"Ash! May! Did you hear that? Manaphy just called you! And it even mimicked what you said just now!"
Anabel's eyes widened in excitement.
A newborn Pokémon speaking this soon—it was beyond incredible.
"Yeah… it's such a strange feeling. It's like I've formed a special bond with Manaphy," May murmured, holding the small Legendary Pokémon close as it nuzzled against her affectionately.
Watching this, Jack hesitated. He initially intended to keep Ash and the others from getting further involved. However, seeing the strength of Ash's Charizard and Anabel's Metagross, he reconsidered.
"As long as you promise not to act recklessly, I'll allow it," Jack finally relented.
Ash nodded, hiding a smirk. Reckless? Me?
Two days passed aboard Grandpa Shep's ship, the Blue Lagoon. They followed the first half of the route to the Sea Temple, guided by information gathered at the People of Water's ruins.
During this journey, Manaphy grew incredibly attached to May. It refused to be held by anyone else, bursting into tears whenever it was taken away. Only May, Ash, and Anabel—who could hear the voices of Pokémon—were exceptions. Even Latias, still in her disguised form as Bianca, could comfort the little Legendary.
Jack, as a Pokémon Ranger, was amazed by this deep bond forming in such a short time.
Finally, they reached a point where the path became uncertain.
"This is as far as the map leads us," Shep said, looking out at the endless ocean.
From here, only Manaphy could guide them.
As soon as the little prince of the sea dove into the ocean, it let out a joyful trill, swimming circles around the ship.
Under the moonlit night, Manaphy began to sing a hauntingly beautiful song. Its Song of the Ocean resonated across the waters, summoning countless Water-type Pokémon, who swam alongside them in a mesmerizing display.
Then, on the night of the lunar eclipse—
A deep tremor rumbled beneath the sea.
The Sea Temple, long hidden beneath the waves, began to rise.
From the depths emerged a massive, ancient palace, its stone walls shimmering under the moonlight.
But beneath the surface, a dark figure had already arrived first.
"Hahahaha! The Sea Temple has finally revealed itself! The Sea Crown will be mine!"
Phantom the Pirate was back.
On the Blue Lagoon, Jack's expression darkened as his scanner detected an unauthorized submarine.
"Impossible… How did he escape? And how did he get here so quickly?!"
Jack clenched his fists. Phantom had already infiltrated the Sea Temple while they were still at sea.
Ash rubbed his forehead. If Jack hadn't insisted on taking prisoners, I would've finished Phantom off back then…
Realizing the urgency, Ash, May, and Jack boarded a small submarine, diving toward the rising temple.
As they neared, something strange happened—
Latias suddenly recoiled as if struck by an invisible force!
Her illusion shattered, revealing her true form for a brief moment before Ash swiftly recalled her into her Poké Ball.
Jack barely had time to react.
"Wait… That was… a Pokémon?!"
His brain raced. Bianca… was actually a Legendary Pokémon this whole time?!
Ash ignored Jack's shock, frowning instead.
Why did Latias react that way?
Then, a realization struck him.
"Jack, could it be… that only Water Pokémon are allowed inside the Sea Temple?"
Jack nodded. "That's correct. The temple naturally repels outsiders, preventing non-Water types from entering."
That explains it!
But before they could strategize further—
A violent tremor shook the temple.
The Sea Temple suddenly stopped rising—then began to sink!
"The temple is collapsing!" Jack yelled.
In that instant, Manaphy broke free from May's arms, rushing toward the temple's entrance.
"Manaphy, wait!"
Without hesitation, May chased after it.
Ash followed without a second thought.
"Stop!" Jack called after them, cursing under his breath.
Anabel tried to go too, but Jack held her back. "Stay here. I'll bring them back. Right now, the temple is flooding—we can't risk any more people going in."
Anabel bit her lip but nodded.
As the seawater poured in, sealing off passageways one by one, Ash finally reached May—who had managed to catch Manaphy.
"Got you!" she gasped.
Ash grabbed her hand. "Hold on!"
Jack arrived behind them.
"The situation is worse than we thought," Jack said grimly. "We need to get out—now!"
But as more seawater rushed in—
The path behind them vanished.
They were trapped inside the sinking temple.
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T/N:
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