The afterglow of the setting sun cast a golden hue upon the waves of the sea. Ash and his companions walked along the coastline, with Pikachu perched on his shoulder, its tail occasionally sweeping against his back.
"According to the map, we'll reach Vermilion City in another half day," Brock said, spreading out the map and squinting as he studied the route.
Xiao You suddenly pointed into the distance and exclaimed, "Look over there!"
Everyone looked in the direction she was pointing, and saw a towering lighthouse standing at the end of a cape. A soft blue light emanated from its top, clearly visible even in the setting sun.
"What a beautiful lighthouse!" Ash's eyes lit up. "Let's go take a look!"
As they approached the lighthouse, they realized it was no ordinary building. The entire lighthouse was forged from a special metal, its surface covered with ancient runes that glowed faintly in the twilight. Above the main door, the words "Masaki's Laboratory" were written in Pokémon script.
"Masaki?" Ash pondered, stroking his chin. "That name sounds familiar…"
Pikachu's ears twitched. "Pika Pika! (That's the Pokémon research expert who's as famous as Professor Oak!)"
Brock's eyes lit up. "That's right! Professor Masaki is an authority on ancient Pokémon. It's said he discovered many fossils of extinct Pokémon."
Ash eagerly pressed the doorbell. A moment later, a gentle male voice came through the intercom: "May I ask who it is?"
"Hello! I'm Ash from Pallet Town, and these are my companions Pikachu, Xiao You, and Brock. We saw the lighthouse was very special and wanted to visit, if that's alright?"
There was a few seconds of silence from the other end of the intercom, then the door slowly opened. "Come in. I actually have some things I'd like to ask Professor Oak's disciples."
Entering the lighthouse, everyone was awestruck by the sight before them. The entire first floor was a massive laboratory, with a complex machine standing in the center. The walls were covered with various ancient Pokémon fossils and restoration drawings.
Ash noticed a video phone in the corner and suggested, "Should we call Professor Oak first?"
When the call connected, Professor Oak's face appeared on the screen; he was eating a bowl of ramen. "Oh? Ash? How did you end up at Masaki's place?"
"Hello, Professor! We were passing by this lighthouse and decided to come in," Ash said excitedly. "It turns out Professor Masaki is really amazing!"
Professor Oak smiled and put down his chopsticks. "Masaki is an old friend of mine. He's an undisputed authority in ancient Pokémon research. By the way, Masaki, how's your progress?"
A young man in a white lab coat descended from the second floor. He had messy brown hair, and wisdom shone in his eyes behind his glasses. "Oak, it's good you called. I've made a significant discovery here."
Masaki walked to the screen, his expression turning serious. "According to my research, a legendary ancient Pokémon might appear tonight."
"An ancient Pokémon?" Ash and the other three asked in unison.
Masaki nodded. "Yes, a Pokémon that has survived from ancient times until now. This lighthouse is actually a signal emitter. I'm using special frequency light waves to attract it."
Professor Oak's expression also became solemn. "Are you sure it's that Dragonite?"
"That's right." Masaki turned to the gradually darkening sea outside the window. "According to ancient records, it's enormous, possesses power far exceeding modern Dragonite, and is a living legend."
Just then, Pikachu suddenly perked up its ears. "Ash, there's movement on the sea!"
Everyone rushed to the observation deck at the top of the lighthouse. A thin mist began to rise from the sea, and in the twilight, a blurry, colossal figure slowly emerged.
"It's here!" Masaki gripped the railing excitedly.
As the figure drew closer, Ash felt an inexplicable tremor in his heart. The azure flute granted to him by Arceus warmed slightly in his pocket, emitting a faint glow.
The mist gradually dispersed, revealing a behemoth—it was a Dragonite, but more than ten times the size of an ordinary Dragonite. Its entire body was deep blue, covered in ancient patterns, and its eyes were like two brilliant blue sapphires, radiating wisdom.
"This is… the ancient Dragonite…" Xiao You's voice trembled as she spoke.
The ancient Dragonite's gaze swept over the lighthouse, finally resting on Ash. It emitted a low sound: "Human youth, why do you possess the Aura of the Creator God?"
Ash was surprised to find he could understand Dragonite's words. He stepped forward, responding fearlessly, "Arceus granted me the power of the azure flute, allowing me to communicate with all Pokémon."
A hint of surprise flashed in Dragonite's eyes. "So that's it… You are the legendary 'Child of the Planes'."
Ash clenched his fist, battle intent burning in his eyes. "Ancient Dragonite, I want to battle you! I want to know how strong ancient Pokémon truly are!"
Dragonite was silent for a moment, then let out a low laugh. "An interesting little one. Very well, I accept your challenge. Let me see what's special about the human chosen by the Creator God."
"Ash!" Brock pulled him back anxiously. "This is too dangerous!"
Masaki also tried to dissuade him. "According to my research, this Dragonite has lived for at least ten thousand years. Its strength is unfathomable."
Ash shook his head firmly. "Precisely because of that, I must challenge it. Pikachu, are you ready?"
"Ready to battle anytime!" Pikachu jumped onto the railing, the electric sacs on its cheeks beginning to spark.
Ash took six Poké Balls from his waist. "Go, Charmander, Bulbasaur, Beldum, Pidgey, Lucario, Kirlia!"
Six streaks of red light flashed, and Ash's main Pokémon appeared on the lighthouse platform, facing the behemoth in the sea.
"Listen up, everyone," Ash communicated with all his Pokémon telepathically. "This will be our toughest battle yet. But I believe that as long as we work together, there's no opponent we can't overcome!"
The Pokémon responded in unison: "Understood!"
Ash pulled out the azure flute from his pocket, a disc inlaid with colorful gems. He raised the disc above his head. "Kirlia, Dynamax!"
A pink pillar of light descended from the sky, enveloping Kirlia. Its body rapidly expanded, eventually transforming into a giant pink orb of light, floating in the air.
"Max Fairy!" Ash commanded.
Kirlia condensed a massive Energy Ball and fired it at Dragonite. The Energy Ball split into countless smaller light bullets in the air, raining down on Dragonite.
Dragonite didn't dodge or evade, allowing the attacks to land on its body. After the smoke of the explosions cleared, it stood unharmed in its original spot.
"It really didn't work…" Ash gritted his teeth. "Then let's try this! Lucario, Mega Evolution!"
The azure flute glowed again, resonating with the Mega Stone on Lucario's chest. In a dazzling white light, Lucario completed its evolution, its form becoming even more imposing.
"Aura Link!" Ash closed his eyes, establishing a mental connection with Lucario. He could feel every flow of Lucario's power; their minds were perfectly in sync.
"Mega Lucario, use Aura Sphere!"
Lucario condensed a massive blue Energy Ball in its hands and charged towards Dragonite at an astonishing speed. At the same time, Pikachu also unleashed Thunderbolt; golden electricity struck the target alongside the Aura Sphere.
Dragonite finally moved. It gently raised its front claw, and an invisible barrier appeared before it, easily blocking all attacks.
"What?!" Ash's eyes widened. "Even Mega Lucario's attack is ineffective?"
Dragonite's voice echoed in everyone's minds: "Little one, your courage is commendable, but your power is far from enough."
"It's not over yet!" Ash shouted. "Everyone, attack together! Charmander, Flamethrower! Bulbasaur, Razor Leaf! Beldum, Confusion! Pidgey, Hurricane!"
Colorful attacks simultaneously flew towards Dragonite, weaving into a dazzling net of energy in the air. Dragonite finally showed some seriousness. It opened its mouth, and a scorching Dragon Breath erupted, neutralizing all the attacks.
Dynamaxed Kirlia had lasted for three turns, and its body began to shrink back to its original form. Dragonite seized this opportunity, sweeping its massive tail horizontally.
"Watch out!" Ash exclaimed.
Despite the Pokémon's best efforts to dodge, they were still caught by the tailwind and sent flying, crashing heavily onto the platform.
"Pika…chu…" Pikachu struggled to stand up, but it was clearly severely injured.
The other Pokémon were in equally bad shape. Bulbasaur's Vine Whip hung limply, Charmander's flame became faint, and Beldum's luster dimmed considerably.
Ash's heart ached. Just as he was about to recall them and concede, a dazzling white light suddenly burst from Bulbasaur.
"This is… evolution?!" Xiao You exclaimed.
Immediately after, the light of evolution also shone on Charmander, Beldum, Pidgey, and Kirlia. Five white lights illuminated the platform as if it were daytime.
When the light faded, Bulbasaur had evolved into Ivysaur, larger in size with its flower bud beginning to show; Charmander evolved into Charmeleon, its tail flame more vigorous; Beldum evolved into Metang, its body heavier; Pidgey evolved into Pidgeotto, its wings fuller; and Kirlia evolved into the elegant Gardevoir, its skirt flowing.
"Everyone… evolved!" Ash was moved to tears.
A hint of approval flashed in Dragonite's eyes. "Breaking through your limits under pressure, well done. But it's still not enough."
"How will we know if we don't try!" Ash wiped away his tears. "Gardevoir, Moonblast! Metang, Meteor Mash! Charmeleon, Dragon Rage! Ivysaur, Solar Beam! Pidgeotto, Air Slash! Lucario, Close Combat! Pikachu, Quick Attack!"
All the Pokémon unleashed their strongest moves. Seven attacks converged into an unprecedented torrent of energy, heading straight for Dragonite.
The sea was churned into giant waves by this power, and the lighthouse vibrated slightly in the shockwave. However, when the dust settled, Dragonite still floated in its original spot, with only a few shallow scratches on its body.
"Impressive." Dragonite commented. "You are the first human to ever injure me."
Ash panted, feeling unwilling to give up, but he also understood the disparity in strength. He recalled all his Pokémon, leaving only Pikachu.
"I concede." Ash stated frankly. "I'm not strong enough to defeat you yet. But one day, I will become stronger and challenge you again!"
Dragonite let out a low laugh. "I look forward to that day, Child of the Planes."
It slowly approached the lighthouse, its massive head coming close to Ash's face. "As a reward for your courage, I will give you a gift."
Dragonite opened its mouth, and a blue-glowing egg slowly floated out, landing in Ash's hand. The eggshell had ancient patterns similar to those on Dragonite's body, and it felt warm to the touch, pulsating faintly as if alive.
"This is my offspring, possessing potential no less than my own. I hope you will raise it well."
Ash carefully held the egg, solemnly promising, "I will definitely raise it into a powerful Pokémon!"
Dragonite nodded in satisfaction, then turned and flew towards the distant sea, its voice echoing in the night sky: "Remember our promise, Ash. When you are strong enough, I will wait for you at the end of the world…"
Ash didn't look away until Dragonite's figure completely disappeared into the night. He looked down at the Dragon Egg in his hand, his heart filled with determination.
"Ash…" Xiao You asked softly, "Everything that just happened… was it real?"
Professor Masaki excitedly recorded data. "It's incredible! This will be the most significant discovery in the history of Pokémon research!"
Brock patted Ash's shoulder. "You've created a miracle once again."
Pikachu jumped onto Ash's shoulder, rubbing against his cheek. "Pika Pika! (We'll become stronger, right?)"
Ash flashed a brilliant smile. "Of course! With our new companion joining us, our adventure has only just begun!"
The lighthouse's beam pierced the night sky, as if witnessing the birth of a legend for a new era.