An abstract trainer who taught Charmander the Incinerate move

Chapter 146 The Dark Reality, the True Hero

Under the gaze of Zekrom, Homiga felt as insignificant as a speck of dust, his soul trembling.

Those crimson vertical pupils, burning with a light like that of a molten lava hell, pierced through the thick darkness, cold and majestic, containing an indescribable, boundless power.

Under this suffocating gaze, a crystal-clear fragment of sound, as if awakened by thunder, suddenly cleaved through her chaotic consciousness!
On the land of Unova, besides the "Dragon of Ideals" who brings dreams, another guardian sleeps... the "Dragon of Truth"...

Mo Zhenna's almost chanting voice in the cold, rainy night suddenly exploded in the depths of her soul.

It is the embodiment of reality, the other side of the ideal. It won't grant you unattainable dreams; it will only give you one thing—the power to face reality head-on…

At the time, she felt that it was a cruel allegory that Mo Zhen used to awaken her and make her face reality, a cold and even ironic metaphor!
But before me... this colossal black shadow, shrouding the entire abyss of consciousness and radiating supreme majesty, this voice that resounded like a thunderbolt directly into the depths of my soul, claims to be... the True Dragon?!

The True Dragon... Zekrom... It... it actually exists?!

What Mo Zhen said... was actually true?!
The overwhelming sense of absurdity and the shock of cognitive upheaval instantly overwhelmed pure fear, causing Homiga's consciousness to tremble violently.

Immediately afterwards, the long-suppressed grief and resentment were ignited by this shocking truth, causing her to grasp at it like a lifeline, transforming all her confusion, pain, and despair into a surging torrent of consciousness that rushed toward those scarlet vertical pupils.

"True Dragon! Zekrom! Tell me! What did I do wrong?!"

Her thoughts were filled with a sense of being torn apart, like a tearful accusation.

"My mistake was being too naive, believing in some ideal dragon's divine gift?"

"Was I so stupid to mistake Akroma's toxic fumes for the magic of rock and roll?"

"Was I wrong to be too weak, to abandon my dignity and bark like a dog for that illusory worship?"

"Was my mistake in trusting them too much, treating those drug-addicted bastards as family who understood me?"

"Or...was my mistake...in having dreams? In believing in integrity? In...being a burden to my father by living?!"

Her thoughts swirled violently in the darkness, filled with a self-destructive agony.

"Why...why has everything I've been searching for vanished into thin air? Why has everything I cherished betrayed me? Why...why has even my only remaining father, who taught me to be upright, betrayed me and left me in this way?! Why is everything ruined?! Tell me! What heinous crime have I committed to deserve this end?!"

The crimson vertical pupils calmly watched the surging torrent of grief and indignation, and the deep, thunderous voice rang out again, carrying an absolute calm as if proclaiming the laws of the universe.

You did nothing wrong.

Homiga's consciousness suddenly froze, as if struck by an invisible giant hammer.

"No mistake?"

She repeated it blankly, almost overwhelmed by a tremendous sense of absurdity.

Czechrom's voice was like a cold anvil, striking her confused consciousness.

The pursuit of dreams, the yearning for understanding, and the desire for recognition are human instincts, neither right nor wrong.

"Then why?!"

Homiga's thoughts rebounded instantly, carrying even deeper pain and bewilderment.

"If instinct is not wrong, why did my pursuit bring destruction? Why did my desires result in deception? Why did my expectations end up like this?! Why is reality so cruel to me?!"

Because that's just reality.

Czechrom's voice was like a cold, ironclad rule, utterly devoid of emotion.

Reality is not a dream. It is cold and cruel, full of thorns and unexpected events. Your singing failed to move hearts: not your fault, but hearts are clouded, preferences differ. Your father risked everything for you, ultimately perishing: not your fault, fate was turbulent, choices were heavy. Akromala used you, trampled on you: not your fault, his heart was inherently evil, his actions were inherently wicked.

You have come to this abyss not because of any wrongdoing. It is simply because you were born into this world, and the waves of fate have swept you here; it was all destined. Reality is like this, and it never changes according to individual will.

It's not my fault... it's just the way reality is?
This cold declaration made her feel utterly absurd and powerless, even more so than any accusation, and a surge of immense grief and indignation welled up within her once more.

"Then... the fault isn't mine, it's the world's!"

Homiga's consciousness emitted a silent shriek, filled with hatred for all of existence.

"It's dark! Cold! Full of deception and malice! It steals dreams! Tramples dignity! Tears apart family ties! It lures you with false hope, then crushes you in the cruelest way! It shouldn't be like this! This world shouldn't exist!!!"

The world is not at fault.

Czechrom's voice, as steady as an unshakeable foundation, shattered her hysterical accusations.

It simply exists quietly. Like the rising and setting of the sun and moon, the ebb and flow of the tides, birth, aging, sickness, and death. It has light and darkness; it can nurture life and bring destruction; it can forge bonds and cause separation. It is neither good nor evil, neither sad nor happy, without purpose or preference. It simply exists here, silently witnessing the cycle of all things and the operation of the rules.

"It's just...existence?"

Homiga's consciousness sank into a deeper daze, and a huge sense of emptiness swallowed her up like an icy tide.

"What's the point of waking up to this dark, cold, meaningless world that's just 'existence'? I don't want to wake up... I can't go on living... There's no light in this world worth clinging to, I don't have the strength to keep going... Let me just sink into this darkness... Let it all end..."

Her will weakened, filled with a longing for complete surrender and liberation.

As long as life continues, the path remains.

Czechrom's voice suddenly became like thunder piercing the darkness, calm yet containing an undeniable power.

You say you've seen reality clearly? No, what you see is merely the surface of reality, a dark facade veiled by despair.

To truly see reality clearly is to pierce through the veil of despair and look directly beneath this cruel facade at what still exists, something indelible—your true bonds, the embers in your heart covered in ashes yet not extinguished.

Facing reality is not about giving up on dreams. It's about uprooting the seeds of dreams from the clouds of illusion and planting them deep in reality, even in barren, hard, and rocky soil. No matter how barren the land, how fierce the storms, it can still draw the most resilient strength to break through the earth.

Rumbling--

As Zekrom expounded the law-like principles, the dark space of consciousness was suddenly torn apart by an intense light of indescribable color.

That was not a warm light, but rather a [crossing lightning] containing the power of "truth"!
A series of cold yet clear images were illuminated by the interlaced lightning, flashing before Homika's eyes and presenting her with the most realistic scenes.

In the center of the abandoned factory stage, amidst the deafening roar of a guitar, not through the haze of smoke, a gas bomb exhaled purple smoke with ecstasy, its body spinning wildly to the rhythm, its tiny eyes gleaming with pure excitement! The massive body of the Centipede King vibrated powerfully with the drumbeats, its carapace emitting a clanging metallic scraping sound, as if keeping time! The deep roar of Dust Mountain blended perfectly with the heavy boom of the bass line, its body swaying clumsily! Below the stage, countless Poison-type Pokémon—Grimer, Weezing, and Meltdown—truly shook their heads and swayed, their scarlet or eerie green eyes gleaming with a primal and wild light ignited by the wild rhythm! Their ecstasy was heartfelt! What they loved was the rock and roll itself!

[A warehouse battlefield teeming with blood and fire! Just after she fled, the gas bomb spun, charging relentlessly towards the pursuing crowd, spewing out vast swaths of paralyzing mist. It itself was struck by several energy beams, the purple mist churning violently! The Centipede King's massive body, with a desperate ferocity, slammed into the Poison Smoke team members trying to intercept Black Lulu, its hard carapace instantly riddled with wounds! Dust Mountain let out a deep, angry roar, spewing sludge bombs towards the direction of the densest firepower, its massive body becoming the most conspicuous target! These were her former "listeners," not acting under orders, but moved by her desperate cries, risking their lives to buy her a glimmer of hope!]

[That figure in the striking red suit! He leaned against a rusty oil drum, his face displaying an almost cold focus amidst the hail of bullets and the roars of elves, but a certain will burned deep within his eyes. The Uzi submachine gun in his hand spat deadly fire, precisely suppressing the surging enemy. His gaze seemed to pierce through the warehouse's iron walls and the heavy rain, landing briefly yet with unparalleled clarity on the direction she was fleeing. He wasn't an omnipotent god, but merely a mortal trapped in a desperate situation, barely able to protect himself, yet he was demonstrating a truth she couldn't fully comprehend at that moment—protection and resistance, even in the face of utter despair.]

(Although I don't know why, the above passage appeared in the intersecting lightning, which is very strange...)
[In the cold rain, the father's figure collapsed. The horrific bloody hole in his chest was glaringly obvious. The image froze on the moment he pushed her one last time! That calloused and greasy hand, which had once handed her her first guitar and clumsily stroked her hair, now held the last, purest strength of his life! His ashen face showed no fear of death, only an urgent concern for his daughter's safety! The look in his eyes transcended death, "Live on... my daughter... Daddy's performance... failed..." This was the father's final act, a sliver of hope he had bought for her.]

"Uhhh-!!!"

These flashing images, like the most violent thunderbolts, pierced through Homiga's descent into despair.

It has nothing to do with right or wrong, and nothing to do with whether the world is completely dark.

The pure love of the Poison-type Pokémon and their selfless protection at this moment.

Mo Zhen's burning will and silent yet clear vigil in the face of adversity. The heavy, inescapable trust entrusted to her by her father, fulfilled with his life.

These are the indelible truths that still exist beneath the cold and cruel reality!
At this moment, Homiga truly saw the reality of everything.

It turns out that there are still people in this world, no, it's the fairy who truly understands her rock and roll. Her rock and roll dream has never been extinguished, she just hasn't found the right audience!
It turns out that there are still people in this world who care about her and are fighting for her. The man in the red suit is so great and selfless. His towering figure and great actions are like the sun illuminating the darkness!
It turns out that she had never truly felt her father's entrustment; he wanted her to live a good life, not to fall into depravity like she is now.

Escape? Fall into a deep sleep? Give up?

No! no way!

She has let down those who were truly passionate about rock and roll for her and who are now fighting for her life!
She betrayed the man who created a stage for her, pulled her out of the abyss, and who, now mired in his own hell, still watches over her! (Big lie)

She betrayed the chance her father had given his life to give her. His last wish was not for her to be buried with him, but for her to live!
"Live on... I want to live..."

A faint yet incredibly resolute will, like tempered steel, broke through the waves of the icy sea of ​​despair, shattering the pitch-black reality like intersecting lightning!
"For them...for him...for Dad...I will live! I will live more diligently and more consciously than ever before! I will see clearly...I will see the whole world clearly! Darkness or falsehood, light or cruelty, I...I will no longer run away! I will face it! I will bear it!"

In that instant when the thought rises and the determination solidifies like a rock!
Boom--!!!
An indescribable bolt of lightning, seemingly containing the "true" power of the universe's origin, burst forth from Zekrom's scarlet vertical pupil!

It did not merely illuminate the darkness, but directly tore apart the solidified sea of ​​despair in Homiga's consciousness!

The raging thunder did not bring destruction, but rather a kind of "real" power, like a giant axe that split the heavens and the earth, fiercely cleaving open the chaos that had blinded her, and engraving that courage and strength to face reality into the depths of her soul like a brand!

See it clearly

【Carry it on your back】

[In this reality, walk your path]

The final oracle of Zekrom, like the final note of the universe, fell solemnly and eternally amidst a symphony of thunder.

This is not a gift, but an affirmation of an awakened soul.

The icy rain poured into her throat, and the violent jolts pulled her back to reality. Homika suddenly opened her eyes!

The emptiness and despair receded like the tide, leaving only a pair of eyes that shone with an awakened will!
That is absolute clarity born from being tempered by thunder, soaked in blood, and burdened with a heavy destiny!
She lay on Hero's cold, bumpy back, as the relentless wind and rain lashed at her.

The explosions and roars coming from the distant warehouse sounded like muffled war drums beating in the downpour.

"Heiluga!"

Her voice was hoarse, like sandpaper scraping, yet it was resolute and pierced through the raging rain.

"Go back! Go back immediately!"

The speeding Houndoom suddenly stopped, its huge head twisting, its scarlet eyes filled with astonishment and confusion, and a bewildered growl emanating from its throat.

Go back? Back to that hell that devoured its master?
"go back!"

Homiga strained to prop herself up, the icy rain washing over her pale yet resolute face. Her eyes were sharp as lightning as she stared intently at the warehouse silhouette deep within the rain, which resembled a bloodthirsty behemoth.

"Turn around! Go back to the warehouse! Now!"

The order was extremely brief, yet it carried an unquestionable resolve!

That lost, fragile, dream-obsessed rock 'n' roll girl is dead. Now, perched on Houndoom's back is a hero burdened with a blood feud, forged in the crucible of real thunder!

Houndoom sensed the dramatic change in the person on its back, and felt a power as heavy as its master's dying entrustment, yet clearer and more intense!

"Ouch——!"

It raised its scarred head and let out a long howl that was a mixture of endless sorrow and overwhelming ferocity, its huge body twisting violently in the mud!

Mud and water splashed as the black Maybach, carrying both enlightenment and blood feud, roared heavily, tearing through the heavy rain. No longer fleeing the darkness, it charged headlong into the battlefield that devoured the light, into the cruelest reality!

The cold rain mercilessly whipped her cheeks; the cold spot where her father had fallen; Mo Zhen's bloodied figure amidst the hail of bullets; the sight of the poison-type elves, wounded and fighting for her...

Everything real was reflected in her eyes.

The ashes of dreams, the fragments of dignity, the unyielding warmth of the blood in my father's heart... none of them have ever disappeared.

They were heavy and real, weighing heavily on her heart.

But at this moment, they are no longer shackles, but the foundation upon which she stands in reality.

……

In the dark warehouse, Mo Zhen and his group were in dire straits.

They were surrounded by an enemy ten times their size and were finding it difficult to move forward.

Carbin pulled out his last treasured bullet, intending to use it to end his own life.

The handsome man reached for his last treasured gun, intending to fire one last shot as a tribute to the good-looking guy.

Thomson desperately hugged the speaker, and the two of them created a desperate noise together.

"Money, flour, woman, penis, money, flour, woman, penis..."

Even the Gatling gun barrel stopped due to overheating.

Xiao Mengzi went completely insane.

[Hahahaha, great! It's over! After this battle, I'm going back to my hometown to get married!]

Even in this desperate situation, Mo Zhen's golden eyes, which never went out, remained calm and resolute.

Because he knew that the hero was about to appear!

Boom——

A thunderous roar suddenly echoed in the sky!
A dark figure plummeted from the top of the warehouse with a thunderous crash!

"What?! It's her!"

"How can this be!"

"Is she crazy? Why did she come back?!"

Amidst the gasps of the crowd, Mo Zhen's lips curled into a genuine smile.

In the abyss of darkness, the girl did not succumb; she awoke from the deepest despair and faced the pitch-black reality.

She embodies the oldest maxims of the spirit of unity.

Even if reality is as dark as ink, please be a true hero.

(End of this chapter)