Paragon

Hisui Incursion [32]

PARAGON

Hisui Incursion Arc [32]

Chapter 84 : Bearer Ash vs Wielder Volo

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Hisui Region - Temple of Sinnoh

Red lightning flashed overhead, sending a flurry of snow billowing across the temple grounds. Shortly after, the low groan of thunder echoed off the ancient granite.

Ash kept his gaze forward. The calculus was simple now. Sabrina and Riley were both gone, and Pikachu was incapacitated. Ash would need to defeat Volo's remaining three pokémon, Volo himself, and Giratina all by himself.

He suppressed a shudder, a cloud of steam wafting out from between his lips.

Up till now, he had yet to use his powers, save for a single Three Heavenly Bolts against Volo's Koraidons, and because of his consistent training, it hadn't strained him nearly as badly as it once did. He was essentially still at full strength, compared to Volo, who'd been using his powers this entire time, to little effect yet.

And still...

His pokémon...depending on what they were, sure.

Volo himself...maybe.

But Giratina too?

Ash gritted his teeth, forcing himself not to show his fear.

I can't do it alone. I need help.

Despite their preparations, despite their expectations, Volo had proved to be a far more formidable foe than they'd given him credit for. Ash couldn't tell if it'd been intentional, but unleashing the Alpha Pokémon on them may have instilled a certain bias in them; as dangerous as they were, they'd only scratched the surface of what Volo was truly capable of.

As planned, they'd kept themselves flexible, and Ash still had full faith that both Sabrina and Riley would dispatch their legendary opponents. But the appearance of those two powerhouses had thrown Ash's tempo off track. If I defeat Volo now, they won't be here for Giratina!

Luckily for Ash, Volo seemed to be in a similar predicament. He still stood speechless at the other side of the temple, the snow blowing across his marred body. He blinked, then glared at Ash.

"Is the future so far ahead of us?" Volo asked, his voice hollow.

Ash narrowed his eyes.

"My two strongest pokémon...defeated by a rodent."

"A pokémon's strength is only as great as its trainer's skill," Ash spat.

"Yes..." Volo murmured, nodding to himself. "I suppose it only makes sense... Over two thousand years to develop battle technique... Even your composure... You were unflappable in the face of raw power..."

Seeing a crack, Ash seized on the opportunity, taking a step forward. "We don't have to keep fighting, Volo. All we want is to return home. If this goes on, you'll keep getting closer to losing everything."

Volo threw his head back and laughed. Dirt and grime dripped down his chest on melted snow. "I've already lost everything, you know that, Ash. I killed a child and purged my memory of it. Even when I recall it now, my heart is utterly numb to emotion. By my own hand, I have no home, nor family to return to. All I have is limitless power, and a duty to pursue even more."

"Why?" Ash demanded, genuinely at a loss. "What would you do with my Plate if you got it? Even if you got them all?"

A low chuckle escaped Volo's mouth. "What I've always wanted. To save the world."