Dragonite clearly intended to protect Celebi, and it also seemed to know Luis. Despite the overwhelming pressure of its Elte-level aura, Professor Allen somehow managed to endure it, though his body was visibly struggling.
He stared intensely at Celebi perched on Dragonite's back, his eyes filled with obsession.
However, his expression betrayed the toll the pressure was taking on him—he looked like he would collapse at any moment.
"Dragonite, that's enough!"
Luis quickly stepped in, urging Dragonite to withdraw its aura. If this continued, Professor Allen's body wouldn't hold out. Stubborn as he had been during the journey, he wasn't a bad person.
Dragonite glanced at Luis and, seeing how close Professor Allen was to breaking, relented and withdrew its oppressive aura.
Without giving anyone a chance to react, Dragonite soared into the sky with Celebi in tow.
"Gasp… gasp!"
The sudden release of the pressure left Professor Allen and his team gasping for air.
When they finally composed themselves, they realized that Celebi had disappeared with Dragonite. Panic set in. After all the hardships they had endured to find Celebi, it had slipped away right before their eyes. All their efforts would be for nothing.
"Chase it! Quickly, follow them!"
Professor Allen shouted anxiously, breaking into a run toward the direction where Dragonite had vanished. The rest of the survey team scrambled to keep up.
"There's no need to chase," Luis said, stepping in to block Professor Allen's path. "Dragonite will return eventually. We just need to wait here."
Luis knew Dragonite belonged to Julian. If Dragonite had flown off now, it wouldn't be long before Julian himself arrived. The only question was whether Dalton and Shen were with him.
"That Dragonite came here to find us!"
Professor Allen paused, and as Luis's explanation sank in, he realized the truth. Their prolonged absence must have raised concerns, prompting someone to come looking for them.
"Yes, and the person who sent Dragonite is very powerful, so you'd better not anger him over Celebi," Luis warned.
Professor Allen frowned but remained silent. Beside him, his student, Bill, voiced his dissatisfaction. "But we discovered Celebi first! If we can unlock the secret to time travel, it would undoubtedly be worthy of the Arceus award!"
"You?"
Luis snorted dismissively.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Bill's face turned red with anger. It was clear Luis didn't think highly of him.
"Arceus Award? Do you think you're Quinn Walker or something?"
"Enough, Bill," Professor Allen interrupted, stopping his student before the argument could escalate. "The one who sent Dragonite is an Elite-level Trainer. Starting a conflict would only put us at a disadvantage."
While both Pokémon Trainers and Pokémon researchers held similar social standing in society, there were undeniable differences in their roles. Trainers commanded power, while researchers sought knowledge.
In situations like this, power often held the upper hand.
In the hierarchy of the Pokémon world, an Elite-level Trainer held a higher status than a Senior Researcher.
There are tens of thousands of Senior Researchers in the country, but only around 500 Elite-level Trainers.
However, top-tier researchers like Quinn Walker, who have won the Arceus Award, are considered to have even higher status than Elite Trainers.
Such researchers are regarded as strategic national treasures, their value comparable to a Champion-level Trainer.
Professor Allen was a Senior Researcher. His task to investigate the Pokémon density on the outskirts of the White Mountain Range didn't initially require his direct involvement—it was supposed to be handled by his student, Bill.
But after spending half a year in the lab, Professor Allen felt the urge to go out and volunteered for the mission himself.
---
About three hours later, a sound from the distance drew everyone's attention. Shortly after, Julian, Shen, and Dalton appeared in front of Luis and the rest of the survey team.
To everyone's astonishment, Celebi, the Pokémon they had been desperately searching for, was perched on Julian's head.
Thanks to Julian's advanced Aura abilities, Celebi had developed a strong sense of trust and friendliness toward him. Once Dragonite brought it back, Celebi immediately flew onto Julian's head.
Its adorable appearance made Shen want to reach out and pet it, but Celebi dodged every attempt, leaving Shen stomping her foot in frustration.
"Brother Julian!"
Luis was overjoyed to see Julian and ran over to him.
"Everyone's okay?"
Julian scanned Luis and the survey team. Everyone was accounted for—apart from looking a little worse for wear, they were unhurt.
"We're fine, we're fine! With me around, how could anything go wrong?" Luis replied with a grin.
"Good. If that's the case, you should all leave this area now," Julian said.
Luis looked surprised. "Brother Julian, aren't you coming with us?"
"I've got something to take care of."
Julian reached up, lightly patting the Celebi on his head.
'You little green thing, don't you know how conspicuous you are sitting on my head? If you weren't so cute, I'd have tossed you off by now'
"Can we discuss about-"
Before Professor Allen could finish his sentence, Julian cut him off.
"Celebi isn't yours to take, so don't even think about it."
Shaking his head, he mounted Dragonite and flew deeper into the mountains, taking Celebi with him.
Professor Allen and the survey team:
'He left—just like that. And he took Celebi with him!!!'
Even Luis was stunned. He couldn't understand why Julian had decided to leave.
"Celebi must have told Julian something important, and it's probably dangerous, which is why he didn't bring us along," Shen explained.
During their journey to find Luis and the survey team, Celebi had been communicating with Julian the entire time. While none of them knew exactly what Celebi had said, Julian's expression had grown increasingly serious as the conversation continued.
On the way, Julian had made it clear that once they found Luis and the team, they were to leave the White Mountain Range immediately. He had even provided them with plenty of supplies to ensure their safe departure.
From his small looking backpack, Julian had pulled out enough supplies to feed over a dozen people and their Pokémon for more than a month.
"I can understand if he didn't take the two of you, but Why didn't he take me? I'm much better than you two!" Luis said unwillingly.
Julian and Celebi were obviously preparing for some kind of dangerous adventure. Luis, with his love for excitement, couldn't stand being left out of something so thrilling.
Shen's face darkened at Luis's words. As one of the weaker members of their class, she couldn't argue—Luis wasn't wrong—but still…
Thud!
The next moment, Luis was on the ground clutching his stomach, having paid the price for his words.
Meanwhile, Bill was pacing angrily, his face twisted with frustration.
"No! We can't let him take Celebi away. What's that guy's name? I'm going to file a formal complaint!"
Professor Allen sighed, his tone weary. "Forget it, let's go back first, Celebi probably has an urgent matter that only he can handle."
"Professor, we can't just let this slide! We must report him to the authorities and make sure he's punished!" Bill argued.
Before he could say another word, Dalton strode over, delivering a sharp slap that sent Bill sprawling to the ground.
"Boss Walker saved your sorry asses. Without him, if you'd ventured any further, you wouldn't be coming back at all. And you want to 'complain' about him? You ungrateful wretch."
---
Above the White Mountain Range, Dragonite flew swiftly, the wind rushing past. Celebi perched on Julian's head, pointing excitedly toward a specific area in the distance.
"Cel! Cel! Cel!~"
Celebi: "The Sealed Grounds are just ahead."
This area was at the heart of the White Mountain Range, a place known as the true forbidden zone of the region.
*****
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