Chapter 142: Masked Man

When the multicolored figure approached, Marshadow suddenly moved.

It had originally been standing opposite Ash, its body swaying lightly like gray mist; now it abruptly lifted its head, orange‑red eyes staring straight toward the horizon— even the yellow specks in its pupils shone a few shades brighter than before.

The smoky collar around its neck puffed out a thick wisp of smoke, no longer the faint mist before, but drifting backward as if blown by wind, wrapped with tiny specks of light.

Seeing Ho‑Oh's silhouette become clearer, Marshadow drifted slowly to the edge of the Rainbow Stone, its tiny arms lifting gently, reaching toward the direction Ho‑Oh was flying from.

It made no sound, yet a faint Shadow Energy seeped from its palm, forming a small, faintly glowing sigil before it, like an ancient seal, subtly echoing the radiance of the Rainbow Feather.

When Ho‑Oh circled above the mountaintop, Marshadow suddenly turned its head toward Ash, its body lightly brushing his wrist.

The gesture was gentle, as if fearing to disturb something, yet carried a clear guiding meaning— as if telling Ash that he should raise the Rainbow Feather in his hand.

Ash gently lifted the Rainbow Feather, its tip still tinged with starlight.

Ho‑Oh circled twice above his head, its massive wings stirring a warm breeze, then slowly descended, landing two meters away— its golden feathers glimmering in the multicolored light, each gentle wing beat scattering tiny specks of light.

"It's it! It's really it!" Ash exclaimed, his voice trembling, his hand clutching the feather shaking, "The Pokemon I saw when I set out was this one!"

Ho‑Oh tilted its head, its red eyes gazing deeply at Ash, then its gaze flickered, almost imperceptibly, over Huo La.

The look was calm yet carried a knowing stillness that made Huo La subconsciously draw a deep breath, quietly suppress the turmoil within, and scrutinize the legendary Pokemon.

Its plumage was chiefly golden‑red, the tail feathers bright yellow, its neck wrapped in several emerald bands; the yellow beak was sharp, the red eyes surrounded by a ring of black like an inlaid gem; a yellow crest atop its head tipped slightly, its long legs ending in four sharp claws— an exact match to the memory.

Huo La looked at the system panel, and, just as when he had seen Entei, Suicune, and Raikou before, the panel displayed only the words "Ho‑Oh" and a prominent "SSS" Su Xing, the rest of the information a blur.

At that moment, Ho‑Oh suddenly lifted its head and let out a clear, bright cry.

Its gaze snapped toward the backs of the crowd, and without waiting for anyone's reaction, it opened its mouth and spewed a scorching jet of flame— an orange‑red pillar tearing through the night sky, hurtling toward the distant shadows!

"What's happening?!" Xiao Gang and the others retreated in panic, while Houndour's little head poked out from Fan Ye's arms, spitting a Delibird.

From the shadows came a cold voice, laced with unabashed malice: "A god‑tier Pokemon, indeed. I hid so covertly, yet even a trace of my aura was still detected by you."

As the words finished, a figure cloaked in a black robe slowly stepped forward.

Moonlight fell on his face, the silver mask reflecting a dazzling glare, completely hiding his expression, revealing only a pair of emotionless eyes fixed on Ho‑Oh.

At the same time, apparently sensing the disturbance atop the mountain, three figures that had been lingering at the foot— one red, one blue, one yellow— surged like three bolts of lightning toward the summit.

Huo La stared at the mask on the black‑robed man's face, his heart sinking— the mask, aside from a different pattern, was identical in style and material to the one Bilan had given him!

Sure enough, his lingering unease had not been misplaced.

Gengar had, unknown when, silently slipped back into his shadow; its voice, heavy with gravity, resonated in his mind: "Little imp, this time I was mistaken. You're right, this fellow, like you, hides his aura behind Ghost‑type Pokemon; had Ho‑Oh not acted just now, I would never have sensed him."

Huo La nodded calmly, already forming a hypothesis— the man before him was most likely the leader of the Masked Child organization, the Masked Man.

"Long time no see, old friend, is this how you welcome me?" The Masked Man's voice was as cold as ice as he slowly addressed Ho‑Oh.

Ho‑Oh instantly lifted its head, emitting a sharp cry, its voice brimming with unmasked anger, the golden feathers slightly flaring from the emotional surge.

"Who are you!" Ash stepped forward, shouting.

The Masked Man's gaze swept over Ash, his tone flat: "You may call me the Masked Man. I came here solely for Ho‑Oh, it has nothing to do with you, and you can still leave now."

"Nonsense!" Ash clenched the Rainbow Feather tightly, his gaze resolute, "I am the Rainbow Hero, Ho‑Oh came for me! How could I leave because of a single word from you? Moreover, you intend to attack Ho‑Oh!"

"Heh, a Rainbow Hero?" the Masked Man let out a cold laugh, his disdain seeping through the mask, even his voice tinged with chill, "What a nostalgic title."

"Since you won't heed counsel, don't blame me!" The Masked Man's words fell, and he raised his hand, tossing two Pokeballs.

"Ariados! Houndoom! Go, block them!" A flash of red light revealed an Ariados cloaked in red, purple and yellow fur, and a Houndoom with exposed fangs and twin horns atop its head, both lunging swiftly at Huo La and the others, their claws and teeth glinting coldly.

Huo La scanned the Attribute Panels of the two Pokemon, seeing they were both above level 50, his heart tightening, and he shouted loudly, "Quick! Release all the Pokemon!"

Before the words finished, he had already taken the initiative.

His fingertips brushed the Pokeballs at his waist, and six Pokemon sprang out in unison; even the Houndour cradled by Fan Ye broke free, lightly hopping to the ground, its small paws slightly tensed.

Seeing Huo La's tense reaction, Xiao Gang also hurried, pulling out a Pokeball: "Golem! Geodude! Zubat! Come out!"

The three figures appeared in succession, with Golem positioning itself directly in front of the party, its massive body blocking most of the view.

Ash, though momentarily stunned, quickly followed, releasing his Starter Pokemon and Pidgey together; even Pikachu, which had been perched on his shoulder, leapt to the ground, its body crackling with yellow electric arcs, ready for battle.

The Masked Man glanced at Huo La with mild interest, slightly surprised by his decisive decision to release all his Pokemon, but only for a moment.

He suddenly turned his gaze to the distance, seeing the three figures closing in rapidly, and drew another Pokeball from behind, aiming at Ho‑Oh: "Looks like a swift resolution is needed—your opponent is it!"

"Come out, Delibird!"