Seeing this scene, Terrance couldn't help but freeze on the spot. For once, even with his intelligence, he couldn't make sense of what was happening.
With a complicated expression, he quietly watched the spectacle unfolding below without making any rash moves.
Forget it—given the abilities of those three "immortals," they should be able to get out safely. Any outside interference might just ruin the storyline.
Terrance shook his head slightly. Right now, the grand event representing the Pokémon League's authority, the Indigo League Conference, was being broadcast live across various regions, with elite Trainers from around the world gathered on the venue. And in the middle of such a setting, three villains boldly ignited the Sacred Flame and then controlled a giant robot that suddenly emerged; the scene was simply surreal.
Leaping into the robot, the three members of Team Rocket took direct control and lifted the Sacred Flame platform that held Sacred Flame, bursting into loud laughter. Everyone watching the Indigo Plateau Conference was utterly dumbfounded.
"If I were Team Rocket's boss, I'd definitely fire those three…" Terrance muttered, rubbing his head.
At this point, chaos erupted on the scene. Ash and Team Rocket were now staging a Pokémon-versus-robot showdown, but Pikachu was completely helpless against the massive robot.
"Why isn't anyone stepping in?" Terrance suddenly stiffened, sensing something off.
At this stage, it was one thing for the participating Trainers to stay out of it, but where were the security staff? There was no trace of them anywhere.
Quickly scanning the audience for Mr. Goodshow, Terrance frowned. He saw the League's highest head sitting there with an amused smile, watching the battle below as if it were some kind of performance.
"The Sacred Flame platform has been taken away!!" the announcer nearly screamed.
Although Ash tried his best to stop Team Rocket, his strength wasn't enough. Pressed back again and again, he was soon cornered against a wall.
"Mr. Gym Leader, that contestant's in danger! You know him, don't you? Hurry and save him!" Troy said, reaching for his Poké Ball, only to be stopped by Terrance.
"Don't be impulsive. Even if someone's going to step in, it's not our turn yet. Just watch quietly."
Terrance kept his gaze locked on the field, curious to see what would happen next. He couldn't quite recall this part of the story, but if so many high-ranking League officials were sitting back to enjoy the show, then it was bound to get interesting.
Down on the field, Ash was backed into a corner. Amid Team Rocket's wild laughter, they aimed the Sacred Flame platform at him and fired a stream of fire.
The Sacred Flame, because of a momentary tilt, spilled out and transformed into a pillar of fire, entirely engulfing Ash, Pikachu, and Bulbasaur.
"How interesting. Just like Ponyta's flames, it doesn't burn."
Seeing Ash and Pikachu emerge completely unharmed, Terrance's eyes lit up. Meanwhile, the Rotom Pokédex tucked in his chest went into overdrive—recording video, taking pictures, analyzing data—and if Terrance hadn't stopped it, it would have flown out to take a direct sample of the Sacred Flame itself.
As Ash stood safe and sound, giant question marks practically appeared over the three members of Team Rocket.
But before they could recover from their confusion, a sudden change occurred. The still burning Sacred Flame suddenly erupted, rising from Ash's body and spiraling into the air. It spun faster and faster, radiating immense power and drawing every eye in the arena.
"It's coming!" Mr. Goodshow's expression feigned concern, but inside he was grinning. Something interesting was about to happen.
As the Sacred Flame danced higher into the sky, it began to take shape, and the entire stadium erupted in astonishment.
"Moltres———!"
Ash, being the closest, stared up at Moltres formed from the Sacred Flame in the sky, his face filled with utter disbelief.
"Life reaction detected, life reaction detected…"
Terrance pressed down the overexcited Rotom Pokédex, gazing intently at that cluster of Sacred Flame. Flame taking shape could be explained through external forces, but to be so vividly lifelike, and for the Rotom Pokédex to detect actual signs of life, it was something else entirely.
He hadn't expected that legend to manifest before his very eyes.
The flames surged violently as Moltres, seemingly possessing intelligence, hurled its entire flaming body toward Team Rocket's giant robot.
The roaring flames pierced through the robot, which exploded in an instant! At the same time, the Sacred Flame platform seemed to receive a precise counterforce, bouncing perfectly back to its original place.
"They just slipped away like that?" Watching the Team Rocket trio get sent flying together, Terrance rubbed his chin. Though he was sure someone would be sent to capture those three immortals, he guessed they probably wouldn't succeed.
"If Jade Joy and Lan Jenny had even half of James and other's skills, I'd trust them with missions without a worry."
Invading the Indigo Plateau Conference and snatch Sacred Flame, and managing to escape unscathed—that's just way too slick.
Afterward, the Moltres formed from the Sacred Flame flew back onto the platform. The announcer began calming the crowd, and in order to keep the event proceeding smoothly, the conference had to restart from the beginning.
At that moment, Terrance patted Troy on the shoulder and said, "You stay here and keep watching. I'll be right back."
"Alright," Troy nodded.
Leaving the stands swiftly, Terrance exited the stadium.
"Master Bruno?"
The moment he stepped outside, Terrance spotted Master Bruno strolling around and couldn't help but call out in surprise.
"Oh, isn't that Terrance? I knew you'd show up." Seeing him, Bruno laughed heartily.
"Are you… looking for the ones who tried to steal the Sacred Flame just now?"
"Those guys? Officer Jennys have already set out in every direction to pursue them. I stayed behind in case any other unusual incidents happen," Bruno explained.
"I see… By the way, Master Bruno, about that Sacred Flame…" Terrance's expression grew serious as he brought up the Sacred Flame.
"That shouldn't be an ordinary Moltres flame, right?"
"Mm. That fire seed has been preserved since before the very first Indigo Plateau Conference. It seems to contain powerful life energy, which is why it has lasted until now." After casually explaining, Bruno grew puzzled: "By the way, why aren't you inside watching the opening ceremony? What brought you out here?"
"What's there to see in an opening ceremony? I'll pay more attention once the real battles begin," Terrance replied with a grin, scratching his head, without telling the truth.
"Well then, Master Bruno, I'll let you get back to work. I'll go take a look around over there."
"Alright. Just be careful not to get mistaken for a troublemaker and arrested by an Officer Jenny," Bruno said with a chuckle.
"As if that would happen…"
Once far from the Indigo Stadium, Terrance released the Rotom Pokédex.
"It really is life energy! Our theory was correct. This Sacred Flame could also be considered a form of the Flame of Life, only of a higher grade, Roto!" the Rotom Pokédex exclaimed excitedly.
"Yeah, Altaria sensed that life energy too," Terrance nodded, touching the Poké Ball hanging around his neck.
Back in the stadium, right after the Rotom Pokédex had detected life within the flames, Altaria had also felt that unique power.
"I wonder if Entei has that kind of ability, letting a flame separate from its body for centuries yet still retain consciousness. The way that life energy was used… it's unheard of. It should be beyond the Champion level."
"That Moltres must be extremely adept at manipulating life energy, Roto," said the Rotom Pokédex.
"Of course. However, no matter how skilled, it probably can't surpass Ho-Oh and Xerneas. But compared to the Entei resurrected by Ho-Oh, it's hard to say which one has stronger control over the Flame of Life," Terrance reasoned.
Seeing the Moltres Sacred Flame of the Indigo Plateau Conference come alive once more reaffirmed Terrance's belief in the Flame of Life theory.
"Alright, hurry up and compile all the analyzed data from earlier!"
Outside the stadium, Terrance and Rotom Pokédex had a long discussion about the sentient Sacred Flame, which eventually even gave Terrance the idea of stealing the Sacred Flame himself.
TN: Hey guys, I've picked up a new One Piece novel. You can search it: One Piece: The Undying King.
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