Ho-Oh was currently cursing internally.
("You little brat, how dare you screw me over.jpg")
It had come with good intentions—wanting to repay a favor. And this was how they used its gift? By summoning that old man? Damn it!
Ho-Oh deeply regretted it now. Why had it even bothered giving that special feather to the girl?
If it hadn't, it would never have seen that human again.
Still, it could count itself lucky—its reaction time was top-notch.
Wings flapping with desperate urgency, Ho-Oh poured all its energy into fleeing. Fighting? Out of the question. There was no way it could win.
That had been true years ago, and even more so now.
So Ho-Oh had only one thought in its divine bird brain: Run. Don't look back. Just run.
But…
A howling storm of snow and ice surged in from behind—aimed squarely at Ho-Oh.
"Kyuuh!!"
Ho-Oh sensed it instantly and let out a furious cry. Sacred, rainbow-colored flames burst around it as it flared its wings to clash with the oncoming blizzard.
Fire-type: Sacred Fire.
Blistering heat met frozen fury in a violent midair collision.
Logically, fire should've had the upper hand—especially Sacred Fire, from none other than Ho-Oh itself.
But logic didn't matter here. Not today.
In an unexpected twist, the blizzard began overpowering Sacred Fire, pushing it back. In Ho-Oh's stunned eyes, the icy gale slammed directly into its body.
"So strong!!" Selene gasped in awe.
Leaf, on the other hand, didn't look surprised at all.
Another sharp cry pierced the storm as rainbow flames burst outward once more. Ho-Oh flapped out of the snowstorm, glaring furiously at the Delibird behind it.
But it knew… that wasn't the true threat.
"Human! Our karma is settled—what more do you want?!"
The furious voice echoed in everyone's minds—Ho-Oh's psychic communication, aimed at Pryce.
Ho-Oh was well aware that although Leaf had summoned it, the true mastermind… was him.
"This isn't anything sinister, Ho-Oh. I just need a favor," Pryce said, meeting its gaze calmly.
"No way!" Ho-Oh rejected him without hesitation.
"Human, our bond was severed long ago. I am not your Pokémon. I won't commit evil at your bidding!"
Ho-Oh was fuming. It was usually a kind creature, but the worst mistake of its bird life had been partnering with Pryce, aiding in the kidnapping of innocent children.
And now? This man wanted to use it again?
"Relax. It's nothing like that. I won't ask you to go against your principles," Pryce said evenly.
"…"
The flames around Ho-Oh flickered as its anger cooled, though its eyes still flashed with suspicion.
"We shared a history, Ho-Oh. Unless absolutely necessary, I'd rather not resort to violence."
Pryce's voice was calm, no longer the extremist he once was. In the past, he might've commanded Delibird to attack and force Ho-Oh into submission.
Ho-Oh glanced at the hovering Delibird. It didn't want to admit it, but it… couldn't win that fight.
"Speak," Ho-Oh grumbled.
"My two partners died in an accident. I want to ask you to bring them back."
Pryce's voice was quiet as he placed the bodies of two Lapras in front of him, his gaze heavy with sorrow.
Ho-Oh stared, silent.
"Revive… them?" Selene gasped, covering her mouth.
Indeed—Ho-Oh's most famous legend was that of the Burned Tower, where it had revived three unknown Pokémon who became Entei, Raikou, and Suicune.
If that tale was true, then Ho-Oh… really could bring back the dead.
"Life and death are part of fate," Ho-Oh said after a long pause.
"They died," it added somberly, peering at the bodies.
"That's why I'm asking you to bring them back," Pryce replied, his eyes now cold and emotionless.
He had come too far. He wouldn't accept any more obstacles—not even from Ho-Oh.
If Ho-Oh refused, then he'd make it help.
Delibird flapped closer, sensing its trainer's intent. The Swinub on Pryce's lap also looked up.
A deep, crushing sense of danger weighed down on Ho-Oh.
The air went still.
Then, after what felt like forever, Ho-Oh gave Pryce one last long look. Flames of rainbow hue ignited around its body.
"From now on, you and I are nothing to each other," came its heavy voice.
Wings flared, and Sacred Fire fell from the sky, engulfing the two Lapras.
Strangely, despite the intense flames, their bodies weren't burned at all.
As the fire slowly faded, so did the stillness… and then, one Lapras stirred.
Its eyes opened slowly. It raised its head, confused, taking in its surroundings.
"They're… alive again…" Selene whispered, eyes wide with shock.
Even knowing it was coming—seeing it happen was overwhelming.
Once someone dies, that's supposed to be it. No second chances.
But Ho-Oh had reversed death… with fire.
How absurdly powerful was that?
"Incredible…" Dylan murmured. Ho-Oh might not be the strongest in combat, but this power—it was beyond words.
Pryce's hands trembled. His eyes filled with tears as the Lapras stirred.
He had sacrificed everything for this day.
For this one goal.
And now… his wish had finally come true.
The second Lapras also woke. The two looked around in confusion before their eyes locked onto Pryce.
Even though he was now old and frail, they recognized him instantly.
They swam over, brushing against him affectionately.
"You're back… You're finally back…" Pryce sobbed.
"Are all tragic people also infuriating?" Leaf murmured, watching the scene.
She had hated the Masked Man. But now… now she only saw a broken old man who'd lost everything chasing a dream.
"Ho-Oh," Dylan said, looking up, "you really did something good today."
Ho-Oh was silent. Its bird-eyes flicked between Pryce and the Lapras. There was something unreadable in them.
Maybe even it hadn't expected the depth of Pryce's feelings.
But it still couldn't forget.
"My part is done. I'm leaving."
Wings flared again. It took off.
Strictly speaking, helping Pryce had violated its code.
In Ho-Oh's eyes, life and death were sacred. If resurrection were easy, the world would spiral into chaos.
Still… sometimes, practicality beat principles.
As Ho-Oh vanished into the clouds, Dylan watched it go with a smile.
Funny-looking bird. Average in battle. But man, its utility was top-tier.
They'd probably need it again someday.
Pryce remained locked in an emotional reunion with his Lapras. Dylan didn't disturb him.
Instead, he left quietly with Leaf and Selene, heading back to Rota City.
The crisis with the ex-Elite Four was over.
The Masked Man was "reformed."
Peace had returned to Kanto.
Rocket remnants still lingered in Johto, but nothing the League couldn't crush in time.
Unbelievably, Kanto's entire underground network… had been cleaned out.
Of course, the public knew nothing of the truth.
As far as they were concerned, Lance and his allies were still part of the League.
Bad PR otherwise.
Goodshow had already spoken with Dylan over the phone—he would try to persuade Lance and the others to return.
Koga and Agatha seemed likely to accept.
But Lance…
Dylan wasn't hopeful. The battle on Cerise Island had crushed Lance's spirit completely.
Still, he hoped. One day, he wanted to face Lance properly—with his Ice-type team.
—
"Big bro, the Lumiose Tournament just ended!"
In the Rota Gym's back garden, Dylan was resting under a tree while Lillie and Ilene chatted beside him.
"Oh? Who won?" he asked lazily. He didn't really care much about regional tournaments.
"It was a really pretty and super young girl!" Lillie said in awe. "And not just the tournament—she also challenged the Kalos League!"
"Beat the Elite Four… and took down Champion Diantha!"
"She's the new Kalos Champion!"
"Oh?" Dylan opened one eye.
So… Diantha got dethroned?
Interesting. First Champion to fall this year.
"What's her name?"
A black-haired girl in a red skirt popped into his mind.
"Her name's Serena. She just started her journey this year, too!"