The green figure materialized before them.
Steven and Phoebe, standing behind Aoki, both wore expressions of astonishment.
"This is..." Steven murmured, unable to complete his sentence.
"Celebi?" Phoebe uttered the name Steven had hesitated to speak.
After leaving Mt. Pyre, Phoebe had undergone intensive training under Wallace's guidance, familiarizing herself with the world's foundational knowledge—including the identification and understanding of legendary Pokémon.
As someone who adored cute Pokémon, Phoebe had taken a particular liking to these mythical beings.
Thus, she recognized Celebi instantly.
Celebi let out a soft chime, hovering gracefully before the trio.
The emerald energy swirling through the space pulsed rhythmically once more.
"It really is Celebi," Steven confirmed, his voice laced with awe.
Aoki withdrew his hand from the ancient tree, reactivating his Telepathy.
"Celebi, how do we leave this place?" he asked.
Celebi tilted its head, pondering the question with childlike curiosity.
Aoki, Steven, and Phoebe remained silent, not daring to interrupt its thoughts.
After a moment, Celebi's voice echoed in Aoki's mind. "The battle outside... is strong. Aoki, do you know them?"
Clearly, the clash between Drake and Mitchell beyond the dimensional barrier had drawn Celebi's attention.
It seemed Celebi could perceive events unfolding outside this space, though it might have been dormant earlier, hence its lack of response.
Aoki's Telepathy had roused it.
Aoki nodded, replying mentally, "The stronger one is our ally. The other three are enemies. They seek to breach this space—perhaps to capture you."
Celebi scrunched its nose in confusion but quickly dismissed the thought.
Such simplicity was its nature.
Its large blue eyes sparkled as it studied Aoki.
"Aoki, your face is different," Celebi remarked, its words slightly disjointed—either from infrequent communication or its unique way of speaking.
Aoki smiled. Thankfully, Telepathy kept the exchange private.
"A small disguise," he explained.
Celebi nodded, satisfied, and moved on.
It tapped a tiny finger against its lips, deep in thought again.
Suddenly, its antennae twitched, sensing something.
Celebi's eyes brightened before narrowing playfully.
A spatial rift tore open before them.
Just as they assumed it led outside, Celebi's Psychic energy enveloped Steven.
Before he could react, it hurled him through.
"Steven—!" Phoebe cried out.
Aoki, though startled, noted Celebi's mischievous giggle—like a child delighted by its own prank.
Despite its ancient existence, Celebi retained an innocence untouched by time.
The rift sealed behind Steven.
Celebi waved again, and another portal emerged.
This time, Aoki glimpsed the interior—a swirling expanse of energy.
He turned to Phoebe. "Don't resist. Trust your instincts—"
Before he finished, Psychic energy whisked her away too.
Celebi's laughter bubbled louder.
Aoki sighed. "Celebi, did you send them somewhere beneficial?"
Celebi blinked, impressed. "Aoki is clever." It gave a tiny thumbs-up—if such a gesture could be called that.
Aoki raised a hand. "I'll go myself."
He stepped forward, peering into the crack.
An endless rocky terrain stretched before him—jagged peaks, boulders of varying hues, a world of stone.
Celebi nudged him impatiently. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs nοvelfire.net
Trusting its intent, Aoki entered.
He couldn't explain why he felt so at ease with Celebi—perhaps its purity disarmed suspicion.
As Aoki vanished, Celebi twirled joyfully through the emerald void.
But abruptly, it halted.
Its pupils dilated, eyes filling with swirling constellations—a vision of epochs flashing within.
The stars shifted, accelerated, then faded.
Its form rippled like disturbed water, dissolving into the space.
The same chime, layered in time.
Aoki, unaware of Celebi's transformation, now stood in the rocky realm.
No humans. Only Pokémon traversing the stone-laden expanse.
"A world of rock... but where? Or when?" Aoki muttered.
Though he doubted Celebi's malice, the uncertainty gnawed at him.
From one unknown to another—must he unravel this puzzle blindly?
His gaze swept the endless crags.
Then, an idea struck.
He unclipped three Poké Balls.
Light burst forth, materializing:
This deduction stemmed from the glimpse of Phoebe's destination—a landscape hinting at their purpose here.