Chapter 240: The Rainbow Hero passed the trial and captured the Phoenix King!

Pikachu, come on!

Ash ignored the crowd around him, shouting loudly; for some reason, at this moment he felt as if he were in the battle within the Black Light Screen, fighting alongside Pikachu, together facing the Phoenix King!!!

Pika～chu!

Pikachu felt the same way!

Shalina also got caught up in this battle, she tightly clenched her fists and cheered for Pikachu alongside Ash.

Shitron and Yulijia also started shouting!

Pikachu!

Waves of air buffeted Ash's clothes; he loudly said, 'Come on, let the Phoenix King see the strength we've shown in the battles we've experienced together since we met!'

Pika～～～chu!!!

Hearing Ash's shout, Pikachu exerted all its strength; the electricity all over its body gradually increased, little by little overwhelming the Phoenix King's seven-colored flames.

Amid everyone's gaze, the electricity forcibly shattered the seven-colored flames.

In the Phoenix King's eyes, it saw Pikachu charging forward with lightning!

Bang!

A loud boom exploded in the air, accompanied by a wave of thick smoke, as Pikachu and the Phoenix King fell from the sky together.

Ash's heart tightened suddenly; he subconsciously touched his aching chest, his face exhausted, much like Pikachu's state, panting as he watched the fallen Phoenix King.

Pikachu fell to the ground, slightly lifting its heavy eyelids, limbs sprawled, struggling to stand up, its body trembling from the battle.

Meanwhile, the Phoenix King's condition was much worse than Pikachu's; its body, radiating rainbow light, was covered in wounds, lying in a crater full of cracks, panting.

Pikachu finally managed to stand up weakly, looking toward the Phoenix King.

Pikachu... did we win?

Makoto and Soji were stunned, finding it hard to believe that the legendary Phoenix King had been defeated right before their eyes!

The Flame Emperor, Water Sovereign, and Raikou were also shocked, a hint of horror appearing in their eyes.

Pat!

A clear, attention‑grabbing sound suddenly rang out—that was the Poké Ball quietly enlarging in Ash's hand.

In an instant, everyone's gaze simultaneously focused on Ash and the enlarging Poké Ball in his hand.

Seeing Ash take out the Poké Ball, which enlarged in his hand and was thrown at the Phoenix King.

Thud!

A dull impact sound echoed in the air; the Poké Ball struck the Phoenix King's splendid wings squarely, the ball slowly opened, and the Phoenix King's form grew fuzzy, finally turning into a brilliant red light that entered the Poké Ball.

Thump!

The Poké Ball jolted once!

Everyone's hearts pounded violently with the Poké Ball's jolt; they held their breath, staring at that Poké Ball in the Black Light Screen, afraid to miss any crucial moment.

At this moment time seemed to become unusually slow, each jolt of the Poké Ball feeling as if it were stretched out.

The Poké Ball's three jolts took only two or three seconds, yet those two or three seconds felt unusually slow to them, and they stared intently at the Poké Ball.

Thump!

The sound of the Poké Ball successfully capturing a Pokémon rang out!

Everyone was stunned, then they all stared in shock at the Poké Ball that had stopped jolting.

The Phoenix King was actually captured!

Phew!

With that heartfelt sigh, Ash's tensed nerves finally relaxed, his face brimming with undisguised joy and sense of achievement, his gaze locked firmly on the now‑still Poké Ball.

At this moment, Latias seemed to sense Ash's inner joy and fatigue, lightly swooping over and gently embracing him with its soft hands.

Celebi also wasn't idle, beginning to restore Ash and Pikachu's stamina; only see, soft beams of light emanated from Celebi, enveloping Ash and Pikachu.

Thanks for your hard work!

Ash steadily received the Poké Ball that Latias gently levitated over to him with telekinesis.

Latias let out a clear, pleasant cry, full of joy.

We finally captured the Phoenix King!

Ash tightly gripped the Poké Ball, his heart swelling with endless emotion.

When we first saw the Phoenix King, we and Pikachu were still so weak; after traveling through several regions and constantly battling, we finally grew strong enough to face it!

Pika‑pi!

Pikachu excitedly jumped onto Ash's shoulder.

Seeing Black Satoshi capture the Phoenix King, it took a while before anyone posted a comment!

【Komatsu: Really captured the Phoenix King???】

【Dr. Ōki: It's true, although hard to believe, but Black Satoshi really captured the Phoenix King!】

【Kenan: The Rainbow Hero passed the trial, and the Phoenix King became the Rainbow Hero's companion; thereafter, when Ash meets Team Rocket again, he'll likely defeat them easily, everything developing for the better!】

Fortunately that's in the Black World...... all members of Team Rocket think that way; if Black Satoshi were in their world, given this momentum, they'd probably have to avoid Black Satoshi!

In that Black World, trying to capture Pikachu would be doubly difficult!

The Team Rocket Trio worries for their Black World selves.

How perverse the little brat of the Black World is!

【Ma Zhishi: Beast‑man...... Black Satoshi has many divine beasts; when we reach the Johto Region, those gym leaders and the Elite Four won't they be put through military training! Hahaha!】

【Tie Xuan: Uh‑oh, it's coming for us!】