The power of the Forbidden God Cage was simply beyond Pikachu's capacity to counter. Even if it unleashed its most devastating attack, Thunder Bomb, it wouldn't make a dent. Pikachu was too weak against a device of such caliber.
Lawrence had extensively tested the defensive capabilities of the Forbidden God Cage. Though he did not own a powerful Pokémon himself, his device had been stress-tested against anti-god weapons of his design.
By using footage from both the Championship Challenge and the World Championship, his AI had calculated that even so-called championship-level Pokémon couldn't scratch its defenses.
As the AI performed ongoing calculations, the stability of the Forbidden God Cage increased, solidifying Lawrence's confidence that it could imprison even the most legendary Pokémon.
While Pikachu had inherited power from the Three Illusionary Gods, giving it the potential to achieve mythical strength, it was still only a Silver-level Pokémon—far beneath the stature of titans like the Winged Dragon of Ra.
The Forbidden God Cage tightened its magnetic hold around Ash and Pikachu, lifting them toward the spacecraft.
Meanwhile, the two diamond-shaped devices initially targeting Zapdos were redirected, reducing the pressure on the legendary bird.
But Zapdos, running on fumes, lacked the energy to capitalize on the opportunity. Its brief recovery from its earlier slumber had been utterly consumed in its desperate struggle.
Now, helpless and drained, Zapdos was pulled toward the spacecraft, sharing the same grim fate.
The cage entered the ship through its base, the lotus-shaped opening sealing shut behind it.
The spacecraft ascended into the atmosphere, activating its optical camouflage, rendering it invisible to the naked eye as it vanished above the clouds.
"Next," Lawrence said, a smirk curling on his lips, "it's your turn, Ice God…"
A holographic 30x30 grid map flickered to life before him. At the center of the screen was a glowing blue bird icon, marking Articuno's location in the northernmost section of the Orange Islands.
With Zapdos captured, the imbalance in the ocean currents worsened. Lugia, attempting to stabilize the chaos, found itself overwhelmed.
The disruption triggered calamities across the globe—wild storms tore through the skies, towering tornadoes churned over the seas, and snow inexplicably blanketed arid deserts.
In contrast, snow-capped mountains were subjected to intense heatwaves, their glacial surfaces rapidly melting. It was as though the natural order of the world was unraveling.
Ordinary Pokémon, sensing the disturbance, began migrating toward the Orange Islands en masse, drawn by the escalating chaos.
The world watched in terror as legendary Pokémon across the globe stirred from their slumber, their instincts drawing them toward the source of the imbalance—the Orange Islands.
---
In the collection hall of the spacecraft, Ash and Pikachu observed their surroundings. Before them stood the captured Moltres, its once-brilliant flames dimmed, and the struggling Zapdos, barely conscious after its futile resistance.
"My instincts were right…" Ash murmured, his earlier premonitions at sea now confirmed.
"Moltres has been captured, and now Zapdos too. But how could they be caught so easily?" Ash questioned aloud, confusion etched on his face.
Given Zapdos's earlier display of power, it seemed implausible that such a being could be subdued so quickly.
"Are they really gods, or are the legends surrounding Shamouti Island just exaggerated?" Ash muttered, his doubt growing as he watched Zapdos collapse from exhaustion, slipping into a deep, involuntary sleep.
"Of course not…"
A deep voice interrupted Ash's thoughts.
Ash turned sharply to see a central pillar descending in the middle of the hall. At its summit sat a young man, his expression calm and collected. The man stood, stepping down from the elevated platform with an air of confidence.
"Oh? The first thing you wonder about isn't why I've brought you here, but the strength of the Gods?" he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Ash blinked, realizing he couldn't remember the man's name despite recognizing him from the stories.
"My name is Lawrence," the man said, striding toward the Forbidden God Cage that held Ash and Pikachu.
"But you may also call me…" He paused, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Collector."
"Lawrence… Collector…" Ash repeated, his tone neutral as his eyes studied the man. Questions swirled in Ash's mind, but he suspected that answers from this enigmatic figure would be elusive at best.
"Is there a problem?" Lawrence asked, feigning surprise at Ash's scrutinizing gaze.
Despite Ash being only eleven, there was a sharpness in his demeanor that intrigued Lawrence. This child wasn't cowering in fear or overwhelmed by curiosity; instead, he exuded determination and resolve.
"You said you'd answer my questions," Ash began, his voice steady.
Lawrence tilted his head, amusement glinting in his eyes.
"Interesting… I'll answer some of them," he said, nodding slightly. "But not all. Some truths are too delicate to share."
Ash frowned but pressed on, prioritizing the question that weighed most heavily on his mind.
"Are they…" he gestured toward Moltres and Zapdos, "really gods?"
For a moment, Lawrence was taken aback by the unexpected inquiry. Then, he burst into laughter, his voice echoing throughout the hall.
"Hahaha! Fascinating! I never would've expected such a question from you, of all people."
Lawrence's laughter gradually subsided, and he turned his gaze to Zapdos, who lay in restless slumber.
"I can tell you this with certainty," Lawrence said, stepping closer to the slumbering bird.
"They are indeed gods."
"Impossible!" Ash objected, shaking his head. "If they were truly gods, how could you capture them so easily?"
"Because of my…" Lawrence tapped his temple with a smirk. "Wisdom."
He gestured toward the metallic walls around them.
"The Forbidden God Cage—that's the name of the device imprisoning you, the God of Fire, and the God of Thunder. It was designed specifically to contain gods!"
Lawrence's voice brimmed with pride as he explained. Ash stared in disbelief, trying to process this revelation.
"Of course," Lawrence continued, his tone softening slightly, "they aren't at their full strength right now."
"What do you mean?" Ash demanded, his voice rising with urgency.
Lawrence's sly grin widened as he prepared to elaborate further.
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