The spectral figure was clearly conscious.
Gengar's red eyes watched the approaching boy, and another "Hehehehehehe..." escaped its lips. Yet there was no joy in that laughter, only indifference and icy coldness.
Meanwhile, the enormous, ominous phenomenon that had shrouded the sky had naturally drawn the attention of Lysandre and Yong, who were battling in the clearing near the highlands.
Swampert emerged from the light, already in its bonded form and still maintaining [Primal Reversion]. The powers of earth and ocean swirled around it, markings appeared, and water rippled. Brown and deep-blue energies coiled around its arms, sharply distinct from each other, radiating nature's weight and all-embracing presence.
It stood amid the charred ruins, facing Volcanion, which had now gotten serious!
Two terrifying forces, utterly different yet both possessing the earth's immense weight, clashed relentlessly across the battlefield. Farther away, Metagross guarded Yong, spreading its purple Psychic Field once more.
Yet the attention of both men in the battle was drawn to the strange, ominous phenomenon in the distant sky.
Yong's gaze gradually turned cold, and he spoke in a low voice.
"It seems your goals aren't so simple. This unsettling presence... Professor Lysandre, what exactly is Black Yi Ryuusei trying to do?"
"Whew..."
Unexpectedly, Lysandre fell silent as well. After a moment, he shook his head and said quietly,
"My goal was merely to separate you from Miss Cynthia and hold you here... As for this strange phenomenon... I'm sorry, but even I don't know..."
Yong froze at his words.
"You..."
Before he could finish, Lysandre waved a hand, cutting off the boy's question. Then he gazed intently at Swampert, now extraordinarily magnificent and even stronger than before, and grinned.
"Kid! Don't get distracted. This is that power unique to you, isn't it... the 'Bond Phenomenon.' A manifestation of