"Rainbow Trial, begin!"

Lu Ye was momentarily stunned, taking quite some time to comprehend the situation.

He had thought he was entering the "Giratina and the Sky Bouquet" dungeon.

Yet the [Faded Rainbow Wing] summoned Marshadow... turning out to be the 'Rainbow Trial' dungeon!?

Marshadow resembled a small shadowy figure with flickering flames in its eyes, quietly observing Teacher Lu.

"Marsh!"

This is the best way to test whether you're qualified to become the "Rainbow Hero"!

Through [Telepathy], Marshadow conveyed its intentions to Teacher Lu.

It also wanted to use this opportunity... to decide how to treat this trainer.

After all, this man before it was truly hard to figure out.

The flames in Marshadow's eyes flickered.

Though he was the one who caused the Rainbow Wing to fade, the wing had inexplicably acknowledged him instead.

His methods might be underhanded, yet he was a genuine "Aura Guardian".

His Pokémon might look fearsome... yet one could feel the warmth of this family.

"Marsh!" Marshadow's gaze turned resolute.

The Rainbow Trial is the best way to verify the truth!

Lu Ye: "But I refuse."

Marshadow: (⊙ˍ⊙)

"Gengarrr~o(*≧▽≦)ツ" Haunter slung an arm around Marshadow's shoulder.

"Marsh!" Marshadow looked bewildered, staring straight at Lu Ye.

"No need to participate."

Lu Ye spread his hands, chuckling: "Isn't lazing around at home much better?"

"By the way, are you hungry? Want me to make you some noodles?" Lu Ye asked kindly.

Surrounded by the little ones, Marshadow lifted its head proudly: "Marsh!"

Since you have no intention of taking the 'Rainbow Trial', we have nothing more to discuss.

Farewell!

As Marshadow tried to melt into the shadows, Lu Ye said calmly: "Haunter, Mean Look."

[Mean Look: Uses eerie light to trap the target in shadow, preventing escape from battle]

"Gengarrr!" Haunter grinned, its crimson eyes glowing with an eerie blue light as its shadow suddenly elongated, firmly grasping Marshadow.

Marshadow: "..."

So dirty! Such underhanded methods!

"Marsh!"

Trapped by the shadow, Marshadow turned its head away proudly, adopting a 'do your worst' attitude.

Lu Ye scratched his head, unsure how to deal with this 'shadow thief'.

Letting a home intruder go wasn't practical.

But keeping it here meant dealing with that troublesome 'Rainbow Trial', which had its dangers.

After some thought, Lu Ye clapped his hands:

"Let it watch us eat dinner before leaving!"

"Only you would think of that, Rotom!" the Rotom Pokédex exclaimed in shock.

"Little Rotom, Legendary Kitchenware Mode," Lu Ye said flatly.

"This makes no sense, Rotom! o(TヘTo)"

As Lu Ye headed to the kitchen, he waved: "Keep an eye on it, Haunter!"

"Gengarrr!" Haunter cracked its knuckles, with Sylveon watching intently and Arcanine glaring nearby.

"Marsh..." Marshadow realized it had been tricked.

There seemed to be an Aura Sphere charging in the water tank behind it...

Is this really the character a 'Rainbow Trial participant' should have?!

Hearing Teacher Lu's muttering, Marshadow's expression turned complicated.

"You could've walked the righteous path, yet you chose to break into Teacher Lu's home..."

Lu Ye looked down at the Rainbow Wing and snorted:

"So you're the one who led Marshadow here!?"

The Rainbow Wing remained silent and dull.

"Marsh..." Marshadow sighed deeply.

Had the [Rainbow Wing] truly misjudged this man?

Or... had this [Rainbow Wing] really been corrupted!

Glancing at Haunter beside it, Marshadow's eyes shone with determination.

It had decided—Teacher Lu must take the 'Rainbow Trial'.

This was the conviction of a shadow guardian, a warrior's resolve.

By 6 PM, the 'captive' Marshadow stood in a shadowy corner, silently watching the happy family.

Lu Ye &

Haunter: (￣～￣)

The aroma of ramen wafted through the air. Marshadow glimpsed the glistening chashu and rich broth, swallowing hard.

It wasn't particularly interested in human food...

But this ramen broth seemed made from berries... too tempting!

Lu Ye and Haunter slurped noodles noisily. Arcanine buried its face in its food bowl. Sylveon had mastered using its ribbons as chopsticks.

As for Togepi, Blastoise, and Sirfetch'd... they all had hands and were quite skilled with chopsticks.

"Marsh..." Marshadow watched quietly.

Noticing Marshadow's pitiful look, Lu Ye got up and brought another bowl of ramen.

"Marsh?" Marshadow was startled.

"Prepared this for you," Lu Ye said. "You nodded when I asked if you wanted noodles."

"Marsh!" Marshadow turned away proudly, refusing charity!

Lu Ye smirked.

He handed Marshadow a pair of chopsticks.

Marshadow: "..."

Marshadow took the chopsticks: (￣～￣)

Marshadow: (⊙ˍ⊙)

Marshadow: (๑´∀`๑)

Soon it regained its composure, looking serious again.

『Perhaps you're not a bad person.』

『But the fading Rainbow Wing foretells disaster—this is Ho-Oh's prophecy!』

A boyish telepathic voice spoke in Lu Ye's ear, its tone oddly mature.

"So how do we fix this?" Lu Ye asked curiously.

"Take the Rainbow Trial," Marshadow said.

Back to square one!

Rubbing his temples, Lu Ye asked: "What if I don't?"

"If things continue deteriorating, when disaster comes—"

Marshadow's voice grew grave: "Lord Ho-Oh will descend personally."

Lu Ye paused.

The photographer coming down himself?

"Not impossible..."

Lu Ye stroked his chin: "The Burned Tower incident was Ho-Oh's direct intervention."

Even the Tree of Beginning rejected me... If Ho-Oh sees me attempting its trial, it might just incinerate me with [Flame of Life].

But.

As the Tree of Beginning's acknowledged "Aura Guardian"—

Do I really need Ho-Oh's approval?!

Lu Ye declared firmly: "Tell me how to take this Rainbow Trial. What must I do?"

"Marsh?" Marshadow was stunned.

Did I hear wrong? Why the sudden change?

"Marsh!" Marshadow shook its head, looking at the Rainbow Wing in Lu Ye's hand.

『We must hurry to the glacier near Mt. Coronet.』

『There lies the Indigo Stone. Complete the trial path under the rainbow's gaze to meet Ho-Oh.』

Lu Ye blinked: "No need to go to Kanto?"

"Marsh." Marshadow nodded.

『Each region has its own trial path—find the Indigo Stone』

Teacher Lu looked up, suddenly feeling Ho-Oh's prestige had risen another notch.

Ho-Oh always maintained high standards, appearing across regions.

Though in Pokémon Adventures, it got soloed by Pryce's Delibird...

"Wonder which version this is..." Lu Ye muttered.

Compared to the upcoming Giratina dungeon, the 'Rainbow Trial' seemed easier.

Teacher Lu glanced at Marshadow, now thoroughly bribed by ramen, eating heartily.

Avoiding Ash this way wasn't a bad idea...

Completing the 'Rainbow Trial' to restore the Rainbow Wing would be like getting an extra life (?).

Noticing the beautiful Gracidea Flower in the vase, Lu Ye raised an eyebrow.

The Giratina dungeon's too hard... can't I just switch dungeons?!

"So," Lu Ye looked at Marshadow, "you're staying here?"

"Marsh!" Marshadow nodded solemnly.

I must supervise the trial-taker!

Lu Ye: "..."

You just want free meals!

But with even the examiner Marshadow bribed... this trial should be easy!

Teacher Lu smirked.

Checking the chat group for Ash's status:

"I plan to challenge Volkner again!" Ash said.

"Great," Lu Ye smiled. "Keep it up, Ash!"

Ash grinned and nodded firmly.

His next challenge was in a week—he'd use this time to train.

"Teacher Lu seems unusually nice today," Lila remarked softly.

"I agree," Ami added.

Lu Ye paused.

Was it Ami? Or was it...

Ah right, Ami's my Galar apprentice, so this must be...

Meanwhile, Lucian DM'd Teacher Lu:

"Flint wants to join the group... should I invite him?"

"Of course," Lu Ye said cheerfully.

I've got Flint's name on my list... easier to communicate this way!

Lucian adjusted his glasses, thinking about the recent dimensional rift activity.

"I really want to retire..."

He murmured, looking outside: "Let Cynthia handle it..."

Elsewhere.

Lu Ye noticed two shadows extending from him—Haunter on one side, Marshadow on the other.

My weird Stand users multiply!

"We'll leave tomorrow," Lu Ye said.

"Marsh!" Marshadow nodded seriously.

"Gengarrr~!(๑`▽´๑)۶" Haunter waved its tiny fists.

Rainbow Trial, here we come!