Ho-Oh only felt its heart turn completely cold.
When Ash arrived in front of it, Ho-Oh was actually quite happy.
However, since Ash came together with Damian, Ho-Oh was not happy at all.
Was this guy even human?
During their first meeting, Damian tricked Ho-Oh out of its beloved Suicune. He also demanded that Ho-Oh assist him three times.
During their second meeting, Damian dragged Ho-Oh along to fight the Shiny Rayquaza. During their third meeting, he dragged it along to fight Kyurem.
Now, this was their fourth meeting. Not only did Damian forcibly take away Marshadow, but now he also wanted to take a member of Ho-Oh's personal guard.
However, to maintain its image in front of Ash and the others, Ho-Oh had to swallow the curses that were about to slip out of its mouth.
The only thing that gave Ho-Oh any comfort was that Platinum also seemed sincere. If that was the case, Ho-Oh could at least treat this as finding an excellent trainer for a member of its guard.
Ho-Oh looked at Platinum's joyful face and thought silently to itself.
After all, it didn't have any other choice. This was the price it had to pay to keep Ash from being led astray.
Once it accepted that, Ho-Oh nodded and smiled at Platinum. It signaled for her to choose either Raikou or Entei for a challenge.
"Raikou and Entei..."
Platinum's eyes were full of happiness and hesitation as they shifted back and forth between Raikou and Entei.
Choosing one between these two was truly a difficult task for Platinum.
In terms of types, Platinum did not have a main Pokémon for either the Electric or Fire type.
As for their appearance, how should she put it?
If she only looked at their design, Platinum actually preferred Suicune, the other member of Ho-Oh's guard. However, Suicune had already been caught by Damian.
Besides, Suicune's type overlapped with her Empoleon, so it wasn't really a perfect fit anyway.
"Damian, do you have a recommendation?" After thinking for a moment, Platinum asked in a low voice.
"Raikou is a Pokémon that is better at Special Attacks. Entei is better at Physical Attacks, but it is close to being a mixed attacker as well," Damian replied to Platinum. If it were him, he wouldn't hesitate at all.
"But there is one very important point, Platinum. Entei can learn Sacred Fire. That is a Fire-type move that originally only Ho-Oh could use. As one of Ho-Oh's guards, Entei learned this move from Ho-Oh. You understand what I mean, right?"
Sacred Fire!
This was originally Ho-Oh's signature move, but later Entei was also able to learn it.
There was no doubt that Ho-Oh had taught it to Entei.
Among Ho-Oh's guards, Suicune was the most popular and the one Ho-Oh loved the most. However, Entei had a strong connection with Ho-Oh. Because of this, it received the right to use Sacred Fire from Ho-Oh.
"I understand." Platinum's eyes lit up.
"I choose to challenge Entei!"
Platinum's voice was full of determination.
Hearing Platinum's choice, Raikou gave Entei a sympathetic look and stepped back two paces.
Entei stepped forward with a tragic and heroic air, standing opposite Platinum.
"Even though she has the right to challenge it, she still has to go through the battle-and-capture process. Can she really defeat Entei?"
Misty was jealous that Platinum had the chance to catch a member of Ho-Oh's guard. At the same time, she couldn't help but doubt it a little.
After all, that was Entei, a Legendary Pokémon.
Ash took out his Pokédex and pointed it at Entei.
Beep~ Entei, the Volcano Pokémon. A Fire type.
It is said that when it roars, a volcano erupts somewhere. It is believed that it constantly races across the land because it cannot fully contain its massive power.
As the mechanical voice of the Pokédex finished, Ash couldn't help but be amazed by how powerful Entei was.
A roar could make a volcano erupt? That was honestly an exaggeration.
"Please don't look down on Platinum. She is very likely a future High Executive of Team Rocket."
Caitlin had a faint, elegant smile on her face. Her eyes watched Platinum's back.
She had to admit that she quite liked Platinum.
After all, just like her, Platinum was born in Sinnoh. Both of them were young ladies from very wealthy families.
Furthermore, Platinum had received a high-class education since she was a child. She was always polite and carried herself with dignity. Because of this, Caitlin felt a strong sense of connection with her.
In fact, if the requirement for being a High Executive wasn't having a full team of Champion-level Pokémon, Platinum would have already reached that rank.
"A future High Executive?" Brock was a bit confused. He had heard that Team Rocket had a rank called "High Executive."
It seemed he would have to look into this once they went back.
After all, he was now a temporary member of Team Rocket as well.
"This is a perfect chance to see how good she is. She must be really strong, right?" Ash was very interested.
Paul's strength was already very high. Even though Ash didn't want to admit it, he currently wasn't a match for Paul in a fight.
So what about Platinum? Was she even stronger than Paul?
"Ash, when Platinum and Paul first joined Team Rocket, they battled. Paul suffered a crushing defeat."
The corners of Damian's mouth curled up slightly as he spoke to Ash with a meaningful look.
Hearing this, Ash, Misty, and Brock were all shocked. Paul suffered a crushing defeat?
"Wow! Is Platinum really that amazing?" Ash was shocked, but also very excited.
Since Platinum was so strong, he really wanted to battle her.
"If we are only talking about the new generation in Sinnoh, Platinum is the best without any doubt."
Damian looked toward Platinum. There was a bit of pride in his voice.
Well, after all, he had put in quite a bit of effort to pull Platinum into Team Rocket.
Even though his methods weren't exactly honorable, who cared about that? What mattered was that it worked.
"That strong...?"
Misty and Brock were speechless. The strongest of the entire new generation of Sinnoh Trainers...
"Garchomp! I'm counting on you!"
Platinum looked at Entei, who was in a fighting stance. Her face became serious, and she decisively threw out her choice.
Roar—!
A deep and powerful roar rang out. A strong and intimidating Garchomp landed heavily in front of Platinum.
"So cool!" Ash's eyes instantly lit up.
"It's a Garchomp. That's an extremely rare Pokémon in the Sinnoh region. It's said that Champion Cynthia's ace is also Garchomp," Brock said, knowing the facts like the back of his hand.
"Using a Dragon- and Ground-type Garchomp to fight Entei is a very logical choice."
Brock then analyzed further. From a type perspective, it was indeed the right move.
After all, Dragon resists Fire, and Ground is strong against Fire.
"Garchomp!"
But Platinum's actions didn't stop there. She raised her right arm high. On her wrist, she wore a crystal bracelet.
Hanging from the bracelet was a gemstone.
"What is that?!" Brock's eyes widened.
Along with Garchomp's roar, the Key Stone began to glow. At the same time, the Mega Stone on Garchomp reacted. A brilliant light of evolution burst forth.
When the light faded, a Garchomp with a more violent aura appeared. Mega Garchomp spread its blood-red scythes and roared at Entei.
Mega Evolution!
"Garchomp evolved again??" Misty was stunned.
"This is..." Ash tilted his head in confusion. He seemed to remember something.
"This is Mega Evolution, a form that goes beyond normal evolution. A professor in the Kalos region published a paper on it recently. Currently, Mega Evolution is a power that only a very small number of trainers have mastered."
"This is the first time I've seen Mega Evolution with my own eyes."
Brock was full of admiration.
"Amazing!" Ash was very excited.
"You can exchange for Mega Stones through Team Rocket's app. Ash, if you're interested in this, you can go get one once you save up enough merit points. Or, you could ask Professor Oak to help you find one."
Damian said to Ash with a smile.
"Really? Great! I'll work hard to save up merit points!" Ash was full of energy.
As for asking Professor Oak?
To be honest, if Ash was willing to ask, Samuel Oak would likely help him.
After all, Ash was a rookie who started his journey from Oak's lab. Furthermore, Samuel Oak was famous for taking care of the younger generation.
However, even though Ash was usually a bit careless, he still had his pride.
How could he ask an elder for something he could get through his own effort?
Shortly after, the capture battle against Entei officially began.
There was no doubt that as a member of Ho-Oh's guard, Entei's strength was undeniably high. It definitely had the level of a Champion.
This was actually very impressive. Most wild Legendary Pokémon are usually only around the Elite Four level.
For example, Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, as well as Regirock, Regice, and Registeel, and even Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf, are mostly only around the Elite Four level.
Of course, an Elite Four-level wild Pokémon is already extremely powerful; it just depends on what you compare it to.
However, Mega Garchomp was Platinum's current ace. Its battle power had already reached the Champion level, and Mega Evolution pushed it even further.
Especially its offensive power!
For instance, at the start of the battle, Entei used Eruption. However, Mega Garchomp used Dragon Rush and forced its way through the flames.
After that exchange, Entei realized that it probably couldn't win in a head-on clash.
Afterward, Entei relied on mobility to fight. Mega Garchomp's speed was not as fast as Entei's, especially since Entei could use Extreme Speed.
However, under Platinum's command, she fought steadily. After a final Earthquake, Entei finally fell.
Platinum threw an Ultra Ball. The Ultra Ball sucked Entei inside. It only shook twice before the light faded and the ball went still.
"I caught Entei!"
Even Platinum couldn't help but jump twice while holding Entei's Poké Ball, looking extremely happy.
Heavens! This was the first Legendary Pokémon she had ever caught!
"That was too intense...!"
Misty was shocked. She looked at Platinum, then looked at that fierce Mega Garchomp.
Was this really the strongest rookie Trainer of this generation in Sinnoh?
This was way too powerful!
Even if Ash fought Platinum right now, he would probably suffer a crushing defeat. Ash would need to improve a lot.
"Indeed, Platinum's strength is a bit scary..." Brock rubbed his chin. At this moment, he truly understood what it meant to be overwhelmed by raw talent.
He wondered if their own generation in Kanto had any rookie who could compare to someone like Platinum.
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