Chapter 140: Celebi's Pokémon Egg and Meltan! The Backlash of Time

Natsume stared at the Wishiwashi in disbelief.

What surprised Natsume the most was that this Wishiwashi had Water type plates on it.

Natsume turned to Gardevoir.

Gardevoir nodded slightly.

From now on, Gardevoir would keep a close watch on it.

Mewtwo looked at Natsume with curiosity and asked, "Is the purpose of searching for Wishiwashi for Battle?"

Natsume responded, "If there are instances during the search for Wishiwashi where Battle is necessary, then yes."

"But I'm not battling just for that."

"Sometimes, people battle for a Pokémon."

"Other times, they fight for survival, or for honor."

"Companions, family, faith—there are many reasons to battle, and not just one purpose."

Natsume pondered for a moment and then said, "However, I personally believe that no matter the reason..."

"I think the ultimate goal should be to live the life one desires with the family they cherish."

Natsume suddenly looked at Mewtwo and asked, "Mewtwo, do you have a home?"

"Is there someone who loves you and Pokémon waiting for you to come back?"

Mewtwo did not fully understand this question, but it felt an inexplicable sense of discomfort.

Those words struck deep.

Seeing Mewtwo, a Pokémon who looked so lost, Natsume felt it needed guidance in finding its direction in life.

Natsume smiled gently at Mewtwo and said, "I have one."

"My home is in the south, at a farm called Takamagahara."

"There are many Pokémon waiting for me to return."

"At this time, Infernape and the others should be battling challengers."

"The Lopunny might be sprawled on the couch watching TV."

"Squirtle and the others should be playing in the river water flowing through the farm."

"And then there's the garden of the farm..."

Mewtwo listened as Natsume described life on the farm.

Mewtwo imagined such scenes.

The scenes Natsume spoke of were ones Mewtwo had never experienced.

Since it became self-aware, its world seemed to have been confined within that armor.

Now, that armor had been shattered by Melmetal.

Mewtwo suddenly began to wonder what other places in the world were like.

Did they resemble what Natsume described, or were they like what Makototaka said?

Mewtwo gazed into the distance, sunlight shining on its face.

It seemed to be talking to itself, yet it felt like it was asking Natsume.

"What is there?"

Natsume followed Mewtwo's gaze ahead.

In front of them were new mountains and forests, drifting clouds, and scattered sunlight—a brand-new journey awaited.

Natsume initially wanted to invite Mewtwo to his farm.

But now, Natsume simply said, "Mewtwo, go travel."

"Meet different people, experience different things, see different landscapes."

"In the end, I believe you will find your own answers."

The battle here had already come to a halt.

Pokémon surrounded Melmetal's body.

Celebi danced among the crowd of Pokémon.

“Celebi~”

A clear voice echoed through the forest.

Green light spread out in all directions.

The flames of battle had extinguished, and the rain clouds summoned by Dragonite had dissipated.

On the charred land, a patch of green began to grow.

This was the power of Celebi.

The devastated land welcomed new life.

Bang~

“Melmetal~”

Suddenly, Melmetal's body collapsed to the ground.

Yuki hurriedly ran to Melmetal's side and anxiously asked, “Melmetal, what’s wrong?”

“Melmetal~”

“What?”

Natsume walked up to Melmetal and said, “It says it wants to begin a new journey.”

“Pidgey~”

Two Pidgey perched on Melmetal's shoulders.

“XX~XX ~XX ~XX ~XX ~XX ~XX ~XX ~XX ~”

The Scyther gathered around, along with the forest Pokémon, all let out long cries.

“What's happening?”

Yuki looked at Melmetal sadly, saying, “I’ve always wanted to thank you properly. Thank you for saving me back then.”

“Aren’t you doing just that?”

Natsume looked at Yuki and softly said, “The wish of the Wish Maker has come true.”

Yuki paused slightly as she processed Natsume's words.

Melmetal chuckled happily.

It flexed its strong arms at Yuki.

Light radiated from Melmetal's body.

“Meltan~”

“Meltan~”

“Meltan~”

A chaotic cheer suddenly erupted within the light.

One Meltan after another appeared before everyone’s eyes.

A multitude of Meltan emerged!

They excitedly surveyed their surroundings and then suddenly rushed toward Makototaka's airship.

The bodies of Meltan were made of molten liquid steel.

They could use their liquid limbs to corrode other metals and absorb them into their own forms.

At that moment, these Meltan attached their hands to the airship.

The airship vanished in the blink of an eye.

Soon, only non-metallic debris was left behind.

“Meltan~”

After devouring the airship, the Meltan dispersed in all directions.

Some ran into the jungle, some jumped into the river, and one was blocked by Dragonite.

“Dragonite.”

Dragonite reached out and rubbed the cap on this Meltan’s head.

“Meltan~”

Meltan looked up at Natsume.

A red beam shot out.

Shake~ Shake~ Bam~

Meltan burst out of the Poké Ball.

“Meltan!”

With great determination, Meltan took a fighting stance toward Dragonite.

“Dragonite.”

Dragonite swatted with its claw.

Bang~

Meltan fell to the ground, instantly knocked out.

“Dragonite~”

Dragonite tapped the Poké Ball again, and Meltan was successfully captured.

This Meltan was at level 20, not too high and not too low either.

“Dragonite~”

Dragonite ran up to Natsume, holding a Poké Ball.

Natsume looked at Dragonite, who had given him the Poké Ball, and fell into thought.

Did he just catch a mythical Pokémon?

Ding~

A new task from FarmGame arrived.

Triggered Special Task: Meltan Gathering

Task Requirements: Please find all the Meltan.

Quest Reward: Treasure Draw 3; Rare Candy 3

Task Progress: 1/400

Natsume looked around.

The Meltan had all disappeared.

However, Natsume was confident he could find them.

Because he would soon be able to unlock the map of Towada Lake.

In the distance, the cry of a Pidgeot echoed, as the rangers of Towada Lake were on their way.

At that moment, Mewtwo also flew into the sky.

It intended to see this world with its own eyes.

“Mewtwo, you dropped something.”

Natsume picked up the treasure Metal Coat and Mewtwo's Mewtwonite X.

Mewtwo looked at Natsume and said, “Makototaka said this Mewtwonite X can resonate with me.”

“However, I don't feel anything special.”

Natsume looked at the Evolutionary stone in his hand and said, “I understand.”

“I'll hold onto this Mewtwonite X for you.”

“When you find your answer, come back to get it.”

Mewtwo gave Natsume a deep look before flying high into the sky.

Mewtwo left.

“Celebi~”

At that moment, Celebi flew in front of Natsume.

“Are you leaving?”

Celebi nodded slightly.

Celebi was returning to its own time and space.

“Is that so?”

“I hope our paths cross again in the future.”

Natsume had only encountered Celebi half a day ago, so he wasn’t too reluctant to part.

Celebi looked at Natsume.

In Celebi's memory, its original timeline was when it was born in the forest of the farm.

It didn’t know how it had come into being.

But the timeline had long since changed.

“Celebi~”

Celebi said it wanted to give Natsume a gift.

“What kind of gift?”

Natsume looked at Celebi, puzzled.

Celebi opened a time portal.

It pulled out a Pokémon egg from the time stream and placed it in Natsume's arms.

“Celebi~”

Celebi said, “I’m giving you a piece of myself.”

“Celebi~”

Celebi joyfully said, “Goodbye, my past father~”

After saying this, Celebi quickly disappeared into the time ripple.

If we are destined to meet, I hope this time is in the past.

Around them, peace returned.

Natsume looked at the Pokémon egg in his hands.

Name: Celebi (Hatch)
Type: Psychic/Grass
Level: 1
Ability: Natural Cure
Individual Values: HP 31, Attack 31, Defense 31, Special Attack 31, Special Defense 31, Speed 31
Potential: Godly Level

Natsume stared at the Celebi Pokémon egg in his hands and then glanced in the direction where Celebi had disappeared, and everything suddenly made sense.

No wonder this Celebi had appeared before him.

No wonder Celebi seemed so familiar with Dragonite and the others.

So that's how it was.

“What Pokémon egg is this?”

At that moment, Yuuji picked up Saharan's Poké Ball and began to collect Saharan's Pokémon.

Next to the pile of debris, Yuuji covered the bodies of Saharan and Makototaka with a cloth.

Natsume suddenly felt very displeased with Yuuji.

“Stand still.”

“Ah?”

Before Yuuji could react, Natsume suddenly punched him.

Bam~

Yuuji fell to the ground.

“What are you doing?”

Yuki exclaimed in alarm at what she saw.

Yuuji looked bewildered.

Natsume said calmly, “If you want to save the world in the future, you’ll have to do it yourself. Don’t bother someone else’s child.”

After finishing his statement, Natsume looked at the Pokémon egg in his hands and added, “Seriously, what a troublesome guy.”

Yuuji was a very smart person.

He looked at the Pokémon egg in Natsume's hands and recalled what Celebi had said.

Yuuji instantly understood.

“This, this is...”

He looked incredulously at the Pokémon egg in Natsume's hands.

“So that’s how it is.”

Yuuji stood up with a complicated expression.

“Sorry, Natsume, Gym Leader.”

Yuki asked, “Huh?”

She still hadn’t grasped what was happening.

“Pidgeot~”

Two Pidgeot descended from the sky.

They were both wearing ranger uniforms.

One of them was Sugimoto Ken, who had commanded a Golduck and battled Natsume's Sirfetch'd.

Sugimoto Ken looked around in shock and said, “What happened here?”

“Was this space always like this?”

Natsume responded, “You should ask Yuuji for details.”

“I have a few things to handle.”

At this moment, the Pokémon that had gathered around had all left after Celebi departed.

Natsume looked at Gardevoir.

“That Wishiwashi is ahead.”

“Let’s go.”

After saying this, Natsume recalled Serperior and Arcanine into their Poké Balls, then instantly vanished from the spot.

Sugimoto Ken looked at Yuuji in confusion. “What on earth is going on here?”

Yuuji took a deep breath. “Don’t panic.”

“This could be serious.”

Sugimoto Ken glanced around.

Other than being a bit emptier, it didn’t seem like anything had changed.

Sugimoto Ken asked in confusion, “What kind of big deal could this possibly be?”

“Makototaka from Future Technology and Saharan from the Western Region are dead.”

His head buzzed.

Sugimoto Ken stared blankly at Yuuji. “Who did you say died?”

“Saharan from Future Technology, and the Elite of the Western Region.”

Sugimoto Ken opened his mouth slightly, blinking in disbelief. Then he suddenly laughed, “You must be kidding!”

“How could Makototaka and Saharan die? Makototaka can be explained.”

“Saharan is a Elite; don’t joke around.”

Yuuji sighed as he stepped forward to pull away the cloth covering Makototaka and Saharan's bodies.

Sugimoto Ken moved closer.

He stared at the two corpses on the ground and instinctively said, “Ditto?”

“Real people.”

Sugimoto Ken was silent for a moment.

“Holy crap!”

Sugimoto Ken jumped up in shock.

“They're dead?”

“Damn it!”

“How could they die here?”

Sugimoto Ken paced back and forth anxiously. “Who could kill them?”

“It couldn't possibly be Natsume, could it?”

Yuuji nodded. “It might be, but it’s complicated.”

Sugimoto Ken roared, “What do you mean it might be, but it’s complicated?”

Yuuji looked at the completely bewildered Sugimoto Ken and said helplessly, “We need to report this.”

“This situation is beyond what we can handle.”

The signal here had been restored.

Yuuji dialed the Northern Region Champion and the highest leader of the rangers, Yamada Roto.

The video call connected.

“Teacher.”

Yamada Roto seemed to be in a good mood today.

He cheerfully said, “What’s with the sudden call?”

“I heard you detained Saharan's Pokémon. You've got some guts there.”

Yuuji remained silent.

Yamada Roto sensed something was off.

“Is something wrong over there?”

Yuuji replied, “Yeah.”

“Is there a death?”

“Yeah.”

Yamada Roto fell silent.

He understood his student well.

If it weren't for the death of some major figure, Yuuji wouldn’t be reporting directly to him.

Yuuji said, “Makototaka from Future Technology and Saharan from the Western Region are both dead.”

“Cough, cough.”

“What do you mean?”

“Who did you say died?”

Yamada Roto's reaction was similar to that of Sugimoto Ken earlier.

His voice grew louder and more serious on the call.

“What exactly happened?”

Yuuji explained, “It was the work of Natsume's Gym Leader's Annihilape.”

“But I feel like this is more about their evil catching up to them.”

“It’s the backlash of time.”

Yuuji looked at the bodies of Makototaka and Saharan, contemplating Natsume's conversation with Makototaka, and a clear timeline formed in his mind.

Yuuji reported his experiences to Takehana.

Ten years ago, Yuuji encountered Celebi while it was time traveling.

On July 7th, Hikari-jō was destroyed in a temporal secret realm.

Yuuji sought help from Celebi, changing the fate of Hikari-jō.

Celebi saved Hikari-jō but lost its Time Ripple due to an attack from the people of Hikari-jō.

There were records of Celebi being attacked back then.

However, for the sake of public opinion, the incident was covered up.

This was largely because the attackers included a country-level Gym Leader, Tahara.

It’s worth noting that Tahara had recently died during the Jirachi incident.

But not everyone in this world is a bad person.

Every place, every organization has both good and bad.

There are always two sides.

Celebi was able to leave Hikari-jō safely after exhausting its energy because more people chose to protect it.

Thanks to them, Celebi could return to Towada Lake and arrive here now.

From the past to the present, the person who caused the most change was Makototaka.

Makototaka used his abilities to do many evil deeds, harming many people.

The trainer of Annihilape was just one representative figure.

Saharan was a beneficiary of Makototaka's wrongdoings.

Ten years passed quickly.

Makototaka saw that Celebi would come to Towada Lake.

So Makototaka began plotting.

Meanwhile, Natsume, along with Tagawa's Annihilape, who had been persecuted by Makototaka, also arrived here.

Natsume initially came simply to find a Wishiwashi.

When Natsume reached this place, Celebi appeared.

Yuuji held the phone, recounting the entire sequence of events to Takehana in the video call.

“On that day, it felt like the gears of fate began to turn.”

“The Annihilape brought out by Natsume from Cloudtop Prison completed its revenge.”