Time to meet the story's legendary Pokémon. I hope this can help progress things in the story.
Kody, Gwen, Verity, and Sorrel all flew through the Rainbow Realm portal and landed back inside the cave within Mount Tensei.
"We're back in our world." Gwen said.
"Lucario sent us through." Verity said.
"Lucario!" Kody said, "We have to go back for him!"
Kody got up to run through the portal, but he was stopped by Gwen.
"Kody, you can't do that!" Gwen said.
"But he needs our help!" Kody said.
"I know that he can't fight that enemy alone, but we have to face the fact that we're not strong enough to take on so many powerful Pokémon." Gwen said.
Kody suddenly stopped, knowing Gwen was right. A tear went down Kody's cheek a few moments later.
"Worthless." Kody said.
"What?" Gwen asked.
"I'm supposed to be the Rainbow Hero." Kody said, "But what kind of hero can't even protect those around him?"
"You're starting to think like Lucario." Gwen said.
Kody looked at Gwen with an odd expression on his face.
"You're thinking that being a hero means being strong." Gwen said, "Just like Lucario learned, strength isn't everything."
Kody stayed quiet.
"Being a hero means making the right decisions, no matter how hard they are." Gwen said, "And you've done that many times before."
Kody remained quiet for a moment.
"You're right." Kody said, "I was so blinded by the power of the enemy we're against that I forgot about the fundamentals of being a true hero."
Gwen smiled that her speech got through.
"Thank you." Kody said.
Kody and Gwen were silent until Sorrel spoke up.
"Everyone, I may have just solved our strength problem." Sorrel said.
"What do you mean?" Kody asked.
"I was comparing notes on anything that could help us and I remembered that Ho-Oh is supposed to be arriving really soon, and he is said to grant one wish." Sorrel said.
"So you're saying that, if Ho-Oh arrives soon, we could use the wish to help us?" Kody asked.
"If my notes are right, yes." Sorrel said.
"Where would he be?" Kody asked.
"My guess is that he'd appear at the peak of Mount Tensei." Sorrel said.
"Then that's where we're heading." Kody said, "There's a world at stake."
The group headed out of the tunnel and looked up at the climb that still remained.
"Well, let's get started." Kody said.
The group continued up the mountain, nearing the peak.
"Almost there." Gwen said.
The group soon came to the peak and beheld the view of...well...everything that could be seen.
"Wow..." Kody said, "If only the Rainbow Realm had a view like this."
"Guys, look!" Gwen said, pointing to the sky.
The group looked up and saw none other than Ho-Oh flying their way.
"Anybody want to say 'coincidence'?" Verity asked.
Ho-Oh flew down towards the peak and looked down at the group.
"I sensed the distress coming from my realm." Ho-Oh said telepathically, "So I have come to offer my aid."
"Offer your aid?" Sorrel asked, not even questioning the fact that Ho-Oh was using telepathy, "Aren't you strong enough to save it?"
"While I am quite powerful, the corruption is too much for even the most powerful of Pokémon." Ho-Oh said.
"Then how can we save your world?" Kody asked.
"Only the Rainbow Hero can save the realm." Ho-Oh said, "Only the Rainbow Hero's heart is invulnerable to the corruption."
"Well, then what do I have to do?" Kody asked.
"I can sense that the Rainbow Hero does possess the heart needed for such a task, but your foes are quite strong." Ho-Oh said, "I will lend the strength needed to your Pokémon."
A gold aura engulfed the group's Pokémon.
"They shall now be able to battle against their enemies with a fighting chance." Ho-Oh said.
"Thanks a lot." Kody said.
"Now...go young heroes." Ho-Oh said, "Save our world."
Suddenly, the ground began to shake.
"Wait...what's going on?" Verity asked.
Moments later, a huge eruption of the corruption burst from the mountain, engulfing Ho-Oh and spreading into the sky.
"What the heck?!" Verity asked.
"The corruption's spreading into our world!" Sorrel said.
"HO-OH!" Kody said.
The shadow of Ho-Oh neared the edge of the corruption. Ho-Oh exited the streaming dark energy, but a darker and far more sinister creature was revealed.
"The corruption took over Ho-Oh." Kody said.
"This isn't good." Gwen said.
"Why does the worst stuff just happen so suddenly?!" Verity asked.
"You should see us on a day-to-day basis!" Gwen said.
Ho-Oh reared his head back and prepared to fire an attack.
"What do we do?" Sorrel asked.
"What a hero would." Kody said.
Kody looked down into the hole the corruption made and saw a portal at the bottom.
"We're heading back." Kody said.
"I'll be behind you." Gwen said.
"You got my vote." Verity said.
"Well, we don't have any other choice." Sorrel said.
"Okay then." Kody said, "Let's go!"
Kody and the group jumped down towards the portal as Ho-Oh fired his attack. The group went through the portal, avoiding the attack.
Meanwhile, in New Bark Town, Professor Elm was watching the news.
"Nobody knows what this mysterious phenomenon is." a news reporter said on Elm's TV, "But all we know is that it seems to be spreading. We advise everyone to stay as far away from it as possible."
"Is that ancient prophecy coming true?" Elm asked, "If it is, then we're all doomed."
Elm watched the TV, remaining anxious.
The foursome and their Pokémon all dropped into the purple, and dark, corrupted Rainbow Realm.
"Wow...this place got so desolate so quick." Gwen said.
"Why aren't we being affected by the corruption right now?" Verity asked.
"This is past the spread, this is simply the remains." Sorrel said.
"Okay then, we need to find the temple and fix everything." Kody said, "Everything is hanging in the balance."
The group began to run to find the temple, but a surprising sight stood before them. A corrupted Lucario was staring them down.
"Lucario?" Verity asked.
"That's not Lucario anymore." Sorrel said, "The corruption has taken over him."
Lucario opened his red eyes and rushed at the group, ready for battle.
Sorry if this chapter was a little rushed, but I am trying to get to the good stuff of the fight and I wanted to show that not only do the heroes stand a fighting chance, but things are already getting worse. I am also trying to finish this story so I can continue the main one. Don't worry though, the other chapters won't feel so rushed.
Powerhouse out.