Following the departure of the others, Suicune stepped forward with a slow, graceful pace. It exhaled a thick, rolling white mist from its body, and within moments, multiple shimmering images of Suicune began to pace through the fog.
"These are my ice-clones," Suicune stated coldly. "My test is simple: your Pokémon must withstand the Crashing Tides of my strongest strike."
"Come out, Corviknight!"
Feng Che released the armored bird. Corviknight beat its wings, generating powerful gusts that tore at the mist.
"Corviknight, enter your strongest form!"
At Feng Che's command, the faint, teal Delta Stream began to swirl around the bird. Sixteen razor-sharp feathers detached from its wings, floating around it like lethal daggers.
"Corviknight, Air Slash!"
The bird beat its wings, and the sixteen "feather-swords" surged into the white mist, propelled by wind blades. Suicune snorted and conjured its ultimate defense: Mirror Coat (Crystal Wall). It was a barrier of absolute defense, one of Suicune's most prideful techniques.
But as the wall formed, Suicune was horrified to see Corviknight's feathers pierce right through the shimmering surface. Cracks began to spiderweb across the crystal.
Suicune: No way... how are those feathers so powerful? This wall was granted to me by Master Ho-Oh—it contains a fragment of divine power! They say only a God can break this, yet this Pokémon is actually shattering it!
Suicune stared at the teal-hued bird with newfound gravity. Who exactly is this trial-goer? First Entei, then Raikou, and now me?
Sensing that its prideful wall would collapse under another strike, Suicune decided to go on the offensive. It fired an Aurora Beam from its hexagonal forehead crystal. If it hit, Corviknight would be frozen solid.
"Corviknight, Brave Bird!"
A massive teal hurricane enveloped the bird as it ascended into the high heavens. With its Keen Eye, it locked onto every ripple of Suicune's movement before diving.
The wind pressure coalesced, turning Corviknight into a draconic gale. Its beak elongated as it added Drill Peck and Peck to the dive. The combination of Quick Attack + Brave Bird + Drill Peck + Peck generated an astronomical amount of kinetic energy.
Suicune: Dangerous! If I take this head-on, I'll be severely wounded!
Suicune drew upon its essence as the Avatar of the North Wind. A gargantuan iceberg, the size of a small fortress, manifested between them.
Suicune: If you can shatter this, I will acknowledge your victory!
Corviknight struck the iceberg like a world-ending spear. With a deafening CRACK, the bird tore entirely through the frozen mass. The iceberg disintegrated in mid-air, raining jagged shards over Mt. Tensei.
Fearing the follow-through, Suicune desperately threw up a final Crystal Wall. It didn't last a second. The barrier shattered into a million sparkling fragments.
Suicune: I'm finished... It squeezed its eyes shut, bracing for the impact.
However, the impact hit the ground at Suicune's feet. The earth exploded, forming a massive crater that sent shockwaves through the summit. Suicune was tossed back by the pressure, slamming into the base of the altar.
After a long moment, Suicune struggled back to its feet and used Recover. It looked at the bird, then at the human. At the last microsecond, Feng Che had commanded Corviknight to adjust its trajectory.
"You... pass," Suicune said softly. "Now, mount my back. I shall carry you across the Rainbow Bridge to the Master's realm."
Journey to the Crystal Temple
Feng Che recalled Corviknight and held Ditto—still in its winged form—in his arms as he climbed onto Suicune's back.
"Master Ho-Oh's world exists outside the bounds of the common realm," Suicune explained as it stepped onto the crystalline bridge. "The bridge is protected by a ward; those with dark hearts are incinerated by the Purifying Flame the moment they step upon it."
Entei and Raikou were already waiting at the far end, acting as a divine escort as they approached a temple built entirely of clouds. The structure was crafted from iridescent, transparent stone that glowed like a castle made of diamonds.
"This is our residence," Suicune noted, as they saw other members of the Legendary Beast species roaming the castle. "Though we are many, only a few of us inherit the Divine Office of the Master."
Deep within the temple, they reached a gate radiating a seven-colored halo.
"Beyond this door lies the Master's sanctuary," Suicune said, kneeling to let Feng Che dismount. "Hold the Rainbow Wing and wait for the awakening."
"Ditto, transform into the Rainbow Wing!"
Ditto shifted into a shimmering, multicolored feather. Immediately, the feather pulsed with light. A clarion, melodic cry echoed through Feng Che's mind—the cry of the Phoenix.
"How many years has it been?" A lazy, melodic female voice resonated in Feng Che's consciousness.
"Master! You've awakened!" Suicune cried out in joy.
"I have slept long, and my strength has partially returned. Come in."
The iridescent doors groaned open, and a powerful suction pulled Feng Che and the three beasts inside. Feng Che clutched Ditto tightly as he was pulled through the void.
The Master of the Skies
Feng Che landed on clouds as soft as cotton candy. Everywhere he looked, the world was composed of vapor and light. Winds of every intensity—breezes and hurricanes—swirled in harmony. This was the realm of Ho-Oh, the God of Fire and Weather.
He looked up and saw a bird that blotted out the sun. Its plumage was a brilliant tapestry of red and gold, its tail feathers a shimmering yellow, and its wingtips a vivid green. As it beat its prism-shaped wings, rainbows formed in the wake of its flight. Its eyes, surrounded by black rings, held the wisdom of eons.
"Master Ho-Oh," Suicune said urgently. "The Sky Miasma is threatening to breach the ancient seal. We require a new Rainbow Wing to reinforce the barrier, or the world will face a catastrophe."
The Great Phoenix looked down at them, then shook its head slowly.
"That... I cannot do," Ho-Oh replied.
Ho-Oh has refused to provide a new seal. Should Feng Che ask for the reason behind this refusal, or should he use his "Power of Viridian" to show Ho-Oh the current state of the world's corruption to convince the God otherwise?