Whatever you worry about the most is what's most likely to happen.
If something can go wrong, no matter how small the possibility, it will.
This was the law proposed by engineer Edward A. Murphy in 1949. Natsui didn't know if it applied to the Pokémon world or if anyone in this world had published a similar idea. But after setting sail, while they had initially been relieved that it was only a heavy rain, the sea had now once again become turbulent and unforgiving.
Waves nearly two meters high crashed against the speedboat one after another, making it impossible for them to stand firm.
Deafening bolts of lightning occasionally tore through the night sky, displaying the vast power of the heavens.
CRACK-BOOM!!
It wasn't just Mei, who had grown up by the sea; even Natsui could tell that they had sailed into a terrifying storm!
"What terrible luck. I just hope this boat doesn't get struck by lightning," Mei said, looking up at the sky with a helpless, wry smile. "We already went through one storm before arriving on the island. I really thought it would be smooth sailing this time, but I never expected..."
As she spoke, she sighed inwardly.
Sigh, if I had known this would happen, I would have just stayed on Shamouti Island and set sail tomorrow morning...
Honestly, it's all my fault for shooting my mouth off. If I hadn't chimed in, maybe we could have avoided this storm!
At the same time, on Shamouti Island, Melody was watching the heavy rain outside the window, her brow furrowed.
The strong wind made the torches inside the banquet hall flicker, causing the people's shadows to twist and dance with the flames, just like the turmoil in her heart.
Raindrops splattered on her bangs and her white veil, but Melody paid them no mind. Her gaze remained fixed on the direction in which Natsui and the others had departed.
In this terrible weather, they'll surely be in danger if they're out at sea, right?
Thinking of this, her expression became resolute. She had made a decision.
"Sister, lend me a boat!"
"Eh?" Carol looked at her, puzzled. "What are you planning to do at a time like this?"
Melody said decisively, "If I hadn't said those things just now, they wouldn't have set out in the rain. Putting others in danger because of a boring tradition—this is all my responsibility!"
Hearing her say this, Sabrina and Misty were slightly surprised and couldn't help but look at her with a bit more respect.
From their brief interaction, they had originally thought she was just a willful girl, but now it seemed she had a good sense of right and wrong!
Seeing that she was about to head out into the storm, Sabrina stood up and said calmly, "This isn't your fault. After all, no one could have expected the weather to change so drastically."
As Natsui's companion, she certainly had the right to say this, and her words indeed made Melody feel a little better.
However, seeing that Sabrina wasn't trying to stop her, Melody glanced at her and could sense from her actions and tone that this woman wanted to go out to sea with her.
"Me too!" Misty said at this point. "I'm a little worried too. Since you're going to look for them, take me with you!"
At the table, Tracey, holding a chicken leg in one hand and a piece of barbecue in the other, looked from side to side, then could only stand up silently, indicating that he would go with Misty.
"You guys..."
Melody hesitated slightly. Logic told her that she absolutely should not let more people risk going out to sea, but seeing their insistence, she didn't say anything more.
"Alright then. But if anything happens, I'm not responsible!"
...
CRASH!
The speedboat was lifted by a giant wave and, with a violent impact, slammed hard into a hidden reef off of Fire Island. It was sent flying high into the air before crashing down heavily on the shore!
The impact was severe. Mei and Ash were knocked dizzy, and only Natsui, protected by Haunter, landed safely.
They were now on their destination, Fire Island, but because it was so dark around them, they couldn't see the island's condition for the time being.
"Ouch, my back, I think it's broken..." Mei clutched her back and cried out in pain. But ignoring the pain, she carefully inspected the boat's hull and said with relief, "Not bad. Although there's some damage to the hull, at least we've made it to shore safely!"
Just then, Pikachu suddenly cried out, jumped off the speedboat, and ran into the darkness!
"Pikachu! Where are you going!?"
Ash was alarmed, but no matter how much he called, Pikachu ran off without looking back!
It felt as if something on the island was attracting it!
"Pikachu!"
Seeing this, Ash had no choice but to quickly chase after it.
"Come back!" Seeing that Ash was also leaving the coast, Mei shouted at his retreating back, "In this weather, it's better to stay here and not move around!"
However, Ash had already disappeared from sight, leaving only her voice echoing on the beach full of round stones.
"Forget it," Natsui smiled. "Miss Mei, thank you for bringing us here, but we can handle the rest ourselves. You should stay here and check on the speedboat. After all, we'll need it to get back later."
"Alright," Mei shook her head. "You're the boss. You are the trainers, after all. I wish you the best of luck."
Taking out a flashlight and turning it on, Natsui left the coast.
Fire Island, just as Natsui had understood, was also an island formed by a volcanic eruption.
As the place where the god of fire of the Orange Archipelago resided, the entire island had little vegetation and was covered in bare rocks.
And just as Melody had said, a man-made stone staircase led deep into the volcano for people to climb.
To be on the safe side, Natsui sent out Gardevoir and Jolteon to accompany him.
"Be careful," Haunter floated out from his shadow and said in his ear. "Just like that Pikachu, I have a strange feeling too. It really seems like something is about to happen!"
"I understand. You all stay alert."
Stepping onto the stone staircase that seemed to stretch on endlessly, the closer he got to the volcano, the quieter it became. Apart from the sound of his and his Pokémon's footsteps and the occasional gust of wind, there was no other sound.
But fortunately, the heavy rain had finally stopped, so Natsui didn't have to worry about getting wet.
He walked for who knows how long. Although nothing happened, he also saw no sign of Ash or Pikachu.
Only when he reached the crater did he see Ash and Pikachu on a platform.
"Ash, you're pretty fast. Well, did you find anything?"
Hearing the voice, Ash turned around. Seeing that Natsui had also caught up, he stepped aside.
"Natsui, look at this."
By the beam of the flashlight, Natsui saw a shrine built of massive stones, and inside the shrine, a strange, bird-like bronze statue was embedded!
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