"Human, hand over Keldeo."
Kyurem's dark golden pupils locked calmly onto Ash.
"Pika!"
Pikachu, perched on Ash's shoulder, crackled with small sparks on both cheeks.
Though Pikachu wasn't as high-level as their opponent, it stared back fearlessly.
"Kyurem—the mysterious dragon that coexists with both Zekrom and Reshiram. A fusion of Ice and Dragon types, hailed as the strongest dragon on land!"
Ash's eyes burned with excitement as he looked at Kyurem.
The strongest Legendary Pokémon on earth he had ever encountered!
A Transcendent-level Pokémon at Level 116. If Kyurem were to unleash its true power, the result would be nothing short of cataclysmic.
Ash didn't dare to challenge a Pokémon of this caliber recklessly.
The sheer magnitude of the battle would be devastating.
Kyurem could go all out without hesitation—but Ash couldn't.
Still, letting Kyurem walk away without trying? That would be an insult to the very fact that Ash had reincarnated into this world!
Thanks to Mewtwo's recent breakthrough to Level 111—the Transcendent tier—and its newfound ability to change forms, Ash now had real confidence in facing a beast like Kyurem.
"You know me," Ash said. "So you must understand—you cannot stop me and Keldeo from battling. The Dragon's Cradle is a trial that every Sword of Justice must face. Human, stand aside."
Kyurem didn't speak with malice.
The battle had already begun the moment Keldeo deceived Kyurem and ignited a fight between them. It was a test, a trial.
The other three Swords of Justice had been training Keldeo relentlessly.
But Keldeo had yet to comprehend its own Sacred Sword. Without that, it would never pass the trial. Never truly become a Sword of Justice.
Kyurem wasn't an enemy to the Swords of Justice—not in the way it might appear.
Only by enduring Kyurem's assault could one gain the strength to become a true Sword of Justice and fight evil with righteousness.
The Dragon's Cradle itself was nestled deep in the mountains near Roshan City.
"I'll take Keldeo to the Dragon's Cradle and let it face you," Ash said. "But first, there's something I'd like to cooperate with you on."
Ash touched the Master Ball hanging on a chain around his neck like a pendant. Mewtwo, sealed inside, was ready to use Teleport at any time.
Mewtwo had surpassed its limits—it could now unleash its power even from within the Master Ball.
But before Ash could finish, Kyurem fired off a Dragon Pulse!
In Kyurem's eyes, if this human stood in its way, then he was an enemy.
The Dragon Pulse surged forward—but before it could strike Ash, Mewtwo used Illusion to intercept and block it effortlessly.
"Hm?"
For the first time, curiosity flickered in Kyurem's dark gold eyes.
Something that could block its Dragon Pulse had to be above the Tier-2 Legendary Rank.
And this human—he knew about Zekrom and Reshiram.
In fact, Kyurem could even sense faint traces of their power from Ash.
After a long pause, Kyurem leapt down from the train.
Behind it, a swirl of geometric snowflakes danced in the air.
Kyurem knew how to make an entrance.
Wherever it went, ice followed. Even its breath could freeze entire rivers.
Such was the overwhelming power of the Ice energy in its body.
"Fine. I'll trust you this once. Bring Keldeo to the Dragon's Cradle and finish our unfinished battle."
Kyurem vanished into the snowy wind, geometric flakes swirling around it.
"Whew… The pressure from that thing… Thank Arceus for Mewtwo's breakthrough," Ash murmured, wiping non-existent sweat from his forehead.
After Kyurem changed form, it became one of the strongest Pokémon in existence.
There weren't many stronger than it.
Ash returned from the rooftop to the passenger cabin.
Keldeo was still trembling slightly.
As soon as it saw Ash, it flinched like a startled bird and tried to bolt.
But under the soothing influence of Ash's Aura, Keldeo slowly calmed down.
"Cobalion. Terrakion. Virizion."
Ash uttered the names.
And in that instant, Keldeo's mind was flooded with memories—of the three figures who had always sheltered it, guided it.
"They were all frozen by Kyurem in the Dragon's Cradle because of you. Keldeo… don't you feel the need to do something about that?"
"Pika pi!"
Ash and Pikachu exchanged a look.
Beside them, the tiny Victini floated over curiously, intrigued by Keldeo's current state.
The little one reached out, placing its two tiny hands on Keldeo's broken horn.
"TiniTi~ni~~"
Victini granted Keldeo a temporary boost of strength.
"I… I can't beat Kyurem…" Keldeo said, voice filled with despair.
"Who in this world can beat Kyurem?" Ash replied. "Even those three couldn't. But to become a true Sword of Justice… you have to awaken your own Sacred Sword!"
Ash spoke slowly, remembering how it played out in the original timeline.
"So… I don't have to defeat Kyurem?" Keldeo blinked, startled. "I… I never thought of it that way. My own Sacred Sword…"
"That's right, Keldeo," Ash said gently. "Our greatest enemies are always ourselves. Only those who overcome themselves… can become truly powerful and fearless."
Ash placed a hand gently on Keldeo's mane.
"Overcome myself… and I'll be strongest…"
Keldeo's mind raced, remembering all the lessons Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion had drilled into it over the years.
Little by little, determination returned to its eyes.
Ash smiled and nodded. That's more like it.
Even with the huge level difference and the trauma of losing its horn to Kyurem, this kid was recovering fast.
"That said, let's get you to the Pokémon Center first. You need treatment before we head to the Dragon's Cradle tomorrow."
When the train arrived in Roshan City, Ash immediately took Keldeo to the Pokémon Center.
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Author's note:
Soon, we'll begin the Kalos arc. Let's go full throttle!
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T/N:
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P@treon: [email protected]/PokePals