The Tenth Partner

The intense throb Yan Yang sensed at the very end, like a desperate cry for help, had come from the fear resonating deep within Substitute's soul.

Somehow, it felt as though an invisible thread had tightly wrapped around his heart, allowing him to clearly feel that terror, so intense it nearly tore a soul apart—Save me... I'm so scared...

There was no reason, no weighing of options, not even time to think about where that feeling had come from.

At that moment, he had only one thought: he had to go in! He had to bring him out!

Carrying that unquestionable conviction, Yan Yang charged resolutely into the building that was about to explode.

He raced wildly through the empty, deathly silent corridors and finally spotted Banette, frozen in place at the laboratory entrance!

"Hey! Get out of here!" Yan Yang rushed over, trying to pull him away or carry him, only to find that Banette would not move at all.

Those button eyes stared blankly ahead, filled with indescribable, utter terror.

There was no time! The explosion was coming.

In his panic, Yan Yang made a decision that went against a Pokémon's own wishes.

He pulled out the Poké Ball he had always prepared for Banette and pressed it against Banette's forehead!

Red light flashed, and Banette was drawn inside.

Almost the instant the Poké Ball locked shut, Yan Yang clutched it tightly to his chest and curled himself into a ball.

And at that very critical moment—

A blazing figure descended before him like a meteor. It was Entei!

How could he possibly wait safely outside when his own child had rushed back into the heart of the explosion without hesitation?

Almost the very second Yan Yang turned around, Entei had followed after him!

At that moment, this