Pokemon: Radical Redux-Chapter 359: Not my ’Hero’

As the ship quickly fled back to a nearby island, everyone began gearing up, since they were still in their pajamas. Liko rushed into her room and grabbed a strange-looking belt with another ancient Poké Ball attached to it. She had Terapagos tucked under her arm as she ran out.

The current lineup was as follows: Misty, Brock, Yellow, and the other team members agreed to take care of Pokémon and help evacuate them from the new island that had formed. It still housed an active, erupting volcano.

Meanwhile, Liko, Dot, Roy, and Friede would confront Entei. This was the reason they came here, to help Terapagos meet one of the ancient heroes. If everything went well, they wouldn't need to battle.

As for Ash, well, you could say he was playing support. He had flown out on Charizard to check the island, but he'd be back soon. He just needed to make sure no Pokémon were stranded near the volcano, which had risen from the sea rather suddenly. He took Vee and Pikachu with him. He was probably the best suited for this, since he knew the most about volcanoes out of everyone here.

As Liko, Dot, Roy, and Friede ran off the ship, Friede's Rotom Phone floated up and answered a call, it was Ash. Static crackled faintly behind his voice.

"Volcano's settling, but the terrain's unstable. Saw a couple of Relicanth and Luvdisc get caught in the rising rock, already helping them back into the sea. No sign of any major Pokémon hurt, but something's moving under the surface... I'll do one more sweep and head back."

"Alright, good to hear. We're heading to talk to Entei, hopefully we can get this all done quickly and won't have to fight," Friede replied.

"Copy that. Good luck. If you need help, try to hold out until I get there," Ash said before hanging up.

With that, the teams split up. Liko, Dot, Roy, and Friede ran onto the island where Entei stood at the top of the volcano, silently watching the eruption.

When they reached the sandy beach, Roy was the first to call out.

"Entei!!" he yelled at the top of his lungs.

Entei heard him and looked down. It said nothing for a moment, simply watching. Then it raised its chest and let out a thunderous roar, "TEEIIII!!"

The roar made Roy flinch. "W-Woah!" he stammered, and Cyndaquil quickly hid behind his legs.

"Guess there's no warm welcome for us then..." Friede muttered.

Liko took a deep breath and stepped forward. "Entei, we need your help, as one of the Six Heroes! Come to Laqua with—" But she was cut off as Entei roared again, "TEEIIII!!"

"Guess it's not eager to listen..." Dot murmured.

Roy looked at her. "Then let's show it our strength!" he said, flexing his arm.

Friede nodded. "Yeah. That's all we can do!" he added as Cap gave a determined nod. "Pika!"

Liko and Dot nodded as well. They all stood ready with their Pokémon to battle. Entei, sensing their intent, huffed and leapt off the mountain, landing in front of them with a thunderous crash into the sand.

Most of them were nervous, this was literally a legendary Pokémon. Dot especially looked tense. She gulped, "Entei is a Fire type... so that means Quaxly's Water-type moves should do the trick."

Roy nodded. "So will Cyndaquil's Ground moves!" since Cyndaquil knew two Ground-type moves [Stomping Tantrum] and [Dig]

Liko clenched her fists and nodded. "But remember what Ash said, we can't just randomly throw out attacks."

Friede took the lead. "Then we'll just have to make an opening. Cap, let's distract Entei!"

Captain Pikachu nodded, took off his captain's hat, and charged forward. Right behind him were Sprigatito, Cyndaquil, and Quaxly, running together into battle.

Entei exhaled and let out another roar as it released its Pressure, which made Sprigatito, Cyndaquil, and Quaxly stop, but Cap didn't. He kept running forward and jumped up into the air.

"Cap, [Thunder Punch]!" Friede commanded.

Cap's fist lit up with electricity, and he tried to punch down, but Entei jumped back, and Cap's fist struck the ground uselessly.

Entei raised its head and formed a glowing orange and blue ball of fire, shooting out a [Sacred Fire].

Friede noticed and quickly called out, "Cap, watch out! Jump out of the way!"

Cap used his tail, striking the ground and bouncing away from the flames, landing back with the group.

"We're sitting ducks if we stay close together! Quick, you guys, split up!" Friede commanded.

Liko, Dot, and Roy nodded and broke formation, fanning out across the beach as Entei's [Sacred Fire] scorched the sand, sending up plumes of steam and smoke where it hit the sand.

"Quaxly, use [Aqua Jet]! Circle to the right!" Dot called out.

Quaxly darted forward, shimmering with water, zigzagging toward Entei's flank.

"Sprigatito, get behind it and use [Magical Leaf]!" Liko called as her Grass-type sprinted to the other side, firing leaves as she ran.

"Cyndaquil, [Dig]! Go underground and aim for Entei's feet!" Roy ordered as Cyndaquil burrowed into the sand, disappearing from view.

Entei, sensing movement from all sides, growled, flames licking off its mane. It slammed a paw into the ground, creating a shock wave of heat that disrupted Quaxly's [Aqua Jet] mid-dash, knocking it off balance and sending it tumbling through the sand.

Just then, Cyndaquil burst from beneath Entei and slammed into its head.

"Yosh! We hit it!" Roy cheered.

But Entei didn't seem hurt, more annoyed, if anything. It was like a mosquito bite. Entei swiped its paw and struck Cyndaquil's back, sending it flying to the side.

Then, as Entei felt more leaves striking it, it turned to see Sprigatito. It inhaled, ready to unleash another flame, when Friede whistled, "Cap!"

Cap dashed in front of Entei and charged up another [Thunder Punch], but it collided with the fire in Entei's mouth, causing a small explosion. Cap shook his fist as if it stung, but Entei remained unharmed.

Friede clenched his teeth. "Its strength is on a completely different level..." he muttered. Then he looked at the others. "You guys, follow my lead. [Double Team]!"

Cap jumped into the air and created a flurry of clones, making it impossible for Entei to tell which one was real.

Meanwhile, Liko and Dot called out in unison:

"[Liquidation]!"

"[Quick Attack]!"

From either side, Sprigatito and Quaxly slammed into Entei's flanks. For a moment, they celebrated, until they saw Entei didn't even flinch.

"It took those attacks like it was nothing..." Liko mumbled.

Roy called out, "Entei! Right here! Look at me!" He waved to distract the legendary Pokémon. "Now, Cyndaquil, [Stomping Tantrum]!"

Cyndaquil began to stomp, but Entei locked eyes with it, its eyes glowing. Cyndaquil froze in place, trapped by psychic power.

Entei then opened its mouth and fired another [Sacred Fire] toward the paralyzed Cyndaquil, but Cap sprinted in and shoved Cyndaquil out of the way, taking the blast himself.

Cap fell to the ground. He was hurt, but he still managed to get up, ready to keep going even after taking that hit. Friede smiled. "Alright, let's do it again, [Double Team]!"

Cap ran around, creating more clones, this time rushing to attack Entei. But Entei wasn't going to let it happen again. It roared and unleashed [Eruption], blowing all of the clones away in a fiery blast.

Meanwhile, some of the fire from that attack flew toward Sprigatito, but Quaxly jumped in, using another [Liquidation] to swat the small flames away. Entei noticed and turned toward them, launching another [Sacred Fire], and this time, Cap was too far away to protect them.

As they panicked, something suddenly dove from the sky, crashing into the incoming attack and slashing it in half. When the smoke cleared, a Charizard stood tall, but it wasn't Friede's.

It was Ash's.

Ash jumped off of Charizard and walked out of the smoke, patting down his clothes from the steam and soot. "Yo. Sorry I'm late, found a few Pokémon stuck under a tree. But now, let's get this party started."

"Ash!" Liko called, relieved. He had saved Sprigatito and Quaxly. But as she looked around, something didn't feel right, Pikachu and Vee weren't with him.

Ash smirked. "Yeah, you guys look beat up. Here, as an apology for showing up late—" He snapped his fingers.

Crackling filled the air.

Everyone turned as Pikachu and Vee appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

Pikachu charged in, cloaked in electricity, using [Volt Tackle]. Vee, already transformed into Jolteon, had used [Mimic], and rushed alongside Pikachu, matching his speed and intensity.

Entei, still underestimating them, braced itself to tank the hit like it had all the others. It had no idea the danger it was in, this wasn't the fake Entei Ash had faced before.

The impact landed.

Pikachu and Vee smashed into Entei full force, and for the first time, Entei was caught off guard. The blow hurt. It hurt a lot. Entei was launched backward, crashing into the side of the mountain. It coughed violently, Pikachu had aimed for the neck.

Ash narrowed his eyes and raised a hand. "Alright, fall back for a second."

Pikachu and Vee darted away, regrouping at his side. Vee reverted to base form.

"That... actually worked?" Roy asked, stunned.

Ash nodded. "Yeah. But don't get cocky. Now we've got its attention, we need to keep it."

He looked at Charizard and smirked. Charizard caught the signal.

Ash turned to the others. "Can you buy me a few seconds? I'll let you borrow Pikachu and Vee."

Friede gave him a look, then caught the grin on Ash's face, and returned it. "Leave it to us."

"Cap, [Thunder Punch]!" Friede called out as Cap charged in. Pikachu and Vee followed up with a duo [Thunderbolt].

Because they had successfully hurt Entei earlier, its legendary resistance had been broken, they could damage it now.

Sprigatito and Cyndaquil attacked from the sides, Sprigatito firing another [Magical Leaf] while Cyndaquil weaved and darted, baiting Entei's attention. Entei roared, spewing a wide burst of [Lava Plume] to push them back, but Cap emerged through the heat and struck its neck again with another electrified punch.

Meanwhile, Ash held out Charizard's Poké Ball.

"You ready to try something new, bud?" he asked, as his Dynamax Band glowed red.

Charizard huffed, flames curling from his nostrils, then returned to his Poké Ball.

The band pulsed with energy, charging the Poké Ball and causing it to grow.

Ash grinned. "Alright, let's show them how it's done. Go!"

He hurled the glowing ball into the air. It opened, and Charizard burst out, transformed.

His belly bore diamond-shaped markings. His wings were made of fire. His tail flame burned hotter and longer, and flames curled from his horns.

It was Gigantamax Charizard.

The literal giant flaming dragon caught everyone's attention—even Entei's—as Ash pointed forward.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Now let's have some fun—[Max Rockfall]!"

Charizard roared. A massive wall of stone erupted around Entei, encircling it from all sides before crashing down, burying the beast beneath tons of rubble. The entire island shook from the impact.

"Woah, that's so cool!" Roy said, eyes sparkling like they weren't in the middle of a life-or-death battle.

"So that's Gigantamax..." Friede muttered, wide-eyed. "I thought I was lucky watching Bea do it, but this... this is insane up close."

Dot was already snapping pictures like it was a concert.

Ash smirked. "You guys might want to step back. I'm gonna end this, [G-Max Wildfire]!"

Charizard roared skyward, his fiery wings glowing red and gold. He unleashed them like a giant flaming bird that soared through the sky, heading straight for the mound of rock Entei was buried under.

Unsurprisingly, Entei burst free, fur scorched, eyes blazing. It roared and countered with [Sacred Fire], blasting the incoming flame bird, and it worked. The fiery attack was knocked aside.

But it wasn't over.

The bird-shaped flame looped around in midair, swooping back from behind and slamming into Entei. A blazing vortex ignited, engulfing the legendary in flames so hot the air shimmered. The Legendary resistance was still off. The damage stacked as the vortex exploded in a inferno.

A shockwave of heat washed across the battlefield. Everything fell quiet.

Charizard, panting, began to shrink down to normal size. He wasn't used to being that huge, but judging by the look in his eyes, it was fun.

From the ashes, Entei staggered forward, fur singed and legs unsteady. For a tense moment, it looked ready to keep fighting. But instead... it stepped out of the smoke and flames, shoulders heaving, and stared at them.

Then, it nodded, they got its Approval.

Everyone collectively exhaled, the tension leaving their bodies in waves. They could finally rest.

Terapagos, who had been hiding behind Liko the entire fight, waddled out from cover, its crystal-like eyes sparkling with joy.

It chirped happily up at Entei.

Entei blinked in confusion, like a stranger being called papa by a toddler in a supermarket.

Liko stepped forward, full of hope, holding her Poké Ball belt in both hands. "We're going to Laqua with Terapagos," she said. "We already have one of the other six heroes with us. Please, Entei, come with us. We'd like your help."

Entei didn't move. It just stared at her, puzzled.

After all... it had never met Terapagos. It didn't know what "Laqua" was, or why any of this was happening.

Friede crossed his arms, watching closely. "Terapagos isn't resonating with Entei," he said quietly. Then he nodded toward another ball on Liko's belt. "And neither is Arboliva."

"But... why?" Liko whispered.

Before anyone could answer, a roar echoed across the sea.

But Ash recognized that sound from the last time it happened. It was Suicune, calling the other two.

Entei reacted immediately, muscles tensing. Without hesitation, it leapt away, racing toward the call as the first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon.

The wild day had ended.

—-

A while later, after everything had settled, everyone was gathered in the dining room, sipping coffee. The night before had been rough, not just for the A-team who battled Entei, but for the B-squad, who had worked hard to save and relocate all the nearby Pokémon.

Still, something good came out of it. Misty, in particular, was happy, she had managed to rescue a bunch of Water-types. They were now safely swimming in a temporary aquarium on the ship, waiting to be released on the next island. Coincidentally, that same island was where Ash, Misty, Brock, and Yellow were planning to disembark.

A calm quiet settled over the group for a while, broken when Liko finally voiced her lingering thoughts.

"I still don't get it... why didn't it work?" she asked, glancing down at Terapagos.

Friede tilted his head, sipping his coffee. "It's possible... Entei just isn't one of the six heroes."

"Huh? But then... what are we even looking for...?" Liko mumbled.

Just then, the phone began to ring. The Rotom Phone flew up on its own and opened a video call with a familiar young woman.

"Hey! It's me!" said the caller, a blonde woman with short wavy hair, striking black irises with red-rimmed white pupils, and two earrings shaped like the Terastal symbol. It was Briar.

Liko perked up immediately. "Oh! It's Ms. Briar!" Terapagos looked up at the screen with bright, eager eyes.

Meanwhile, in the background, Misty was already tying Brock to a chair with duct tape, again.

Briar beamed. "Ooh! Terapagos, you're glowing brighter than ever!"

"Um... is something up?" Liko asked, a little helplessly.

"Ahem. I have some promising info!" Briar leaned in, clearly excited. "We've had sightings of Entei in the Great Crater of Paldea. That one might be one of the six heroes you're looking for!"

"E-Ehh?!" everyone exclaimed in unison.

Friede spoke up. "So that's why you called us."

Briar nodded proudly. "I gave my word, didn't I? I'll send you everything we've found, plus a few juicy details from the Scarlet Book you might want to check out."

"That definitely sounds worth investigating," Friede said, eyes lighting up. "Alright. We'll head back as soon as we can."

As he ended the call, Friede turned to Ash and the others. "Well... I guess this is where we part ways again."

"Looks like it," Ash agreed. "This has been fun... but we've got our own stuff to handle."

There was a collective sigh. Everyone had gotten used to having Ash and his friends around, the energy had definitely been different with them aboard.

Friede gave a small smile. "The least we can do is drop you off somewhere. After everything you did to help, it's the least we can offer. Any place in particular?"

Before Ash could respond, Misty jumped in.

"Oh! Can you drop us off at Blue Point Isle? The Whirl Cup is going to start there soon! I really want to participate, and it's a nice island. There's no way anything crazy is going to happen. We'll finally get a vacation!"

Ash glanced at her and shrugged. "Sure, why not. I've got Abby, so it's not like we're pressed for time. A little side trip won't kill us."

"Yeah!" Misty cheered, pumping her fists triumphantly.

Everyone laughed, lighthearted for the first time in a while.

No one noticed poor Brock was still duct-taped to his chair.