As a strategic resource, Sacred Ash certainly couldn't be used in a situation like this. Ye Lan even hoped he would never have to use it at all.
"Looks like I'll have to save this Sacred Ash for Steven..."
As if something had occurred to him, Ye Lan looked up at the sun, which was already blazing overhead, and couldn't help feeling a shadow fall over his heart.
He was a very optimistic person, but the Pokémon world didn't seem to be a utopia either. Aside from the void left by the missing Pokédex holders, that mysterious "Black Cloud" seemed to loom over everyone's heads.
As for the former, without Ash around, Steven's chances of surviving the crisis in the Hoenn Region were slim, even as its Champion.
Kyogre and Groudon were simply too powerful in their Primal Reversion states. Even the aftershocks of their moves were enough to deal a devastating blow to the entire Hoenn Region.
To protect Hoenn and hold out until Rayquaza appeared, Steven would probably still fight himself to death if no one intervened.
As for the latter, it was a crisis that left even a legendary Trainer like Professor Oak feeling powerless, and now it was gradually unfolding before Ye Lan's eyes.
His chance encounter with Unown in the desert seemed to have dragged him fully into this crisis, too. Ye Lan could no longer stand on the sidelines and wait for the "big shots" to hold up the collapsing sky.
He, Ye Lan, was part of the Pokémon world, too.
"The world isn't going to end right after I become Champion of the Huaxia League, is it? That would be fucking ridiculous!"
"Lea, lea!"
While Ye Lan was mulling over his next steps, Leafeon ran over from the side. Seeing its Trainer standing