Hiss——
A vast amount of seawater evaporated instantly, the pitch-black flames akin to an infernal purgatory seemed indomitable by the seawater, with an overwhelming amount of water evaporating frantically.
A dense mist emerged.
But before this mist could rise skyward, it was evaporated once more.
Clearly, it was the sea, yet it crafted a scorching scene as if one were in a desert.
After doing this, the Shining Charizard excitedly breathed fire to the sky, a dragon's roar resounding in the ears.
In this purgatory, two Pokémon figures surfaced once more, a Sharpedo and a Gyarados, both knocked out and unable to battle.
Yet the figure of the Black Tide was still nowhere to be seen.
Natsuhiko frowned, "Did he manage to escape? The sea really is a troublesome place."
There wasn't much that could be done, after all, no matter how powerful the Shining Charizard was, it was still a Fire Type and Flying Type Pokémon. Once the Black Tide dived into the sea with the intent to hide, there wasn't too much the Shining Charizard could do.
Especially when the Black Tide decisively abandoned three Pokémon to create a chance for himself.
He had no choice but to use his Pokémon to perform Defend techniques to withstand the Shining Charizard's attacks.
However,
"Being able to do this is good enough. The Black Tide lost three main Pokémon and an entire crew, he must be feeling the pain himself and will need a long time to recover if he plans anything further," Natsuhiko murmured, watching the churning, receding sea surface.
If it were on land, even ten Black Tides couldn't escape, but in the sea, it was clearly his domain.
"Moreover, I deliberately hinted at the presence of Archie, the Leader of the Ocean Team; the Black Tide should realize I know his identity and the existence of the Ocean Team, and if he wants to make a move again, he'd have to consider whether he can bear the wrath of the Alliance."
Archie wouldn't appear; if he did, it would signal to the Alliance that the Ocean Team was making their move.
They would surely face a siege from the Alliance.
The Black Tide lost three Pokémon, significantly weakening his power, and he's most likely injured himself, unlikely to reappear anytime soon, and even if he did, he wouldn't have enough manpower.
Natsuhiko thus indirectly resolved a hidden crisis for the Saint Anus.
Patting Shining Charizard's back, he signaled it to return.
...
...
At this moment,
Several miles away from the blast site, deep undersea by a few hundred meters in an underwater cave, there was a rare underwater space.
Black Tide lay on the ground, burned on one side of his body, gasping heavily. Beside him lay a Feraligatr in a coma, with wounds much more severe than Black Tide's.
He survived thanks to Feraligatr taking a substantial amount of the attacks.
In Black Tide's pain-squinted eyes, there was only fear and resentment.
"Who exactly is that fellow?"
The destructive force of the Shining Charizard was too terrifying, far exceeding his expectations.
If he hadn't retreated decisively, without attempting a hard confrontation, even a moment's hesitation earlier could have spelled his doom.
"Has the Alliance already noticed our actions and sent a little guy to test the waters?"
Staggering, Black Tide managed to stand up and quickly tended to his wounds.
He recalled Feraligatr.
"I must promptly inform the Leader of what's happening here. The Alliance has noticed us; the plan must be paused! Otherwise, if just our Ocean Team alone bears the wrath of the Alliance, there will be trouble."
Though the Magma Team and Ocean Team couldn't see eye to eye,
They both understood the necessity of each other's existence.
Otherwise, without one side, they couldn't resist the Alliance.
Summoning a Pokémon again, despite the intense pain, Black Tide plunged into the sea.
...
...
Whoosh—
Shining Charizard didn't return to Binina and the others' location but directly carried Natsuhiko back to the island.
Upon landing, it gave a shake.
Causing Natsuhiko to tumble off its back.
Luckily, Abra was there to support him.
Whew—
From its nostrils, two streams of white smoke expelled, and it turned its head, arrogantly raising its chin, quite reminiscent of Master Ash's Charizard.
Booji booji.
At this moment, Marshadow, who had been hiding in Natsuhiko's shadow, emerged.
It went to Charizard's side, patting the Shining Charizard's...leg in an elder-like manner.
"Marsha Marsha."
"Roar."
In the presence of Marshadow, Charizard restrained its arrogant demeanor.
Natsuhiko came before Marshadow, squatted down, and looked at it directly.
"Marshadow, you want to stay on this island, right?"
"Marsha." Marshadow nodded.
It knew of Natsuhiko's impending departure. Though initially reluctant to let him go, as having someone to play with was nice,
It regarded Natsuhiko as a "friend," and, of course, a friend must consider the other's needs; it wouldn't always have Natsuhiko stay there just for him.
Natsuhiko secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He wouldn't have to guard this place anymore.
Yet, there was a little regret, having finally established a good rapport with Marshadow.
But there was no other choice; Marshadow had its mission.
After a moment's consideration, Natsuhiko took out three boxes full of Energy Blocks. Giving these to Marshadow meant his stock was running low, and he'd need to find a chance to make more for Togetic.
But that wasn't a bad thing either.
The previous Energy Blocks were tailored for Togepi, and now, with the added Flying Type attribute, new, more fitting Energy Blocks would be necessary post-evolution.
He placed them in Marshadow's arms.
For its small stature, carrying the three boxes towering over it was quite a comical sight.
"Marsha?"
All for me?
With a smile, Natsuhiko said, "We're friends, right? Since you like them, and I can't stay for long, here's a bit more for you. I'll bring more next time."
Marshadow's eyes curved into joyful slits.
"Marsha." Its little head nodded enthusiastically.
We're friends.
Finishing, hesitation appeared on Marshadow's face.
"What is it, Marshadow?" Seeing Marshadow's expression, Natsuhiko couldn't help but ask.
"Marsha Marsha."
We're friends, so you should avoid coming near this island in the future.
Hearing this, Natsuhiko was stunned.
"Why?"
He still didn't understand what was happening on this island.
Why the surrounding waters of the island blocked signals, why the town's residents suddenly vanished, and why the wild Pokémon avoided the town and the area above mid-mountain?
Why was Marshadow guarding this place?
These were Natsuhiko's unanswered questions.
After a moment of hesitation, Marshadow opened its small hand, and suddenly a small black dagger appeared within its grasp.
Then, gripping the dagger, it lightly swiped through the air.
A breach was suddenly sliced open in the void.
"Space...has it been torn open?"
Yet, on the other side of the open spatial rift, it wasn't pitch black; instead, it was...
Another world!
Inside, it was filled with kaleidoscopic colors, with small islands floating without order, islands where trees hung upside down, waterfalls flowed backward, and the water surface was inverted.
Seeing this, Natsuhiko's pupils contracted.
"This is...the Destroyed World?!"
So was this island affected by the radiation of the Destroyed World?
Or was it simply that here the boundary between the Pokémon Realm and the Destroyed World was weak?
Is this why Marshadow had to guard this place?
Is this why the island's residents disappeared without reason?
Is this why the wild Pokémon dared not approach the area above mid-mountain?
"Marsha!" Marshadow shivered suddenly, and with another flick of the dagger, the spatial rift slowly healed.
Yet, in the instant it fully closed, Natsuhiko was as if struck by thunder.
One.
Scarlet eye, gazed at him through the nearly closed spatial rift.
That was...
The Nether King Dragon, Giratina!