wanna play huh? Take this!"

Drake fired his stun gun at him, knocking him backwards onto the floor. Ethos, although weakened, tried to resist the rays, standing back up on his legs.

*Narration*

Will Ethos have the tolerance to fend himself from Drake?

What will happen to the two trainers? Stay tuned for the next chapter.

To be continued...