Unown A returned to Shiro's bedroom in an instant, carrying the Dynamax Band and Poké Ball, then quietly hid itself away.
Shiro was still fast asleep. The next morning, when he finally woke, the first thing he noticed was the white Dynamax Band and Poké Ball resting beside his bed. He immediately asked Unown A about the results of last night's experiment.
Unown A emerged into view and began to explain bit by bit.
"So, it can Dynamax... The effect's impressive, but I just don't know if Wailord will stay obedient once transformed, or how long the form can last," Shiro murmured, pleased with the outcome.
It didn't matter anyway. He wasn't planning to make Dynamaxed Wailord perform any delicate task. All it needed to do was cause trouble for Macro Cosmos' capture unit. Specifically, Peony.
A creature that massive, rising off Galar's coast? There was no way the company wouldn't react.
* * *
After tidying his things and washing up, Shiro joined the next door film crew who had already finished preparations. They then began their journey.
Over the next week, or possibly sooner, they needed to reach Wyndon. The latest directive from Macro Cosmos demanded that all challengers finish their Gym Challenge in seven days and report to League HQ.
Shiro had already completed most of his eight gym battles, and traveling with Ryan and the others, his pace was fast. From Hulbury to Wyndon took them only three days.
Once there, they found a random inn to stay in instead of going to Rose Tower. Shiro had no intention of returning to the company's headquarters to test their moral limits.
For the remaining four days, he spent much of his time training his Pokémon in the outskirts, occasionally disappearing to cooperate with Professor Rowan in coordinating cruise ships arriving near Galar's waters.
Those ships had grown clever. They only approached briefly before retreating immediately. If intercepted by Peony's patrols, they would stop for inspection without any resistance.
Every time, Peony found nothing. Each failure only deepened his frustration.
* * *
Six days after finishing his gym battle at Hulbury, the day before the Champion Cup, Shiro was training deep within a forest outside of Wyndon. Corviknight and Drakloak clashed fiercely above the trees, their moves sharp and precise, engaged in an intense internal sparring match.
There hadn't been much real battle lately these few days, so Corviknight had spent its time honing strength and stability. It was now Shiro's main powerhouse and most reliable fighter after Drakloak, the team's steadfast veteran.
Even Drakloak couldn't defeat it quickly without a trainer to direct command. After all, Steel resisted Dragon-type attacks, and Draklaok's high-powered Dragon-type moves could hardly do one-hit-KO, while Corviknight's speed gave it some breathing room. Their battles often dragged out for a while before one fell.
Standing by a nearby tree, Shiro gripped the communicator in his pocket, eyes fixed on the duel between the two Pokémon. He didn't issue any commands, letting them fight freely.
Usually, Drakloak would win in the end, relying on superior power and speed to overwhelm Corviknight.
"Draaaak!"
In a flash of blue-green light, Drakloak darted through the forest, suddenly appearing behind Corviknight mid-flight. The former dodged two slashing wind blades before landing a clean strike.
"Oh... it can use Sucker Punch smoothly now." Shiro gave an approving nod.
Sucker Punch was a Dark-type move, neutral against Steel and Flying types. Caught off guard, Corviknight took the hit to the back and let out a low cry of defeat.
"Alright, come back, Drakloak!"
The ghostly dragon squinted its eyes, circling once in the air and vanishing into invisibility, then slipping into the shadow beneath his feet.
Corviknight landed before him on an open patch of ground. Shiro pulled a healing spray from his bag and gently applied it to the wounds on its back.
The injuries weren't serious. After a short rest, it would be completely fine.
Just then, the sound of rustling leaves echoed. Out of the corner of his eye, Shiro saw Ryan and the other company members approaching. They had been keeping their distance, too afraid to come closer while the two Pokémon were fighting.
"Your strength's improved again, Shiro…" Ryan said with a nervous smile. His palms were slick with sweat.
Not long ago, he had received a message from the company, instructing him to lure Shiro to the headquarters. He wanted to cry. He was only a small-time host; why did they think he was close enough to Shiro to pull this off?
Even if they were friendly, that didn't mean he could push the guy into a fire pit.
Ryan had no idea how to bring it up, or if he should just pretend he knew nothing. If the company asked later, he could just say he failed.
As the host hesitated, Shiro's expression shifted slightly. His hand tightened around the communicator in his pocket.
He didn't seem to notice Ryan's unease. He just said, "I'll be right back. Need a quick break. Wait here."
With that, he jogged off into the woods.
Ryan blinked and looked at Corviknight still nearby. Nothing seemed out of place. He and the rest of the filming crew stayed where they were, waiting.
Ten minutes passed. Then fifteen. Shiro still hadn't returned.
Ryan didn't think much of it, but one of the cameramen leaned close, whispering, "Hey... that Corviknight. Doesn't it seem strange to you?"
"What do you mean?" Ryan frowned, glancing at the bird. It was standing perfectly still, eyes closed, as if dozing. He couldn't see what was strange.
"Look closer," the man continued. "It hasn't moved in over ten minutes. Not even blinked once."
Normally, a Pokémon would only rest calmly if its trainer was close. Without its trainer in sight, it would become restless… much more than these Macro Cosmos employees.
This Corviknight was clearly raised by Shiro himself. Their bond ran deep. How could it be standing there so motionless?
Ryan suddenly understood but didn't dare test it. If it was real and he disturbed it, he might lose his hand to its beak. Then who would he complain to?
The air grew tense. Everyone exchanged nervous glances, none daring to move closer, not even to poke it with something.
Buzz!
The communicator in Ryan's hand began to vibrate at the perfect moment.
"Hello..." He answered, only to hear Oleana's anxious voice from the other side. "Is Shiro still with you?"
"He... he said he went for a quick break," Ryan replied. "Left Corviknight her—"
"It's fake!" Oleana snapped. "A ship's been spotted near Galar again! You've been caught in an illusion-type move! Scan the area now! Find him, hurry!"
Her words sent a jolt through the crew. One of them sprang forward and reached out to touch one of Corviknight's dark feathers.
The moment his fingers brushed it, the bird's eyes slowly opened. Crimson light gleamed in its gaze as it stared directly at them.
**
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