[ After Cross left, Ash hugged the weak Charmander and ran to a cave before breathing a sigh of relief. At least they didn't have to stay in the rain now.
Unexpectedly, Souji, whom Ash had met briefly while battling Entei earlier, was also here.
Souji, accompanied by his Lucario, was shocked to see the Charmander in Ash's arms. Without a word, he rushed over and gave Ash a stern scolding!
After some explanation from Makoto, Souji opened his backpack and prepared some medicine. After Charmander drank it, its condition finally stabilized. ]
[ .....]
〜Pokémon World, Main Worldline〜
X/Y Timeline—
"Although his basic knowledge isn't great, they are all good kids!"
The people of the Pokémon world nodded in relief at the sight. Although a bit reckless, he was a novice trainer after all, so it was understandable.
Compared to that, as for that guy named Cross… Heh, he'd better watch his step!
Thinking of his despicable behavior, the trainers couldn't help but frown and snort coldly. Without a bond with his Pokémon, he couldn't even perform Mega Evolution; let's see how he gets stronger.
.....
[ Just as they were chatting for a while, the cave welcomed another uninvited guest. The three of them were stunned—it was actually Entei! Entei only gave them a faint glance before jumping onto a stone platform on its own, and the Pokémon that had followed it quietly snuggled up beside it to keep warm.
"In the face of nature's threats, humans and Pokémon are the same!" Watching this heartwarming scene, Souji couldn't help but sigh, and then he told the others the legend he knew.
" 150 years ago, the Brass Tower, where Ho-Oh had contact with humans, was struck by lightning and burned down. Because of that fire, three unknown Pokémon were burned to death."
"At that moment, Ho-Oh descended and granted them new life: the lightning that struck the tower, the fire that burned the tower, and the rain that extinguished the tower's fire!"
"It is said that these three are their incarnations." Saying this, Souji pulled out his Pokédex: "They are Raikou, Entei, and Suicune!" ]
[ .....]
〜Pokémon World, Main Worldline〜
This legend… doesn't seem right!
Little did they know, Souji's simple words had the researchers of the Pokémon world wearing out their history books, yet some parts still didn't match up.
"According to the story they knew, someone tried to obtain Ho-Oh's power, and in a fit of rage, Ho-Oh burned down the Brass Tower and left humanity forever. The resurrected Legendary Beasts were sent to the human world by Ho-Oh, and only after they recognized humanity would Ho-Oh return to the world…"
After listening to Cynthia's narration, Leon nodded knowingly:
"I didn't expect such detailed differences… However, since Ash was able to obtain Ho-Oh's feather, perhaps Ho-Oh will return to the human world soon."
Cynthia couldn't help but exclaim:
"Very likely. Ever since Ho-Oh disappeared from human sight for so long, this is the first time I've seen it appear on its own."
Steven thought for a moment:
"In that case, Entei's appearance is not a coincidence either; perhaps it is testing Ash."
Has Ash's innocence and kindness attracted even Ho-Oh? This boy, who seems so boisterous, is really not simple!
Perhaps he will become the bridge for humanity to rebuild friendship with Ho-Oh.
.....
[ Looking at the photo of Ho-Oh on Souji's screen, Ash and Pikachu cried out in surprise, running all the way to the coat hanging up to dry and rummaging through it.
"I saw it on the day I started my journey, and this fell at that time!" Ash pulled out the feather left by Ho-Oh from his coat.
"Rainbow Wing!" Souji looked at the feather radiating rainbow light, completely astonished.
Even the sleeping Entei slowly opened its eyes, looking toward Ash…
And in Entei's shadow, a black figure with glowing red eyes slowly floated out, also quietly watching Ash—or rather, watching the Rainbow Wing in his hand!
"It is said that Ho-Oh gives the Rainbow Wing to a very small number of humans it values, and there is a legend… whoever is guided by the Rainbow Wing to see Ho-Oh will become the Rainbow Hero!"
After they fell asleep, a Pokémon darted out from Ash's shadow. It was a grey-black humanoid, its head resembling a helmet made of smoke, with grey flames drifting from it.
It quietly observed Ash, and after noticing him move, it slowly sank back into Ash's shadow. ]
[ .....]
〜Pokémon World, Main Worldline〜
What kind of Pokémon is this? Never seen it before!
Although it's pitch black, it actually feels kind of cute… I want to raise one!
"Ahem… isn't that Marshadow?"
Professor Oak, who was eating instant noodles, choked.
What the heck? Another Mythical Pokémon.
Marshadow… legend says it is the messenger of Ho-Oh, with the mission of guiding the Rainbow Hero to meet Ho-Oh. It's rare and hard to find, definitely a one-in-a-million rarity!
And looking at Ash's surprised expression on the screen when he heard the name Ho-Oh, Professor Oak covered his face with black lines… He felt a bit sorry for his parallel-world self.
Ash definitely hadn't told his parallel-world self about seeing Ho-Oh, and he was just running around with Ho-Oh's feather like that—are you trying to make me die of envy!
Thinking of this, Professor Oak contacted Ash again. Looking at Ash's dazed appearance on the screen, he couldn't help but twitch his mouth.
Then Professor Oak showed a serious expression:
"Ash, would you consider taking me on your journey…"
Ash was stunned:
"Huh? Professor, what kind of nonsense are you talking about?"
"…"
Professor Oak really wanted to say he was serious. Look at how long you've been on your journey, and what kind of Pokémon have you encountered?
Ho-Oh, Entei, Marshadow… Each one was poking at his curiosity. Is Ash some kind of Legendary Pokémon magnet? So attractive!
.....
[ As the sky brightened, Charmander recovered its health and voluntarily allowed itself to be caught by Ash.
After walking out of the cave, they saw a magnificent rainbow. The Rainbow Wing in Ash's hand seemed to sense something, emitting a colorful glow.
Souji pulled out his Pokédex to check the direction: "That is Mount Tensei, composed of steep peaks!"
"I've decided!" Ash smiled happily and shouted with ambition: "I'm going to find it and battle it!"
The others were also full of curiosity about Ho-Oh, so the three formed a team, planning to travel together and set off in the direction of Mount Tensei!
During the journey, Ash also encountered a Pinsir and excitedly threw a Poké Ball: "To deal with Bug-types, you have to use Bug-types! I choose you, Caterpie!"
Although Pinsir escaped in the end, Caterpie evolved into Metapod! ]
[ .....]
〜Pokémon World, Main Worldline〜
"Who taught you… forget it, as expected of Ash, as long as you're happy!"
Sigh… everyone sighed in exhaustion. Although they really wanted to say, didn't you catch a Charmander? Why didn't you use Charmander?
Fire-type is also super effective against Bug-type… Thinking of Ash being such a reckless brute, everyone felt helpless. Forget it, forget it, at least he didn't battle at a type disadvantage, that's already pretty good.
Watching the scene of the three traveling together, Ash suddenly realized:
"I get it, they are Brock and Misty from a parallel world!"
"???"
Brock and Misty tilted their heads, full of question marks.
No… where did you see that they are us from a parallel world? Not only do they look nothing like us, but the Pokémon they have are also different!
"Think about it, Souji can cook and take care of Pokémon, just like Brock,"
Ash said confidently.
"And Makoto, she uses Piplup, which is a Water-type, isn't that just like Misty!"
Upon hearing this, veins appeared on Misty's forehead, and she grabbed Ash's ear:
"Brock can cook and take care of Pokémon… is my only impression that I use Water-type Pokémon!!?"
"Eh—"
Ash, with his ear being pulled, seemed even more surprised than her, giving a very "straight-man" response:
"Don't you use Pokémon of other types?"
This left Misty speechless; she really couldn't refute that…
X/Y Timeline—
Serena, watching Makoto giggling at photos of Ash, gritted her teeth and said,
"Why are you taking so many photos of Ash?"
As for Suicune? She had long ignored it. What was more important now was why most of the photos in Makoto's communicator were of Ash!
Ash scratched the back of his head:
"Maybe she just took them by accident."
"Don't speak yet."
Serena rolled her eyes at him… The point is, I haven't even taken that many!
She actually had a feeling of having lost. No way, this is a battle she can't lose. She had to take more photos, at least more than her rival!
.....