Chapter 75: Completion

The exact location of this lake was unknown, even to Gardevoir. Every time it arrived, it had used the crystal teleportation gate.

Interesting. Could this be Lake Valor?

Lucius recalled that in the original Pokémon Platinum game, the Yellow Spirit Uxie resided in Lake Acuity, the Red Spirit Mesprit slumbered in Lake Verity, and the Blue Spirit Azelf dwelled in Lake Valor.

Could the legendary Crystal Lake actually be Sinnoh's Lake Valor?

"Summon Azelf," Lucius commanded. Speculation was pointless; only action would reveal the truth.

Gardevoir understood that further persuasion was futile and obediently carried out the order.

A soft blue glow flickered in its eyes—a sign of psychic energy gathering.

Unlike the overwhelming surge of power in the cavern earlier, this time, its energy was as delicate as silk threads gently probing the water.

The lake, once still under the caress of the breeze, began to ripple and undulate.

As the shimmering waves danced across the surface, a faint consciousness emerged from the depths and linked with Gardevoir's psychic power.

Mental Parasite.

Seizing the moment, Lucius activated the ability through Gardevoir.

However, this time, the implanted thought was "Nothing."

That's right—Lucius initiated Mental Parasite without embedding any thought, whether good or bad. Moreover, he channeled it through Gardevoir's consciousness, camouflaging their psychic link within Gardevoir's existing connection with Azelf.

Since this was his first time making contact with a Legendary Pokémon, Lucius exercised extreme caution. Although Gardevoir's memories suggested that Azelf had been in a deep slumber, retaining only a fraction of its awareness for necessary communication, even a sleeping Legendary should never be underestimated.

"Is there something you need, Gardevoir?" A faint, childlike voice responded to Gardevoir's call.

Gardevoir glanced at Lucius, and seeing that he remained silent, it gently replied, "I am merely following orders, my lord, and checking on your condition."

"Hmm... The time of my awakening draws near. I can feel that consciousness returning. Before that happens, please continue fulfilling the task I entrusted to you."

As Gardevoir conversed telepathically with Azelf, Lucius carefully pinpointed Azelf's location within the lake.

However, its psychic presence seemed to emanate from an infinitely distant place, making it impossible to track. It felt as though it originated from another dimension altogether.

Could its true body not be in the lake?

If Azelf wasn't physically present, then infecting it with the virus would be impossible.

"My lord, I have recently learned a new skill from the ruins of the Crystal Cave. I wish to seek your guidance on it," Gardevoir suddenly stated under Lucius's secret instruction.

"Why not wait until I awaken?"

"This skill would greatly aid the mission you assigned me."

"Very well. Show me."

With Azelf's permission, Gardevoir openly demonstrated Mental Parasite.

It projected the thought: "This ability allows for more efficient communication with Pokémon and it will help us use it to rapidly expand our ranks."

Azelf remained silent for a while before speaking again: "This ability is well-suited for Psychic-type Pokémon, but it infringes upon free will. You must use it sparingly."

Success.

Upon hearing Azelf's response, Lucius immediately withdrew his consciousness from Gardevoir to avoid letting his excitement be detected.

When Gardevoir had activated Mental Parasite, it had embedded a secret thought within the demonstration:

"It will help 'us' 'use it' to rapidly expand our ranks."

The key was in the words "us" and "use it". Once Azelf accepted a thought, it would become its own will. In other words, upon acceptance, Azelf would instinctively consider itself part of the collective that employed Mental Parasite.

And Azelf's response was to use it sparingly, not to avoid it entirely, which meant it had acknowledged the thought.

Parasitization complete.

Although Azelf intended to be the wielder of the ability, that did not matter. Once it awakened, it would seek out Gardevoir to master this virus-bestowed technique. By then, there would be ways to bring it under Lucius's command.

Lucius smirked. Today's objective was achieved.

Throughout this entire process, every word Gardevoir had spoken was true to prevent Azelf from detecting any anomalies.

"Following orders and confirming Azelf's condition."

That was an order Azelf had given to Gardevoir before its slumber. It retained a faint awareness to maintain periodic communication, ensuring nothing unusual occurred.

And when Gardevoir said it was following orders, it had meant Lucius's orders.

"A new skill learned from the Crystal Cave."

Gardevoir's phrasing led Azelf to assume it had acquired the skill from the remnants of an ancient civilization, when in reality, it had been granted by Lucius through the virus in the Crystal Cave.

Finally, Gardevoir stating that its new skill would assist in fulfilling its mission was an undeniable truth.

Azelf had tasked Gardevoir with gathering as many high-ranking Pokémon leaders as possible to build strength for the upcoming crisis.

And Mental Parasite was the perfect tool for rapidly expanding an army, which was precisely why Azelf had so readily accepted the implanted thought.

In summary, during the entire telepathic exchange, Gardevoir had spoken nothing but the truth, leaving no room for suspicion.

After all, conversing with a Legendary Psychic-type via telepathy meant that even the slightest deviation in consciousness could expose a lie.

Furthermore, had it not been for Gardevoir's attempt to recruit Archer's Pokémon in the Crystal Cave, providing Lucius with an opportunity, acquiring a Mega Gardevoir at the King level would not have been so easy.

However, there was one lingering question—what exactly was the impending crisis that Azelf spoke of?

Even Gardevoir only knew that an immensely powerful consciousness would descend, or rather, return. This presence could potentially trigger a catastrophic war. Yet, Azelf had never revealed its true identity.

For it to call upon elite Pokémon leaders, the looming enemy was clearly beyond what sheer numbers could handle.

Who could it be?

Deoxys descending from space? The awakening of Arceus? The emergence of Eternatus in its thousand-base-stat Gigantamax form?

Regardless, if it was enough to drive Azelf to mobilize forces, it could not be taken lightly.

And considering the three Lake Guardians shared a deep connection, if Azelf was gathering an army, the other two would undoubtedly be preparing in their own way as well.

Lucius pondered for a moment. The available clues were still too scarce. He would have to observe further developments.

With this task completed, the affairs of the Crystal Cave were finally settled.

Returning to the Crystal Cave, Lucius took a glance around. If not for the fact that this ruin was submerged in the sea, it would have made for a perfect secret base for Hive.

After capturing all the leader-level Pokémon in the area, Lucius and his group rode on their Gyarados and made their way back to Sunburst Island, retracing their original route.

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