Since they had already found clues about Luis and the survey team, there was no need for Dalton, Shen, and the Pokémon to continue searching.
"Metagross, bring them all here," Julian said.
Metagross nodded and disappeared in a flash. Moments later, it reappeared, bringing Dalton along.
"Ugh..."
The intense dizziness from Teleport left the towering six-foot-three man clutching a nearby rock, retching as he expelled the contents of his stomach.
Before long, Shen appeared beside him.
"Ugh..."
"Ugh... Ugh..."
The chorus of retching and the pungent smell made Julian grimace in disgust.
Once Metagross had brought back all the Pokémon as well, the two humans sat pale-faced, glaring at Julian.
"I swear I'm going to kill you!"
Shen snarled as she stomped toward him, only to halt after a few steps when her stomach churned again.
"Ugh..."
Machamp: 'What's going on? Pregnant or something?'
For ordinary people, being teleported by a Pokémon felt akin to spinning in place hundreds of times without any prior training.
The dizziness could make even the toughest person vomit up everything they'd eaten, possibly even from the day before.
Julian, however, had the enhanced resilience of "Mega Pallet Town physique," which meant he didn't feel the same effects.
Because of this, he'd overlooked the impact on others and had casually asked Metagross to bring Dalton and Shen over.
"Here, rinse your mouths."
Julian handed each of them a bottle of water, pinching his nose as he did so.
His apology seemed genuine, but only just barely.
Once the two had somewhat recovered, they glared at Julian—Shen with murderous intent and Dalton with aggrieved eyes—as he explained what he'd discovered.
"Luis and the survey team must have gone insane. Why are they heading deeper inside? Don't tell me they are all directionally challenged?" Dalton said, baffled.
Normally, if a group got separated, the best choice would be to head outward, away from the White Mountain Range. Moving deeper into the forest, where danger was even greater, made no sense.
"Maybe the survey team found something else," Shen suggested.
"Very likely. Afterall they changed the original plan after spotting a Venusaur leading a group of Ivysaur and Bulbasaur, believing they were heading to some kind of mysterious garden for evolution. That's what got us into this mess in the first place," Dalton said angrily.
"Now who knows what they've discovered here. Researchers can be so single-minded it's ridiculous. I swear, they barely think straight," he added, frustration clear in his tone.
Researchers often got so focused on their work that reasoning with them was pointless. But it was also this very trait that led to groundbreaking discoveries.
"Let's go."
In the end, there was no point in debating it further. Finding Luis and the others was the priority.
Julian recalled all his Pokémon except for Growlithe and Metagross.
Shen and Dalton, on the other hand, kept their Machamps out.
Without needing Julian's instruction, Growlithe was already following the scent trail left by the survey team.
The team, including Luis, consisted of eleven people. The path they took was relatively easy to follow, and fortunately, no bloodstains or corpses were found along the way. This suggested they hadn't encountered any serious problems—yet.
However, the fact that they were heading deeper into the mountains meant trouble was inevitable. Luis alone couldn't possibly protect all ten members of the survey team.
The sooner they were found, the better.
---
"Professor Allen, we can't keep going any deeper. If we continue, I won't be able to guarantee your safety."
Luis said sternly, his usual playful demeanor replaced by a serious expression.
The group was resting in a secluded part of the forest. Luis stood before Professor Allen, the leader of the survey team, his tone filled with urgency.
For someone like Luis, who was almost always smiling, this level of seriousness indicated just how dire the situation was.
"No way. We can't stop now! This is Celebi we're talking about—'the' Celebi! It's rumored to have the power to travel through time! As a Trainer, don't you want to witness that? Don't you want to catch it?"
Professor Allen, a middle-aged man in his fifties with black glasses and the telltale aura of a scholar, sounded almost desperate. His words carried the stubbornness of someone obsessed with discovery.
"Of course I do! Do you think I don't? But I value my life more!" Luis snapped, his frustration boiling over. "If my Froslass hadn't reacted quickly, that Ninjask would have killed us all back there!"
Luis's voice was rising, and in his anger, spit flew onto Professor Allen's face.
The reckless persistence of the professor had pushed them deeper into the White Mountain Range, with no regard for the increasing dangers.
To make matters worse, their supplies were running critically low. Even if they decided to turn back now, what they had left wouldn't last long enough.
"I know you're from an influential family of the Imperial Capital. You must have a protective Pokémon from your family. As long as it's with you, even an Elite-level threat should be manageable," Professor Allen countered, clearly undeterred.
It was common knowledge that members of prominent families were often given a powerful protective Pokémon by their elders. These Pokémon only revealed themselves in moments of great danger.
Julian's protective Pokémon was a peak Elite-level Alakazam, while Luis's was a late-Elite-stage Beartic.
"The aftermath of an Elite-level battle could still kill all of you, and I might not make it out unscathed either," Luis explained, his tone cold.
Taking a single late-Elite-stage Pokémon into the depths of the White Mountain Range, and burdened with ten helpless researchers at that? Even Julian wouldn't dare attempt such a thing.
"It doesn't matter. If I die, it's my own fault," Professor Allen said dismissively.
"You—"
Luis was left speechless with anger. How could someone be so irrational?
"What about them? Are you going to drag them to their deaths just because of your stubbornness?" Luis pointed at the other members of the survey team.
Professor Allen turned to look at his team members and asked, "Celebi—don't you all want to study it?"
"Yes!!"
The entire survey team responded in unison, their expressions mirroring Professor Allen's—pure madness.
'These F*ers!'
Luis nearly slapped Professor Allen in the face out of sheer frustration.
One irrational person was bad enough, but all of them?
If it weren't for his sense of responsibility, Luis would've abandoned them long ago.
"Celebi, Luis, you know this Pokémon was discovered decades ago, and some lucky individuals even traveled back in time because of it."
"Now think about it—many of the treasures recorded today were once hidden in secret realms. If you could travel back in time, those treasures could all be yours."
"Don't bullshit me, Celebi's time-traveling ability is limited, and I don't believe it comes without a price," Luis retorted with a wave of his hand.
Luis's words were firm, but inwardly, he felt a flicker of temptation.
As a member of a prominent family, Luis was privy to the origin stories of many Elite Trainers and their opportunities. If he were to travel back in time and seize the fortunes that once belonged to those Elites, his future could change dramatically.
"That's why we need to catch it! Once we have it, I'll have ample time to study it. We might be able to extend the duration of its time travel—or even reduce its costs!" Professor Allen pressed on.
Luis frowned, after a long silence, he finally said, "We'll go on for one more day. If we don't encounter Celebi by then, we're heading back. If you refuse, I'll leave on my own."
*****
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