Chapter 2: The legendary ranking descends!

Johto.

Bai Yin Town.

The annual Bai Yin Assembly was held as scheduled.

Countless Trainers who had collected eight badges flocked to the scene.

Among them was a boy wearing a blue short-sleeved jacket and a red-and-white baseball cap.

On the boy's shoulder, a petite and cute electric mouse looked around.

Beside the boy was a girl of similar age dressed in a very hot outfit, and a dark-skinned young man with squinting eyes.

The girl had a slender waist and beautiful legs; her yellow, navel-baring sleeveless top and denim hot pants that reached the top of her thighs highlighted her figure to the fullest.

She placed her jade hand on her forehead to block the sun above.

Her other hand held a Pokémon that looked like an eggshell.

"Ash, there are so many contestants participating in the Bai Yin Assembly this time. You aren't going to make it to the Top 16 again, are you?"

"Come on, Misty, don't say such discouraging things. My goal this time is the championship."

The girl Ash called Misty chuckled.

As partners who had been traveling together since Kanto, the two naturally knew Ash's strength clearly.

Ash had immense talent, but unfortunately, the time spent traveling was too short.

As a result, his talent couldn't be fully realized, and he only reached the Top 16 in the last Indigo Plateau Conference.

If Ash's Trainer level had been high enough at the time to command Charizard,

perhaps Ash's ranking would have been higher; at the very least, he wouldn't have fallen in the Top 16.

"Ash, it is indeed difficult for you to win the championship, but this time your results will definitely be much better than at the Indigo Plateau Conference."

Brock, the dark-skinned young man, comforted Ash.

"Don't worry, Pikachu and I will definitely give it our all this time. The championship belongs to me, Ash."

Ash clenched his right fist, cheering himself up again.

"Pika Pika~"

The Pikachu on his shoulder also raised its little hand in agreement, though whether it would actually perform depended on its mood.

"What a hot-blooded idiot." Misty reached out her jade hand to wipe the sweat from her forehead.

"Let's go, hurry up and register, then go back to rest. It's boiling hot today."

Saying this, Misty grabbed Ash's hand and walked toward the registration spot not far away.

"Easy, Misty, that hurts."

"Don't dawdle~, I still have to go back for a swim!"

The two figures walked further and further away until they disappeared into the crowd.

Brock tightened his backpack, his squinting eyes filled with envy.

"Ah, this running in the sunset is my lost youth. Where is the partner who can accompany me through my entire youth? Nurse Joy, please come and save this lost boy's heart."

The passersby, upon hearing Brock's words, silently distanced themselves from him.

Their eyes were filled with disdain—what a pervert!

"Ding~"

Just at this moment.

A mechanical electronic sound came from the sky.

Immediately following, a vibration like a mountain collapse and a tsunami swept across the whole world.

On Mount Bai Yin, the red-clad boy meditating and training opened his eyes.

Are there more challengers who don't fear death?

He stood up slowly and walked out of the cave where he was training.

However, the expected challengers did not appear.

Instead, those Pokémon that were usually arrogant were actually huddling together.

Following their gaze.

They saw a giant light screen spanning the sky.

The red-clad boy's pupils shrank—what is this thing!

Bai Yin Town.

Ash, who was being dragged by Misty, was also attracted by the sudden commotion.

"Is Team Rocket here again?" Stopping in his tracks, Ash looked around, trying to find that familiar trio.

However, everyone's eyes were fixed on the sky.

"What's going on?" Ash muttered, also looking up.

The originally clear blue sky was obscured by a giant light screen.

"!"

"What on earth is happening!"

Such a scene was not only happening near Mount Bai Yin.

A light screen appeared in every area where there was life!

Even in front of Legendary Pokémon, this indescribable light screen appeared!

The sky! The Ozone Layer!

Rayquaza, who was in a deep slumber, felt a strange power. The moment it opened its eyes, that light screen came into view!

What is this!

Almost simultaneously, the notoriously irritable Rayquaza attacked the light screen without a word!

Its fang-filled mouth gathered a seven-colored beam, and a Dragon Pulse was ready to fire!

The next moment!

The beam turned into a giant dragon and struck the light screen!

A scene that exceeded Rayquaza's expectations occurred!

The previously invincible Dragon Pulse vanished into thin air before even touching the light screen!

Not only that, Rayquaza felt that the surging energy within its body could not be controlled!

Even the "Authority: Sky" bestowed by the Creator God could not be used!

It wasn't dissipated; it was sealed! ===== CHAPTER 3 =====