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The black dot in the sky rapidly approached. In almost the blink of an eye, it had already crossed the shoreline. The people standing at the island's edge finally saw what that black dot truly was!
It was a massive Aerodactyl—but this one, charging toward them at extreme speed, was clearly different from an ordinary Aerodactyl!
Its pale-violet body was ferocious and terrifying, covered in countless pitch-black rocks like armor or bone spikes. A swirling storm wrapped around its form, and it let out an earth-shattering roar as it descended!
And at the very moment this strange Aerodactyl drew close, another furious roar burst forth—from the figure standing on its back.
"MASKED MAN!!"
Only when that shout echoed did everyone realize that a human figure was riding on the Aerodactyl's back!
That person now glared murderously at the Masked Man, who stood on Ho-Oh's back, his voice filled with unrestrained rage.
"Finally found you, Masked Man! Aerodactyl—Giga Impact!"
"ROOOAAAR!!"
Already boosted by Tailwind, Aerodactyl was incredibly fast. Hearing its trainer's command, it roared as intense white light enveloped its whole body. Carrying terrifying power, it shot forward like a meteor and rammed straight into Ho-Oh!
"Kyaaaah!!"
Caught completely off guard, Ho-Oh was blasted away, its huge body tumbling through the air. The Masked Man was thrown off its back—luckily his Delibird was nearby to catch him, preventing him from falling straight to the ground.
"Kyaaaah!!"
Ho-Oh steadied itself mid-air, roaring in fury. On its back, Kaz and Sham—and the Masked Man's Jynx—had managed to cling on without falling.
When Ho-Oh was struck, Jynx had quickly shielded Kaz and Sham with her long golden hair enhanced by psychic power, fastening the three of them securely to Ho-Oh's back.
"Damn it! You again, Liam! Why are you always haunting me!? Always ruining everything I do!"
The Masked Man hovered in the air, grabbed by his Delibird. The moment he recognized the man standing on Aerodactyl's back, his face twisted in fury beneath the mask, murderous rage burning in his eyes.
Down below, the three onlookers also recognized Liam.
Delia's hand shot up to cover her mouth, her eyes instantly filling with tears that threatened to spill over.
Liam stood firmly atop his fully Mega-Evolved Aerodactyl. Because the situation was urgent, he had Mega Evolved it mid-travel to increase speed and to avoid unexpected incidents.
Hearing the Masked Man's bitter accusations, Liam couldn't help but smile. He reached behind him, took out a PokeBall, and called out with a calm, confident grin:
"Heh! If you were doing something good, I wouldn't stop you. But since you're not—don't blame me for being rude! Perfect timing, actually. Let's settle the unfinished business from Ecruteak City!"
He threw the PokeBall with force. A flash of white light burst open—and his Garchomp appeared, already poised for battle.
"Garchomp! Time to settle the score from that sneak attack! Let's unleash our full power—surpass every obstacle! Bond Evolution!!"
"GRAAAAH!!!"
No matter how many times one witnessed it, the sight was breathtaking.
From all directions, sand surged like a tidal wave, wrapping completely around Garchomp in an instant. The swirling mass formed into colossal sand-claw wings, and only then did Garchomp's transformed, evolved form emerge!
"GRAAAAH!!"
"Alright, Masked Man—I'll give you one chance! Command Ho-Oh and face us in a fair battle! If you win, I won't interfere in your affairs again. But if you lose… You'll spend the rest of your life in prison! So? Feel like the odds are in your favor?"
After Garchomp's evolution completed, Liam leapt from Aerodactyl onto Garchomp's back, one hand braced on its tall dorsal fin. He smirked at the Masked Man.
The Masked Man: "…"
He clearly didn't expect Liam to propose such terms. Suspended in the air, gripping his Delibird, he narrowed his eyes, thinking deeply.
But after a few seconds, he suddenly let out a cold laugh.
"Heh… Liam, I admit you're strong. You and that Garchomp are the strongest trainer-Pokemon pair I've ever seen. But that isn't enough to justify your arrogance. I've already defeated you once. Since I've already beaten you, I have no interest in fighting a loser again. So no—I refuse your battle."
The Masked Man drifted backward toward Ho-Oh, his eyes full of mockery and pride.
Liam: "…Oh? So I can take that as you being scared?"
He stared coldly at the Masked Man.
"Hmph! I simply don't want to waste time on you!"
The Masked Man didn't land on Ho-Oh's back. Instead, after speaking, he turned to Kaz and Sham:
"Kaz! Sham! I'm giving you a mission! In a moment, I will transfer control of Ho-Oh and Jynx to you. Stall them! Do NOT allow anyone to disrupt my plan!"
His icy tone held absolute authority.
"Yes, Master! Please go ahead with your plan—we'll handle everything here! Even if we must use every possible method, we will NOT let them get past us!"
Kaz declared loudly, full of determination.
"M-me too, Master! I'll do my best!"
Sham said quickly, trembling but obedient.
"Good. I'm leaving it to you. Delibird—let's go!"
"Baga!"
Satisfied, the Masked Man commanded Delibird and shot toward Silver Rock Isle.
"Hm? Trying to run? Not happening! Garchomp—GO!"
"GRAAAAH!"
Garchomp spread its massive sand-claw wings and blasted forward like a bolt of white lightning, chasing after the Masked Man.
But just as Garchomp launched forward—
Two childish voices suddenly rang out from Ho-Oh's back:
"Ho-Oh! Stop them! Use Hurricane!"
"Jynx! Use Blizzard!"
"Kyaaaah!!"
"Jynx!!"