With the Orange League Winner's Cup challenge just ahead, Ash and his group rode on Lapras, heading toward their final destination, Pummelo Island, where the Pummelo Stadium was located.
The sea breeze was gentle, and sunlight shimmered across the rippling ocean, promising a peaceful journey.
However, nature's temper could change in an instant.
One moment, the sky was clear. The next, the distant horizon was swallowed by rolling, ink-black storm clouds.
A violent gale erupted without warning, stirring up massive waves several meters high. The once calm sea instantly transformed into a ferocious beast ready to devour everything in its path. The sky seemed torn apart as torrential rain poured down, mixed with eerie hail and ominous thunder.
"What's going on?! This weather is completely abnormal!" Misty cried out in fear as Lapras was violently tossed by the waves. Tracey clung tightly to Lapras's fin, trying to steady himself, but his sketchbook had already been soaked by seawater.
"Hold on tight!" Ash handed Togepi to Misty and stepped to the front, his gaze sharp as a blade.
A deep blue-green light began to glow around him as his Aura flared to life. The "Aura Barrier" expanded to its limit, forming a semi-transparent shield that struggled to withstand the raging wind, rain, and freezing seawater. The barrier trembled violently in the storm, emitting a strained hum as if on the verge of collapse.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu clung tightly to Ash's shoulder, sparks crackling uncontrollably from its cheeks, as if resonating with the chaotic energy of the storm itself.
Ash's Aura spread outward with unprecedented intensity, attempting to locate the source of the storm.
But what he sensed was nothing but chaos and fury.
Far in the distance, he detected three immense and ancient energies clashing violently, out of balance. From the depths of the ocean, an even deeper and more enraged consciousness was slowly awakening. Its fury manifested as this catastrophic storm in the real world.
"No… this storm isn't natural!" Ash gritted his teeth, channeling more of his Aura to stabilize the waters around Lapras. "Something… something far more powerful has been provoked!"
Despite giving it his all, Ash's strength was insignificant before the might of nature.
A colossal wave, towering like a mountain, surged toward them and crashed directly into the Aura Barrier.
The barrier shattered instantly.
Ash was struck as if by a heavy blow, letting out a muffled groan as his mental energy was completely drained.
Lapras cried out in pain as it was swallowed by the massive wave.
The world spun violently, and salty seawater flooded Ash's mouth and nose.
Before losing consciousness, he could only manage to pull Pikachu tightly into his arms.
…
After an unknown amount of time, Ash awoke amid the sound of crashing waves. He found himself lying on a beach, soaked to the bone, his body chilled to the core. Pikachu anxiously patted his face with its small paws.
"Pika! Pika!"
"Pikachu… are you okay?" Ash pushed himself up and looked around.
This was a tropical island, filled with swaying palm trees, completely different from the islands he had visited before. It carried a primitive and mysterious atmosphere.
Misty, Tracey, and Lapras had also been washed ashore. They seemed unharmed, though still shaken.
"Where are we?" Misty gently held the frightened Togepi, looking worriedly at the still gloomy sky.
Although the storm had temporarily subsided, the oppressive sense of unease in the air remained unchanged.
"Judging by the map and the island's appearance…" Tracey pulled out his soaked but still readable map. "This is most likely… Shamouti Island, located at the center of the Orange Islands."
At that moment, a rhythmic sound of drums and the melody of flutes drifted from deeper within the island.
The three turned toward the sound and saw a group of islanders dressed in traditional grass skirts and flower garlands approaching them.
At the center of the group was a young girl, around fifteen or sixteen years old. Her skin was a healthy tan, and her features were delicate. She wore an ornate crown woven from tropical flowers, a necklace of seashells, and a colorful grass garment. Barefoot, she walked with a light yet sacred grace.
She was the priestess of Shamouti Island's festival, Melody.
"Travelers from afar, the storm has brought you here. This must be the guidance of the Sea Guardian."
Her voice was clear and melodic as she stepped forward, her gaze lingering on Ash and the Pikachu on his shoulder.
"I am Melody of Shamouti Island, and I am searching for the Chosen One for today's festival."
"The Chosen One?" Ash froze for a moment. The title stirred a strange sense of familiarity within him.
"In the ancient legends of Shamouti Island," Melody began solemnly, "the world is protected by two Guardians. One is born from the ocean and nurtures life, the Sea Guardian… Lugia. The other lies dormant deep beneath the earth, bringing about destruction…"
She paused for a moment before continuing,
"And the ones who maintain the balance of nature are the three elemental Guardians, the Fire Guardian Moltres, the Lighting Guardian Zapdos, and the Ice Guardian Articuno. According to legend, when humanity's foolish actions anger these three Guardians of ice, thunder, and fire, the enraged Sea Guardian will appear to cleanse the world… and that will be the day of its destruction."
Tracey immediately took out his notebook and began recording. "Does this legend have anything to do with the recent abnormal climate changes happening across the world?"
Melody nodded heavily. "Yes. Not long ago, we sensed the anger of the Fire Guardian Moltres. Its presence… vanished, as if it had been forcibly taken from its sacred domain. The balance has already been broken. The storm you experienced was only the beginning of the disaster."
The moment she finished speaking, it was like a thunderclap exploded in Ash's mind.
It came back to him. Everything.
This was the Orange Islands movie arc, "The Power of One."
That mad collector, Lawrence III, had used advanced technology to capture Moltres, attempting to lure out Lugia!
And the result was the catastrophic global climate disaster from the movie!
"I think I know what's going on!" Ash quickly organized his thoughts, his tone more serious than ever before. "There's a madman who captured Moltres in order to draw out the Sea Guardian, Lugia!"
"What?" Melody, Misty, and Tracey all stared at him in shock.
"Ash, how do you know that?" Misty asked in confusion.
"There's no time to explain everything!" Ash said urgently, turning to Melody. "The so-called Chosen One is supposed to travel to the three islands of the Guardians when they go out of control and the world is on the brink of destruction, retrieve the sacred orbs that represent them, calm their anger, and ultimately earn the recognition of the Sea Guardian. Is that right?"
Melody's beautiful eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at him. "Y-you actually know so much! That's right! The ancient prophecy says exactly that! The Chosen One must be a trainer with a pure heart, great courage, and the ability to connect with Pokémon on a spiritual level."
Her gaze locked firmly onto Ash.
"The storm brought you here. The electric mouse on your shoulder radiates extraordinary brilliance, and you… you possess a powerful presence that makes me feel at ease and trust you. You are the one chosen by the Sea Guardian, the Chosen One of this festival. No… you are the key to saving the world!"
Without hesitation, she grabbed Ash's hand and announced to the surrounding islanders,
"Look! This boy brought here by the storm is the Chosen One from the legend, the one who can calm the wrath of the Legends!"
The islanders erupted into cheers, placing flower garlands around the necks of Ash, Misty, and Tracey, as if they were witnessing a savior.
Misty and Tracey were still a bit stunned, but seeing the clarity and determination in Ash's eyes, they chose to trust him without question.
"Ash, are you really going to…" Misty grabbed his arm, worry in her voice.
"Yeah." Ash nodded firmly, his gaze as sharp as a drawn blade. "This isn't just some festival game. This is a real battle to save the world. Moltres has been captured. Zapdos and Articuno will soon go out of control due to the broken balance. We have to act quickly and restore the balance before Lugia's wrath destroys everything!"
He turned to Melody. "Tell me where the three islands are, and what exactly I need to retrieve!"
Inspired by Ash's determination, Melody nodded strongly. "The Flame Orb of the Fire Guardian is on Fire Island, but Moltres has already been taken, so its situation is unclear. The Thunder Orb of the Lighting Guardian is on Lightning Island. The Ice Orb of the Ice Guardian is on Ice Island. The Chosen One must travel across dangerous seas and retrieve the orbs one by one."
She pointed toward the distant ocean. "Those are the three islands of the Guardians. But Ash, the seas are now filled with the Guardians' fury. It's extremely dangerous! And the enraged Thunder and Ice Guardians will never let you take the orbs easily!"
"No matter how dangerous it is, I have to go!" Ash said without hesitation. He patted Lapras beside him. "Partner, this time, we're crossing into the domain of Legends!"
"Luuuu!" Lapras let out a firm and resolute cry, declaring its loyalty.
"Pika pika!" Pikachu jumped onto Lapras's head, full of fighting spirit.
Ash took a deep breath, feeling the Aura and Viridian power within him accelerating as his resolve strengthened.
He knew this would be a challenge far more difficult than the Indigo League finals, more than any Gym battle he had faced.
This was no longer about glory.
This was about protecting the world, protecting everything he cared about.
He looked toward the three islands that symbolized both destruction and hope, his gaze piercing through the clouds, as if he could already see the silver-winged figure sleeping within the eye of the storm.
"Lugia… and that mad collector, Lawrence III…" Ash muttered softly, clenching his fist. "I won't let your plan succeed. And I definitely won't let this world be destroyed!"
The Chosen One, Ash, sets out!
The arc officially begins.
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