After the training on Mount Hideaway came to an end, Ash and Brock decided to have a friendly battle midway up the mountain.
Ash sent out Wartortle, while Brock used Geodude.
In the heat of the battle, one of Wartortle's powerful Water Gun attacks missed its target and struck the mountainside instead. With a thunderous crash, the rock wall collapsed, revealing a long hidden ancient ruin.
"This is…" Brock stared in shock at the exposed stone chamber.
The chamber was filled with mysterious murals and inscriptions, and at its center stood three massive stone tablets engraved with strange symbols.
Just as they were examining it closely, several groups of archaeologists rushed over after hearing the commotion.
"My goodness! This is the legendary Three Sacred Ruins!" the lead archaeologist exclaimed, excitedly running his hand over one of the stone tablets. "These inscriptions record the history of ancient Pokémon."
Ash looked at the patterns on the tablets, and his heart jolted.
They clearly depicted ancient Gengar, Alakazam, and Jigglypuff.
He immediately recalled the ancient Dragonite he had encountered at Bill's Lighthouse, and the promise he had made to it, to help it find its lost companions.
"We must be careful," the archaeologist warned. "Legend says these tablets seal immense power."
At that moment, three sneaky figures slipped into the ruins.
Team Rocket had somehow learned of the news and were now attempting to break the seal.
"Since you asked so sincerely!"
"We'll kindly tell you!"
"To protect the world from devastation!"
…
Ash's expression sharpened as he was about to stop them, but then he suddenly changed his mind.
He secretly activated his Aura, sending a message toward Dragonite in the distance, while pretending to panic.
"What are you doing? Stop right now!"
Jessie laughed smugly. "These tablets must be sealing powerful Pokémon! Once we capture them, we'll earn great merit with Boss Giovanni!"
Under Team Rocket's reckless meddling, two of the stone tablets suddenly burst into brilliant light.
The massive forms of ancient Gengar and ancient Alakazam emerged from the glow. Their sizes were dozens of times larger than ordinary Pokémon, and an overwhelming ancient aura radiated from them, making it hard to breathe.
"We did it!" James shouted excitedly.
But his excitement quickly turned into fear. The two ancient Pokémon immediately began battling the moment they appeared. Gengar's Shadow Ball and Alakazam's Psychic clashed midair, and the resulting shockwaves caused the entire ruin to tremble.
"Run!" the archaeologists panicked.
But Ash stood his ground, his Aura already sensing a response from afar.
Just as the battle between Gengar and Alakazam was about to engulf everyone, a thunderous dragon's roar suddenly echoed from the sky.
The ancient Dragonite descended from the sky like a golden meteor, its wings beating powerfully as it radiated an overwhelming force, landing between the two battling Pokémon.
"Dragonite!" Ash called out in delight.
Dragonite nodded at him, then turned toward Gengar and Alakazam, letting out a deep and commanding roar.
To everyone's surprise, the two ancient Pokémon, locked in fierce combat just moments ago, actually stopped.
Dragonite then looked back at Ash, its eyes filled with approval.
It let out a long cry, and the third stone tablet began to emit a gentle glow.
Within the light, the form of ancient Jigglypuff appeared, holding an ancient microphone in its hand.
Dragonite's voice echoed directly in Ash's mind.
"Human, you have honored your promise. In return, I shall grant you the blessing of the ancients."
Dragonite released a golden dragon pearl, which slowly merged into Ash's body.
At once, Ash felt a warm power flow throughout his entire being. His Aura absorbed the energy of the dragon pearl, evolving in that instant and successfully gaining a new form.
[Ding! You have obtained the blessing of the Ancient Dragon God. Aura has evolved! New form acquired: "Aura, Dragon Vein Form."]
[Aura, Dragon Vein Form: A new state formed by the fusion of Aura with the blessing of ancient dragons. It is said to retain the primordial energy of dragon veins and the essence of dragon souls. The host can command fire, govern rain, control wind, and manipulate snow, utilizing this power according to the situation.]
[Moves: Dragon Pulse Missile, Dragon Vein Barrier, Dragon Resonance, Blazing Thunder Palm, Sky Raising Rain Command, Gale Riding Step, Mystic Snow Control…]
Ash felt the new power coursing through him. With a thought, he raised his right hand in a sword gesture before him. Behind him, three short swords of red, green, and blue appeared, while a pure white sword manifested in front of him.
At the same time, faint dragon patterns emerged across his body, and the outline of dragon horns formed on his head, their tips glowing with the iridescent energy unique to Dragon types. He now resembled a true child of dragons.
"Wow, Ash looks so cool!" Misty's eyes sparkled with amazement.
Sensing danger, Team Rocket tried to slip away, but with just a single glance from Dragonite, they were frozen in place, unable to move.
Then, under the combined assault of the ancient Pokémon, Team Rocket blasted off at lightning speed, shouting, "What a terrible feeling!"
Under the watchful gaze of the three ancient Pokémon, Dragonite slowly ascended into the sky with them, disappearing into the sky.
Before leaving, Dragonite turned back and gave Ash a deep, meaningful look, one filled with ancient wisdom and expectation.
...