Chapter 461: Me from Another World

Kiratina, Palkia, Dialga— the Space-Time Trio carried Huo La and his two companions skyward.

Since Zha'aobo and Nekrozma have already appeared, Huo La need not wait any longer.

Sensing the sudden approach of Huo La and his two companions from below, Nekrozma beside Goulu Zhaobo began to tremble. Goulu Zhaobo merely glanced and said, "Space-Time Trio… this is Huo La, right…?"

Then he looked at Zha'aobo and said, "Since you are my counterpart from a Parallel Spacetime, you may take Lusamine away—"

Before he could finish, Zha'aobo pulled a syringe from his coat and, catching Lusamine off guard, thrust it straight into her neck.

Lusamine's face showed disbelief as she slowly collapsed.

"Heh, you're just like me after all." Goulu Zhaobo looked at Zha'aobo, then laughed, "Come with me and see Another World."

As he spoke, shadows around Nekrozma spread rapidly, enveloping the entire ship, turning it into a mass of darkness that surged straight into the Ultimate Abyss.

"Huo La, they went in. What do we do?" Bilan asked.

Huo La gritted his teeth, "Chase after them and see. With Palkia there, we should have no big problem getting out."

Earlier he had briefed Neimu Boshi and Bike that once the battle began, Bike must swiftly take control of the entire Aether Foundation.

Now that Zha'aobo chose to enter the Ultimate Abyss, it actually gave Bike some time and space, which isn't a bad thing.

The Space-Time Trio carried the three of them, also plunging into the Ultimate Abyss.

In an instant, a massive suction enveloped the three, a dizzying pressure swirling and echoing in their minds.

Huo La, having some resistance to Time and Space travel, could only cling tightly to Palkia, gritting his teeth, "Hold on tight, don't let go—this feeling will pass soon!"

After an unknown amount of time, Huo La finally opened his eyes slowly.

When he opened his eyes, everything was black except a bright white beam of light in the center, stretching from the ground up to the sky, dazzlingly bright.

Paipa massaged his drowsy head, his legs clamped tightly around Dialga's back for fear of falling, and asked while rubbing, "Huo La, where are we now?"

Huo La glanced around, paused, then said, "The Ultimate Metropolis."

"Huh? Ultimate Metropolis? I've never heard of it." Bilan leaned in, asking curiously.

"It's the world inside the Ultimate Abyss," Huo La explained. "When Arceus created the world, he made many small worlds; this is one of them. It's a bit smaller—about half the combined size of our four Alola islands."

Bilan let out a low "oh," glanced at the pitch‑black surroundings, and said casually, "It's all dark here, only that spot has light. It must be night, the time here is different from ours."

Huo La shook his head, "It's daytime now."

"Huh? Daytime?" Paipa and Bilan shouted in unison, faces full of surprise.

"The Ultimate Metropolis has no concept of day or night," Huo La said, pointing at the white beam. "That shining thing is the Metropolis's Lighthouse, the only source of light here."

Paipa's eyes widened, disbelief evident: "A place this pitch‑black, can anyone live here?"

"It wasn't like this at first," Huo La said in a lowered voice, his tone heavy with an indescribable weight.

Bilan and Paipa quickly halted, eyes waiting anxiously for him to continue, but Huo La merely shook his head lightly, "Don't just stand there, go inside. I guess this time's affair is probably bigger than we imagined."

He harbored a persistent bad premonition—if that Zha'aobo from Another World had, from the start, aimed not at Alola but at this Ultimate Metropolis…

While Huo La and his two companions cautiously explored deeper into the Ultimate Metropolis, on the other side the luxurious Aether Foundation starship that had entered earlier was already steadily parked beneath the Lighthouse.

The Lighthouse's white light spilled down, illuminating the people beside the ship.

A man in his thirties—he wore a dark‑gray form‑fitting uniform, its cuffs and collar embroidered with silver‑white Lighthouse patterns, his hair neatly combed, a small strand hanging over his forehead.

His face was expressionless, his gaze cold, except his eyes, which shone unusually bright, as if they could pierce the surrounding darkness.

Behind him, a Celesteela stood silently, its wings folded, exuding a cold, hard metallic aura.

Goulu Zhaobo spoke first, his tone half‑smiling, "Long time no see, Lai Ke."

The youth called Lai Ke raised an eyebrow, his tone flat, "Long time? For us, it's been less than a week."

Goulu Zhaobo was momentarily stunned, then let out a low laugh, "Heh, I forgot—the flow of time here differs from outside."

Lai Ke glanced at him, said no more idle talk, and got straight to the point, "Since you're back, the deal we previously arranged should be fulfilled now, right?"

Hearing the word "deal," Goulu Zhaobo's smile faded instantly, his expression turning uneasy; he rubbed his hands and didn't reply right away.

Lai Ke saw this, furrowed his brows, his tone cooling, "What? You want to back out?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, the Celesteela behind him shifted, its wings slightly unfurling, a terrifying wave of energy surging over its body, the surrounding air trembling with a sense of intimidation.

Goulu Zhaobo watched the stance, a flash of cold light flickered in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it, plastering a mischievous grin and a humble tone, "No, no, Lai Ke, don't misunderstand. How could I back out? There was just a minor mishap on the road that delayed things."

"An accident?" Lai Ke raised an eyebrow, his tone full of doubt, his gaze fixed on him.

Goulu Zhaobo cleared his throat and shouted toward the Aether Foundation ship, "Come out."

As his words faded, the ship's hatch slowly opened, and Zha'aobo's figure stepped out, drifting leisurely to stand before the two.

Lai Ke saw him, his eyes narrowed slightly, a clear surprise on his face, "Another you?"

Goulu Zhaobo helplessly nodded, sighing, "Yes, another me. Me from Another World."