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"What! This is—! Not good!!"
Seeing the crystal walls suddenly appear around them and continue merging together, the Masked Man's expression changed drastically. He let out a low shout, then quickly looked down at Ho-Oh and yelled:
"Ho-Oh! Fly out—now! You must not get trapped inside!"
"Kyaaah!"
Hearing the order, Ho-Oh immediately rushed upward toward the last open gap in the forming crystal dome. In the blink of an eye, it had already flown halfway out!
But at the very moment Ho-Oh was about to escape the crystal barrier—!
"ROOOAR!!"
"RAOOO!!"
Entei and Raikou suddenly roared! The next second, a massive lightning pillar blasted down from the thunderclouds overhead—firing straight at Ho-Oh without the slightest restraint!
At the same time, Entei unleashed another furious roar and raised its head, jaws opening wide. A torrent of purple flames erupted like a volcanic explosion, laced with overwhelming rage. After curving in midair, the firestorm spiraled downward—rushing straight for Ho-Oh!
"Damn it! Ho-Oh! Use Safeguard! Charge straight through!"
The Masked Man could clearly feel the overwhelming strength of the crystal walls. If he and Ho-Oh were sealed inside now, escaping later would be nearly impossible. He knew they absolutely could not retreat—this was the moment to force their way out or be trapped forever!
"Kyaaah!!"
Ho-Oh's entire body was instantly wrapped in a green protective aura. It gave a piercing cry, flapped its massive wings, and rammed head-on into the descending lightning and flames! Sparks and embers scattered in every direction. After a brief deadlock—Ho-Oh actually began pushing forward, inching out of the barrier!
"Hm? They're breaking through?! Then let's add a bit more pressure! Go, Charizard! Flareon! Use Flamethrower from above!"
Watching Ho-Oh resist both Entei and Raikou while still forcing its way out, Max felt a surge of admiration—but also knew they couldn't hold back any longer. He quickly sent Charizard and Flareon flying above Ho-Oh and ordered them to attack.
"Roooaaar!"
"Flareon!"
Charizard, carrying Flareon, ascended rapidly. Two streams of Flamethrower spiraled downward, merging with Entei's purple flames. Instantly, the fire pillar thickened and intensified dramatically.
"We'll help too! Go, Manectric! Use Thunder!"
Axu released his Manectric, and upon the command, Manectric shot a surge of intense electricity into the thunderclouds overhead. The storm clouds surged and roared—bolstered by Manectric's power. The lightning pillar striking Ho-Oh grew even more violent, reinforced by Manectric's added electricity.
"Kyaaah!!"
With Entei and Raikou's attacks strengthened, Ho-Oh's previous slight advantage vanished instantly. Just as it was about to break free of the barrier, it was forced backward—slowly pushed back into the crystal dome!
"Yes! That's it! Keep pushing! We'll capture the Masked Man and Ho-Oh any moment now!"
Delia had already jumped off Suicune's back. She gently stroked Suicune, which continued pouring its power into the crystal barrier. Looking up, she shouted encouragement to everyone.
"Damn it!! Ho-Oh! Brave Bird!!"
They had nearly escaped—only to be shoved back again. Standing on Ho-Oh's back, protected by Safeguard, the Masked Man growled anxiously. His eyes gleamed with desperation and madness as he yelled:
"Break through—NOW!"
"Kyaaah!!"
Ho-Oh let out a shattering cry. Blue-white light erupted around its body like roaring flames! The Safeguard shattered, and Ho-Oh, wrapped in blazing aura, hurled itself into the descending fire and lightning—forcing its way up like a bird flying against a waterfall!
The overwhelming power tore apart the lightning pillar and flame torrent. And at the final instant—just before the crystal dome sealed completely—
Ho-Oh erupted out in a streak of blue-white light!
"GYAAAAAH!!"
Ho-Oh, its body transformed by Brave Bird, shot upward and immediately slammed its wings outward—blasting away Charizard and Flareon who tried to block it. It then hovered in the sky, the blue-white light fading to reveal its battered, wounded form. Though covered in injuries, Ho-Oh showed no sign of pain—its eyes empty and hollow, as if numb to suffering.
"Ho-Oh! Use Sacred Fire on the thunderclouds!"
"Kyaaah!"
The Masked Man, himself partly scorched, gave his next order the instant they escaped. Clearly, he understood the thunderclouds posed a significant threat.
Ho-Oh raised its head and spewed a mighty torrent of golden flames. The fire shot into the clouds—erupting into brilliant explosions as golden lightning and golden fire clashed again and again. Finally—
The thunderclouds began to disperse!
"GRAAH!!"
As the sky cleared, Raikou shuddered violently. As the beast who bore the thunderclouds, their dispersal had affected it deeply.
Below them, the crystal walls fully closed—forming a perfect, seamless barrier of crystal. In the sunlight, it refracted brilliant rainbow colors.
But none of that mattered anymore.
"Hahaha!! You tried so hard, but in the end—I still escaped! How laughable! Ho-Oh! Recover! Then prepare to finish them!"
The Masked Man glanced at the completed crystal barrier below, then down at Delia and the others. His mocking laughter echoed arrogantly across the sky.
"Kyaaah!"
Ho-Oh's body glowed green as its wounds rapidly vanished. In mere seconds, it was restored to its majestic brilliance. Rainbow light shimmered down like tiny motes.
"Good! Now it's time to deal with all of you! Even with the three beasts helping you—today I'll make you pay! Ho-Oh! Show no mercy! Use Sacred Fire!"
"Kyaaah!!"
Golden fire ignited in Ho-Oh's beak as it prepared to unleash its attack—
But then—
BOOM!!
A massive Hyper Beam blasted in from afar—heading straight for Ho-Oh!
"Kyaaah!!"
Ho-Oh reacted instantly, beating its wings to dodge. The beam barely missed, ripping through the sky. Furious, Ho-Oh turned toward the source of the attack and screeched!
"Hm?! Who is it this time?! Is this never going to end?!"
The Masked Man gritted his teeth and stared toward the distant horizon.
Delia and the others also turned to look—
Just then, far out over the sea, a black speck streaked toward them at breathtaking speed. Its passage created two towering trails of water as it skimmed across the ocean surface.
And as it drew closer—
A furious roar echoed across the waves—
"MASKED! MAAAAAN!!"