Within the Projection—
After Sōji finished explaining Ho-Oh's legend, he swiped his tablet.
A breathtaking image of a majestic bird appeared before Ash.
"This is Ho-Oh. The image was reconstructed and colorized based on murals found in ancient ruins and mythological records."
Ash froze.
Not only him—
Even Pikachu on his shoulder went completely stiff.
Sōji assumed this was simply their first time seeing Ho-Oh's beauty and smiled.
"Well? Isn't Ho-Oh beautiful?"
"That elegance… those brilliant colors… It's truly a Pokémon that feels like it could only exist in dreams."
"No… that's not it…"
Ash hesitated.
"Actually… Pikachu and I met Ho-Oh when we first set out on our journey."
Sōji:?
For a moment, Sōji thought he'd misheard.
He stared at Ash, eyes wide, trying to determine whether Ash was lying.
"It's true! The Ho-Oh we saw looked just like this, right, Pikachu?"
"Pika—chu!!"
Pikachu nodded vigorously.
Suddenly, Ash seemed to remember something.
Still holding the sleeping Charmander, he rushed to where his clothes were hanging to dry.
Then—
From within the folds of the clothing, Ash pulled out a beautiful feather.
The instant he grasped it, the feather burst into dazzling seven-colored light!
"See? This is what I picked up after meeting Ho-Oh!"
"The Rainbow Wing!!!"
Sōji exclaimed, standing abruptly and stepping closer—
Yet he didn't dare touch the feather.
Because he knew the legend.
Nearby, Entei—who appeared to be asleep—slowly lifted an eyelid.
When it saw the radiant feather, a trace of genuine shock flickered through its eyes.
So… Ho-Oh has chosen this human?
Within Entei's shadow—
Two faint red lights appeared.
Then, a small figure slowly emerged from the shadow itself, quietly observing Ash—
Or rather, observing the Rainbow Wing in his hand.
"It really is the Rainbow Wing…"
Sōji murmured in awe.
"Ho-Oh's most precious feather. According to legend, only a select few acknowledged by Ho-Oh are ever granted one."
"And yet… this has always been just a legend."
"There has never been a confirmed historical record of anyone truly obtaining the Rainbow Wing."
Sōji stared at the radiant feather, visibly shaken.
Beside him, Molly's eyes sparkled.
"Hey, hey! That sounds amazing! What does the Rainbow Wing actually do?"
"It's said that the Rainbow Wing guides its bearer to Ho-Oh."
"And once Ho-Oh acknowledges them, they become—"
"—the Rainbow Hero."
Molly's eyes shone brighter.
"Rainbow Hero!! That name is so cool!"
"So what can the Rainbow Hero do?!"
"…I don't know."
Molly: ...
The stars vanished instantly from her eyes.
What is this?!
You knew everything just now—how can you not know the most important part?!
[Audience Reactions]
"Hahaha! 'Best answer: I don't know!'"
"Sōji's usually so serious—why is it so funny when he says that?"
"I lost it too, this is hilarious!"
"..."
In this lighthearted atmosphere, the audience briefly forgot about Cross's cruelty.
This—
This warmth and kindness—
This was the world of Pokémon.
Back to the Projection
After the initial shock faded, the three gradually calmed down.
Rainbow Hero…
It still felt unreal.
But something felt strange.
At such close range, with the Rainbow Wing glowing—
Why wasn't Entei reacting at all?
They quietly glanced toward Entei.
Its eyes were closed, as if asleep.
In truth—
Entei was merely pretending.
A Legendary Pokémon must maintain its dignity.
"Rainbow Hero…"
Ash laughed softly.
"That sounds amazing."
"Hey—why does it sound like you're bragging?" Molly teased.
"Haha… yeah, it kinda does."
Their laughter echoed through the cold, dark cave.
And somehow—
The cave no longer felt so cold.
Before long, all three leaned against the rock walls and fell asleep.
The Shadow Moves
After they slept—
A Pokémon like living smoke slowly slipped out from Entei's shadow.
Earlier, some viewers had already noticed a strange presence in the shadows.
But it had appeared only for an instant—many thought it was an illusion.
Now—
It emerged fully.
Proof that it was real.
The Pokémon's body resembled swirling black mist.
Smoke seemed to rise from its head, and a collar-like ring of shadow wrapped around its neck.
Its eyes glowed red and yellow.
It didn't look frightening—
In fact, it looked… oddly cute.
[Live Commentary]
[Lance]: What Pokémon is that?! Besides Gengar, are there others that can enter shadows?!
[Diantha]: It's adorable… but if it's traveling with Entei, it must be extraordinary.
[Cynthia]: I don't recall seeing this Pokémon in any myths I've studied.
Even Cynthia hadn't encountered it before.
After all—
She was Champion of Sinnoh, not a scholar who could traverse the entire world collecting legends.
Then—
[Professor Kukui]: That's Marshadow, isn't it?!
[Professor Oak]: Yes. That should indeed be Marshadow—Ho-Oh's messenger.
[Phoebe]: Tell us more about Marshadow!
[Shauntal]: I smell Ghost-type Pokémon!
Phoebe of the Hoenn Elite Four and Shauntal of Unova—
Both Ghost-type specialists—
were instantly captivated.
Cute.
Mysterious.
And instinctively Ghost-type.
Perfect.
Agatha liked it too—
But seeing Professor Oak speak made her annoyed, so she stayed quiet.
[Professor Kukui]: Marshadow is a Mythical Pokémon passed down in Alola legends.
"It's timid by nature and can slip into any shadow."
"It's a dual-type Pokémon—Fighting and Ghost."
"It can enter another's shadow, mimic their movements and power, and even understand their emotions."
"During imitation, it becomes stronger than the original."
"It's said Marshadow once copied a martial arts master's shadow and learned an ultimate technique."
[Phoebe]: Ultimate technique?! That's so cool!!
[Bruno]: Fighting-type too?! If I could catch Marshadow, we'd be a perfect match!
[Shauntal]: Don't joke. Something that cute doesn't suit someone like you at all.
[Phoebe]: Exactly! If anyone's catching Marshadow, it's us Ghost-type trainers!
Bruno wiped sweat from his forehead and wisely chose silence.
There was no winning here.
[Professor Oak]: Beyond Alola legends, there's also a Johto legend.
[Morty]: You mean… the legend of the Rainbow Hero's guide?!
[Professor Oak]: Exactly.
"In myth, Marshadow serves as Ho-Oh's emissary."
"It guides the Rainbow Hero to meet Ho-Oh."
"And during that journey, Marshadow hides within the Hero's shadow, observing them."
"To determine whether they're worthy of meeting Ho-Oh."
[Steven]: So that's why Marshadow entered Ash's shadow.
Dawn
The three slept until morning.
When they awoke, Charmander was fully recovered.
It proudly showed them its healthy, blazing tail flame.
Everyone rejoiced.
Then came the familiar moment.
Ash asked whether Charmander was willing to travel with him.
Charmander remembered its former Trainer.
Then it remembered Ash—
Sheltering it from the rain.
Caring for it all night.
Charmander nodded hard.
Just like that—
Ash gained a new partner.
This Charmander would one day become a Charizard capable of challenging gods.
Perhaps even competing for the title of the strongest Charizard in the world.
And Cross—
Had thrown that future away.
A New Team
Afterward, Ash suggested traveling together to seek Ho-Oh.
Both Molly and Sōji agreed without hesitation.
Curiosity toward Ho-Oh bound them together.
Thus—
In this parallel world—
Ash formed a new trio once again.
Back to Professor Oak's Lab
"That's wonderful, Ash."
Delia smiled warmly.
"You've found reliable companions again."
She felt relieved.
Ash was reckless by nature.
Traveling alone worried her deeply.
But now—
Two kind-hearted companions stood beside him.
Just like Misty and Brock in this world.
"Yeah, Mom!"
Ash grinned.
"Molly and Sōji remind me of Misty and Brock!"
"Sōji's like Brock—he knows healing and Pokémon food!"
"And Molly's like Misty—she's a total tyrannosaurus!"
Misty: ???
"Ash~"
Misty smiled sweetly.
"What did you just say? I didn't quite hear it~."
Ash felt murderous intent.
High survival instincts activated instantly.
"I meant—you're strong and gentle! Yes! That's it!"
"Hmph."
Misty lowered her fist.
Ash lived—this time.
Red watched quietly.
The greatest difference between Ash and his former self—
Ash had companions.
They slowed his growth.
But—
Growing too fast wasn't always a blessing.
Some things—
Could never be exchanged for strength.
Growth
Guided by the Rainbow Wing, the trio traveled onward.
Ash challenged the Gyms along the way.
Molly even encountered Suicune once—
Though Ash slept through it.
Soon—
Ash had five Gym Badges.
Charmander evolved into Charmeleon.
Caterpie into Butterfree.
One day—
Ash battled a passerby in a Pokémon Center arena.
Opponent: Snorlax.
An absolute heavyweight.
Yet Pikachu stood its ground.
When Snorlax used Body Slam—
Ash ordered Iron Tail.
Half a ton came crashing down—
And was rebounded.
Snorlax was launched like a cannonball.
One Thunderbolt later—
Victory.
[Final Commentary]
[Lance]: This is Ash with only five badges?!
[Lorelei]: That Pikachu's strength is completely abnormal.
[Diantha]: Reminder—this Ash was strengthened by Heavenly Rankings.
[Leon]: Still… why is this Ash growing so fast?
[Red]: Because at the beginning, he was alone.
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