Five hundred years ago… had the Azoth Kingdom already betrayed Magearna?
To harm her Soul-Heart for the sake of war—
A royal family capable of such a thing had long since lost the right to claim her.
"In my opinion," Kimia said softly, "compared to questions of ownership… it's actually our royal family that owes Magearna."
Honestly, Sora had already thought highly of her.
Yet even so, he had underestimated this princess.
The fact that she could view the situation from Magearna's perspective alone—
That was sothing any trainer would respect.
"Impressive resolve."
Sora praised her, then added:
"However, as far as I know, if you want to take Magearna, you'll first have to get past Volcanion."
"The guardian of the Nebel Plateau?"
Kimia had never seen it, and had no clear idea of its strength.
"He's very strong."
Sora didn't sugarcoat it.
"With Azoth's current power, it would be difficult to defeat him head-on."
Given Kimia's character, she would never resort to sches or tricks.
That ant—
Defeating Volcanion directly was the only option.
If she couldn't?
Then there was nothing more to say.
A trainer without sufficient strength trying to force a Pokémon's loyalty—
That would be nothing short of foolish.
In that case, if Sora—who was stronger—defeated Volcanion and took Magearna,
no one could reasonably object.
"When powerful Pokémon beco known, they inevitably attract greed."
"At tis like this, if you don't have the strength to protect them, both trainer and Pokémon will be in danger."
Sora spoke plainly:
"To be blunt, neither Azoth nor you, Princess Kimia, have the power to protect Magearna."
It was the truth.
And she couldn't refute it.
Soone like Jarvis had already appeared.
If there was one—there would eventually be a second, a third.
For Azoth, Magearna brought nothing but risk.
A rare Pokémon, yes—but also a magnet for disaster.
"Likewise," Sora said, looking toward the distant lake and the massive arching tree beside it,
"that's also why I chose to challenge Volcanion."
At the lakeside, beneath the great curved tree—
A massive, crimson, four-legged figure, like a living mountain, stirred awake.
"Sothing… is approaching."
The ring-like structure on Volcanion's back split open, blue vents releasing scorching steam.
His mood was far from calm.
Even without seeing them, he could feel it—
The approaching presence was powerful.
Not just in energy.
Not just in size.
But in aura.
An aura forged through countless victories—
A challenger carrying the montum of invincibility.
"Interesting."
Volcanion did not shy away.
He had his pride.
He would never avoid a challenge.
"Magearna, stay inside."
Despite his rough appearance, his voice softened when addressing the tallic sphere behind him.
Five hundred years—
That was how long they had been together.
To Volcanion, Magearna was no longer just soone to protect.
She was family.
Like a younger sister.
Clumsy, fragile—
Sotis she even stumbled just walking.
And because of that, Volcanion drove away anything that might threaten her.
This ti would be no different.
"Volcanion…?"
A gentle chanical voice ca from within the sphere, tinged with concern.
"Hmph!"
He snorted, steam bursting from his nostrils.
"Do you know who I am?"
"I'm Volcanion—the strongest on the Nebel Plateau!"
Magearna: Will you win?
Volcanion: Of course I will.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
Heavy footsteps echoed as Volcanion advanced toward the challenger.
But what he saw next—
Left him montarily confused.
Ahead, a tide of Pokémon surged forward like a living sea.
And at the very front—stood two humans.
"Humans?!"
Volcanion's eyes sharpened instantly.
His anger surged like the steam rising from his body.
The Nebel Plateau was Pokémon territory.
Humans were not welco here.
Over the years, he had witnessed countless Pokémon abandoned and hurt by humans.
That kind of emotional tornt—
It had made him want to attack humans more than once.
But Magearna had always stopped him.
And he still had reason.
If he turned against humanity, it would bring disaster—
to himself, to Magearna, and to all the Pokémon living here.
But…
Did that an he could only endure?
"Useless thing."
"Shouldn't have caught you."
"You lost again? What a worthless Pokémon."
"You made look bad in front of my friends."
"I'm done wasting money on you."
Those cruel words echoed in his mory.
It was clearly the humans' fault.
Pokémon were discarded simply for failing to et expectations.
"Unforgivable!!"
He didn't know why these Pokémon were following humans—
But just seeing them together filled him with disgust.
"What is this?!"
A thick fog suddenly spread, enveloping the entire area.
It obscured the vision of all the Pokémon—and of Kimia as well.
Caught off guard, she instinctively grabbed Sora's hand.
The surrounding Pokémon grew restless, scanning their surroundings nervously.
Sora's expression sharpened.
He didn't have ti to comnt on her reaction.
"Ursaluna—defensive stance."
"V—scan for energy."
"Ponpon—ready your vines."
The three Pokémon moved in perfect sync.
Ursaluna rose onto his hind legs, placing his massive body in front of Sora and Kimia like a wall.
Victini vanished into the air, entering stealth as she began scanning.
Ogerpon—
Her expression turned serious as she planted her Thorned Club firmly into the ground, ready for battle.
Suddenly—
The fog shifted.
A massive shadow burst forward at incredible speed.
"ROAR!"
Ursaluna's single eye flared red.
He lowered his body—
and collided head-on with the incoming figure.
"Let go of !"
From within the mist, Sora heard a deep, powerful voice—rich with authority.
—------------------------------
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