New video: "Hoenn mythology: super-ancient Pokémon and the origins of Mega Evolution!" (10,000 words!)

"Victini, give us some light."

Xia Chi softly called to the seemingly empty air beside him.

"Tini~"

A cheerful response immediately sounded at his side.

Then a soft yet brilliant ball of light suddenly appeared in the air, illuminating the entire cavern.

Now visible, Victini diligently played the part of a dedicated "searchlight," a solemn expression on that little face.

Victini's sudden appearance made Wallace's pupils contract in surprise.

So a Pokémon had been hiding invisibly beside Xia Chi all along?

Oh, now I remember.

That seemed to be the Legendary Pokémon that protected the Soul Dew at the last moment during the Alto Mare incident.

Though it hadn't prevented the Soul Dew from shattering.

"This way."

Wallace composed himself and stepped into the illuminated passage first, his footsteps echoing faintly through the empty silence.

Xia Chi followed close behind, while Latias, in human form, and Meowha curiously examined the ancient, moss-covered stone walls around them.

The shrine's interior was far larger and deeper than Xia Chi had imagined.

Time had eroded most of the murals lining the passage beyond recognition, but the vague outlines of ancient titans battling were still discernible.

As they ventured deeper, even the air seemed to grow heavy, an ancient sense of pressure faintly permeating their surroundings.

At last, they reached the altar hall at the shrine's very heart.

Its ceiling soared overhead, and several massive stone pillars carved with exquisite reliefs stood in the center.

On the walls surrounding the altar, several enormous murals remained relatively intact!

Xia Chi's attention was instantly drawn to them.

In the leftmost mural, the earth split apart and lava erupted. A scarlet beast as massive as a mountain, molten patterns coursing along its back, roared at the heavens and radiated terrifying heat that parched the land.

Opposite it,