56
The transition through the Ultra-Wormhole wasn't a smooth flight; it was a cosmic spin-cycle. We hit the ground—or what passes for ground in the Ultra Jungle—with a thud that rattled my teeth.
The air was thick, smelling of electric ozone and overripe fruit. Towering, bioluminescent trees pulsed with a rhythm that matched the Obsidian Key.
The Stream: "Live from Ultra Space"
Lens was hovering erratically, his internal gyros struggling with the distorted physics, but the feed was still live.
[Chat Log: 150M VIEWERS & CLIMBING]
GymBro_Chuck: LOOK AT THOSE TREES! They look like they're made of muscle fibers!
IceCreamQueen_C: The lag is real, but the colors are insane! Jake, watch out for the giant mosquitoes!
Master_Oak: Fascinating... the 'Vigor' in the atmosphere here is 400% higher than Hoenn.
The Language of Muscles vs. The Language of Indifference
Within minutes of landing, we were surrounded. Massive, red, hyper-masculine insectoids—Buzzwole—emerged from the canopy, flexing their carapaces in a threatening display of dominance.
"Wait!" I shouted, checking the Stamina Band. "Don't attack!"
May stepped forward. To my surprise, she didn't grab a Poké Ball. She struck a perfect "Side-Chest" pose, her "Vigor" rippling through her tactical gear.
The Exchange: A Buzzwole looked at her, tilted its head, and responded with a "Most Muscular" pose that shattered a nearby rock.
The Result: May nodded solemnly, transitioned into a "Front Lat Spread," and pointed toward the horizon. The Buzzwole buzzed in approval. "They're not hostile, Jake! They're just... discussing their gains. They say the 'Great Light' passed over the canopy an hour ago."
Meanwhile, a swarm of elegant, slender Pheromosa glided out, looking at us with utter disgust.
The Diva's Defense: Eli (Gardevoir) didn't even stand up. she sat on a hovering rock, adjusted her shimmering cape, and gave them a look of such concentrated, haughty indifference that the Pheromosa actually recoiled.
The Result: Eli let out a telepathic "Hmph," and the Pheromosa bowed slightly, recognizing a superior "Queen" in their midst. They moved aside, clearing a path through the brush.
Where is Necrozma?
The Obsidian Key was vibrating toward a massive, crystalline spire in the distance—the Megalo Tower.
"Necrozma didn't land with us," I said, checking the tracking data from Lillie's device. "It's being drawn toward the Tower. It's like a magnetic pull. Without its full light, it's being 'called' back to the fusion-rigs the people here used to try and control it."
Far above the jungle canopy, we could see a faint, violet streak of light heading for the spire. Necrozma was moving on instinct, seeking the very place that had originally broken it.
The New Teammate: The Purple Shadow
As we pushed through the "Muscle-Trees," Jerry (Noble Rattata) suddenly hissed, his fur standing on end. He darted into a thicket of glowing ferns and emerged a moment later, staring down a small, purple, needle-headed creature.
It was a Poipole. It looked singed, its glowing liquid dim. It looked at Jerry—whose "Noble" energy was radiating a protective, golden aura—and tilted its head.
"It's an Ultra Beast, but it's a baby," I whispered.
The Poipole floated closer to Jerry, mesmerized by his golden fur. It blew a small bubble of purple ink at him, which Jerry caught with a quick paw and sniffed. He looked back at me and gave a sharp, approving nod.
"Looks like the Titans just got a scout," I laughed, the Stamina Band finally hitting a stable blue.