From the shadows emerges the guide, the Illusion Pokémon, Marshadow.

It is said that it will guide trainers with pure hearts who possess the Rainbow Wing, allowing them to see Ho-Oh and become the "Rainbow Hero."

At the same time, it amplifies the weaknesses within the trainer's heart, testing whether they truly qualify to become the "Rainbow Hero."

This process is called the "Trial of the Rainbow" by the elders who have heard the legends of Ho-Oh.

Since ancient times, very few trainers have become the "Rainbow Hero."

Once the Rainbow Wing loses its original luster, Marshadow will appear from the shadows to correct and restore order.

However, the means by which it corrects things… tend to be rather straightforward.

At this moment.

Marshadow’s shadow stretched out from its feet, casting itself onto the wall of Teacher Lu’s house.

Its eyes flickered with bright flames, while its entire body was pitch black like ink, resembling a burning torch or a dutiful warrior’s soul.

“Marsh…” Marshadow cautiously looked around, its gaze landing on a bewildered Haunter.

“Marsh!” Marshadow frowned.

Clearly, it sensed the dim aura of the Rainbow Wing, so why…

Could it not detect a trace of malice from the Rainbow Wing? Moreover, it seemed to be enjoying the current situation?

“Marsh!” Marshadow’s gaze burned fiercely, the flames in its pupils suddenly surging.

If that power were to be used by a villain… it would surely bring disaster!

I must retrieve that Rainbow Wing.

The trainer whose Rainbow Wing has dimmed… does not qualify to become the "Rainbow Hero" at all!

“Gengarrr~” Haunter scratched its head in confusion, then grinned broadly.

Although it didn’t understand what was going on, this guy seemed pretty good at ‘swimming’!

“Gengarrr!” Haunter stretched out a small hand into the shadow and pulled out a can of cola, lazily handing it to Marshadow.

“Marsh?” This time Marshadow was stunned.

What exactly does this guy keep hiding in the shadows?!

Marshadow blinked dumbfounded.

It saw Haunter pull out a refrigerator from the shadows, tap its fingertips lightly, and casually shoot a Charge Beam at the fridge.

“Gengarrr~” Haunter took a can of chilled cola from the glowing fridge, happily sipped it, and sighed deeply.

Marshadow: (°ー°〃)

Haunter: (￣▽￣)~*

“Marsh…”

Damn, I’m a little envious!

Marshadow shook its head and narrowed its eyes.

The top priority is to find the trainer who holds the Dimmed Rainbow Wing!

It traveled all the way from Kanto, passing through the Shadow World to Sinnoh, just to retrieve the Rainbow Wing.

That trainer has already lost the qualification for the Trial of the Rainbow… I must restore the disturbed order to its proper track!

“Marsh…” Marshadow’s eyes flickered with flames as it slowly advanced along the shadow, suddenly slipping beneath its feet.

“Gengarrr! w(ﾟДﾟ)w” Haunter was terrified.

You just stepped on the can of cola I left there!

Oh… turns out it’s the flavor the owner likes.

Haunter patted its chest and grinned: “Gengarrr~”

Then it’s all good~

“Marsh…” Marshadow’s cold expression slightly cracked.

It closed its eyes, and the ‘backside of the world’ appeared before it—

That was the world of shadows.

Apart from the colors being somewhat dimmer, the house in the Shadow World was no different from the real house.

However… inside the Shadow World house, it was stuffed with various appliances, snacks, and paper notebooks, leaving Marshadow utterly puzzled.

“Marsh…” Marshadow casually picked up a booklet and flipped through it, stunned for a moment.

Could this be a training journal?

Carrying it at all times, this trainer of Haunter is a little too hardworking…

“Gengarrr!” Haunter puffed out its cheeks in anger.

You, don’t randomly look through other people’s stuff!

A small black hole condensed in its hand, the surrounding shadows transformed into energy flowing inside, and Haunter raised the Dark Void high with one hand—

“Marsh?!” Marshadow was dumbfounded.

Aren’t you a Haunter?!

How can you even learn Darkrai’s ultimate move?!

Seeing the situation was unfavorable, Marshadow hurriedly jumped out of the shadow and appeared inside Teacher Lu’s house.

“Marsh…” Marshadow wiped its forehead, its expression growing colder.

I must take back the Dimmed Rainbow Wing!

If it remains in the hands of this Haunter’s trainer… who knows what disaster it might cause!

Haunter also floated out from the shadow, retrieving the can of cola it had just handed to Marshadow.

“Gengarrr~(◦`~´◦)”

You damn shadow thief… I’m not giving you any more cola!

Inside the house shrouded in dusk.

Marshadow and Haunter faced off, the situation on the verge of eruption.

“Marsh!” Suddenly, Marshadow’s spine tingled;

a sharp aura locked onto it from behind.

That aura came from the water tank.

But I just checked, there was no threat there at all!

Marshadow, thinking it would have the upper hand once outside the Shadow World, was now sweating cold.

Fooled, completely fooled!

First the unbelievable Dark Void, now a sudden aura…

This seemingly ordinary house was full of traps!

No wonder the Rainbow Wing wouldn’t acknowledge that trainer… that heart is way too dark!

“Marsh…” Marshadow frowned deeply, clenching its small fists, prepared for a desperate fight.

This is its honor as the Guardian of the Rainbow and a warrior.

“Gengarrr! (ૢ˃ꌂ˂⁎)”

Around Haunter, Sylveon with a fierce expression, Arcanine wearing a chain, and a calm Sirfetch’d gradually gathered…

Teacher Lu’s Pokémon always fight as a team!

“Bu-ee? (〝▼皿▼)” (Who are you?)

“Awooo!凸(｀0´)凸” (Big sister is mighty!)

“Gah! (｀∀´)Ψ” (Charge!)

Marshadow: (๑ŏ﹏ŏ๑)

A gang fight doesn’t make a hero!

Maybe I should put the Rainbow Wing back there for a while… and find a chance to steal it back with Shadow Sneak?

Speaking of which.

How exactly did that trainer get the Rainbow Wing in the first place?

The methods used to teach the Pokémon were pretty dirty!

…

Outside the gate.

Teacher Lu, signing for a delivery, glanced back at the ‘clattering’ villa.

“Are you sure it’s really okay?” The delivery guy swallowed nervously, “Feels like your house… is about to collapse…”

“Common occurrence.”

Lu Ye said calmly, “Got used to it.”

Delivery guy: “…”

A true warrior dares to face a bleak life and pages-long renovation bills!

After another look at the beautiful villa, the Rocket Team uniformed guy left.

Lu Ye opened the delivery outside, softly muttering:

“This doesn’t look like a safe box for funds…”

After peeling back several tight layers of packaging, only a delicate box like one for a necklace remained.

“Feeling doomed…”

Lu Ye’s unease grew heavier;

his trembling hands opened the ‘blind box,’ and a cool breeze greeted him.

Purification Water Drop: A crystallized water energy condensed by Manaphy, possessing healing and purifying effects. (A gift from the vast ocean.)

Teacher Lu: “…”

Not funds or a credit card.

Unexpected, yet reasonable…

Lu Ye sighed lightly, staring at the diamond-like Purification Water Drop.

Interpol also showed thoughtfulness… knowing Arcanine was affected by lava and volcanic gases, this might be needed.

But the key is, with the Flame of Life provided by the Rainbow Wing, Arcanine didn’t need this at all.

So this Purification Water Drop could only serve as a decorative stone in Blastoise’s water tank.

Luxurious or not… no need to change the water anymore.

Truly a "Happy Turtle Stone"!

“Look on the bright side.”

Lu Ye touched his chin, “At least no more mysterious water drops to buy in the future?”

Teacher Lu worried that Blastoise’s need had upgraded from the Mysterious Water Drop to the Purification Water Drop.

Not the kind who wouldn’t dare sleep without a circle of Purification Water Drops in the tank…

“Not likely.” Lu Ye cleared his throat.

The reward from the Stark Mountain incident wasn’t funds, which left Teacher Lu a bit disappointed.

But it was still a gain.

Lu Ye nodded lightly;

suddenly, the Rainbow Wing in his coat pocket warmed up.

The Rainbow Wing, long silent, glowed faintly, then quickly dimmed again.

“Hm… still playing dead?”

Lu Ye took out the Rainbow Wing and casually released Aura.

The originally dim Rainbow Wing, like coming back to life, bloomed with a bit of light again.

“Aura really does have a charging effect!”

Teacher Lu was a bit surprised but then recalled how Yalang used life energy to power the Tree of Beginning.

It was said that Ho-Oh once rested on the branches of the Tree of Beginning… perhaps it contained the source energy.

Lu Ye shook the Rainbow Wing and walked back inside, chuckling softly.

“This time it probably won’t… make Marshadow—”

Teacher Lu pushed the door open.

The small opponents in confrontation all turned their heads at once.

“It’s come…”

Lu Ye’s gaze stopped on the pitch-black little figure, murmuring, “Mar…”

“Marshadow?!! ∑(°Д°ノ)ノ”

Marshadow glared furiously at this ‘black-hearted’ trainer, its gaze tinged with sadness.

If he had come any later… I probably would have been beaten to death!

However.

Marshadow’s gaze landed on the Rainbow Wing in Lu Ye’s hand.

Strike first.

Stealing back the Rainbow Wing might not be impossible!

“Marsh!” Marshadow slipped into the shadow, then poked its head out from the shadow under Lu Ye’s feet, its small hand reaching toward the Rainbow Wing.

At the same time.

The Rainbow Wing burst into brilliant light, as if recognizing Lu Ye’s identity;

rainbow light shone throughout the room!

Teacher Lu and Marshadow were both stunned.

“Marsh…” Marshadow was dazed.

What’s going on… did the Rainbow Wing recognize him again?

Lu Ye was also stunned.

So you still have some battery left, tricking me into charging you with Aura!?

The shining rainbow light dimmed, the Rainbow Wing tried to ‘power off,’ but Lu Ye casually released Aura again.

The Rainbow Wing lit up once more!

Lu Ye: “…”

Marshadow: “…”

This Rainbow Wing… why is it different from the others?

Or maybe it’s been assimilated after staying with this human for so long?!

Marshadow closed its eyes, trying to sense the condition of the Rainbow Wing.

“Marsh.” After a moment, Marshadow opened its eyes again, completely confused.

It had really accepted him…

Suddenly, it felt a hand on its head, and Marshadow panicked slightly.

“Marsh!”

A gentle energy flowed into its body, Marshadow’s little face flushed as it quickly jumped aside, warily watching the young man.

Looks like even if Marshadow came, nothing serious happened.

Lu Ye smiled, “Since you’re here, how about having a meal before you go?”

Marshadow scratched its head.

Strange… he doesn’t seem like a bad person…

But those despicable tactics just now, the dim Rainbow Wing… what’s going on?

Marshadow hesitated, and what baffled it more was that the Rainbow Wing had just recognized him again…

“Marsh!” After a moment, as if making a decision, Marshadow’s gaze steadied and looked at Teacher Lu.

Lu Ye faintly heard a small boy’s voice, a telepathic message ringing in his ear.

‘Trial of the Rainbow, initiated!’