A Charge Beam erupted from Arceus's mouth, the blinding light exploding near the front of the Plasma Frigate. Trainers and Pokémon scrambled to evade the blast, shielding their eyes from the swirling dust and debris that filled the air.

In the wake of the explosion, a wave of Pokémon surged forward to form a united front against the godly force. Ice and rock collided with blinding beams of fire and water, while psychic waves and ghostly energies mingled in a fierce display of power. Attacks of every type erupted from the trainers' Pokémon, creating an explosive energy that they hurled at Arceus with their combined might.

Pain split through Arceus's forehead upon impact, forcing them to collapse to their knees. "Attack!" a distant voice screamed, sending a flood of enemies barreling through the forest toward them.

Fool-hearted creations. Did they not see that victory was impossible? With a surge of psychic energy, Arceus seized a nearby Azurill and hurled it into the trees, the small Pokémon vanishing among the branches with a startled squeak. In a blur of motion, they flashed around to intercept a storm of enemies approaching from their flank. Ice touched by their Extreme Speed exploded on impact, scattering shards across the landscape.

"Espeon, use Psybeam!" Christoph shouted, urgency lacing his voice. N's Ninetales took up the rear, its flames dancing.

The air crackled with energy as Espeon released a beam of psychic light, slicing through the mayhem. It collided with Arceus's chest, the impact sending a shockwave through the ground that sent bolts of pain down their legs and hooves. Ninetale's flames erupted in a swirling inferno, burning the nearby trees as a volley of fireballs erupted from its great tails and peppered Arceus' face and back with burning wounds. Smoke filled the air as branches burned.

Ghetsis raised a gloved fist. "Hydreigon, use Outrage!" Great bursts of power erupted from the dragon's body and hurtled toward Arceus. The ground trembled, but Arceus shook the pain from their body and summoned a shield of psychic energy, a shimmering barrier that absorbed the impact. As Outrage collided with Reflect, the protective shield erupted into billions of sparkling lights, scattering like stars.

Arceus closed their eyes, focusing inward as they pulled energy from the air around them. Little white bursts resembling tiny cotton balls gathered, swirling gently before touching their wounded skin. Miraculously, the burns and cuts began to heal, the pain fading away as the godly energy coursed through them.

Ghetsis, relentless and furious, shouted another command. "Hydreigon, again! Don't let up!" The dragon roared, summoning a new wave of energy as it prepared for another attack.

It was backed by a dozen Pokémon, then two dozen. More and more Pokémon hurled themselves at Arceus as the trainers and civilians of Himualu joined ranks with Team Plasma, their combined might attacking from every possible angle. Birds dove from the sky, their beaks aiming for the god's head, while ground types shattered the earth beneath them.

A Lucario charged forward, its aura flaring brightly as it collided with Arceus's chest, sending them hurtling backward with a grunt. Just as it regained its footing, a Zoroark sprang from the shadows, its form shifting seamlessly as it launched a Fury Swipes attack. Claws of darkness raked across Arceus's side, blooming blood that flowed as starlight from their cuts.

"Now, Sven!" Christoph shouted, urging the fiery pup into action. Arcanine leaped into the fray, its mane igniting like a flame as it unleashed an Inferno. The scorching fire engulfed Arceus, spreading fire to more trees, but the godly figure shook off the flames as if they were mere embers.

"Zavied, use Hydro Pump!" N commanded. The water-type Pokémon rose on its back legs, the shell on its head gleaming. With a powerful blast, it unleashed a torrent of water that crashed into Arceus, the sheer force staggering the deity and forcing them to take a step back.

But they were far from defeated. Gathering energy, Arceus unleashed a devastating Flash Cannon that erupted from its mouth, a radiant beam of light heading straight for the assembled Pokémon. Lucario, Zoroark, and Arcanine quickly dodged to the side, while Samurott braced itself, launching a Protect just in time to shield against the blast.

"Together!" Christoph called. Lucario focused its energy, charging a powerful Aura Sphere, while Zoroark created an illusion to confuse Arceus, making it seem as though multiple copies of itself were surrounding them.

With a roar, Arcanine joined in, launching a second Inferno, combining its flames with Lucario's Aura Sphere in a brilliant explosion of fire and energy. The combined attack struck true and enveloped Arceus in a searing embrace.

The pain was blinding. They roared as they were propelled backward through the pine needles and dust until they collided with a massive tree. A small branch swept across their face, swiping a cut across their eye. As the smoke began to clear, Arceus tilted their head to the heavens and called for healing.

"This isn't working," Christoph growled. "Arceus knows Recover and Healing Wish. No matter how much we attack, it just heals itself again."

They groaned, shaking their great body as they leeched life from the trees and earth. Their skin felt like it was bubbling, but the ache of ripped flesh against the open air receded as their wounds started to stitch together again.

Desperation laced Christoph's voice as he threw his arm in front of his eyes to shield them from flying debris. "Can't you talk to it? You have the ability to talk to Pokemon."

"Arceus is in a rage," N replied with a shake of his head. "It's tucked Rosa into the back of its consciousness to protect her, and unless we can calm it down somehow, it will destroy everything. We've already wiped out half the forest."

More Pokémon surrounded them, each launching a new onslaught of attacks. Arceus sprang back to their feet, narrowly avoiding being bashed in the head by an enormous boulder hurled by a Steelix.

Wave after wave of humans and pokemon approached them, but they would not be defeated. The humans would pay for their betrayal. The weight of their actions, and the earned consequences, would echo through the very fabric of the word. With each strike, their message rang louder – the god of creation would not be controlled.

The X on their body glowed brilliantly, drawing in the ambient light, and they focused that energy to unleash a powerful wave of Judgement. Radiant beams of energy lit every pore of their body, preparing to blast back the army of enemies.

As they closed their eyes to unleash their power, a familiar melody drifted on the wind, threading its way through the trees. The notes were beautiful and clear, dancing and swaying like a gentle breeze, a sweet male voice that halted them in their tracks. Deep within their heart, something pulsed quietly.

"Lavender's blue, dilly dilly, lavender's green. When I am king, dilly dilly, you shall be queen..."

They turned their head, searching through the tumult for the source of the sound. A powerful jet of water splashed across their face, and they growled and shook their head in irritation. The X of light glowed brighter in response to their rising anger.

"Wait, stop! Call off your Pokémon!" a voice shouted, cutting through the noise.

"Who told you so, dilly dilly, who told you so? Twas my own heart, dilly dilly, that told me so."

They blinked, the song pulling their attention once more. Eyes scanning the throng of humans and Pokémon, they finally locked onto a familiar figure. The blond-haired trainer was perched atop a low-hanging tree branch at eye-level about ten feet away. Determination etched his features as he began to sing again, and they held their breath.

"Call up your men, dilly dilly, set them to work. Some to the plow, dilly dilly, some to the fork. Some to make hay, dilly dilly, some to cut corn, while you and I dilly, dilly, keep ourselves warm."

Deep within Arceus's consciousness, Rosa stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She blinked rapidly, feeling around in the darkness as she oriented herself. Adjacent to her cell was another occupant. A girl, her age, knelt with one side of her face visible, clutching the bars of her steel prison with her eyes gazing through Arceus's. Those eyes shone a deep, captivating blue. As Rosa stared in wonder, the girl turned her head and her brunette ponytail swung behind her. Tears streaked down her fair face.

This is my papa's song, she whispered, a serene smile gracing her lips as she tilted her head to listen. He used to sing it to me so I could fall asleep. I haven't heard it since I was a little girl.

"Lavender's green, dilly dilly, lavender's blue. If you love me, dilly dilly, I will love you. Let the birds sing, dilly dilly, let the lambs play. We shall be safe dilly dilly, out of harm's way."

Rosa's own eyes filled with tears as she reached her hand through the bars to touch Touko's bare skin. It was warm and solid, just like her own. Through Arceus's eyes, she could see Christoph clinging to the branches of a pine tree, his beautiful face set in a mask of unwavering resolve. She'd known he had wanted to be an idol, but he hadn't been able to sing since his father had died. Yet here he was, singing again.

Singing for her.

Touko, she said, sliding her hand down to grasp the girl's fingers with her own. Touko turned her head, finally meeting Rosa's gaze. An array of freckles speckled Touko's nose and cheeks. She was stunningly beautiful, and as familiar to Rosa as her own reflection in the mirror. We have to stop Arceus before he destroys everything. The people we love need us. Will you help me?

Touko returned her grip, and she nodded as she swiped at her eyes with the back of her wrist. I'm with you. Always.

Giving Rosa's fingers one final squeeze, Touko extended both of their hands out into the darkness, searching. Rosa felt the chill of their confinement and the oppressive weight of their prison walls. But as they explored the emptiness together, Rosa's fingers brushed against something—an energy of sorts, a weak link in the chain that kept them tucked away. They grasped it together, feeling its difference wrap in and around and through their joined hands.

Gritting their teeth, they pushed against the energy. It curved beneath them, holding firm under the pressure of their combined effort. Rosa breathed deeply through her nose, a groan escaping her lips as she felt the resistance. It did not yield, and she again watched Christoph through Arceus' mind, letting it fuel her. With a fierce exhale she leaned her weight into the link they shared, using every ounce of strength.

Let us out, Arceus, Rosa pleaded as she and Touko strained against the force binding them.

Not all of the humans have harmed us, Touko said through clenched teeth as she shoved at the energy binding the doorway. You have to let them go. Please.

"I love to dance, dilly dilly, I love to sing. When I am king, dilly dilly, you'll be my queen. Who told me so, dilly dilly, who told me so? I told myself, dilly dilly, I told me so."

Children of my heart. Arceus' voice echoed through their prison. These humans seek to destroy the agency of man. You would ask for their release after all they have done?

Rosa felt the energy swirling within Arceus fade, little by little. She leaned against the link, gasping for air as exhaustion threatened to overtake her. The human man singing is the one I love most, she said between ragged breaths. He has sacrificed everything for me, I cannot be without him. Please give me back.

With each word, she poured her heart into the bond, willing Arceus to understand the depth of her feelings. She could still hear Christoph's voice, rich with emotion, weaving through the darkness around them. Touko's feelings for N joined the fray, her pleas joining Rosa's. Together, they flooded their love and devotion down their connection to their god, urging it to listen, to feel, to release them from their chains.

Gathering every ounce of strength they had left, the girls thrust their will into the weakened link. The energy holding their consciousness hostage bent under the pressure, then snapped, shattering the confines that had kept them trapped. A blinding light enveloped them, and Rosa felt a rush of freedom as she was swept from the darkness of captivity into the sunlight.

She groaned as her body materialized on the frozen ground, her cheek pressed into a pile of pine needles. The feeling of sensation was incredible; the smell of ash, the kiss of the breeze caressing her skin, the chill of the dirt beneath her. As she tried to sit up, pain ricocheted through her head, and she winced. Something wet drizzled from her nose down to her lips, and she sputtered as the metallic taste of blood blossomed on her tongue.

Touko? she called, searching her mind anxiously.

I am here, the sweet voice assured her, and Rosa's head fell back against the ground.

In a flash, Christoph appeared, his face contorted with emotions he fought to conceal. As he gathered her into his arms and pressed her head into her chest, they spilled down his cheeks.

"Rosa," he sobbed, clutching her tightly as he rocked her back and forth. The metal collar rubbed against her neck, but she was too caught up in watching his face to mind. "I love you so much. Thank Arceus. I love you." His voice trembled, the relief palpable as he held her close and buried his face in her hair.

She tried to say it back, but couldn't seem to find the strength. Her eyelids felt so incredibly heavy. Rosa blinked up at Christoph and lifted a hand to brush his tears away, and he caught her hand and pressed it to his lips. Blood smeared his face, arms and chest, and she realized it was hers.

"No!" she heard a deep voice growl. Rosa lifted her eyes, searching for the source, and spotted Ghetsis standing at the edge of the massive crater carved into the earth by what she assumed was one of Arceus's Hyper Beams. Arceus loomed before him, its great green eyes locked onto its target. Though she could no longer hear its thoughts, she sensed the intensity of its purpose as it closed in on Ghetsis.

On either side of the standoff, civilians and Plasma members alike stood frozen, the battlefield steeped in a tense silence. Rosa's heart swelled with relief when she spotted Hugh, his chains finally released, being supported by N. They hobbled toward her and Christoph, Hugh's hooded eyes so perfectly, wonderfully aware. She briefly wondered if he had been reunited with his pokemon.

The world titled, and though she blinked hard, the dizziness only worsened. Christoph dabbed frantically at her bloody nose and shouted something, but she couldn't seem to focus on anything besides her own shallow breathing. She fought for oxygen, pulling with her might, but couldn't seem to get enough. Her hands felt clammy against Christoph's cheek, and she could see his face pale with something far from the relief he'd worn seconds ago. His eyebrows knitted together, and panic radiated from him as he screamed, clutching her so tightly it felt like he might crush her. His fingers moved frantically through her hair.

Don't close your eyes, Rosa. Touko's voice was barely audible. You have to stay awake.

Something soft and fluffy brushed against her face and hands, a familiar sensation that brought a flicker of warmth. But as her eyes fluttered closed, she realized she no longer had the strength to reopen them. Something pressed into her stomach, and she thought she recognized it as Gaston's nose, nudging her gently as he had done countless times before.

Then, there was nothing. Nothing at all.