Carl stood silently, pondering his immense responsibility. He had already gained the full legacy from the World Tree and now only needed to steadily accumulate experience. For Serena and the others, though, it was a completely different story. They had to start from scratch, requiring much more effort.
"We won't let you down!" Serena declared with determination.
The next morning, Carl finished his meditation and headed to the back of the house. There, he found Sabrina and the other three girls freshening up, preparing for the day.
Meanwhile, far from there, Mew was deep in thought atop the World Tree. Despite using her psychic abilities all night to scour the globe, even its most hidden corners, she couldn't locate Carl. She had even expanded her search with the World Tree's power, yet he remained elusive.
Could he have used Cosmog to venture into an ultimate space? Mew tilted her head, considering the possibility, but knew that such a portal could never sustain a human's passage for long. With the agreed-upon time slipping away, she felt a pang of frustration.
Determined not to lose, Mew made up her mind, teleporting to the Lake of Life. This hidden sanctuary at the northernmost point of the continent was guarded fiercely by powerful creatures, making it nearly impossible for ordinary folks to enter.
"Celebi, get out here!" Mew's voice echoed across the lake's surface.
Mew and Celebi were old friends, and soon enough, a clear, melodious chime signaled Celebi's arrival. The air shimmered, and a small, green sprite with a round head and large blue eyes emerged. Known as the Forest God, Celebi's presence instantly revitalized the surroundings, making the grass and trees lush and vibrant.
"You're looking for that clone Pokémon, right? How come you have time for me?" Celebi curiously fluttered up to Mew.
"I found something more intriguing," Mew replied, wagging her tail as she recounted the night's events.
Hearing Carl's name, Celebi paused, then nodded knowingly. To Celebi, Carl's deeds seemed unsurprising.
"So, you want me to help you find Carl?" Celebi asked, not entirely willing.
Mew, ever perceptive, caught the nuance. "You know this human?"
"I will a year from now." Celebi nodded lightly, "He's the trainer I've chosen, in a manner of speaking."
"You, a deity, choosing a trainer?" Mew's eyes widened in surprise.
"Indeed, with the worlds merged, my time-traveling duties ended, and Dialga handles time management now. I'm free to choose a trainer."
"And why not find him sooner?" Mew pressed.
"Would you like to see me and Dialga clash? The laws of time forbid such changes."
"So, you're refusing to help?"
"It's not refusal; I foresee you destined to lose," Celebi looked at Mew with a hint of sympathy.
A bet against Carl was a losing game.
Mew bristled at the thought. She was a hide-and-seek master, after all. Losing was not an option.
"No way! Even if fate says I'll fail, I will change the outcome."
"You must help me!" Mew insisted.
"And how would I do that?"
"Can't you traverse time? Help me pinpoint where he's hiding."
In truth, Celebi already knew Carl's whereabouts, but speaking of it would invite severe punishment, something even Arceus couldn't save her from.
"I'll give it a try," Celebi said, activating her powers.
With a chime, the scene shifted before Mew. She saw Carl with Cosmog, teleporting away with Sabrina and Caitlin. More scenes flashed by, illustrating potential futures as Celebi showcased them. Though similar to her search, Celebi's ability to fixate on specific time points made her far more efficient.
As the Forest God, Celebi could also draw on nature's power to enhance perception. In this, she indeed excelled.
Celebi shook her head regretfully, "I can't sense him at all. It's as if he's no longer on this planet."
Mew blinked in disbelief. "Even you can't find him?" She found it hard to believe that a human could leave the planet.
"Perhaps we should amplify the World Tree's reach using the Lake of Life," Mew suggested, raising her paw. Celebi immediately dived into the lake, enveloping Mew in a green glow.
Harnessing the World Tree's power, Mew felt as one with the entire planet, as if holding Earth itself in her hands. With few exceptions—some legendary Pokémon territories—she could see it all.
Yet, even so, Carl's presence eluded her. Areas requiring forced entry, like Jirachi and Kyurem's resting places, were immediately dismissed.
"Could he truly have left the planet?" Mew pondered.
"How about asking Rayquaza?" Celebi's voice echoed from below the lake.
Mew's eyes lit up, recalling a tale of calling for reinforcements. With a cheerful cry, she vanished.
In a heartbeat, Mew stood atop the towering Sky Pillar. A colossal green dragon with red-tipped wings and golden patterns coiled on the platform, basking in the sunlight—the sky's ruler, Rayquaza.
The legendary Rayquaza lazily opened its eyes, its flat horns slightly swaying, and its golden pupils fixed on Celebi.
"Need something, little one?" it asked nonchalantly.
Mew bristled at the nickname but held her tongue. Since the worlds merged, the already numerous Rayquaza had gained even more members. As the tribe's leader, this shiny Rayquaza had grown increasingly arrogant.
Yet few dared challenge it. The battle decades ago, instigated by Hoopa, was still talked about—it had fought four legendary beasts and won. Astonishingly, Celebi revealed that in a future battle, this Rayquaza would hold its own against multiple legendary avatars.
Mew knew better than to provoke a battle-crazed dragon.
"Seen anything pass through the ozone lately?" Mew asked bluntly.
As the sky's guardian, Rayquaza was one with the ozone layer. Anything attempting atmospheric passage, even via teleportation, couldn't escape its notice.
"No," Rayquaza replied, closing its eyes once more.
Satisfied with the answer, Mew nodded and vanished, reappearing in the distant Sinnoh region.
"If he's not on the planet, nor left it, then he must be in some special space. Maybe he's in the ultimate space, but I'll find a way in!" she resolved.
Elsewhere, Carl went about his usual routine, completing his daily check-in at the World Tree, pricking his finger to draw blood.
Unexpectedly, a sphere of light hovered before him with a soft pop.
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