The blinding light gradually faded, revealing four colossal Pokémon.
Each Houndoom now stood nearly five meters tall. Molten rock coursed across its blackened body, while jagged bone spines protruded from its back. Its horns had grown longer and sharper, and its blood-red eyes glowed with a savage light.
The two Pyroar had undergone equally drastic changes. Towering at the same height, they were wrapped in furnace-bright flames, with streams of magma flowing across their bodies. Their blazing manes made them look like living volcanic eruptions.
The Houndoom threw back their heads and unleashed bone-rattling howls.
The Pyroar answered with thunderous roars.
Pseudo-Primal Form: Houndoom
Pseudo-Primal Form: Pyroar
The four transformed Pokémon radiated waves of scorching heat. Globules of magma scattered around them as the temperature inside the prismatic dimension surged until every breath burned.
Sweat poured down Aaron's face.
He stared at the four giants in disbelief.
"Oh, come on. I thought I was supposed to be the one with the unfair advantages."
Primal Reversion was supposed to belong exclusively to Groudon and Kyogre.
Since when could Houndoom and Pyroar do it too?
Had Groudon started sharing its gimmick with random Fire-types?
Aaron could scarcely believe what he was seeing.
The Flame Knight spread his arms and laughed.
"Behold the crowning achievement of the Primal Order!"
Fanatical excitement burned in his eyes.
"We have recreated the ancient power once wielded by Groudon and Kyogre—the legendary titans of land and sea!"
"With Primal Reversion, we can push Pokémon far beyond their natural limits!"
His grin widened.
"And once we locate Groudon and Kyogre themselves, no nation in this world will be able to oppose us!"
He pointed toward Aaron and the Protector.
"Remember this moment, you insects. You are witnessing the beginning of a new age!"
...
"Interesting."
A faint violet light flickered through Cresselia's eyes as she examined the four transformed Pokémon.
"Their strength has increased severalfold."
She glanced toward the elderly man standing above her.
"And this Primal Order knows about Groudon and Kyogre. Guardian, they may be far more dangerous than they first appeared."
"The Primal Order..."
The Protector studied the four giants below.
"I've never seen that name in any intelligence report, yet they can field six Champion-level Pokémon and reproduce a crude form of Primal Reversion."
His gaze turned grave.
"The world is becoming less predictable by the day."
The Flame Knight scowled.
"What are you two whispering about?"
He thrust one hand forward.
"Houndoom! Pyroar! Burn them down!"
The Houndoom snarled as the Pyroar roared in response.
Power erupted from all four Pokémon, churning the air around them into a violent storm.
They opened their jaws.
Four torrents of molten fire burst forth at once, converging into enormous pillars that surged toward Cresselia.
The heat distorted the surrounding space.
Aaron and Greninja were drenched in sweat within seconds. Every breath felt heavier than the last.
Aaron stared at the approaching inferno.
Seriously? Did the universe finally realize I was cheating and send an antivirus program after me?
Six Champion-level Pokémon just to capture one college freshman?
That was completely unreasonable.
He fixed his gaze on the Flame Knight.
Primal Order, huh? Fine. I'll remember that.
Once the Nightmare Pokémon wakes up, you're going to regret ever hearing my name.
...
High above them, Cresselia calmly watched the four torrents of fire approach.
She might as well have been watching a child wave around a sparkler.
"Forcing more power into a Champion-level Pokémon does not make it my equal."
Her violet eyes turned cold.
"You understand nothing of a Legendary Pokémon's power."
Pearlescent light spread from her body.
The four torrents struck it—and disappeared.
There was no explosion.
No struggle.
The flames simply vanished into the light as though they had never existed.
The Flame Knight's pupils contracted.
"No..."
His confidence finally cracked.
"That's impossible!"
He stared at his transformed Pokémon.
"They underwent Primal Reversion! How could you stop them so easily?"
He still had not realized what stood before him.
Cresselia was a Legendary Pokémon.
No amount of borrowed power could close the gulf between her and an ordinary Champion-level opponent.
The Protector looked down at the Flame Knight.
"Cresselia, that's enough."
His tone was almost casual.
"Take him alive and hand him over to Edward. A proper interrogation may tell us what this Primal Order is planning."
"Very well."
Cresselia sounded almost disappointed.
"I was beginning to grow bored."
Moonlight erupted from her body, illuminating the entire dimension.
"This ends now."
The light spread outward like a silent tide.
Before the Houndoom and Pyroar could react, it swept over all four of them and swallowed their enormous bodies completely.
...