The black avian felt as though it had been trampled by a heavy tank. A searing pain radiated from its internal organs as Incineroar opened its maw, unleashing a torrent of heat drawn directly from the subterranean magma.
The crimson blast slammed into the monster. It shrieked in agony as the dark mist cloaking its body began to evaporate. Before it could recover, Greninja's six pillars of high-pressure water hammered into it, flipping the legendary manifestation onto its back.
Sky Monster: [Curse you! If my true body weren't still bound, leaving me at a mere fraction of my power...]Sky Monster: [How could I be disgraced by these gnats who haven't even reached Champion rank?!]Sky Monster: [These three "insects" carry the auras of Rayquaza, Groudon, and Kyogre. Fine. Very well, brat with the Viridian power... I will remember you.]Sky Monster: [I have never suffered such humiliation. Shamyo, I will tear your soul apart!]
The monster felt the seal's pull intensify. The white flame chains tightened, dragging it toward the altar. Even the dark energy clinging to Kingdra and Empoleon was siphoned away, absorbed back into the stone.
Feng Che watched as the Glazed Wings atop the altar regained their kaleidoscopic brilliance. An expansive, pure white barrier rippled outward, turning the altar into a slab of flawless jade. Throughout the Sea Cave, the corrupted Pokémon collapsed as the madness left their minds.
Floating above the altar, the black bird thrashed one last time, its form dissolving.
"I, Shamyo, High Priest of the Bell Tower and Apostle of Ho-Oh, hereby reseal the malice of the Sky!"
The Glazed Wings erupted in a blinding flash. With a final, hateful cry, the manifestation was sucked into the altar. Silence returned to the Sea Cave.
"Phew... sealed once more," Shamyo exhaled, wiping cold sweat from his brow. His legs gave out, and he slumped onto the floor. "A second longer and it would have broken free. I would have been the greatest sinner in the history of the Tower."
The Rainbow Wing—which was actually Ditto in disguise—floated down and landed on Feng Che's shoulder, reverting to its squishy purple form.
"Feng Che, your Ditto is extraordinary," Shamyo said, a hint of envy in his voice. "I see a trace of divinity within it."
"Divinity?" Before Feng Che could press for details, Lance, Red, and the others rushed in.
"Feng Che! Shamyo! Are you alright?" Lance asked, his face etched with worry. He had seen the monster dive toward the inner sanctum and feared the worst.
Lance looked around, seeing no trace of the beast. "Is it finished?"
"Sealed," Shamyo replied weakly. "But Ho-Oh's avatar is still missing. This seal will only hold for a year. Without the avatar to replenish the energy, the Glazed Wings will eventually flicker out, and we will face the Sky Monster at its full, god-tier strength."
Shamyo looked at Feng Che. "Young friend, once you become an Elite-level trainer, I must ask you to take the Rainbow Wing to Mt. Tensei. You must complete the Trial of the Rainbow Hero and summon the true Ho-Oh."
He then turned to Red, Blue, and Green. "I know why you're here. I control Ho-Oh and Lugia, but I am not your kidnapper. I have been bound to this cave for years. However... I saw a clue when the connection to the avatar snapped."
"I saw ice. Endless snow."
Green's (小蓝) eyes widened. A dormant memory clawed its way to the surface. "I remember now... the one who took me was a master of Ice. Along with Silver, there were others—Karen and Will."
"Karen and Will?" Lance muttered. "The new Elite Four members of Johto? The Dark and Psychic masters?"
"Yes..." Green clutched her head, her face pale. "They were there."
Seeing her distress, Feng Che stepped forward and placed a finger on her forehead. She slumped into unconsciousness, held aloft by his telekinesis.
"Feng Che? What are you doing?" Red asked, startled.
"She's remembering too much, too fast," Feng Che explained. "Shamyo's words acted like a key to a locked door. If I didn't stop her, the trauma would have shattered her mind. She needs rest."
Feng Che then sent a private telepathic message to Lance. [Lance, I'm the Viridian Gym Leader now, and President Goodshow has me under a microscope. I can't stay in Johto much longer.]
[I understand,] Lance replied telepathically. [A heads-up: Agatha and Lorelei have discovered your connection to Team Rocket. Because of my influence, they won't move against you for now, but watch your back.]
Feng Che smirked inwardly. [So you're the one who suppressed it. I wondered why Agatha was being so 'friendly.' Thanks, Lance.]
Turning to the High Priest, Feng Che added a final warning: "Shamyo, be careful. The League has eyes on your Lugia. They might use her pregnancy as leverage at the Sevii Islands. Don't let the Sky Monster's seal be the only thing you watch."
"Don't worry," Shamyo smiled. "I am not just a Priest; I am the Grand Elder of the Whirlpool Clan. Lugia's safety is paramount. But I will take your warning to heart."
"Red, Blue—look after Green," Feng Che waved. "Until next time."
With a Teleport, Feng Che vanished. He reappeared on the cliffs above the Sea Cave, looking at the moon.
I need more power, he thought. The Sky Monster was just a fragment and it was already at the Champion level. If I hadn't pushed my team to the Elite rank using the Primal energies of the Trio, I'd be dead. Being a Gym Leader is just the start.
Suddenly, his Pokégear chirped. A high-priority message from the League:
To: Leader Feng CheSubject: Emergency - Viridian ForestPoachers have been sighted in the restricted zones of Viridian Forest. Apprehend immediately.- Kanto League
Poachers in Viridian? Feng Che frowned. The Rocket Trio usually treats that forest as their private backyard. If poachers are bold enough to move in, they must be heavy hitters.
He dialed Jessica's number.
"Lord Feng Che?" Jessica answered instantly, stifling a yawn. "It's late. What is it?"
"The League just flagged poachers in Viridian Forest. Why is Team Rocket letting them run wild? Check the intel—I want to know exactly who we're dealing with."