Watching the four Island Guardians gasp in shock, Julian waved his hand dismissively and said, "Don't be so surprised. This is just basic stuff, nothing extraordinary."
His smug demeanor was even more over-the-top than Moltres'.
Tapu Lele now understood why the once-simple and naive "tool bird" had changed so much after going out into the world. Regardless of its strength, its personality shift was definitely influenced by Julian.
"Alright, let's take Julian to the central island first," Tapu Koko said, not wanting to let Julian continue showing off. Seeing him like this was irritating, and it was better to get down to business.
The central island was surrounded by the other four islands. Although this wasn't Julian's first time in the Alolan Secret Realm, and he had already cleared the other four islands, he still hadn't gone to the central island.
He had dismissed the idea after learning from Tapu Koko that the island was home to the slumbering First-class Legendaries, Solgaleo and Lunala, fearing he might cause trouble if he went.
Of course, even if he had wanted to go back then, the four Island Guardians wouldn't have allowed it.
As Julian arrived at the central island together with Tapu Koko and the others, the energy fluctuations there became even more intense, and among them was a kind of pressure unique to First-class Legendaries.
"It seems Solgaleo is indeed about to awaken, while Lunala appears to still be asleep," Julian said.
He only sensed the aura of one First-class Legendary and didn't sense a second one.
"Lunala was injured more severely than Solgaleo back then, even to the verge of death. Its awakening will take longer," Tapu Lele explained.
These two First-class Legendaries, one represented the sun, while the other represented the moon—Solgaleo was the sun and Lunala was the moon.
"Tapu Koko, do you know how long it will be before Solgaleo awakens?" Julian asked.
Julian's Aura Power was completely unable to probe it. The pressure unconsciously emitted by Solgaleo was so intense that it suppressed his aura too severely.
Tapu Koko shook its head and said uncertainly, "It's possible it'll be in the next few days, or it could take more than ten years."
Hearing that, Julian was speechless. Wasn't this the same as saying nothing at all?
If Solgaleo awakened within a few days, it would be fine. But if it took over ten years, should the evacuated residents of Lake City and the surrounding areas ever return?
If they came back, wouldn't Solgaleo, stuck in a half-awake, half-asleep state, become a ticking time bomb?
But if they didn't return, how were you supposed to deal with such an enormous number of displaced people?
Moreover, Lake City was the Walker family's territory. They had lived there for generations—over hundreds of years. How could they possibly abandon it over something so uncertain?
"Is there any way to wake it up immediately?" Julian asked impatiently.
Tapu Koko replied, "If an external First-class Legendary stimulates it, it should wake up."
"But First-class Legendaries aren't something we can simply come into contact with."
"Julian, you—"
Before Tapu Koko could finish, Julian tossed out a Poké Ball.
The next second, the White Dragon Reshiram appeared.
"Wake up this sleepyhead," Julian said, pointing at the altar in front of him, beneath which Solgaleo slumbered.
Tapu Koko and the other three Island Guardians stared at Reshiram—there was no mistake, this aura was unmistakably that of a First-class Legendary.
Then they turned to look at Julian in disbelief.
This human had actually even subdued a First-class Legendary, and the First-class Legendary seemed to be very willingly following him.
They could barely convince themselves that it was acceptable for him to become a Champion in two years and possess four Champion-level Pokémon at that.
But now you even subdued a First-class Legendary? This was something they truly couldn't bring themselves to accept.
Julian felt the temperature around him drop. Then, he saw the four Island Guardians gasping in shock once more.
"Alright, stop gasping. It's freezing here. It's just a First-class Legendary, no need to make such a fuss," Julian waved his hand dismissively, somewhat disdainful of their lack of composure.
If they knew he had another First-class Legendary and had even defeated some before, these four would probably be shocked stupid.
He didn't release Zekrom because its temper wasn't the best. Who knew if that guy would end up fighting Solgaleo?
In its half-asleep, half-awake state, Solgaleo sensed Reshiram's presence—the aura of another First-class Legendary, and its eyes instantly snapped open.
Crack, crack—
Around the Sun Altar, rocks began to shatter, cracks spread, and from within those fissures, endless radiance poured out.
BOOM!
With a loud explosion, the Sun Altar vanished completely.
At the same time, a blindingly intense light slowly rose up from beneath the ground. Julian seemed prepared, donning a pair of sunglasses and even making Celebi and Jirachi put on theirs as well.
"Lord Solgaleo!"
The four Island Guardians gazed excitedly at Solgaleo, their creator. After untold tens of thousands of years, they had finally laid eyes on this great being once more.
Perhaps sensing no malice from Reshiram, the brilliant light radiating from Solgaleo gradually receded.
Then a majestic white lion appeared before Julian.
'This appearance? Hmm, impressive... but not as dashing as my Reshiram.'
---
Pokémon: Solgaleo (Psychic/Steel)
Level: 101 (106)
Potential: Gold
Ability: Full Metal Body
Held Item: None
Gender: Genderless
Moves: Sunsteel Strike, Cosmic Power, Noble Roar, Metal Claw, Teleport, Metal Sound, Zen Headbutt, Flash Cannon, Morning Sun, Crunch, Metal Burst, Solar Beam, Flare Blitz, Wide Guard, Giga Impact, Wild Charge, Iron Head
TMs: None
Egg Moves: None
Note: In a weakened state. World Tree Sap can accelerate recovery.
Note: When its entire body radiates intense light, taking on a form like the sun, it erases darkness and illuminates the world.
---
Under the Probing Eyes, Solgaleo's data was laid bare.
Although already awakened, its strength hadn't recovered to its peak and it was still in a weakened state. However, even if its strength recovered, in terms of level it would still be one level lower than Reshiram.
Both the Black and White Dragons were at Level 107.
Knowing its strength hadn't fully recovered yet, Julian let out a slight sigh of relief. After all, if it really came to a fight, taking on an injured opponent would surely be easier than facing one at full health.
Solgaleo gave a slight nod to the four Island Guardians created by itself and Lunala, a touch of warmth in its gaze.
"You have worked hard during my slumber."
It had just scanned the entire Secret Realm and found no issues. Clearly, during the time it had been sleeping, these four Island Guardians had been working hard to maintain the prosperity of the Secret Realm.
Hearing the praise, Tapu Koko and the others trembled slightly, nearly moved to tears. In their eyes, Solgaleo and Lunala, their creators, were parents and yet something even greater than that.
*****
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