The evening sky hung low over ancient Eterna City, veiled in mist. Natsu stepped off the old-fashioned train at the station, his mood comp
The evening sky hung low over ancient Eterna City, veiled in mist.
Natsu stepped off the old-fashioned train at the station, his mood complicated as he arrived at the eting point with Ash and the others.
Two major dungeons overlapping... I wonder if I can handle this.
"Marshadow!" Marshadow pointed from the shadows beneath a streetlamp toward a restaurant's sign.
"That's the place."
Natsu nodded, then glanced at Gengar, who was munching on a can of chips. "You think you'll still have room for dinner?"
"Gengar!" Gengar licked the crumbs off its cheeks and grinned.
As everyone knew—snacks and als went into separate stomachs!
"We're almost at Eterna City!" Ash announced in the chat group.
"I won't be able to reach you until tomorrow at the earliest," Brock said, eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Also, Shaymin can purify the air, but try not to let it inhale too many pollutants."
"A Mythical Pokémon symbolizing gratitude..." Lucian adjusted his glasses, musing. "Perhaps it's the embodint of humanity's thanks to nature."
Yellow, the Blessed One of Viridian Forest, nodded faintly in agreent.
Natsu looked up at the sky.
Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later...
Though, the "air purification" ability was unexpectedly practical.
If he were shaless enough, he could probably use Shaymin as a living air purifier...
Ahem!
Having already abandoned the idea of making Marshadow steal Nuggets, Natsu shook his head and scoffed:
"I'm a hero undertaking the Rainbow Trial! How could I stoop to such petty sches?"
Marshadow: "..."
This guy has zero credibility!
...
Eterna City Outskirts
Ash and Flint hurried along the path.
Shaymin, perched atop Ash's head, projected its telepathic voice.
"We gotta get there, right?!"
"We should contact Natsu-sensei first," Flint explained. "Having him around will keep you safe."
Even Flint, usually thick-skulled, sensed sothing unusual about this journey.
After all, the legendary Sendoff Spring had shown strange activity... not to ntion this Mythical Pokémon Shaymin suddenly appearing out of nowhere.
Shaymin turned its head away and muttered, "Fine, whatever! I'll stick with you guys, okay?!"
"You're such a diva," Ash remarked.
"I didn't say anything wrong~!" Shaymin puffed its cheeks, its grassy quills bristling.
"Alright, alright," Flint diated, then brightened. "There—that's the restaurant!"
...
Inside the Restaurant
Natsu spotted Shaymin dozing on Ash's head.
Exhausted from evading Giratina, the little hedgehog-like Pokémon napped quietly, pink flowers blooming along its sides. Its body was covered in lush green grass, its stubby legs as white as fresh snow.
"It's actually pretty cute when it's asleep," Ash said.
"This one's way too spoiled," Flint groaned, rubbing his temples. "I've never had to deal with kids... what a hassle."
Rembering Shaymin's tsundere personality from the movies, Natsu chuckled wryly.
Sylveon was like this too back then... So Natsu wasn't too bothered by Shaymin's attitude.
Gengar and Marshadow peeked out from Natsu's shadow, eyeing the little hedgehog.
"Marshadow..." Marshadow sensed sothing unusual about Shaymin, its tiny face scrunching up.
Hopefully, the Rainbow Trial won't get derailed.
"Gengar!" Gengar, however, found the flowers on Shaymin oddly familiar. After a mont, it recalled the flower basket from earlier.
Digging through its shadow, Gengar pulled out both the basket and the vase, offering them to Natsu.
Natsu: "..."
Which one do I pick—the Gracidea basket or the system-bonus vase?!
As if triggered by a key plot item, Shaymin twitched its nose in its sleep, a sweet smile forming as the grass on its back unfurled.
The Gracidea—symbolizing "gratitude"—filled the air with a gentle fragrance, and Shaymin's body began glowing white.
"Evolution light?!" Ash and Flint exclaid simultaneously.
"Beep—Shaymin evolves into its Sky For when exposed to Gracidea, according to Floaroma Town's historical records! Rotom!" the Rotom Pokédex chid.
As the light faded, Shaymin blinked awake, its deanor now bold and lively.
It had transford from a hedgehog into a deer-like creature, white wings extending from its head and red fur swaying around its neck.
"I'll take you to the flower fields!" Sky For Shaymin declared proudly.
Ash stared for a second before scratching his head. "It's like a whole different Pokémon now."
"Seems more energetic," Flint remarked.
"I was always like this, okay?!" Shaymin huffed, lifting its chin.
"Speaking of which," Flint turned to Natsu-sensei, baffled, "why do you just happen to be carrying Gracidea—two bunches, no less?"
Natsu sighed deeply. "It's... a long story."
"According to the Pokédex, the Gracidea fields are near Mount Coronet," Ash said, checking the navigation. "Perfect! After we take Shaymin ho, we can train there!"
"Ash is kinda dumb, right?" Shaymin giggled, fluttering in the air.
"Hey, you're the dumb one here!" Ash shot back.
"Pikachu..." Pikachu facepald, then suddenly froze. "Pikachu?"
Seizing the opportunity, Natsu scooped Pikachu up, stroking its head with insulated gloves.
Finally! I've been wanting to pet this electric mouse forever!
"Pikachu?" Pikachu blinked, surprisingly not using Thunderbolt, but instead leaning into the touch with a contented sigh. "Pikachu..."
As he continued petting the electric mouse, Natsu said, "We should get moving soon. We can camp along the way if needed."
"Why the hurry?" Flint asked.
Because Giratina might catch up...
Natsu coughed. "I, uh, have other business at Mount Coronet."
The two nodded in understanding. Ash pulled out his phone. "Then I'll tell Brock to et us at the foot of Mount Coronet tomorrow!"
"Wait, Pikachu—when did you get over to Natsu-sensei?!"
"Pikachu?" Pikachu twitched its ears innocently.
"Hurry up and get to the flower fields already!" Shaymin tugged at Ash's cap.
"O-Okay, okay!" Ash yelped.
Life was hard. Natsu and Pikachu sighed in unison.
Typical Ash—full of heart, zero brain cells.
...
The night was clear and windless, the starry sky stretched across the heavens like a glittering river.
Flint had Flareon light a campfire, then sat with his hands on his knees, playfully teasing the Flareon perched on his shoulder.
Flareon's cream-colored fur resembled an elegant scarf, its body a vibrant fla-red.
The firewood had been gathered by Ash's Staraptor from nearby.
Stacked together, the flas danced at the center, crackling softly.
"Feels like sothing big's gonna happen tomorrow."
Flint let out a yawn, lazily waved his hand, and crawled into his sleeping bag. "I'm turning in early—gotta save my energy."
Natsu shot a glance at Flint, the jinx, before lifting his gaze to the Milky Way.
Mysterious, dazzling… Sowhere out there, little Cosmoem might be drifting, or Rayquaza soaring in the ozone layer, or even Jirachi, whom he'd once t…
"It's so beautiful," Ash murmured, holding Pikachu as he stared upward.
Hearing this, Natsu gave a slight nod before suddenly saying:
"I'm grateful for everything I have now."
"Huh?" Ash turned to him in surprise.
"Even if they sotis misunderstand …"
Natsu smiled faintly. "Still… thank you, Gengar. And everyone."
Behind him, the shadow stretched, taking the shape of Gengar as its signature chuckle echoed.
Sylveon, pretending to nap on his lap, let out a soft huff and turned its head away.
The Poké Balls at his waist trembled faintly, their tallic surfaces glimring.
Ash thought for a mont, then looked down at Pikachu in his arms and grinned.
"I'm really grateful for you too, Pikachu!"
"Pikachu~!" Pikachu tilted its head.
Late into the night, Shaymin's Sky For could no longer be maintained, reverting to its small, hedgehog-like appearance.
Its dark, shiny eyes secretly observed Natsu and Ash, a sweet, shy smile flickering across its face.
From them, Shaymin sensed an emotion—gratitude—the very energy it thrived on.
"Marshadow!"
In the darkness, Marshadow quietly watched this challenger of the Rainbow Trial.
It might sound cliché, but the first step to becoming the "Rainbow Hero" was the bond between humans and Pokémon.
And in this mont, that first trial had already been proven.
"Marshadow…"
Marshadow glanced enviously at Natsu and Gengar before its expression hardened, slowly lting back into the shadows.
Gratitude and kindness alone weren't enough to beco a Rainbow Hero.
Exceptional wisdom, formidable strength, unwavering courage…
Perhaps Ash once lacked wisdom and strength.
But the mont he stood between Pikachu and a horde of frenzied Pokémon—just as he once faced a storm of Spearow—
Ash had already earned the right to be called the "Rainbow Hero."
Marshadow's gaze burned like embers as it stood guard within Natsu's shadow, a stern examiner.
"Marshadow…"
I'll be waiting…
For the mont you truly beco the Rainbow Hero.
Reverse World
In Giratina's crimson eyes, the reflection of humans and Pokémon sleeping beneath the galaxy flickered.
Its gaze shifted, landing on the small, grass-covered hedgehog—as if it had found its target.
Then, Giratina's six ghostly wings unfurled, propelling it swiftly through the Reverse World, trailing Natsu's group.
Like ripples in nothingness, reality itself trembled. Yet the towering Mount Coronet remained shrouded in mist.
...
Sinnoh Region, Celestic Town
Carolina scowled, muttering under her breath. "What the hell's going on? These spatial rifts keep appearing—did soone capture Arceus or sothing?!"
The golden-haired beauty in black frowned, resting a delicate hand on her chin. "Grandmother, where is the pulse strongest?"
"Even if you go, you won't solve anything."
Carolina snapped. "The disturbance is coming from the Distortion World—the Reverse World. Mount Coronet is one of its gateways. Unless soone dives into that ruined dinsion, this disaster won't end!"
"Then I'll go." Cynthia's voice was ice-cold, without hesitation.
Carolina opened her mouth, then shut it, grumbling. "The pulse has affected Mount Coronet's wild Pokémon. They're being corrupted by so shadowy force—driven into a frenzy."
"If you insist, at least bring Lucian and the others… The more Elite Four, the better."
"You still haven't told the epicenter." Cynthia pressed.
"I can't pinpoint it yet." Carolina shook her head. "But one thing's certain—Mount Coronet is where Giratina is headed."
"Mount Coronet again…" Cynthia's eyes flickered.
"What?"
"Natsu—No, never mind." She shook her head lightly.
"Worried about that Natsu kid?"
Carolina narrowed her eyes. "Is he planning to charge into the Reverse World for you and take on Giratina alone?"
Cynthia didn't answer. Instead, she said softly, "He can do it."
"Have you lost your mind?" Carolina stared at her granddaughter.
Cynthia smiled, her gaze unwavering.
"Because… he's Natsu."
...
Twenty kiloters from Mount Coronet, a rugged off-road vehicle roared down the barren highway.
Hitting a steep slope, the jeep launched into the air before slamming back down with a thud, its speed never faltering.
Surprisingly, the driver was a white-haired grandmother, her kind smile etched with laugh lines.
"Granny! Granny Bertha!"
Aaron, the Bug-type Elite Four mber in a thin tank top, clung to the overhead handle, his green cowlick nearly torn off by the wind. "C-Can you slow down?!"
"Tch. Can't even handle a little speed?"
Bertha, the Ground-type Elite Four, shot him a glance and growled, "Hold on tight, young man!"
With that, Granny Bertha floored the accelerator, the needle on the speedoter lurching upward.
Amidst screams, the jeep hurtled toward Mount Coronet like a storm.
"Understood."
Hundreds of ters above Mount Coronet, Lucian crouched atop his levitating Bronzong, pressing a Bluetooth headset to his ear.
"Wild Pokémon on Mount Coronet are in a frenzy. The remaining three Elite Four mbers are mobilizing to contain it."
Cynthia's voice crackled through. "What about Flint?"
"He's currently with Natsu-sensei. I haven't inford him yet." Lucian frowned. "I'm concerned they might be affected by the Distortion World's influence."
"Leave that to ," Cynthia said. "Just focus on suppressing the wild Pokémon's rampage."
"Copy that."
Ending the call, Lucian adjusted his frosted glasses, his gaze fixed on the mist-shrouded Mount Coronet.
The entire mountain seed tainted by shadows, its wild Pokémon acting unnaturally aggressive—even attacking passing trainers.
What's happening?
Lucian's mind raced. Mt. Silver in Kanto had similar incidents… Is this connected, or just another ripple from the Reverse World?
Strength. Bonds. Courage.
These were the pillars of becoming the "Rainbow Hero."
In I Choose You!, frenzied Pokémon had been part of the trial.
Since Natsu-sensei's Rainbow Wing wasn't powered off—only in energy-saving mode—
The Berserk Pokémon on Mount Coronet weren't influenced by Marshadow.
Yet to a rciless Examiner, this made for the perfect test…
"Marshadow!" Marshadow urged Natsu.
We must reach Mount Coronet imdiately!
Natsu gave it a weird look. "Did you miss the news? All routes to Mount Coronet are blocked."
"Marshadow." Marshadow's tone was grave.
This, too, is part of the trial.
Natsu: "…"
Once exams are over, I'm totally having ga Gengar beat you up!
"We can head to Gracidea fields first," Ash said. "The path there is still clear."
"We need to get to the flower field quickly!" Shaymin, in its Hedgehog Form, glanced around as if sensing sothing terrifying, shivering as it spoke.
"Don't worry." Ash patted his chest and grinned. "Even if the bad guys grab you, I'll save you!"
Natsu: "…"
Stop jinxing it, you idiot!
Flint had slept well last night. Refreshed, he stretched and scratched his afro.
"Let's get going… The town and Pokémon Center are just ahead!"
…
At the foot of Mount Coronet, in a small town's Pokémon Center.
The dark-skinned Brock waited early: "Natsu-sensei."
"Long ti no see, Brock!" Natsu waved. "How's Pewter Gym?"
"Left it under Forrest's care," Brock said.
Natsu nudged Brock with his elbow and grinned. "See? Now you're free!"
Brock's expression remained stern, unwavering. "But… as the eldest brother, I still have to shoulder our father's responsibilities."
Natsu nodded in understanding.
"I'm talking about this one." Ash held up a trembling Shaymin. "Shaymin's condition looks terrible!"
Brock narrowed his eyes and, at a jaw-dropping speed, pulled out a dical kit—its contents shockingly comprehensive.
After an examination, Brock set down his stethoscope. "It seems to be affected by so kind of pulse… but it's nothing serious."
"The nearby Gracidea fields should help restore Shaymin's ntal condition."
"Shaymin…" Shaymin's face was flushed as if feverish, letting out a weak whimper.
Natsu frowned slightly.
"Related to you, huh?" Natsu murmured to himself.
"Marshadow…" Marshadow's telepathic denial echoed in his ears.
This wasn't how a normal Rainbow Trial was supposed to go.
Natsu took a deep breath.
It seed Giratina's influence was growing worse…
Flint scratched his head and asked casually, "By the way, what's with the decorations in town today? Looks like so kind of event."
"Seems like a new stand opened up. Business is booming," Brock replied.
Hearing that, Natsu's eyelid twitched.
Stepping outside the Pokémon Center, Natsu froze.
"Don't miss out, co take a look, ow!"
"The latest Pokémon Trading Card Ga—exchangeable with Gracidea!"
"Wobbuffet~!"
Looking at the wildly popular stand…
Natsu sucked in a sharp breath.
If the true protagonist was here… didn't that an Giratina wasn't far behind?!
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