However, John had already deduced what awaited on the tenth floor.
In the game, the Clear Bell was used to summon Ho-Oh, and the summoning location was none other than the Bell Tower itself.
When John descended to the eighth floor, the monks had already departed. By the time he reached the first floor, he spotted the monk who'd accompanied him to the eighth floor earlier standing near the entrance.
"Are you the only one left in the Bell Tower now?" John asked curiously. "Where did the other monks go?"
"With Chandelure gone, there's no need for everyone to remain here anymore," the monk explained. "However, they seem to have found a new direction for their spiritual practice." He paused, a faint smile crossing his weathered face. "In the future, the Bell Tower will once again serve as Ho-Oh's sanctuary. We'll simply wait and pray for Ho-Oh's eventual return."
John had only asked out of casual curiosity. Having received his answer, he left the Bell Tower without further questions.
Outside the Bell Tower
The streetlamps had just flickered to life as dusk settled over Ecruteak City.
After a busy day, people poured from their homes to enjoy the evening festivities. With the Ho-Oh Festival's official nighttime events beginning, the streets quickly filled with crowds, the atmosphere growing more lively by the minute.
John made his way toward the Dance Theater, weaving through clusters of festival-goers admiring street performances and browsing vendor stalls. The scent of grilled food and sweet pastries drifted through the air, mixing with cherry blossom petals that continued their lazy descent from nearby trees.
When he arrived at the Dance Theater entrance, a staff member immediately blocked his path. "Invitation, please?"
"Invitation?" John looked confused. He'd visited the Dance Theater during his first trip to Ecruteak City and hadn't needed anything special to enter. Had the requirements changed?
Before the situation could grow awkward, a familiar voice called out from inside.
"Mr. John, please come in!"
Sakura appeared at the entrance, bowing apologetically. "I came to greet our honored guests personally, but I was called away briefly. Please forgive the delay." She gestured gracefully, ushering John inside past the bewildered staff member.
The Dance Theater's interior was more impressive than John remembered. The stage dominated the space, with an audience area that could seat maybe a hundred and fifty people at most. This was clearly an exclusive event, not open to the general public.
John's eyes swept across the assembled guests. He recognized a few faces, or at least, he knew of them, even if they'd never formally met.
The first was Eusine, naturally, who'd already spotted John and nodded in acknowledgment from his seat near the front.
The second was a peculiar-looking man with a graying mustache and a childlike stature, President Goodshow of the Pokemon League Inspection Committee. He frequently served as the head organizer for major Pokemon League tournaments. John recognized him from various championship broadcasts, including the Silver Conference and the Lily of the Valley Conference.
The third guest was someone John actually knew personally, Diantha, Champion of the Kalos region. She was dressed elegantly in a white evening gown, her actress background showing in her poised posture. They'd battled once during John's travels through Kalos, so they were at least acquainted. When she noticed John, she offered a brief nod of greeting, which he returned.
The fourth guest made John pause. This was someone whose name he'd heard repeatedly, someone he'd actually been trying to track down for some time. He hadn't expected to encounter him here.
It was Blue.
The legendary trainer sat relaxed in his seat, blonde hair perfectly styled, wearing a black dress shirt and blue jeans. A silver chain hung around his neck, catching the light as he moved. He carried himself with a quiet confidence, an aura of unshakeable self-assurance that came from years at the top of the competitive scene.
As John studied Blue, he realized Blue was doing the same to him. Their eyes met briefly. Though strangers, both nodded politely in acknowledgment, a mutual respect between Champions.
Two more guests filed into the VIP seating area after John, neither of whom he recognized. Based on their expensive tailored suits and the way staff fawned over them, John guessed they were corporate sponsors who'd funded the festival. The kind of wealthy benefactors who got premium seats in exchange for their generous donations.
Music began to swell from below the stage, and the murmur of conversation in the audience gradually died down.
The curtains parted, revealing an elaborate dance performance. Dancers in traditional Johto costumes moved in perfect synchronization, their movements telling a story without words. Lighting effects and what appeared to be illusions created by Psychic-type Pokemon enhanced the spectacle, making it feel almost dreamlike.
Several minutes later, the opening performance concluded. A young woman in ceremonial dress walked onto the stage, light shimmering behind her in an ethereal display.
She stood center stage, painted lips parting as she began to speak in a clear, measured voice.
"Long ago, the people of Ecruteak City built two towers..."
As her words faded, a projection of the Bell Tower materialized on a pillar to her right, the image so detailed it looked three-dimensional.
On another pillar to her left, a second tower appeared, similar to the Bell Tower but distinctly different in design.
"One day, two legendary Pokemon from distant lands appeared before this city..."
Hearing this opening, John felt a flash of recognition. Before he'd been transported into this world, he'd watched an animated short with a similar premise. It had detailed the history of the Burned Tower and Bell Tower, recounting the legend of Lugia and Ho-Oh.
Experiencing the story live proved far more engaging than watching it on screen. Unlike modern theatrical productions that relied on technology, Ecruteak City's stage performance utilized various Pokemon moves to create its scenery and special effects. The result was extraordinarily elaborate, with a beauty and fluidity that felt almost magical.
The entire festival ran from 6:00 PM onward, and by 8:00 PM showed no signs of ending.
John had assumed his role here was simple, attend the festival as an honored guest, watch the performances, and that would be that. Mission complete.
But then Sakura suddenly returned to the stage alongside the young woman who'd been narrating the Ho-Oh legend. Both stood before the audience, and the atmosphere shifted from celebratory to anticipatory.
"We thank all our esteemed guests for joining us tonight," Sakura announced, her voice projecting clearly across the theater. "Now we shall proceed to the final event of the Ho-Oh Festival."
She paused for dramatic effect, letting the tension build.
"The Ho-Oh Championship Battle!"