Gary looked at Ash with a soft, knowing gaze, thinking to himself, My foolish rival… just take the title of the strongest trainer I've practically handed you and keep moving forward.
One day, you'll realize it was all because of my sacrifice.
Ash immediately sensed Gary's stare. Turning his head, he found Gary looking at him with an expression bordering on pity, sending a chill down his spine.
"Gary… have you lost your mind?"
Gary sighed inwardly. This brat has no idea how much I've given up for him. Still, he chose to hide his "merits"—after all, that was the true Gary Oak style.
...
In the footage—
Ash and Gary advanced steadily through the forest. Neither the suffocating fog nor the warped terrain could stop a pair guided by Aura.
Even so, no trace of the legendary wolves appeared. The forest felt impossibly vast, far larger within than from above.
"Ash, should we try another direction?"
"Yeah, let's—"
Before Ash could finish, the fog ahead suddenly split apart.
Two figures emerged. One crimson, one azure—both resembling massive wolves. Gary's pupils shrank in disbelief.
"Are those… Zacian and Zamazenta? But they don't look like the legends."
They resembled the myths, yet lacked their defining traits. Zacian had no blade in its mouth, and Zamazenta bore no shield-like mane. These were their Hero of Many Battles forms—stripped of the relics that defined their power.
"Whaaa—!"
The wolves cried sharply, golden eyes narrowing.
Pikachu and Umbreon leapt forward instantly, guarding their trainers. The hostility was unmistakable. In a flash, the wolves lunged.
"Pikachu, Iron Tail!"
"Umbreon, Quick Attack!"
Both trainers reacted on instinct. Pikachu's tail gleamed like steel as he struck, while Umbreon became a streak of shadow.
But—
There was no contact.
Both attacks passed straight through the wolves.
Ash narrowed his eyes, extending his Aura, then exhaled.
"Gary… they're phantoms."
"Phantoms? Then why attack us?" Gary asked, lowering his guard slightly as the wolves halted. Their golden gaze pierced through them, as if searching for something deeper.
"…It's a test," Ash said quietly. "A test of courage."
As if in agreement, the phantom wolves turned and trotted into the fog, glancing back in silent invitation. Ash and Gary exchanged a look, then followed.
After a short distance, the wolves vanished—and the fog lifted instantly.
They stood within a hidden grove. A gentle stream flowed nearby, and sunlight filtered through the canopy, illuminating a lone stone altar. Everything was natural—except that altar, ancient and unmistakably man-made.
Approaching it, they found two objects resting upon it.
"A sword… and a shield?" Ash reached out. The items resembled legendary weapons, yet were small, rusted, and worn—more like discarded relics than sacred treasures.
"They've been eroded by time," Gary muttered, inspecting them. "Did Zacian and Zamazenta really lead us here for these? Can something like this stop the Darkest Day?"
Ash scanned them with Aura—but felt nothing. Either their power lay beyond his current perception… or it was hidden, waiting to awaken.
He chose to believe the former.
...
[Lance:] "Those are the legendary weapons meant to repel darkness? They look like toys!"
[Dr. Magnolia:] "Champion Lance, despite being a world-renowned 'Flying Master,' you are not permitted to insult Galar's heritage! Those are the Rusted Sword and Rusted Shield recorded in our oldest texts!"
[Lance:] "..."
Was that really necessary?! Just for calling them toys, she had to bring that up again?! This was outright humiliation.
[Dr. Magnolia:] "Legend says these relics reveal their true forms only when held by Zacian and Zamazenta. That is why they appeared incomplete earlier."
[Sonia:] "Exactly! What Ash and Gary saw were their Hero of Many Battles forms. Once equipped with these relics, they regain their Crowned forms—the true King of Swords and King of Shields!"
The mystery of Galar was unraveling. Whether by fate or coincidence, Ash and Gary had arrived together—and been chosen.
...
In the footage—
Ash and Gary decided not to overanalyze the relics. Ash simply stored the rusted sword and shield in his backpack, planning to consult Cynthia or Dr. Magnolia later.
Suddenly—
A sharp ringing cut through the silence.
Ash pulled out his Rotom Phone.
"That shouldn't be possible. There shouldn't be any signal here," Gary said, startled. The forest had been presumed completely isolated, yet the ringing proved the barrier had weakened.
Ash answered.
"…Right. Got it!"
"What happened?" Gary asked.
"More Dynamax Pokémon are rampaging across Galar! Professor Cerise wants me to leave the forest and help in the cities—they're overwhelmed!"
Gary's expression hardened. "Where are we needed?"
"The southwest and southeast regions. We'll regroup in Hammerlocke afterward!"
"Understood."
With the interference gone, they could finally use their flying partners. Ash released Pidgeot, while Gary sent out a steel-armored Skarmory.
"Ash… it's been a while since we competed, hasn't it?"
"Yeah. Since you became a researcher."
"Then let's see who can resolve the crisis faster."
"I wouldn't have it any other way. I won't lose!"
"Hah—I should be saying that! Skarmory, take flight!"
"Soar, Pidgeot!"
The two rivals split in opposite directions, racing across the skies to save Galar. Deep within Ash's backpack, the rusted sword and shield began to emit a faint, quiet shimmer.
Ash arrived in the eastern region. The sky burned crimson with unstable Dynamax energy. Below, a colossal figure rampaged—a Gigantamax Centiskorch wreathed in towering flames.
"Just like the report… no trainer, no Power Spot… it just lost control and grew," Ash muttered. He hurled a Poké Ball.
"To fight fire with fire—go, Charizard!"
"ROAR!!" A blazing dragon burst into the sky, charging toward the monstrous centipede.
"Charizard, suppress it—Dragon Pulse!"
Though momentarily stunned by its opponent's size, Charizard trusted Ash completely. A purple, dragon-shaped blast erupted forward, slamming into Centiskorch with explosive force.
Below, the townspeople trembled—then looked up with hope.
"Is that Leon? Has Champion Leon come to save us?"
But as the smoke cleared, they saw the truth—a young trainer riding a Pidgeot. Under Ash's precise commands, Charizard dominated the battle, finally engulfing the raging Pokémon in a blazing Flamethrower that burned away the crimson energy. The giant shrank, returning to normal.
...
[Leon:] "Incredible. His commands are sharp, and his power has grown even further!"
[Raihan:] "He's still improving? At this rate, his Charizard might rival yours."
[Leon:] "Hard to say. This is years in the future—I would have improved as well."
[Cynthia:] "It's not just strength. Ash himself has matured. He's calm, he protects the surroundings while battling… he now carries the responsibility of a true Champion."
[Caitlin:] "So, Cynthia… is your heart fluttering? Actions speak louder than words—go for it!"
[Cynthia:] "…Caitlin, has your brain been replaced by a Psyduck?"
...
In the footage—
Ash landed and approached the villagers. After introducing himself, he asked what had happened. The owner of the Centiskorch, standing beside his daughter who cried in relief, explained that a streak of red light had struck the Pokémon, causing it to Dynamax uncontrollably.
"Thank you! You saved us—you're a hero!" the villagers cheered.
Ash scratched his head awkwardly, embarrassed by the praise.
Suddenly—
A powerful gust of wind swept through the area.
"Garchomp—!"
A fierce dragon landed nearby, followed by a blonde woman in a black coat.
"Miss Cynthia!"
She had rushed to the scene—only to find everything already resolved. Looking around at the restored calm, Cynthia smiled faintly.
It seemed… she had arrived just a step too late.
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