What a shame!
They had thought the same answer too!
Just a tiny bit of hesitation—and the chance was snatched away!
But was it really that simple?
Of course…
Not!
At the very moment that boy's confidence reached its peak—
The cold mechanical voice rang out.
Like a bucket of icy water poured straight over his head.
[Answer incorrect.]
[Responder will receive punishment: For ten thousand years, you will never see a single Pokémon! You will also be permanently barred from watching the livestream!]
The boy: "???!"
"No—this can't be!"
"This is absolutely impossible!"
After being declared wrong, he threw his head back and screamed in despair.
"Fearow is the evolution of Spearow! That guy attacked an entire Spearow flock—how could the answer not be Fearow?!"
"A shiny Fearow is still a Fearow!"
He desperately tried to argue.
No!
He couldn't accept this punishment!
Ten thousand years without seeing a single Pokémon?!
To him, that wasn't just suffering—
It was a death sentence!!!!
And it wasn't just him.
The other Trainers all nodded frantically.
Exactly!
For Pokémon Trainers, this punishment was far worse than death!
They were Pokémon Trainers!
Their whole purpose was to meet and catch Pokémon!
And now—
Ten thousand years without seeing even one?!
Just imagining it made them shudder.
Terrifying!
Absolutely terrifying!
It was a pain they simply couldn't bear!
The crowd that had been eager to answer moments ago now shrank back in fear.
Sure, the rewards sounded tempting—
But the punishment was truly horrifying!
Just then—
Diantha seized the opportunity and spoke immediately.
"Then I choose B!"
"If it's not Shiny Fearow, then it must be Zapdos!"
With one option eliminated, it had become a simple fifty-fifty.
As the Champion of Kalos, Diantha was still quite familiar with Ho-Oh.
Ho-Oh…
A Legendary Pokémon among legends.
It was said that no one had seen it for hundreds of years.
Only stories remained.
Without hesitation, she ruled it out.
That left only one answer.
Crossing her arms confidently, Diantha spoke,
"Zapdos is a Pokémon that controls lightning."
"That perfectly matches the intense lightning shown in the footage."
"I was already wondering why that Pikachu had such incredible power. If it's related to Zapdos… then it makes sense."
"So the Pokémon that appeared at the end must be Zapdos!"
Using the answer choices, Diantha performed a reverse analysis.
And countless people agreed.
That actually made sense!
"Ho-Oh is definitely impossible!"
"Then it has to be Zapdos!"
"Damn it! Missed such a perfect chance to grab a reward!"
"As expected of Champion Diantha! That analysis is solid!"
The Trainers and spectators discussed excitedly, their faces filled with admiration.
Only Giovanni let out a cold snort.
Hmph!
Backseat analysis!
Anyone could come up with that kind of reasoning after seeing the options!
His gaze darkened slightly as he looked at Diantha on the screen.
So she was about to get the reward…
Given how severe the punishment was—
The reward had to be extraordinary!
Just thinking about it made him irritated.
But then—
Something unexpected happened.
[Answer incorrect.]
[Responder will receive punishment: Diantha's embarrassing past will be broadcast shortly.]
Diantha: "???"
"Embarrassing past?"
"What embarrassing past?"
"Do I even have one?!"
She looked completely stunned and confused.
And now—
All three options, and both attempts, had been wrong.
Everyone stared at the only remaining answer.
Silence fell.
Wait…
Does that mean…
The correct answer is actually—
Ho-Oh?!
…
"—Hic!"
Misty couldn't help but let out a startled hiccup.
"H-H-Ho-Oh?!"
"Are you serious?!"
"No way—this has to be a joke!"
As a Trainer from Kanto, Misty had at least heard of Ho-Oh.
A Legendary Pokémon.
Said to dwell at the foot of rainbows.
With its brilliant, seven-colored wings, it soared endlessly through the sky—
Leaving rainbows in its wake.
Misty didn't know much beyond that.
But even that was enough to leave her speechless.
Her eyes kept darting up and down as she looked at Ash.
"I just… I don't get it… What's so special about you, Ash?!"
"Ho-Oh!"
"Even Ho-Oh showed up!"
Faced with Misty's near breakdown—
Ash only looked completely confused.
Scratching his head with one hand, he wore a simple, clueless grin.