Chương 145: It's a pity we can't blow it up

With Volcarona leading the way, the group passed through a narrow crystal tunnel, and the view ahead suddenly opened up.

This is an underground crystal cave that is far more magnificent and spectacular than before.

If the outside world is a kingdom of water, then this place is a palace of light.

Countless enormous natural crystal pillars rise into the sky, some like inverted icicles, others like swords breaking through the earth.

They are no longer a single color, but radiate various colors such as deep blue, golden yellow, and emerald green.

These rays of light intertwine in the clear lake water, rendering the entire space dreamlike and ethereal, like a crystal fairyland sleeping at the bottom of the lake.

Following the Vulcan moth into this bizarre and wonderful space, Lu Sha cautiously looked around to make sure there were no hidden dangers before turning his gaze to the center of this fairyland.

There, a highly discordant scene is unfolding.

In the open area in the center of the cave, countless cold mechanical devices are piled up in a rather unsightly manner.

Thick black cables, like parasitic blood vessels, clung to those beautiful crystals, emitting a low, suppressed hum.

At the very center of this cluster of machines, a huge, translucent crystal ball floats in mid-air.

Inside the crystal ball was none other than Arknom.

At this moment, Arknom was in extremely poor condition. Its small body was tightly bound by several purple-black energy chains, and it was suspended in a spread-eagle position.

Its face was contorted and grotesque with pain, its once intelligent eyes were now bloodshot, and it occasionally let out silent, painful roars, clearly suffering unimaginable torment.

"This place... is really not beautiful."

Mikoli followed, his gaze sweeping over the cold machinery that disrupted the harmony of nature. His brow furrowed, and his tone was full of disgust.

"Click! (What I'm more curious about is, how exactly did they manage to trap it in such a short time?)" Lu Sha stared at the scene before him, his doubts growing stronger.

Logically speaking, the massive explosion on Lake Ambition was likely caused by Team Galactic in an attempt to blast open the entrance to this location.

But the time between the explosion and their arrival here was extremely short.

In such a short time, the enemy not only had to blast through the solid crystal layer, but also had to go deep into the lake bottom, set up such complex mechanical equipment, and successfully capture Arknom. This was simply an impossible task.

It doesn't make any sense on the timeline.

A blue light flashed in Gadria's eyes as she swept her telekinetic energy across the surface of an instrument, blowing up the accumulated dust and scale.

"These devices were placed here long before the explosion just happened," Cattleya concluded.

"Click! (So that's how it is. They captured and imprisoned Arknom first, and only just now detonated it.)" Lu Sha suddenly realized.

No wonder Chi Ri said on the walkie-talkie that this bombing operation was meaningless.

For Team Galactic, who have already successfully taken control of Arknom, another eye-catching explosion would be superfluous.

That explosion was probably more of a warning to them.

Perhaps, as Chi Ri said, the Galaxy team has been too arrogant lately, and the league's higher-ups put pressure on them, which is also a warning to them.

"He's crying, he's angry, he's wailing..."

Mikkuri walked to the bottom of the cage, looked up at the struggling Arknom, his handsome face full of pity.

As a Cryptant, he possesses the special ability to sense the emotions of Pokémon.

At this moment, what emanated from Arknom was a torrent of negative emotions, like a tsunami.

Pain, despair, anger, and a near-madness that threatened to take one's life away.

He couldn't imagine how long this legendary Pokémon, representing willpower, had been tormented here.

"Click! (Is there a way to release it?)" Lu Sha turned to look at the young lady.

He examined the complex energy cage, and his intuition told him that this thing was not simple.

If they were to trigger some kind of self-destruct mechanism, they would probably all perish here at the bottom of this lake, which is thousands of meters deep.

Cattleya's blue eyes shone even brighter as her immense superpowers meticulously scanned the entire device's structure.

After a moment, she gently shook her head: "We can't act recklessly. There's an extremely strong energy reaction at the connection between the base and the top of the cage. If we forcibly destroy the outer structure, the attribute energy bombs inside will detonate instantly, and not only Arknom, but we will also be in mortal danger."

"So what should we do?"

Mikoli took a deep breath, quickly composed herself, and looked firmly at the two of them: "Just ask if you need my help, and I will do my best to cooperate."

At this moment, his gaze was completely focused on rescuing Arknom, and the Manaphy Egg that Lu Sha was holding in his arms seemed to have been completely forgotten by him.

Although Lu Sha had never doubted Mikoli's character, seeing his behavior made her secretly hope that he would lower his standards a bit.

Ideally, we could fast forward to the part where we go back to rest.

"Click! (Young lady, it's time to rely on you for the technical work.)" Faced with this high-tech device, Lu Sha was completely clueless.

The technology tree in the Pokémon world is completely off-track, full of all sorts of illogical and outlandish technologies.

A bowling ball-sized energy bomb might be more terrifying than the thousand-pound explosives he possessed in his previous life.

His knowledge of the machinery here is basically half right and half wrong.

In contrast, Cattleya, who can use her superpower to see through objects, is undoubtedly the best candidate to defuse the bomb.

"I'll give it a try."

Cattleya nodded; she never refused Lu Sha's requests.

Under the precise scanning of superpowers, these tightly wrapped mechanical shells appear almost transparent.

She quickly identified those energy nodes.

The entire device was not equipped with any traps; it simply required a considerable amount of energy to operate in order to imprison the Arknom.

This energy was drawn in and transmitted into the crystal ball, affecting the spirit of Arknom.

Gadria wasn't entirely clear on the specific principles, but based on the unconscious thoughts emanating from Arknom and the effects of energy transmission, she could make a rough deduction.

After all, the energy that powers this device is super-energy.

The legend of using superhuman energy to imprison and torture superhumans is so powerful that even Gadlia admits that the person who created this device was a genius.

"The main energy core is around the crystal ball, with a total of 6 energy sources. The explosion at the bottom of the lake just now was caused by one of these energy sources being blown open."

As she spoke, Gadriya pointed to the corner.

Lu Sha and Mikoli followed her finger and looked in the direction she pointed. When they saw a pile of equipment wreckage, they both knew what had happened there.

"Click! (Team Galactic is really something else!)" Lu Sha sighed, while glancing furtively at Mikoli.

"I know this is a very unsavory conspiracy, but taking Manaphy away is my duty, and the duty of the people of the Glass. I'm sorry! Such actions are also unsavory, but I have borne the benefits that come with my status, and some things must be done."

Michael was frank and open, and spoke his mind without reservation.

Manaphy was taken away by him, and Cattleya is having a hard time in Sinnoh.

Conversely, if Manaphy were left in Sinnoh, he would be criticized when he returned.

It's not about right or wrong, it's just a difference in perspective.

"But don't worry, I won't use any particularly evil methods, that would be so unseemly that I can't stand it."

"At most, I'll play one match in public to give the others an explanation," Mikkel added.

After all, Cattleya and her group got the egg first.

Moreover, on the lake just now, both sides were facing Elite Four level wild Pokémon, and his speed was not as good as Caitlin's.

He wouldn't have had any thoughts if it weren't Manaphy's egg, or even if it were Lugia's egg.

"good!"

Sensing that Mikoli had no greed, Cattleya nodded gently in agreement.

She disliked fickle people, but she was willing to respect someone as pure as Michael.

"Crack? (Speaking of which, each energy source can explode remotely?)" Lu Sha pointed to the other five energy sources. Once one energy source was found, the rest were easy to identify.

After all, although the crystal ball was a mess of wires and various devices were scattered all over the ground, there were only five other things in the room that looked like an egg, just like that broken energy.

"If one of these devices is installed, there's a high probability that others will follow suit. If the previous explosions outside were simply to attract our attention, then the explosions of these energy sources are pointers pointing us in the right direction."

Mikkuri quickly put aside the matter of Manaphy and focused on rescuing Arknom.

Thanks to a close friend who is the heir to Hoenn's largest machinery manufacturing company, Michael is quite knowledgeable about these things.

He had no interest in the aesthetically unappealing explosions, but he couldn't resist someone enthusiastically explaining the basics of digging rocks to him.

Although he didn't quite understand why a time bomb would be used to dig rocks.

"You even know about this?"

Lu Sha stared wide-eyed at Mikoli, who was about to strike, and instinctively took two steps back.

This art style is off. How come the Magnificent Master can defuse bombs?

Mikkuri commanded Milotic to unleash a powerful water jet, brutally severing the power source connecting the crystal ball in the middle.

Seeing that there was no explosion, Mikkel said with a relaxed expression, "Understanding everything is also a beautiful thing."

"Besides, this is something my best friend enjoys, and I always need to know a little about it in order to have something in common with him."

"Although to me, these cold machines and stones are far less beautiful and moving than the gorgeous moves that Milotic and I have shown."

When his close friend was mentioned, a smile flashed in Michael's eyes, clearly indicating that the two had a very good relationship.

Lu Sha knew, of course, who he was talking about—the other member of the Hoenn twins.

Dawu Zifuqi.

To be honest, Lu Sha felt that if it had been that person who came this time, the two of them would probably have more in common.

"Click! (You're sweating; what if it explodes? How will you pretend then?)" Lu Sha stretched out her claw and pointed at Mikoli's forehead with a serious expression.

"Huh? That can't be right!"

Mikoli instantly lost his composure and hurriedly reached out to wipe his forehead, but as soon as he did, he realized something was wrong and looked at Lu Sha with a resentful expression that darkened his face.

How can there be such a bad Pokémon?

Aren't Pokémon all simple and honest people who don't lie?

"Crack! (What if it's going to explode?)" Lu Sha rolled her eyes.

In this world, no one can act tough in front of Master Shark.

"No, even if it explodes, Milotic and I will do our best to protect you. Besides, this is Azelf's wish, its constant lament. Miss Cattleya is a psychic, she can hear it too, right?" Mikuri looked at Cattleya for confirmation.

"I can hear it, but I've been taught to do what I believe is right, instead of blindly following others."

Cattleya added rapidly, as if she were explaining something to someone.

"Click! (Hearing this doesn't mean we should act recklessly. Everyone knows Arknom is going to return to normal, but if we follow its simple-minded thinking and blow it up, who will be responsible?)" Lu Sha rolled his eyes. He was the one who taught the young lady, so of course he knew why Cattleya hadn't made a move.

Moreover, he himself felt that this matter was unreasonable.

A Pokémon that's been imprisoned will definitely be howling and begging for its owner to break free.

But this Pokémon has no idea whether it has a bomb strapped to it or not. It's something you can just defuse, right?

Anyway, Lu Sha felt that all these upright trainers had these flaws.

If he were the blazing sun, this would surely detonate the surrounding energy sources.

It would be even more fun if they blew up Arknom.

Unfortunately, it can't be blown up.

After all, Team Galactic needs Arknom more than they do. If they blow up the only one that's easy to catch, there's no way to find a replacement.

Since the site was demolished, the bomb did not detonate.

The subsequent bomb disposal work was naturally carried out by Mikoli, with Cattleya and Lu Sha on guard.

Even if something unexpected happens, the young lady can bring Mikoto and Milotic back.

Despite their words, Lu Sha and his group still couldn't just sit idly by and watch Mikoli get into trouble.

In no time, Mikoli had dismantled the five power sources and forced a power outage.

"Here you go. These are 10 top-tier Psychic-type gems that we just removed. I must say, your Sinnoh Team Galactic is really generous; the materials you use are far superior to those small-time evil organizations in Hoenn."

Mikuri promptly handed over the spoils he had dismantled—several top-tier super-powered gems radiating astonishing heat—to Lu Sha, showing no intention of keeping them for himself.

According to the alliance's rules, whoever discovers and seizes spoils during the fight against evil organizations owns them.

However, he felt guilty about what happened to Manaphy, so he couldn't possibly demand any more spoils.

Moreover, given his family's wealth, he wouldn't care about these top-tier gems at all.

Top-tier gems do not increase a Pokémon's type control; they only work on Pokémon that have already been shaped.

His Pokémon are still in their rapid growth phase, and without these top-tier gems, especially since they are all Psychic-type gems, they are even less useful to him.

"Of course, the leader of our Sinnoh Galactic Team is a well-known entrepreneur, so his vision is definitely different."

Lu Sha didn't stand on ceremony and directly accepted the gemstone and put it away.

Mikoli refused; he wasn't obsessed with cleanliness, and they were genuinely poor.

Top-tier super-powered gems! Finally, we have resources to give the young lady as snacks.