Ash's Pokémon Travel Has Big Problems

...At least it truly demonstrated the majesty of the gods.

In Ash's and his friends' eyes, Ho-Oh's size was beyond imagination.

With a wingspan easily exceeding tens of meters, it resembles a moving mountain.

The light flowing around him contained an indescribable vitality.

Simply gazing upon Him inspires awe, yet also a strange sense of peace.

What surprised everyone even more was...

When the iridescent divine fire swept over my body like a warm stream, all my fatigue and pain vanished rapidly.

Ash's charred and painful right arm underwent a dramatic transformation, with the skin and muscles regenerating as if time had reversed, returning to its original state in an instant without even leaving a single scar.

Pikachu, who was severely overdrawn and even had tiny beads of blood seeping out, suddenly regained its spirits, and its electric sac once again sparked with healthy electricity.

The dirt and damaged feathers on Pidgey's wings were restored to their original shine.

The scratches and fatigue on Gyarados's body were swept away.

The dream demon also felt its depleted power instantly replenished.

Even Charmeleon, which was resting in its Poké Ball, couldn't resist running out on its own, bathing in the sacred light, and letting out a comfortable growl.

...No matter how you look at it, the matter is over, so Charmeleon just came out.

...I didn't come out before because I felt I was holding everyone back.

...After all, Charmeleons can't fly.

Behind the dazzling figure of Phoenix King, two equally majestic figures descended from the sky accompanied by rainbow light.

Emperor Yan stood on raging flames.

The water god's feet create clear waves.

They stood guard around the Phoenix King like loyal protectors.

...Uh...They naturally wouldn't mention that, for this grand entrance befitting their status, they had deliberately flown from the ground spectator area to the clouds and then descended again.

In short, don't worry about how hard or tiring it is offstage, just enjoy the glamour onstage.

Especially Emperor Yan.

To ensure everything went smoothly and prevent any accidents, I was completely exhausted.

Right now, I'm just maintaining my dignity on the surface... After the trial ends, I'm afraid I'll need to rest for a long time.

Ash stood atop the smooth head of the Golden Gyarados, gazing up at these three legendary beings. Besides the relief of surviving a calamity, a sense of tension inevitably arose in his heart.

The Rainbow Warrior's Trial... has it been passed?

What should we do next?

He could even sense that the fearless golden Gyarados beneath his feet had calmed down, its massive body slightly tense, revealing a hint of barely perceptible unease.

and.

Ash suddenly noticed a screen flashing on his retina.

[Achievement: First encounter with the legendary Pokémon Ho-Oh - Completed]

[Reward: Spiritual Medium/Divine Possession]

[Effect: The highest level of divine communication aptitude; with the recipient's approval, one can temporarily connect consciousness with a portion of their power and borrow their might.]

[Achievement: First encounter with the legendary Pokémon Entei - Completed]

[Reward: Vulcan - Divine Might]

[Effect: An external aggregate of spirit, will, and self; it can be attached to oneself or act independently.]

[Achievement: First encounter with the legendary Pokémon Suicune - Completed]

[Reward: A Heart of Clarity and Stillness]

[Effects: Reduces the impact of abnormal states and negative emotions, maintains calmness and focus, and significantly enhances resistance to mental disturbances.]

The system, which is usually invisible, has become incredibly noticeable today.

...This gave him a very bad feeling.

The system is unreliable when there is no danger... The beautiful scales and dragon scales that were given at the beginning are still gathering dust.

However, they are very reliable when there is danger.

And now he's actually giving himself a lot of buffs.

...This means...there are still enemies??

Is this ridiculous test never going to end?

It's impossible for me to actually fight Ho-Oh in this condition, right?

Pidgeotto, Pikachu, and Misdreavus unconsciously moved closer to Ash, while Charmeleon tilted its head back, making a gurgling sound in its throat that was both wary and curious.

Just then, two calm and gentle voices resonated directly in everyone's hearts:

—Don't be nervous, the chosen hero and his companions.

However, Emperor Yan's voice, while majestic, seemed somewhat weak.

—You have proven your will and character through your actions.

Suijun's cool voice rang out next, hoping to maintain his aloof demeanor.

...As for a colleague who was resurrected while loading a bar.

...Let's not talk about it.

(Marshall: Peanuts for me!)

(Marshall: I did my duty!)

Wait until they finish speaking.

A grander, warmer voice, seemingly encompassing all the light and rhythms of life in the world, resonated directly deep within Ash's soul; it was the will of Ho-Oh:

—Children of mankind, and the souls that follow you.

—What you have just experienced is the trial of the 'Rainbow Warriors,' a test that continues from an ancient covenant.

—With mortal bodies, you have done things that are close to those of God, faced the darkness, held fast to your true selves, and even risked destruction to create hope... You have passed this rigorous test.

—As a brave soul who has overcome the trials, your achievements deserve recognition.

— State your demands, and I will grant them as long as they do not violate the balance of the world or the dignity of life.

This direct promise made Ash's heart skip a beat.

If what Phoenix King said is true, then this reward is indeed commensurate with the difficulty of the trial... The gods of this world are excessively powerful.

Xiao Zhi took a deep breath and asked the biggest question that had been lingering in his mind:

"Ho-Oh...why?"

"Why is the trial of the 'Rainbow Hero' necessary?"

"Why test a trainer in such a... cruel way?"

Ash still doesn't understand why Ho-Oh did that.

What picture?

Or is this something that Marcia wanted to do?

But Marshadow couldn't have done this without Ho-Oh's permission.

After all, it's only the reality that Ho-Oh controls Marshadow, not the other way around.

You're saying that all of this is what Marcia wanted to do?

Marcia can't bear the blame for this.

At most, Ho-Oh gave a general idea, but Marshadow's execution was flawed.

No matter how you look at it, Ho-Oh can't escape responsibility.

Phoenix King's will remained silent for a moment, then the grand voice rang out again.

It carries a sense of profound historical weight.

It seems like they are reminiscing about the past.

—This is an ancient contract.

—In the distant past, your ancestors endured countless hardships and dangers, and finally found me.

—They represented their community and prayed to me for protection, for the power to illuminate the darkness and dispel calamity.

—I agreed to their request.

But powerful forces can also become the source of destruction.

—To prevent this divine power, which originates from me, from being misused by those with wicked intentions, I made a pact with your ancestors.

Only those who pass rigorous trials and prove their integrity, courage, and selfless love are qualified to bear this power and become the 'Rainbow Warriors' who protect their communities.

—The human leader, on behalf of all his people, solemnly accepted this contract.

This is not a one-sided demand on my part, but a sacred vow made between man and God for a future of coexistence.

If it weren't for the fact that those humans back then were so dazzling, their brilliant souls were something that Ho-Oh greatly admired.

If it weren't for the efforts of these ancestors, Ho-Oh wouldn't care about the life or death of humanity as a whole.

He only favors upright people whose souls shine.

What difficulties does human reproduction encounter, and what is their relationship to Him?

Natural evolution, survival of the fittest—this is the way the world works.

Ho-Oh has existed for countless years.

How long have humans existed?

As a god who enforces the order of heaven and earth, and also an extension of this world, [god] can ignore anything outside of his duties.

Even if the world is destroyed, it will still be the same.

If the god of destruction were to destroy the world, that would be the natural order of things.

However, the world created by Arceus has a very high tolerance for error. Regardless of whether the divine beasts fulfill their duties or not, as long as they do not destroy the world, there are actually no strict constraints.

It can be said to be an extremely conscientious company; the boss's only requirement for employees is not to go bankrupt.

Phoenix King's willingness to bless and help honest and kind people is merely a hobby, not his duty.

This is the truth about the Rainbow Warrior Trials that Ho-Oh told us.

This is the covenant between God and man.

Ho-Oh's explanation elevates the test of individual destiny to the level of the entire clan's history and commitment.

The reason was so compelling that Ash found himself unable to refute it.

Our ancestors endured unimaginable hardships to secure the protection for the survival and prosperity of our people, and their descendants naturally need to shoulder the corresponding responsibilities and challenges.

After all, if our ancestors hadn't found a way to survive, how could there be any descendants?

This world also has species evolution and change.

Perhaps... without Ho-Oh's protection, there would be no humans as we know them today.

This kindness is beyond measure from a human perspective.

Of course, this is due to the fact that it is from a very long time ago.

Some people acknowledge this kindness.

It's perfectly normal for some people not to acknowledge this kindness.

After all, humans are a short-lived species, not a long-lived one.

People often talk about things from millions of years ago, but that's too far removed from human understanding and perception.

—You can't say that you owe a debt of gratitude to your ancestors hundreds of generations ago, so you have to repay them now, right?