novelraw Chapter 770: The Light Wheel’s Super Demon Hoopa: I Fight for the Battle-Legend (2)
Chapter 770: The Light Wheel’s Super Demon Hoopa: I Fight for the Battle-Legend (2)
The western sky over Genesis Valley was shredded, shedding huge fragments;
above Spire Plaza, a swirling vortex of Dark Aura rolled;
from the direction of Barren City came the thunder of torrential rain and earthquakes.
Super Demon Hoopa floated with six arms suspended, towering beneath the black vortex, looking down at the tiny humans with eyes full of malice, teeth bared in rage.
“This surge of power—are you the Power of Transcendence’s envoy?”
A thunderous voice echoed across Spire Plaza.
Blaze-White Kyurem and Lance on Dragonite turned their heads at the same time.
The red-haired man’s expression flickered, tired yet joyful.
Who is that? Blaze-White Kyurem asked.
Lance answered firmly, “That is Teacher Lu!”
The black-haired youth’s coat flapped in the wind as he tucked his notebook back into his pocket and said calmly,
“I’m only a trainer.”“So…”
Lu Ye looked up at the enormous Super Demon, his eyes sharp and cold, and declared,
“Once our gazes lock, the fight begins!”
The Super Demon’s face twisted into a grimace, like a cold, unyielding reef.
Ash and the others watched Teacher Lu’s coat billow as he turned away, light igniting in their eyes.
“Haunter—”
Lu Ye raised his hand to the sky, revealing the Keystone set into his fingerless glove, which flashed brilliantly.
“Mega Evolution!!”
A shockwave swept out, the dazzling evolution light bursting forth, the white light of their bond connecting Lu Ye and Haunter.
Gengarrr!!
Haunter surged with purple-red radiance, its forehead opening a yellow single eye, spines bristling over its body, fists soaked in blood-red mist, purple-red from head to toe, grinning with a savage smile.
Over Mega Haunter’s head, with a ‘boom’ a rainbow light burst forth, revealing the multicolored Keystone emblem;
the surging power of their bond stunned everyone present!
Team Rocket stood on a cliff, staring at the plaza, stunned into silence: “The grunt…”
“That’s the grunt’s Haunter, meow!” Meowth exclaimed with delight.
Bamboo Lan pressed a hand to her chin, gray eyes flickering, brows drawn slightly in concern.
Starting with immediate Mega Evolution… she sensed the danger and was fully prepared for battle.
“Garchomp.” The blond woman in black climbed onto Garchomp, eyes sharp, “Make another sweep of the sky. Don’t let Giratina and the others get through!”
“Raa!” Garchomp shot forward like a jet fighter, tearing through the wake.
The Sinnoh trio formed an equilateral triangle, watching the plaza. Garchomp flew through the center. The three gods met each other’s gazes, and the war flared again!
“Teacher Lu!”
The red-haired man crouched on Dragonite’s back, cloak torn, gasping hoarsely:
“Cough, this guy is really dangerous!”
A reminder came from above—Lance’s warning—and Lu Ye’s expression turned grave as he studied Super Demon Hoopa.
The six rings on Hoopa’s arms had vanished, meaning at least six Legendary Pokémon had been summoned… It was a miracle Lance and the others had delayed things this long.
Wait!
Lu Ye’s eyes paused, staring at Hoopa’s terrifying grin, his gaze dropping to its chest and its feet.
Where are the three rings that should be here? Hoopa shouldn’t be able to control those three spots!
In the movie Hoopa called on six rings corresponding to its six arms.
Cold sweat trickled down Lu Ye’s forehead.
The Light Wheels that “didn’t exist” in the movie were now under Hoopa’s control!
Hoopa’s number of rings wasn’t six, it was nine! It had summoned nine Legendary Pokémon!
“Hoopa! The strongest!” the Super Demon roared, a black hole of shadow forming in its chest and erupting into a furious Shadow Ball, launched like a rocket missile.
Whoosh— the Shadow Ball trailed purple light as it fell toward Spire Plaza.
“Haunter, Shadow Ball!”
Lu Ye ordered, “Darkrai, flank it, use Disable!”
Gengarrr!! Mega Haunter gathered shadows between its fists and hurled the Shadow Ball with all its force.
Boom!!
The two Shadow Balls collided, shockwaves roiling;
though weakened, the Shadow Ball still flew toward Lu Ye!
“Hoopa, Hoop~!” little Hoopa tossed out a ring;
the Shadow Ball fell into it and slammed into the desert a hundred ri away, raising a sandstorm with a mighty boom.
Darkrai’s miasma swirled as it hovered beside the enormous Super Demon, its blue eyes glowing with the light of Disable.
The next Shadow Ball forming in the Super Demon’s chest slowly dissipated. It glared furiously at Darkrai and swung its palm, attempting to seize it.
Darkrai produced a Double Team illusion. Hoopa waved its hand and swept away the many copies at once. The original retreated swiftly, hearts pounding. Darkrai fumed inwardly:
“I shouldn’t have agreed to be his bodyguard!”
Blaze-White Kyurem watched Darkrai, then turned away and said,
“I respect your justice, Dragon Envoy, but from now on, I will no longer follow your command.”
With those words, Lance felt the Power of Viridian returning to him, life force flowing into his parched body. The red-haired man let out a breath and looked up at the heavens.
Blaze-White Kyurem and Darkrai together delayed Super Demon Hoopa for the moment!
Lance swayed and collapsed onto Dragonite’s back. Dragonite descended slowly to the plaza.
“You all right?” Lu Ye approached. Mega Haunter hovered, shielding everyone from the aftermath of the battle.
“Temporarily not dead.” Lance managed a weak smile.
Lu Ye nodded solemnly, then turned to look back: “Serena, Bonnie… Mr. Lance is in your care, can you handle it?”
“Yeah, no problem!” Serena said anxiously. “I—I brought a first aid kit. I learned some bandaging.”
“I’ll help too.” Bonnie summoned courage and spoke up loudly.
Under Lance’s cloak, blood poured—probably struck by debris, and he hadn’t even noticed.
“Mr. Lu!” Meyali stepped forward, worried. “About that ‘Punishment Jar technique’…”
“I’ve already learned from your great-grandfather.”
Lu Ye glanced at the Super Demon and explained, “In short, the ‘Punishment Jar technique’ is a piece of ‘knowledge’ transmitted through the Power of Transcendence. Once you comprehend this ‘knowledge,’ you can craft a Punishment Jar.”
“Now, Balza, Meyali… use the Power of Transcendence to sense and grasp this ‘knowledge,’ then go to the Desert Tower.”
“And you?” Balza asked.
“I’ll stay here! Enough talk!”
Lu Ye’s face hardened, he closed his eyes, and a pale golden light bloomed from his palms.
The siblings nodded hard and closed their eyes, reaching out to sense the countless threads of light. Those lights were soft and beautiful—purer and deeper than even their great-grandfather’s Power of Transcendence.
When Teacher Lu had mastered this ‘knowledge,’ it took him less than thirty seconds.
The siblings were slow in talent, but having studied under Teacher Lu and guided by Goris’s past influence, they quickly grasped the ‘knowledge.’
“I understand.” Balza’s eyes shone. “This ‘knowledge’ was always hidden in our great-grandfather’s everyday teachings.”
Meyali said resolutely:
“Punishment means confronting one’s inner shadow;
it’s a method to seal the Super Demon—only with courage!”
Lu Ye: “Ah… so that’s it, yes. Exactly.”
Balza looked out over the city.
“I’ll head to the Desert Tower… Teacher Lu, please take care of Hoopa there.”
Lu Ye nodded lightly. “Also, don’t worry about your Braviary. There’s a faster way to travel.”
“What?” the siblings said in unison.
Little Hoopa giggled, opening two rings. “Go this way~”
Because of the barrier on the top level, the scene within the rings was the stone steps at the foot of the Desert Tower!
“Move quickly.” Lu Ye said sternly.
The siblings patted little Hoopa’s head and stepped into the portal, emerging already within Barren City.
A light-wall barrier shrouded Barren City’s night, with many breaks in it.
Above the concrete-and-steel forest, an ancient giant creature—the Primal Kyogre—had its head stuck in a breach of the barrier. Its vast, terrifying whale-like calls froze the blood.
The siblings’ faces drained of color as they dashed toward the Desert Tower, teeth clenched. They had to make a Punishment Jar as fast as they could!
Spire Plaza.
“Crystal, at this distance, can you hit it with a Poké Ball?” Lu Ye asked.
The Suicune Catcher, Crystal, hesitated, then shook her head in disappointment:
“My legs aren’t strong enough to kick a Poké Ball that far…”
Lu Ye nodded slightly and counted the number of rings on the Super Demon’s body.
That’s right, the rings on its chest and feet had also ‘disappeared.’
“Ash, how many Legendary Pokémon did liberated Hoopa summon in total!”
Ash blinked, counting on his fingers: “Two from Hoenn, two from Unova, three from Sinnoh… oh right, and two interdimensional beasts we’d never seen before!”
Nine rings… Lu Ye forced a bitter smile;
the movie’s number was six—sure enough, this Super Demon was an enhanced version.
“The bad news is liberated Hoopa pulled out nine Legendaries. The good news is it can’t pull out more,” Lu Ye reasoned. “Hoopa, how many rings can you use?”
“Hmm… only three… isn’t that a bit few…” little Hoopa poked its fingers and looked discouraged.
“Quality over quantity.” Lu Ye said in a warm voice, “Do as I say—fetch one black-colored Legendary.”
“Black-colored?” little Hoopa tilted its head.
Lu Ye nodded slightly.
If a black Rayquaza shows up, I don’t want to keep summoning Legendaries… that’s asking for trouble.
“Teacher Lu, watch out!” Crystal cried anxiously.
Lu Ye turned his head and his pupils contracted.
Whoosh!
A sudden change—a blade of a subspace slash cut straight toward them!
“Sylveon, Light Screen.” Lu Ye tossed a Poké Ball with speed.
The snowy figure leapt out, pink ribbons streaming, eyes razor-sharp, baring its teeth: “Bu-bii!”
Sylveon formed a Light Screen;
the subspace slash smashed through it with a bang, roaring forward.
“Block it with the Fairy Plate!” Lu Ye shouted.
Sylveon’s ribbon bow produced a crystallized pink Fairy Plate of concentrated energy that instantly became solid.
Waves of smoke rolled as the blade of subspace slash dissolved.
Lu Ye and Sylveon turned their heads to look at the Fairy Plate—it remained intact.
“Looks like my bet paid off… Fairy Plate is immune to Dragon-type attacks,” Lu Ye murmured.
The subspace slash had come from the west.
Gazing toward Genesis Valley, where large chunks of sky had peeled away, Lu Ye finally noticed another battlefield.
“Is that the Sinnoh trio’s battleground?” Lu Ye asked.
“Yes, they have resumed their conflict, and Champion Bamboo Lan is mediating,” Clemont said.
“Who?”
“Champion Bamboo Lan.”
“Hoopa, pull out the black Rayquaza.”
Lu Ye’s expression hardened. The Power of Transcendence poured toward Sinnoh’s space-time and the Reversed World…
“I will pull them myself!”
Rumble!
Under the covering dark sky, the towering Super Demon stood beneath the vortex, waves of Dark Pulse surging around it, forming black rings that spread outward.
Darkrai flickered behind Blaze-White Kyurem, forced back by the engine’s freezing flames at its tail, and had to appear to head-on resist the Dark Pulse.
Boom!!
A shockwave rolled as Darkrai shouted, “What are you doing!”
“We are not partners;
I would not mind freezing the Super Demon along with you,” Blaze-White Kyurem said coldly.
Darkrai gritted his teeth—were these Legendaries pulled from Light Wheels never trained by any trainer?!
“Lu Ye, command me—Grass, where did you run off to!”
Darkrai’s peripheral vision caught Latias taking off;
his heart stopped.
“I’ll go to Genesis Valley first,” Lu Ye said. “Little Hoopa will finish grabbing some helpers quickly. I’ll be right back.”
Darkrai looked down.
Little Hoopa’s forehead was sweating as it strained to control the rings;
something terrifying seemed about to be pulled out, and it still needed time.
When Darkrai looked up again, only Latias’ row of contrails remained before him.
“This won’t be easy!” Darkrai ground his teeth.
The Super Demon’s arm swung toward a ring;
from the ring above Darkrai’s head a fist shot out, the force heavy—Hoopa’s signature move, the Interdimensional Assault!
Boom!!
Shockwaves rolled as the massive fist struck Darkrai, who held fast and trembled slightly.
Hoopa was startled.
Darkrai from White Poplar Town, battered and bruised, eyes gleaming azure, held up the fist with his right palm, hovering beneath it, miasma churning.
Then Darkrai extended his right palm and gathered a dark Black Void.
“Back into your shadow, go back into your shade!!”
Rumble!!
Black Void exploded with a roar;
the Super Demon bared its teeth and laughed heartily.
“Not bad, again—”
The Super Demon’s eyes grew icy. “Again!!”
Darkrai’s face turned solemn as he suddenly sensed a fluctuation within the shadows.
So that was it… Lu Ye left his most trusted partner to me…
But isn’t this tactic a bit childish…?
Darkrai expressionless, pointed out: “Look, there’s Rayquaza.”
“Where? Hoopa hasn’t pulled Rayquaza—”
The Super Demon turned to look and snapped angrily, “You’re mocking me!”
The Super Demon widened its eyes. Standing before it appeared a chubby purple-red figure, palms gathering a sickly green venom.
Gengarrr! Mega Haunter viciously lobbed two Mud Bombs.
Bang!!
Venom splashed;
the Super Demon covered its eyes and let out a horrific roar.
My eyes, my eyes hurt!!
Gengarrr~ Mega Haunter grinned.
To think of such a genius tactic—
As expected of you, Haunter!
Darkrai: “…”
Why did I agree to such a despicable tactic?
Genesis Valley.
The embarrassed Team Rocket trio watched Latias flying in and widened their eyes: “It’s the grunt, the grunt is coming this way, meow!”
Bamboo Lan’s fair, beautiful face was streaked with ash;
her brows knitted, gray eyes flashing with annoyance.
I was underestimated…
Wilder City is the battlefield that needs help the most…
Latias landed on a cliff and the black-haired youth flipped down, saying, “Sorry, it took a bit of time on the way.”
“No apology necessary.”
Bamboo Lan’s lovely voice contained an edge of ice: “Rather than saving an unrelated battlefield, go save more people in Barren City.”
The sky blazed with Time Roar, and the subspace slash shredded more fragments. The gods vented their fury across the heavens, rattling space-time.
Lu Ye stared blankly: “How is that unrelated?”
“I held back Giratina and the others not to make you return to Genesis Valley. You should understand that.”
Bamboo Lan calmed her nameless anxiety and said steadily: “Now, hurry to Barren City. You still have time;
I will buy you more.”
The distant cries, frightened people, disasters, and the imperiled Barren City.
“But—” Lu Ye hesitated.
“I am not a little girl who needs a savior to rescue me!”
Bamboo Lan snapped mildly: “I am the Sinnoh Champion!”
Garchomp remained silent. The trio cowered behind Wobbuffet, trembling.
Seeing this, we’re dead for sure… we’ll be killed!
Lu Ye let out a deep breath: “I understand… I’ll prioritize Barren City first.”
Whether it was Lance, Steven, or Bamboo Lan, their struggles were for the same mission.
The champion’s mission.
Fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.
Barren City’s priority is higher—this is why Bamboo Lan was angry, but…
I did nothing wrong!
When Latias ‘ExtremeSpeed’ed over, Lu Ye’s legs trembled!
He gritted his teeth, turned to Latias, and heard Bamboo Lan call his name.
“Lu Ye.”
“What.” He answered.
Bamboo Lan crossed her arms;
beneath her golden hair her gray eyes glinted and her lips moved after a long moment:
“Remember… come back safe.”
Is she choking up?
Lu Ye didn’t understand. He looked up at the sky, then back to Spire Plaza—little Hoopa’s summoning was nearly complete.
I must return to the plaza immediately—while they hold off liberated Hoopa, I’ll rush to help the imminent Barren City.
But before leaving Genesis Valley—I have my own plan.
“Please take care of things.”
Lu Ye spoke with his back to the sky, then rode Latias in a steep dive.
Behind Lu Ye, three rings slowly opened and, through the Reversed World, a teleportation path formed.
Space-time trembled!
From within emerged the blue-armored Dialga, the pearl-inlaid Palkia, and the platinum-hued Giratina!!
Rumble!!
The sky roared as the interdimensional Sinnoh trio sent their gaze;
seeing the forms appearing within the rings, their eyes widened.
They’re the same power as ours!
The Sinnoh gods of this world watched the intruders coldly, then exchanged looks and reached a consensus.
If Teacher Lu invited them…
Then join hands against the enemy!
Dialga’s roar blasted like a charge. The two groups of deities clashed, their temporal forces interfering with one another, raw corporeal power colliding fiercely!
“What an awful feeling…” Team Rocket huddled together.
The blond woman in black stood by the cliff, arms folded, silent.
At what cost did he summon the Sinnoh trio…?
Not daring to think further, the Sinnoh Champion’s gaze hardened. Her hair whipped in the wind as she yanked down her pendant;
the Keystone flared with an eye-catching evolution light.
“Garchomp—Mega Evolution!!”
If we keep fighting, there’s no time to cry!
Spire Plaza.
Ash and the others stared back at the valley in disbelief.
“He pulled out three more gods!?”
“No, those weren’t Hoopa’s summons…”
Clemont said in shock, “It looks like Teacher Lu used the Power of Transcendence to call for help!”
“Teacher Lu can pull them too?” Serena asked in confusion.
The red-haired man’s chest was wrapped in bandages, blood seeping through, and he hacked as he said:
“It’s pulling in allies—this is what he’s best at!”
Little Hoopa giggled as both hands flashed brilliant light:
“Lu Ye wiggle wiggle~~ Hoopa Hoop!”
From little Hoopa’s ring emerged a giant serpentine dragon with black-and-gold patterns. Gold particles spilled from its mouth;
its body resembled black metal, coiling on the ground with overwhelming majesty and oppression!
“Rayquaza!?” Lance exclaimed.
“This is… a black Rayquaza!!” Crystal said, trembling.
Blaze-White Kyurem was startled.
Why does this black Rayquaza radiate such a powerful aura?
Super Demon Hoopa turned its gaze toward little Hoopa on the plaza.
It possessed the power of interdimensional holes… if it swallowed that thing, Hoopa would become even stronger!!
Little Hoopa shrank back at Hoopa’s gaze, then lifted its head in delight.
From Genesis Valley, Latias came speeding. Lu Ye returned, expression severe.
“Were you scared of Hoopa!” little Hoopa chuckled.
Lu Ye landed, patted little Hoopa’s head, and smiled faintly: “Yeah, great job.”
He looked at the massive creature coiled in the plaza and paused.
The huge black-and-gold dragon exhaled massive ozone, white mist swirling as it coiled. It glanced at the Super Demon and yawned.
Little Hoopa drifted to the dozing Rayquaza and called:
“Hey, please help us~”
Rayquaza didn’t answer;
it closed its eyes.
“Ash, please!” Ash shouted.
The black Rayquaza opened its eyes with boredom and said, ‘Why should I help you?’
Everyone froze.
‘I was sleeping peacefully and got teleported here;
I haven’t even had time to bother you yet.’
The black Rayquaza yawned and said, ‘Stand down quickly!’
Lu Ye pulled out a Poké Block Box—this trick had been used by Ruby to persuade a Rayquaza before.
As Lu Ye approached, the black Rayquaza cast a sideways glance at him.
“Let me ride you, Rayquaza.”
Lu Ye slid open the Poké Block Box’s track: “I’ll give you appropriate compensation!”
Lance looked incredulous.
A dignified Rayquaza can be fooled with an energy cube?!
The black Rayquaza blinked, rose slowly to a standing posture, spread its claws, and leered: ‘Interesting…’
Lance was in a daze.
It actually works!!
‘Before you ride, I have one question—why do you want to borrow my power?’
Lu Ye hesitated a moment and then said:
“If you don’t mind, we’ll go one-on-nine. We’ll take on nine Legendary Pokémon together.”
The black Rayquaza’s eyes widened;
its black-and-gold body shuddered slightly, then it took to the sky.
‘Interesting, interesting!’
Black Rayquaza circled the sky.
On the updraft, Lu Ye landed on the black Rayquaza’s back, hands on its two golden horns.
‘The cost of commanding a deity—you understand that, do you not?’ the Rayquaza asked.
Lu Ye’s eyes sharpened: “I’m already prepared.”
Little Hoopa sat in Lu Ye’s lap and reached into a ring to scoop about.
In Miare City, at the Colorful Café.
Indeedee looked puzzled and glanced at the freshly ironed champion cloak.
The black-and-gold champion cloak hung on a hanger. A ring opened and a small hand reached out, snagging the champion cloak back into the ring.
The ring closed.
Indeedee was shocked.
Oh no, there was a thief in the shop!!
“Here you go.” little Hoopa handed the champion cloak to Lu Ye.
Lu Ye smiled faintly, ruffling little Hoopa’s head, then donned the black-and-gold cloak, which fluttered in the wind.
“Rayquaza—”
Lu Ye in the black-and-gold champion cloak rode the black Rayquaza, hands on the golden horns.
“Dragon Ascent!!!”
Super Demon Hoopa’s eyes widened as the black Rayquaza shot into the sky, spilling gold particles like a straight streak of light cutting through the heavens!
Golden light illuminated the night as bright as day;
Lance sat up, awestruck, and gazed at the sky.
Teacher Lu… riding on the black Rayquaza’s back…
No—this champion intends to command Rayquaza to save Barren City!
Super Demon Hoopa flared its defensive Barrier, but Dragon Ascent’s target was not Hoopa but the city behind it—the Barren City.
Hoopa shuddered in alarm.
He’s going to defend that city, defend the Desert Tower!
Vast waves of Dark Pulse spread;
the Super Demon forced back Darkrai and Blaze-White Kyurem, glaring viciously at the plaza crowd.
The Punishment Hoopa is no longer here…
The Super Demon turned and took huge steps, heading west toward Barren City.
“Damn it, damn it!” it swore.
Rumble—the earth’s roar faded into the distance.
Those left in the plaza stood dumbfounded and stunned.
“Should I go reinforce too?” Ash asked.
“No…” the red-haired man propped himself up with tired strength, “Trust Teacher Lu…”
“Trust… the champion!”
…
On the Genesis Valley battlefield, Lu Ye’s pulled Sinnoh trio clashed with the interdimensional Sinnoh trio, so they would not affect Barren City for the moment.
At Spire Plaza, Lu Ye rode the black Rayquaza to head to Barren City;
Super Demon Hoopa approached Barren City;
Darkrai and Blaze-White Kyurem were nearly spent, holding position and glaring at each other.
Barren City battleground.
The barrier around the Three Pillars was completely shattered!
Using the Sea-Crossing Bridge as the dividing line, the city’s eastern interior was drenched in torrential rain, while the western outskirts baked under a scorching sun.
Steven stood soaked through, staring up at the Primal Kyogre that had smashed the barrier, motionless in the pouring rain.
“Is… there no chance left?” Steven murmured, blue hair soaked.
Suddenly Steven’s pupils contracted as a golden streak cut the sky.
The Primal Kyogre that had broken the barrier looked up, dazed, and the torrential rain gradually eased!
“That is…”
Steven’s voice trembled;
his face went pale. He rolled up his suit sleeve, wiped his eyes, and muttered:
“I lost control…”
Barren City, northern district.
Crash!!
The sky cracked with thunder;
whirlpools churned the surface;
winds ravaged, sweeping a chill Dark Aura.
Dark Lugia beat metallic black wings and circled high above the northern district, eyes bloodred, emitting a wail.
“Tsk… the wind pressure is too strong, we can’t get close!” A-Jin stood on Togebro’s back and shouted.
In the water, a Red Gyarados rose up. Silver stood atop its head and calmly said:
“Use your cue stick!”
“What?” A-Jin shouted.
“Use your cue stick to aim at the hurricane’s eye, and deliver the Poké Ball into it!” Silver called.
“Don’t joke—can a human do that?” A-Jin said.
“I’ll create the chance for you—” the red-haired boy’s gaze sharpened, “Now, Kingdra, Hydro Pump!!”
A Kingdra burst from the water, firing a surging Hydro Pump at Dark Lugia!
A-Jin froze, eyes looking up.
“Raa!!” Dark Lugia beat its wings;
the fierce wind pressure formed a hurricane, cutting off the Hydro Pump.
The water twisted into a vortex;
the invisible ‘eye’ instantly became a tangible whirlpool!
“I get it, partner—aim for the ‘whirlpool’—”
A-Jin ducked his cap and used the cue stick on Togebro’s back, eyes steely, “Watch me make the shot!”
Bang!!
Defying physics, his billiard skill sent the Poké Ball into the whirlpool, breaking through Dark Lugia’s outer wind pressure and into its belly!
Dark Lugia folded its wings and peered down at the tiny Poké Ball in its gut.
“Pichu!!”
A-Jin yelled, “Super Sunny Electric Shock!!!”
The Poké Ball popped open.
Tiny Pikchu appeared in Dark Lugia’s belly and erupted in a savage storm of lightning!!
Boom!!!
The water became bright as day;
Dark Lugia was bathed in electricity, beating its wings and whipping up a whirlwind!
A-Jin and Silver were blown by the hurricane and smashed onto the deck of a yacht plowing into the waves.
“Are you the Pokédex holder?” a cool voice asked.
A-Jin and Silver looked up: “You are…?”
A lithe woman steered the yacht, wearing a white one-piece swimsuit, sunglasses lowered to reveal striking eyes: “Kalos Champion, Karine.”
“Oh, that’s the champion recognized as the weakest!” A-Jin exclaimed in realization.
Karine: “…do you know how to sail?”
“Of course.” A-Jin rolled up his sleeves. “I learned from Marshal!”
“Take the helm.”
Karine decided without hesitation and tossed a Poké Ball;
a Gardevoir in a white dress materialized by her side.
As she directed them, Karine looked up at the night sky and her pupils contracted.
“What’s wrong?” Silver asked.
“Just now—” Karine blinked.
A black-and-gold shape flew across the night sky like a golden blade.
If I’m not mistaken, that must be Rayquaza…
And there’s a human trainer on Rayquaza’s back!
…
Barren City, southern district.
An undeveloped plain still inhabited by many wild Pokémon, not yet submerged by floodwaters.
Armored Mewtwo stood as if contemplating philosophy, motionless.
Clack.
A shoe hit the ground.
Armored Mewtwo snapped its head around and extended a palm, a dangerous psychic fluctuation pulsing from its palm.
A man in a trench coat and hat—an ordinary-looking middle-aged man—stood there.
“Traveler from another dimension,” the man said, removing his hat to reveal a face full of wrinkles and eyes that glinted faintly in the night.
“Mewtwo… right?”
Hum—
Armored Mewtwo’s eyes glowed crimson, on the edge of losing control as both hands extended.
Giovanni kept his face calm and said,
“I was surprised to see you… the concept that appeared in my dreams was actually realized by someone.”
Giovanni looked up at the sky and murmured, “A person worthy of respect… as expected of me.”
‘You… Giovanni… Cerulean Gym…’ Armored Mewtwo’s psychic blades sliced up swirling dust.
Bang!!
The blades cut at the rear;
Nidoqueen gritted her teeth and bore down on the attack.
“Your weakness should be on the right side of the neck.”
Giovanni slipped his hand into his pocket and touched his own neck: “That’s your armor interface. You can import data there to learn moves and become stronger.”
Flash!
Armored Mewtwo teleported in front of Giovanni, voice cold.
‘You can… try it…’
Clang!!
Beedrill preemptively stabbed its twin needles. Armored Mewtwo closed its arms, sparks flying.
Armored Mewtwo pulled back, uncertain.
Giovanni said calmly:
“I know a Pokémon similar to you…”
‘Pokémon? I’m not human!?’ Armored Mewtwo demanded.
Giovanni ignored him: “It was created as the strongest weapon with genes from the most ancient Pokémon—but I injected a bit of humanity into it. That humanity made it unique.”
“And in you…” Giovanni narrowed his eyes, “I feel no human aura.”
Hearing of its origins, Armored Mewtwo trembled and roared, ‘Shut up!’
They clashed again;
Armored Mewtwo’s strikes and Beedrill’s needles struck repeatedly, sparks flying.
“That’s good. At least you needn’t dwell on it,” Giovanni said lazily. “You exist as an independent being, a new species of Pokémon.”
‘My… existence? Who am I, what is the meaning of my birth? You told me I only need to fight—don’t think about these things!’ Armored Mewtwo shouted.
“I used to think fighting alone was enough too…” Giovanni put his hands in his pockets and sneered, “But that’s not enough.”
“Meaning is something you must find for yourself—family, power, wealth… whatever.”
Giovanni turned, hands in pockets: “Talk with you has been boring. I’ll take my leave.”
“3, 2, 1.”
Giovanni closed his eyes as a sharp pain tore through his chest. He looked down, his shirt stained with blood, cut open by Mewtwo’s palm.
‘You may not leave until you answer my question,’ Armored Mewtwo said coldly.
Giovanni turned his back so Mewtwo could not see his face, then slapped the armor interface on Mewtwo’s right neck.
Smack!
Armored Mewtwo staggered and drew back, hands over the gushing blood at the interface: “What did you do to me!”
Bang!!
The armor cracked apart and fell to the ground. Mewtwo stared at its helmet, which now looked like soft putty where the interface had been.
“A trivial little thing can disable most electronics,” Giovanni panted, clutching his chest. “Looks like I guessed right.”
‘Even without the armor, you can’t beat me!’ Mewtwo raged.
Giovanni smiled without sound, fingered a black object in his pocket, and aimed it at Mewtwo.
‘A firearm? Hah, ignorance,’ Mewtwo sneered, but Giovanni still pressed the button.
In the silent wasteland, the Pokédex’s emotionless electronic voice echoed.
[Beep… No.150, Genetic Pokémon, Mewtwo… a man-made Pokémon derived by modifying Mew’s genes…]
Mewtwo froze as if struck.
“You can’t be recognized with the armor on,” Giovanni said, “though that sounds dumb.”
“But at least—”
Giovanni tossed the Pokédex to the ground, revealing Mewtwo’s photo on the screen.
“This proves you are a creature that can survive on this planet.”
‘I am… a creature that can survive…’ Mewtwo muttered, stunned.
Giovanni cracked a smile, shakily picked up his coat, covered the gash in his chest, buttoned it, and staggered off.
He still had to meet Silver later… he couldn’t look this messy.
‘Why are you sure I won’t kill you?’ Mewtwo demanded.
“Because you still have questions.”
‘But why did you do this…’ Mewtwo clenched his fists and looked at the Pokédex and his scattered armor, voice trembling.
“Because…”
In the black wasteland, Giovanni raised his eyes;
a flash of a scene appeared of his duel with Red and Mewtwo.
“This time I won.”
A golden meteor streaked across the wasteland.
He’s finally come.
Giovanni buttoned his coat and pulled up his hat, turning his back to the sky.
He tidied himself and prepared to meet his contact.
…
Barren City, shelter.
Radios hissed.
[Repeating… the heavy rain has stopped;
signals disrupted by extreme weather are restoring…]
“Rain stopped?”
“Kyogre and Groudon are moving away from the shelters, heading for the Sea-Crossing Bridge!”
The receiver brought successive good news, and Officer Jenny looked astonished.
What kind of power could calm the Desolate Land and the Primal Sea?!
Panic rippled through the shelter crowd.
“Signal’s back!”
“Satellite feed’s restored!”
People clustered in small groups, holding their breath, huddled in blankets, peering at phone screens.
Elderly heads tilted up to the hanging TV in the shelter.
The screen showed the satellite feed from Barren City’s emergency station.
Across the night sky, a golden streak like a meteor crossed—the huge black dragon’s lower jaw like a sickle, clad in black-and-gold armor, waving golden silk ribbons like banners as it streaked across the heavens!
“What Legendary is that?”
“No idea, my god… there’s a trainer on its back!!”
The crowd trembled, bustling and shocked, pressing forward to the screen, holding their breath.
On the black dragon’s back the black-and-gold cloak snapped in the wind.
Not just a trainer—this is a champion from the Donghua League!!
The violent tremors felt like a dam breaking, swallowing everything, or a hurricane sweeping through the shelter.
Click, click.
Tears splashed onto the screen—joy, exhilaration, unforgettable.
People cried out;
the shelter roared like a newsroom, and from despair a spark of courage and hope was born.
The dawn rose slowly over the Sea-Crossing Bridge’s waters, a sweeping golden spectacle, beautiful and grand.
On the west shore, the towering Super Demon Hoopa looked up at the sky.
Above the Sea-Crossing Bridge the black-haired youth rode Mega Black Rayquaza;
his black-and-gold cloak streamed, and he stared down with unblinking calm.
Liberated Hoopa: “…”
Lu Ye: “…”
Dark Lugia, Primal Kyogre, Primal Groudon, Giratina, Palkia, Dialga…
These Legendary Pokémon abandoned their separate battlefields and rushed to the final battleground—
the Sea-Crossing Bridge.
Lu Ye rode Mega Black Rayquaza, his black-and-gold cloak reflecting the sunlight, spanning the sky above the bridge, Barren City isolated behind him.
On the horizon, Legendaries converged from all directions, raising great clouds of dust.
“Lu Ye… Champion…”
The Super Demon spat each word, teeth gritted.
The live feed highlighted the black-haired youth’s cold visage, hands on Rayquaza’s golden horns.
“From this moment, I speak as a battle-legend,” Lu Ye declared.
…