Compared to Ho-Oh's other three envoys, Marshadow—being the guide of shadows—had always been a Pokémon little known to others.
Thinking back—
Marshadow couldn't even remember the last time anyone—human or Pokémon—had thanked it.
Of course—
That was partly due to its own nature.
It preferred staying within shadows, rarely revealing itself unless necessary.
And this time—
If not for that fake Suicune angering it, Marshadow wouldn't have exposed itself to Haunter within the Shadow World.
"…Like trainer, like Pokémon."
Marshadow muttered internally as it looked at Chen Mo's gentle smile.
First Haunter had thanked it.
Now the trainer too.
Honestly—
Marshadow didn't think it deserved thanks.
Destroying the fake Suicune—
Was simply its duty as a servant of Ho-Oh.
And protecting Chen Mo during the clash between Zekrom and Giratina—
Was partly because Suicune had high hopes for Chen Mo.
As the Hero of Ideals, he still had an important role in this world.
Although…
There was also a tiny bit of personal fondness.
…Just a little.
Marshadow could slip into any shadow.
In doing so—
It could mimic abilities—
And understand emotions.
And Chen Mo—
Most of the time—
Felt like a warm sun.
A presence that radiated light.
It had felt something similar—
From Ho-Oh.
Even more surprising—
When Marshadow's uncontrollable power drew out Chen Mo's darker emotions—
He would quickly stabilize himself.
Never projecting negativity onto others.
Compared to past subjects—
He was exceptional.
Marshadow recalled Suicune's words:
"If only we had met him earlier…"
He could've been—
This world's first Rainbow Hero.
…
"By the way, Marshadow…"
"Ma?"
Snapping out of thought, Marshadow tilted its head.
"When can I go back?"
Chen Mo asked.
This place—
Though nostalgic—
Wasn't where he belonged.
Pikachu and the others must be worried.
"Soon."
Marshadow replied telepathically.
"Once your mind stabilizes."
"Got it."
Chen Mo nodded.
Silence followed.
Marshadow—
Unused to this kind of interaction—
Stood awkwardly in the shade.
After a moment—
It asked:
"…How did you provoke that one?"
Chen Mo was surprised.
Marshadow wasn't known for conversation.
Yet it spoke first.
He thought—
Then answered:
"I'm not sure."
"But probably… I ruined its plan."
"And restored the Unown."
"…."
Marshadow fell silent.
It had never met Giratina directly—
But as a Ghost-type—
It could feel the violent aura from that projection.
…This might become troublesome.
Even Ho-Oh—
Avoided Giratina.
Then—
Marshadow stopped overthinking.
This was the Hero of Ideals.
Protected by Zekrom.
And earlier—
Zekrom had appeared first.
If not—
Even Marshadow wasn't confident it could've saved him.
Just then—
The light dimmed.
Marshadow looked up.
Dark clouds—
Covered the sky.
Then—
A scene appeared.
Underwater.
Chen Mo frowned.
"…Not you?"
Marshadow looked equally serious.
Then—
Chen Mo's pupils shrank.
He saw it.
A black, spherical stone.
With unique patterns.
"…The Dark Stone!?"
Zekrom's core.
Its dormant form.
"…This is…"
Zekrom's memory.
The stone glowed.
Rose from the water.
Then—
Lightning erupted.
Zekrom appeared.
Majestic.
Alert.
Staring—
At the water below.
"…Something's there…"
Chen Mo followed its gaze.
Then turned to Marshadow.
"Can you zoom in?"
"…Ma…"
Marshadow clenched its fists.
What do you think I am?
"…I'll try."
The image sharpened.
In the dark water—
A pair of red eyes.
Cold.
Watching Zekrom.
Chen Mo leaned forward—
But—
The scene ended.
"…."
He looked at Marshadow.
"Don't look at me," it said.
"Not my doing."
Chen Mo calmed himself.
"…Can you replay it?"
Marshadow tried—
Then shook its head.
"…No."
Chen Mo sighed.
Then analyzed.
The location—
Familiar.
"…Cangqing Mountain."
A tourist lake.
"…Was Zekrom attacked there?"
He frowned.
Few could harm Zekrom.
"…Kyurem?"
He hesitated.
Didn't remember its eye color.
Then—
Another thought.
"…Giratina…"
Red eyes.
Similar aura.
And—
Giratina could manifest through reflective surfaces.
Water included.
"…So it really was…"
But—
Why attack Zekrom?
They weren't connected in canon.
He couldn't figure it out.
At that moment—
Marshadow acted.
Chen Mo's mind—
Was stable.
Time to return.
…
Back in reality—
The ruins had collapsed.
Moonlight streamed through.
Chen Mo lay on the ground.
Surrounded by his Pokémon.
"Pika!"
Pikachu was anxious.
Even though Unown said he was safe—
He hadn't woken up.
Then—
Blue light flickered.
Unown glowed.
Chen Mo stirred.
His eyes opened.
He reached out—
Gently patting Pikachu.
Looking at everyone—
He smiled warmly.
"Geh!"
Haunter rushed forward—
Licking his face.
"Stop! Stop!"
Chen Mo laughed, holding it back.
"Don't you know? If Haunter licks you, your soul gets taken and you die tragically!"
"Pika!?" "Pidge!"
Pikachu panicked.
Pidgeotto grabbed Haunter—
Dragging it away.
"Geh?"
Haunter was confused.
"…What?"
Chen Mo burst out laughing.
"I was joking."
"…Geh…"
Haunter looked betrayed.
Pikachu—
Furious.
Almost ready to shock him.
Absol—
Just stared like, what an idiot.
Chen Mo smiled.
Touched his Poké Ball.
Then said softly:
"I'm back."
Only after losing something—
Do you realize its value.
For Chen Mo—
These Pokémon—
Were his greatest treasure.
"Sceptile…"
Sceptile watched quietly.
Then—
Noticed—
In Chen Mo's shadow—
Those orange-red eyes.
Watching.
It smiled.
Closed its eyes.
…
After reassuring everyone—
Chen Mo looked at the Unown.
"Some humans were dragged into a space-time rift because of you."
"Can you bring them back?"
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