"The rookie trainers managed to help Celebi reach the shrine just in time. How touching."
From a distance, Heath smirked as he watched the events unfold. He had anticipated Celebi entering the shrine all along.
"Time for Phase Two. This little performance is over."
—
The ancient shrine within Ilex Forest overflowed with time-energy, illuminating the sky in a brilliant green column of light.
Celebi, exhausted and battered, floated toward the light, hoping to vanish into the folds of time—only for the light to suddenly distort.
Dark energy rippled into the shrine.
Shadowy tendrils coiled around Celebi, disrupting the flow of time-energy.
Celebi's expression twisted in horror. The very sanctuary it sought for refuge had become its prison.
Unbeknownst to it, a trap infused with dark energy had been carefully laid within the shrine long before its arrival.
The shrine's time-energy had been corrupted, fused with a dark crystal mechanism designed to ensnare Celebi the moment it attempted to use the shrine's power.
Everything—the attack on the forest, the pursuit led by Bisharp, and the destruction caused by the Magneton army—had all been orchestrated to lure Celebi here.
Now, it had walked straight into their hands.
As chaotic energy surged, an ancient white jade key emerged from within the shrine. Bisharp caught it effortlessly, presenting it to Heath.
Blake Hall entered the shrine, raising his Dark Capture Device—a sinister control gauntlet unique to the Team Dim Sun.
A black sigil burned into Celebi's forehead.
With the push of a button, Celebi's vibrant green eyes dulled, replaced with a lifeless, empty stare.
A puppet.
"You have the key?" Blake Hall asked.
Heath nodded, examining the relic. "Got it. We're ready to leave."
This key was rumored to unlock the true ruins that held a gateway to the Distortion World.
Blake Hall narrowed his eyes. "There are many ruins, but only one hides the entrance to the Distortion World. With this key, we'll find it."
Just as they were about to withdraw, an explosion of violet fire erupted from above.
Dark purple flames cascaded across Ilex Forest, blanketing the sky in eerie light.
A psychic detection field had been cast across the entire region.
Heath's smirk vanished.
"The League's Elite Four are already here?! That fast?!"
"Retreat!"
—
Inside the Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy and Blissey rushed to stabilize Brooke in the emergency room.
Blue sat outside, staring toward Ilex Forest with unease.
Something felt wrong.
Though he had successfully saved Brooke, the forest had gone completely silent.
Just what had happened back there?
—
A familiar voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"You did enough."
Blue turned to see Klein, dressed in a dusty mountaineering jacket, standing nearby.
For a moment, Blue was taken aback. His teacher, known for his usual composed demeanor, had traveled all the way from the northwestern Johto region overnight just to check on them.
This man wasn't just an Elite Four. He was more like an overworked investigator.
Klein's gaze fell on the recovery room, where Brooke lay unconscious. His fists clenched.
"Reckless… but his resolve is undeniable."
Blue exhaled sharply.
No matter how he looked at it, he wasn't strong enough yet. Not at Seafoam Islands. Not here.
Klein seemed to read his thoughts, giving a rare awkward smile.
"Leave the Ilex Forest situation to me. You should focus on your gym challenge."
Though Klein's attempt at smiling looked painfully unnatural, Blue couldn't help but smirk.
"Man, I should've taken a picture of that. I bet it'd sell for a fortune."
Even their other classmates, who had been on edge since the incident, chuckled.
Klein was their teacher, but in moments like this, he felt more like an older brother.
"Alright," Klein said, turning away. "I'm heading out. You stay and look after Brooke."
Before anyone could say another word, Klein and Delphox vanished in a flash of teleportation—heading straight for the shrine.
—
The lingering electromagnetic pulses in the air made Klein's eyes narrow.
"This level of tactical coordination… No ordinary trainer could pull this off."
By the time he arrived at the shrine, the scene was eerily calm.
But the lingering shadow energy sent an unpleasant chill down his spine.
Something happened here.
Delphox's purple flames danced across the forest, illuminating every corner of the ruined temple.
Then… a familiar voice called out.
"Klein? What the hell are you doing here?!"
Klein turned to see Lucas, dressed in traditional trainer's gear, staring at him in shock.
Lucas had been traveling through Johto, training for the League. He hadn't expected to find his childhood friend in such a remote place.
Without answering, Klein leapt down the temple steps.
"You're here too, huh? How's your journey been?"
Lucas scratched his head. "Just challenged Mahogany Gym. That makes four badges."
He squinted at Klein. "You look stressed. What's going on?"
Klein exhaled. "The World League authorized Kanto to investigate the Pikachu-masked assassin. That's why I'm in Johto."
Lucas froze.
"Wait—should you really be telling me that?"
Klein shrugged. "We've never hidden things from each other before."
"You're an Elite Four now, man! You've gotta be more careful!"
Despite his complaints, Lucas felt a strange emotion flicker in his chest.
Klein… trusted him unconditionally.
"What happened here?" Lucas asked, shifting the subject.
"Someone captured Celebi."
Lucas blinked. "Celebi? Here? That's—no, wait. How? This shrine is overflowing with time-energy."
Klein's eyes darkened.
"Maybe that's exactly what they were after."
—
Through the darkness, Delphox's fire lit up the sky, casting shadows on the fleeing figures of Blake Hall, Heath, and Ice.
Blake Hall's expression remained impassive.
"They've already found us."
Heath sighed. "Guess I'll have to stay behind."
Ice chuckled. "Heath, you sneaky bastard. You act like you're trying to warn them, but we both know you love playing with your prey."
"Just don't take too long," Blake Hall ordered. "We have more important work to do."
Without hesitation, Blake Hall and Ice disappeared into the night.
Heath turned back, grinning.
"An Elite Four, huh?"
—
Flames roared as Klein and Delphox materialized before Heath.
The moment they landed, the forest floor erupted—unnatural vines surged forth, wreathed in ghostly purple fire.
Heath's eyes narrowed.
Plant manipulation? No—this was something more.
Delphox had merged its fire with Grass-type energy—an experimental hybrid technique Klein had been refining.
A burning thorn whip lashed out, piercing Steelix's metal hide, sending a flood of violet flames surging into its body.
BOOM!
Steelix collapsed in a heap, unable to withstand the raging fusion flames.
Heath's grin widened.
"Well now…"
"Are you even worthy of facing me?"
Klein's eyes turned cold.
"That's my line."
(Chapter End)