It's just me and my stuff in this hellscape of a world, that's all there is and that's all that matters. At least there's no one else in this desolate place called a city, other than those weirdos who jumped me at the grocery store. Why can't things just go back to normal?

In a very large floating structure, located in the central region of Alola, was the Aether Paradise. The Aether Paradise was an artificial island meant to house displaced Pokémon so that workers could give them the care they needed. It also doubles as a research laboratory and was one of the foremost centers for scientific discoveries not just in Alola, but the rest of the world as well.

The Aether Paradise had been founded by two people, a woman named Lusamine and her husband Mohn as an expansion to the Poképelago. Together, they brought sanctuary to many Pokémon and lived together happily, eventually having two children named Lillie and Gladion.

Everything changed however, when Lillie and her Pokémon, a mysterious Pokémon from another world called Cosmog, fell into an Ultra Wormhole and disappeared, never being seen again.

From that day, Lusamine was never the same. Despite her husband's protests, she changed the Aether Foundation's main goal into studying Ultra Wormholes, trying to find a way to open one herself. She became neglectful and even hateful towards her own existing family, eventually leading Mohn to take Gladion and leave.

This didn't faze her, however. She believed that her efforts were worth it, and that their family could come back together once Lillie was found.

For this reason, twelve different scientists were gathered in the secret lab, the youngest of which being only nineteen years old.

His name was Gladio Turner, a bright and budding young scientist. Like the other scientists in the room, he was very excited to begin the test. He and the rest of the team had been planning and working on this for months and had finally made some groundbreaking progress.

However, none of the scientists knew about the true reason they were doing the experiment. They all believed that the only purpose behind the experiment was to return the Ultra Beasts that had entered their region a few months ago. In fact, the entire public was kept in the dark to the dark story behind the Aether Foundation's founders.

"The time is eighteen hours," said one scientist, standing at the head of the experiment console. "Is everyone set for activation?"

All the scientists nodded, settling into their places. Gladio's position was near the front of the experiment section, where he was to monitor the status of their experiment.

"Alright men," said the scientist. "Today is the day Branch Chief Faba and the rest of his team make scientific history! Begin Ultra Beast link!"

Inside the experiment room, a Nihilego was being kept in a small chamber. Their plan was to use the Ultra Beast's connection to Ultra Space and an enormous amount of energy to force a portal to open to Ultra Space. Typically, this alone wouldn't be enough to create a portal, but they had residue from Cosmog that would act as a catalyst to trigger the connection.

The Ultra Beast gave a roar as the linking process began, a yellow ray of light shining over it as the machines gave a powerful hum. Gladio looked away from the Ultra Beast. He'd questioned Faba a lot about the ethics of the assignment, but Faba had repeatedly assured him the Ultra Beast wouldn't be in pain or any form of danger. Still, watching it now just seemed wrong.

"Turner!" shouted Faba, pulling Gladio out of his thoughts. "What's our status?"

"Operations are running smoothly, Branch Chief Faba". The lining process is currently at seventeen percent and is quickly rising. The Pokémon and the device are currently stable. Ultra Space particles should be forming very soon."

Faba nodded. "That's the first sign of success. Smith, adjust the frequency once the particles begin to appear. We don't want anything getting out of control with all the energy that will be produced."

"Yes sir," said Smith, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. He knew exactly what he was doing, he didn't need Faba bossing him around like always.

Purple particles began to form around the Ultra Beast, growing in frequency and size. On the command from Faba, Smith adjusted a few dials on his control board, the yellow light dimming slightly.

"All signs are stable, Branch Chief Faba," said Gladio. "Link establishment has risen to forty-three percent and is rising steadily."

Faba nodded. "Angela, prepare for extraction at fifty percent. Once no more particles form, we'll begin the fusion."

Everyone nodded. Angela updated her controls, causing the containment chamber to roar as the purple particles were gathered on the ground and shot through a small vacuum, the energy passing through the other side.

Gladio watched, his blue eyes lighting up as his curiosity was sparked. The way they were manipulating these particles should break multiple known laws of physics. Yet here they were, manipulating space itself like the Pokémon who first created this world and all the others connected to it.

"Branch Chief Faba,"

Said Gladio after a few minutes. "We've reached one hundred percent in the link process., No more Ultra Space particles are being generated."

Faba nodded, peering at the containment chamber. "Extraction is just about done. What about the particles we've gathered?"

"All stable, Branch Chief Faba. They are currently gathered together without having formed bonds. We are clear to begin fusion."

Faba smiled. This was their next stepping stone. Should the fusion go as planned, a stable and inactive Ultra Wormhole should form, creating an anchor in Ultra Space. With a bit of Cosmog energy, the portal should become active and create a direct connection between here and the nearest dormant Ultra Wormhole.

"Prepare yourselves," said Faba, activating his console. The room was filled with a powerful roar, the cordoned experiment area doing little to stop the noise.

There was a flash of green light as a high powered beam composed of uranium and energy from the Solganium Z-Crystal was fired into the middle of the particle mass. Multiple flashes of light ensued as energy sparked between the particles, fusing them together.

Gladio stared at the reactions with awe, even if he couldn't see its full majesty due to the shaders dropped over the viewing screen. Despite their many months of research and experimentation, they had never expected to make it this far

.He frowned as something on his screen flashed. Looking down, he noticed that the Ultra Beast's vitals were changing. It was seemingly growing stronger by the second. Craning his neck to look over at it, he saw a red aura developing on the Ultra Beast as it began to writhe, it's shrieking unheard over the cacophony of the fusion.

Coming to a decision, he left his post to speak with Faba. He had barely taken his first few steps when an explosion occurred within the experimental area. He covered his eyes and he fell back in surprise as light flooded the entire room.

When it all faded, the experiment area had been turned black, having barely h due to the reinforced material it was composed of. Despite this, smiles broke out in the room as a white, gently swirling rift of energy laid before them.

"We've done it people," said Faba, his voice full of emotion. "We've broken through uncharted territories within the field of science. And we're going to take this success a step forward."

Gladio raised his hand. "Branch Chief Faba! I'm reading abnormal vitals from the Ultra Beast. We ought to release it before continuing-"

"Not now Turner," said Faba. "There's much more important things to think about than the Ultra Beast. I'm sure it has to do with the Ultra Wormhole being formed and the Pokémon reacting to its natural habitat after being removed from it for far too long. Once we open a portal, we can send it back home to where it belongs."

"But we should at least-"

"Not now Turner! Sabrina, begin the infusion."

The scientist in question nodded, inserting a hand sized vial into her console. Pushing up a dial, the essence with the vial was directly injected within the dormant portal.

With a violent flash of energy, everything turned red as space itself seemed to tear. The ground shook as the portal opened, a purple maelstrom of energy swirling inside of it.

Everyone began to clap after they recovered from the effects of opening the portal. Gladio however, looked towards the Ultra Beast.

"We should release the Pokémon-"

Faba glared at him, cutting him off. "Gladio, you and I will talk later. Don't you realize the enormity of our success? Yet you instead are focused on a creature-"

He never got to finish his statement as the Nihilego's aura exploded, severely damaging the containment tank. With newfound strength and an unearthly shriek, it smashed through its containment chamber with a Power Gem, shards of rock flying into the experiment area.

Alarms began to blare as the scientists were thrown into a panic. People began to scatter and try to evacuate as the Nihilego started destroying the experiment room in an enraged frenzy.

"No!" shouted Faba, opening an Ultra Ball and sending out an Alakazam. "We mustn't lose the experiment! Alakazam, use Psychic!"

Faba's Alakazam moved forward, twisting its spoon and sending psychic waves flying at the Nihilego. The Ultra Beast raised its tentacles to block the attack before firing back a Sludge Wave, sending the Alakazam flying back.

"Use Recover, then attack once more! We are not losing our experiment, not when we've come so far!"

Gladio looked back at Faba as he helped everyone else evacuate. He knew that Faba had lost it and was willing to die for the sake of science. He had tried to warn him, so it wasn't his responsibility anymore. Right?

"Alakazam, use Teleport!"

Faba's Alakazam teleported him into the experiment room, behind the Nihilego. The Alakazam used Psychic to immobilize it as Faba produced a Beast Ball, throwing it at the Ultra Beast.

The Nihilego's aura flashed as the ball rebounded, broken into pieces. It whipped out a tentacle, slamming the Alakazam backwards into Faba. It gave another intense shriek as stones gathered around it, prepared to fire.

"Branch Chief Faba!" shouted Gladio, jumping forward and tackling Faba to the ground. The Power Gem sailed over both of them, hitting the wall.

"Turner?"

"We don't have much time! The portal is increasing in mass like a black hole. We have less than a minute before it reaches critical mass and begins exerting a gravitational pull that will threaten to bring the entire Aether Paradise onto itself! We have to get out of here and seal the laboratory!"

"No," said Faba, breaking away from Gladio. "I will see what's on the other side. It's been my dream to journey through Ultra Space! To see what the entire multiverse has to offer! I'm not losing this chance! We'll never be able to recreate this experiment Gladio, not without Cosmog! I'm not passing up-"

They both leapt out of the way as the Nihilego fired another Power Gem, forcing them and the Alakazam away from the portal. The Nihilego turned and fled into the portal with a flash of light.

Even though the immediate danger was now gone, the lab was still collapsing around them. Gladio pulled Faba to his feet, but the Branch Chief pushed him away.

"I make my own choices."

Faba turned and ran for the portal, recalling his Alakazam. Gladio ran for him but was too late as Faba leapt through the portal, disappearing in a flash of light.

"No!" shouted Gladio, stopping short of the portal. He shook his head, knowing he was too late. Faba was a man he'd long respected for his scientific knowledge and visions. Now, he was gone, consumed by a crazy dream. No one knew if a person could survive traveling through an Ultra Wormhole. Their original tests weren't going to involve living beings.

Gladio whipped around to head for the exit. However, a surge in energy behind him told him that he hadn't been fast enough. A sudden gravitational force overtook him, pulling him towards the portal.

He lost all control over his movement as a bright flash of light surrounded his vision, being pulled through the portal with intense speed. His long dark ponytail came undone as his hair whipped around his face.

Was it over for him? He refused to believe so, desperately holding onto his last shreds of consciousness. His valiant effort, however, gave way as everything turned black.

A man was peacefully sleeping in his apartment building, a building that was completely different from the others within miles. This difference was very simple, it was inhabited.

This city section had been completely abandoned many months ago, having suffered from multiple Pokémon attacks. Eventually, the Gloom Organization had called for complete evacuation.

One man lived among this ruined area, his name being Bran Faunus. He'd scavenged through pretty much the entire city, bringing everything he found back with him. His electricity was provided by solar panels and a gasoline generator, which he filled with gas siphoned from vehicles and abandoned gas stations. On top of his apartment was an entire garden where he grew his own food in case of shortage. He collected rainwater, gathered supplies from abandoned grocery stores, and did whatever he could to exist in this forlorn place.

He'd never really met anyone else, except for the people in the black suits who showed up everyone once in a while. Those people, however, were not the kind of people he'd like to hang out with. Because of this, most of his days were spent reading books, watching TV, catching up on news, and whatever other normal things people did.

So, when he heard loud, angry voices down the road, he woke up instantly. Stretching his arms, he got to his feet, wondering what was going on.

By the sound of it, there seemed to be some sort of rally or protest going on. People were shouting things about Oathbreakers and Traitors. Strangely enough, they were chanting for the destruction of humanity.

Bran pulled apart the faded blinds on his window, looking out onto the gray and destroyed streets.

With a jump of surprise, he realized that these were people gathering on the street, but Pokémon. He counted twelve Pokémon gathered on the street close to his apartment building. This wasn't right, he'd encountered Pokémon used by the black suits he'd fought before, but none of them could communicate verbally. Did this have to do with the shadows surrounding them?

"Something's not right," said one of the Pokémon, a Hisuian Braviary. "I sense one of the Oathbreakers."

A Gallade that seemed to be the leader of the group turned around. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm positive of it."

"One of them must be hiding in one of those buildings!" shouted a Charmeleon, leaping up and down. "We destroy all the buildings until we find the Oathbreaker!"

Bran's eyes widened. He flung the blinds closed and dashed out of the room, grabbing jean jacket and sliding down the stairs. He put it over his black shirt as he opened the door and leapt out, his light brown hair flying above his eyes as he landed on the ground.

"I've revealed myself," he said, facing down the startled group of Pokémon. "You'll go no further."

"It's an Oathbreaker!" shouted a Klefki.

"Burn him to ashes!" declared the Charmeleon, charging forward.

The Gallade stopped the Pokémon, looking at Bran warily. "Something's not right, he understood what we're saying. Could that mean? No… you're one of the Traitors."

Bran stared at the Pokémon blankly. "Traitor to what? I've just been chilling in this place for the past year now. I don't remember doing anything to anyone."

"He mocks us!" shouted a Drizzile.

The Gallade crouched into a fighting position, his blades glowing. "You made a mistake facing us."

"And you made a mistake threatening my way of life," said Bran, crouching into a fighting position. Facing his opponents, he knew he was at a disadvantage. This group of Pokémon wasn't too be taken lightly, but he couldn't go all out, not with his apartment building in the vicinity.

He whipped around and sprinted down the street, the Pokémon momentarily caught by surprise, began to chase him.

Unfortunately for Bran, speed was his strong suit. He was a tall and bulky man who typically stood his ground in battles, using his strength against foes. When it came to agility, he was around average.

The Braviary from earlier swooped downwards, her talons reaching from Bran. Sensing the movement behind him, Bran ducked and rolled, the avian Pokémon missing him.

Bran turned around mid-sprint, stone forming on his arms as he blocked multiple strikes from the Gallade. He ducked under a swing and punched the ground, creating small pillars of rocks to burst out and knock the Pokémon backwards.

"Where do you think you're running to?" questioned the Gallade, sliding to a stop.

Bran didn't answer. He was still too close to his apartment to fight comfortably, but the rest of the Pokémon were quickly catching up. Dark energy surrounded him as stone gathered around his body, a deer-like mask formed on his face, a cracked stone bowl on the top.

The Gallade rushed him, his blades glowing as he threw a series of relentless strikes. Bran put his arms up and blocked them, driving his fist into the ground and creating a powerful quake that knocked back the Gallade and another advancing Pokémon.

The Braviary smashed into him from behind, but she quickly regretted it as Bran grabbed her leg, using his immense strength to throw her into the ground.

The Drizzile fired a beam of water as the Charmelon and a Mightyena leapt at Bran. Putting on foot back, he blocked the Drizzile's attack as he took the Mightyena's Take Down full force, throwing it backwards. He punched the Charmeleon as the Gallade advanced again, trying to pressure him.

Bran focused his power and created a small earthquake in the area. The ground split as fissures began to open, chunks of earth exploding among the group of Pokémon.

The Klefki used Magnet Rise to fly over the attack, a flash of light surrounding it as it used Dazzling Gleam. Bran easily shrugged of the attack, punching the ground and causing a pillar of stone of knock it out of the air.

"We're being weakened!" shouted a Beeheyem from the ground.

"It's his Treasure of Ruin," explained the Mightyena as it slunk backwards, circling Bran.

Bran faced the remaining eight Pokémon that faced him, waiting to see which one would attack. All he had to do was get them grouped together again, and they'd be easy to take out.

The Charmelon leapt at him, breathing a powerful stream of fire as Bran raised his arms to block. At the same time, a Linoone and the Mightyena charged forward.

Bran sidestepped the Mightyena and grabbed the Linoone, throwing it at the Charmelon. He sent a wave of earth surging towards a Gothita and the Beeheyem, knocking them away as they tried attacking with range.

Bran brought his hands together, dark energy beginning to gather around him, the little plant life in the vicinity beginning to wither.

As the Pokémon around his began another attack, he released his power, sending multiple rays of dark energy flooding through the battlefield. The Treasure of Ruins' signature attack, Ruination.

All the Pokémon around him were immediately weakened, having not dodged the attack in time. They began to realize with growing dread that Bran had easily turned the tables on them, despite their greater number. At this rate, they stood no chance again him.

"Fall back!" shouted the Gallade, helping his nearest comrade to their feet.

Bran watched them go. He had nothing against them, so long as they didn't bother him.

Suddenly, everything turned red as the world seemed to cry out in pain. There was an earsplitting crack as a portal appeared a few meters in front of him, seeming to rip space itself.

Bran had no time to react as a Nihilego flew through the portal, smashing into him. Fortunately, he was still wearing his armor, which took most of the damage.

The Nihilego paused, looking at the person it had collided with. It shrieked at him and took off, a red aura trailing off of it as it flew away from the city. Bran watched it leave with a shrug, it was none of his business.

Ignoring the portal, he turned around and began to walk home. There was a surge of energy behind him as a man with slicked green hair, large green glasses, and a damaged lab coat appeared behind him.

"I've made it!" shouted the man, laughing hysterically. "I've made it to a new reality! Already, I see the signs. A new species of Pokémon stands before me! I, Branch Chief Faba of the-"

Bran turned around, his armor crumbling around him as his mask faded. "Excuse me?"

Faba looked at him, blinking multiple times. "Most intriguing. Who and what are you?"

"I'm a human being, what else would I be?"

"And yet you-"

He was cut off as another man fell out of the portal, crashing into him. This man was also wearing a lab coat. This man, however, wore his lab coat open. Underneath it was a red and blue hoodie with a weird red and blue polygonal Pokémon Bran didn't recognize. Unlike Faba's glasses, this man wore normal round glasses over his blue eyes, long dark hair framing his face.

"Gladio?" asked Faba, pushing the second scientist off of him.

"Faba! You're alive! I'm alive!" shouted Gladio, helping Faba to his feet. "Why would you do that? No one knew what would happen if someone jumped into an Ultra Wormhole without any sort of protection, you could've died!"

"Yet, we're both here," said Faba in a rude tone. "Falling into the portal was inevitable, you said so yourself. Everyone must take risks for the sake of furthering their own dreams. You're too young to realize that Gladio."

Gladio shook his head. "There's still time, Faba. We can go back."

"You can go back, Gladio. There are still more things to discover here. Take this man for example, he wields power akin to Pokémon! This is a world in which the laws of nature are far from our own! Don't you wish to know more Gladio?"

Gladio sighed. "Of course I want to learn more. If what you say is true then we could learn so many things about this world, other worlds, and Ultra Space itself. But we have to take caution! It's not worth losing someone, even if they're fully willing to sacrifice their life. They're too many unknowns Faba, we don't know what could happen. No one knows we're here-"

"I don't mean to interrupt," said Bran. "But your portal is closing."

"Come on Faba!" pleaded Gladio, reaching for the man. "We have to go before it's too late!"

Faba shook his head. "It's not possible, Gladio. The portal is only one way. In fact, I'm surprised-"

Suddenly, large pieces of building material and lab technology came flooding through the portal. Both Gladio and Faba were knocked backwards as rubble came crashing over them.

Bran pulled them from out of the rubble, stone surrounding his arms as he picked them up. Gladio coughed as the dusted himself, looking at Bran.

"So, you really do have abilities," he said in wonder. "Thank you for the help."

"Don't thank me," said Bran, turning around. "I just happened to be around. Sorry about your portal though."

Gladio turned around, realizing with a feeling of horror that Bran was right. He looked over at Faba but found that the man was unconscious.

"H-Hold on!" said Gladio, picking Faba up and pulling the man over his shoulder. "Where exactly are we?"

"An abandoned part of city. You have two options in this scenario. Find a place to hide from the people in black suits or get to the populated city and try and see if you can find a place to live."

"People in black suits?"

"Some sort of government group. They're strict and controlling, you'd be better off staying clear from them."

"I'm not from this world," explained Gladio. "I could really use a lot of help right now."

Bran sighed. "This world is a dangerous place, for both regular people and Chosen. You'd be better off pretending as if you never met me."

"Who are the Chosen?"

"People who receive the abilities of Legendary Pokémon, granting them abilities. We're hunted by the black suits simply for existing. Anybody affiliated with them are punished as well."

"So, what do I do?"

"Either find a place to hide, or get to civilization, which is west of here. Don't stay out past eight, and don't interact with anyone in black suits. Now, pretend you never met me. I'm sorry if I sound selfish, but things are better this way. You better start going, no doubt the black suits are going to be swarming this place soon."

Gladio nodded thanks, turning around as Bran left. First, he'd follow this man's advice and get as far as he could. Once Faba woke up, he'd have a very, very long talk.

Selena walked down the street, singing to herself. She had finally been able to go on a mission, albeit a boring one. She was to investigate an Ultra Wormhole that appeared a few hours ago.

Then again, anything could appear from an Ultra Wormhole. People, things, and perhaps even an Ultra Beast. After all, the Ideal One found one the last time a portal event happened, so why shouldn't she? The most pretty, talented, and deserving individual in the Gloom Organization.

She paused her signing as she heard voices floating down the street. Were they more Pokémon? After all, she'd encountered a few scattered groups of Pokémon here and there. However, these voices weren't as loud or angry.

Following the voices, she saw two men walking down the street. Both of them were wearing lab coats with a golden insignia that she didn't recognize. Both men noticed her as well, pausing their discussion.

"Now, would you look at that," she sang, half to herself. "What are two scientists doing around the site of an Ultra Wormhole? By the looks of it, you don't work for the Gloom Organization."

Faba responded before Gladio. "H-hello! I'm Jonathan Turner, and this is my son Scott. We're private researchers for a small institute called Cosmos Research Lab. We were sent to investigate the appearance of an Ultra Wormhole."

He and Gladio had rehearsed this response earlier just in case. Due to the nature of alternate universes, there was a possibility that another Aether Foundation existed with another Branch Chief Faba. By disguising their true identities, they lowered the risk of any questions being raised.

"Ooh," said Selena, slowly approaching them. "That must make you feel soooo important, liar."

"I assure you-"

"Don't try it," said Selena, the strings around her glowing. "Your act may fool some ordinary peon, but not me."

She twirled around and stopped in front of Faba, her eyes glittering dangerously. "The only scientists around here are the ones who work for the Gloom Organization, all others have been jailed at this point. It's even against our law to be here. Now, try again."

Faba took a step back, pulling out a pokéball. "Get back, Gladio. Go, Reuniclus!"

Selena's eyebrows rose as she leapt back, the membrane-bound Pokémon appearing in a flash of light.

"Reuniclus, use Focus Blast!"

Gladio looked at Faba in surprise, wondering why he would order his Pokémon to attack someone. However, his surprise gave way to wonder as the girl produced a peach-shaped shell that blocked the attack.

"I knew it," said Faba. "You're one of the Chosen Gladio told me about."

The girl giggled. "Indeed I am. You've piqued my interest, Jonathan. Not only did you lie to me about the name of your 'son', but you also wielded Pokémon. Regular Pokémon, to be exact. Tell me, how do you control Pokémon without sorcery?"

The Reuniclus made a shriek-like noise, causing Selena to giggle again.

"Oh, how cute. You're telling me that he doesn't own you, but instead you work together as friends? That's honestly so adorable and backwards at the same time. Tell me, where do you come from?"

Faba's eyes widened. He hadn't realized that this girl would be able to communicate with his Pokémon. The last thing they needed was for his well-intentioned Pokémon to give them away.

"Wait-"

Selena glared at him, dark purple chains appearing and wrapping around Faba. The man opened his mouth but fell silent almost immediately.

"Speak only when you're spoken to."

Faba's Reuniclus tried to attack, but Selena summoned multiple chains to force it to the ground, poisoning the Pokémon at the same time.

Gladio took a step back, looking around for something to defend himself. "What did you do to them?"

Selena turned on him, a cruel smile on his face. "Oh, they're fine. Why don't you tell him, Faba?"

Faba turned to face Gladio, a content smile on his face. "Don't worry Gladio, everything will be fine. I am perfectly happy serving master Selena. The prettiest, most deserving girl in the world."

Gladio took more steps back. "No… this isn't right! You're controlling him!"

Selena giggled. "What makes it wrong? Who are you to decide what I do and what I don't do? I'm Selena, one of The Consumer's council members, Chosen of Pecharunt. I can do whatever I want."

Gladio shook his head. "No, you can't. You're just a little girl who had a taste of power. You're not deserving of power, not if this is what you use it for. You're just petty, a petty little bully."

Selena paused, her anger rising. "You don't talk to me like that! You're nothing! You have no power, no ability, nothing! You're just… just… you're just a useless, undeserving… thing!"

Chains appeared all around Gladio, trapping him in place. He could feel the control over his body slipping away as his body began contorting painfully.

"I'll make you suffer!" she shouted, a red aura surrounding her. "Turning you into a puppet or killing you won't satisfy me, not after what you said."

Another chain appeared, this one glowing purple. Unable to avoid it, the chain thrust itself through Gladio's chest as the other chains fell away.

Gladio felt a pain spread through his body as poison entered his bloodstream. Selena let him fall to the ground and approached him as Faba and his Reuniclus followed her like obedient puppets.

"I'd watch you die," said Selena, aiming a kick at his stomach. "But Faba's told me that there's an Ultra Beast flying around somewhere. I hope you enjoy suffering."

She turned on her sparkly heels and walked away, leaving Gladio on the ground. Despite all the pain he was going through, he tried forcing himself to stand, to do something. He couldn't let this girl escape, not with Faba.

But alas, his efforts were useless. He collapsed to the ground, his vision fading to dark.

Wake up, Gladio Turner. You are undeserving of this fate.

Gladio's eyes weakly opened, red and blue entering his vision. He tried remembering where he was, but the overwhelming pain he felt clouded his thoughts.

A man who fought against fate, who fought to save others, a man who fought for his belief. Your heart wishes to change injustices that affect others, yet your body is weak.

"What can I do?" asked Gladio, unable to see who was speaking.

I will confer upon you a way to fight for what you believe in. Your will is strong, Gladio Turner. I, Deoxys, shall bestow upon you my power and name you, my champion.

A blue hand reached down upon Gladio as a glow surrounded him. Suddenly, he no longer felt the pain of the poison as a change overcame him. He was able to open his eyes fully and see the Legendary Pokémon standing over him.

"What… happened to me?" asked Gladio, newfound strength coursing through his body.

I have saved your life and overturned the fate destined to you. By choosing you, I was able to rewrite your DNA and restore the cells dying within your body. While the poison is still currently affecting you, your body should be able to resist it and become immune to it. Should you encounter Pecharunt's champion again, she will not be able to affect you like she did before.

"You… rewrote my DNA?" asked Gladio, a bit worried.

It was to save your life. As you become more familiar with my power, you should be able to do it as well. This will allow you to reach new heights as you continue your battle against injustices within this world.

"What should I do next? How can I get my friend and I back to our world once all of this is over?"

Fight the Gloom Organization and defeat The Consumer. The pathway back to your world will be revealed along your journey. Seek out allies to help you on your mission, for this is an undertaking that should not be done alone.

Gladio nodded, he knew exactly where to start. "Thank you Deoxys. Everything seems so strange in this new world. But I will save Faba and defeat this Consumer."

I will not withhold any information. The path ahead will be wrought with strife. No one, not even I, will blame you if you choose not to follow through.

Gladio shook his head. "That won't be a problem. I am ready."