Feng Che looked out over the scarred landscape of Mt. Chamia. Rivers of cooling magma snaked across the earth, a direct threat to the local ecosystem if left unchecked.
"Incineroar, reabsorb the heat into your body."
Incineroar complied, drawing the molten energy back into its core. As the transformation faded, it sat heavily on the ground, panting. Channeling that much primal power took a significant toll on its physical stamina.
"You all did incredible work. Rest up," Feng Che said, recalling his team. "Next stop: Mt. Tensei. It's time to face Ho-Oh's trial."
The Aftermath
Three days later, at the Kanto League Headquarters, Black and White reviewed the final reports from Mt. Chamia. Their expressions were grim.
"The Super-Giant Onix was captured, and the entire swarm was decimated," White whispered. "That's not something a standard Heavenly King trainer can pull off."
"We couldn't have subdued that giant together, let alone while fighting off a thousand reinforcements," Black added. "I think it's time we stop targeting Feng Che. He is not someone we can afford to provoke."
"Agreed," White nodded firmly. "His strength is beyond our pay grade. We might want to please Damalanchi, but making a permanent enemy of a man like that is suicide. Cancel all operations against him. Mark the Mt. Chamia mission as 'Successfully Completed'."
"Until Agatha or Damalanchi returns from the Federation's investigation, our priority is keeping the peace. We can't let Kanto fall into total chaos," White concluded.
Meanwhile, at Team Rocket Headquarters, Giovanni slammed his palm onto his desk.
"That brat Sakaki Tsuna surfaced? And he went after Feng Che?" Giovanni's voice was cold. "I was going to let him rot in exile, but it seems he's a weed that needs pulling. Issue an organization-wide bounty. Find him and execute him on sight."
Within hours, every Rocket grunt held a kill-order for Tsuna, and his few remaining loyalists within the organization were systematically uprooted.
Mt. Tensei
Feng Che arrived at Mt. Tensei, a sprawling mountain range home to countless powerful Pokémon and neighboring Mt. Silver.
"You finally made it," Lance greeted him at the edge of the nature reserve. "High Priest Shamiao has been mentioning your name so much my ears were starting to blister."
"Be careful. Reliable intel says members of the Pure Heaven Sect have slipped into the mountains. They'll likely try to sabotage your trial. On the bright side, Agatha and Lorelei have been cleared by the Federation and reinstated. As for Damalanchi... even with his backers, his crimes are too many. Even if he's released, his days as President are over."
Lance leaned in closer. "Remember, you can't catch Pokémon inside the reserve. The sanctions are severe."
"I know," Feng Che nodded.
"Shamiao says the trial begins the moment you set foot on the mountain. The proctors will be watching from the shadows. Find them, pass the test. That's all the hint you get. Good luck!"
The Shadow Proctor
The proctor must be Marshadow, Feng Che thought as he began his ascent.
Marshadow was a creature of grey shadows, its head resembling a medieval helmet with curved horns. It was naturally timid, preferring to lurk in the darkness, but possessed terrifying power when provoked. It could steal an opponent's stats and hide seamlessly within a person's shadow.
Feng Che paused in a clearing. "Come out, Ditto."
He released the Ditto that now possessed one gold and one silver wing. The moment it appeared, a pair of orange-red eyes snapped open in the darkness of a nearby cave.
"He's here," a shadowy figure whispered. "The trial-goer with the Rainbow Wing. But... why does that wing feel so strange? It's mixed with the aura of another God. I've never seen this before."
The figure was indeed Marshadow. It sank into the ground, reappearing a second later in a hidden sub-dimension—a place where rainbows never faded.
Marshadow clapped its hands, firing a massive Aura Sphere into the sky. BOOM!
Shortly after, three legendary figures stepped across a bridge of light.
"Marshadow? Is it time?" Suicune asked, yawning as it shook off its slumber.
"Ho-Oh's condition is deteriorating," Suicune continued, its face turning solemn. "The seal is buckling. We can feel the Master's power becoming unstable. If we don't wake Ho-Oh now, the world's climate will spiral out of control."
"We've waited years for a Hero," Entei suggested suddenly. "Why don't we... go easy on him? A win-win for everyone."
"Good idea," Raikou sparked. "Let's skip the long-winded puzzles. If his Pokémon can withstand my 10-Million Volt strike, I'll count it as a pass."
"Then my test is simple: survive one hit of my Sacred Fire," Entei added.
"And mine: endure the Crashing Tides of my strongest attack," Suicune finished.
The Three Beasts nodded, pleased with their "shortcut." Marshadow stood to the side, completely dumbfounded.
Go easy?! Marshadow thought. These guys have been asleep too long. They didn't lower the bar—they launched it into orbit! If a trainer tries to face their ultimate moves head-on, they won't pass the trial... they'll be erased from existence!
Originally, the trial involved a long hunt through the mountains to track the beasts and a series of moderate tests. Now, the Hero had to survive the raw, unbridled power of three Gods. It was faster, yes—but infinitely more lethal.
Feng Che is approaching the Rainbow Altar. Should he send out Incineroar to tank the Sacred Fire first, or use his Psychic powers to sense the "shortcut" the Beasts are planning?