228 A quick escape

As Rex and Machamp, battered and bruised from their own clash with Valhir, surveyed the battlefield, they realized that they were not alone in their struggle. Mordred, the World Ender, had arrived, his intentions clear. The air crackled with anticipation, the battlefield itself seeming to hold its breath.

Mordred's laughter echoed through the frozen wasteland, a sound that was equal parts beautiful and horrifying. The chains of darkness that had erupted from the void whipped through the air, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. But instead of attacking Rex and Machamp, Mordred extended a hand towards them, his intentions clear.

Valhir, the colossal polar bear, roared in defiance, his icy breath billowing out like a blizzard as he prepared to face his new opponents. The green smoke that clung to Mordred swirled and danced, the ethereal tendrils twisting and stretching, mirroring the very essence of his power.

Rex and Machamp, still fused into a single being, watched the scene unfold with wide eyes. It was a twist they had not expected, and they knew they had no choice but to join forces. Their union, once a source of newfound power, had dwindled to a flickering ember, but they refused to let that stop them.

As the trio united, Mordred's chains of darkness retracted, their purpose now changed. They wrapped themselves around Rex, Machamp, and Mordred, not as a weapon, but as a conduit for Mordred's immense power.

Just as Rex and Machamp steeled themselves to enter the fray, a colossal suction force, strong enough to threaten the very cohesion of their skin, manifested behind them. With locks of golden brilliance fluttering about, they gazed back to find the source—the very same black hole from which Mordred had emerged.

The massive, 100-meter-tall obsidian colossus that was once their comrade surged forward, single-minded and unyielding as a divinely guided missile, aiming for the oncoming polar bear.

"Come, and kneel, pretender!" bellowed the polar bear, Valhir, his voice rich with the bass of a hundred storms. His gargantuan claws tore through the earth, unleashing torrents of ice that spiraled towards the heavens like frozen vipers.

"You may be the world-ender, but your power is inadequate. Your time has not yet come!" Valhir roared, his words imbued with such force that the shadowy behemoth recoiled for a moment. Within that fleeting instant, Rex's enhanced vision captured the confusion etched upon his friend's distorted visage.

But that glimpse was all Rex could grasp before an impenetrable veil shrouded his senses, smothering them as if cloaked in the deepest abyss. Struggling against the inexorable pull of the black hole, he felt his strength wane, as though his very essence were being consumed by the cosmic maw.

***

James stood at the centre of the massive desk that sat just beneath the giant screen, the sky overhead a tumultuous canvas of vibrant colours as if the very heavens were preparing for a battle of their own. The air was thick with anticipation, and the gathered crowd whispered in excited murmurs. A gentle breeze carried with it the distant aroma of various delicacies from the concession stands outside.

As James raised his hand to silence the crowd, the arena held its collective breath, waiting for the moment of introduction. He could feel the weight of expectation on his shoulders. He was the voice that would bring forth the newest challenger to the Kanto League, a hero yet to be known.

"Ladies and gentlemen, trainers and Pokémon enthusiasts," James began, his voice booming through the stadium as he projected it with the aid of a microphone gem, a small, radiant stone affixed to his lapel. "Today, we have witnessed the debut of many young trainers, and once again, do so with vigour. For one whose passion for Pokémon has brought him to this very stage. Hailing from our very own humble town of Pallet, nestled amidst the verdant forests of the Kanto region, he embarks on a journey filled with dreams and aspirations."

The crowd's energy surged, their attention fully captured by the announcer's words. James allowed himself a small smile, revelling in the power of storytelling. This was where he truly shined, breathing life into a simple introduction and transforming it into an epic tale.

"Though untested and inexperienced, his determination and heart have brought him here," James continued. "His potential burns as brightly as a fiery Charizard, his spirit as swift and unyielding as a mighty Gyarados. And yet, like a Jigglypuff's melody, his modesty endears him to those who know him best."

As the crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch, a spotlight illuminated the entrance to the arena, casting a brilliant halo of light that seemed to herald the arrival of a hero. The moment was ripe with anticipation, the air crackling with energy as if charged by an Electabuzz.

"Please join me in welcoming," James shouted, his voice resonating with the passion of a thousand battles, "the future of Pokémon training, the ember of hope, the wind beneath the wings of those who dare to dream... from Pallet Town, I present to you... Ash Ketchum!"

As Ash stepped into the light, a fierce determination in his eyes, the stadium erupted in applause and cheers. The young trainer's heart pounded in his chest, the excitement of the crowd fueling his resolve. And as he took his place on the battlefield, he knew that this moment, this introduction, was merely the beginning.

Above, in the VIP area, Rex sat, his breath coming in uneven heaves. His eyes were glued to the massive chasm soon to be replaced by one of the four battlefields. The ten-year-old boy he had met in Pallet town a full year ago had finally taken to the big stage.

"Don't disappoint me..." he mumbled.