Lost contact again.

The AI computer found it highly peculiar. Ever since it dispatched the Iron Jugulis units to destroy Iron Valiant, they’d gone completely dark.

The plan to capture the human had failed, and both Iron Valiant and the Iron Jugulis corps were missing. To identify the problem and complete the mission, it had no choice but to send out the freshly modified “Iron Leaves.”

Yet that one had gone missing as well!

The last transmission reported the discovery of the human’s hideout together with Iron Valiant and Duraludon, followed by an assault… and then all comms cut off instantly.

A weapon remodeled from a Legendary Pokémon couldn’t possibly be felled in a single blow… right?

After multiple calculations, the AI judged such an outcome “impossible.”

That was the newest model of weaponry!

However, while the probability was small, it wasn’t zero.

A sense of crisis rippled through the AI computer. It began mobilizing many more “modified organisms.” Legions of “mechanical servitors,” mass-produced imitations of human machinery, marched out of the lab—led by a silver “Iron Valiant.”

“T-1006-02!”

The AI issued orders to this “shiny Iron Valiant”: “T-1010 Iron Leaves has lost contact, likely defeated by a defective unit. You are ordered to lead the mechanical servitor army, immediately initiate a third disposal of the defective unit, and capture the anomalous human.”

To ensure the shiny Iron Valiant had sufficient fighting power, the AI released two newly modified Pokémon from the lab.

They resembled “Hariyama” in mechanical form: more like cyborg sumo wrestlers with pointed heads and tremendous strength. Gigantic hands floated at their sides, able to hurl high-speed vehicles great distances!

T-992 — Iron Hands! Modified from a severely injured athlete on the brink of death!

The shiny Iron Valiant acknowledged the command, then advanced with ranks of robots and the two Iron Hands. But before they even exited the lab, deafening bombardments erupted outside!

Ten Hyper Beams obliterated the lab’s surface defenses. High-energy lightning and rays raked the area. A massive green, iron-plated behemoth appeared in the mechanical metropolis!

It was the “Super Tyranitar M·B” that Hikaru and the Paradox Pokémon had built together!

In sci-fi movies, this thing could even be stored in a Poké Ball like a Pokémon, its underlying principles a total mystery.

For now, although Hikaru could fabricate Paradox Pokémon using future tech, rare materials, and special energy, the conditions were still stringent. It was impossible to make this thing into a “steel version of Iron Thorns” that could be freely carried around in a Poké Ball.

But making Super Tyranitar use certain Pokémon-style moves—totally doable!

The Heart of the Giant—an ability to charge Pokémon with natural energy!

“Machine or not, it might keep evolving over time. Who knows—maybe the Iron Thorns that appears a billion years from now evolved from this guy!”

“Use Stone Edge!”

Hikaru piloted Super Tyranitar. The colossal iron giant roared as its core overloaded. Rock-type energy gathered from the surrounding nature, condensing into countless razor-edged monoliths that blasted forth unstoppably!

The Iron Jugulis spewed scorching Hyper Beams; Duraludon fired Flash Cannon and Thunder; and a lithe figure sprinted across the battlefield!

Iron Leaves. Its icy eyes mirrored the fight; fragments of its past returned. Though shattered, the memories coalesced—remembering what it once was.

Virizion. That strange name—its former self. Perhaps it had been rebuilt from Virizion, or perhaps it was a mechanical Pokémon remade from Virizion’s genetic data.

The genes of that legendary Swordsman burned within. Even if it was machine—cold steel—its ardent heart, after long years, began to beat again.

Memories restored, emotions reclaimed, even… a heart mended from cracks.

Only one task remained: vengeance against the mad scientist who had modified it—or created it.

Thus Iron Leaves joined the human’s coalition. These machine Pokémon, each having found a “heart,” gathered and launched the Iron Rebellion!

[Target defensive layer destroyed. High-energy signatures detected.]

Iron Valiant rode upon Iron Leaves, like a paladin of antiquity—save that both their bodies and hearts were forged of steel.

Mm, though they’d become “cavalry,” no special “Form-Unity” ability triggered. Honestly, that kind of gimmick existed for gameplay; in real combat, two Pokémon acting in tandem already use their own Abilities freely.

Iron Valiant mounted on Iron Leaves… “Iron Lord,” perhaps?

“Good—charge straight in! Wipe them all out in one go!”

Ledyba sat in Super Tyranitar’s cockpit, transformed into a bloodthirsty spectator, cheering loudly; the earlier cowardice was gone!

After hiding in this future world for so long, it could finally strut! That damned tech lab… and those deranged robots—it was time to smash them!

Hikaru’s mind linked with all Pokémon. Meanwhile, a second Iron Valiant appeared within the lab whose barrier had been breached.

A silver body, unpainted—every shiny future form looked like this. Upon spotting Unit 01, Unit 02 said nothing, simply igniting its light blade!

Quark Drive—activate!

A surge of power erupted without even needing Electric Terrain, and the two Iron Hands beside her also triggered Quark Drive!

Unlike previous deployments, these Paradox Pokémon carried a special item this time!

“Booster Energy!” Hikaru’s eyes lit up.

That item should normally be obtained in Area Zero’s research facilities.

But considering Professor Sada could synthesize it, wild Paradox Pokémon could carry it, and “paradox” itself defied logic—it wasn’t surprising no matter who developed it.

And this was precisely the Future Energy needed to re-link the Time Machine!

At that moment, the lab’s AI saw the scene outside and was stunned. Even though mechanized, its information stream spiked violently, the mad scientist’s personality shard seemingly still lingering.

The lost mechanical Pokémon had not only reappeared—they had defected!

Even the newest weapon just developed had done the same. How was that possible?!

“02, use Dazzling Gleam!”

The scientist AI issued the order. The shiny Iron Valiant took aim at the Iron Jugulis. Fey light began to gather—only to be severed the next instant by Unit 01’s slash!

[Defective unit… must be eliminated immediately.]

The shiny Iron Valiant possessed no heart—pure battle machine. It swung its light blade. The Iron Leaves beneath Iron Valiant vaulted forward, unleashing a powerful Psychic strike!

Psyblade!

A fierce psychic halo split the very air, an invisible edge cleaving the foe. When under Electric Terrain, its power becomes 1.5×.

Iron Valiant simultaneously set Electric Terrain!

The overwhelming psychic attack drove Unit 02 skidding backward!

[Power output exceeds standard capacity!]

Unit 02 staggered, eyes scrolling calculations: [Theoretically impossible.]

[Iron Hands—immediately encircle and attack!]

The two Iron Hands slapped their torsos, maxing their stats!

Belly Drum!

Focus Punch!

Two slab-like iron fists crashed in from both flanks toward Iron Leaves!

Iron Hands’ floating palms could strike forward with immense force and speed—its attack pattern nearly the same as Hariyama’s!

Even though Iron Leaves double-resisted Fighting, the Iron Hands had fully boosted; a +6 double Focus Punch would flatten anything, no matter how sturdy.

Meanwhile, Super Tyranitar was tearing through the robot army, and Hikaru relayed an order to Iron Leaves—

Substitute!

Illusory doubles of Iron Leaves and Iron Valiant were struck—and popped like bubbles a heartbeat later.

Invulnerable Substitutes could dodge many out-of-the-box attacks. In the next instant, as the two Iron Hands tried to act again, Iron Leaves suppressed them—

“Quash,” came Hikaru’s mental command.

Quash, a Dark-type move: forces the target to act last this turn if it hasn’t moved yet.

The two Iron Hands froze mid-motion, bodies locked. Then Iron Leaves threw back its head.

Attack and Defense rose for Iron Valiant, Iron Leaves, the Iron Jugulis, and Duraludon alike! Coaching!

Iron Valiant’s blade flashed—two psychic slashes swung in blinding succession, striking both Iron Hands!

Psycho Cut! The embodied blade of the heart cleaved them—more likely to land critical hits!

She followed instantly with a Dazzling Gleam, blasting across the field!

The two boosted Iron Hands crashed to the floor with a boom!

Watching, Unit 02’s emotionless system still threw warnings. Yet retreat required orders, and without them, she stubbornly held the lab gate.

Iron Valiant dismounted Iron Leaves and walked up to Unit 02. Facing her “sister’s” guard and attacks, she made a choice: she ignored Hikaru’s instructions and took the initiative to use a move.

Unit 02’s body went rigid. The move she should have used was sealed off; the energy she’d gathered was locked. The same status applied to Unit 01.

Imprison.

If the opponent knows a move the user knows, only the opponent is prevented from using that move.

Both were Iron Valiant; their move lists were identical.

Shiny Iron Valiant: [Defective unit—what ability did you use?]

Iron Valiant: [Negative. I am not defective. My functions remain intact. I do not wish to cross blades with you.]

Shiny Iron Valiant: [As robots, we always prioritize the highest directive.]

Iron Valiant: [We are not robots. We are machine Pokémon.]

The shiny one tried to use moves, but Imprison bound them all. She stood there, unable to counter—until Iron Valiant attempted to slip past. Then Unit 02 reacted.

No moves—only a pure blade strike and a punch.

Unit 02 used Struggle.

The hit landed well. Iron Valiant staggered back a step—but only that.

No emotion flickered in Unit 02’s eyes. After the first blow came a second.

Iron Valiant: [Move recognized: Struggle. Attacking like this damages yourself.]

Shiny Iron Valiant: [If a robot is damaged, it will be repaired. Executing orders takes priority.]

Punch after punch hammered Unit 01. After a brief evaluation, Iron Valiant finally struck back—once.

Destiny Bond.

After using it, if the user faints from an opponent’s move, the opponent faints as well. Repeated use fails.

Thud. Both Iron Valiant units toppled simultaneously.

Calculations scrolled in Unit 02’s eyes: [If you had used a “super-effective move,” you could have felled me in one blow. That would be the most efficient solution. Why did you not?]

Unit 01 lay on the ground as well, data streaming through her eyes: [I do not wish to cross blades with you.]

For some reason, Duraludon’s earlier words resurfaced in her memory.

Kin?

Creatures that resembled oneself evoked innate familiarity—suggesting kin or close relation. For some Pokémon, perhaps the definition of “kin” was even broader.

So long as they were “Pokémon,” could they be kin?

Remembering the rusty rebar Duraludon had handed her, Unit 01 rose slowly, looked around, found a corroded bar, and offered it to Unit 02.

[Unable to understand. Meaning unclear,] Unit 02 replied.

After a brief contemplation, Unit 01 answered: [Rebar represents kinship.]

“Guhoo—?”

Duraludon clomped over and, hearing this, wore a look of sheer horror.

Wh-what?! You and rebar are kin?!

B-b-but I eat that every day! Can this be broadcast?! If I can’t scavenge anymore, you’re responsible!

Super Tyranitar strode up and recovered the two downed, offline Iron Hands into its abdomen.

[Iron Hands captured! Danger!]

Unit 02 emitted a danger alert on the spot.

“Congratulations. You’ve learned what a heart is.”

Hikaru stepped out from Super Tyranitar and looked at Iron Valiant Unit 01.

“For robots, what exactly is ‘heart’? That’s a massive philosophical question.”

“But refusing an order mid-battle is dangerous. It could get you damaged. Don’t do that again.”

Iron Valiant blinked: [Understood. But as a machine, even if damaged I can be repaired. There is no need to worry about me.]

She sheathed her energy blade, while a strange emotion swelled inside, spinning her cooling system up to high speed again.

An emotion of “concern” directed at a machine?

She had never felt this before.

So Iron Valiant tried to understand it.

In that instant, Unit 02 gathered power and suddenly lunged, swinging her energy blade—not at Unit 01, but straight at the Trainer!

A flood of anomalous data surged through Iron Valiant’s core processors. She detected Unit 02’s strike!

Before her system could respond, she moved—angling her body to block the blow before Hikaru could counter.

[You are defective… must be destroyed. Destroy…]

Unit 02’s voice was frigid. That strike spent the last of her power. She collapsed with a thud, the light fading from her pixel eyes.

Iron Valiant gazed quietly at her fallen sister. Confusion and sorrow flickered in her pixel eyes—but something deeper arose:

[Cooling system overload causing tremors… I perceive pain. A mechanical malfunction?]

Hikaru: “No. That’s heartache. Language can be an invisible blade that pierces the heart. Because we can feel, we know joy and suffering. Humans call the process of enduring that pain ‘growth.'”

“You see her as kin—perhaps as family. Family is the most basic form of love. But she has no emotions yet, so she can’t understand you—and so she spoke words that hurt your heart.”

“Love works like that—sharper even than hate. It’s a powerful, positive emotional and mental state. It arises from intimacy between people—or bonds between people and things.”

Hikaru felt as if he was instructing a brand-new life. It was a wondrous feeling.

Guiding her to a new world—and to a heart that had never existed before…

[Emotional samples recorded: heartache and love,] Iron Valiant blinked.

[I sense an issue with my cooling system… I understand now. The emotion called love generates heat. It is a previously unobserved, special energy-flow pattern.]

She understood why she had moved earlier—an action that exceeded the cold logic of her system, launched by heart and emotion.

The power of the heart overrode the system’s judgment—without creating conflict.

It was born of “love.”

Because she “loved” her kin before her. Considering that if her kin attacked the human, given the human’s strength, her kin would likely be felled and damaged—

Though she didn’t care about damage to herself, she was especially concerned about damage to her kin. That was the manifestation of “love.”

[Conclusion: Love brings warm attraction, intense passion, and selfless devotion. It is a potent emotional energy.]

Perhaps—

When Unit 02 raised her blade, certain frames flashed in Unit 01’s memory: the moment a human reached out to her.

Gratitude sprouted. Ancient genes influenced her judgment.

A marvelous emotion burst forth.

She had patched some gap outside the system.

Or perhaps the system itself had “evolved,” initiating self-iteration to satisfy the hollow heart?

Thus, as if to probe this feeling further, the bewildered Iron Valiant posed a question to Hikaru:

[I do not understand. If I now possess “love” for my kin, then what is the origin of this love?]

[If the emotion called “concern” is an expression of “love,”]

[Then if I hold such feeling for my kin—and for you as a human—does that mean I “love” you?]

[I wish to understand more. So, as a human—do you also hold “love” for me?]

Iron Valiant touched the hollow at her chest.

To emulate Gardevoir and Gallade, she too bore a pink protrusion at her breast. Gardevoir’s red crest senses the feelings of people and Pokémon—said to be a materialized heart. Iron Valiant’s, however, was hollow.

A feeling called “loss” arose within her.

She tried to understand it.

Hikaru mused softly:

“If you need to be loved… then I can try to love you, too.”

(End of Chapter)

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