Chapter 73: Self-Deception

Chapter 73: Self-Deception

Bubbles rose from the plasma pool, growing ever more numerous and dense.

With a gasp, Lu Yun suddenly thrust his head out from the golden plasma, breathing heavily. His dark eyes were filled with confusion. The last thing he remembered was eating the strange fruit Zeraora had handed him; everything after that was a blank.

Yet—

Lu Yun raised his right hand and curled it into a fist.

A crackling burst—like an over-soaked sponge suddenly squeezed—erupted within him as brilliant currents of electricity swelled, almost overflowing and dissipating into the air.

Something was off.

Within his own body, Lu Yun sensed a power unlike any he had ever felt before.

What is this…?

Puzzled, he was about to open his status panel to check his changes when—

Boom—

From the direction of the canyon’s entrance, a tremendous noise shattered the silence.

A powerful sixth sense screamed in Lu Yun’s mind that whatever was happening was somehow connected to him.

With a thought, he manipulated the now far more responsive magnetic field and pulled himself from the plasma pool, golden liquid streaming down from every part of his body.

Lu Yun hovered in midair, confirming the direction in his mind, and spurred the explosive, terrifying electric current within him.

A thunderous sonic boom rang out. Driven by immense electric power and magnetism, Lu Yun shot forward like a supersonic fighter jet, leaving behind a cloud laced with golden currents.

…

At the canyon entrance—

Louis knelt on the ground, spiritless, his arms limp at his sides, defeat etched in his eyes. The Articuno had been the organization’s final trump card, yet even it was no match for the Zeraora before him.

Today, he would likely die here…

Unwillingness, attachment, regret—an intricate tangle of emotions churned within Louis’s heart.

Behind him, his team had witnessed the unfathomable power Zeraora displayed. Recognizing the vast gap between themselves and the beast, their fighting spirit was utterly crushed.

In the open ground, Zeraora stood quietly, its icy blue eyes sweeping over the intruders. It sensed from them a faint aura reminiscent of Lu Yun’s, its gaze flickering with complex emotion.

Suddenly, the air rippled with an unusual energy.

Zeraora turned. In the distance, a figure wreathed in yellow lightning streaked through the sky toward it. The beast’s lips curled in a faint smile. Sensing the strength of the energy approaching, it nodded in satisfaction.

Lu Yun’s gaze swept the scene as he descended: the grievously wounded Articuno glowing faintly with electricity, Zeraora standing firm, and a group of human trainers.

He quickly pieced together what had transpired.

But… why did these trainers carry a hint of a familiar aura?

A faint suspicion arose in Lu Yun’s heart. He landed beside Zeraora, his eyes locked on Louis and his group, searching his memories.

Suddenly, his gaze fixed on an emblem on one person’s clothing. His pupils contracted.

“Dark Star?”

A storm of emotion surged within him.

Louis, of course, noticed the sudden appearance of this fluffy Mareep, and couldn’t help recalling the one that had gone missing within the organization. A realization dawned.

So that’s how it is…

But given the dire circumstances, such matters were now trivial compared to his impending death.

So thought Louis, though the unexpected turn of events kindled a faint spark of hope in his heart.

Lu Yun stood bewildered, thoughts swirling. He had, in truth, long since severed ties with Dark Star and gained his freedom, but when confronted with his former masters, his feelings remained complicated.

He knew well that Dark Star was a dark organization in the Pokémon world—an entity whose very nature was opposition to the League, a theme of “evil” regardless of its inner workings.

Yet, he had indeed gained much from them: a steady stream of precious resources, rigorous specialized training—all deeply imprinted on his mind.

To speak honestly, Dark Star had treated him quite well. Though sometimes dangerous, the gains had far outweighed the risks.

“Rora!”

Zeraora’s low growl echoed by his ear, snapping Lu Yun out of his daze.

He turned and saw Zeraora raise its right hand, pointing first at Louis and the others, then at him.

Lu Yun’s eyes widened in disbelief, and he shook his head instinctively.

“Rora!”

Zeraora’s voice grew more forceful, brooking no argument.

“But…”

Lu Yun tried to protest, but in a flash of silver-white lightning, Zeraora’s sharp feline claw, moving faster than he’d ever seen, flicked gently against his forehead.

A dazzling white light shimmered. Zeraora’s curled finger flicked his brow.

A hum—

Darkness swallowed his vision. Barely awakened, Lu Yun was plunged into deep sleep once more.

With a soft thud, Zeraora used its magnetic field to deposit Lu Yun’s unconscious body before Louis and the others. Without a word, it turned and strode slowly toward the depths of the canyon.

A flicker of complex emotion passed through its eyes, but was quickly suppressed, replaced by profound calm.

As a legendary beast, it possessed extraordinary senses. From both Lu Yun and the trainers, it had felt the same aura.

As the guardian of the Electric Canyon, it would help electric-type Pokémon with great potential—but it was no caretaker. Only adversity could forge true strength.

After Lu Yun ate the fruit, there was little more Zeraora could offer. The road ahead was for Lu Yun to walk alone.

And the special premonition of a mythical beast told it that returning Lu Yun to these intruders was no bad thing.

Louis pressed himself to the ground, the sound of footsteps receding. His hands trembled, and a wave of intense emotion welled up from his heart.

Did… did I survive?

He cautiously raised his head and looked ahead.

Zeraora’s slender, diminishing figure seemed lonely against the vast canyon, yet there was a unique determination in its bearing.

Drawing his gaze back, Louis struggled to his feet, recalled the unconscious Lu Yun and the barely alive Articuno into their Poké Balls, and exchanged glances with his teammates. Their eyes shone with relief at their escape, and supporting one another, they left the canyon.

On the way, Louis reflected on all that had happened, marveling at his own luck.

Though the losses were great, in a sense, he had fulfilled the organization’s mission.

A wry, self-deprecating smile tugged at his lips.