The mist clung to Isabelle’s skin like a damp blanket, thick and unyielding as the unmarked path twisted ahead. Azzy hopped alongside her, the little Azurill’s tail bouncing rhythmically, chirping softly every now and then—a reassuring presence in the eerie silence. Pancham walked beside Collin, fists clenched, shadowboxing occasionally as if daring anything lurking ahead to step out and face them.

  Rotom buzzed erratically from Isabelle’s Pokédex, its screen flickering in a wild, glitching frenzy. It darted forward, then back, spinning erratically as it tried to recalibrate. "Partner, I'm detecting—zzzt—highly irregular—zzzt—readings... it’s amazing and definitely—zzzt—potentially terrifying!"

  Collin rubbed the back of his head, confusion clear on his face. “This makes no sense. I swear, this path wasn't here yesterday. And trust me, I've passed through here enough to remember every pebble."

  “You’ve said that, like, three times already,” Isabelle replied dryly, pulling her jacket tighter around her shoulders. “Does repeating it make it less creepy?”

  “Maybe if I keep saying it, the path will disappear,” Collin countered cheerfully, attempting a grin despite his own unease.

  “Yeah, great logic there, Professor.” Isabelle rolled her eyes, but a faint smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Or maybe it’s a shortcut,” she added sarcastically. “You know, straight to our inevitable demise.”

  Rotom zipped excitedly around her head, flickering brightly. “Demise? Highly unlikely, partner! My sensors are buzzing with energy readings. Residual Pokémon activity, ancient structures, and possibly—”

  “Let me guess,” Isabelle interrupted with exaggerated drama. “One of those ‘wonders of the world’ speeches?”

  Rotom’s face lit up even brighter. “Precisely! Whoever paved this misty road certainly had a flair for the dramatic. These readings are literally off the charts!”

  “Great. Mysterious energy and ominous mist. Just what my anxiety needed,” Isabelle muttered under her breath, though loud enough for Collin to hear.

  Collin laughed softly, shaking his head. “Don’t worry, Isabelle. I’ll protect you from any legendary curses or demonic Pokémon.”

  “Oh, please,” she snorted, though her voice softened noticeably. “You’d probably make friends with it first and invite it out for tea.”

  He shrugged nonchalantly. “Well, diplomacy has never hurt anyone.”

  Azzy squeaked softly, hopping closer to Isabelle, sensing her trainer’s growing tension. Isabelle bent down slightly, ruffling Azzy’s ears gently. “At least Azzy’s got my back.”

  Nearby, Pancham threw another playful jab at the fog, swaggering confidently. Isabelle raised an eyebrow. “And apparently Pancham’s ready to fistfight the mist itself.”

  “He takes after his trainer,” Collin replied proudly, flexing dramatically. “Absolutely fearless.”

  “Or just recklessly optimistic,” Isabelle sighed, though her tone held warmth, betraying gratitude rather than malice. Despite her sarcasm, Collin’s persistent good humor was grounding, reassuring even. She knew she would never admit it out loud, but his unflappable optimism was beginning to feel necessary to her own anxious balance.

  The mist suddenly parted, revealing an open clearing bathed in a surreal glow. Isabelle stopped in her tracks, her breath catching in her throat. Rising before them stood the Fire Shrine, carved from volcanic stone, glowing faintly with intricate golden-orange veins pulsing like embers. Pokémon motifs carved deep into its walls depicted scenes of triumph, strength, and fiery glory.

  “Whoa…” Collin breathed, stepping forward with wide, awe-filled eyes. “This has to be it!”

  “Careful,” Isabelle warned, voice barely above a whisper, suddenly serious. “Old, glowing temples usually mean some ancient evil or a legendary Pokémon ready to barbecue trespassers.”

  Rotom buzzed forward, its erratic flickering momentarily stabilizing. “Legendary connection! Legendary connection! These readings are phenomenal!”

  Collin’s enthusiasm grew infectious. “This looks like something straight from those forum posts I read. Could it be Victini? It represents victory, right? This is incredible!”

  Isabelle glanced nervously at Azzy, who trembled slightly. Kneeling, she comforted her small companion. “Relax, Azzy. It’s just an overdramatic pile of old rocks.”

  As if to spite her words, the shrine suddenly brightened, the glow intensifying to reveal a hidden carving: a V-shaped crest encircled by flames, burning softly yet defiantly.

  Isabelle felt her stomach twist sharply. “Oh, Arceus, you’ve gotta be kidding…”

  Collin’s notebook slipped from his hand, forgotten as he stared at the symbol. “I don’t know what it is, but it's amazing.”

  Rotom darted in frantic circles, buzzing excitedly again. “Elevated energy levels detected! Resonance patterns are incredibly strong—data off the charts! Partner, this is monumental!”

  Isabelle rose, brushing her hands on her jeans with exaggerated calm. “Great, now even a pile of rocks is outclassing me.”

  Collin chuckled, patting her shoulder reassuringly. “Come on, Isabelle. You’ve got this. And if not, Pancham’s ready to punch out a deity for you.”

  She shook her head, smiling faintly despite herself. “At least one of us is optimistic.”

  In the flickering embers of the shrine, Isabelle felt something shift within her—uncertainty, yes, but also an unspoken recognition. Something about this place called to her, resonated deep in her bones, reminding her that the unknown wasn’t always something to fear.

  Before Collin could respond, the peace of the clearing shattered. The rustling of nearby foliage turned into a cacophony of movement as wild Pokémon emerged from the mist. Numel, Slugma, and Pineco surrounded them, their eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.

  The embers glowing faintly in the shrine’s carvings pulsed again, a rhythmic heartbeat that seemed to command the very air around it. The wild Pokémon—Numel, Pineco, and Slugma—paused, their glowing eyes flickering as if responding to an unseen force. Isabelle clenched her fists, her heart pounding.

  “Okay, this is officially above my pay grade,” she muttered, her voice tinged with nervous sarcasm.

  Azzy hopped forward bravely, her tiny body quivering but her tail held high. The Pokémon spread out, surrounding Isabelle and Collin. It wasn’t just a random attack; their movements were deliberate, almost as though they were guarding the shrine itself.

  “Stay close, Azzy,” Isabelle said, her voice firm despite the nervous quiver in her stomach. “Bubble them back!”

  Azzy squeaked in acknowledgment, launching a stream of sparkling bubbles at the nearest Numel. The attack struck true, pushing the fire-type back with a hiss, but it shook off the move quickly, its eyes blazing with determination. Collin barked out a command to Pancham, who leaped forward, landing a solid Karate Chop on a Pineco that rolled too close.

  “Pineco, Bug and Rock-type!” Rotom interjected. “Not super effective, but hey, points for effort!”

  “Rotom, I swear—focus!” Isabelle snapped as Azzy ducked under a flurry of glowing embers spat out by a Slugma. “Azzy, dodge left! Hit it again!”

  Azzy obeyed, hopping nimbly to the side and retaliating with another Bubble attack. The Slugma slowed, its molten body quivering, but it wasn’t enough to knock it out. Isabelle gritted her teeth. The wild Pokémon were relentless, pushing closer despite their best efforts.

  “We’re getting swarmed!” Collin yelled, throwing an arm up as Pancham blocked another attack. “We need a new plan!”

  “Yeah? Got any bright ideas?” Isabelle shouted back, scanning the clearing for an opening. The wild Pokémon pressed in, and her stomach sank as she realized they were running out of space to maneuver.

  Then, as if in answer, the glow from the shrine intensified. The air thickened, charged with heat and energy. The wild Pokémon froze mid-attack, their gazes snapping toward the shrine. Isabelle staggered back, shielding her eyes as a wave of warmth rolled over the clearing.

  “What now?” she muttered. “Is the shrine about to explode or something?”

  The mist swirling around the clearing parted like a curtain, revealing a figure stepping forward with deliberate grace. Its crimson armor gleamed like polished rubies, the golden plume on its head flaring like a flame. The Pokémon’s eyes burned with an otherworldly intensity, locking onto Isabelle with a gaze that froze her in place.

  Rotom zipped forward, its screen glowing brightly as it scanned the figure. “Armarouge! Fire and Psychic-type! A warrior Pokémon known for its combat prowess and intense focus! Oh, boy, are we in trouble now.”

  The Armarouge halted a few paces from Isabelle and Collin, its stance calm but commanding. The wild Pokémon around them began to back away, their glowing eyes dimming. Numel and Slugma slunk back into the mist, while Pineco rolled out of sight.

  “It’s… it’s driving them off,” Collin murmured, his voice filled with awe.

  “Or waiting for its turn to kick our asses,” Isabelle muttered under her breath, clutching Azzy closer. The little Azurill chirped nervously, her tail curling protectively.

  Pancham stepped forward, fists raised as it squared off against the Armarouge. Collin moved to his partner’s side, his jaw tight. “It’s not attacking yet,” he said, glancing at Isabelle. “I think… I think it’s testing us.”

  “Oh, great. A pop quiz in the middle of nowhere,” Isabelle said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “And here I thought the forest was the worst part.”

  The Armarouge didn’t move, its piercing gaze shifting between Isabelle and Collin. The glow from the shrine pulsed again, matching the faint flicker of flame around the Pokémon’s hands. The air was heavy with expectation, the kind of silence that demanded action.

  “What do we do?” Collin asked, his voice low.

  Isabelle hesitated, the weight of the moment pressing down on her. Her heart raced as her mind screamed at her to run, but something in the Armarouge’s steady gaze held her in place. It wasn’t attacking—it was waiting.

  “We fight,” Isabelle said finally, her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins. She set Azzy down gently, crouching beside her. “You up for this, Azzy?”

  Azzy squeaked, her tail bouncing against the ground as she puffed up with determination. Isabelle smiled faintly, ruffling her partner’s head. “That’s my girl.”

  Collin nodded, stepping forward with Pancham by his side. “Let’s do this.”

  The Armarouge raised one hand, flames flickering to life around its fingertips. The shrine behind it flared brighter, casting long shadows that danced across the clearing. The air crackled with heat and tension as Isabelle and Collin prepared to face their trial by fire.

  The first move was theirs—but the weight of the challenge ahead hung heavy in the air, promising a battle unlike anything they’d faced before.

  Isabelle wiped her palms on her pants, the heat of the moment almost as intense as the warmth radiating from the Armarouge. Her mind raced as she quickly assessed the situation. This wasn’t just some wild Pokémon attack—this was a deliberate challenge.

  “Azzy, let’s start with Bubblebeam!” Isabelle called out, her voice sharp with determination.

  Azzy chirped in acknowledgment, bouncing forward and launching a concentrated stream of shimmering bubbles toward the Armarouge. The attack zipped through the air, the sound of popping bubbles punctuating the tension.

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  “Pancham, back her up! Use Karate Chop!” Collin commanded, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him.

  Pancham charged forward, its small but strong hand glowing as it prepared to strike. The Bubblebeam reached Armarouge first, enveloping the crimson figure in a cascade of water and foam. Pancham followed up, leaping with precision to bring its glowing hand down on the armored Pokémon.

  The combination was seamless—Isabelle couldn’t help but feel a surge of hope.

  Then, Armarouge moved.

  With a grace that bordered on effortless, the Fire/Psychic-type raised one hand. The shimmering bubbles around it evaporated instantly, the steam curling upward in ghostly spirals. Pancham’s Karate Chop came down, but Armarouge didn’t flinch. Instead, its golden eyes glowed faintly as a shimmering psychic barrier formed between them, deflecting the blow without so much as a tremble.

  “What the hell?” Isabelle blurted, her confidence wavering.

  Before either Trainer could react, Armarouge tilted its head, almost as if assessing the situation, and then raised both hands. A faint purple aura surrounded Azzy and Pancham, lifting them gently off the ground.

  “No way…” Collin breathed. “It’s using Psychic!”

  The Armarouge moved with deliberate calm, nudging both Pokémon backward as if placing them back into their starting positions. The aura dissipated, and Azzy bounced on her tail to steady herself, while Pancham stumbled but quickly regained its footing.

  “It’s not attacking,” Isabelle said, her voice quiet but tense. “It’s just… toying with us?”

  “No,” Collin corrected, his eyes narrowing as he studied the Armarouge’s movements. “It’s testing us. Look at it—it’s not even trying to hurt them. It’s watching how we react.”

  “Great,” Isabelle muttered. “We’re in the middle of a Pokémon boot camp, and this thing’s the drill sergeant.”

  Rotom buzzed in close, its voice unusually subdued. “Not just any drill sergeant. This is like… the honor guard of the shrine. Everything about its posture screams ‘defender.’ If it wanted to, we’d already be toast. Literally.”

  “Not helping, Rotom,” Isabelle said through gritted teeth, her eyes fixed on the Armarouge.

  The crimson Pokémon stood still, its golden plume catching the emberlight as it waited for their next move. There was no malice in its stance, only a calm authority that demanded respect.

  Collin clenched his fists, his determination undeterred. “If it’s testing us, then we’ve got to show it we’re worthy. Pancham, Bulk Up! Let’s focus on strategy.”

  “Azzy, jump! Aim high! Use Bubble” Isabelle called, her voice steadier now.

  Azzy squeaked energetically, bouncing upwards and spinning mid-air to unleash a shimmering cascade of bubbles that fanned out broadly, creating a dazzling curtain aimed directly at Armarouge. Pancham roared, its muscles visibly tightening from Bulk Up, positioning itself strategically to capitalize on any openings the bubbles might create.

  Armarouge shifted slightly, its golden eyes narrowing with focused intensity as Azzy's flurry of bubbles splashed harmlessly against its armored frame, fizzing out in tiny puffs of steam. Its attention then snapped to Pancham, observing calmly as the small Pokémon flexed confidently, muscles swelling under the effect of Bulk Up. Armarouge's posture remained poised, unthreatened—clearly acknowledging their efforts, but silently indicating it would take far more than this to move it.

  “What the hell are you looking at?” Isabelle muttered under her breath, her voice low enough that only Azzy could hear. She clenched her fists. “Fine. You want a show? Let’s give you one.”

  The battle wasn’t just physical—it was a test of resolve, and Isabelle was determined not to fail.

  The air around the shrine was electric, charged with an unseen force that wrapped around Isabelle, Collin, and their Pokémon. Despite the tension, Armarouge remained stoic, its golden eyes locked on Isabelle. Azzy hopped nervously at her side, and Pancham stood ready, though both were clearly worn out.

  “Okay, we get it—you’re built like a tank,” Isabelle muttered, wiping sweat from her brow. “Do you ever get tired, or is that just a problem for me?”

  Collin glanced at her, equally breathless. “You’re doing great. It’s not about beating it—it’s about showing we’re capable. I think?”

  “Oh yeah?” Isabelle shot back, hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath. “Then why does it feel like I’m auditioning for a reality show called ‘Pokémon Trainers Who Die Trying?’”

  Rotom hovered closer, its usual cheeky demeanor replaced by something almost reverent. “For what it’s worth, you’re giving a stellar performance, partner. But uh… I don’t think this is just about moves anymore.”

  Before Isabelle could retort, a change swept through the air. The oppressive heat from Armarouge dissipated, replaced by a serene warmth that washed over the area like sunlight breaking through a storm. The wild Pokémon—Numel, Slugma, and Pineco—stilled, their aggression melting away as they retreated into the mist.

  “What now?” Isabelle whispered, glancing around warily.

  Then, it came. A voice, soft yet resonant, echoing through the grove as if carried on a timeless wind. It wasn’t a sound so much as a presence—a pulse of energy that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.

  “One of my worthy ones…”

  Isabelle froze, her heart pounding. “Uh, okay. Who said that? What the actual fuck is going on?”

  Collin’s eyes widened, and even Rotom seemed startled, its screen flickering briefly. “That voice,” Collin murmured, “it sounded... alive.”

  The voice continued, addressing the grove itself more than the Trainers. “Long has this place waited for one who could bear the weight of its purpose. A shard of power remains—a fragment of the whole. Take it, and tread carefully. The path before you is yours alone to walk.”

  Armarouge bowed low toward the shrine, its posture dignified and reverent, as though acknowledging something far greater than itself. The emberlight pulsed in response, golden veins within the volcanic stone flaring brighter, casting shifting shadows across the carvings of victorious Pokémon.

  Then, the air itself seemed to ripple.

  A deep, thrumming vibration filled the space—not a sound, but a presence, something ancient and unseen stirring within the shrine’s heart. The golden glow coalesced, swirling like embers caught in an unseen current. Slowly, the flickering light wove itself into a shape, shifting and twisting in midair as though forging something from pure essence.

  A plate.

  Not stone, not metal, but something far older. It materialized as though summoned, its surface carved with intricate symbols, humming with unseen power. It did not rest within the shrine; it had become from it, as if waiting for this moment—waiting for her.

  Armarouge turned, stepping toward Isabelle with slow, deliberate grace. The newly-formed plate hovered for a moment before settling into the Pokémon’s palms, its psychic resonance sending ripples of energy through the air.

  Isabelle instinctively stepped back. “Nope. Nope, nope, nope. I don’t like where this is going.”

  Collin placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay. Look—it’s not attacking.”

  “That’s not exactly reassuring,” Isabelle hissed, her heart pounding. But she held her ground as Armarouge extended its hands toward her, presenting the plate—not as a weapon, not as a challenge, but as an offering.

  Resting upon its armored palms, the plate shimmered with a strange, otherworldly light. Isabelle felt it before she even touched it—a hum, a pulse in her chest that made her breath hitch.

  “What is that?” she whispered.

  Rotom buzzed closer, its usual cheeky demeanor replaced by something more reverent. It scanned the object, flickering erratically before settling. “Mind Plate,” it said, voice uncharacteristically low. “An artifact tied to the legends of Arceus, the creator of all Pokémon. These plates are said to hold fragments of its power.”

  Collin’s jaw nearly hit the floor. “You mean the Arceus? As in, the Pokémon that shaped the world?”

  Rotom hummed, a rare moment of certainty in its tone. “Mmmhmm. And if I’m not mistaken—which I rarely am—this one enhances psychic energy. That explains the aura around this place. Fascinating!”

  Isabelle’s fingers twitched at her sides. She stared at the plate, at Armarouge, at the shrine glowing softly behind it. Something ancient had just chosen her. And she had no idea why.

  Isabelle stared at the plate, her mind racing. “Okay, great. So now I’m holding a piece of god’s tableware. What am I supposed to do with it? Serve tea to Mewtwo?”

  The voice returned, gentler now but no less commanding. “A spark is all it takes to ignite the flames of possibility. Carry it well, bearer, and let it guide you toward what lies ahead.”

  The light from the shrine flared briefly, casting the grove in a brilliant glow. Isabelle shielded her eyes, but when the brightness faded, the voice—and the presence—was gone. Armarouge stepped back, its eyes meeting Isabelle’s one last time before it turned and vanished into the mist.

  For a moment, there was silence. Even Rotom didn’t speak, its screen dimmed as if processing what had just occurred.

  Finally, Isabelle broke the quiet. “What the hell just happened?”

  Collin shook his head, his voice tinged with wonder. “I don’t know. But whatever it was, it was… incredible.”

  Rotom snapped back to life, its voice filled with excitement. “Incredible? Try unprecedented! A literal Pokémon phenomenon! Oh, I’m calling it: ‘Mystery of the Fire Shrine!’ It’s perfect. I’ll write the episode summary for you later.”

  Isabelle rolled her eyes. “Great. Can you also explain why I’m the one holding this thing?”

  Rotom spun in a small circle. “Nope! I’m good, but even I can’t process divine intervention. You’ll have to figure that one out yourself, partner.”

  Isabelle groaned, tucking the Mind Plate into her bag with exaggerated care. “Figures. You’re supposed to be the smart one.”

  As she turned to Collin, ready to vent her frustration, the grove around them shimmered. In the blink of an eye, they were no longer standing near the shrine but back in the middle of Hot Springs Pass, steam rising lazily from the rocky terrain.

  What just happened unknown to them was a spatial displacement phenomenon. Reality itself was reset around them. It was no trick, or illusion, or teleportation. Reality literally reset.

  One moment, they stood before the glowing shrine, and in the next, the mist swallowed it whole, leaving no trace that it had ever existed.

  “What the—?!” Isabelle spun around, her eyes darting frantically through the mist. The Fire Shrine, the ancient carvings, the glowing embers in the stone—gone. All that remained was the familiar rocky terrain of Hot Springs Pass, steam rising lazily from the ground as if nothing had ever changed.

  “We didn’t move! I swear, we didn’t fucking move!” Isabelle’s voice pitched slightly, frustration laced with genuine bewilderment.

  Collin stood frozen, his notebook clutched tightly in his hands, pages still open to the hurried notes he had taken on the shrine. His expression wavered between awe and complete disbelief. “I think… it transported us back. Or maybe we never left?”

  Isabelle exhaled sharply, dragging a hand down her face. “Great. Add ‘teleporting forests’ to the list of shit I don’t have time to deal with.”

  Azzy chirped nervously at her side, ears twitching as if expecting something else to suddenly change. Pancham, sensing the unease, positioned itself closer to Collin, its fists still clenched, ever ready.

  Rotom, however, was silent.

  The little device hovered erratically, its usual cheeky expressions absent as its screen flickered in and out, static rippling across its face. It whirred, beeped, then fizzled out a line of distorted, incoherent text before shaking itself violently back into working order.

  “Processing… processing… zzzt—error.”

  Isabelle and Collin both turned to look at it.

  “Uh, Rotom?” Isabelle prompted, brow raised. “What do you mean, error?”

  Rotom buzzed aggressively, spinning in a frantic circle before stopping abruptly. “That’s just it, partner—I don’t know what happened!”

  Collin blinked. “You always know what’s happening.”

  “Exactly!” Rotom practically vibrated with frustration. “And yet, my logs show nothing. No recorded movement, no environmental data that proves we left or returned, no trace of the shrine’s disappearance—just a giant gap where information should be!”

  Isabelle groaned. “So what, reality just decided to take a smoke break while we were in there?”

  Rotom let out a series of distressed beeps. “I don’t know! My sensors are glitching, my logs are corrupted, and for the first time in my highly advanced, state-of-the-art existence, I cannot explain what just happened!”

  Collin frowned, flipping through his notebook. “So, if there’s no data… then was the shrine even real?”

  Rotom jolted. “Of course it was real! My scanners don’t just fabricate entire temple structures out of thin air! We were there—I recorded it, I analyzed its energy signatures, I—” It froze mid-air, its screen dimming slightly. “…except I can’t prove it.”

  A tense silence fell between them.

  Isabelle crossed her arms. “So, we were somewhere that doesn’t exist, holding an object that shouldn’t exist, while listening to a voice that absolutely doesn’t exist, according to your oh-so-flawless sensors?”

  Rotom made an agitated buzzing noise. “That’s what I’m saying!”

  “Great. That’s just great,” Isabelle muttered, adjusting her bag with a scowl. “Well, whatever just happened, I vote we pretend it didn’t and get to Blazebrook City before something else tries to fry us.”

  Collin chuckled softly, though his gaze lingered on the horizon, as if expecting the shrine to suddenly reappear. “You’re something else, Isabelle. Most people would be freaking out.”

  “Oh, I’m freaking out,” Isabelle shot back, already starting down the trail. “I’m just doing it while walking. Let’s go.”

  Azzy squeaked and hurried after her, while Collin hesitated for just a second longer. Then, with a final glance at his empty notebook page where he swore there should be more proof, he sighed and followed.

  Rotom hovered beside them, still glitching slightly, still processing. No data. No proof.

  And yet… Isabelle was still holding the Mind Plate.