Chapter 146
The deeper their bond, the more reluctant Qiao Ran would be to part ways.
Even if the life Qiao Ran saw in the illusion was a hundred times stronger than his current life, he wouldn't look at it again if he lost his current companions.
"As expected, you are the master I chose."
Just as Qiao Ran was thinking this, a white phantom suddenly appeared behind Qiao Ran.
Along with that came the ethereal, beautiful, and intellectual voice of a young woman.
"You value the present feeling more than illusory possibilities."
"The truth is so beautiful that it is worth spending one's entire life to achieve it."
The woman's voice suddenly became excited, but then immediately fell silent again.
"While you do care about your dreams, otherwise you wouldn't have these thoughts... that's something that suits that guy's tastes."
"Reshiram?"
Qiao Ran looked back, but only saw a white shadow.
The shadow was blurry, but Qiao Ran knew it was Reshiram, not only because of a feeling in his heart, but also because of the way he kept calling him "that guy".
The only person who would call someone that is probably Reshiram.
The white figure nodded. "Yes, thank you for treating me."
She thanked him.
However, even though it was just a shadow, Qiao Ran seemed to see the outline of a human in it. The delicate and graceful curves and the slightly curled twin ponytails made it look like a slender, agile, and beautiful young girl.
Is it because Reshiram himself originated from the concept of humanity?
That's why it takes on a human appearance?
After all, Qiao Ran didn't believe that a Pokémon he had only known for a short time could already be Humanoid Transformation; that seemed too strange.
Seemingly noticing the confusion on Qiao Ran's face, Reshiram simply smiled slightly.
He laughed, without offering any explanation.
She is a real person, so when Qiao Ran sees these things, it means that everything is real.
This may not be the image Qiao Ran Ideals of her, but it is her most authentic self.
She had already witnessed Qiao Ran's actions of giving her all his power.
And the time that followed was for her to give back.
"Leave the rest of the battle to me, Master."
"If you want to rest properly, then take a short rest."
Section 282, Chapter 278 [Fusion Flare]
"Ah... ah."
Outside, Qiao Ran could no longer support her body and collapsed, utterly exhausted.
He seemed to have just had a hallucination, a vision of a virtual world, a version of himself completely different from the tattered rag he was now. He even mistook Reshiram for a beautiful girl. Had his mind truly deteriorated to the point of collapse?
To see something like this at a time like this is unbelievable.
Mimikyu and Vulpix were unable to lift Qiao Ran; their short arms were useless, and they could only lie helplessly beside him. The other Pokémon were also too busy to help—they had exhausted all their strength just dealing with the increasingly fierce attacks. Even the usually imposing Zacian was now hanging his head in a sorry state, panting heavily with his mouth biting his Long Sword.
Although Qiao Ran had previously thought this Hilbert an opportunity for them—that as long as they could decapitate Hoopa, they could greatly suppress the opponent's arrogance and even severely injure them—it turned out that achieving this was not so simple.
In the end, it was their side that was driven to the brink of despair.
The opposing side has the backing of an entire world, possessing inexhaustible resources. Even if one of their Genesect is injured, a new one will immediately take its place. On the other hand, Qiao Ran's side has energy that diminishes with every use. If this continues, it will only be a matter of time before they are wiped out.
"..."
Qiao Ran struggled to stand up again, but he couldn't. He could only look up at Reshiram, whose eyes were tightly closed, hoping she would respond to him.
White can represent not only reality, but also hope.
"Hoo hoo hoo..."
However, all that answered him was Hoopa's increasingly frantic shouts. Its enormous, demonic body emitted wisps of black energy, and powerful Psychic erupted from it, distorting the surrounding space.
The other Genesect did the same, even developing a coordinated strategy of retreating after firing and then replenishing with another batch to continue the bombardment. Under this relentless bombardment, even the strongest shields would crumble. Not only Qiao Ran's Pokémon, but even the high platform beneath their feet, which Dianxi had repaired, began to sway precariously, like a candle flickering in the wind.
Does this really mean it's all going to end here?
Qiao Ran was extremely unwilling, extremely unwilling.
He didn't want to admit that this was his end. But... faced with such despair, he couldn't help but close his eyes.
He had wondered before why he always took such huge risks, always gambling with his life.
Was it because there was something he wanted to find and protect? Or was it that he wanted to fulfill the expectations of the Galar who called him Hero?
Does being called a Hero mean Hero must risk their life in battle?
Could it be that he has been held hostage and bound by something all along his journey?
"..."
Perhaps... none of these are really reasons.
Qiao Ran's lips curled slightly; just as he was about to be overwhelmed by the attack, he felt a sense of relief.
If he were given the chance to do it all over again, he would do the same thing.
So it's not because he gained these things or became Hero that he works so hard; on the contrary, he's always been this kind of person from the very beginning.
That's probably why he was chosen.
"Roar roar roar roar...!!!!"
In the last second of his life, Qiao Ran heard a deafening dragon roar.
Then—dazzling light filled Qiao Ran's tightly closed eyes.
He opened his eyes trembling, only to see the pure white dragon standing before him and all the Pokémon, like Deity.
She fluttered her pure white wings, hovering in mid-air, her white feathers swaying in the wind. She proudly raised her long neck, gazing at everything with her blue eyes.
As she moved her wings, the turbine-like structure on her tail trembled continuously, radiating a fiery red light and spreading endless heat outwards. As the flames on her tail burned, the originally gray sky began to faintly reveal a pure blue, and beautiful, dazzling sunlight shone down from the dome of the Throne Room, as if draping a Golden veil over her white body.
At this moment, she might truly be the Hero of truth, one of the Tao Dragons, the White Dragon, Reshiram.
Then, she opened her mouth wide, and the turbine at her tail began to churn even more violently. A terrifying fireball, even larger than her body and wreathed in two rings of fire, gradually took shape before her, its aura seemingly intent on incinerating everything around it.
Like a miniature Sun, the fireball was launched before the Genesect's attacks arrived, before they could even react.
... Fusion Flare!
Qiao Ran couldn't help but shout out in his heart, "This skill is undoubtedly one of Reshiram's unique skills— Fusion Flare!"
"BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!!!!!"
Countless attacks collided in mid-air once again, but this time, the fireball seemed to destroy everything in its path, and the giant cannon used by Genesect could not stop its trajectory at all. Countless Energy Beam were fired at the fireball, but they could not budge it in the slightest.
The true light devoured all illusions.
Finally, to Hoopa's utter terror, the enormous fireball was closing in on it. It tried to use its Confusion, but found that its abilities were greatly weakened within the fireball's range.
"...!"
Why... is it so powerful?
"Sizzle!!"
Just moments before the fireball was about to strike, many Genesect flew at incredible speed to the fireball, shielding Hoopa from this terrifying attack with their own bodies.
The flames dissipated amidst the relentless onslaught of insects, and the fireball vanished into thin air. But amidst the swirling sparks, countless Genesect lay helplessly fallen to the ground.
Like rain, it pattered and pounded on the marble floor, creating craters of all sizes.
Their bodies simply couldn't withstand such a powerful attack, let alone an attack that was Fire-type, which was four times more effective against Genesect.
Reshiram's flames, like a devastating force, consumed everything in their path.
Watching her retreating figure, Qiao Ran recalled the last words she had spoken to him in that "illusion."
"Reassure me... is that what you mean?"
Section 283, page 279 [Time]
Inside the Throne Room, the battle continued.
Taking advantage of Reshiram's incredible power, Qiao Ran's other Pokémon also got a chance to rest and catch their breath, as they were extremely exhausted from fighting.
Even Qiao Ran himself breathed a slight sigh of relief. Reshiram's performance had really surprised him, or rather, it was almost too good.
However, to Qiao Ran's complete surprise, after displaying his great power, the first thing he heard in his mind was Qiao Ran 'Reshiram apologetic voice.
"Feel sorry..."
As she apologized, she conjured a fireball even larger than her own body.
As before, countless Genesect were scorched by the fireballs and unable to move, falling from the sky one after another.
The stark contrast of the scene gave Qiao Ran a surreal feeling.
Until Reshiram's voice rang out again.
"I'm sorry, Master... I originally intended to save this power for dealing with that guy, but there's no other way. For everyone's safety, I have to use it here first."
"...!"
Hearing this, Qiao Ran finally realized what the reason was for Reshiram's constant apologies.
She had previously stated that she possessed some remaining power, which she intended to conserve to combat the Black Dragon that represented her, thereby resolving the world's troubles. However, now...
Did you use that remaining power ahead of time?
Qiao Ran didn't blame her at all. The fact that she stood up here saved everyone, so there was nothing to regret about using up her power.
However... since it's already been used, we should make the most of it.
As for facing even stronger enemies later on, we can only take it one step at a time and deal with whatever comes our way.
After all, no one knows what will happen next; these people have already done their best just to survive.
"... How long can your power last?"
"Because my master treated me before, I should be able to last five minutes longer than the previous ten minutes."
Reshiram gave his answer: the power Qiao Ran used, called "Tokiwa Power," was indeed very strong. If she had a little more, her recovery might have been even better. However, under the current circumstances, there was no way to ask for anything else.
"My current state can basically be seen as drawing power from the reality of this world. Once I've used it all up, I'll also enter a period of weakness. So, Master... what should I do now?"
"..."
Qiao Ran took a deep breath. As a trainer, he was constantly making choices, but he always felt a little uneasy at such times.
"... First, we reduce the energy, then we..."
Qiao Ran was secretly communicating with Reshiram in his mind, planning their next move.
Since we only have fifteen minutes, we absolutely must succeed this time.
Only in this way can they give themselves more breathing room, and... that's one of the reasons they came here.
"Whoosh... whoosh whoosh! slap!"
On the Shadow Pokémon side, Hoopa commands several lead Genesect, and the lead Genesect in turn command their swarms of Bugs; they have always fought in this manner.
They are the most powerful predators, feared by all, but this time... Hoopa actually considered retreating.
That's too strong... that's too strong...
The dark shadow in its mind kept tempting it to leave quickly; that pure white dragon was undoubtedly their Nightmare and their nemesis.
The towering demon Giant raised its six arms, ready to leave at any moment. If Hoopa wanted to leave, no one could stop it.
But just then, Hoopa realized something.
"... Hu Pa?"
The opponent's skill power... seems to have weakened? Their body also seems... weaker?