At this point, how could Caleb not understand? This Lapras was deliberately placed here by the Infinite World to act as a gatekeeper, preventing players like them from leaving the island...
If that were the case, it meant this Lapras had nothing to do with the players' main quest!
Thinking this, Caleb felt a wave of relief. He didn't attempt anything further and instead turned around, flying back south with his Dragonite.
He found Luna at their agreed meeting spot.
Seeing him in such a disheveled state, she glanced behind him to confirm no Dynamax Pokémon was following before asking, "What happened?"
Caleb frowned and explained that the Lapras was a gatekeeper Pokémon.
Instead of panicking, Luna grew inexplicably excited, "Does that mean we can use my plan to deal with that Tyranitar now?"
"Plan? What plan?" Caleb had been preoccupied with the Lapras and didn't immediately recall.
Luna reminded him, "Toxic! Your Dragonite can carry my Pachirisu into the air, and we can poison the Tyranitar from above! Toxic's damage increases over time. It'll definitely knock out the Tyranitar before dawn!"
Caleb: "…"
Well, it seemed like the only viable option at the moment...
The Dynamax Tyranitar was still roaming outside.
Caleb and Luna hid behind a tree, while Dragonite and Pachirisu stood before them with serious expressions.
Caleb instructed Dragonite, "Got it? You'll carry Pachirisu close to that Tyranitar."
Luna told her Pachirisu, "And you seize the chance to hit it with Toxic."
Dragonite and Pachirisu nodded simultaneously, then exchanged glances.
Dragonite carefully placed Pachirisu on its back, then flapped its wings and flew toward the Tyranitar...
Watching the two Pokémon's retreating figures, Luna couldn't help but feel nervous, "This is our final battle in this Instance, right?"
Caleb nodded, recalling the contents of the two clue fragments, "Should be. Aside from the Tyranitar, there aren't any other Dynamax-capable Pokémon left on this island."
Hearing this, Luna relaxed slightly. Leaning against the tree, she swallowed hard and said, "I can't wait to get back to the Infinite World and have a feast... pork knuckle, cola chicken wings, braised fish, mapo tofu, spicy and sour cabbage!"
Her words made Caleb's stomach growl too. In the first few days, he'd at least eaten decently, but now, his three daily meals consisted of nothing but berries and mushroom soup. He'd lost weight from hunger...
Luna smacked her lips ungracefully, then suddenly brightened, "Hey, Terrence, after we leave this Scenario, let's add each other as friends, okay?"
Caleb glanced at her, "What for?"
Luna: "To treat you to a meal, of course! As thanks for carrying me through this Instance run..."
"No need. My house has a robotic housekeeper that cooks," Caleb declined.
Luna sighed, "Then at least let's add each other as friends?"
Caleb finally nodded, "Fine."
As they spoke, Dragonite and Pachirisu reached the Dynamax Tyranitar's back.
Dragonite moved slowly, carefully positioning itself behind the Tyranitar.
"Wuu!" Dragonite signaled to Pachirisu, who was perched on its head.
Pachirisu understood, then a purple glow formed in its mouth before firing it at the Tyranitar's neck.
The purple light instantly spread across the Tyranitar's body, coating it like a thick, dark-purple liquid. But the next second, the glow vanished. It was absorbed into the Tyranitar's body.
Toxic had landed successfully!
Without hesitation, Dragonite dove downward with Pachirisu, disappearing into the forest in the blink of an eye...
The Tyranitar, sensing something was wrong, turned around angrily, but found nothing. It could only vent its fury on the poor trees nearby.
Caleb looked up at the Tyranitar's reaction, "They did it!"
Luna relaxed, stretching lazily, "So tired… Too bad we still have to wait until morning to leave."
Hearing the word 'leave', Riolu beside Caleb looked up at him.
Caleb reached out and ruffled its fluffy head, "Don't worry, I'll definitely come back for you."
Hearing this, Luna suddenly perked up, her voice full of surprise, "You're coming back for it? You do know every Instance exists in a different world, right?"
"I know," Caleb nodded seriously, his gaze firm as he looked at Riolu, "But out of so many Instances, there's bound to be one or two set in the same world. If not the first time, then the tenth. If not the tenth, then the hundredth. Eventually, I'll return to this world."
Luna frowned worriedly, "But the Pokémon world is huge. Even if you do return, how will you find this island? And the time periods of Instances aren't the same either. By the time you come back, a hundred years might've passed here... you might even end up a hundred years in the past…"
Caleb smiled, unfazed, "With so many Instances, there's bound to be one set in the present timeline."
As for how to locate the island's region and position, he already had a plan...
Gently holding Riolu's small face, he said, "Until then, wait here for me, okay?"
Riolu nodded emphatically.
Watching this, Luna sensed Caleb's intentions and frowned, "You're insane! You think you can break through that Gigantamax Lapras' blockade?!"
Caleb had no real plan... so he would have to force his way through. As long as he found land and confirmed the region and timeline, that would be enough...
"That's why I'll wait until the main quest is complete before acting," Caleb said.
Once the main quest was done, he could submit it and leave the Instance anytime. Even if he failed to find land, he wouldn't die lost at sea.
Luna fell silent. She stared at Caleb for a long moment before finally saying, "Good luck, then."
The atmosphere grew quiet.
Perhaps sensing Caleb's imminent departure, Riolu pressed its head against him, reluctant to let go.
Luna watched this for a while before speaking again, "I've never met a trainer like you before. Is it really worth it?"
"Worth isn't the point. Since it chose me without hesitation, I can't let it down," Caleb said, squeezing Riolu's tiny paw, "Besides, like you said... no healthy male can resist a Pokémon as cool as Lucario."
Luna's eyes softened with nostalgia, "True. I remember after the Lucario and the Mystery of Mew movie came out, all the boys in my class went crazy. They'd steal money from their parents just to buy those cheap Pokémon cards sold near the school... all for a single Lucario card."
Caleb had done the same. Smiling, he asked, "What happened after?"
"After? One kid's parent showed up at school with a bamboo rod and beat him right there in front of everyone. The others never dared steal money again."