In the footage—
Ash and Chloe flew back to Vermilion City, arriving far faster than any bus could have managed. Upon returning to the Cerise Laboratory, they found Professor Cerise staring intently at a monitor, his expression unusually grave.
"What's wrong, Professor Cerise?" Ash asked.
"Oh, you're back. It's like this…" Cerise began, explaining that Dynamaxing was occurring inexplicably across the Galar region.
While isolated incidents had happened before, that very morning, four Pokémon had Dynamaxed simultaneously—without any Power Spots or Dynamax Bands nearby.
Worse still, they were rampaging uncontrollably.
Ash instinctively glanced at his own Dynamax Band. It pulsed with an ominous red glow, resonating with the disturbance in Galar despite the vast distance from Kanto.
"I have to go," Ash said firmly. "Leon gave me this band. If Galar is in danger, I can't just stand by!"
Professor Cerise sighed. "If you insist, then be careful. This phenomenon is tied to an ancient Galar legend—a terrifying calamity known as the Darkest Day."
Chloe nodded. "Cynthia mentioned it briefly before."
That prompted Cerise to continue. "There is one clue about how the Darkest Day was stopped in the past—the Slumbering Weald."
He paused, then added with a warning tone, "But that forest is a maze of dense fog. Many who enter never find their way out."
"I have Aura," Ash replied without hesitation. "I won't get lost. I'm the best person for this. But Chloe… you should stay here. It's too dangerous."
Chloe opened her mouth to object—but stopped. She understood. She wasn't equipped to face rampaging Dynamax Pokémon.
Following him would only slow him down. Forcing a smile, she said lightly, "Have a safe trip! I'm already bored of the food here, so make sure you bring back some Galar specialties!"
What she truly meant was simple—
You have to come back.
Ash nodded with a grin. "I'll bring back enough for a feast. I promise!"
After exchanging a few Pokémon with Professor Oak's laboratory, Ash set off without delay. Chloe watched him leave, her gaze lingering.
"Dad… Ash will come back, right?"
"Of course," Cerise replied. "He's Alola's first Champion—and an Aura Guardian. If even he can't make it back, then no one can."
Chloe clasped her hands together, silently praying for his safe return.
[Lorelei:] "My, Chloe still has a long way to go. Look at Misty—Ash's first companion. She followed him through every danger without hesitation."
[Norman:] "Our May was no different! She ventured into the Tree of Beginning for Pikachu despite the risks. If that isn't love, I don't know what is!"
[Professor Cerise:] "Hey now! You can't say that! My Chloe is simply self-aware. She knows she can't help in battle and would only hold him back. Staying behind was the wisest choice!"
Despite his firm defense, Cerise lacked true confidence. In every past journey, whether it was Misty or May, Ash's companions had stood by his side through every crisis.
This time, as Ash headed toward disaster in Galar, Chloe's decision—no matter how logical—felt like a step behind those who came before her.
As for Dawn and the others, their stories had yet to unfold, sparing Cerise from further criticism… for now.
[Raihan:] "Enough of that. Shouldn't we focus on the crisis in Galar? Dr. Magnolia, what exactly lies within the Slumbering Weald?"
[Professor Magnolia:] "I'm not entirely certain. It may be something only discovered in the future. But I do know another legend—Galar's symbols, Zacian and Zamazenta, are said to reside there."
[Professor Magnolia:] "Because of that legend, countless people ventured into the forest seeking them. Many never returned, and the Weald became a forbidden zone."
[Leon:] "That's correct. After those disappearances, information about the two was suppressed. But now it's clear—Zacian and Zamazenta are the Pokémon that aided the ancient heroes of Sword and Shield."
The names Zacian and Zamazenta had long circulated across Galar, yet no one had definitively linked them to the ancient heroes—until now. With Ash heading straight into the Slumbering Weald, speculation had effectively become certainty.
The fate of Galar…
now rested on his shoulders.
...
In the footage—
Riding atop Pidgeot, Ash soared across the skies and soon arrived above the Slumbering Weald. At a glance, he understood why Flying-type Pokémon were useless here.
The entire forest was engulfed in a thick, unnatural fog that obscured everything from above.
Closing his eyes, Ash extended his Aura.
Immediately, he sensed it—
A powerful barrier, eerily similar to the one he had encountered years ago at the Tree of Beginning. Back then, it had been Lucario's Aura that allowed them to pass through safely.
"Pidgeot, let's descend!"
With a swift motion, Pidgeot dropped toward the forest's edge. Ash returned it to its Poké Ball and stepped forward, ready to enter—
"Yo, long time no see!"
A familiar voice called out from behind him.
Ash turned sharply.
Standing there was a young man dressed in black, his spiky hair unmistakable, an Umbreon at his side.
"Ga—Gary?! What are you doing here?"
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