The summit of Mount Tensei was marred by numerous craters of various sizes, the scars left behind by the repeated fierce battles.
Aomori looked at the feather in his hand, which was shimmering with a tri-color light of black, white, and purple, lost in thought.
Unlike others whose hearts are reflected, does mine reflect the characteristics of my energy?
He knew exactly what the three colors represented: Darkness, Holy Light, and Lightning.
"Huh?" Aomori suddenly noticed that the distribution of colors on the feather was quite peculiar. The black and white were mixed together, intertwining with one another, while a portion of the purple was entangled with the white. Yet, another part of the purple remained distinctly separate from the black and white, with no overlap at all.
"Could this be..." Staring at the Rainbow Wing in his hand, Aomori fell into deep contemplation.
In his arms, Marshadow wore a strange expression, glancing back and forth between Aomori and the Rainbow Wing, its thoughts unknown.
Not far away, Charizard stood up, revealing the figures of Ash and Pikachu. When the massive explosion occurred, Charizard had timely shielded the two of them beneath its body.
"Thanks, Charizard." Ash stood up while holding Pikachu and looked toward Aomori. Seeing that the Rainbow Wing was already in Aomori's hand, he was overjoyed. "Awesome! Aomori-san did it!"
The Shiny Charizard and Latias, having sustained only minor shocks, were the first to rush to Aomori's side. Ash wanted to join them, but he heard Misty calling out. Turning around, he saw Misty and the others running over.
"Is everyone okay?" Ash asked.
"We're fine. There was a sudden explosion on your end, and then all those controlled Pokémon returned to normal," Brock answered.
"Did you guys succeed?" Misty asked.
"Yeah, Aomori-san snatched the Rainbow Wing back," Ash said, pointing toward Aomori.
"Whoa, the color of that Rainbow Wing is so unique. I've never heard of it changing like that before," Bonji said in surprise upon seeing the feather Aomori held.
"And the color of the ground has changed, too."
The sky remained a somber grey, though streaked with flashes of lightning. However, the ground had lost its previous gloom, now glowing with a fluorescence reminiscent of a snow-covered field.
"Bonji, is this change good or bad?"
"Hmm, I'm not sure either. But it's best to let Ash take back the Rainbow Wing and put things back on the right track."
Everyone nodded in agreement and approached Aomori together. Marshadow had run off as soon as Latias and the others arrived, hiding off to the side and watching them just as it had before.
"Ash, here, for you." Before Ash could speak, Aomori snapped out of his thoughts and handed over the Rainbow Wing.
"Aomori-san, thank you. It's a good thing you were here, or everyone might have been in danger," Ash thanked him.
"It's what I should do. And thanks to you, I've gained quite a lot from this journey as well," Aomori replied with a smile.
Just now, through the color changes of the feather, he had discovered the secrets of his own energy. This harvest alone made Aomori's trip worthwhile.
"Alright, you two, stop being so polite to each other. Ash, hurry up, the danger might not be over yet," Misty urged, unable to watch any longer.
"Right!" Ash took the Rainbow Wing, and the seven-colored brilliance returned to the feather once more.
Not only that, the sky cleared up, and rainbow flower patterns appeared on the ground. Watching this, everyone finally felt at ease and couldn't help but marvel, "Ho-Oh's feather really is miraculous."
"When the rainbow flowers bloom on the Rainbow Rock, Ho-Oh will appear. Young man, go give it a try," Bonji said.
"Okay, here I go!" Ash waved to his friends, gripped the feather tightly, and approached the giant rock once more with Pikachu.
Taking a deep breath, he climbed to the top of the Rainbow Rock with his bare hands and raised his right hand, which held the Rainbow Wing.
"Appear now, Ho-Oh!"
Suddenly, the Rainbow Wing and the Rainbow Rock resonated with each other, emitting a dazzling light. A seven-colored rainbow rose from the Rainbow Rock and stretched to the horizon, appearing as a bridge to welcome Ho-Oh's arrival.
As everyone waited with bated breath, Ho-Oh's elegant figure appeared at the other end of the rainbow bridge, flying toward Ash and the others.
"Is that Ho-Oh? It's so beautiful," Misty said, clasping her hands together.
"Yes, that is Ho-Oh," Bonji said, his eyes welling up with tears of emotion. "We finally meet again, Ho-Oh."
"Yeah... as expected of a Legendary Pokémon, it truly is magnificent." Brock opened his eyes again to observe Ho-Oh closely.
Ash watched as Ho-Oh flew closer and closer, his heart racing with excitement. Only Aomori remained calm. In his view, if one were to strip away the light effects and the aura surrounding Ho-Oh, its natural appearance was actually somewhat underwhelming. However, with the added effects and aura, it was one of the most noble creatures on the planet. At this moment, its mere appearance was no longer important.
Bathed in seven-colored light, Ho-Oh circled over Mount Tensei several times, scattering many sparkling points of light. Bathed in these points of light, the injuries and stamina of everyone and all the Pokémon were restored as if they were brand new.
"The legend says that those who see Ho-Oh will find happiness. This must be why," Bonji said, spreading his hands and looking up to receive Ho-Oh's blessing.
Seeing that his companions were all revitalized, Ash could no longer contain his desire for battle. He shouted to Ho-Oh, "Ho-Oh, please battle with me!"
Ho-Oh landed on the Rainbow Rock, gave Ash a slight nod, and then took flight once again. Ash immediately found a relatively intact piece of ground and waved his arm: "Pikachu, I choose you!"
"Pika!" Pikachu hopped off Ash's shoulder, faced Ho-Oh, and released its full-power Thunderbolt.
Ho-Oh gave a gentle flap of its wings, and a massive wave of iridescent Sacred Fire crashed down, covering the sky. The light produced by the collision of fire and lightning sparkled atop the summit of Mount Tensei.
…
"Ho-Oh, thank you for battling with me. Pikachu and I are both very happy."
After a hearty and long-lasting battle, Pikachu was ultimately defeated. However, Ash felt no negativity; instead, his spirits were even higher. During the battle with Ho-Oh, both Ash and Pikachu felt as if they had undergone a transformation, gaining a deeper understanding of their own power.
Waving goodbye to Ho-Oh, Ash and Pikachu smiled at each other. "Let's go! Let's head back to Viridian City and collect the final Gym Badge."
For the current him, the final badge should be something easily within reach.
"Aomori-san, what about you? Are you coming with us?"
Aomori didn't speak; he just gave a light nod.
"Great! I still have so many questions I want to ask you," Ash said happily.
And so, the group prepared to head back down the mountain, their hearts full.
…
In the sky, Ho-Oh gently flapped its wings, observing the human who had suddenly appeared before it.
"Hello, Ho-Oh. I am Aomori," Aomori said with a smile, waving to Ho-Oh.
Earlier, while everyone's attention was focused on Ash's battle, he had released Ditto and had it transform into him. He then quietly went to wait along the path of Ho-Oh's return. Now, his wait was finally over.
"Greetings, human from another world," Ho-Oh replied through Telepathy. The meaning behind its words made Aomori raise an eyebrow.
"You know where I come from?"
"I master the power of life; naturally, I can see the difference between you and other humans."
"It seems you don't harbor any hostility toward me."
"No matter where you come from, as long as you do no evil, I have no reason to be hostile toward you." Ho-Oh's wise gaze looked directly into Aomori's eyes. "The Pokémon by your side like you very much."
"Is that so? Then I'm relieved. Do the other Legendary Pokémon share your attitude?"
"That, I do not know. After all, there are many among them whom I have not seen in a long time. However, as long as you do not take the initiative to provoke them, they will not actively seek trouble with you."
"Thank you for your honesty." Aomori bowed slightly in gratitude. "I have one more request: could you have a battle with me?"
"A battle? With you, rather than your Pokémon?"
"Yes. In my world, Pokémon do not exist. Humans rely on their own strength to fight others."
Ho-Oh stared at Aomori for a moment and then nodded. "Very well. I also wish to witness the style of a human from another world. You may make the first move."
"Then I won't be polite." Aomori took a deep breath, concentrating all his strength. The moment he swung his fist forward, he appeared instantly in front of Ho-Oh. Before his fist even touched Ho-Oh's body, the Pokémon could already feel the pressure of the air.
Ho-Oh's expression turned solemn. A flash of light appeared in its eyes, and a nearly transparent shield manifested around its body.
Thump!
A loud boom echoed through the empty sky, and the surrounding clouds scattered in all directions. Ripples of intense agitation appeared on the transparent shield. It held for two seconds before shattering, and the fist struck Ho-Oh's body firmly.
But at the same time, raging flames ignited on Ho-Oh's body, spreading from Aomori's fist to his entire body. Ho-Oh was knocked backward, and Aomori was scorched by the Sacred Fire. Both let out muffled groans.
What terrifying power. Brilliance flowed over Ho-Oh's body, and the damage it sustained healed instantly. To Ho-Oh, who mastered life energy, it could essentially revive on the spot even if it died; a little damage was not worth mentioning.
Ho-Oh looked toward Aomori but was momentarily stunned. It saw Aomori, right under its nose, leisurely tuck two glowing feathers into his shirt, all while the Sacred Fire was still burning on his body.
Soon, all his clothes were burnt away, leaving his body exposed to Ho-Oh. The feathers he had tucked away were pressed tightly against his chest. Aomori had already given his Poké Balls to Ditto earlier.
I must say, his body is perfect, possessing both strength and beauty. Ho-Oh stayed in place, quietly waiting for Aomori to regroup. In its view, its own flames shouldn't be that difficult to clear away.
Indeed, if Aomori used any of his energies, he could clear the flames. However, his purpose for this battle wasn't to win.
Aomori closed his eyes, withdrawing all his energy deep into his body. Enduring the pain of the burning flames, he carefully felt the changes in his flesh. The smell of burning hair, his skin becoming hot and shriveled, the heat seeping into his body through the surface... everything was within Aomori's perception. In this state, he struggled to mobilize his body's flesh and blood tissues to counter the Sacred Fire.
What is he doing? Aomori's actions confused even Ho-Oh. Intentionally letting himself be burned by my flames... is he a masochist? Throughout its long life, Ho-Oh had seen Pokémon that enjoyed hurting themselves.
But after observing for a while, Ho-Oh noticed some clues.
This fellow... is he trying to perceive my life power? Ho-Oh shook its head and laughed softly. That is no easy task.
Regardless, his courage is commendable. For the sake of the Child of Destiny, I shall help him. Seeing the flames gradually weaken, Ho-Oh spat another burst of fire onto Aomori, followed by a surge of mysterious power.
As the fire grew stronger, Aomori immediately noticed. At first, he thought Ho-Oh was taking advantage of the situation, but he soon sensed the other power hidden within the flames. Under the influence of this power, his skin, which had been burned black, actually regained its vitality.
Is this the power of life? Ho-Oh, you're a real one! Aomori quickly seized this rare opportunity, pouring all his focus into it. Under the combined effects of the Sacred Fire and the life power, the cells on Aomori's surface were caught in a cycle of withering death and restorative regeneration.
What exactly is this so-called life power? Is it simply because Ho-Oh's own life force is so strong that it can be shared with others? No, it's not. Besides that, there are other reasons.
Time passed slowly, and Aomori's insights grew. After a long while, Ho-Oh's gaze tightened. The Rainbow Wing on Aomori's chest suddenly emitted light, and the Sacred Fire on his body was instantly extinguished.
He reopened his eyes. The skin that had been burned black was now completely flawless and white. Even his hair and eyebrows, which had been burned away, grew back to their original state.
"You... you've learned it?" Ho-Oh asked in surprise.
"No, I've just further strengthened my control over my body," Aomori answered, using his energy to manifest a set of clothes to cover himself.
The degree of mastery he currently possessed was roughly similar to the "Life Return" technique from One Piece—he could freely control his body, hair, and internal organs. As long as his own life force was sufficient, he could even achieve limb regeneration like Great Demon King Piccolo.
"I thought as much." Hearing Aomori's answer, Ho-Oh returned to its calm and unruffled state.
"Thank you for your help. I owe you a favor. I wonder how I can repay you?" Aomori said to Ho-Oh with a sincere bow.
"When the time comes, help my Rainbow Hero."
"You mean Ash?"
"Yes. He is a human I have high hopes for; I have been secretly observing his growth."
As expected, Ho-Oh had been the cameraman hidden by Ash's side all along. Aomori nodded in understanding and agreed.
"Then, I shall take my leave first." Ho-Oh spread its wings and flew into the distance, trailing its seven-colored light.
Watching Ho-Oh depart, Aomori pulled out the two Rainbow Wings and let out a smile.