A fire grows in the east, like dawn over the sea. It grows, an orange streak of extreme speed across the ground. Arcanine, in ancient days, was called the legendary pokemon. It was a title the storied line held before modern scientific terminology developed the term into a proper taxonomy, which did not include Arcanine. As Voyager rushes across the landscape, a blur of smooth perpetual motion, it is easy to see why the ancients would classify it as such.[break]
Voyager has always felt a sense of fierce loyalty to Noel. He allowed the younger trainer to ride him when they chased down a biker gang together. When ultra beasts and dead things threatened Granite Cave, he had Noel's back. Now, in Dewford's darkest hour, he comes to help once more.[break]
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He howls, and with that howl comes the morning sun. Night turns to day, and above them the legendary dog conjures their very own sun. To the people of Dewford, he shows a dog's unconditional adoration. He loves them, as is his nature. To love is to protect, and so he looks up at the creature with a low snarl growing in his throat.[break]
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Again, he builds up speed. He rushes forward, reckless, wild, unwilling to compromise or allow Noel to meet his end here. Fire gathers around him, and he slams into the Naganadel in a bright flare blitz, skidding past and leaving the morning sun to aid Noel.[break]
Dynergy swirls throughout the town, and Voyager moves on to help shepherd the remaining townsfolk to the safety of the bunkers.

The figure stands. Their flesh is faintly red with glowing veins of alien energy. The eye is a spotlight that sees into the trainer's soul. Noel's victories. His losses. The time spent traveling from town to town in search of something.

Fame? Power? Something more?

"Why do you think?" How many people had Noel fought the Ultra Beast scourge with? Navy? Dewford's swarm of deputies? Perhaps the land recognized the source of the atrocity and projected a replica. A memory that Noel could interface with. "Because only I know the hero you will become, the sword that will cut through villainy in the name of justice."

Red lips curled upward, Dynergy running down the archaeologist's chin like blood. The distance closed, and what little life beneath Howard's feet curdled and died, poisoned like Galar in a dream neither of them saw.

"Your sheriff is going to die soon."

---

Noel Parker

At Noel's threat, a laugh like a cracking glacier erupted from the man. It did not seem human, more akin to a natural disaster than any sound a living thing could produce. It was the sound of nature breaking at the seams, the crashing of ice and the shattering of mountains.

This force was time infinite. It was the winds that weathered, the storms that broke, the timeless waves running slowly, slowly, slowly, to a stop as the sun and the planet cooled to nothing. It was the ultimate end and destiny of all things. And it was angry.

It eventually eroded into silence, echoing like a far away clap of thunder.

"You could, but what good would it do?" In the far distance, Regice let out a blast that destroyed a large section of Dewford's docks. Burning rubble flew into the air before falling down to earth covered in ice. A snowflake fell from the heavens onto Noel's tongue, wet with the metallic taste of blood. "You can't stop it. Nobody can. You killed one of my dragons though, excellent work. You truly are a beautiful destroyer."

Howard's body became translucent as he closed the distance between himself and Noel. His body began to melt into red liquid, staining the snow beneath.

"I am preparing you for the end. Think of me as your caretaker, the one who watches the store and makes certain that the lights are turned out, that everything is cleaned up, once closing time arrives."

"The end of Dewford is coming, Noel."

A melting hand reached for the trainer's throat.

"And yours along with it."

---

Noel Parker