Magearna was his family—there was no doubt about that.
But did "family" an keeping her bound at his side?
Sora's words—about taking Magearna to see the outside world—made Volcanion uneasy, reluctant… yet unable to refuse outright.
Go out… see the world…
Should I stop her?
"No… I shouldn't."
"Magearna is free. She can go wherever she wants."
Of this, Volcanion was certain.
If Magearna truly wished to leave, he would let her go.
So what was he worried about?
That Sora had ulterior motives?
Of course.
They had only just t—how could he entrust Magearna to this man?
But aside from that—
What flaws did Sora even have?
"If you think I can't protect Magearna—"
"Then try ."
Sora said calmly:
"One-on-one. See if my Ponpon can defeat you."
"Ponii!"
Ogerpon was already eager to fight.
For Sora—
She would never lose to anyone!
What could Volcanion even say?
The outco of that earlier battle didn't really matter.
Sora had already proven his strength.
Yes, three-on-one wasn't honorable—
But a win was still a win.
Even if he could defeat Ogerpon—
It wouldn't change the fact that Sora himself was stronger.
One Pokémon might be weaker—
But what about three? Or more?
If Sora couldn't protect Magearna—
Then who could?
Himself?
That was almost laughable.
"You're afraid."
"Rubbish!"
Volcanion reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"You only won through underhanded ans once, and now you dare talk big?!"
"Then try it."
Sora replied:
"See whether I have what it takes to protect Magearna."
Volcanion hesitated.
And that hesitation didn't escape Kimia's notice.
Even Magearna saw it clearly.
She understood his worries better than anyone.
"…I'm sorry."
Magearna shook her head at Sora.
"I won't leave Volcanion."
Sora didn't understand her words—
But her gesture, along with Victini's translation, made everything clear.
Their bond ran deep.
Five hundred years—
Supporting each other, relying on each other.
They were inseparable family.
Trying to take just one of them—
Would never work.
Kids make choices.
Adults take both.
Sora smiled faintly.
"Did you see that, Volcanion?"
"I…"
Volcanion's body trembled slightly.
He didn't know whether Magearna truly wanted to see the outside world.
He only knew, for his sake—
She would stay.
Have I… beco her shackle?
That thought weighed heavily on him.
For a mont, he even considered asking Sora to help free her from that invisible restraint.
Both Pokémon were thinking of each other.
And that was exactly what made things complicated.
"Let's battle, Volcanion."
Sora cut through their thoughts.
"Not for capture. No stakes."
"Just a fair, one-on-one battle… between you and my Ponpon."
"As for leaving or staying, being captured or not, whether humans are good or bad—"
"None of that matters."
At this mont—
Sora only wanted a Pokémon battle.
Just like dueling solves everything in Yu-Gi-Oh—
In the Pokémon world, nothing was more direct than a battle.
"…Fine."
This ti, Volcanion agreed without hesitation.
He stopped thinking.
Battles didn't need overthinking.
For so reason—
He found himself starting to like Sora a little.
That straightforward, decisive attitude—
Felt oddly familiar.
"But—"
Volcanion walked out of the cave with heavy steps.
"At least give a chance to apologize."
"If I lose—"
"I will formally apologize for my earlier actions."
"And I'll admit—"
"You are not like those despicable humans."
"You are a true trainer."
"Deal."
Sora gestured for Ogerpon to follow.
He also had Victini continue restoring Volcanion—
Until both sides were back at peak condition.
"Princess."
"Ah—?"
Kimia, still catching up with everything, snapped to attention when Sora called her.
"Y-yes! What is it?"
Sora chuckled.
"No need to be so nervous."
"Could you act as a temporary referee?"
"Oh—yes, of course!"
Flustered, Kimia quickly composed herself.
"Ahem!"
Standing between them, she raised her voice:
"On one side—Traveler Sora and his Pokémon, Ogerpon!"
"On the other—The guardian of the Nebel Plateau, Volcanion!"
"Both sides, prepare yourselves!"
Hiss—!
As her words fell—
Volcanion released a surge of steam, his aura rising.
"Don't underestimate , Sora."
This was the first ti he called Sora by na.
"She's strong. That club hurts like hell."
"But between us—there's still a gap!"
Indeed—
Volcanion could tell at a glance.
Ogerpon, at level 79—
Couldn't match him.
"Vini~~"
"I know."
Sora reassured Victini.
"I trust Ponpon."
Through Victini, Sora had already confird—
Volcanion's level was 86.
A terrifying number.
Seven levels higher than Ogerpon—
And at this stage, each level mattered enormously.
Above level 80, even small gaps ant massive differences.
"I'll allow her to use that power."
Volcanion glanced at Victini.
"That strange energy… could close the gap between us."
"No need."
Sora refused instantly.
"I said—I trust Ponpon."
"She won't let down."
Because a trainer who doesn't trust their Pokémon—
No matter how strong.
Is not worthy of being called a trainer.
A true trainer, Turns the impossible into reality.
—------------------------------
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