At that critical juncture, a clarion, melodic cry echoed from the heavens. Ho-Oh had arrived at the Tin Tower just in time.
The Great Phoenix hovered above the pagoda, her wings beating with a rhythm that pulsed like the heartbeat of the world. Every feather radiated a seven-colored iridescence, and sparks of molten gold fell from her mane, igniting into brilliant, white-hot flames in mid-air.
Ho-Oh unleashed the full, unbridled majesty of a God.
"Aaaargh!"
The members of the Pure Heaven Sect, bathed in the divine rainbow light, suddenly began to smoke. Thick, oily black miasma was forcibly purged from their bodies. Under the scrutiny of the Purifying Flame, the corrupted souls shrieked in agony before being reduced to fine grey ash.
"Impossible! How can Ho-Oh be restored? She was supposed to be trapped in the sub-dimension!" Shaka screamed, his skin blistering and rotting wherever the rainbow light touched him.
"Shaka, you deployed ninety percent of your forces for this siege," High Priest Shamiao shouted, his voice filled with grim satisfaction. "Today, your Sect is broken!"
Just then, Lance arrived with the League's main army. Caught between the divine fire of Ho-Oh and the elite trainers led by the Dragon Master, the Sect's army collapsed.
"Curse you, Shamiao! Do not be so smug," Shaka spat, his body beginning to dissolve into black smoke. "When the Great God of the Skies finally descends, the Tin Tower will be erased from history!" With a final hateful glare, he vanished into thin air.
"Don't pursue him," Ho-Oh commanded Shamiao. "Shaka has attained a pseudo-immortality through the Miasma. He will not truly perish until the Sky Miasma itself is obliterated."
"I have expended much of my energy to manifest here. This avatar will remain at the Tin Tower to protect the sanctuary," Ho-Oh continued. "As for the seal on the Sky Miasma... I no longer have the power to reinforce it. We must prepare for a final battle once it breaks free."
"However, my awakening has siphoned a large portion of its strength. It will not break the seal easily—unless it finds other Malice Entities to ally with. You must remain vigilant."
Ho-Oh warned that with Arceus still in deep slumber following ancient wounds, the task of repelling the Miasma fell to the unity of the world's Legendaries and humans. To conserve her strength, she merged her essence back into the stone statue atop the tower. Instantly, the Rainbow Wing atop the pagoda flared with light, and the protective barrier was restored to its full, shimmering glory.
The New Kanto Champion
Back at the Kanto League, the chaos was finally subsiding. With the last of the mind-control masks shattered, the "Rocket" invaders regained their senses. The Cross-Region Tournament was indefinitely postponed, but the disaster had a silver lining.
Agatha's decisive leadership and the fact that there were zero civilian casualties earned her the official endorsement of the Global Federation. Shortly after, the formal decree was issued: Agatha was inaugurated as the official Ghost-type Champion of the Kanto League. The massive debts left by Damalanchi were forgiven by the Federation, and a huge development grant was issued to stabilize the region.
Shadows in Hoenn
Meanwhile, across the sea in the Hoenn region...
Mt. Chimney:Maxie stood within the Team Magma base, looking at a towering statue of Groudon carved from a single, massive Fire Stone.
"This is the God of the Land. He shall lead Team Magma to prosperity," Maxie declared to his fanatical followers. "As children of the earth, we must expand our reach. We shall turn the oceans into land and return the world to its rightful volcanic glory!"
Seafloor Cavern:Archie looked up at a gargantuan, whale-like silhouette floating in a pressurized chamber. The creature—a dark, primal Kyogre—radiated an oppressive oceanic power.
"Behold, our God of the Sea!" Archie roared. "We shall wash away the filth of the land and spread the ocean's glory to every corner of the world. We will crush the land-dwellers and sacrifice the heads of our enemies at the altar of the Deep!"
The ancient rivalry between land and sea was being reignited by new fanatics.
The Island of Recruitment
After resolving the Ilex Forest incident, Feng Che had planned to head to Mt. Pyre in Hoenn to find a Soul Crystal for his Genesect and Rowlet. However, he received an urgent summons from Giovanni.
"Feng Che," Giovanni said, sliding a map across his desk. "I have a task for you. I want you to investigate the deserted island where Sakaki Tsuna was originally exiled—the place where he first disappeared."
"Furthermore, you will preside over this year's Team Rocket Recruitment Trials. The trials will be held on that very island. Here are the coordinates. Go there ahead of time and 'clear' the island of any unwanted variables."
"Understood, Boss."
Feng Che took the map. He decided to complete this mission first before heading to the Soul World. Mt. Pyre housed the world's largest gateway to the spirit realm, guarded by two Elite-level elders. He figured his chances of finding a Soul Crystal would be highest there.
Three days later, Feng Che stood on the deck of a Team Rocket freighter. Accompanying him were two newly assigned subordinates, Mid-Level Captains Alivia and Lewis.