Shortly after entering the central region, a Honchkrow appeared, blocking Dragonite's path.
Honchkrow: "Leave my territory"
A mid-Elite-tier Honchkrow. Encountering such a strong Pokémon right after entering the area confirmed the reputation of this forbidden zone.
Dragonite prepared to put Julian down and was ready to teach the Honchkrow a lesson. However, Celebi suddenly flew out from behind Julian.
Julian had moved Celebi behind him—it was too eye-catching with its bright green body sitting on his head.
"Cel, Cel~"
Celebi said something to Honchkrow, and the latter's hostility immediately decreased significantly and Honchkrow moved aside to clear the path.
Julian patted Dragonite, signaling it to move forward and then said in surprise: "Not bad—you've got some serious influence."
Hearing this, Celebi puffed up with pride.
As the guardian of the forest, Celebi naturally commanded the respect and affection of other Pokémon. It was no wonder Dragonite had immediately chosen to protect it when they first met.
Pokémon: Celebi (Psychic/Grass)
Level: 75
Potential: Blue
Ability: Natural Cure
Item: None
Gender: Unknown
Moves: Confusion, Heal Bell, Magical Leaf, Baton Pass, Ancient Power, Life Dew, Leech Seed, Recover, Future Sight, Healing Wish, Leaf Storm, Perish Song, Safeguard, Solar Beam
TMs: None
Egg Moves: None
---
Despite possessing mid-Elite-tier strength, Celebi often acted timid. Its appearance, undeniably harmless, further added to its innocent façade.
As a mythical Psychic/Grass Pokémon, Celebi's most coveted ability was its power to travel through time.
Sightings of Celebi had been reported in large forests worldwide, but no Trainer had ever succeeded in capturing it.
There was even a tale of a Champion-level Trainer from a country who attempted to forcefully capture Celebi. The result? The Trainer vanished, only to reappear as a frail, withered old man.
Celebi could lead you through time—or leave you trapped in it forever.
Its harmless appearance was deceptive, hiding its true, awe-inspiring power.
With Celebi's assistance, Julian reached the Sealed Grounds smoothly. Along the way, they encountered several pokemon, including a Roserade and a Magnezone, both Elite-tier Pokémon.
However, thanks to Celebi, they allowed Julian and Dragonite safe passage through their territories.
"It's a bit cold here…"
Reaching the Sealed Grounds Celebi had pointed to, Julian observed the surroundings. There was little difference from the outside world—trees, rocks, even streams dotted the area.
The only unusual feature was the unnaturally low temperature.
He also sensed an overwhelming malice in the area, though his Aura shield kept it at bay.
Anyone—human or Pokémon—without a strong will would become violent and bloodthirsty if they lived here for too long.
Celebi: "Follow me"
It flew ahead, prompting Julian and Dragonite to follow closely behind.
As they ventured deeper, the temperature continued to drop, and the oppressive malice grew stronger.
Julian occasionally caught glimpses of wisps of black mist drifting through the air, but when he looked closer, they vanished without a trace.
"This place gives me the creeps," he muttered. "And, why are the leaves black?"
The scenery had started out vibrant and colorful, but the deeper they went, the more the colors faded. Now, everything was black—the trees, the leaves, the ground, even the sky.
Celebi: "We're here"
Just as Julian was about to ask Celebi, it stopped in front of a large rock, roughly half a meter tall.
As Julian approached, Celebi spoke softly;
"This is the Sealed Grounds. Over a hundred years ago, I sealed it here with the help of the forest and many other Pokémon."
'Over a hundred years ago?'
Beneath that cute exterior was the soul of a being that had lived for at least a century.
"But now the seal is on the verge of breaking," Celebi continued.
Julian frowned. "You mean its power has grown stronger while being sealed, allowing it to break free?"
Celebi shook its head: "Not quite. It's been using its power to slowly wear down the seal."
"Then why not reinforce the seal?" Julian asked. "Its current strength should already be weakened."
Celebi shook its head again: "Back then, I borrowed the forest's energy to create the seal. The forest still hasn't recovered from that, and if I were to draw on its energy again, it would turn this place into a barren wasteland."
Julian realized he'd asked a foolish question. If reinforcing the seal was an option, Celebi wouldn't have sought him out in the first place.
Which reminded him—why had it chosen him? There were plenty of Trainers entering the White Mountain Range every day, some even at Elite-tier. Why him?
Julian voiced his doubts.
Celebi tilted its head and answered in a clear, cheerful voice: "Because you're a good person."
To Celebi, Julian, with his strong Aura radiating goodness, practically screamed 'I'm a good person.'
It had considered Luis as a good person too, but unfortunately, he lacked the strength.
Julian's face froze slightly. If it weren't for Celebi's genuinely innocent expression, he might have retorted, 'Why are you giving me a good guy card out of nowhere?'
Dragonite, however, nodded seriously, completely agreeing with Celebi. In its eyes, there was no better person in the world than its Trainer.
Seeing both one big and small pokémon looking at him with such heartfelt agreement, Julian felt a bit awkward.
"So... what am I supposed to do now?" he asked, gesturing toward the stone that represented the seal.
If one looked closely, faint black mist could be seen continuously seeping out of the stone.
And it had already cracked two-thirds of the way through.
To be honest, the seal didn't look very impressive.
Who would believe that such a plain-looking rock could be holding back a powerful and malevolent Pokémon?
Celebi: "When it breaks free, you'll destroy it."
Julian: "And how long until it breaks the seal?"
Celebi: "Probably another ten years or so"
"Dragonite, let's go."
Julian mounted Dragonite blankly and was about to leave, feeling that he was being played.
Celebi quickly flew in front of him: "What's wrong with you?"
'What's wrong with me? If it weren't for your cute face, I would have beaten you up long ago'
"I can't wait that long," Julian said flatly.
Celebi: "Ten years is a long time? Just take a nap, and it'll pass in no time."
In Celebi's mind, ten years was barely a short nap, possibly even shorter.
I'm not even twenty yet. By the time you finish your 'nap,' I'll be pushing thirty. Who knows, I might even have a kid by then'
Julian grumbled internally, speechless for a while.
*****
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