"What should we do?"
Ash ignored Brock, who had been knocked out and dragged away by Croagunk for harassing Officer Jenny, and asked Dawn beside him.
Dawn shook her head, and Ash asked Officer Jenny, "Has something happened?"
Officer Jenny answered truthfully, "Entei, Raikou, and Suicune are causing destruction in the city, so we had to seal it off and wait for reinforcements."
"Those are... Legendary Pokémon?"
Ash said in surprise.
"Why would they be causing destruction in the city?"
Dawn was in disbelief.
"It's true, I saw it with my own eyes."
The girl slipped in at that moment and said.
Meanwhile, Zorua was watching the news report on the television.
"Zoroark is a very evil Pokémon, so we need to capture and retrieve it. Until we finish this task, please do not return to the city."
Zorua, disguised as Pikachu, was jumping around on the heads of the three as it watched Zoroark's figure on the TV.
"Zoroark is my Ma, she's my Ma! I have to go find her."
With that, it transformed into Brock's appearance and ran towards a secluded area.
Ash and the others quickly followed.
Arriving at a secluded spot, Brock caught Zorua.
"So that evil Zoroark is your Ma? The one causing destruction all over the city?"
Ash inquired.
Zorua looked at the city across the river. "Ma isn't an evil Pokémon. She's looking for me in the city. Once she finds me, she won't be like that anymore."
Ash and the others exchanged looks and nodded, preparing to find a way to take Zorua inside.
Just then, a man wearing a hat walked out, and Brock quickly held onto the Zorua who had transformed into him.
"Hello there."
Ash and the others looked at him warily.
"That friend of yours is a bit strange."
With that, he pinched Zorua's tail, and Zorua transformed back to its original form.
"Zorua?"
The man looked at Zorua in surprise.
"You know this Pokémon?"
Ash asked quickly.
The man nodded. "Zorua is the pre-evolved form of Zoroark."
Hearing this, Ash glanced at Zorua. "So Zoroark evolves from Zorua."
"That means the Zoroark inside really isn't evil."
Ash looked at the man before him and sensed that he wasn't a bad person, so he explained the situation to him.
"I see. In that case, I'll help you get into the city."
The man said, "My name is Kurute. I'm a reporter, and I've been tracking Kodai for a long time."
Kurute began to introduce Kodai to Ash and the others.
Just as they were heading towards an even more remote location, Ash suddenly heard a familiar voice.
"Ash."
Ash and the others looked back and saw a man sitting on the back of a Ninetales.
"Manager!"
Ash and the others quickly ran over.
Lucas had also just arrived and found that the roads into Crown City were blocked.
"Manager, why are you here?"
Hearing Ash's question, Lucas said, "I was on my way back to the Breeding House when I happened to encounter a Zoroark disguised as Entei last night. After Ninetales chased it off, it headed towards Crown City, so I brought Gengar and the others to have a look."
"The roads are blocked?"
Lucas glanced at the Zorua who had transformed into Pikachu on Ash's head, then looked back at Ash and asked.
"Yes, because Entei, Suicune, and Raikou are inside causing widespread destruction."
Hearing Ash's answer, Lucas smiled. "They wouldn't destroy this city."
Ash and the others were stunned and looked at each other. Dawn, holding Piplup in her arms, asked, "Why?"
"Because this city is the one they protect,"
Lucas explained.
"Then the Entei they saw..."
"That was created through Zoroark's illusions, intended to lure people out of the city so they could complete their plan."
"What plan?!"
Kurute asked urgently.
Lucas glanced at him. "I'll tell you later. For now, let me see if I can get you all inside first."
Lucas looked at Ash and the others, thinking that with Ash around, this should be a sure thing, right?
Then Ninetales slowly brought him before Officer Jenny. Just as Lucas was about to call Lucian, he heard Officer Jenny look at him and shout, "Lucas?!"
Lucas took his finger off the call button and looked at Officer Jenny. "Officer Jenny, you know me?"
The Officer Jenny of Crown City nodded. "All the Officer Jennys in the Sinnoh region know you. What are you doing here?"
Lucas pointed to Crown City across the river.
"So you're here to provide support?"
"You could say that."
Officer Jenny breathed a sigh of relief, a smile appearing on her face. "Then I will let you through. Please be sure to stay safe."
Lucas nodded. "By the way, I need to bring a few assistants."
Lucas finished speaking and gestured to Ash and the others behind him. Officer Jenny nodded. "No problem."
Officer Jenny pressed her earpiece. "Lower the bridge and let the support personnel enter."
The raised bridge slowly descended.
Seeing this, Lucas looked back at Ash and the others. "Let's go."
He then set off first, with Ninetales walking onto the bridge and heading towards Crown City.
"Lucas, we're counting on you for Crown City!"
Lucas looked back and saw Officer Jenny saluting him.
Lucas waved his hand. "Don't worry."
Upon reaching the other side of the bridge, Lucas looked at Ash and the others. "Ash, you all take Zorua and go find Celebi."
"Celebi?"
Kurute was surprised. How was Celebi involved in this too?
"Manager, this whole thing was Kodai—"
"I know."
Lucas waved his hand to interrupt Ash and said, "The culprit behind this is Grings Kodai, who is said to possess the ability of Future Sight."
Lucas continued to explain, "He does indeed have the ability of Future Sight, but he obtained it twenty years ago in the outskirts of Crown City by stealing the Time Ripple."
At this point, Lucas glanced at Kurute. If he remembered correctly, Kurute was from Crown City.
"That is also why Crown City became a lifeless city twenty years ago. All the flowers and trees withered, turning it into a dead city."
Kurute's pupils contracted.
So the events of twenty years ago were because of this?
"What is the Time Ripple?"
Ash inquired.
"The Time Ripple is the energy replenished by Celebi as it travels through different times. Simply put, a Celebi coming from the future consumes a lot of energy. In the place where it rests, a specific spot will appear containing the energy that allows it to restore its full power. After absorbing it, it can travel through time again to return to the future or even the past."
"This energy only exists for a short time and is meant to replenish Celebi's energy."
"And Kodai was the one who obtained the ability of Future Sight twenty years ago by stealing this power. Now, his ability is about to disappear, so he wants to steal this energy again. That's why he set up this conspiracy, using Zoroark's illusion abilities to drive the people out of the city, then capture Celebi, find the Time Ripple, and continue stealing this energy so he can keep his Future Sight."
Lucas swallowed hard and looked at Ash and the others. "So Ash, I need you all to help me."
Ash quickly stood at attention. "Manager, what do you need us to do?"
"Take Zorua and go find Celebi. Protect Celebi and Zorua, alright?"
"No problem."
"No, I want to find Ma."
"Zua!"
Zorua's voice rang out, and Lucas looked at the Zorua who had reverted to its original form.
"Don't worry, I will help bring your mother back to you. For now, what you need to do is protect yourself."
Lucas gently comforted it.
"No, I don't believe you. You're the one who said you hurt Ma."
"Zua!"
Lucas watched as Zorua jumped off Ash's head and started running off into the distance.
He sighed.
As Zorua was running, it suddenly found itself back in Lucas's arms. Lucas was sitting on Ninetales, holding Zorua with one hand.
"If you dare Bite me, I won't take you to find your mother."
Hearing Lucas's warning, Zorua closed its open mouth.
"Be good, and I'll take you to find your mother."
Lucas said as he looked at the magnificent Zorua.
Zorua stubbornly turned its head away.
Seeing that it had quieted down, Lucas turned to Ash and the others. "It doesn't trust me, so leave it to me. You go and protect Celebi, alright?"
Ash nodded.
"What about you? What are you going to do?"
Kurute still didn't fully trust Lucas and spoke up to ask.
Lucas smiled. "Me? I'm going to save its Ma."
"Zua!"
Lucas looked at a yellow figure flashing by in the distance. "And incidentally stop the Legendary Beasts to prevent them from fighting with Zoroark."
"Weren't the Legendary Beasts just Zoroark's illusions?"
Dawn felt like she couldn't wrap her head around it.
"Zoroark disguised as the Legendary Beasts and caused havoc in the city. The real Legendary Beasts, who protect this city from faraway places, have already rushed back."
[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]
Dawn followed Lucas's gaze. A white Suicune was following behind a Raikou, rushing towards the center of the city.
"That is—"
Brock looked at Lucas, and Lucas nodded with a smile.
"Rest assured, leave them to me. You just need to go and protect Celebi. Remember, don't let Celebi be captured."
"After you find Celebi, take it to the stadium center."
As soon as Lucas finished speaking, Ninetales accelerated and chased after Suicune and the others.
"Who on earth is he? Those are the Legendary Beasts, isn't he afraid of them?"
Kurute looked at Lucas, who had disappeared while riding on Ninetales' back, and asked.
Ash grinned and said, "Him? He's the owner of the Breeding House."
"The owner of a Breeding House dares to stand up to the Legendary Beasts?"
"Why not? We could do it too, though it would be easier if the Manager went. After all, he was the one who helped resolve the crisis involving the Legendary Birds."
"The Legendary Birds?"
Kurute felt like there was too much information to process.
"Alright, let's go find Celebi."
Ash and the others ran forward.
"I can smell it, it's Ma's scent."
Zorua, who was in Lucas's arms, looked up at the high-energy area ahead and said.
"I know, we're heading there now. Don't worry, I promise you, I will help you save your Ma."
Zorua lifted its little head and looked at Lucas. Sensing this, Lucas lowered his head, looked at Zorua gently, and then offered a warm smile.
"Don't worry, Zorua. No one can take your Ma away. I said it, no one can separate you two."
"Thank you—"
"My name is Lucas."
Zorua was stunned for a moment.
"Can we be friends? Zorua?"
Zorua grinned and rested its head against Lucas's chest.
Lucas's embrace was just like its Ma's mane—so warm and comfortable.
"Yeah, thank you, Lucas. We are best friends."
Hearing this, Lucas laughed.
What a simple Pokémon.
Then, his eyes sharpened. "Ninetales, thank you for your hard work."
Ninetales nodded, then leaped high, landed on a rooftop, and chased after Entei.
On the rooftop ahead, Entei, wreathed in flames, charged towards the Suicune that Zorua had transformed into.
Zoroark reverted to its true form, its eyes glowing crimson. It let out a roar, waved its arms, and met the charge. The powerful energy it unleashed blew off all the surrounding rooftops.
"Zorua, call out to your Ma."
Zorua jumped onto Lucas's head and shouted to the Zoroark ahead, "Ma, it's me, Ma."
Zoroark didn't turn back and continued to roar as it charged towards Raikou.
Raikou was crackling with electricity, putting all its strength into charging towards Zoroark.
Zoroark was heavily repelled and sent flying backward.
"How could this happen? Why can't Ma hear me?"
"Ma, stop fighting, Ma, I'm back."
Zorua shouted loudly while tears of anxiety streamed down its face.
Lucas looked at the collar on Zoroark's neck and frowned.
Why don't I remember Zoroark wearing a collar?
Zoroark stood up, gathered a shockwave in its hands, and fired it towards Suicune.
Suicune also gathered a Water Pulse and fired it back.
The energy from the collision blew off more rooftops.
"This won't do. If this continues, all the houses will be destroyed."
Lucas calculated the situation in his mind, then looked at Gengar and the others. "Please, go and help me intercept them."
Afterward, he picked up Zorua, mounted Latias, and chased after Zoroark.
After coming down from the roof, Zoroark continued to run forward.
Entei lunged from the side, its body covered in flames, and rammed into Zoroark.
Just as it was about to hit Zoroark, a figure also wreathed in flames slammed into it, sending it flying.
Entei flipped in the air a few times before landing steadily. It looked at the Ninetales standing before it, its eyes filled with rage.
Seizing the opportunity, Zoroark leaped over them and continued running forward.
Entei looked elsewhere and saw that Raikou had also been knocked back by Machamp, while Suicune was being blocked by a Lilligant and a Gothitelle.
Entei let out a low growl, questioning why they were stopping it.
"Gengar gargar"
Gengar appeared in the middle of the field.
Trust us this once, we will handle this matter.
Entei trusted that they could handle the matter.
However, as Legendary Pokémon and guardians of this city, having their appearances exploited by Zoroark to cause panic was an intolerable offense. Therefore, they were determined to make that Zoroark pay the price.
Entei opened its mouth and fired a Fire Blast towards Lilligant.
Ninetales leaped high, positioned itself in front of Lilligant, and absorbed the entire Fire Blast.
The battle was about to break out.
On the other side, Lucas looked at the person blocking his path.
"Hand over the Zorua in your arms."
After saying this, he waved his hand, and a large group of Pokémon surrounded Lucas.
"Latias, I'm counting on your help now."
Lucas patted Latias on the head, and Latias nodded happily.
"Draco Meteor."
Latias exhaled energy into the sky, which turned into meteors and came crashing down.
Afterward, Latias, wearing the Soul Dew, carried Lucas and continued flying into the distance.
On the screen, Koutai watched his subordinates lying unconscious on the ground, staring intensely at Lucas, who was riding Latias.
"How could Latias appear here? Who on earth are you?!"
Koutai stared at Lucas's figure with a twisted expression.
Suddenly, his eyes hurt, and a scene flashed through his mind again.
That stone clock in the center of the stadium.
"Found it."
Koutai laughed, "Zoroark, go back and stop them."
Afterward, he rode a flying scooter towards the stadium center.
The collar on its neck sparked with electricity. Zoroark wailed in pain, then turned back.
Images of Zorua being tortured kept flashing through Zoroark's mind, causing it immense inner pain and making it wail in agony continuously.
"Ma—"
Hearing Zoroark's painful wails, Zorua's eyes filled with tears.
"Latias, stop it."
Latias's Ice Beam struck the ground in front of Zoroark, creating an icy surface.
Zoroark emitted a pulse from its hands.
Latias swerved to the side, dodging Zoroark's Dark Blast.
"Lucas, its body is in no condition to sustain further injuries from battle."
Latias's voice echoed.
Lucas nodded. Zoroark's body was already nearing its limit, which was why Latias's Ice Beam had hit the ground instead.
Lucas rode Latias behind Zoroark, watching as Zoroark's Dark Blast hit Raikou.
Raikou summoned thunderclouds.
"Latias, can you disperse the thunderclouds?"
Latias nodded.
The Soul Dew around its neck began to glow. Then, a Draco Meteor shot straight into the sky, dispersing the thunderclouds before raining down as meteors towards Raikou and the others.
"Machamp, find an opportunity to destroy the collar on its neck."
Machamp nodded and charged towards Zoroark.
Zoroark's body was too agile. Machamp couldn't catch Zoroark for a moment and was eventually entangled by Raikou.
Zoroark's Dark Blast dispersed Suicune's Water Pulse and then struck Suicune, sending it flying.
Afterward, it used its illusion power to bind the Legendary Beasts and Gengar and the others.
Gothitelle broke free first, its eyes erupting with psychic power.
Watching the chaotic scene of the three-way battle, a loud explosion suddenly came from behind. Lucas turned to look.
He discovered that the surrounding trees were beginning to wither slowly.
Gothitelle also stopped, looking up into the distance.
"What the hell?!"
Lucas was incredibly confused. "Did he catch Celebi and find the correct location?!"
Seeing this, Lucas glanced at Zorua in his arms, let go, and twisted the bracelet on his wrist.
"Since that's the case, let's just knock them all down first!"
Zorua broke free from Lucas's embrace and jumped straight towards Zoroark.
It skillfully jumped into Zoroark's mane and used its teeth to Bite the collar on Zoroark's neck.
"Ma, don't be afraid. I've grown up, and I can protect you now."
Zorua endured the pain coming from the collar, its face covered in tears. "Ma, we promised to go home together. Please don't abandon me."
"I'm begging you, wake up, Ma!!!"
The voice echoed across the sky.
Zoroark, which had been charging up, stopped its movements. The images in its mind began to slowly fade, and its crimson eyes began to recover. Hearing Zorua's final cry, Zoroark wailed in agony, then grabbed the collar on its neck tightly with both hands, dark energy fluctuations surging continuously.
"Zor!"
Zoroark roared at the sky, and it tore the collar off.