"Foreseeing the future merely acts as a catalyst, which is why this space can be temporarily opened. The fissure created by reversing time simply can't allow objects from other dimensions to be retrieved into another."
Ace said with a tone of realization: "Am I right, Celebi?"
As Ace's words faded, a point of glowing green light floated up from above the tree canopy. The light gradually intensified, and Celebi slowly flew out from within the radiance.
"Not so foolish after all."
Celebi communicated via telepathy: "Then, why do you think I let you enter?"
"That, I truly don't know."
Ace spoke calmly, meeting Celebi's gaze directly.
Celebi slowly flew towards Ace. After circling him once, it said: "This is a Time Interstice, one of my resting places. I let you come here because I hoped you would abandon your current course of action."
"Give me a reason."
Ace said plainly. He wouldn't give up his plan simply because of a single sentence from Celebi.
Celebi sighed. Its small hand suddenly waved, and a phantom image quickly appeared before Ace.
The image showed Sootopolis City in the Hoenn region.
The city was consumed by fire, and the Pokémon Groudon and Kyogre were locked in battle within it.
Celebi waved its small hand, shifting the scene to another location: a cluster of reefs. Steven Stone and his father, Mr. Stone, lay on the rocks, lifeless. Ruby and Sapphire roared in despair, and the corpses of numerous Team Magma and Team Aqua grunts floated on the sea's surface.
The image switched again. Ace stood with the Red and Blue Orbs in his hands. Veins resembling tattoos spread all over his body. In front of him, Maxie and Archie clutched their broken bodies, barely alive. Giovanni watched Ace with a grave expression, and an alien-like Pokémon stood in confrontation with Ace.
"Is that all?"
Ace's expression remained calm. These scenes were similar to the plan he had in mind. Although there were slight deviations, they were minimal.
Celebi sighed and waved its small hand again, shifting the scene once more.
Upon seeing this final scene, Ace's pupils contracted sharply, and his face turned utterly grim.
The image displayed a field of corpses.
Among these bodies, Zinnia had died from exhaustion. Even worse, six of Ace's Pokémon—including his Victreebel, Metagross, and Tyranitar—were all dead!
"Impossible!!!"
Ace roared, unable to believe that his future "family" would meet such a terrible end!
"Where did things go wrong?"
"My arrangements should be flawless. Why would the result be so tragic?"
"The Pokémon League?"
"It can't be the League. I've long prepared my countermeasures. The League wouldn't abandon such massive gains just to target me."
"Who is it?!"
Ace's mind was in turmoil, but he didn't doubt the authenticity of the phantom image before him.
Celebi possesses the ability to travel through time and adjust the timeline. So, even if the scene had minor variations, any scene Celebi showed must be a genuine future timeline—that much was undeniable!
At the same time, Ace felt a deep sense of fear. If the events in the phantom image truly came to pass, Ace couldn't imagine the madness he would unleash.
"The future still has a window for change."
Celebi waved the phantom image away and said to Ace: "Your plan is too ruthless. Sometimes, leaving a little room for maneuver can lead to unexpected results."
"Are you suggesting I spare their lives?"
Ace frowned, rapidly analyzing his current plan and what the outcome would be if he made adjustments.
"Preserve what exists. Do not excessively damage the original history. That is the correct path."
Celebi looked deeply at Ace and spoke solemnly: "For example, like this..."
With that, Celebi waved its arm again, and another phantom image appeared.
In this image, the Regis sealed off the Groudon and Kyogre battlefield. Ace, standing on Rayquaza, swooped down, easily separating Groudon and Kyogre.
Zinnia, holding the Red and Blue Orbs, sealed the movements of the two Pokémon. Taking this opportunity, Ace successfully captured both Groudon and Kyogre.
A happy ending, congratulations all around.
This time, Ace didn't wait for Celebi to make a move. He violently waved his hand first, shattering the image of the happy ending.
Ace sneered: "Disgusting. Do you think I would choose to be a 'dog' for others?"
Celebi remained silent. The scene just shown, while seemingly beautiful, had revealed several critical points to Ace.
Firstly, the clothes Ace was wearing were not his usual attire, but the standardized uniform of the Pokémon League, topped with a Champion's cape.
Secondly, after descending on Rayquaza, Ace, with his sharp eyes, noticed that Rayquaza appeared weaker than it was now.
So, on the surface, it was a grand, happy ending, but in reality, it was a "future" in which his future self was forced to join the League to survive—a future that extended from that compromise!
"I believe you owe me a 'future'," Ace suddenly spoke, looking at Celebi.
"I know what you are asking for, but that future does not exist."
Celebi refused Ace, saying righteously: "No matter how I view the future, the one you imagine is not there. The one I just showed you was already the best possible future."
"If there is no future, then I will create one with my own hands!"
Ace spread his arms and roared: "Celebi, you owe me this!"
Celebi fell silent for a moment, then sighed softly. With a sharp wave of its hand, several phantom images appeared before Ace.
Ace quickly scanned the images, his eyes darting back and forth in their sockets, observing the scenes and hoping to find the critical point.
These were countless future scenarios. Just as Celebi said, none of them were intact. Even when selecting the best one, three of Ace's Pokémon had died in battle, Zinnia was crippled, and Ace himself was driven into a state of frenzy.
"It has to be there, it has to be there..."
"Who is the one secretly sabotaging things..."
"A cunning schemer like that would absolutely not miss a scene this grand; they would definitely be present."
"Giovanni?"
"It can't be him. He wouldn't stoop to this level."
"Who could it be?"
"Who benefits?"
"Who?"
"..."
Amidst Ace's murmuring, a figure appeared within the multitude of future phantom images. With just one glance, Ace's gaze locked firmly onto this person.
Connecting the dots with the plot knowledge in his mind, the entire sequence of events instantly became clear. Finally, in this moment, Ace knew exactly who the mastermind behind the scenes was.
"So it's you..."
Ace stared intently at that figure, his eyes radiating murderous intent.
Concurrently, Celebi's eyes widened slightly.
The future changed in that instant!!!
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