How could Nathan not be shocked?
Back when he was in the nation of Valar, that Shadow Mewtwo's strength was already enough to rival the legendary tier—no, it was even stronger than ordinary legends.
Now, so much time had passed since then. He had no idea what realm the Shadow Mewtwo's power had reached by now.
"Brother, look! Didn't I say it was a legendary Pokémon? You guys just didn't recognize it at the time!"
Hearing someone finally agree with his speculation, George immediately shouted in delight, his voice filled with excitement.
As he spoke, he was so thrilled that he actually jumped up from his seat.
All this time, he had been trying to prove himself right. Now, finally, someone acknowledged him.
How could he possibly not be excited?
"Other than that video, do you know anything else about this Pokémon? Is it still inside the mystic realm now?"
Compared to George's joy, Nathan's mood was not so optimistic.
To be honest, even though Nathan was no longer afraid of Shadow Mewtwo, he still didn't have enough confidence that he could take it down.
But if he really could subdue Shadow Mewtwo, then that one-year promise he had hanging over him wouldn't be something to worry about anymore.
"I've never run into it myself… and I don't know if it's still in that mystic realm."
Much to Nathan's disappointment, George knew nothing other than what was on that video.
As for anything else related to Shadow Mewtwo, he was completely clueless.
Even though George had shown a video, deep down, Nathan did not hold out too much hope for him.
After all, Shadow Mewtwo's strength was simply on another level.
For George to have managed to record it even once was already an incredible stroke of luck.
Expecting him to encounter Shadow Mewtwo a second time—or even capture it again on film—was basically impossible.
Most likely, the only reason George had managed to film it that time was because Shadow Mewtwo had run into some sort of special situation.
"Forget it. Where exactly did you see it? Can you take me there?"
Seeing George like this, Nathan decided he might as well have him lead the way into the mystic realm directly.
Who knows—maybe he would gain something from exploring it himself.
When George heard that Nathan wanted him to guide him to the place where he had seen that legendary Pokémon, he didn't even hesitate.
He agreed right away. After all, for so long, nobody other than Nathan—an outsider—had ever believed him.
And since George had always held a fascination for legendary Pokémon, he also placed complete faith in Nathan's strength.
Being able to cultivate a legendary Pokémon on his own—this was already something far beyond what any ordinary person could accomplish.
"After I take you there, could I maybe film some videos of your Pokémon?"
After agreeing to Nathan's request, George asked hopefully, his eyes gleaming.
Even though he hadn't managed to record much footage of wild legendary Pokémon, being able to film Nathan's Pokémon was already something wonderful in itself.
For him, it was still an incredible opportunity.
"That's fine. If you can take me to that Pokémon, I'll even let my Pokémon accompany you to film an entire short feature."
Nathan nodded.
After all, it wasn't the first time his Pokémon had appeared in front of a camera. Letting George take a video of them didn't matter to him.
But truthfully, Nathan wasn't holding too much hope in his heart.
He couldn't see through Shadow Mewtwo's personality. He didn't even know whether its presence in that mystic realm was out of its own will—or if there was some Trainer behind it who had brought it in.
Of course, the former was far more likely.
After all, Mewtwo's power was undeniable. Nathan honestly didn't believe that there were many Trainers in this world capable of subduing Shadow Mewtwo.
"All right, then. When should we head out? I'll definitely lead you to that Pokémon!"
As soon as Nathan gave his word, George's excitement seemed almost fanatical. He immediately began packing things up.
It was as if what Nathan had promised him wasn't just permission to film videos, but as if he had just been promised a wife instead.
Watching George's behavior, Lily, standing to the side, suddenly felt like he was seeing the younger Nathan all over again.
Back then, Nathan had often been just like this.
Whenever he heard there was a mystic realm somewhere, he would immediately rush off to investigate.
Whenever there was a tournament or a battle happening, he always wanted to jump in and join the fun.
But now, Nathan had changed—just a little.
Although he still cared just as much about Pokémon, his focus was gradually shifting more toward himself.
He was no longer the reckless boy who ignored everything else around him.
"There's no need to rush. We've only just arrived here. At the very least, let's rest a bit and adjust to the time difference first, right?"
Looking at George, who was in such a hurry, Nathan couldn't help but speak helplessly.
They had barely just gotten off the plane, hadn't even had time to adjust their jet lag, and George already wanted to dash into the mystic realm.
It really didn't make sense. Besides, after such a long flight, Nathan was already quite tired.
"Then let my brother send you to rest first. Whenever you're ready to go, just call me and I'll take you right away."
Only then did George realize that Nathan and the others had just gotten off the plane.
He had indeed been acting too impatient.
Page personally escorted Nathan to the hotel. After arriving, they ate a light meal, and then everyone returned to their rooms to rest.
"Do you want to come with me this time?"
Lying on the hotel bed, Nathan hugged Lily beside him and asked softly.
After all, this trip was supposed to be for traveling with her. Yet here he was, about to run off to a mystic realm as soon as they arrived.
So, he wanted to hear her thoughts.
"As long as I'm with you, I don't care where we go."
Lily replied casually.
When she first suggested traveling, it was always for Nathan's sake.
Now that Nathan wanted to go to a mystic realm, she naturally wanted to follow along.
Even if it meant going in search of a legendary Pokémon, she believed that no matter what kind of Pokémon they encountered, Nathan would always be able to protect her.
"Besides, it's just a legendary Pokémon, isn't it? Haven't you already defeated more than a few of them?"
Hearing her words, Nathan froze for a moment.
That's right—what was he thinking?
So, what if it was Shadow Mewtwo? At the end of the day, it was still just a legendary Pokémon.
And he was someone who had already defeated several legendary Pokémon with his own hands.
Even though back then, when he first faced Shadow Mewtwo, he had felt utterly powerless—
—he was no longer the same person he used to be.
So why should he still be worried?
"You're right. As long as I'm here, no one—and no Pokémon—will ever be able to hurt you."
Nathan said softly, his voice steady.
The next morning, after waking up, Nathan went to find Grog.
He asked if he wanted to come along.
Without the slightest hesitation, Grog chose to follow Nathan.
As a man, he too wanted to witness those thrilling battles firsthand.
Watching Nathan fight the last time hadn't been nearly enough for him.
"Looks like you're all coming with me, then. I was actually thinking of letting you all stay here for a couple of days to enjoy yourselves."
Nathan chuckled.
After the conversation with Lily the night before, his heart had become much more at ease.
After breakfast, Nathan and his group found George again and brought up the trip to the mystic realm.
George, already fully prepared, didn't hesitate a bit. He immediately led Nathan and the others straight toward the mystic realm.
Watching Nathan and the group gradually vanish into the distance, Page couldn't help but feel worried.
He only hoped that his younger brother wouldn't mislead someone as remarkable as Nathan.
What a good person Nathan was—after all, on the plane, he had performed such a heroic act.
How could he have been convinced by his younger brother's wild claims?
Even now, Page still didn't believe that his brother had truly managed to record a legendary Pokémon.
Even if Nathan himself had said that the one on the video was indeed a legendary Pokémon, no one else had ever seen it with their own eyes.
What if Nathan had simply been mistaken?
Rather than leading Nathan into some mystic realm, Page would have much preferred George to take him and the others to the seaside.
At least the beautiful ocean views couldn't lie.
And, most importantly, there were plenty of beautiful women there. Who knows—maybe if his foolish little brother finally got himself a girlfriend, his personality might become a bit more grounded.
George, meanwhile, led Nathan into the mystic realm.
After paying the entrance fee, Nathan immediately felt a rush of certainty—coming here had absolutely been the right decision.
He had been to many mystic realms before.
He had seen snow-covered realms, such as the Mt. Fudo Mystic realm in the nation of Valar, where he had captured his Frosmoth, a Pokémon that had lived atop the snowy peaks for generations.
He had seen lush, forest-filled realms, like the one where he had encountered Xerneas.
He had seen many, many mystic realms.
But this one—this was unlike any of them.
Because upon entering, what he saw was not mountains. It was not trees.
It was water.
Endless, boundless ocean water.
"This kind of mystic realm… is truly rare!"
Even someone with Nathan's extensive mystic realm experience was astonished at the sight.
Not to mention Lily and the others, who had far less experience and had never imagined that mystic realms could look like this.
"The place where I filmed that Pokémon is on an island out there, in the middle of the sea."
George pointed toward the horizon as he spoke.
As he did, he released a Flying-type Pokémon, and quickly mounted it to prepare for departure.
(End of Chapter)