Seeing Black Kyurem charging at it, Reshiram quickly flapped its wings and retreated.
As a Legendary Pokémon that specialized in special attacks, its slender arms and body simply weren't suited for close combat. If that muscle-bound "brute" of an Ice Dragon got too close, wouldn't it be over for Reshiram?
"Eternatus, Cross Poison!"
Without hesitation, Lucas shouted the command at Eternatus.
Just a moment ago, he had commented on how straightforward Black Kyurem was—but now it looked like the Ice Dragon had smartened up in an instant!
Eternatus clapped its two massive dragon claws together, gathering eerie violet energy that rapidly condensed into a cross-shaped slash of power. With a sharp motion, it flung the blazing blade toward Black Kyurem.
It was incredibly fast!
Black Kyurem sensed the incoming attack and crossed its arms in front of its body just in time. The Cross Poison hit directly.
Boom!
The attack exploded against its body, the shockwave pushing Black Kyurem back several meters.
The dragon's icy eyes flashed with fury as it glared at Eternatus. Behind it, arcs of electricity sparked from its turbine-like wings.
"What kind of god-tier defense is that…? Eternatus's attack didn't do anything?"
Seeing that the attack had landed yet only pushed Black Kyurem back, Green was left utterly stunned.
Was it really that tanky? Just absorbing the hit with its arms like it was nothing?
"It was only a deterrent attack," Lucas explained, not surprised in the slightest. "The endurance of a Legendary Pokémon far exceeds your imagination. And among Dragon-type Legendaries, Ice Dragons are among the top tier."
The difference between Legendaries and regular Pokémon lies in their life-level and essence. It's not something that can be explained away with mere stat values—it's about an innate superiority granted by existence itself.
This world was never fair. Legendaries are inherently favored by nature.
"But more importantly… Kyurem's getting serious."
Lucas's face grew solemn.
Black Kyurem's aura grew even more terrifying. Violet arcs of electricity and icy blue energy danced around its massive form, forming a surreal, beautiful, yet dangerous halo.
Crackling streaks of deep purple lightning burst from its body.
Majestic. Deadly.
Freeze Shock!
It was unmistakably Kyurem's signature move—Freeze Shock! One of the strongest physical Ice-type moves outside of Z-moves.
Kyurem's reputation as the strongest Dragon wasn't without merit. The Ice and Dragon dual-typing gave it a distinct advantage in Dragon-type mirror matches. Combine that with its own icy domain, and Kyurem had not one, but five signature moves:
Glaciate, Fusion Flare, Fusion Bolt, Freeze Shock, and Ice Burn!
Five signature moves!
Do you realize how absurd that is? Excluding Arceus and its plate-swapping nonsense, only Necrozma could compete in terms of move variety—but even then, only in its Ultra form.
Kyurem, however, could freely switch between its Attack (Black Kyurem) and Special (White Kyurem) forms mid-battle, allowing it to always have the optimal setup against any opponent.
"White Dragon!"
Black Kyurem locked eyes on Reshiram, then charged at it like a missile. Its terrifying aura sent chills down the spine.
Every strand of fur on Reshiram's body stood on end. If it got hit by that Freeze Shock, it wouldn't be just injured—it could die!
"Reshiram, Blue Flare!"
"Eternatus, Dynamax Cannon! Stop it!"
Lucas didn't dare to take chances and instantly issued commands to both Legendaries.
There was no avoiding it. Reshiram's speed simply wasn't enough to dodge Kyurem's focused assault.
Both Reshiram and Eternatus began charging their most powerful moves.
Blue flames surged from Reshiram's turbines, drawing nearly all of its energy.
Meanwhile, Eternatus's chest glowed with a blinding crimson light.
A second later—
A beam of sapphire flame and a crimson energy cannon burst forth, soaring toward Black Kyurem.
But the Ice Dragon didn't slow down. Instead, it sped up, slamming straight into the dual onslaught!
BOOM!
The instant they clashed, a terrifying shockwave erupted outward in a perfect ring.
RUMBLE!!
It felt like a full-blown earthquake had struck the glacier canyon. The surrounding ice walls split open with jagged, terrifying cracks and began collapsing.
Falling rocks tumbled down in a storm. The canyon became a death trap.
Dozens of Cryogonal and Vanilluxe panicked and fled deeper into the glacier.
Gardevoir quickly raised a shimmering psychic barrier, shielding Lucas and the others.
"This is… way too terrifying…"
Green stood trembling, trying to keep her balance as the earth quaked beneath her. Her eyes were wide with disbelief.
She knew Legendary Pokémon were powerful—but this was just the shockwave of their attacks!
This shouldn't even be possible… right?
"Lucas, this isn't looking good," Marnie said calmly. She had seen intense battles before. Eternatus's Eternabeam during its Eternamax form in Michina wasn't any less dramatic.
But what worried her was that the violet-ice energy surrounding Kyurem was still glowing strong.
Which meant—Freeze Shock hadn't been overpowered!
"…The Ice Dragon's strength exceeds even my expectations," Lucas muttered, his eyes burning with intensity.
To think Kyurem could go toe-to-toe against both Eternatus and Reshiram combined—he couldn't help but wonder just how powerful the original Dragon was before it split.
Maybe not even Ultra Necrozma could match it.
"ROARRRR!!"
In the collapsing glacier canyon, Black Kyurem's furious roar shook the skies. Its energy flared again as it broke through the two-pronged attack.
It blitzed forward at Reshiram.
Caught off guard, Reshiram could only watch in horror as the Ice Dragon crashed into it at full force.
CRASH!
It plummeted toward the earth like a meteor, smashing into the ground with a resounding impact that caused the entire canyon to shake once more.
"ROOOAARRR!"
Having knocked down Reshiram, Kyurem let out a triumphant roar.
Useless White Dragon! You're nothing compared to me—the true strongest Dragon!
Ideal? Truth? What a joke!
Kyurem bared its fangs in a savage grin and prepared to finish Reshiram off.
But suddenly—the sky above it darkened.
Kyurem instinctively looked up—only to see a massive tail growing larger in its field of view.
Damn! I forgot about that guy!
WHAM!
Like a rubber ball, Kyurem was smacked into the ground by Eternatus's Dragon Tail.
"Dynamax Cannon!" Lucas called out without missing a beat.
Just now, Kyurem had been so arrogant after knocking down Reshiram that it forgot to reposition. What was it thinking? Did it think Eternatus was just there for decoration?
Now was the perfect time to beat it down.
Eternatus let out a deep roar, then fired a massive crimson beam straight at the grounded Kyurem.
BOOM!
The cannon exploded on impact, sending out shockwaves of destructive force.
"Reshiram, are you alright?"
While Kyurem was being pummeled, Lucas rushed to Reshiram's crash site.
Gardevoir was already at its side, gently placing her hands on Reshiram and bathing it in soothing psychic energy.
Psychic healing—Heal Pulse.
Yes, our Gardevoir isn't just beautiful and strong—she can also be a top-tier support! So versatile!
"Lucas… I don't think I can go on. I can barely fly."
Reshiram's weak telepathic voice echoed in their minds as it lay on the ground, barely able to move.
That Freeze Shock was too powerful—its body felt like it had been shattered.
Ugh… I knew it. Challenging the Ice Dragon was just asking for a beating…
"In that case, return to your Poké Ball and rest. We should retreat too. Kyurem's strength is—???"
Lucas frowned, preparing to pull back for now.
He had a good sense of Kyurem's capabilities. With Eternatus not yet fully recovered and Reshiram half-dead, forcing a full fight would be reckless.
He had never intended to battle to the death. Better to come back stronger later.
But before he could finish speaking—he stared blankly as Reshiram suddenly stood up and straightened its neck like nothing had happened.
Lucas: "…"
Marnie: "…"
Green: "…"
You just said you could barely fly a second ago!
Wow. Just… wow!
Lucas looked at the so-called embodiment of truth with a strange expression.
This energy—it could probably go fight Kyurem again for 300 rounds, right?
"Lucas, get us out of here!"
Reshiram's telepathy was firm and determined.
Marnie and Green looked even more suspicious now.
So, the moment it heard "retreat," it immediately recovered? Really?
"As expected of you, Reshiram."
Lucas finally sighed. Truly, those that appear pure and holy on the outside… often hide the darkest depths.
No wonder Reshiram chose him without hesitation. They're a perfect match.
Still, they all quickly climbed onto Reshiram's back. Even though Kyurem was temporarily suppressed, it wouldn't stay down for long.
Time to make a run for it!
"ROARRR!"
With an elegant cry, Reshiram spread its wings and shot upward. On the way, Lucas recalled Eternatus into its Poké Ball.
But just as they exited the glacier canyon—
Black Kyurem burst out of the smoke clouds below.
It surveyed the devastation—its once peaceful lair reduced to rubble.
Its icy eyes narrowed.
It had just been enjoying a nap—and these two annoying pests came and wrecked everything!
"ROARRR!!"
Its furious roar shook the sky as it launched into the air, chasing after Reshiram.
Damn it—I won't let you get away!!
Reshiram, flying at full speed, felt a chill run down its spine.
"Lucas… I don't think he's going to let this go."
Lucas stayed calm. "Don't panic. Mask your aura and keep flying. At worst, we play hide and seek for a bit."
"Lucas, look there!"
Just then, Marnie pointed ahead.
Lucas turned and froze for a moment—then smiled like the warm spring wind.
Because in front of them was a pitch-black dragon, with a green-haired youth on its back.
N—and Zekrom.
N's empty eyes rippled slightly as he locked eyes with Lucas and Reshiram.
Their first face-off: the Hero of Truth and the Hero of Ideal.
"You must be the White Dragon's chosen Hero. I am—"
Before he could finish—
"I know. Lucky, we ran into you. Could you help deal with the big guy chasing us?" Lucas interrupted, tapping Reshiram lightly.
Reshiram instantly picked up speed, flying past N and Zekrom like a bullet.
Because they could already feel it—the chill of Kyurem closing in.
N: "…"
He stared at Reshiram's disappearing silhouette, confused.
He had imagined all sorts of scenarios for this fated meeting—but not this.
And what's with that White Dragon and its Hero? Why do they look like they're… running for their lives?
N frowned. It wasn't the best comparison, but it sure felt like a desperate escape.
Then—
"ROARRR!!"
A terrifying roar rang out behind him.
N turned in shock—and found himself face-to-face with the massive Black Kyurem.
Kyurem's furious eyes locked onto Zekrom and N.
N: "???"
Zekrom: "…"
"You dare stand in my way too, Black Dragon!?"
Kyurem's furious telepathy thundered through their minds, its rage nearly overflowing.
(End of Chapter)