A mutation—wasn't this exactly what happened to the people and Pokémon on Sunburst Island?
Before setting out to intercept Archer at sea, she had already confirmed through Raikou and the League's intelligence that this mutation was caused by a virus, the same sinister presence that Ho-Oh had sensed as a grave threat.
And that meant it was the very virus now infecting the Celebi it had possessed.
So, other Celebi had already been infected? And the infection had made them strong enough to battle Mythical Pokémon on equal footing?
"Guardian of the Seas, what is this vision you're showing me?"
"This is something that happened in another world," said Lugia, its voice resonating through the space. "Palkia often traverses dimensions, communicating with its counterparts in alternate worlds. Among them are the homeworlds of the Ultra Beasts, as well as this world—one that has been completely consumed by the sinister force."
Another world…
Could this be the world where those warriors from Cerulean City's future had come from?
Back when Ash and Misty returned, Anabel had not been present on Mt. Silver, so she hadn't had the chance to speak to him directly. However, as one of the League's highest-ranking elites, she had the authority to know all classified details of the incident.
"The destruction of a world's ecosystem doesn't usually affect others," Lugia continued, "unless the source of destruction finds a way to breach the dimensional barrier."
"Unfortunately, not long ago, space itself trembled. A foreign biological entity—one that does not belong to this world—was introduced into it."
"Are you saying the virus that destroyed the other world was deliberately sent here?" Anabel immediately caught the key point in Lugia's words.
"That's correct. This entity surpasses the natural order of this world. It is not bound by its rules and evaded Palkia's watchful gaze, allowing it to enter undetected."
For the first time, there was an unusual shift in Lugia's tone—one of genuine unease.
"At the time, this foreign entity was so small and fragile that mere sunlight could have eradicated it. No one paid it any mind. But in less than a month, it has expanded at an alarming rate, displaying powerful ecological disruption. Compared to the Flame of Civilization, it is still minuscule, but it has already become a substantial threat."
"Then why haven't you intervened?" Anabel asked in confusion. From her battle with Archer, she knew the virus had already become powerful enough that even someone of her caliber could not completely eradicate it. But if Mythical Pokémon were to step in, surely humanity could bear whatever price came with their intervention.
"After the last catastrophe—when Kyogre and Groudon clashed and brought civilization to ruin—we established a pact under Arceus' decree. Unless the crisis threatens our own existence, we are not to directly interfere with humanity's development." Lugia explained.
Anabel slowly nodded in understanding.
It made sense. The Mythical Pokémon were simply too powerful. If their conflicts were triggered by human actions, humanity itself would suffer catastrophic collateral damage.
Confidential records suggested that the last battle between Kyogre and Groudon had been ignited by warring human tribes—one worshipping Groudon as the Lord of the Land and the other revering Kyogre as the Emperor of the Ocean. Their escalating conflict eventually drew both Mythical Pokémon into the fray.
In the end, their battle was halted by the Sky Guardian, Rayquaza, and both slumbered in fury. But the shockwaves of their clash wiped out the very civilizations that had incited the war, even splitting continents apart.
Some geologists even theorized that Hoenn and Sinnoh were once connected to the Kanto-Johto landmass before being torn apart by the battle.
"Then what do you want me to do?" Anabel asked directly.
Though Lugia had declared it wouldn't intervene, it had still summoned her—meaning it had something in mind.
After all, Mythical Pokémon could still exert influence over human affairs through indirect means.
Just like Ho-Oh—though it rarely appeared itself, it sent its emissaries into the world, and centuries ago, it had resurrected three fallen Pokémon in front of humans, transforming them into Legendary Beasts. This act alone left a lasting imprint on human consciousness.
To this day, Ecruteak City still upheld the Bell Tower as a sacred site, with monks dedicated to Ho-Oh's worship.
"I know you are the leader of humanity's resistance against the Ultra Beast organization," Lugia said, its deep black eyes locking onto hers. "For the sake of this world, I want you to make a contribution."
"I am willing to give everything for this world."
Anabel had already lost her body—what else did she have to lose?
"Open an Ultra Wormhole. Cast every creature infected by the virus into another dimension."
What…?
Celebi's pupils constricted in shock.
Expel every infected being into an alternate dimension?
But while the Ultra Space had its dangers, it was also home to human civilizations and Pokémon. Wouldn't that doom another world in the process?
"Why don't we simply eradicate the infected outright?" Anabel asked urgently.
If Lugia had the power to gather the infected in one place, then surely it could just destroy them outright. Why the need to send them away?
"This involves forces beyond your understanding," Lugia replied cryptically. It did not elaborate further. Instead, it simply asked, "If doing this requires your sacrifice, will you accept?"
Anabel fell silent.
She was not afraid of sacrificing herself.
But could she truly justify destroying another world to save her own?
Lugia did not press her for an answer. Instead, it spoke in its usual calm tone:
"Take your time to consider. If you accept, come to Mt. Coronet in seven days."
With that, Lugia's towering, hundred-meter form slowly descended beneath the surface of the Azure Lake, vanishing from sight.
...
Boom!
A rocket-propelled grenade shot into the sky, striking the foot of the Aerodactyl. The explosion sent shards of stone flying in all directions.
The Aerodactyl let out a furious screech, its crimson eyes scanning the ground below. A powerful surge of energy rippled through its body, condensing into a barrage of razor-sharp stones that rained down like a deadly storm.
Had it not been driven to rage, it would never have used such a wide-range attack—one that could kill intruders but also harm its fellow wild Pokémon.
Though Aerodactyl and its kind preyed on other Pokémon for sustenance, they did so only out of necessity. Unlike humans, who raised animals in captivity for mass slaughter, Pokémon in the wild only hunted when they were hungry. Even if a Spoink—one of its favorite meals—were to bounce right past it, Aerodactyl wouldn't attack unless it needed food.
The stone barrage crashed into the ground, tearing up earth and rock. Cracks split across the battlefield, while several trucks and weapons belonging to Team Rocket and the Syndicate were reduced to scrap metal…
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