Meanwhile—
Far out on the open sea, dense fog swallowed the horizon.
Through the mist, a small island flickered in and out of view.
The island lay cloaked in darkness. A colossal steel fortress loomed above it like a slumbering beast.
Deep beneath the base, in a shadowed underground chamber, a black-robed figure wreathed in dark aura stepped onto a massive altar.
Dropping to one knee, he bowed reverently.
"Great One…"
"Our actions have already thrown the Hualis into turmoil. They still haven't uncovered our signal-jamming technology."
"We can continue spreading chaos… and eliminate their so-called prodigies…"
Suddenly, thick black mist surged from the altar, erupting into blazing crimson flames.
A gigantic black bird wreathed in red fire slowly rose into the air. The searing heat caused the stone floor to begin melting.
A hoarse voice echoed throughout the chamber:
"Excellent…"
"Ten years ago, I clashed with that old Champion. I was forced to retreat with grave injuries… and he was left on the brink of death."
"He shouldn't have much time left…"
"Perhaps he's already gone… Hahahaha!!"
"My wounds have nearly healed. It's time to settle the score of the past decade!!"
Chilling laughter reverberated through the underground chamber.
"We welcome the return of the Divine Flame!!"
...
"Di—!!"
A piercing cry tore through the sky above the island.
The enormous black bird, engulfed in crimson flames, shot upward.
The dark clouds overhead were instantly incinerated, as though the heavens themselves had ignited.
Whoosh—
With a single beat of its wings, the massive figure vanished, streaking eastward at a terrifying speed.
Before long, it reached the skies above the Hualis Region.
Its velocity was overwhelming.
The bird's blood-red eyes burned with hatred as it prepared to descend—
Buzz—
Space suddenly rippled.
Silver moonlight shimmered across the sky.
A Pokémon bathed in pale lunar radiance appeared ahead, blocking the black bird's path.
A man stood atop the moonlit Pokémon.
His eyes were aged and clouded—yet razor-sharp.
His voice, ancient and unwavering, echoed across the sky:
"Within the Hualis…"
"Legendary Pokémon are not permitted to cross this boundary."
...
Aaron's Home — Night
Boom—
Aaron was jolted awake by a thunderous explosion overhead.
He hurried to the window and looked up.
High above the clouds, a massive red flare erupted—
And vanished just as quickly.
"System…"
"What's going on?"
He asked inwardly.
The system ignored him.
He let out a quiet tsk and lay back down.
Then he suddenly remembered—
During his all-out battle with Greninja earlier that day, he had entered a strange state.
It felt as though a powerful force had surged from within him.
The sensation had been incredible.
At that moment, it had felt like he and Greninja had merged into one.
Could it have been some kind of Bond Evolution?
But Greninja hadn't undergone any visible transformation.
Unable to figure it out, Aaron asked the system again.
"Ding~ Congratulations, genius. In a life-or-death situation, you awakened a superpower."
The system's indifferent voice sounded in his ears.
"No way!?"
Aaron shot upright, excitement flashing in his eyes.
"I really awakened a superpower!?"
"What type is it!?"
"Is it awesome!?"
"Calm down. This is only an initial awakening," the system replied flatly.
"You have not fully awakened yet."
"Based on my initial analysis, your superpower is…"
"What is it!?"
Aaron pressed urgently.
This damn system had even learned how to build suspense.
Unbelievable.
"Ding~ Insult detected. This system refuses to respond."
Aaron: "…"
Damn it!!!
...