Chapter 26 ⇾ Mutual Rescue

After walking for some time, the trio reached the base of the white jade pillar.

The crimson energy here was visible to the naked eye. Despite their protective suits, Cole and the others felt its intense pressure.

"Where is this energy coming from? It's terrifying!" Diantha exclaimed.

Lysandre offered, "I believe it's coming from a legendary Pokémon!"

Cole nodded, "That would explain such powerful pressure."

"Let's climb up and investigate." Diantha suggested, pointing at the white jade pillar.

"Let's go."

Lysandre and Cole nodded in unison.

A staircase wound its way to the top of the tall white jade pillar.

Though it had appeared flawless from afar, up close they discovered tiny cracks covering its surface. Dark red marks dotted these cracks, as if corroded by the crimson energy.

They reached the top without incident. The spacious platform held only a magic circle pattern carved into the ground, with an object placed at its center.

This object pulsed with crimson energy — clearly the source of all the power flooding the Sea Spirit's Den.

"What is that?" Cole asked, pointing at the black object in the circle's center.

"Looks like some kind of Pokémon egg." Diantha said, squinting at the distant object.

"I think so too." Lysandre agreed.

"A Pokémon egg? Impossible!" Cole exclaimed.

What kind of Pokémon egg could possess such power? Even legendary Pokémon couldn't do this, could they?

"Let's get closer." Lysandre suggested. He carefully placed one foot inside the magic circle. When nothing happened, he sighed with relief.

Cole admired his bravery — the circle could have contained hidden traps, yet Lysandre stepped forward without hesitation.

Following his lead, the others entered the circle, inching toward the egg-like object.

As they walked, they made a grim discovery — human and Pokémon bones lay scattered across the magic circle. The bones had turned pitch black from prolonged exposure to the crimson energy. Clearly, they weren't the first to venture here, and this place wasn't as harmless as it seemed.

Cole glanced at the remains and turned to the others, "Should we keep going?"

Having lived a sheltered life, the sight of so many bones frightened him.

Lysandre clenched his jaw, "Continue. We've come this far — if we die here, it's fate!"

Cole thought to himself, 'You're quite philosophical about it.'

"I want to continue too!"

Hearing Diantha's agreement, Cole sighed, "Well, since you both want to continue, I guess I'll risk my life alongside you heroes!"

They pressed onward. As they neared the black egg, unsettling roars echoed around them, filling them with dread.

"Shhh... Ha... Aooo..."

"Did you hear that?" Cole asked.

"Yes, I thought I was hearing things." Diantha nodded.

"I heard it too." Lysandre said.

The three exchanged glances before continuing forward.

Just as they reached arm's length from the black egg, the crimson energy surrounding it began to surge outward like water splashing into hot oil.

A black shadow emerged from the swirling crimson energy.

"ROAR!!!"

The shadow loomed over them, its massive form blocking out the sky. Its presence was so overwhelming they could barely breathe.

Whoosh~

The creature's roar generated powerful air currents that knocked all three to the ground.

"Leave this place! Leave this place!"

While Diantha and Lysandre heard only roars, Cole — who understood Pokémon speech — heard the urgent warning clearly.

"This... this is... Lugia!" Lysandre exclaimed from where he lay.

It made sense now why this was called the Sea Spirit's Den and why the three legendary birds guarded it — Articuno, Moltres, and Zapdos were Lugia's messengers, the guardians of the Sea Guardian.

But this Lugia was wrong. Its form was completely black, its eyes blazed with terrifying crimson light, and its face twisted in agony. Most disturbing of all, it had no physical form — it was pure shadow.

"ROAR!!!"

Shadow Lugia roared again, but this time there were no words — just a primal sound filled with murderous intent.

The scattered bones they'd seen earlier suddenly made terrible sense — likely the remains of those who'd fallen to this Shadow Lugia.

"Not good, it's about to attack!" Cole shouted.

As if on cue, Shadow Lugia spewed forth black mist charged with malevolent energy — clearly deadly to the touch.

The three rolled away just in time, but Shadow Lugia immediately launched another attack.

Just as the black mist was about to strike them, the creature's face contorted again, as if fighting against itself, and it let out an earth-shattering roar.

"ROAR!!!" — Leave this place, leave this place!

Seeing this, Cole quickly shouted to the other two, "Let's get out of here, this Lugia is beyond what we can handle!"

"Okay!" Lysandre and Diantha nodded decisively, knowing they couldn't win.

The three got up to run outside the magic circle.

However, after just two steps, Lugia went berserk again, appearing instantly above their heads, its crimson gaze chilling them to the bone.

"Roar~"

Cole and the others watched helplessly as a massive cloud of black mist descended upon them, leaving no escape.

"Screech~"

Just as they thought death was certain, a piercing cry rang out. A golden light streaked across the sky, instantly dispersing the black mist that threatened to engulf them.

"Screech~"

"Roar~"

A Zapdos appeared from nowhere, positioning itself between them and Shadow Lugia.

"Screech~"

"Screech~"

Two more cries echoed as Moltres and Articuno appeared simultaneously, flanking Shadow Lugia on either side.

"Screech~" — Get out of here!

Articuno's urgent cry carried its meaning clearly to Cole and the others.

Seeing the three legendary birds holding Shadow Lugia at bay, Cole grabbed Diantha's arm and said, "Let's go!"

Diantha hesitated, "But what about Articuno and the others..."

Cole cut her off, "We can't help them by staying here — we'll just be a burden!"

Lysandre nodded, "Cole is right. Leaving is the best help we can give them!"

"Alright, let's go!" Diantha agreed through gritted teeth.

With one last glance at the legendary birds — now engaged in battle with Shadow Lugia — the three ran toward the base of the jade pillar.

Behind them, explosions and screeching sounds filled the air as the intense battle raged atop the pillar.

After what seemed like an eternity, Cole and the others reached the crater's edge. Instead of fleeing further, they waited anxiously for Articuno and its companions to return.

Soon after, they reunited with Talonflame, Braviary, and Gyarados, who had been separated earlier. Gyarados, saved by Talonflame, had survived Articuno's attack with only minor injuries.

"Look, is that them coming back!"

An hour later, they spotted three shadowy figures approaching the crater's edge. Before the figures could clear the rim, they plummeted one after another toward the ground.

"They're injured!" Diantha cried.

"Let's go check!" Without hesitation, Lysandre rushed back into the crater, Cole and Diantha close behind.

They found the legendary birds lying weakly on the ground, crimson energy seeping from their bodies as they writhed in pain from its corrosive effects.

The moment the birds saw the humans, their faces contorted with anger — especially Articuno, whose expression suggested it was ready to curse Cole and his companions' ancestors to the eighteenth generation.

We told you not to go near there, but you just had to go — are you satisfied now? We're the ones suffering for it!

While Diantha and Lysandre could only see the birds' fury, Cole, understanding their words perfectly, wore an embarrassed expression.

Cole: (*′☉-☉)

"These legendary Pokémon sure know how to curse..."

"Let's get Articuno and the others out of here first." Lysandre suggested.

"Okay!"

Working together, Talonflame, Braviary, and two Gardevoir transported the legendary birds outside the crater. The birds offered no resistance — the crimson energy's corrosion had left them completely immobilized.

Outside the crater, the three watched the suffering legendary birds with worried expressions.

"What should we do?" Diantha asked, "The legendary birds were injured saving us — we can't just ignore their plight."

The legendary birds lay there looking dejected, their hearts filled with sorrow. After guarding Lugia for so many years, was this their inevitable fate?

If the crimson energy continued its corrosion, they would soon end up just like Lugia.

"Why don't I try something?" Cole said hesitantly.

His Special Ability's energy could drive out the crimson energy from his own body — perhaps it would work on the legendary birds too.

Though reluctant to reveal his special ability, he had to consider the circumstances. The legendary birds had been injured saving them — he couldn't let them die just to keep his power secret.

The Pokémon world was filled with mysterious powers. While his ability was remarkable, it wasn't so extraordinary that it needed to remain completely hidden.

"Cole, you have a way?" Diantha asked excitedly.

"I'll try, but I can't guarantee it will work." He replied.

"Whether it works or not, trying is better than watching helplessly — hurry!" She urged.

Cole nodded and approached Articuno, "I have a way to clear this terrible energy from your bodies. Whatever I do next, please don't resist."

Articuno didn't believe him — how could a mere human accomplish what Lugia couldn't in so many years?

But with no strength to resist, it could only lie motionless, letting the human do as he pleased.

Cole channeled his Special Ability's energy, gradually letting it flow into Articuno's body. In his mind appeared an incredibly vast and complex energy circuit filled with an ocean of Source Energy.

So this is a legendary Pokémon's energy circuit? He was amazed.

He saw the crimson energy mixed into Articuno's Source Energy — it writhed and spread everywhere, corrupting the pure, clear energy into a dark red.

Cole quickly directed his energy to drive out the corruption.

'It's working!' He rejoiced internally.

The crimson energy melted away like snow in sunlight when it met his Special Ability's energy.

The moment Cole's energy entered its body, Articuno sensed something different — an invigorating force flowed through it, erasing all pain in its wake.

It looked at him in shock: Who is this kid? How is he so powerful!

The crimson energy proved stubborn — it took Cole a full day and night of work to clear it completely from Articuno's body.

Once the crimson energy vanished, Articuno felt incredibly light. It spread its wings and soared high, crying out to the heavens, feeling better than ever before.

Over the next three days, Cole cleared the crimson energy from Zapdos and Moltres as well. When he finished, he was utterly exhausted.

But for the legendary birds, everything had changed — they saw hope in him. Fully recovered, the three birds fixed their bright gazes upon him as if looking at some priceless treasure.

In a sense, Cole with his Special Ability truly was a precious treasure.

✲✲✲

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