"The black stone forest occupies the land, the Creator God falls, and the world plunges into an unprecedented disaster. I have seen a future of despair."
In the Anistar Gym reception room, Olympia was describing the future she had glimpsed to Diantha. She said gravely, "It is a future without hope."
Opposite Olympia, Diantha asked once more for confirmation: "Are you truly certain that the one you saw was Bai Chen?"
"What I saw was him playing a critically important role in the future apocalypse. However, based on my interpretation of the prophecy, I do not know whether he is the evil perpetrator who initiates the disaster or the hero who saves the world. I need to meet him to see more of the future."
Diantha did not think Olympia was joking. On the contrary, she took the prophecy extremely seriously. Olympia had previously predicted the clash between Groudon and Kyogre in Hoenn, as well as the recent disaster in Lumiose City.
It was her warnings that allowed countless people to preserve their lives during those calamities.
Essentially, Olympia's prophecies were regarded as events that were certain to happen.
Diantha remained silent for a moment. She reached into her handbag and pulled out a sealed file envelope. Unwinding the string, she opened it and took out a thick stack of photographs.
Diantha pushed the photos toward Olympia and asked, "These were taken in Lumiose City a week ago. Take a look and see if they can help with the prophecy."
Olympia picked up the photos and leafed through them carefully. The top few showed Nergigante glowing with a crimson light.
She flipped to the next one; it showed black thorns covering the earth, which bore a striking resemblance to the "stone forest" she had seen in her vision.
Continuing further down, the photos displayed Zygarde in its Complete Forme, suddenly appearing over the city and using its power to purge the black thorns.
Olympia recognized the Pokémon. "Is this Zygarde, the Legendary Pokémon that maintains order in the Kalos region?"
Diantha nodded affirmatively, taking a sip of her black coffee. "According to the data we've gathered, this Pokémon is indeed the legendary guardian of order. Legend says he only appears when the ecology of Kalos is threatened."
Diantha paused. "And this Legendary Pokémon did two things upon appearing: first, he cleared those black thorns; second, he destroyed the Lysandre Research Institute."
Olympia understood the implication. In the eyes of the Pokémon tasked with maintaining ecological order, both the Lysandre Institute and the black thorns were culprits affecting the ecosystem.
Diantha asked, "Ms. Olympia, having seen these photos, can you see any more fragments of the future?"
Olympia said regretfully, "Unfortunately, I have not seen any more of the future."
Diantha took the photos back from Olympia and tucked them away. She asked, "Is there a specific timeframe?"
Olympia shook her head again. "Regrettably, the prophecy is very vague. I only saw him and his disaster beast."
"Disaster beast..." Diantha recalled the tragic state of Lumiose City. "That immense power certainly fits the description of a disaster beast, but we cannot label him the culprit of the world's destruction based on a single prophecy alone."
Olympia was pleased that Diantha hadn't misinterpreted her vision. She said, "I will pray to the stars to obtain more information."
Diantha drained the rest of her black coffee. She stood up and thanked Olympia. "I will request the League's assistance. I hope we can change the future of the world."
After parting with Olympia, Diantha immediately contacted the Kalos League. The League placed a high priority on the prophecy. Soon, the other three Elite Four members—excluding Malva, who was currently under investigation—received notice from the League.
On the other side, Bai Chen was unaware that a single prophecy had put the entire Kalos League on high alert. The group was making final preparations to set out for Anistar City.
At the gates of Coumarine Town, they decided to take a Pokémon Taxi to reach Anistar as quickly as possible. Bai Chen specifically called for two taxis. He sat alone with Lillie in one of them.
In the car, Bai Chen looked at Lillie beside him. Her spirits were quite low. Ever since she learned about his physical condition two or three days ago, she had been perpetually distracted.
"Want a cupcake?" Bai Chen offered her a paper-wrapped cupcake he was holding, made by Serena.
"I'm not hungry..." Lillie politely declined.
Bai Chen was at a bit of a loss. If Lillie were angry at him, she hadn't been throwing fits or giving him the cold shoulder.
If she were upset about the previous incident, she had spent the last few days worrying about him rather than scolding him for hiding the truth.
Bai Chen went back to eating his cupcake in silence.
"Sigh..." Lillie let out a long sigh, finally making up her mind. She looked at Bai Chen and asked seriously, "Mr. Bai, can you promise me one thing?"
Bai Chen looked curiously at Lillie, who had suddenly turned solemn. "If it's something I can do, I can promise you."
"Can you promise me first? It's something you can definitely do."
Bai Chen grew even more curious. He thought for a moment but, playing it safe, didn't commit immediately. "Tell me what it is first."
Lillie took a soft breath and asked earnestly, "When you go back this time, can you take me with you?"
"Huh?"
When Lillie said "go back," she definitely meant returning to the Monster Hunter world.
"Can you tell me why you want to go back with me?"
"Your physical condition isn't good right now. I thought, if possible, I could help you as much as I can..."
Even after hearing that, Bai Chen still didn't quite understand her motivation for going to the MH world. "If you're worried about my safety, Nergigante and the others will definitely protect me.
As for my daily needs, Indeedee can handle them perfectly. Besides, my hometown is very dangerous. I remember mentioning it to you—the relationship between humans and monsters there isn't good."
"I can also command Diablos to fight."
Bai Chen sighed. "Would you allow Diablos to kill monsters? If you don't have a concept of that, let me rephrase: would you command your Pokémon to kill other Pokémon?"
"I..." Lillie was at a loss for words.
"Improving the relationship between monsters and humans is a long and difficult journey. At this stage, Hunters are the main theme of the era.
Soft-heartedly letting dangerous monsters go will only bring disaster to ordinary civilians."
In the world of monsters, there are many creatures that have been defeated by hunters but not slain.
Many of these monsters, due to anger or other reasons, become even more dangerous enemies. They are given the title of [Deviants].
In an era where Hunters far outnumber Riders, even Bai Chen can only say he advocates for and promotes the development of the Rider profession. It's impossible to change the entire world overnight. Furthermore, Riders hunt alongside their Monsties. Killing is unavoidable.
Bai Chen didn't believe Lillie could truly harden her heart to fight and hunt monsters.
"Surely there are some things I can do?"
Bai Chen denied her flatly and without mercy. "In my hometown, there really isn't anything I need your help with."
Bai Chen had more to say but kept it to himself. For instance, if Lillie were going to the MH world to protect him, it would be a total reversal of roles.
Not to mention whether she could bring herself to fight, the battlefield is full of unexpected situations—monster intrusions, large-scale Elder Dragon disasters, and so on.
Any one of these could put Lillie in extreme danger. Her survival capability in the MH world was even lower than his while he was evolving. If she really went, it was uncertain who would be protecting whom.
Hearing this, Lillie's expression gradually dimmed. Soon, she forced a smile and apologized to Bai Chen, "I'm sorry. I said something selfish."
For some reason, Bai Chen felt the distance between Lillie and himself grow slightly wider, despite the smile on her face.
Bai Chen sighed. "I just don't want you to be in danger. Don't worry, even if I can't use my power right now, Nergigante and the others will keep me safe."
"Mhm." Lillie nodded and said no more. She turned to look out the window, staring blankly.
Because they took a Pokémon Taxi, it only took the group one day to arrive in Anistar City. Compared to Coumarine Town, this city was much larger with a significantly higher population.
Shortly after arriving, Bai Chen received several battle invitations from World Coronation Series participants. He didn't immediately accept them.
Ash was the most excited of everyone. "We're finally in Anistar! Let's go to the Gym right now!"
Serena had anticipated that Ash would be eager to head to the Gym first. She pulled out a map and said, "The Anistar Gym is right by the Sundial. Mr. Bai, what are your plans?"
Serena didn't decide for him; she asked for his preference.
"I'd like to see Ash's Gym battle, too. It's still early. Let's finish the Gym battle before looking for a place to stay."
"In that case, let's head to the Sundial first." Serena led the way.
As they walked, Serena quickly noticed Lillie's abnormal behavior. Even though Lillie kept a polite smile, Serena could see an irrepressible sense of loss in her expression.
She had a rough idea of what had happened. After Serena's showcase, Lillie had specifically sought her out to discuss some things. It appeared Lillie had hit a wall.
Serena sighed inwardly while leading the way. Mr. Bai is powerful, but he really is quite dense in some areas.
The group chatted along the way. Clemont shared a lot of key information with Bai Chen. "Did you know? The Sundial is said to have fallen to Earth from space thousands of years ago.
Also, according to recent research by a Professor studying Mega Evolution, the wavelength emitted by the Sundial is identical to the wavelength emitted during Mega Evolution."
Ash, being a supportive audience, exclaimed in awe, "So it's a meteorite from space! I'm getting more and more curious now."
"The Sundial is currently managed by Ms. Olympia. Speaking of her, she's a legendary figure. They say she can predict the future. The disaster in Lumiose City recently was avoided in its worst-case scenario because of her prophecy."
As the official Gym Leader of Lumiose City, Clemont's information was naturally beyond doubt. Bai Chen also recalled that the Anistar Gym Leader was indeed a prophet. In the anime, she had accurately predicted the disaster Zygarde would bring to Kalos.
Now, Squishy's life path has been changed by me, and I've absorbed the Giant Rock. The disaster shouldn't happen anymore, right? I wonder how Olympia actually predicts the future...
Bai Chen was still quite interested in the ability to foresee the future.
Just as the pink Giant Rock became visible in the distance, Nergigante on Bai Chen's shoulder suddenly turned her head to look back. Bai Chen noticed and followed her gaze. About 200 meters behind them, a black Doberman-like Pokémon stood watching them.
"Squishy?" Bai Chen recognized the red core on its body at a glance. This Doberman-like Pokémon was Squishy after merging with 10% of its cells.
Up ahead, Ash and the others also turned to look at Zygarde. "What Pokémon is that?"
They had never seen Squishy. Serena pulled out her Pokédex and tried to scan for info, but the search naturally came up empty. Clemont, seeing Bai Chen call out its name, realized this Pokémon had a significant connection to him.
"Mr. Bai, is that your Pokémon?" Clemont asked.
"Not mine, but he owes me a favor. I thought he'd run off, but I didn't expect him to come back."
Squishy slowly walked up to Bai Chen, staring intently at Nergigante on his shoulder. Bai Chen teased him, "I thought you were going to go back on your word?"
"What I have promised, I will surely fulfill," Squishy said to Bai Chen via telepathy. "You still remember our previous pact, don't you?"
"Of course." Bai Chen pulled out the Poké Ball he had used to capture Squishy earlier and crushed it right in front of him.
This was what he had promised Squishy—to destroy the ball that captured Zygarde once they were out of the Lysandre Institute.
Sensing the binding force of the Poké Ball vanish, Squishy finally felt at ease. He deactivated his transformation, revealing his core form. He glanced at Bai Chen's pocket and hopped directly inside to hide.
"I will stay here. If you have any requests, you may speak them to me. After five are fulfilled, our contractual relationship ends."
Bai Chen smiled. The situation was much, much better than he had imagined. Zygarde hadn't specified a time limit. In other words, as long as he always kept one request in reserve, there was a high probability he could keep Squishy by his side indefinitely.
He would have to let this worldly-inexperienced Legendary Pokémon experience the true sinister nature of the human heart.
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