Kimoji??
Dylan's expression twisted into something bizarre. Where on earth had Reshiram learned this kind of nonsense?
And hadn't it been so unwilling just a moment ago? Now look at it. Never mind.
Dylan shook his head, but he was clearly satisfied with the new Kyurem Unova Form.
Even if its appearance was… unusual, as long as it was powerful, that was all that mattered.
Then—
"A new form of Kyurem, huh?" the masked man murmured, eyes fixed on the dragon radiating even more overwhelming force.
It was breathtaking.
"Dylan! I can sense the Black Dragon! Let's go beat it up!" Reshiram's excited voice rang out, high-spirited and loud.
Indeed—it had sensed Zekrom nearby. It couldn't wait to fight it!
"I want a decisive duel with Zekrom!" Reshiram declared proudly.
It was confident. Now it could pummel Zekrom into the ground.
What? You say it's not purely the White Dragon anymore?
Laughable! I'm the White Dragon! Who knows me better than myself?
"…" Dylan looked up into the sky behind them—through the storm clouds, a massive dragon-shaped silhouette flickered.
Without a doubt, that was Zekrom. It had probably sensed Kyurem's fusion and come to investigate.
Not surprising.
But Reshiram really had the nerve to demand a duel with Zekrom right now? Has it no shame?
"Save it for later. First, let's deal with the Delibird," Dylan replied mercilessly, shutting down the idea.
"Aww, what a shame…" Reshiram murmured disappointedly. It was such a rare chance! Now that it was so strong, it could absolutely destroy Zekrom!
"Kyurem, Blizzard!"
Dylan issued his order without hesitation. The masked man was the perfect test subject to gauge this new form's power.
Blue-white light shimmered around Kyurem Unova Form as it roared and soared toward Delibird.
Then, a ferocious snowstorm erupted from its mouth.
The sky was swallowed in blinding white. The air temperature plummeted as the blizzard filled the horizon.
"Blizzard," the masked man said calmly.
Delibird flapped back and unleashed its own Blizzard.
But clearly, the two attacks weren't equal. The moment the icy gales collided in midair—
BOOM!
In no time, Kyurem's Blizzard completely consumed Delibird's and pressed forward with unstoppable force.
Dylan nodded with satisfaction. Now that's the power the strongest Ice Dragon on Earth should have!
"Ice Wall." The masked man frowned.
He'd expected Kyurem Unova Form to be stronger—but this was fast.
Delibird spat another ice beam, forming a massive Ice Wall.
Kyurem's Blizzard crashed into it like a freight train. The wall cracked and groaned—
CRACK-CRACK-CRACK!
With an agonizing screech, it shattered. The remaining blizzard slammed directly into the stunned Delibird.
A shriek of pain rang out as Delibird was engulfed by the snowstorm.
"Incredible…" the masked man murmured, genuinely impressed.
Delibird wasn't his ace, but as one of his core partners under the mask, its strength was nothing to scoff at.
THUMP!
A frozen chunk fell from the sky, smashing into the icy sea surface. Inside—Delibird, encased in ice.
Cracks splintered the frozen casing as it broke free, heaving with ragged breath.
Despite being an Ice-type, its Flying-type meant it didn't resist Ice moves. That Blizzard had hit hard.
"Fusion Flare!"
Dylan showed no mercy.
"Roar!! (*Reshiram: Taste my real fire!)"
Kyurem let out a furious roar, its turbine igniting as it dived.
A massive fireball formed—crimson flames writhed around its core.
It was Reshiram's Fusion Flare, amplified by the fusion. As the embodiment of both dragons, Kyurem could wield both dragons' signature moves.
"..."
The masked man's frown deepened. Compared to Reshiram's earlier Fusion Flare, this one was significantly larger—hotter, more powerful.
Delibird couldn't endure it.
The man realized this instantly—Delibird wouldn't survive the blow.
"Blizzard."
But this time, the order wasn't for Delibird.
From beneath his cloak, a small, brown-striped Pokémon darted forth.
It unleashed a powerful Blizzard of its own.
Snowflakes surged skyward. The temperature dropped even lower.
"A Swinub!" Dylan's eyes gleamed.
This was the masked man's true ace.
"Kyurem!" Dylan called out.
Kyurem diverted its attention. Fusion Flare clashed against the new Blizzard mid-air.
BOOM!
Red flames and blue snow collided, creating a furious elemental clash.
Swinub poured on the pressure—but Kyurem's Fusion Flare was relentless.
Gradually, the fire pushed through.
"No way…" Lorelei was stunned on the shore.
That small form, barely spitting out snow against that monstrous Fusion Flare—it was a Swinub!
If it had been a Mamoswine, maybe she could understand after seeing Delibird—but a Swinub?!
How had the masked man trained a Swinub and a Delibird to this level?
Was he hacking reality?
"Push through it, Kyurem!"
ROAR!!
Kyurem's Fusion Flare exploded outward, overwhelming the snow.
Swinub tried to keep up—but Delibird swept in, forming a massive Ice Wall in front of them.
BOOM!!
The Fusion Flare detonated.
A column of flame shot into the heavens. The Ice Wall was vaporized, Delibird and Swinub hurled away in the blast.
Cracks spidered across the frozen sea. Red-orange fire lit the skies, reflecting in every eye.
It was terrifying.
Even on the shore, Lorelei had to raise her arms to shield her face from the heat.
Seconds ticked by.
Then—silence.
"Dylan! Dylan! Did you see that?! Wasn't I amazing?!"
Reshiram's delighted voice echoed in Dylan's mind.
It was thrilled. That had been its Fusion Flare!
Not just Delibird—even that clearly stronger Swinub had been unable to stop it!
I'm unstoppable!
"You were amazing," Dylan said with a smile.
"Ahahahaha~!" Reshiram squealed with glee.
From this day forward, no one would dare call it a pretty face with no bite!
As long as it fused with Kyurem? It could wreck anyone!
"Hmph," Kyurem grunted.
Still, since White Dragon was its current "component," Kyurem let it be. At least it was useful.
The sea calmed once again. Ice crept across the surface anew.
Lapras swam up beside the platform, and the masked man looked up at Dylan.
Delibird, carrying the battered Swinub, slowly fluttered over.
Both bore visible injuries from the explosion.
"…As expected of Champion Dylan. I am no match for you."
The masked man made no attempt to continue fighting. He simply admitted defeat.
He hadn't come here to challenge Dylan. But even their brief battle had made one thing clear—
Dylan was stronger.
"You're strong too. Now, will you take off the mask?"
Eternatus dropped lower as Dylan smiled in amusement.
The masked man hesitated briefly.
"…If Champion Dylan insists."
This time, he didn't refuse. A hand emerged from beneath the black cloak and slowly removed the ice-sculpted mask and wild wig, then cast aside the robe.
Revealed was a frail, elderly man in a wheelchair. Pale hair framed a weathered, indifferent face.
"Kuyou…" Lorelei gasped, eyes wide. She instantly recognized him.
He was Pryce, Gym Leader of Mahogany Town in Johto. Known as The Harsh Cold of Winter, an Ice-type specialist.
But she'd never paid him much mind. Just another Gym Leader—an old one at that.
Now, she realized the joke had been on her.
His strength was terrifying.
"Uncle Pryce… now this really is a surprise." Dylan narrowed his eyes.
"Such is life," Pryce said without a hint of shame or fear.
"Well then, tell me… why did you come looking for me?"
They'd crossed blades. Dylan had a sense of Pryce's strength. There was no need to continue the fight.
It was time to talk.
"…When I was young, there was an accident," Pryce said after a pause.
"I lost two of my most beloved Pokémon. Only their child remained."
His gaze softened as he looked at Lapras—sorrow thick in his voice.
"I couldn't accept it. They were part of my soul."
He had vowed to bring them back. To reunite the family.
"I've prepared for years. I'd do anything to make it happen."
He had once been kind—anyone who loved their Pokémon like this couldn't be evil.
But after the tragedy, Pryce had fallen into despair. He'd closed himself off, cut ties with everyone.
All that remained was that burning desire.
"So you want my help?" Dylan said gently.
"I was going to use the Rainbow and Silver Wings to make a GS Ball and capture Celebi. But now…"
Pryce lifted his head, staring directly into Dylan's eyes.
"Champion Dylan… I'm begging you. Please let your Dialga help me bring them back."