"How is this possible?"
Atop Mt. Silver, Chen Shi, who had been watching the battle below, couldn't help crying out.
After dealing with dark matter so many times, Chen Shi had some idea of just how terrifying it was to ordinary Pokémon.
Even Lugia, a Second-Class Deity, had been assimilated instantly. After being rescued, Lugia hadn't even known what had happened.
How could Professor Oak's three Pokémon resist it?
Chen Shi looked utterly bewildered.
By all rights, Charizard should have become a Shadow Pokémon the moment Virizion's Sacred Sword wounded him.
What was going on?
Arceus, however, sounded somewhat disappointed. "If this human were a little younger, that miracle might have happened."
"What a pity. He still fell just short."
No sooner had those words fallen than Charizard, having defeated Virizion below, relaxed. His body rapidly began turning from orange-red to black.
The frenzy in Charizard's eyes faded a little, while his consciousness gradually blurred.
He knew his life was drawing to an end.
"Roar!"
In that final moment, Charizard let out an exultant roar, then glanced at Professor Oak. With what little awareness he had left, he beat his wings and soared away from this place.
He didn't want to become one of those disgusting things and hurt his Trainer or his old companions.
So he left.
"Charizard..."
Professor Oak's voice trembled, a sob catching in his throat.
He tilted his head back to watch the figure about to vanish beyond the horizon, tears filling his aged eyes.
He knew this was probably the last time they would ever see each other.
Grief engulfed him like a tide. The last bit of strength Professor Oak had been clinging to deserted him, and he collapsed helplessly to the ground.
At the same time, Mega Kangaskhan, who was still attacking Cobalion