May, Manaphy, and Jack had all returned to the submarine.
Ash, having deciphered the reason behind the Sea Temple's rapid descent, also knew how to stop it.
The culprit was the pirate Phantom, who had removed the crystal pillars from the temple's core. Without them, the temple's energy collapsed, leaving it defenseless against the ocean's pressure.
If the crystal pillars were restored to their rightful places, the crisis could be averted.
Confident in his own endurance, Ash still ordered Jack to maneuver the submarine alongside the sinking Sea Temple—just in case.
More importantly, Ash wanted to experience the legendary power of the Sea Crown firsthand.
In the original tiline, when Ash obtained the Sea Crown, he gained the ability to move freely across the ocean and sky!
Inside the submarine, May, Anabel, and Pikachu prayed for Ash's safety.
Manaphy, too, could feel the weight of this mont, hoping with all its heart that Ash would return unhard.
The Descent of the Sea Temple
The temple was sinking faster and faster as seawater gushed inside.
Ash scanned his surroundings using his Aura Power—most of the paths were completely blocked. He had no choice but to take a shortcut, just as his past self had done!
Swift and precise, he leaped and maneuvered through the collapsing structures, using pillars and ledges to propel himself forward.
anwhile, deep within the temple's core, Phantom cackled as he clutched the final crystal pillar in his hands.
"Hahaha! It's all mine! These crystal pillars form the shape of a crown—this must be the legendary Sea Crown! Once I take them back, I'll unlock its secrets and claim its power!"
The Rocket Trio—Jessie, Jas, and owth—were also present, having tead up with Phantom in hopes of riches.
But now, their expectations had been crushed.
Apart from the crystal pillars, the Sea Temple seed to hold no other treasures!
Watching Phantom hoard every last pillar, the trio grew resentful.
"Hey, Phantom! This ain't fair! We saved you, so we deserve half of those crystals!" Jessie protested.
"Yeah, ya greedy pirate! Hand 'em over!" owth added.
Phantom sneered. "I've already paid you more than enough! Complain any more, and I'll toss you into the ocean to feed the Sharpedo!"
Unwilling to back down, the Rocket Trio lunged at Phantom.
In the struggle, owth's claws slashed Phantom's bag—sending all the crystal pillars tumbling down!
They plumted off the high platform, vanishing into the deep water below.
At that mont, a powerful surge of water erupted from above, blasting Jessie, Jas, and owth away.
"Not again!"
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off agaaaaain—!"
Ash arrived just in ti, only to see the pillars lost beneath the platform.
Shaking his head, he glanced at Phantom. "Ga over."
The pirate turned to flee, but Ash was faster.
"You're not going anywhere!"
Before Phantom could jump, Ash grabbed him mid-air.
A loud crack echoed as Ash stomped down—shattering the chanical reinforcents on Phantom's legs!
"AAAAAH! MY LEGS!" Phantom howled in agony.
His chanical enhancents were designed to grant him the strength of five n—yet he was utterly powerless before Ash.
thodically, Ash disabled Phantom's limbs, bound him with his own clothing, and tied him to a massive stone.
Then, without hesitation, he tossed the pirate into the ocean's abyss.
For a man like him, there was no escape.
The seawater had risen to the platform where the crystal pillars had once stood.
The situation was even more dire than before.
Now, every single crystal pillar had to be retrieved from the ocean depths.
But Ash was stronger than his past self—he had his system storage and Aura to aid him.
Taking a deep breath, he dove down, activating his Aura Vision.
One by one, the crystal pillars were recovered.
First one. Then the second. The third…
Within monts, he had secured over half the pillars in his system storage.
Only eight more to go!
Thanks to his enhanced endurance, Ash could hold his breath for over ten minutes.
He had ti.
The Sea Crown's true power—what kind of strength would it grant?
He was about to find out.
A Miracle at the Ocean's Depths
Inside the submarine, May and Anabel stared at the now almost completely subrged temple.
They had reached their limit.
The submarine could go no further—the ocean pressure was too great.
Even with all its technology, the vessel couldn't withstand the crushing depths where Ash was now trapped.
"H-How did this happen…?"
Drip.
Tears stread down May's face.
She had worried for Manaphy—but she couldn't bear the thought of losing Ash.
"Mana?"
Manaphy gazed up at her with concern.
Anabel wrapped her arms around May.
"He's going to be fine," she reassured her. "Ash has his guardian. He won't die here."
She was referring to wtwo.
Neither May nor Anabel knew that Latias had been unable to enter the Sea Temple because it rejected divine Pokémon.
Even so, Anabel wasn't sure.
If wtwo had truly been protecting Ash, why hadn't he erged yet?
And even if Ash made it out, could he survive the crushing pressure of the deep sea?
Jack clenched his fists, guilt weighing on him.
This had been his mission.
He should have gone instead.
Just then—
Dong…
Dong…
Dong…
A deep, resonant bell rang from within the temple.
A golden light surged outward.
The descent of the Sea Temple stopped.
Then, it rose!
Faster and faster, it ascended toward the surface.
All around, the ocean ca alive.
Massive Wailord, Gyarados, and countless other Water-type Pokémon swam furiously toward the temple.
Jack imdiately steered the submarine upward.
Finally, the temple broke through the surface!
Golden radiance surrounded it, wrapping the entire structure in a divine glow.
Above the temple, a magnificent crown of golden light took form—
The Sea Crown!
This was the true power of the Sea Temple.
Only one recognized by the temple itself could claim its strength—
The King of the Vast Sea!
Within the golden light, a figure slowly erged.
It was Ash!
He had been acknowledged by the Sea Temple!
Just like in the past, golden energy surrounded him, lifting him high into the sky.
At that mont, his system's voice echoed in his mind.
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