The Giant Chasm was vast, but with the guidance of Reshiram, Lucas and his two companions proceeded with a clear goal in mind.
"It's getting a bit cold, huh."
As they delved deeper, Marnie and Green could clearly feel the temperature steadily dropping. Green even broke out in goosebumps—after all, she was wearing the least: a sleeveless crop top and a short white skirt. At least Marnie had on a black vest.
"That means we're on the right track. We should be close to Kyurem now," Marnie said while adjusting her camera. Yes, she was planning to get a good shot of the Ice Dragon. Ever since following Lucas, she had encountered more legendary Pokémon in one month than she had seen in her previous seventeen years combined. She had gained experience!
"We're almost there," Lucas said, his eyes flashing. He could already sense it with his Dragon Force—a powerful dragon was nearby, and its aura was not concealed at all.
"Let's just hope nothing goes wrong..." Green muttered nervously. She pulled out a coat from her backpack, ready to put it on at any moment. She had a bad feeling about this trip to find Kyurem—it might not be as simple as it seemed.
After walking for another ten minutes, the scene before them opened up. A massive canyon came into view.
"So magnificent!"
Marnie and Green's eyes lit up. The canyon was entirely composed of glaciers—clear, blue, and sparkling. The icy air hit their faces as frost coated the mountain walls on both sides. The ground was covered in fragmented ice crystals, making for a stunning spectacle.
Just moments ago, they had been feeling their way through a dark cave.
Lucas remained silent as he scanned his surroundings and continued moving forward, with Marnie and Green quickly following.
Bzzzz~ Bzzzz~
A faint, ethereal humming sound drifted into their ears. Soon, they saw the source.
In the air, countless dark blue Cryogonal and white Vanilluxe were floating and spinning, scattering snowflakes and ice crystals to create a dreamlike scene.
Though strong Ice-types in their own right, these Pokémon were now reduced to nothing more than snow and ice generators.
But the most awe-inspiring sight lay beneath them.
A massive gray-blue dragon lay resting.
"That's... Kyurem?"
Snow and ice continued to fall as Green stared in shock at the seemingly slumbering Ice Dragon. It had a gray-blue body resembling a Tyrannosaurus, asymmetrical ice wings—with the right wing appearing broken—and even while asleep, it exuded an overwhelming dragon aura and terrifying pressure.
It was the strongest dragon in the Unova region!
"It looks terrifying..." Green muttered, scanning Kyurem's massive form. Its fearsome reputation was well-deserved. Just its appearance alone was far from the elegant image many associate with dragons.
Its enormous size, ferocious look, and oppressive aura would make most people's knees go weak at first sight.
"But the presence is really something else," Lucas said, clearly very pleased with Kyurem—extremely pleased, even. He glanced at the Cryogonal and Vanilluxe above, and the corners of his mouth curled up.
Kyurem was easily one of the most dramatic legendary Pokémon to appear in a movie. In Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice, it displayed overwhelming strength, instantly freezing Cobalion and the others and frightening Keldeo so badly it fled in terror.
Though Keldeo was still a "rookie" at the time, scaring a Legendary into submission with sheer aura alone? Kyurem was the only one who had ever done that.
Later, when it went out to find Keldeo again, it even brought along its little Cryogonal army.
That's right—Kyurem had an entourage. A mob boss of an Ice Dragon who rolled in with his crew. Now that's entrance flair.
Marnie and Green glanced at the "air conditioner units" floating overhead and were speechless.
They were both high-level Ice-types with base stats over 500, yet here they were, reduced to glorified fans.
"Um... Lucas? Maybe we should come back another time? It's pretty rude to wake someone from a nap," Green offered cautiously.
But Lucas's smile grew wider. "Too late. It's already awake."
Green and Marnie instantly shifted their attention to Kyurem—and sure enough, its eyes were now open. Its pale golden dragon eyes stared straight at them.
"ROOAARRR!"
A majestic roar echoed through the canyon, shaking the glacier walls. A gale of icy wind exploded outward as freezing breath surged.
The Cryogonal scattered in fear, having sensed the dragon's wrath.
"Oh, come on, what the hell is this?!"
Green covered her face with both hands, but the wind still stung her cheeks. She cursed internally—Kyurem had only roared once! Was that really necessary?!
Lucas also shielded his face, but his eyes burned even brighter.
This was the kind of dragon he sought!
Kyurem stood up, lowered its head slightly, and stared at Lucas. The aura from this human... it wasn't bad. But it also noticed something else—a familiar presence.
"Kyurem, that was quite the warm welcome," Lucas said with a grin, eyes locked on the Ice Dragon.
Marnie and Green quietly stepped back. Kyurem was awake now, and they could feel it wasn't exactly in a good mood.
"White Dragon! You dare show your face before me!"
Kyurem's low, gravelly voice echoed telepathically throughout the canyon. It had sensed Reshiram in Lucas.
They were once one being. No matter how far apart, it could always sense its counterpart.
It hadn't expected the White Dragon—or rather, the cowardly White and Black Dragons—to dare stand before it again.
"This time, I'm not here for Kyurem on behalf of the White Dragon. I'm here myself," Lucas said, trying to steady his racing heart.
"Hmph! So you're the White Dragon's so-called 'hero'?" Kyurem scoffed, its eyes filled with disdain.
Reshiram and Zekrom had long obsessed over truth and ideals. But Kyurem thought such things were laughable. What use were "truth" and "ideals"?
"Life always has its essence. Maybe it means nothing to you, but to Reshiram, that essence is everything," Lucas replied calmly.
"Hmph! Those two don't deserve to exist. Their beliefs are meaningless."
Kyurem's golden eyes glowed with rage. If the White Dragon dared appear before it, then it was asking for death.
"Put away your pleasantries, human. Bring out the White Dragon!"
Its immense dragon aura surged out like a tidal wave. Even the air seemed thick and suffocating. The Cryogonal cowered in the corners, trembling.
"I didn't come here to fight, Kyurem. I know you're the strongest dragon. But don't you find it boring, just sleeping in this canyon?"
"The world is vast, filled with dragons as powerful as you. I want you to come with me—to see it all."
Lucas's heart pounded harder than ever. Though Kyurem was harsh and arrogant, its power was indisputable—stronger even than Reshiram in its base form.
Kyurem's eyes flickered. For a moment, it was genuinely stunned.
This human... was inviting it to become a partner?
"The White Dragon's chosen hero... wants me as a partner?"
It chuckled, but the glint in its eyes turned savage. It was Kyurem—the strongest dragon. It didn't need a human companion.
"Bring out the White Dragon. I know it's inside you. That's your trump card, isn't it? Ridiculous!"
"ROOOAARR!"
Another thunderous roar shook the gorge. Flames flared along Kyurem's body as it transformed—becoming larger, now covered in white fur like Reshiram's, with turbines on its back.
White Kyurem!
An overwhelming dragon aura flooded the entire canyon.
The Cryogonal huddled together in terror. The pressure of this form was beyond terrifying.
"So, this is... Kyurem?" Green whispered, trembling behind Lucas. Even Ho-Oh hadn't scared her like this.
Marnie's body was taut. She'd witnessed many legendary battles—Zacian vs. Ice Rider Calyrex, Eternatus vs. Dialga—but none had felt as dangerous as this.
"This is amazing. You can switch forms directly? I love you even more now, Kyurem," Lucas muttered, lips dry as he stared at White Kyurem.
But the threat was real.
"Reshiram, get ready for battle!" he commanded.
He tossed out a Poké Ball, and with a resonant cry, the White Dragon appeared, staring gravely at its counterpart.
Kyurem's aura turned even more violent.
"White Dragon, today I'll turn you into stone for all eternity!" it roared.
(End of Chapter)