Lawrence was eager to share his findings. Originally, he had intended to unveil his grand discovery—the capture of Lugia, the God of the Sea—with a dramatic announcement to the world.
But now, with Ash as an audience, he couldn't resist the urge to explain his thoughts in detail.
"You're familiar with myths, aren't you? You know about gods?" Lawrence asked rhetorically, not waiting for Ash's response before continuing.
"Legends about Legendary Pokémon exist all over the world, but let me tell you something: legendary doesn't mean divine. Legendary Pokémon are not gods."
He paced slowly, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm as he began recounting ancient tales.
"In the Sinnoh Region, there's a myth about an egg—a Pokémon egg—emerging from chaos and fluctuations at the very beginning of the universe!" He paused for dramatic effect, letting the weight of his words settle.
"When that egg hatched, the creator god, Arceus, was born. Arceus divided chaos and brought order, shaping the universe into what we know today. He created the earth beneath our feet."
Lawrence's voice grew more animated as he elaborated.
"But it didn't end there. Arceus also embodied the laws of creation in stone tablets, granting different powers to govern all aspects of existence. This was the origin of Pokémon as we know them!"
He turned to gaze out the expansive windows of the hall, where the sky remained eerily calm despite the chaos unfolding across the world.
"After the world was made, Arceus fell into a deep slumber. But before he rested, he created three beings to maintain order: Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina."
Lawrence's tone was reverent as he described the divine trio.
"Arceus gave Dialga control over time. With every heartbeat of Dialga, time flows forward…"
He continued,
"To Palkia, Arceus granted dominion over space. Each breath Palkia takes restores balance to the cosmos…"
Lawrence's brow furrowed as he mentioned the third.
"And then there's Giratina. Even I don't fully understand the power Giratina wields."
He paused, his voice tinged with unease.
"The legends surrounding Giratina are shrouded in mystery, often fragmented or conflicting. At times, I've even questioned its existence."
Lawrence shifted gears, his confidence returning.
"After that, Arceus created Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf—the lake spirits. They embody knowledge, emotion, and will, ensuring that life and thought could flourish in the world Arceus built."
He spread his arms, as if addressing the universe itself.
"With these creations, the world began to function. Creatures emerged, Pokémon were born, and unique entities arose from the ungoverned laws of nature. These are the beings we now call legendary Pokémon."
He turned back to Ash, locking eyes with him.
"And those Pokémon who govern primal forces—fire, electricity, ice—they are referred to as gods!"
Lawrence gestured toward Moltres and Zapdos, both subdued yet radiating a quiet power even in their weakened states.
"The God of Fire, the God of Thunder, and the God of Ice—they govern the laws of fire, electricity, and ice. Their power far surpasses that of ordinary Pokémon and can easily bring destruction to the world."
His gaze lingered on the captured deities.
"But their role isn't just destruction. They also maintain the world's balance. However, this duty comes at a cost—it drains their energy, forcing them into prolonged periods of slumber."
Lawrence paused, studying Ash's reaction. As he had anticipated, Ash's expression was one of shock and disbelief. This was no ordinary knowledge; these were truths rarely spoken aloud, perhaps never revealed before.
The notion that gods could slumber like mortals struck Ash deeply.
Satisfied with the awe he had inspired, Lawrence turned back to the window. But what he didn't notice—what even Ash and Pikachu failed to see—was the faint outline of a shadow emerging behind Ash.
Marshadow, hidden within Ash's own shadow, peeked out momentarily. Its impassive expression betrayed no emotion, but it silently disagreed with Lawrence's interpretation of events.
Yes, the gods had periods of rest, but their slumber wasn't due to the reasons Lawrence claimed. There was something deeper at play, a truth that even Lawrence had failed to uncover.
Unaware of Marshadow's presence, Lawrence continued his monologue.
"Do you know, Ash," he said with a conspiratorial tone, "that one hundred and fifty years ago, the God of the Sea wasn't here in the Orange Islands?"
Ash's brow furrowed in confusion.
"But the history of the Orange Islands doesn't go back that far. It's barely a hundred years old…"
Lawrence chuckled knowingly.
"Exactly! One hundred and fifty years ago, a group of people migrated here from the Johto Region. That's how the Orange Islands came to be."
Ash's eyes widened as memories of books from Professor Oak's library surfaced. Pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.
"You mean…?"
"Oh, so you've read about it?" Lawrence raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Of course. Some things are too significant to erase entirely, no matter how much effort is made to obscure them."
He continued,
"Back then, in Ecruteak City, the God of the Sea, Lugia, resided alongside the God of the Sky, Ho-Oh. They coexisted, bringing harmony to the region. But humans, driven by greed, sought to exploit their power."
Lawrence's voice grew colder, almost disdainful.
"This greed culminated in a catastrophic fire, reducing the Bell Tower to ashes. It became what we now know as the Burned Tower."
Ash listened intently, the weight of the revelation sinking in.
"Furious and disillusioned, the God of the Sea abandoned Johto and sought refuge in the Orange Islands. As for the God of the Sky, it vanished, retreating from humanity entirely."
Ash's thoughts drifted to Ho-Oh, who had appeared to him not long ago, bestowing him with a Rainbow Feather. That feather had since been incorporated into his Z-Ring, a constant reminder of his encounter with the legendary bird.
Could Lawrence's account be true?
"Those who regretted their actions followed Lugia here, settling on Shamouti Island in hopes of seeking its forgiveness," Lawrence explained.
He smirked, a touch of disdain in his expression.
"The so-called Shamouti Festival is nothing more than an elaborate plea for mercy from the God of the Sea."
Lawrence fell silent, letting his words linger. Ash stood frozen, grappling with the truth of Lawrence's claims and the weight of what it might mean for him and his journey.
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