Pokémon PrismGold

Chapter Fifty-Three: "Celebi"

Necrozma's body began to shine so bright that it was hard to see his features clearly anymore. When it looked like Necrozma was turning his attention to them, Mark quickly moved to block Sean and Nate. Only as Necrozma leaned down, it started making chiming sounds similar to the soft clinking of crystals. Mark stood tense, until Lugia told them. "It's thanking you." Mark still stood a bit tense but told it nicely. "You're welcome. So... we are good, right?" Necrozma straightened up and Lugia chuckled. Necrozma spread its four wings, letting out a loud beautiful cry before jumping into the air. Once it was in the air, its wings pulsed, and it surged like a rocket into the sky. Within seconds, Necrozma was gone. Lugia watched it go, then jerked its head to look at something. Mark followed his gaze and swallowed. The locals were all rushing down to the beach to bow and thank Lugia. Lugia shook his head grimly at them, uttering out. "Do not thank me. While I have quilled the fighting between my friends... a war is still raging among the humans. That I can do nothing about..."

The local's expressions turned slightly disheartened. Mark looked at Sean and Nate's grim looks before asking Lugia hopefully. "Is there nothing that you can do? What about the legendary birds? The teams follow their command. Is there-?" Lugia shook his head, interjecting. "They cannot speak for themselves. Their wills have always been interpreted by others in power." Nate snorted, looking at Articuno as it circled and landed on the beach. Lugia's eyes drifted to Articuno before going to Nate to tell him coolly. "You think what Articuno did to you was cruel. Not all things are as they appear. As indifferent as they can be... they are not heartless. Seeing humans reject you. Articuno chose to save you. You see it as he dropped you in the ocean to die. Articuno saw it as keeping you from further harm." Nate looked away but didn't answer, prompting Lugia to lower his head to his level to coo out sweetly. "Our struggles make us who we are. Take your Magikarp. When you met, he was a normal color. In his struggle to save you from the rough waves that day, he turned gold due to his exertion. By training him, you helped evolve him into a strong red Gyarados. Not bad for a fish that can barely swim, right? You don't know what you can do... until life tests you."

Mark shrugged, not trying to take away from Nate's moment but asked aloud anxiously. "If they helped us prove to the leaders that we speak for them. Would that help?" Lugia nodded, answering hopefully. "As long as you possess the jewels." Mark's hopes lifted as he said openly. "Great! Then what?" Before Lugia could answer, the Shaman stepped through the crowd as she told them a bit shakily. "Lugia doesn't know. It's not his job anymore. It's Mews." Mark's heart deflated a bit as he saw Mew wrapped up in bits of the Shaman's robe. Mew was unconscious and not looking well. The Shaman cradled Mew to her chest, telling them seriously. "The stories say that Mew can use a Tree of life to heal the hearts of men and pokemon. However, to use it... a cost much be paid." Sean broke the sudden silence to ask softly. "I don't like the way you said that..." The Shaman inhaled slowly, telling them coolly. "A life is needed. A sacrifice. A selfless act to save many." Mark swallowed, he had a feeling it would have to be one of the three of them and he refused to let it be them.

He didn't get a chance to volunteer because the Shaman uttered out bluntly. "That will all have to wait though. Because right now... You need to get the jewels back..." All three of them jerked their heads in her direction. The Shaman cradled Mew close, telling them reluctantly. "Necrozma wiped out a lot of our pokemon. We couldn't stop that man... He took the jewels, and we were forced to retreat. I managed to get Mew before-" From behind the group of locals, the older Giovanni's voice stated aloud. "You didn't exactly run far enough." The Shaman whirled around, hugging Mew to her chest like she was protecting a baby. The locals all moved to protect her, pointing their spears at him as the Shaman shouted out. "You can't have Mew! I won't let you!" The older Giovanni stuffed his hands in his pockets, stating back calmly as his Rainbow Rocket members cocked their guns. "I'm not here for Mew." Mark tried to think quickly, then blurted out over them all. "Well, you aren't taking Nate either."