novelraw Chapter 771: The Light Wheel’s Super Demon Hoopa: Yūn Wu’s Transcendence
Chapter 771: The Light Wheel’s Super Demon Hoopa: Yūn Wu’s Transcendence
The sun rose, the sea sparkling with gold.
Steven stood on the top floor of the skyscraper, morning light spilling over his blue hair, his sapphire eyes trembling as he gazed across the Sea-Crossing Bridge.
Beneath the dawn sky, a massive dragon spanned the horizon. Its black-and-gold body glittered, spewing countless golden motes, waving ribbons of golden silk like cloth, its sharp dragon tail slicing the air.
Atop the black Rayquaza, the trainer’s silhouette was faintly visible. The black-and-gold cloak that marked a champion billowed in the wind.
“Teacher Lu…” Steven murmured hoarsely.
This, perhaps, was the moment people called a “battle legend.”
Barren City, northern district.
The wind and floods had receded, revealing submerged residential areas, stranded yachts, and Karine and the others standing bewildered.
“That thing flew away!” A-Jin cried, tilting his head.
The huge bird beat its wings, abandoned the yacht, and turned westward.Dark Lugia cast a shadow over the red-haired boy’s face. Silver turned and shouted, “Is there something important on the west shore?!”
Karine said, “The Desert Tower is near the west shore…by the Sea-Crossing Bridge. I think it’s headed for the Desert Tower.”
“Then that’s it.” The red-haired boy heavily accented the word, “We must protect the Punishment Jar at the Desert Tower!”
A-Jin shaded his eyes and looked into the distance. “It’s not just one Legendary Pokémon— they’re all heading that way! And that black dragon!”
“A black dragon?” Silver opened his flip phone, typed a keyword, and his pupils shrank.
Satellite signal returned as the torrential rain and heatwaves—suppressed by Mega black Rayquaza’s Delta Stream—eased.
The emergency broadcast for Barren City showed the stern face of a black-haired young man;
the camera pulled back, revealing him riding the black Rayquaza’s head!
“Holy—Teacher Lu!” A-Jin blurted.
Karine went slightly dazed. “Is this really something a champion can do…?”
A-Jin: “Champions are different from champions…ugh!”
Silver clamped a hand over A-Jin’s mouth and said calmly, “Champion Karine, please support us—the Pokédex Holders—at the Sea-Crossing Bridge.”
“Of course. It’s my responsibility too.” Karine placed a hand on her chest and nodded lightly.
Genesis Valley.
The interdimensional Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina suddenly stopped fighting. As if guided, they drifted toward the Sea-Crossing Bridge.
Seeing they had no intent to continue their battle, the trio of gods in this world slowly descended, hovering in the sky before Bamboo Lan.
“Meeting again.” Palkia said.
“Long time no see.” Bamboo Lan stood on the cliff, forced a weary smile, and looked out. “Did Lu Ye summon you again?”
“Not for now.” Dialga replied. “But driving those three scoundrels away is something we must do.”
“In that case, please go support the Desert Tower.” Bamboo Lan said.
“Are you sure you want us to assist?” Giratina’s deep gaze from under its platinum helm asked. “Releasing Hoopa can bear the strain of interdimensional time and space, but Lu Ye might not.”
If the Sinnoh trio appeared on the Sea-Crossing Bridge and war erupted, Teacher Lu would need to assume the role of commander.
Bamboo Lan pressed a hand to her chin, her black hem fluttering in the wind, the black fur at her wrist swaying.
She breathed out and said wearily, “I have no authority to decide.”
Palkia and Dialga suddenly howled to the heavens and transformed into one red and one blue streak, racing toward the Sea-Crossing Bridge.
Giratina, likewise compelled, glanced at Barren City, then turned to Bamboo Lan and said, “He understands, so he made the decision for you.”
Bamboo Lan’s body shivered and she lifted her eyes.
She watched Giratina sound a vast, long cry and become a shadow, rushing resolutely into the battlefield.
Bamboo Lan was silent for a moment, then turned and said, “Are you going to the Desert Tower?”
The trio looked at one another and nodded emphatically, “Yes!”
“All right, but I have to go first.”
Bamboo Lan smiled faintly, leaped onto Garchomp, her black hem sweeping, gray eyes narrowing: “Garchomp, Dragon Rush!”
A missile-like red streak cut the sky. Garchomp followed the Sinnoh trio, charging for the Sea-Crossing Bridge.
Spire Plaza.
The red-haired man supported his body, his abdomen wrapped in bloodstained bandages, gazing up at the four streaks of light in the sky.
“Bonnie…” Lance said raggedly.
“Do you want some water?” Bonnie hurried over.
“Bring me…my cloak.” Lance said.
Clemont widened his eyes. “Mr. Lance, you’re in no condition to fight!”
“I am a Son of Kanto… I can’t die.”
Lance took his cloak, looked at the rip with affection, and draped it on.
“What matters is—”
He gazed at the black-and-gold shape over the Sea-Crossing Bridge and smiled. “I won’t let him hog the limelight alone.”
“Ash!”
Lance’s pupils changed. Like an enraged dragon, he roared, “Join me and go to the Desert Tower, support Teacher Lu!”
Ash nodded vigorously and shouted, “Yes!”
Darkrai lay among the rubble and looked up.
Blaze-White Kyurem hovered over a ruined column, staring at black Rayquaza, eager to act.
“If you want to go, you’ll have to ask me first.” Darkrai said coldly.
Blaze-White Kyurem sneered, clicking disdainfully.
‘Boring.’ Blaze-White Kyurem closed its eyes to rest, landing on the broken wall in front of Darkrai… fine, I won’t meddle in this big war.
Blaze-White Kyurem and Darkrai faced each other in silence.
Darkrai sighed softly.
This is all I can do for you, Lu Ye…
Return safe… and remember to pay up…
Sea-Crossing Bridge.
Lu Ye gripped tightly. The black Rayquaza’s horn-like projections rose on either side of its head.
“Fear? Hmph. Right now I’m both nervous and excited!” the black Rayquaza grinned.
Lu Ye: “…I’m just afraid of heights.”
‘?’
Super Demon Hoopa floated in the sky, and on either side hovered Primal Kyogre and Dark Lugia.
The Sinnoh trio formed an equilateral triangle of interwoven red, blue, and gray light.
In the sea, the Desolate Land effect had failed. Primal Groudon’s feet were submerged in the sea, its head thrown back in a roar.
Rumble! The sky cracked! The earth raged!
Armored Mewtwo and Blaze-White Kyurem were gone—unsurprising that those two abandoned ship.
Lu Ye looked down on the battlefield.
Once again, it had come down to one against seven.
Mega black Rayquaza alone wasn’t enough.
On the radar of the Power of Transcendence, three light points sped from Genesis Valley, closing rapidly.
“Almost here…” Lu Ye murmured.
Two more light points on the radar were slowly awakening in the Hoenn region.
Rumble!
Mt. Chimney’s caverns erupted, a crimson behemoth’s back peeled away to reveal magma, and its yellow eyes snapped open.
At the same instant, the Underwater Cavern thundered with currents. An indigo colossus submerged in the ancient sea rose with an ancient whale-like wail.
Hoenn’s guardian gods, Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon, were awakening!
Lu Ye’s eyes flickered.
The Sinnoh trio hold time-space power, so they can assist without a portal.
The two Hoenn guardians are heavier—they’ll need a little help.
“Hoopa, you still have two rings left, right?” Lu Ye asked, bowing his head.
Little Hoopa craned its neck in his arms and giggled, “That’s right~”
“All right.” Lu Ye smiled faintly. “Do as I say, shake those two…”
‘It’s attacking!’ the black Rayquaza said.
“Hoopa, strongest!!”
Super Demon Hoopa swelled with shadow, its eyes without whites. Its massive head dove into a ring and appeared above Lu Ye and black Rayquaza.
Lu Ye looked up. The giant head opened two more rings at its sides and slammed down giant fists!
Hoopa’s released signature move ignored Protect’s “interdimensional onslaught”!
“Dodge Dragon Dance—”
At that command, Lu Ye coughed and his stamina drained rapidly. He hurriedly took out a Luxury Ball.
“Roar!!” black Rayquaza spread its claws, reared, and roared. Its black-and-gold tail swished, golden motes around its body blazing with red light, accelerating suddenly, it surged through the gap between the two fists.
The gust tore through the Rayquaza’s energy dome. Pikachu clung to Lu Ye’s head, hands gripping the dragon horns. Lu Ye roared, “Victini, Hoopa, hold on tight!!”
“Nimi!!” Victini dug into Lu Ye’s dark hair. The V-mark pulsed red, and golden light flared around its body.
At that moment, Victory Star surged into Teacher Lu. His black-and-gold cloak shimmered with golden motes, as if he himself had completed a Mega Evolution like the black Rayquaza. Golden flames rose around him;
he looked like he’d entered sage mode.
The invincible Victory Star was shining!
“Dragon Pulse!!” Lu Ye shouted thunderously.
Black Rayquaza dove and re-lifted, circled and seized the high ground, looming over the massive head within the ring, unleashing a raging dragon shadow from its jaws.
Rumble!
The ferocious purple dragon shadow slammed down and exploded on Super Demon Hoopa’s head.
Hoopa retracted into a ring and looked up, lips curling savagely as its chest detonated, spewing a Dark Pulse.
At the same instant, Primal Groudon spat a Fire Blast and Primal Kyogre fired Water Pulse.
The three beams thundered together;
Mega black Rayquaza looked wary.
Lu Ye said sternly, “Victini, Helping Hand;
Rayquaza, Hurricane!!”
“Nimi~” Victini squeezed its eyes shut, its V-mark glowing as golden flames poured into Rayquaza’s black-and-gold body.
Black Rayquaza straightened and opened its jaws, blasting out a Hurricane like a city-shattering typhoon that shredded shadow, flame, and water alike, detonating fog into a blast!
Suddenly.
Super Demon Hoopa’s eyes grew cold;
it glanced sideways at the Desert Tower next to the Sea-Crossing Bridge.
Inside that…there’s something terrifying…it must be destroyed…
“Destroy everything!!”
Hoopa swung its arms and released blue, red, and gray streaks.
The furious interdimensional trio let out sharp cries and dove toward the Desert Tower.
“You really think I’m insignificant—Giratina, I leave you to it!!” Lu Ye said.
Hoopa turned and saw three similar figures burst out of Genesis Valley.
“They obey Lu Ye’s command?!” Hoopa was incredulous.
Dialga unleashed Roar of Time;
Palkia swung a blade of subspace slash.
The interdimensional Sinnoh gods turned to fight. Giratina became a shadow and crashed repeatedly to push back the space-time gods!
Hoopa startled, “So it’s true!”
Boom!
Giratina dove into shadow to avoid the brunt, and Palkia and Dialga fell into the sea and scrambled upward, only to find black Rayquaza overhead, and an equilateral triangle formed beside it.
The black-haired youth gripped the dragon horn at the center of the triangle, surrounded by Giratina, Dialga, and Palkia!
“Now it’s 4 versus 7.” Lu Ye said coldly.
The shelter erupted in uncontrollable uproar.
“This…is insane!”
“It’s like two time-spaces colliding!”
Sinnoh trio versus Sinnoh trio!!
Over the Sea-Crossing Bridge.
Rumble!!
The interdimensional Sinnoh trio launched a fierce assault from the west shore—blue, red, and gray streaks smashing like the tearing of space.
The Sinnoh trio of this world answered from the east, six lights colliding with a deafening crash over the bridge!
Water columns shot up in rows. The time-spaces interfered, and six massive metallic beasts fell into the sea, grappling using raw force alone.
The huge quadrupeds, the diamond-plated heads of Dialga butting against each other;
bipedal dinosaur Palkia claws facing off with jeweled talons;
Giratina striking Giratina, wet platinum bodies colliding with metallic clangs, raising towering waves!
Super Demon Hoopa’s hideous grin froze on its face.
“A mere human…”
Why could one human summon so many Legendary Pokémon to help?
In the western sky, Garchomp streaked with Bamboo Lan on its back. The golden-haired, black-clad woman looked up, her gaze trembling.
This…was truly a Legendary Pokémon free-for-all!
“Kaao!” Garchomp led Bamboo Lan and landed at the Desert Tower’s base plaza.
In front of the Desert Tower ran the grand canal—one could see the battlefield clearly.
Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon fired an onslaught of Water Pulse and Fire Blast. Black Rayquaza moved with ease, Hurricane sweeping over both gods as it turned to face Hoopa.
“Rayquaza—”
Lu Ye said sharply, “V-Heat Flame!!”
Victini’s V-mark burned as Victory Star poured into Rayquaza. Mega black Rayquaza’s golden motes flared into burning firelight, like an invincible war god.
Boom!! Rayquaza spat blazing flames!
V-shaped heat waves rolled, reflecting on Hoopa’s face. Hoopa hesitated.
This…Victory Star locks onto me, and the ring can’t redirect!?
Rumble!!
V-Heat Flame exploded;
terrifying pressure steamed the sea, black smoke billowed, and Hoopa’s arms bore gruesome wounds.
“Hoopa…is hurt…”
Hoopa was speechless, then broke into a feral laugh, “Again!”
Watching gods at war, Bamboo Lan was shaken.
But Bamboo Lan bit her lip and eyed the exhausted black-haired youth supporting everything. Anxiety etched her face.
How long until the Punishment Jar is ready!
Desert Tower, top floor.
Balza and Meyali’s palms surged with Power of Transcendence.
“Restore…reform…Punishment Jar!” Balza gritted his teeth.
Light swirled as the Punishment Jar took shape. Explosions sounded outside the tower, shaking the summit!
“What’s happening!” Meyali looked out, alarmed.
Two rings hovered in the sky, pulsing crimson and indigo light.
Little Hoopa cried out, “Hoopa—Lao-lao!!”
The land ring birthed a crimson colossus that stepped forth.
The sky ring produced an indigo ancient creature that beat its wings.
Rumble!! Citizens froze—two ancient super-creatures had appeared again!!
“Mr. Lance.”
Ash sat on Dragonite and hugged the red-haired man. “That one is—”
“Ah…that’s our region’s Hoenn guardian gods.”
Yu Long Du said in disbelief, “He pulled them here too…?”
From high towers, Steven’s expression trembled, then he set his jaw.
Teacher Lu is still fighting;
I must… Steven looked down at trembling legs.
“Muscles betray the brain;
even the strongest will can only hold on so long.” Steven said softly.
“Kongjin.” The white Metagross tilted its head.
“I mean…” Steven leaned onto Metagross’s head and charged for the Desert Tower, his gaze resolute. “If he can’t do it alone, then ‘we’ will do it together!”
Over the sea.
Two Primal Groudons faced each other, and black Rayquaza streaked across the sky.
Hoopa looked up, eyes wide.
There are two identical Primal Kyogres in the sky too, facing off!
Hoopa scratched its head.
What the—am I Hoopa, or are you Hoopa?
Across the Sea-Crossing Bridge.
West shore: Sinnoh trio, Hoenn duo, Dark Lugia, Super Demon Hoopa.
East shore: Sinnoh trio, Hoenn duo, black Rayquaza, Teacher Lu.
Lu Ye rode atop black Rayquaza, his back to the rising sun, looking down: “Now it’s 7 versus 7.”
Hoopa’s face went ashen. It swung its fist through a ring toward black Rayquaza.
Signature move: Interdimensional Onslaught!
Black Rayquaza dodged swiftly. Dark Lugia’s wing beats crushed Lu Ye’s energy dome with wind pressure.
The gust howled. Lu Ye’s face changed. With Rayquaza’s dive he lost balance and tumbled from the air!
Below, the sea churned with battling divine beasts;
six metallic heads collided, and two Primal Groudons wrestled closely.
Lu Ye’s cloak fluttered as he fell, dazed: “If I fall from here, I’m probably done for…”
“Hoopa, Lao-lao!” Little Hoopa popped out of Lu Ye’s arms and cast a ring;
Lu Ye dropped right into it.
Little Hoopa floated up, giggled, and waved at the distance. “Are you scared!”
Thud.
Lu Ye fell uncertainly onto Latias’s back, looked up at Hoopa, and nodded firmly.
Then Teacher Lu patted the red plane: “Thanks, Latias.”
“Rati~” Latias puffed up its little face. (Now I remember!)
Lu Ye laughed awkwardly, eyes wide, and coughed, “Wind…cough…threw my voice!”
Latias hurriedly deployed the Light Screen barrier and carried Lu Ye down to the Desert Tower’s plaza.
Black Rayquaza flew in, straightened, opened its claws, and looked to Lu Ye.
“I’m fine, Rayquaza. Go support them.” Lu Ye waved him off.
Black Rayquaza inclined its head. ‘Dragon Ascent’ became a golden straight line as it dove into Dark Lugia and slammed it into a building. The impact tore the midsection away!
Rumble, the building collapsed!
Lu Ye blinked.
Rayquaza, what exactly have you been protecting?!
He glanced back at the Desert Tower. The golden tower stood under the sun, glittering.
Lu Ye steadied his breath and turned to the sea.
Across the sea, many divine beasts battled in a melee;
In the city, black Rayquaza chased Dark Lugia relentlessly, clearly overpowering it;
In the sky, two Primal Kyogres exchanged Water Pulses and missed—somewhat ineptly.
Fatigue rose—sleepless nights, commanding Colossal Pokémon then Mega Rayquaza…
Lu Ye muttered, “I’m going to…”
His thoughts scattered. He looked at the Sea-Crossing Bridge and froze.
Super Demon Hoopa had vanished!
A shadow fell overhead as a teleportation ring opened above him.
Thud!!
A hundred-meter-tall, green-faced, fang-toothed Super Demon Hoopa slammed down, six floating arms all aiming at Lu Ye.
The sky darkened. Hoopa blocked the sun and descended, its face savage. It said, “No one will help you now. Hoopa wins.”
Fear, pressure, tight breath—
Lu Ye stared up at the Super Demon inches away. Cold sweat ran down his temple;
his chest shook;
his back was drenched in sweat.
“You don’t get to decide that.”
Lu Ye’s eyes burned with cold fire. His black-and-gold cloak billowed as he held a Dive Ball in his palm.
“I will smash you myself!!”
A ghostly glint flickered in Hoopa’s eyes. Its lips stretched into a grin and shadow surged skyward as it sneered, “Big talk.”
Boom!!
A Dark Pulse burst forth!!
Lu Ye’s arm braced against the blast;
his cloak snapped back as smoke billowed. Through the white haze, a shell glinted in the sun with a slit of light.
Then sunglasses. The reflection in the shades showed Hoopa’s feral face.
Blastoise took off the shades, revealing steady eyes and a half-smile. “Kachow!”
I feel unprecedented danger, unprecedented fighting will!!
Bang!!
Blastoise glowed with Focus Energy’s red light;
dark-red waves rolled. It lost its focus in its eyes. “Kachow!!”
Torrent, activate!!
“Transcendence…no, Aura.” Hoopa said coldly, “Lu Ye, how long can you hold out?”
“Until I blast you to pieces.”
Lu Ye’s gaze hardened. Gengar’s Mega form had already ended;
he pushed Aura to its limit. A dazzling blue light amplified Blastoise before him.
Blastoise’s muscles bulged, face contorted, Aura blue mist swirled, dark-red waves coiled around its shell, arms, and cannon.
“Just a mere Blastoise.”
Hoopa sneered, “I’ll crush it like a kid’s lollipop.”
“Try me—”
Lu Ye raised his hand to the sky. The Keystone flared a brilliant rainbow. Aura and Bond linked them. Gusts rolled as he roared.
“Blastoise, Megaa-evolve!!”
“Kachow!!”
A roaring white light enveloped Blastoise. The shell rose to reveal oversized cannons on its back. A horn protruded on its forehead;
ruby eyes blazed. Launchers on its arms aimed at the sky. Aura amplified Super Launcher;
cold lights glinted under the sun!
“Blastoise—”
Lu Ye drew a deep breath and bellowed:
“Core Disturbance!!!”
Rumble!!!
Blastoise’s crimson eyes fired a gargantuan indigo Hydro Cannon, silence falling across the land as the beam lit the sky.
Bamboo Lan suddenly turned. From the other side of the Desert Tower came a thunderous roar that shook the firmament.
What—happened over there!?
“Garchomp, let’s go see!!”
The indigo surge lit the sky. Even the two opposing Primal Kyogres in the clouds couldn’t help but glance.
Core Disturbance pulsed Kyogre’s primal essence, reinforced by Super Launcher. Though less powerful than the originals, this wave was a masterful refinement.
The two Primal Kyogres were bewildered.
Over there’s Kyogre? Then who are we!
Hoopa’s mouth snapped open in astonishment.
Even a Super Demon confronted with Core Disturbance found it hard to withstand.
Fortunately, without the lock of Victory Star, this attack could be avoided with an interdimensional ring!
Rumble!!!
Steam sprayed as the Hydro Cannon pierced the wind. The fog dissipated and a massive ring opened on Hoopa’s chest.
Core Disturbance went straight through.
At once, a circular portal opened over the sea. An indigo beam descended, exploding like a nuclear blast. Sea water cavitated and waves surged hundreds of meters high.
The waves drenched Dialga’s diamond head. It howled and took three steps like an ancient beast, charging again into the interdimensional monsters!
“You directing Core Disturbance have almost done it…”
Hoopa’s chest heaved. It looked at the black-haired youth kneeling on one knee and half-collapsed and laughed through gritted teeth, “Hoopa got scared, but to hit Hoopa you’d have to train for hundreds more years, haha!!!”
Lu Ye looked up, eyes deep, their silent stare matching.
Hoopa shivered, a chill crawling its spine. Pale fairy-type energy surged from behind.
“To ensure the second move hits, the first had to be worth opening a ring,” Lu Ye said.
“What do you mean…” Hoopa’s voice was dry.
“Whether accuracy or fate, you must seize it yourself.”
Lu Ye’s gaze hardened. “Core Disturbance was the setup. Fairy Plate is the backstab!”
Hoopa whipped its head. Sylveon hoisted a pink plate with its ribbons. Its snow-white body completed Geomancy’s energy absorption and gave a long cry.
“Sylveon—” Lu Ye said, “Fire Blast!!!”
“Bu-bii!!!”
The Fairy Plate acted like a giant amplifier. Fire Blast became an annihilating beam and expanded further after passing through the pink plate.
Hoopa’s pupils constricted as it watched the Death Beam. The beam struck the black hole in its belly, detonating in chain explosions that tore at its body.
“Roar!!!” Hoopa screamed in agony, standing amidst light as explosions consumed it!
Boom!
Shockwaves rolled and Lu Ye collapsed to his knees. Blastoise’s Mega form ended and it helped him up, its cannon sending Healing Pulse and handing him a Revival Root.
“No thanks, that stuff tastes awful.”
Lu Ye forced out a breath and stared at Hoopa through the ash. He looked dazed and exhausted:
“Damn it, is there no end…”
One pink plate alone won’t finish Hoopa!
“I want you—”
From the ash Hoopa rose like a vengeance demon, hair on fire, screaming hoarsely, “Pay the price!!!”
Lu Ye’s head spun. He had no room for thought. Was original Hoopa always this strong? Where’s the Punishment Jar? Rayquaza, don’t chase the near-dead—come back and guard the tower!
Thoughts collided. Lu Ye staggered and fell onto someone’s chest.
“Bamboo Lan…” Lu Ye weakly opened his eyes.
A wrinkled face looked down—Boss Giovanni.
Lu Ye: “…”
Giovanni: “…You seem disappointed?”
Lu Ye: “Very disappointed.”
“Doesn’t matter.” Giovanni hoisted Lu Ye up. “You did enough. Rest.”
Lu Ye blinked. “Say things properly—why are you taking your shirt off, Boss?”
Giovanni tossed his coat aside, revealing a white undershirt and solid chest wrapped in bandages. He said loudly, “Go! Beedrill!”
A flash-stream of black-and-yellow stripes: Mega Beedrill rocketed out, faceted eyes like rubies, three deadly stingers glowing white at its tail, twin arm lances firing needle bullets.
Ssss! Poison Jab rained like a storm.
Bug-type advantage crippled Hoopa’s momentum. Even a Super Demon must temporarily avoid the sting.
“Darn insects!”
Hoopa opened a ring and the Poison Jabs entered, firing out to sea.
Clang! Mega Beedrill’s high-speed assault, leveraging type advantage, suppressed Hoopa for the moment.
Giovanni glanced back. “…You’re bleeding from the lip.”
Lu Ye said calmly, “I’ve exploded more times than I can remember. Not even Super Saiyans can blow me up like this.”
“Oh.” Giovanni nodded solemnly. “Then let’s run for our lives.”
Lu Ye: ?
Giovanni: “I can’t beat it.”
Indeed, two people alone couldn’t handle a Super Demon…
Rumble!!
“Garchomp, Comet Punch!!!” Bamboo Lan shouted.
A meteor shower tore across Hoopa’s dome, meteors trailing flames and slamming onto Hoopa’s back. Hoopa spun, aiming its arm at Garchomp—and a berserk dragon shadow burst outward.
Lu Ye turned and saw Dragonite carrying Lance and Ash, crossing the battlefield and emerging from the hellish ringed sea!
“Dragonite, Dragon Pulse!” Lance roared.
“Pikachu, Thunderbolt!” Ash chimed in.
Lightning and dragon shadow intertwined. The thunder-dragon tore at Hoopa, blowing apart the black smoke.
“Despicable!!” Hoopa snarled hoarsely.
“Metagross, Comet Punch!!”
“Kongjin!!” Mega Metagross’s X-mark flared red, like a hammer, its comet-like punch smashed Hoopa in the face.
A blue-haired man half-kneeling on a rooftop, Metagross casually belched a gust and stopped beside Lu Ye.
“Teacher Lu.” Steven smiled. “Looks like I didn’t slow you down.”
Lu Ye: “…I suspect you’re hinting at a certain champion, but I—cough!!”
“Teacher Lu.” Steven asked nervously, “Are you okay?”
“Do I look okay?” Lu Ye snapped.
Steven blinked and nodded gently.
Lu Ye: “…Go fight the group.”
Bamboo Lan guided Garchomp down and landed lightly, their eyes meeting Lu Ye’s.
Her gaze was worried, sharp, anxious. The mission weighed on her shoulders;
ash dust dusted her face, yet she remained beautiful.
“You…” Bamboo Lan hesitated, “Hide behind me.”
Lu Ye smiled sheepishly, hoarse: “An Ultra Beast team fight can’t afford to be missing a main attacker.”
Rumble! The sky thundered!
On both sides of Lu Ye—Steven, Bamboo Lan, Lance, Ash, Giovanni—six trainers lifted their heads and stared at Super Demon Hoopa.
“Hoopa!! Strongest!!”
Hoopa’s face was hideous, no whites in its eyes;
six claws blasted Dark Pulse, exploding smoke waves.
Over the city, black Rayquaza chased Dark Lugia and battered it. Suddenly golden motes scattered and Mega form dissipated.
Black Rayquaza froze slightly, expression solemn, and looked at the Desert Tower.
“Lu Ye…” a strange worry crept into Rayquaza’s voice.
Spire Plaza, Darkrai watched the Desert Tower, unsettled.
This danger feels different from before!
Lu Ye’s heart thudded. The world’s colors shifted to a photo-like palette of black and yellow.
Seizing the champions’ battle with Hoopa as cover, Lu Ye withdrew from the fray and sat on stone steps in the plaza, panting, sweat pouring.
“At my limit…” Lu Ye murmured.
But thinking back—three Mega Evolutions, commanding Colossal Pokémon then Rayquaza… not bad for me…
“Nimi…” Victini hugged Lu Ye, trying to inject Victory Star into his body.
Long-term use of Aura and Transcendence drained life-energy cap. Even Infinite Energy couldn’t sustain that forever.
“Nimi…” Victini trembled, holding Lu Ye.
Lu Ye rested his hands on his knees and patted Victini.
He seemed to see Pokémon gathered around, speaking.
I don’t want to fight, but I must fight.
Even if I fall, I still shoulder the champion’s duty.
Black hair fell, hiding Lu Ye’s expression. His mouth twitched into a faint smile, then he sighed:
“So that’s it… I don’t want to be…a trainer…”
Bamboo Lan turned instinctively toward the steps, eyes flickering. “Lu Ye!!”
The champions looked up. Dark Pulse’s smoke blast detonated. Ash and Lance were blown away, lying amid the ruins.
Ears ringing, mind blank.
Right… I have Ho-Oh’s contingency… I have…
“Lu Ye.”
He shot up;
colors snapped vivid. A purple little chubby figure grinned and stood before him, eyes narrowed.
“Your…telepathy?” Lu Ye asked, voice shaking. “This year, it’s the first time I’ve heard…”
“Become an excellent trainer!”
“Gengarrr!” Gengar reached out to Lu Ye.
Lu Ye reflexively reached and touched Gengar’s hand.
His pupils shrank as crystalline motes flew from Gengar into him.
“Wait, this is—!” Lu Ye’s eyes widened.
Sharing life energy between them.
Not healing—but a curse.
Gengar’s… ‘Shared Fate.’
Lu Ye’s breath trembled as he pressed down on Gengar’s head: “What can Shared Fate do? Better to let me die and use Sacred Ash.”
Gengar giggled, eyes narrowed red:
“Gengarrr! (⁎˃ᴗ˂⁎)”
“If so, then we can fight side by side again!”
Lu Ye’s heart throbbed in sync with Gengar’s. Shared Fate split life energy and linked their bond.
“You really are…”
Lu Ye took a deep breath, looked up at Hoopa and shouted:
“A genius trainer!!!”
“Gengar!!” Lu Ye barked, “Lick!!”
“Gengarrr! (⁎˃ꌂ˂⁎)” Gengar licked Lu Ye.
The lick did not paralyze;
instead, it brought an extraordinary clarity.
Lu Ye’s eyes brightened. He rose slowly, cloak flapping, mounted Latias and charged into the sky toward Hoopa.
“One more time!!”
“Gengarrr!!”
Desert Tower, top.
Balza and Meyali’s faces lit with joy. “It worked!!”
They grabbed the Punishment Jar and ran desperately toward the tower’s edge.
Faster…they could catch up!
In the sky.
Hoopa turned to Lu Ye. It saw the purple flame flickering in his eyes and noticed something was different. Its feral grin faded into a calm seriousness.
“You…”
Hoopa fell silent and said gravely, “You have excellent Pokémon.”
“And a—”
“Gengar, Dark Void Z—”
Lu Ye slowly raised his right hand. The Z-Ring glowed midnight black, his gaze blazing.
“A fine trainer.” Hoopa grinned.
“Black Hole Devour, Obliterate All!!” Lu Ye cried.
“Gengarrr!!! (ૢ˃ꌂ˂⁎)” Gengar hoisted a Dark Void with both hands, the gravitational pull tearing at the city and sucking up skyscraper debris.
Boom!!
The Sea-Crossing Bridge could not bear the strain and began collapsing in rows, plunging into the sea!!
The bridge snapped, waves flew, concrete and rebar hurled into the Dark Void!!
Hoopa’s eyes twitched as it stared at the enormous dark hole blotting out the sky.
“Gulp…” Hoopa swallowed.
Even Arceus… would struggle against that…
“Gengarrr!!” Gengar hurled the Dark Void.
Rumble!!
Light ripped Hoopa’s body apart. Its six arms went limp as it desperately tried to block the Dark Void: “Oooooo!!!”
Time-space trembled;
the sky eroded.
Black Rayquaza looked at the Desert Tower and the gigantic, world-devouring Dark Hole and whispered hoarsely:
“What an astonishing Bond Force…”
Shockwaves rolled and Lu Ye fell from the sky into a soft embrace.
On Garchomp’s back, Lu Ye looked up into Bamboo Lan’s tired, gentle smile:
“You can rest now.”
“Yes…”
Lu Ye closed his eyes wearily, a smile at the corner of his mouth.
“You can…rest a while…”
Boom!!
Dark Void shattered into fragments, sending dust across the sky. Hoopa lay in tatters.
It turned its crimson gaze and shuddered. Balza stood on a reef, holding the Punishment Jar aloft.
Opening the jar’s mouth, the jar’s core Transcendence began tearing at Super Demon Hoopa’s body. It screamed and could not break free.
Bang!!
Balza clenched the jar’s mouth. His eyes filled with evil shadow.
His eyes went blood-red as he glared at Little Hoopa. “Disappear, you!”
Little Hoopa: “Hoopa, don’t.”
“Ash, calm him!” Ash put a hand on Balza’s shoulder, but the evil shadow surged into Ash.
However, the shadow found it couldn’t control this body!
Garchomp descended slowly. Lu Ye lay in Bamboo Lan’s arms and murmured, “Pikachu, give Ash a Thunderbolt.”
Pikachu crouched: “Pika—chu!!”
Lightning flared. Ash trembled and coughed up black smoke. The evil shadow was suppressed.
Little Hoopa mustered courage and floated to Ash, palms glowing:
“Shadow…and Hoopa together;
then the shadow will be happy too…”
Scenes flickered across memory—the Vale of Transcendence, Goris’s guidance, Lu Ye’s time-space journey…
The shadow calmed and became light, flowing into Little Hoopa.
Little Hoopa’s body swelled and fell through a ring from the sky.
Thud!!
The champions looked up, worried.
The released Hoopa towered in the sky and laughed: “Hoopa—back again!”
Ash smiled: “Don’t worry, that’s just Hoopa.”
“Were you scared!”
Released Hoopa giggled and looked down at Lu Ye, stretching a huge hand to cover his head.
Lu Ye smiled helplessly and high-fived Released Hoopa, then coughed.
“Release Hoopa…return the five gods of this world.” Lu Ye said wearily.
Released Hoopa nodded hard and waved rings that enveloped sea and sky:
“Hoopa—Lao-lao!!”
Giratina, Dialga, and Palkia looked at the Desert Tower.
“I see…so it’s resolved.” Giratina closed its eyes.
“The Transcendence Envoy is admirable.” Palkia said.
“His cooking is pretty good too.” Dialga added.
The two dragons shot a sidelong look at Dialga. The Sinnoh trio gradually faded into the ring’s glow.
Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon, bewildered, were returned to their home waters.
“Roar…” Primal Groudon scratched its head and lay back into the magma for a nap.
The interdimensional Giratina, Palkia, Dialga, and the Hoenn duo regained composure and looked soberly at the Desert Tower.
Lu Ye was laid on a bench, head resting on Bamboo Lan’s soft thighs. He reached out and stroked Gengar’s head.
“Gengarrr~” Gengar happily scratched.
The trainer and Pokémon’s bodies glowed with crystalline motes that slowly drifted away.
“What’s going on!” Lance exclaimed.
“It’s like they’re disappearing!” Ash said.
Giovanni frowned and looked at Lu Ye.
Indeed, for humans, Lu Ye had reached his limit…
Lu Ye looked at the scattered motes in his palm and an answer formed in his heart.
Even if Gengar shared life energy with me… it still cannot save the fact that I’ve already died inside.
Steven gazed tremblingly at Lu Ye. The scene felt familiar: “Teacher Lu…”
Lu Ye’s eyes flickered. Shared Fate let Gengar and him fight side by side, but the cost was that Gengar would fade with him.
“There’s only one Sacred Ash.”
Lu Ye gently stroked Gengar and smiled: “So you must stay well here.”
Teacher Lu placed a hand on Gengar’s shoulder and spread Aura from his palm to remove the Shared Fate curse.
“Gengar?!” Gengar cried, shocked, and its life energy returned to its own body.
“Remember to use Sacred Ash to revive me. If you can’t, send A-Jin to find Arceus…or I’ll haunt him as a ghost… also…”
With Shared Fate gone, Lu Ye lay on Bamboo Lan’s thighs as motes rose and he patted Gengar’s head: “Become an excellent trainer, Gengar.”
“Gengarrr…”
Light faded. Gengar was dazed for a long time and then looked at Bamboo Lan, flustered and trying to comfort her.
“I’m okay.” Bamboo Lan’s golden hair obscured her face. She pinched Gengar’s cheek and said hoarsely, “Okay, get the Sacred Ash.”
“Gengarrr!”
Gengar nodded vigorously, dove into the shadow and brought out a packet of Sacred Ash.
“Ta-da!!” Gengar raised the Sacred Ash, legs wobbling.
Rumble!! An earthquake struck suddenly!
The champions tensed and looked around.
Ash peered and said: “That is—”
Barren City seemed covered by a circular dome. At the edges, time-space continually collapsed;
the temporal storm was closing in.
“What’s happening!?” Steven shouted.
“The time-space here…is about to collapse…” Meyali said, stunned.
“We must quell the time-space storm first!” Balza urged. “Otherwise the coordinates will scramble, and reviving with Sacred Ash might put Teacher Lu back safely—or not at all!”
Giovanni said sternly, “Can Dialga and Palkia’s power stabilize the storm?”
Released Hoopa said, “Hoopa will try.”
Bamboo Lan’s golden hair swayed. She drew a deep breath and said calmly:
“Evacuate the citizens first…Hoopa, please.”
Released Hoopa said, “Leave it to Hoopa!”
The time-space storm crashed from all sides like a shrinking poison ring. Hoopa darted through the city, ferrying citizens through rings to safety.
The crowds gradually dispersed, including those in the shelters, evacuating in order.
People stood on the shoreline. The Sea-Crossing Bridge had collapsed. Across the water they watched the Desert Tower.
Rumble!! The temporal storm wrapped around the Desert Tower and kept shrinking, trying to crush it!!
Black Rayquaza, Giratina, Palkia, Dialga…
The interdimensional gods hovered just outside the storm, unsure what to do.
Palkia, the Space God, swung a subspace slash to cut the storm.
The blade popped and the storm remained intact.
The citizens panicked.
“Space God can’t cut space!?”
The divine beasts tried in turn but were helpless against the storm.
The storm tightened. At Bamboo Lan’s urging, the champions passed through a ring and left the Desert Tower.
The storm tore at the tower. Inside, only a small space remained, with Released Hoopa, Bamboo Lan, and Gengar.
“You should go.” Released Hoopa said, bowing its head.
“But—” Bamboo Lan raised her head and argued, “The Sacred Ash hasn’t worked yet! It hasn’t achieved its effect!”
“The time-space here is collapsing;
finding Lu Ye’s coordinates is difficult…”
Released Hoopa rubbed its fingers and said dejectedly, “I’m sorry, Bamboo Lan. After we get out, we’ll look for help…”
“No.” Bamboo Lan said coldly. “I’ll stay here… If Arceus can, let it revive me too.”
“But you…you’re not a Transcendence Envoy!”
Released Hoopa gritted its teeth and said loudly, “Sorry, Bamboo Lan!”
Bamboo Lan trembled. The storm violently swept her, and when she lifted her head she suddenly found herself on the shoreline.
“Champion Bamboo Lan…” Ash and the others rushed over.
Bamboo Lan’s golden hair hung low. Her expression drooped;
she forced a smile.
“I…I’m fine…”
She turned her back to the storm around the Desert Tower. After a while a tear rolled down her cheek.
Plop—it splashed and shattered.
Inside the Desert Tower, Gengar held Sacred Ash, face crestfallen. “Gengar…”
Released Hoopa scratched its head. “I know Arceus… After we get out, let that guy help…”
“But he might lock me up again. Ah well, whatever. Lock me again if you want.” Released Hoopa sulked.
Gengar stared at the ground. Only Teacher Lu’s trainer belt remained on the floor.
Gengar stared blankly and counted Poké Balls. Suddenly it froze.
Wait—one, two…a total of twelve.
“Gengar!” Gengar was startled.
There was one more red-and-white Poké Ball!!
The red-and-white ball rolled and popped open.
A blinding light spilled out and a ray shot from the Poké Ball.
The forest guardian god, Celebi!!
Since returning from the ancient times, Celebi had been temporarily staying in Teacher Lu’s red-and-white ball and hadn’t left.
As a time-traveler, Celebi could locate time-space coordinates with miraculous power.
“Swoosh~” Celebi smiled faintly, took the Sacred Ash from Gengar’s hands.
“Leave it to me!”
Gengar stopped crying and blinked dumbly. “Gengar…”
Then Celebi resolutely tore through time and space, flying into the temporal storm amid lightning and thunder, heading for the Desert Tower’s top floor!!
Rumble!!!
Time-space trembled. The storm’s eye was about to close.
Citizens looked up at the Desert Tower.
The tower’s body had been shredded by the storm, leaving only the golden wheel at the top—rootless and suspended within the tempest!
A streak of light burst out of the storm and rained rainbow-like brilliance.
The tower’s top ignited into roaring fire, unscathed by lightning. The flames used the wind to blaze gloriously!
The citizens stared dumbfounded. For some reason their eyes filled with tears, their bodies trembling as if witnessing a miracle.
The flaming distortions formed a ring of fire.
One figure strode forth from the blaze, the black-and-gold cloak whipping, reflecting the flames.
He stood atop the tower and spoke, his voice echoing in everyone’s hearts:
“I grant my Transcendence;
this time-space is decreed.”
Pale-golden light restrained the closing storm, forming a beam that pierced the heavens.
The crowd trembled, hands over their mouths, their bodies shuddering.
The gods stood beyond the storm and watched the black-haired youth come forth from the flames in silence.
Lu Ye lifted his head and called out:
“Arceus—”
Layers of black clouds split as golden light opened. A holy form burst from the clouds.
A centaur-like deity attached to a golden wheel, its gaze gentle.
It stood above and could not be looked at directly.
Light fell on Lu Ye’s upturned face.
His expression had no fear, no complaint—only a sliver of calm acceptance.
“I think…”
Lu Ye said, “I want to become an excellent trainer.”
Arceus did not speak but raised a slight approving curve. Its pale-golden forehoof touched the sky.
Ripples washed the temporal storm away. In an instant the clouds parted and the sky cleared!
Barren City fell silent.
Everyone stared in astonishment.
Golden light streamed down. Over the Desert Tower Lu Ye and Arceus gazed at each other quietly.
This scene imprinted itself on everyone’s hearts.
The sea shone with gold.
Released Hoopa, Giratina, Palkia, Dialga, Primal Kyogre, black Rayquaza… the gods floated in the sky.
They looked at Arceus with reverence, then at Lu Ye.
Their respect was not because he was a Transcendence Envoy.
It came from Pokémon… and their trainer.
Primal Groudon stood on the sea, unmoving, a stunned look as if struck by lightning.
What the hell.
Am I the only one who can’t fly!?
A brilliant pillar of light split the clouds and shone on the golden Desert Tower, spilling onto the shoreline where dazed citizens stood.
Suddenly an endless roar erupted. People cried, shouted, and embraced.
The champions looked at each other. Steven and Lance grinned and bumped fists.
Bamboo Lan pressed her hand to her chin;
her golden hair and black clothes swayed as she clasped her arms and raised a small smile.
Giovanni looked at the flaming tower top and gave a dry laugh:
“A new battle legend is born.”
“Gengarrr~ (⁎˃ꌂ˂⁎)”
Gengar floated beside Lu Ye and gave him a lick, giggling.
Lu Ye smiled faintly and patted Gengar’s head.
He reached out and clapped a hand on his shoulder.
Even Arceus can pull that off…
Lu Ye closed his eyes, drew a deep breath, and slapped his shoulder with force, praising:
“Well done, Teacher Lu!!”
…
[Feature film: The Light Wheel’s Super Demon Hoopa, End!]