"Eternatus—!!!"
Although Gengar had swallowed the Dynamax energy released by Eternatus, the scattered Dynamax energy still caused quite a commotion.
Boom!!
Boom!!
The Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokémon that had lost control began wreaking havoc on the energy plant.
In a short time, the others couldn't handle such problems at all.
Johan and Cynthia had to split their Pokémon and attention to deal with these troubles.
Although Eternatus was still the most important, if too much destruction occurred, it would inevitably affect some people inside or nearby.
And more importantly, although Eternatus had been knocked down from the air by Johan and Cynthia's smooth combo, this didn't mean Eternatus was weak.
It was just because Eternatus had just awakened, and its first thought wasn't to fight anyone, but to quickly leave and restart the "Darkest Day"—that's why it fell for Johan's trick.
Ultimately, Eternatus was also an extremely powerful legendary Pokémon.
Just looking at its base stats, it had a whopping 690 points in its normal form!
That was 10 points higher than normal Rayquaza or Dusk Mane/Dawn Wings Necrozma, and 10 to 20 points higher than most "first-tier legendaries."
Although you couldn't judge legendary Pokémon solely by base stats, in many cases, base stats did represent many things.
Moreover, Eternatus was the energy source of Dynamax and Gigantamax in the Galar region, an existence on par with Necrozma and Terapagos.
And now, Eternatus was truly furious.
"Eternatus!!"
Its skeletal tail swept violently, driving back Dragonite, Garchomp, and Tinkaton, then gathered energy again and flew up.
"Now it's getting serious!" Johan said gravely.
"Yes!"
Cynthia nodded, seriously taking out a lipstick—a gift from Johan. She wasn't taking it out to touch up her makeup, but because at the end of the lipstick was embedded a brilliant pearl.
A Key Stone!
"Garchomp—"
Cynthia called out softly, and brilliant rainbow light burst from the Key Stone at the end of the lipstick.
"Shaka!!!"
Garchomp immediately responded, spreading its arms and roaring. The Mega Stone it carried resonated with the Key Stone in Cynthia's hand.
Mega Evolution!
"Ka-kaah! Ka-kaah!"
Seeing Garchomp about to Mega Evolve, Gengar immediately waved at Johan.
I want to evolve too!
Johan glanced at Gengar, then at Cynthia and Garchomp...
He hadn't even taken out his Key Stone yet.
"Eternatus!!!"
Eternatus, which had flown back into the air, burst with dark red light from its chest, and rich Dynamax energy immediately spread out, filling Wyndon Stadium and the energy plant almost instantly.
The Key Stone in Cynthia's hand and the Mega Stone on Garchomp immediately dimmed.
Huh?
Both Cynthia and Garchomp were stunned.
The Mega Evolution was interrupted?
"How is this possible?" Cynthia said in amazement. This was her first time experiencing a Mega Evolution being interrupted.
Johan had also taken out his Key Stone, similarly feeling that the Key Stone's surface seemed covered by a layer of dark red energy—extremely rich Galar particles.
Not just the Key Stone—Johan could also feel the dimming of the Z-Crystals on him.
"The Dynamax energy is too strong, blocking the power of Mega Evolution and obscuring the power of 'light,'" Johan shook his head.
That meant when facing Eternatus, neither Mega Evolution nor Z-moves could be used.
Unsurprisingly, Terastallization probably couldn't be used either.
Although Johan's Tera Orb hadn't been recharged since the last Hoopa incident.
"Can't use enhancements?" Cynthia's expression was grave.
Dynamax also couldn't be used in front of Eternatus, or who knew if Dynamax Pokémon could maintain their self-control, or if they'd just destroy wildly like those forced Dynamax Pokémon.
Even if they could Dynamax or Gigantamax, facing Eternatus's "Dynamax Cannon" would be no different from suicide.
The pressure of facing Eternatus increased dramatically!
"Perhaps some special methods might work..." Johan smiled helplessly.
He knew fighting Eternatus wouldn't be simple.
Without enhancements, their strength was greatly reduced.
"Special methods?"
Johan pursed his lips, not saying more—he couldn't say more.
Perhaps something like Ash's bond-evolved Greninja could work, not needing Key Stones or Mega Stones, relying purely on the power of bonds.
Even if Eternatus's Dynamax energy was strong, it couldn't obscure the power of bonds.
Eternatus coiled under Wyndon Stadium's Dynamax barrier, its body making chain-like "clatter clatter" sounds. It suddenly raised its head, and under the night sky swirling with dark red vortexes, crystalline strange light points scattered down.
Eternatus, bathed in the light points, had its aura rapidly climbing.
Cosmic Power!
"No matter what, we can't let this guy keep powering up!" Johan said gravely.
If Eternatus continued powering up until it maxed out its stats, even if Zacian and Zamazenta came, it would be difficult.
"Gengar, full-power Shadow Ball!"
"Ka-kaah!"
Gengar could feel Johan's pressure and immediately stopped fooling around, floating into the air surrounded by black mist, condensing a massive black sphere.
"Ninetales!"
Johan looked at Ninetales beside him, who also looked over.
Earth Power had already ended, and Ninetales had gained tremendous enhancement, its eyes sparkling with flowing light. Among its snow-white fur, a palm-sized stone tablet faintly glimmered.
"Blizzard!"
"Oowoo—"
Even without Mega Evolution, even without exclusive Z-moves, Gengar and Ninetales were... still legendary-tier!
Boom!!
A massive rumbling erupted from Eternatus, and thick smoke immediately spread.
"Tsk," Johan clicked his tongue with some frustration.
Others might not have seen clearly, but he noticed.
Before Gengar and Ninetales' attacks landed, Eternatus had deployed a transparent barrier in front of itself at extreme speed.
As its revival progressed, Eternatus's reaction speed and battle instincts were gradually recovering.
"Garchomp!" Cynthia also called out, but Johan raised his hand to stop her.
Facing Cynthia's somewhat puzzled gaze, Johan's expression suddenly changed as he turned and embraced his little cabbage.
"Watch out!"
Earlier, it was because of distraction that he'd almost fallen for Eternatus's Dynamax energy. Now, with his mind highly focused, Johan keenly noticed Eternatus's change.
Crack—
Wyndon Stadium's Dynamax barrier shattered completely, and massive tremors stirred up powerful shockwaves.
Witnessing this scene, Rose's eyes widened.
His proud stadium Dynamax barrier, which could block Dynamax Pokémon impacts, had... just shattered like that?
He had specifically reinforced the barrier's strength!
If Johan knew Rose's thoughts at this moment, he'd definitely scoff.
Stadium Dynamax barrier?
He was just afraid he couldn't afford to pay for it, otherwise, during his battle with Caitlin, he could have blown up this barrier!
If human technology could really be powerful enough to contain legendary Pokémon, what would be the point of Pokémon?
Eternatus's actions weren't finished.
After Wyndon Stadium's Dynamax barrier shattered, a black vortex immediately appeared above Wyndon, with countless Dynamax energies converging toward the vortex, forming a swirling mass of black and red energy!
Throughout Wyndon, everyone suddenly stopped what they were doing and looked up at the sky.
They saw the vortex expanding again and again, quickly spreading across almost all of Wyndon's sky, even trending toward covering the entire Galar region.
The Darkest Day!
Descending once more!
Even more chilling was that in that sky-covering massive vortex, a huge purple-red monster like a war fortress revealed its form.
"Wh-what is that?!"
"That... that can't be a Pokémon, right? So huge..."
The black vortex swallowed Eternatus, with surging dark red energy constantly churning, forming extremely powerful impacts.
Fortunately, Johan reacted quickly enough to prevent himself and Cynthia from being injured by this impact.
Eternatus's appearance also underwent earth-shaking changes under the black vortex's shroud.
What revealed itself in that vortex was a colossal creature a full hundred meters tall!
Its skeletal frame had extended infinitely, coiling into a disc shape, and its head had grown into a dragon claw with five fingers, with fierce white-spotted eyes flickering above.
"Holy..." At some battle venue in Wyndon, Flint spoke dumbly.
This couldn't be the guy Teacher Johan was preparing to have him deal with, right?
Good thing big sister came—Teacher Johan found him annoying and didn't bring him along...
What luck!
"This couldn't be the terrifying Pokémon that could endanger the entire Galar region that Johan mentioned, could it?" Alder also woke from his nap in shock.
"It's the 'Darkest Day'! It really is the 'Darkest Day'!" Peony's expression changed dramatically. After settling Penny at the Pokémon Center, he immediately rushed toward Wyndon Stadium.
Wyndon Stadium.
"This thing..." Cynthia's face also showed deep surprise.
Johan released her, took a deep breath, and said gravely: "This is Eternatus's true form, and also the source of its power to make Pokémon Dynamax. In this state, it should be called 'Eternamax'!"
"Eternamax?"
"Eternamax is Eternatus's most fundamental power. Like Gigantamax, it makes its size and power surge dramatically, and the Dynamax energy vortex it forms will make all Pokémon gradually lose themselves in Dynamax power..."
Rumble!!
Dark red storms accompanied by countless thunderbolts churned in the sky. The hundred-meter-tall Eternamax Eternatus let out a bone-chilling shriek, its massive body covering nearly half of Wyndon!
Under those five heads' imperious gazes, Pokémon throughout Wyndon continuously underwent uncontrolled Dynamax, and every trainer's heart filled with irrepressible fear and terror.
This was the legendary Pokémon that had gathered all the Galar particles of the entire Galar region.
Eternamax Eternatus!!
"Eternatus—!!!"
Eternamax Eternatus's claw-like head suddenly opened wide, letting out a high-pitched howl. The dark red vortex behind it collided again, a storm following, and the entire sky seemed to tremble.
"So it can still do this, so it can be like this!"
Rose showed uncontainable fanaticism, staring fixedly at Eternamax Eternatus. "So this is your true appearance? It's really... too beautiful..."
"Chairman Rose! We need to go! Chairman Rose!"
Oleana was sweating profusely, horrified by what they had revived, but still pulled Rose to retreat.
If they didn't leave now, that thing's fury definitely wasn't something ordinary people could withstand!
Rose was still immersed in Eternamax Eternatus's power, but Oleana was already regretting it.
But while Rose and Oleana could leave, Johan and Cynthia definitely couldn't.
On one hand, as Champions—even if not Champions of the Galar region—they couldn't retreat in such circumstances.
On the other hand... Eternamax Eternatus had already firmly locked onto them. They couldn't leave even if they wanted to!
It was just that while they could still fight normal Eternatus, this Eternamax state...
Johan looked at Cynthia.
Before he could speak, Cynthia said firmly: "You're not leaving, and I won't leave either!"
As she spoke, she took out a hair tie, determinedly tying up her waterfall-like golden hair.
Johan took her hand, indicating: "I'm not asking you to leave. I already anticipated this situation..."
You anticipated this?
"Then what should we do?"
"Heh."
Johan chuckled lightly.
What to do?
"Beat it up thoroughly, then capture it!" With some dominance, Johan said confidently.
Beat it up?
How?
Although Gengar and Ninetales weren't weak—both legendary-tier—without enhancements, facing Eternamax Eternatus was still somewhat inadequate, right?
Eternamax Eternatus had an exaggerated base stat total of 1125 points!
Even Arceus and the Original Dragon would weep at such stats.
"It would be fine if it didn't go Eternamax, but since it has, that's perfect!"
Cynthia was even more confused.
Johan said to Tinkaton: "Hammer sis, time to invite our friends out!"
"Cha!"
Hearing this, Tinkaton grinned and immediately threw out a brand-new sword and shield, which fell toward Johan.
Huh?
Johan was slightly stunned.
Just taking them out would be fine—why throw them at him?
But since they were thrown over, Johan caught them.
"Sword and shield?"
Hum—
The sword and shield in Johan's hands seemed to sense Eternamax Eternatus's aura, or perhaps because Johan had infused them with aura power—they burst with blue and red dual-colored light.
Eternatus, coiled in the night sky, immediately made "clatter clatter" sounds, suddenly raising its five heads to look toward the Wild Area.
Then they saw two streams of light, one blue and one red, ignoring the vast distance, ignoring the rich Dynamax energy, crossing thunder and storm to arrive!
Bang!!
The two streams of light fell like meteors, appearing before Johan and Cynthia.
They were two canine-like Pokémon, covered in battle scars with sharp gazes!
Hundred-battle heroes!
"They are..." Cynthia said incredulously.
"Legendary Pokémon. Zacian and Zamazenta!"
Facing their old enemy, Zacian and Zamazenta unhesitatingly burst with two streams of energy, rushing toward Eternamax Eternatus in the sky.
Bang!!
The powerful impact made Eternatus's five claw-like heads whimper in pain.
[We're here!] Zacian's voice rang in Johan's mind.
[Thank you, Aura Guardian.] Zamazenta's voice followed.
They saw the sword and shield in Johan's hands, now completely restored.
These were their most familiar weapons, the source of their power.
"Good that you're here." Johan smiled as he offered the sword and shield.
Zacian and Zamazenta looked at each other, then respectively bit toward the sword and shield in Johan's hands.
"Awooo—!!"
Upon contact with the sword and shield, both wolves howled, blue and red auras surging around them.
Hum—
Under the auras, Zacian and Zamazenta's appearances immediately underwent significant changes!
"This is their true form," Johan explained.
Behemoth Blade and Behemoth Bash were the best methods for dealing with Eternamax Eternatus!
So Johan had made such preparations...
Cynthia nodded.
That made sense.
Given Johan's personality and his relationships with those legendary Pokémon, knowing Eternatus posed such a huge threat, it would be surprising if he hadn't made such preparations.
But then, massive amounts of Dynamax particles again surged toward Eternamax Eternatus in the vortex.
Its injuries rapidly healed, and it opened its claws, releasing an extremely terrifying beam.
Hyper Beam!
"Awooo!!"
Zamazenta leaped up, the shield on its head bursting with dark red light, a barrier immediately expanding but shattering in moments.
Zacian's expression was stern, the sword in its mouth immediately expanded into a massive azure sword, slashing at the incoming beam.
Instantly, the beam and sword collided violently, countless energies scattering. Just the dispersed aftershocks destroyed Wyndon Stadium's reinforced buildings completely.
Bang!!
Zacian staggered as it landed.
The Hyper Beam's impact also completely dissipated.
But whether Zacian or Zamazenta, their expressions remained very serious.
[It's stronger!] Zacian said gravely.
Stronger?
Only they, who had once fought Eternatus, had the most authority on this matter.
[This is troublesome,] Zamazenta's voice was also heavy.
Johan suddenly seemed to think of something, crouching to look down below.
There was the crater left by the meteor that had initially awakened Eternatus.
If there was one biggest variable today... it might only be this seemingly inconsequential meteor.
Indeed!
In the charred meteor crater, a meteor radiating dark red light and filled with rich Dynamax energy had shed its outer shell, revealing its true form.
A meteor nearly identical in origin to Eternatus!
It had provided Eternatus with even more powerful Dynamax energy!
He'd thought it was just Eternatus's Cosmic Power enhancement, but now it seemed...
"Ka-kaah?"
Gengar suddenly put its hand to its ear, making a listening gesture.
The next second, its eyes lit up as it put its finger in its mouth and whistled.
"Whistle~~"
In the distance came neighing sounds.
Neigh—
Then came the gradually clearer sound of hooves from far to near.
Clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop—
At the distant horizon, where darkness met earth, one black and one white horse neighed and flew through the air.
On the white Glastrier sat a majestic king with a green crown and white cloak.
Calyrex!
"Here it comes," Johan said softly.
It was the true first "client" who had "commissioned" Johan's help in this incident!
Neigh—
Spectrier neighed, stepping on shadows and quickly coming to Gengar's side.
Gengar joyfully grabbed the reins and mounted Spectrier.
Ghost-horse fusion!
[Sorry, my reaction was somewhat slow. I'm late.] Calyrex said apologetically to Johan, Cynthia, Zacian, and Zamazenta.
"You're here now, that's what matters."
[King of Galar.] Zacian and Zamazenta nodded in acknowledgment.
"Who is it?" Cynthia asked.
"Calyrex, the King of Galar," Johan briefly introduced.
[Former king,] Calyrex corrected.
"I see... it's Calyrex."
Cynthia understood.
When Sonia was studying in Hoenn, she'd chatted with her about some of Calyrex's history. That history was even more obscure than Zacian and Zamazenta's, and Sonia had only recently learned of Calyrex's name.
[It's grown stronger.]
At this time, Calyrex also noticed Eternatus's change.
"Ka-kaah!!"
Gengar, riding on Spectrier's back, shouted confidently.
Whether it got stronger or not, beat it up and we'll know everything!
Johan smiled knowingly.
"Gengar's right."
He stepped forward, directly facing Eternatus, his voice resolute:
"No matter what..."
"It's time for an Eternamax team battle!"
"Eternatus—!!"
Regardless, it wasn't just Johan's side feeling pressure. Eternatus in the vortex also felt pressure from Zacian, Zamazenta, Calyrex, and that ghost.
It roared.
At the center of its coiled body, the energy core radiating brilliant red light burst with even more dazzling brightness.
In the center of its fierce five-clawed heads, massive amounts of poison frantically gathered.
"Here it comes again!" Cynthia warned.
"Awooo—"
Zamazenta, as the "main tank," again raised its shield to meet it.
Poison?
"Ka-kaah!"
Leave it to me!
Gengar pulled Spectrier forward first.
Zacian and Zamazenta were still hesitant, but Calyrex trusted Gengar and Johan completely. Upon hearing Gengar's words, it immediately raised its hand and grasped the air.
A snow-white spear materialized from nothing.
"Oowoo~~"
Ninetales swished its tail, and large amounts of ice crystals quickly adhered to the white spear, its length and hardness rapidly expanding.
Ice Lance!
"Gengar!"
Eternatus's toxic impact fell like meteors. Gengar pulled Spectrier directly under the toxins, opening its mouth wide—making Johan's eye twitch.
It was one thing to directly eat other guys' poison attacks, but Eternatus's poison really couldn't be casually consumed!
Fortunately, Gengar wasn't stupid. It didn't directly intercept the toxins but used... Vacuum Wave to the side!
The rest was Zamazenta's job.
Although both Zamazenta and Zacian had gained Steel typing after becoming the Shield Hero and Sword Hero, theoretically immune to Poison-type moves, Eternatus's poison...
The massive shield was raised, and the toxins continuously made "hissing" corrosion sounds beneath it.
When the shield shattered, a slash struck from behind Zamazenta.
Behemoth Blade!
"Garchomp, Dragon Rush!"
"Lucario, Aura Sphere!"
"Victini, Helping Hand!"
Boom!!!
Massive rumbling erupted in the air again. Multiple attacks landed, and Eternatus's body inevitably made collapsing, cracking sounds.
"Eternatus!!!"
Eternatus roared again.
It realized this wouldn't work!
Zacian and Zamazenta went without saying—old enemies who countered it well.
The white-horse-riding Calyrex was the same.
Plus that ghost that always gave it "surprises"...
And those two humans with their other Pokémon—those attacks might not be fatal, but they hurt.
Moreover, that seemingly small and cute thing with the "V" on its forehead on that man's shoulder—its presence boosted all the Pokémon's strength by a level!
This team fight... was clearly ganging up on it!
Clatter clatter—
Eternatus's skeletal, chain-like body rapidly repaired itself, while its five claw-like heads quickly reached down toward the ground.
"Watch out!"
But Eternatus's target wasn't Johan and the others—it was that meteor!
The energy contained within had been fully activated after its Dynamax energy catalysis.
This meteor's appearance was its chance to turn the tables!
Otherwise, even if its body could take more hits, it was hard to say whether it would give out first or they would.
However, when the massive shadow descended...
Neigh—
Spectrier's neigh—stepping on shadows, it appeared with Gengar beneath Eternatus's five claws.
"Ka-kaah~!"
Gengar made a face at Eternatus.
Then, under Eternatus's incredulous gaze, it grabbed the meteor containing Dynamax energy and "nom" threw it into its mouth in one bite.
Eternatus: "?"
No way.
Are you really my natural enemy?
"Eternatus—!!!"
Eternatus's core again burst with dazzling light, rich Dynamax energy rapidly gathering into terrifying radiance.
Dynamax Cannon!
Gengar: "!!!"
Oh no, it's really angry—time to run!
Gengar pulled Spectrier and quickly fled.
But Eternatus was completely furious this time, directly ignoring Zacian, Zamazenta, and Calyrex.
Despite their attacks, despite their energy constantly impacting it, it just stared fixedly at Gengar.
You!
This team fight—I can lose!
But you, Gengar, must die!
Johan: "..."
The last one who could attract this much aggro in team fights was a guy called Swift Scout.
But you know what, just like his Gengar—equally sneaky.
Had Gengar really eaten that meteor?
No.
Gengar didn't dare eat it—it just hid it.
But now...
"Whew—" Johan took a deep breath, then let it out slowly.
Eternatus had lost its rationality. This situation was definitely favorable for their side, but the premise was that Gengar had to hold out until Eternatus fell.
But now, the Dynamax Cannon had already locked onto Gengar!
The incredibly terrifying energy was right at hand.
The stirred energy and storm had completely shattered even the surrounding space.
Gengar had once asked Johan: if the world were about to be destroyed and only you standing up would give even a tiny chance to save it, would you stand up?
Johan said: impossible—such a hypothesis doesn't exist. I have so many friends.
Gengar said: what if—just like how I eat ten thousand meals, there's always once I'll get a stomachache.
After brief thought, Johan answered: yes!
Gengar was puzzled—this doesn't match our family's "philosophy."
Johan smiled and said: sometimes, some people always have to protect something. If you don't want to protect anything, then "home" doesn't exist.
Right.
Sometimes, you have to work hard to protect something...
Johan and Gengar looked at each other.
They simultaneously grinned, showing identical smiles.
A mere Eternatus wants to take down this old man?
Bah!!
Hum—
Johan and Gengar simultaneously burst with brilliant rainbow light.
Cynthia beside them said in shock: "Mega Evolution?"
Wasn't it impossible to use Key Stones and Mega Stones?
----------
Powerstones?
For 20 advance chapters: patreon.com/michaeltranslates