"This is Ho-Oh's flame Sacred Fire, also known as the Flame of Rebirth."
A steady male voice sounded from the shadows.
"Ampharos! Thunderbolt!" Silas's pupils shrank as he dropped into a half-crouch and issued the command.
"Amphaa—!"
Crackling with electricity, Ampharos fired a burst of lightning toward a corner of the darkness.
The one who had spoken was naturally Morty, who had just arrived. Even he hadn't expected Silas to attack so decisively.
But considering the flame in front of Silas, such a reaction was understandable.
Morty smiled helplessly. He probably shouldn't have let Gengar carry him through the darkness. Now he had to explain himself.
"Gengar, use Shadow Punch to block it.
Sir Silas, I mean no harm. You should recognize me."
A purple-black fist materialized and easily shattered the lightning. His voice followed soon after.
Illuminated by Ampharos's glow, Silas recognized the Gym Leader of Ecruteak Gym.
His expression didn't soften much.
"Leader Morty, suddenly appearing behind someone in a place like this isn't a good habit."
In the wild, concealing one's presence and approaching someone like that was nearly the same as declaring hostility, especially when valuable items were involved.
If not for the fact that he likely couldn't defeat Morty in a direct fight and because Morty's attitude seemed sincere, Silas would have exchanged more than just a move or two.
Morty quickly raised his hands in apology.
"I'm truly sorry. I habitually use my Ghost-type Pokémon's abilities. I sincerely apologize. I absolutely mean no harm, please believe me."
As he spoke, he bowed respectfully.
Silas couldn't help but feel that Morty was bowing less to him and more to the Rainbow Wing and the flame.
Are ascetics really this devout? the thought flashed through his mind.
For him, that was good news at least. It meant Morty likely wouldn't try anything.
The atmosphere gradually eased thanks to Morty's sincere apology.
Silas gestured for Ampharos to relax slightly. In response, Morty directly recalled Gengar into its Poké Ball, physically withdrawing it rather than simply having it disappear.
Morty shrugged honestly. "I hope that shows my sincerity. Though, technically, I could still command the Ghost-types in this tower."
"Perhaps," Silas replied evenly. "But Leader Morty, you said this is Ho-Oh's flame. What's your basis?"
Morty smiled kindly, though his gaze toward the flame burned with fervor.
"Legend says that Ho-Oh's flame can be produced by burning Sacred Ash. The igniting power doesn't necessarily have to come from Ho-Oh itself. It can also come from other Fire-type Legendary Pokémon such as Entei or Moltres.
However, only a flame ignited by Ho-Oh's own power can truly be called Sacred Fire or the Flame of Rebirth."
Silas paused, as if recalling something.
Morty nodded, confirming his guess.
"In fact, the sacred flame passed before regional League tournaments is produced from burning a very small amount of Sacred Ash. However, only our Johto Silver Conference uses Ho-Oh's power to ignite it.
In Kanto's Indigo Plateau, for example, the flame is ignited using Moltres's power.
That's why the sacred flame of our Silver Conference can burn for a very long time after being lit. That is Ho-Oh's greatness."
It was obvious from his tone, he was deeply proud.
After all, Johto was the only region that possessed Ho-Oh's power.
Ho-Oh had resided in Johto for ages. Even if it was currently absent, remnants such as the Rainbow Wing were hardly scarce for the League.
Silas remained calm. He wasn't from Johto, so he didn't feel much attachment.
He cared about only one thing.
"Then, Leader Morty do you know what it does? How to use it?"
"This is Ho-Oh's flame! This is Sacred Fire! It is faith itself!" Morty said in disbelief.
In his understanding, Ho-Oh's flame should be enshrined and reverently preserved not "used."
As Ho-Oh's chosen Trainer, how could Silas think in terms of usage?
Silas blinked and rephrased.
"Then may I ask which aspect of Ho-Oh's power does Sacred Fire contain?"
He felt a little apologetic, but he truly didn't hold religious faith in Ho-Oh.
On the contrary, he was more curious about how powerful Legendary Pokémon truly were. If possible, he'd love to battle Ho-Oh someday.
Provided there was no life-threatening danger, of course.
Morty opened his mouth, then sighed.
"According to ancient records the true Flame of Rebirth can allow a Pokémon to be reborn."
Silence.
"That's it?" Silas asked, stunned.
That was just explaining the name.
Morty looked wronged.
"These are records from a very long time ago. Almost no human has ever obtained the true Flame of Rebirth and used it directly."
Silas thought about it. That did make sense.
Which brought him back to the real question
How was he supposed to use Ho-Oh's flame?
Staring at the seemingly simple yet terrifying flame floating in midair, Silas fell into deep thought.
Storing it wasn't an option. If he mishandled something like this and burned himself alive, that would be the end of him.
Besides, something this excessively valuable wasn't suited for long-term possession. It would be better to use it sooner rather than later.
Morty looked anxious but didn't dare interrupt.
After all, the flame belonged to Silas.
As Ho-Oh's chosen Trainer, Silas was untouchable in Morty's eyes. There was no way he would try to seize anything from him.
"Blaziken, can you sense anything?" Silas asked, turning to the Pokémon that had stopped him earlier.
"Overwhelming destructive power and a strange vitality. Just like Professor Oak said yesterday."
Blaziken's aura echoed within Silas's heart.
"Maybe you could try swallowing it? Or absorbing it into your body like a held item?" Silas suddenly suggested.
The best way to understand something was through direct experience.
Though admittedly, it sounded rather terrifying.
Still, the risk probably wasn't that high. As a Legendary Pokémon jokingly nicknamed a "photographer," Ho-Oh's temperament wasn't exactly violent. With the Rainbow Wing right there, Silas felt there wasn't much difference between that and Ho-Oh being present in person.
And Ho-Oh wasn't the type to eliminate other Pokémon at the slightest disagreement. The words "rebirth from ashes" didn't sound like something that carried mortal danger.
"I don't think it's impossible," Blaziken agreed with Silas's idea, "but I'm not the right one to use it."
It lifted a claw and pointed toward a Luxury Ball at Silas's waist.
Silas froze for a moment, then his expression turned thoughtful.
"You're sure? Ho-Oh's power is ultimately expressed more through flames."
That Luxury Ball contained Pidgeot.
Both were birds. Both were Flying-type Pokémon. It was impossible that Ho-Oh's power would be useless to Pidgeot at worst, it might simply be slightly less compatible than with a Fire-type Pokémon.
But this entire operation had started because of Blaziken, and it had been the main damage dealer throughout. As a Trainer, fairness in distributing spoils mattered. Silas hadn't even considered giving it to anyone else.
"I don't need that to become strong."
Blaziken conveyed its stance through aura.
Though a little blunt at times, it had always been the most battle-loving and proud member of Silas's team.
Blaziken didn't believe it needed Ho-Oh's flame to grow stronger.
After all, even before this, with their Trainer's help, it had already become incredibly powerful.
Compared to itself, that bird needed the flame more.
Blaziken felt it was time to give Pidgeot a boost of confidence, even though Pidgeot's strength had actually grown a bit faster thanks to being older.
"I see…"
Feeling Blaziken's sincerity, Silas smiled.
He patted Blaziken's shoulder. It had truly grown into a mature and reliable partner.
"Then are you willing to take the risk? It might be dangerous," Silas asked, enlarging Pidgeot's Luxury Ball.
Inside, the miniature projection of Pidgeot nodded firmly.
Though it could be a little lazy at times, when faced with something like this, how could it not try?
It also wanted to become overwhelmingly strong, strong enough to protect its Trainer like before.
Silas exhaled deeply.
"Then go, Pidgeot!"
He released Pidgeot directly toward the Sacred Fire.
After emerging, Pidgeot didn't immediately touch the flame. Instead, it locked eyes with Blaziken.
No one knew what the two exchanged in that glance, but Pidgeot suddenly looked annoyed.
With a sharp turn of its head, it slapped the Sacred Fire with a wing.
Silas watched with a faint smile.
In its own way, this was their unique form of friendship.
Morty stood to the side with a troubled expression.
If the elders at the Gym found out about this, Silas would be fine in fact, he'd likely be held in even higher regard. But Morty himself would probably be lectured for quite some time.
Under the watchful gazes of Silas and Blaziken, the moment Pidgeot's wing made contact with the Sacred Fire, it did not vanish like the wooden plank earlier.
Instead, the flame slowly transformed into red light and spread across Pidgeot's massive body.
Silas steadied himself. Judging by Pidgeot's calm expression, things seemed fine at least for now.
Gradually, the red light turned back into flames, completely engulfing Pidgeot.
"Pidgeee—!"
A strained cry echoed from within the fire.
Damn, this is harder than I thought, Pidgeot grimly reflected.
The moment it had touched the flame, it felt as though its body had begun melting. It had endured silently only to avoid worrying its Trainer and teammates.
Aside from the pain, however, it could clearly sense its body growing stronger, more powerful.
How much longer…?
Its consciousness began to blur.
It felt as though it had endured for nearly a year. The burning seemed endless.
Through the flames, Pidgeot's eyes vaguely caught sight of the painting of Ho-Oh hanging on the wall of the Burned Tower.
Was it moving?
That was the final thought that crossed its mind before everything went dark.