Deep within an unknown mountain forest—
Raikou, dashing with the roar of thunder, suddenly raised its head, as if sensing something. Its sharp golden eyes gazed into the distance.
Reflected in them was a sight that split the heavens: a pillar of rainbow light piercing straight into the sky.
Raikou halted, bounding up onto a rocky peak. From afar, it watched the magnificent column stretch skyward, then vanish without a trace.
The world returned to normal as though nothing had ever happened—save for a great seven-colored rainbow hanging across the heavens.
A refreshing breeze swept over the peak of Bell Tower. Aside from that rainbow, nothing else seemed to have changed.
Hayato: "…"
Grandmaster Fan lifted his head, murmuring, "That power just now… it must have been calling Ho-Oh, right?"
If one recalled the movie's plot, that much was indeed true.
Hayato fell silent in thought.
Ho-Oh could soar the skies, yes, but it did not possess the ability to warp instantly across vast distances. Even if it had sensed the summoning, it would still take time to arrive.
Then the question was—was Ho-Oh currently in the Kanto Region?If it were as far away as Unova, or the distant north in Sinnoh, could it possibly reach Bell Tower before nightfall?
But just as that thought surfaced, a clear, resounding cry rang out from the faraway sky.
Hayato lifted his gaze. At the end of the rainbow, a radiant figure with rainbow-tinted wings descended—flying directly toward Bell Tower.
"Ohhh! It's Ho-Oh!" Grandmaster Fan's face lit with excitement. "Ho-Oh has answered your call!"
He turned quickly to Hayato. "Guided by the Rainbow Feather, meet Ho-Oh, and become the Rainbow Hero!"
Hayato: "…"
So the moment had finally come?
He stared upward. But Ho-Oh did not look upon him immediately. Instead, it swept gracefully overhead, its resplendent wings scattering down showers of sparkling motes of light.
All atop Bell Tower, humans and Pokémon alike were bathed in that sacred glow.
A faint green radiance shimmered upon their bodies.
"Gah~"
Even the usually vacant-faced Cramorant wore a rare look of bliss.
Not only it—Hayato himself felt energy flooding his body. Every ounce of fatigue from the long climb simply vanished.
"Rooaar!"
"Gyaaah!"
"Dooo~"
The wild Pokémon that had accompanied him up the misty mountain also broke into joyous cries, eyes bright with renewed vigor.
Grandmaster Fan's eyes glistened. "This is Ho-Oh's blessing! Its power can restore the spirit of every Pokémon!"
Having spread its gift, Ho-Oh slowly descended, alighting atop the Rainbow Rock. Its flame-hued eyes gleamed with a holy brilliance.
It scanned across the assembled Pokémon and humans, pausing briefly on one Pokémon whose plumage resembled its own, then finally settling its gaze upon Hayato.
For a moment, their eyes met.
The air grew still.
Hayato: "…"
Utterly awkward.
Yet perhaps he was the only one who felt so—Ho-Oh appeared as if nothing were amiss at all.
Hayato frowned slightly. Could it be… had he been mistaken all along?Perhaps the feathers weren't stolen by Cramorant at all—perhaps Ho-Oh itself had left them behind?
As he pondered, Ho-Oh moved.
It gave a clear cry, wings unfurling. Rising from the Rainbow Rock, it hovered aloft, ruby-like eyes fixed upon the human below.
Then, in Hayato's heart, came the voice of Entei, solemn and commanding:"Together with your Pokémon, challenge Lord Ho-Oh in battle!"
This was—the final trial to become a Hero.
Hayato: "…"
He understood, of course, but the way Entei phrased it was so overblown, he momentarily had no idea how to respond.
Suppressing a few sarcastic thoughts, Hayato lifted his head toward Ho-Oh, who clearly shared Entei's intent.
"Ho-Oh." Hayato spoke aloud.
The great phoenix simply regarded him, offering no telepathy, no gesture in reply.
Seeing this, Hayato's lips quirked mischievously.
He pretended as though he would send out Cramorant to battle, closely observing Ho-Oh's reaction.
Sensing its Trainer's intent, Cramorant flapped its wings eagerly. At that sight, Ho-Oh's eyes flickered with a subtle shift.
But Hayato's hand suddenly moved, releasing Cramorant and instead drawing a simple red-and-white Poké Ball from his belt.
"Charmeleon—I'm counting on you!"
He had his reasons. Facing such a powerful Legendary was an unparalleled opportunity. The experience gained would far surpass ordinary training.
Moreover, Charmeleon's flames had already been transformed by Entei's Sacred Fire, yet it still could not control that divine blaze with ease.
This battle might grant it the breakthrough it needed.
With a click, the Poké Ball burst open. Charmeleon landed on the ground, its eyes blazing with fighting spirit as it locked onto Ho-Oh above.
"Remember, the goal isn't victory," Hayato said. "Focus on feeling its flames."
"Char!"
Charmeleon raised its head proudly, eyes fixed on the great bird. Already it could sense a kindred fire flowing from Ho-Oh's body.
In response, Ho-Oh tilted back its head, wings beating as it soared higher, loosing a ringing cry.
Deep within its crimson eyes, golden flames flickered.
The next instant, it opened its beak—unleashing a flood of golden-red fire that swept across the heavens like a blazing tide.
Hayato and Charmeleon both gazed upward, awestruck, the dazzling inferno reflected in their eyes.
Hayato drew a deep breath. "Shall we gamble on it?"
In the Ecological Park, Charmeleon's special training had never ceased. Daily sparring against Fraxure had long pushed it to its limits.
Hayato believed it already held the experience needed for evolution. All it lacked was the catalyst.
And Charmeleon had always given its Trainer absolute trust.
At his words, the little dragon stood tall, unflinching before the raging flames. "Char!"
"Good!" Hayato's eyes shone. "Then let's go, Charmeleon! Fly high—fly higher!"
And maybe, just maybe, after this… he would never again need to rely on that thrill-seeking Zapdos to take him into the sky.
(End of Chapter)