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"Mmph! Mmmph!"
Entirely encased in a massive sphere of sand, Ho-Oh could only emit muffled grunts from its wrapped beak. Its body struggled violently, but the force was absorbed and dissipated by the shifting sands. Despite expending enormous energy, it still couldn't break free!
"Cough! Cough! Ho-Oh! Cough! Ho-Oh!!"
Earlier, the dust around Ho-Oh had been blown away by Garchomp. But within this crystal barrier, the dispersed dust had nowhere to go, hanging thickly around the edges of the enclosure. Kaz and Sham, who had just been coughing their way out of the dusty zone, found themselves enveloped in the haze once again.
Blinded by the dust, Kaz, holding Sham's hand with tears in his eyes from the irritation, rushed out of the dusty area alongside Jynx. But the moment they broke through, the first thing Kaz saw was Ho-Oh, already restrained by Garchomp!
"Dammit! Let Ho-Oh go, now! Jynx! Use Ice Beam!"
Seeing Ho-Oh subdued, Kaz's expression turned frantic. He immediately issued a command to the Jynx behind him, desperate to rescue Ho-Oh!
"Jynx!"
Upon hearing the command, Jynx swiftly stepped to the side, clapped its hands together, and began gathering energy for an Ice Beam!
And then...
"Rooaar!!"
Garchomp jerked its head up and roared at Jynx. A stream of sand shot up from the ground, striking Jynx squarely and sending it flying back into the dusty zone. After that, there was no further movement.
"This! Damn! Go! D—"
Kaz was shocked that his Jynx had been taken down without even getting an attack off. But remembering the Masked Man's request, his expression hardened with resolve. He reached quickly behind his back, seemingly intending to send out his Houndour to continue the attack.
However...
"Scizor! False Swipe!"
"Scizor!"
Before Kaz could finish his sentence, Liam's Scizor, which had just returned a few days prior, shot forward like a red streak of lightning. Its red claws, gleaming with white light, flAxued past Kaz and Sham in an instant. Immediately, both Kaz and Sham clutched their heads and crouched down in pain.
Kaz: "Owwowowowow!"
Sham: "Waaah! Why me too!"
Scizor: "Zor..!!"
"Garchomp, I'm going to pursue the Masked Man now. Even though Ho-Oh isn't under anyone's control at the moment, I'm still very concerned. So, I need you to stay here for now and make absolutely sure nothing else happens to Ho-Oh."
Once Kaz and Sham were pacified (intimidated by Scizor's strikes), Liam instructed Garchomp.
"Grrr..."
Hearing Liam's words, a flicker of worry passed through Garchomp's eyes, and it let out a low growl.
"Heh, don't worry. With Ho-Oh already here, the Masked Man and his small fry aren't much of a threat anymore. I'll catch up to him as quickly as I can. You stay here and guard things properly."
Liam patted Garchomp's large head, reassuring it to stand guard, then turned and jumped down from near Ho-Oh. With Kaz and Sham tucked under Scizor's arms, he walked to the edge of the crystal barrier.
"Hmph! This barrier is something even my teacher found troublesome! Let's see how you get out! Just tell Suicune to dispel it already!"
Seeing Liam stop before the crystal wall, and remembering its earlier hardness, Kaz immediately put on a look of someone waiting for a show, his tone still fierce.
"Heh, what are you thinking? Since I dared to come in, I naturally have a way out. Just watch quietly."
Hearing Kaz's words, Liam smirked slightly. He then took out the Clear Bell given to him by Black Ape. The small, transparent bell chimed softly as he gently shook it near the crystal wall. Immediately, the incredibly sturdy crystal wall rapidly faded, revealing a hole large enough for a person to pass through.
Kaz stared wide-eyed and open-mouthed at the hole, speechless.
Liam was quite satisfied with Kaz's expression. With a light laugh, he was the first to step out of the crystal barrier.
Just as Liam emerged, a figure rushed towards him swiftly. Liam quickly reached out to catch it, pulling the figure firmly into his embrace.
"I'm back, Delia. How have you been this whole time? Were you treated well?"
Liam held Delia tightly in his arms and asked softly.
"Mmm... I'm fine, I wasn't mistreated. I also got three more Gym Badges, met lots of friends, learned a lot of things, and even learned how to make Pokemon food. I'm becoming more and more capable, Liam~"
Delia buried her face in Liam's chest, rubbing against it as she spoke, her voice slightly muffled.
Hearing Delia's words, a relieved smile appeared on Liam's lips. He gently cupped Delia's face and planted a long-awaited kiss on her forehead.
"Delia, Max, Axu, the PokeBall for Ho-Oh is still with the Masked Man. I'm going to pursue him now. You all stay here with Suicune and the others to keep watch over Ho-Oh. Keep an eye on these two youngsters as well; don't let them run off again. I've left Garchomp here, so there shouldn't be any major issues after this."
After spending a little more time with Delia, Liam knew he couldn't delay any longer. He turned and handed over the two youngsters, Kaz and Sham, to a somewhat exasperated-looking Max. Then, he swung himself onto Aerodactyl's back. After giving his instructions, Aerodactyl swiftly ascended, shooting once more in the direction of Silver Rock Isle!
Delia watched wistfully as Aerodactyl flew into the distance, her orange ponytail gently swaying in the breeze.
"Roooaar!!"
Aerodactyl carried Liam rapidly towards Silver Rock Isle. But during the flight, its evolved body finally reached its limit! With a low roar from Aerodactyl, a rainbow-colored light enveloped its body. As the light faded, Aerodactyl had returned to its original form.
Reverting from its Mega Evolution state caused Aerodactyl's speed to drop significantly. Its eyes were full of exhaustion, but it still gritted its teeth and flew on determinedly, its expression resolute.
"Aerodactyl? Stop, Aerodactyl! You've worked hard this time. Go back and rest for now!"
Liam could naturally sense Aerodactyl's abnormal state. He smiled and gently patted Aerodactyl's neck, then took out its PokeBall and softly returned it inside.
With Aerodactyl recalled, Liam began to fall freely towards the ground below. But he already had another PokeBall in hand. Throwing it swiftly, Moltres' fiery form appeared beside him.
"Skreeee!!"
The moment Moltres emerged from the Flame Ball, it swooped beneath Liam with a beat of its wings, catching him steadily.
"Alright! I'm counting on you now, Moltres! Head for Silver Rock Isle, quickly! We must stop the Masked Man's plans!"
Once seated securely on Moltres' back, Liam immediately pointed towards Silver Rock Ise, urging Moltres to advance towards the island at high speed!