This time, Lucius didn't issue any remote commands. Instead, he allowed the mutants to act according to their instincts, letting them take initiative.
Unlike the Tyrant Virus, the Veronica strain didn't drastically impair the intelligence of its hosts. Although Lucius's virus was still in its Queen Ant Form of the Progenitor Virus—far from its final evolution—it had already begun exhibiting many of Veronica's characteristics and traits.
These mutants retained their own intelligence, though the degree of mental acuity varied depending on the fusion rate. After mutation, they would still act in accordance with their original personalities. However, the virus consumed a vast amount of their energy, leaving them in a constant state of hunger.
This insatiable hunger further amplified their savagery and madness.
From Lucius's sensory connection, most infected mutants followed their hunger instincts, attacking those around them. Only a handful managed to suppress their hunger with rational thought, avoiding detection.
Lucius did nothing to intervene.
Those capable of resisting their instincts were the higher-intelligence mutants, with a higher fusion rate. These mutants had their own ideas. Lucius only needed to observe—guidance was unnecessary.
Firstly, Lucius regarded Sunburst Island as a laboratory, not territory to conquer—there was no need for strategic command.
Secondly, he sought intelligent bioweapons, not mindless zombies driven solely by hunger. Those who rushed out to bite indiscriminately were destined to be discarded as failures. Intelligent mutants, capable of concealment and tactics, would become the Emperor's worthy subordinates. This observation period was the perfect opportunity to identify them.
Thirdly, Lucius knew that even if the entire island's population and Pokémon were infected, the chaos wouldn't last long. It was only a matter of time before the Pokémon League dispatched high-level combatants to raze the island to the ground.
Lucius wanted to avoid leaving behind traces of deliberate manipulation—an outbreak framed as an accidental disaster was far preferable.
Suddenly, Lucius's expression shifted. He stood up, his gaze turning toward Mandarin Island.
It had appeared—the first natural mutant with a fusion rate exceeding 90%.
Natural mutants referred to hosts infected by Lucius's virus without direct control from the Emperor Strain. This category included members of the Biker Gang, Team Rocket operatives, and the seven hosts he had randomly infected while wandering Mandarin Island.
Without direct manipulation, the fusion rate depended entirely on the host's biological adaptability. The higher the fusion rate, the greater the intelligence and power.
In contrast, unnatural mutants were those infected under Lucius's direct control. As the Emperor Strain, Lucius could selectively modify hosts, guaranteeing 100% fusion without risk of rejection—a stark difference from the Resident Evil canon.
In the original series, viruses typically fused with human hosts, but no fusion was ever completely successful. Even Albert Wesker, bonded with the Ouroboros Virus, or Alexia Ashford with the Veronica Virus, were considered imperfect.
But Lucius was different—his virus was the primary organism, and humans were merely hosts. His selective fusion ensured absolute success.
Ophelia, Scott, and Archer were all infected under his direct control, their mutations perfectly suppressed at will.
Based on the ongoing experiments, the number of infected on Sunburst Island had risen from the initial forty to over six hundred. Yet, only four hosts had achieved fusion rates above 60%—less than 1% success.
What surprised Lucius was that one of the seven random hosts on Mandarin Island had achieved an 85% fusion rate—a near-perfect specimen.
What incredible luck...
...
"Is it him?"
Entei stood on the rooftop, its gaze piercing through the night to lock onto a boy in a red hoodie and yellow shorts.
"Hmm... this aura is remarkably similar to the malevolent presence King's Imprint warned us about," Raikou growled, even its less attuned senses now detecting the dark energy.
"This human... he doesn't seem like a bad person," Suicune observed, its voice gentle yet firm.
In the dim night, the boy fought off a group of muggers alongside his Cyndaquil and Togepi.
Ever since Ho-Oh's Sacred Flame had scorched the city, Cerulean City's crime rate had skyrocketed. Even the three Legendary Beasts could sense the growing disorder.
"Whether he's good or bad is irrelevant—the only thing that matters is the evil presence within him," Raikou snarled, its voice like clashing steel.
"You're suggesting we kill him?" Entei's amber eyes flicked toward Raikou.
"Exactly. The King's command is total annihilation."
"I object," Suicune interjected. "The King's command is to eradicate the malevolent presence—we should attempt purification first. There's no need to kill him."
"And if purification fails?" Raikou's gaze locked onto Suicune.
"We must at least try," Suicune responded, knowing Raikou would understand.
"Whew, all done." Gold wiped the sweat from his brow, returning the stolen handbag to the shaken woman. "It's not safe lately. Try to get home before dark, okay?"
The woman hurriedly thanked him.
Although Cerulean City hadn't fallen into full-scale chaos under the League's control, declining police resources had allowed petty crimes to spike.
Instead of leaving, Gold and Lyra had stayed behind. Under Oliver Doyle's arrangement, they served as volunteer security assistants, aiding the temporary police force in minor crime prevention.
After a long day, Lyra had already retired to rest. Yet Gold felt strangely energized lately—his stamina and mental clarity had improved, allowing him to keep going.
"Exbo, Togebo—let's head back." Gold called to his Pokémon, ready to report to the temporary police headquarters.
Suddenly, Togetic hovered into his path, extending its tiny arms with a grave expression, staring into the shadows.
"What's wrong, Togebo? Is something there?" Gold tensed, trusting his Pokémon's instincts without question.
A soft rustling echoed from the shadows.
A regal, blue-furred Pokémon emerged, its crystalline crest shimmering atop its head, purple mane billowing in the night air—Suicune.
Gold's heart pounded.
A Legendary Pokémon had appeared before him.
In that moment, under the darkened sky of Cerulean City, fate's threads began to intertwine—the human, the Legendary Beasts, and the unseen menace lurking beneath the surface.
Whether this meeting would lead to salvation or destruction remained unknown.
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