In theory, the Loyal Three—Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipiti—had already been cleanly defeated by Ogerpon a hundred years ago, one strike each.
However...
Perhaps it was due to the desires Pecharunt had accumulated over the past century that continued to fester.
The villagers, influenced by legends, had undoubtedly wished countless times for the Loyal Three to return like lightning.
Thus, the miracle of resurrection unfolded before their eyes so effortlessly.
Okidogi, Munkidori, Fezandipiti.
The Loyal Three shielded the severely injured and nearly energy-depleted Pecharunt behind them. The purple chains wrapped around their bodies gradually emitted a deep, eerie glow.
"Pon?!!"
Faced with the resurrected three Pokémon, Ogerpon was clearly startled but quickly calmed down.
Since they had revived, it would use its Ivy Cudgel to send these four wicked Pokémon straight to hell!
Aiden, on the other hand, remained serious, on high alert.
The Loyal Three each possessed formidable powers, which was why Pecharunt had chosen them as escorts for the journey to Kitakami.
Okidogi prided itself on its robust physique, excelling in close-range suppression of opponents;
Munkidori had the ability to foresee parts of the future, allowing it to effectively command its allies during battles;
Fezandipiti could emit mesmerizing pheromones, said to possess the power to seize minds.
If the combined forces of these three Pokémon were gathered, they would form an escort team without any apparent weaknesses.
We are... a trio!
As for whether these Pokémon originally harbored evil intentions?
That didn't matter.
After all, once controlled by Pecharunt's Chains, there was no room left for any sense of justice.
Even after being dead for a hundred years, Pecharunt hadn't let go of its three loyal followers, forcibly dragging them back from the underworld.
And now, their minds held only one thought—
To protect their master, Pecharunt, at all costs!
As Ogerpon prepared to charge forward and use its Ivy Cudgel to send them back to oblivion, Aiden quickly spoke up:
"Wait a moment, Ogerpon!"
"Pon?"
Though not entirely sure why, Ogerpon, having already established some trust with Aiden, stopped and looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"Pecharunt is obviously confident in the strength of the Loyal Three, given that it hasn't fled despite being so weakened."
Aiden quickly explained.
"Whether their strength has increased after revival or they've figured out how to counter you, we should still proceed cautiously."
A hundred years ago, though Ogerpon's victory was one-sided, it likely faced the Loyal Three after they had already expended significant energy. Their strength at full capacity might have been much greater.
During the mask theft, they clearly encountered resistance from the mysterious man.
And since that man had the strength to bring Ogerpon across the ocean to Kitakami, his abilities were certainly not weak.
Thus, the battle over the mask likely involved an intense fight not described in the game.
This was why the enraged Ogerpon managed to defeat all four in one fell swoop, completing its revenge.
But after their resurrection, their strength might have grown even stronger.
While Tail Whip triggered Ogerpon's Defiant ability multiple times, its defense capabilities also dropped significantly, putting it at a disadvantage against coordinated attacks.
Additionally, Poison-type moves were inherently somewhat effective against it, so caution was still advised.
As Aiden contemplated countermeasures and Pecharunt nervously guarded against Ogerpon, seemingly waiting for it to attack, a young boy's voice suddenly rang out:
"Teacher Aiden, over here!!"
Aiden instinctively turned toward the direction of the voice.
There stood Kieran, who had returned alone despite previously fleeing with the tourists.
Moreover, he was holding three large masks that gleamed brilliantly, identical to the Teal Mask on Ogerpon's face.
Without a doubt, these were the original masks stolen by the Loyal Three.
After the Loyal Three were defeated by Ogerpon, the villagers of Kitakami obtained them, treating them as relics of the Loyal Three and enshrining them in Mossui Town.
As a villager, Kieran naturally knew their exact location.
In fact, the scene that unfolded earlier at Loyalty Plaza profoundly shocked Kieran, solidifying a belief within him—
I want to become a righteous and cool Trainer like Teacher Aiden!
So I can't keep being weak anymore—I must do something for Teacher Aiden and the "ghost."
Thus, while the other villagers lay unconscious at the plaza, he smoothly retrieved the three legendary masks and brought them here.
Upon noticing the masks in Kieran's hands, Pecharunt quickly revealed a look of terror.
One mask had nearly beaten it to death—what would happen if all four masks were assembled?
"Kibeh kibeh!"
Two chains shot out from behind Pecharunt, rushing toward Kieran's position. Simultaneously, the Loyal Three under its mental control sprang into action.
"Riolu, Sylveon!"
Aiden immediately spoke.
"Riolu!"
"Sylve~"
No detailed commands were needed; Riolu and Sylveon, almost perfectly attuned to their Trainer's thoughts, understood what to do.
Riolu quickly formed two blue energy spheres in its hands, throwing them toward the speeding chains. Upon contact, the chains were severed instantly.
Sylveon focused its attention on the ribbons, swiftly launching Fairy-type energy stars toward the Loyal Three.
Though not particularly effective against Poison-types, the attack still hindered their advance.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Kieran quickly ran to Aiden's side.
After handing the masks to Aiden, Kieran looked up with unwavering determination:
"Teacher Aiden, these three masks are just like the one the 'ghost' is wearing—they originally belonged to it!"
"I heard from my grandfather that when our ancestors crafted these masks, they embedded a special crystal, imbuing them with extraordinary power!"
"Please join forces with the ogre to defeat the villains who deceived all of Kitakami!"
Aiden remained silent, taking the masks from Kieran and then breaking into a smile, nodding slightly.
"Leave it to me."
If there were other masks...
The Loyal Three would be nothing to worry about!
"Pon..."
Looking at the three differently colored masks in Aiden's hands, Ogerpon's gaze quickly flickered with a trace of nostalgia.
Then, its eyes grew increasingly resolute.
"In this situation, using this mask would be better, right?"
Aiden smiled faintly and drew out the Hearthflame Mask, representing fire power, its entirety red.
The masks worn by Ogerpon embodied the efforts of both the man and the mask craftsman from a hundred years ago, enabling a unique resonance effect with it.
By wearing different masks, Ogerpon could harness different elemental powers.
Among them, the Hearthflame Mask seemed most suitable for the current situation.
If the strong type was so effective, why not use it from the start?
"Pon!"
After receiving the mask, Ogerpon quickly put it on.
Along with the gentle touch of the mask came fleeting memories of those brief yet beautiful moments from a hundred years ago.
The memories were so vivid—the man, like a father figure, always sneaking it into the village under the cover of the mask, letting it feel the atmosphere of human life.
Because of this, it was even more determined to avenge the man!
"Kibeh kibeh!"
Seeing Ogerpon change masks, Pecharunt finally panicked—
It had never seen Ogerpon use other masks before.
If it was just the previous mask, it could slowly wear it down through prolonged combat and eventually use chains to turn it into another Toxic Puppet.
But now, an inexplicable pressure quickly spread throughout its body.
At this moment, its protective peach shell had already been shattered, leaving it reliant solely on its most loyal Loyal Three.
It had no choice but to fight with everything it had!
Just as Pecharunt prepared to unleash its full force, the man behind Ogerpon made a new move.
"If my guess is correct..."
As he spoke, Aiden had already taken out a heavy black sphere, looking toward Ogerpon.
"The Tera Orb is the key to unlocking the full power of the masks, right?"
He had noticed earlier that each of Ogerpon's masks was embedded with a star-shaped crystal at the top.
They were almost identical to Tera Crystals.
In the game, too, only after initiating Tera Raid on Ogerpon could the true power of the masks be unleashed, greatly enhancing its combat capabilities.
Thus, it was worth a try!
"Unleash the power of Tera Raid, Ogerpon!"
After taking a deep breath, Aiden decisively threw the Tera Orb above Ogerpon.
As the Tera Orb suddenly exploded, countless Tera fragments adhered to Ogerpon's body, with some directly absorbed by the mask.
Soon, the Hearthflame Mask Ogerpon radiated brilliant light, and its body swelled significantly.
The abundant Fire-type energy absorbed into the mask quickly formed a fierce flame-like aura, emanating powerful energy fluctuations!
"Pon oh?"
Even Ogerpon was momentarily astonished.
It had never imagined...
The masks left behind by the man still concealed such immense power!
If the man had told it this back then, perhaps...
No, it was precisely because the man didn't want it to misuse this power, hoping instead to live happily ever after with it.
That was why he had delayed revealing the truth hidden beneath the masks, wasn't it?
But his wish... ultimately went unfulfilled.
Thinking this, a tear quickly slid down Ogerpon's eye, only to evaporate into mist under the scorching heat of the Hearthflame Mask, disappearing into the air.
Though this power came a bit late, at least this time...
It now possessed the strength to protect what mattered most!
Ogerpon unconsciously glanced behind it at the young man gazing at it warmly.
Though he still wore the somewhat comical Cornerstone Mask, his gentle eyes and unwavering stance by its side gradually etched themselves into its heart.
Having gone a hundred years without such care, Ogerpon felt momentarily overwhelmed.
Therefore...
It absolutely couldn't let him down!
With its body hidden behind the mask and the mask serving as protection, Ogerpon tightened its grip on the Ivy Cudgel, its gaze gradually filling with resolve as it stared at the Loyal Three.
This time, I can do it!
"Go, Ogerpon!"
"Pon!"
Ogerpon swung its Ivy Cudgel, reaching the peak of its momentum at this moment. With astonishing speed, it rushed toward the Loyal Three!
Whatever you have to say, take it up with my Ivy Cudgel!
BOOM—!
Munkidori, using its foresight abilities, swiftly dodged. Fezandipiti narrowly escaped by flying into the air.
However...
Okidogi, with its brute strength, wasn't so lucky.
The strikingly red Ivy Cudgel slammed directly onto its head, pinning its body halfway into the ground like driving a stake.
Simultaneously, the Ivy Cudgel erupted with surging flames.
Instantly, searing pain coursed through its entire body, eliciting a sharp scream from Okidogi.
Despite its physical prowess, it quickly succumbed to the terrifying power of that blow, rolling its eyes and losing consciousness.
"Kibeh kibeh?!"
Pecharunt never expected that its resurrected and empowered Okidogi would fall so easily with just one strike.
Useless trash!
At this point, Pecharunt had already grasped the situation—
Ogerpon's single strike had shattered its dreams of revenge, leaving it with no desire to continue the fight.
If it stayed here any longer, it would surely die!
So...
As long as the mountain remains, there will be firewood to burn.
Since one of the Loyal Three had fallen, the three of you should reunite neatly in the underworld!
With ruthless determination, Pecharunt spat out two pieces of toxic sticky rice cakes.
Munkidori and Fezandipiti, busy dodging attacks, had no intention of resisting. After swallowing the cakes, their eyes quickly glowed with an intense deep purple.
Clearly, they were now completely under Pecharunt's control!
In their unconscious state, they instinctively charged fearlessly at Ogerpon, buying time for Pecharunt's escape.
"Ogerpon, end this quickly!"
Detecting Pecharunt's intent, Aiden quickly reacted, shouting toward Ogerpon while also glancing at Cynthia beside him.
His Sylveon and Riolu lacked the ability to stop Pecharunt, so he really had no choice but to call for reinforcements...
After all, it was Pecharunt's side that first called for teammates, so he wasn't exactly breaking any rules!
If I let you escape today, I'm this! (thumbs down)
Seeing this, Cynthia smiled faintly.
"Togekiss, chase it down with Extreme Speed!"
"Togekiss~"
Pokémon of champion-level caliber naturally possessed the ability to trade blows with legendary beings.
Moreover, neither Pecharunt nor the Loyal Three truly fit the standard of "legendary Pokémon," feeling more like filler...
Though Extreme Speed couldn't hit the well-prepared Pecharunt, the terrifying burst of speed from Togekiss still closed the distance between the two Pokémon in an instant.
Facing the small airplane-like Togekiss, smiling yet fiercely glaring at it, Pecharunt's heart sank.
This time, its revenge attempt might end with its own demise here...
---
T/N: For Patrons, don't forget to vote for which story gets 4 Chapters/Day for next week! Checkout the community Chats for the link or use the tag 'Weekly Vote' to get to the post!
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)