"Why don't you gather your cells to counterattack?"
Lucas asked the Zygarde Core with curiosity. On the front of this Core's small body, one of the hexagonal spots was red.
Hmm… it looked exactly like that soft, squishy one that Ash raised in the anime.
"I am the Guardian of Order; how could I carelessly wield my own power?"
The Zygarde Core lifted its tiny head slightly. Its tone sounded rather comical, and paired with its minuscule size, it had absolutely no intimidation factor.
But Lucas did not underestimate it. Strictly speaking, the Zygarde Core indeed had no combat strength, but recovering that strength would only take it a matter of seconds…
As Zygarde's "brain," the Core could gather the cells scattered across Kalos at any moment to shift into different forms.
"So that's how it is. As expected of a legendary Pokémon. But doing that must be exhausting, right?"
"And judging from what happened just now, your situation doesn't look too good."
Lucas chuckled softly, praising the Core before changing the topic.
Even the grunts of Team Flare dared to bully it, yet the Zygarde Core truly had no way to fight back…
"These greedy humans… they are unforgivable."
Hearing this, the Zygarde Core felt even more distressed. Without combat power, it had absolutely no way to deal with the humans coveting it.
But it wasn't the only Core—there was another. And because of that, it couldn't freely use its cell-gathering ability.
"Do you need me to protect you? You're clearly being targeted," Lucas suggested.
"..."
The Core examined Lucas. If it had the protection of this "Hero of Truth," it indeed wouldn't have anything to fear for its safety.
However…
"I must find my other self. But thank you for your offer, human."
After thinking for a moment, the Zygarde Core politely refused. Even without strength, it was still Zygarde.
It had its pride. Accepting others' help so easily was not in its nature.
Once it found the other Core, the two of them could also discuss how to correct the ecological balance.
Its recent experiences had left it thoroughly irritated.
"In that case, I wish you good luck."
Lucas didn't push further. He smiled faintly and bid the Zygarde Core goodbye.
After watching Reshiram take off into the sky, the Core surveyed its surroundings, then hopped away toward a certain direction, disappearing into the forest.
It needed to locate its other half. Whatever happened, strengthening its ability to protect itself came first.
"Mr. Lucas, was that really the Zygarde of Kalos legend?"
As Reshiram ascended higher, Archer asked in bewilderment.
The Life Giver Xerneas, the Destroyer Yveltal, and the Guardian of Order Zygarde—
These three Pokémon were the most widely known as the legendaries of the Kalos region.
But the Zygarde Core they just met had truly shocked Archer…
Good heavens, is this what Zygarde looks like?
"Yes, that was Zygarde. But right now, it's in its separated Core form."
Lucas nodded without hiding anything.
"But don't even think about capturing Zygarde while it's like this. Even though the Core seems extremely weak, it's still the brain of Zygarde's true body."
"It possesses extremely high intelligence. If you push Zygarde into a corner, the power it can unleash will surpass anything you can imagine."
"A fully assembled Zygarde is no weaker than Mega Rayquaza. If that happens, no one will be able to save you."
Seeing Archer fall into deep thought, Lucas reminded him sternly.
Zygarde would never use its power lightly—unless it was completely forced to, or controlled by others.
In the original anime, the Core Team Flare captured was artificially stimulated, combined with its hatred toward humanity, which pushed it into total rampage and allowed it to gather cells into its 50% serpentine form.
Zygarde's attitude toward humans was neutral at best. Even though it served as an ecological overseer, it did not fall under any "kind and orderly" alignment.
It judged humanity solely by what it observed. For the sake of maintaining balance, Zygarde was fully capable of doing anything necessary.
"Haha~ don't worry, Mr. Lucas. We understand that well. Now that I think about it… we were truly blessed by the goddess of luck back when we captured Mew."
Archer laughed awkwardly, remembering past events.
The more he learned about legendary Pokémon, the more he felt both awe and desire toward their power.
Come to think of it, he had even personally led a mission to corner Mew. Truly, they were blessed that Mew hadn't crushed them…
"Mew is innocent and childlike by nature. Unless it has absolutely no choice, it won't use its full power."
Lucas smiled. Honestly, he agreed—Archer and his team were ridiculously lucky…
"But speaking of which… uncle, where's Mewtwo?"
Lucas turned toward Giovanni, curious. Why wasn't Mewtwo with him?
And the moment he mentioned Mewtwo, he also recalled his own Mewtwo 2.0 that was still in development.
He had asked Dr. Fuji about its progress earlier, and Fuji gave him a very satisfactory answer.
The project was going smoothly. If all went well, in about a month the embryo would grow into a new Mewtwo!
"Mewtwo, huh?" Giovanni's eyes flickered.
"It told me it found a new direction for its evolution. I think… it's researching right now."
Giovanni looked conflicted. Ever since being beaten to a pulp in Saffron City, Mewtwo had begun contemplating how to get stronger.
Then, during the second battle at Lake of Rage, after being defeated by Shadow Lugia, Mewtwo's resolve only strengthened further.
Yes—Mewtwo had begun to advance!
After receiving treatment, it left Giovanni to seek strength on its own. Later, when Giovanni contacted it…
Mewtwo told him it wanted to Mega Evolve.
Good lord. As the instigator of Project Mewtwo, Giovanni had never considered this possibility. Mewtwo can Mega Evolve?
And Mewtwo spoke about genes, megastone theory, keystone material composition—an avalanche of technical jargon Giovanni couldn't understand.
But that didn't matter. As long as Mewtwo understood it.
"Mewtwo is researching itself?" Lucas blinked.
"Yes. Theoretically, Mewtwo has limitless potential. I think it can do it… maybe."
Giovanni said uncertainly. True, Mewtwo's intellect was equal to a human's, and it had been implanted with vast knowledge during its time in the growth tank. But still… researching one's own Mega Evolution?
"Who knows? It might really succeed."
Lucas didn't question it much. After all, Mewtwo's scientific ability was insanely high…
In the Mewtwo movie, the Mewtwo Ball capable of capturing even Pokémon already inside Poké Balls was designed by Mewtwo itself.
And those cloning machines too—it had modified them itself.
Mewtwo could Mega Evolve. Lucas knew for sure. But where would Mewtwo get a Mega Stone?
Normally, Mewtwo shouldn't have one. Yet in the Hoopa movie, that Mewtwo could Mega Evolve freely.
But during its escape from Team Rocket's base, it clearly didn't take any Mega Stone with it.
So that eliminated the possibility that the researchers made one during its creation.
Of course, it was possible Mewtwo later returned to the ruins to retrieve a stone…
But Lucas preferred to believe Mewtwo had awakened that ability itself—creating its own Mega Stone through its own potential.
Mewtwo is a super scientist too!
"Well, that's fine. If Mewtwo manages to develop its Mega Evolution, my Mewtwo 2.0 will be able to use that research as well."
Lucas sincerely hoped Mewtwo would succeed. Because…
Without Mega Evolution, Mewtwo's power would always remain stuck at the high-tier legendary level.
"I believe Mewtwo can succeed as well," Giovanni added with expectation.
After all, Mewtwo was Team Rocket's greatest creation. If it could go even further, wouldn't that prove Team Rocket's genius?
A man-made Pokémon rivaling top-tier legends—what could be more thrilling?
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Lucas and the others walked and rested intermittently until they finally reached a mountain valley.
With their Pokémon recalled, the group entered the valley.
Passing through a narrow cleft, their surroundings suddenly opened wide. The scenery of lush greenery and blooming flowers was breathtaking.
The Arche Valley!
"There really is a village here… I can't believe people actually live in a place like this." Green murmured in amazement as she gazed at the beautiful scenery.
This place was indeed secluded. Hidden within the mountains, accessible only through a narrow valley—without the exact location, wandering here by accident was nearly impossible.
"Let's go take a look."
Lucas smiled and led them toward the village.
The settlement wasn't large, but the population wasn't small either. It resembled Meteor Falls' settlement of the Draconid people.
The villagers' clothing was simple and old-fashioned, completely different from modern fashion outside.
As soon as Lucas's group approached, a young man noticed them.
"Hello, travelers."
He wore a plain white robe, handsome and gentle-looking, greeting them warmly.
"Hello. We stumbled into this place by chance. We didn't expect a village to exist here." Lucas replied politely.
"Ah~ our families have lived here for generations. Unfortunately, because of how remote it is, few people ever come to the Arche Valley. Oh, my name is Baraz. Let me take you into the village to rest."
Baraz spoke warmly. Though they lived in seclusion, they weren't completely cut off from the world. Adventurers and travelers were common nowadays.
Sometimes people did accidentally find the valley.
So, he wasn't too surprised by their arrival.
"Thank you very much." Lucas bowed slightly.
Unexpectedly smooth. And he hadn't expected to run into Baraz right away.
Baraz was one of the caretakers who sealed Hoopa…
Baraz led the group inside. Some villagers looked on curiously, but without hostility—only curiosity toward outsiders.
Green, Marnie, and Archer kept observing everything. The buildings, clothing, atmosphere—everything felt like an older era entirely.
"That's Arceus's statue, right? Do you worship Arceus here?"
At the village center, Marnie spotted a statue ahead—Arceus.
She wouldn't mistake it. She had seen its depiction before, back at the Michina Town.
"Yes. The elders say our ancestors were once blessed by Lord Arceus, so our people have worshipped Him for generations."
Baraz paused, surprised. He knew most people in the outside world didn't even know Arceus existed.
"Your ancestors must have been incredibly fortunate. To be favored by the Creator Arceus… that is not something easily obtained."
Lucas glanced at Baraz, eyes shining faintly. Though he possessed the Dragon Force himself…
He couldn't deny that Baraz's inherited Arceus's Power was extremely enviable.
Its mystique, as shown in the movie, utterly overshadowed powers like Aura, Overcoming Power, or Blessing of the Forest.
But before he could finish—
"Stop right there! You stop this instant! Hoopa! You stole my snacks again!"
"Ehehe~ It was just a few donuts~"
A flustered woman's voice and a mischievous childlike voice suddenly rang out.
Lucas raised an eyebrow and looked sideways.
Floating toward them was a small, pinkish-gray Pokémon.
Hoopa Confined!
(End of Chapter)