Zekrom, caught in its eternal cycle of love and hate, had just been struck down once again, practically handing itself over for free. And almost without pause, Reshiram retaliated fiercely, hurling a blazing Fusion Flare directly toward the Sword Hero, Zacian.
Zacian had only just unleashed its Behemoth Blade and had no time to readjust its stance or steady itself before being struck head-on by the attack.
The timing was flawless. So flawless, in fact, that Zacian couldn't help but suspect Reshiram had deliberately let the black dragon be the sacrificial pawn, just so its own Fusion Flare could land perfectly.
But now was not the time to think of such things.
The fiery orb of Fusion Flare engulfed Zacian completely, erupting in a thunderous explosion that lit up the frozen battlefield.
Yet almost immediately, a streak of blue light leapt free from the raging flames. Four clawed paws scraped against the icy ground, sparks flying as the figure skidded to a halt, stabilizing itself once more.
It was, of course, none other than Zacian.
"Your timing was excellent… but the damage leaves something to be desired."
With cold pride, Zacian's telepathic voice echoed disdainfully as its steely gaze fixed firmly on the white dragon.
Though it had taken the brunt of the Fusion Flare, Zacian's fur bore little more than soot and ash. Just faint black streaks marred its otherwise pristine coat.
Logically speaking, as a Pokémon weak to Fire-type attacks, Zacian should have taken severe damage from such a blow. And yet the truth was clear: its injuries were not serious at all.
This was not unreasonable, however. Zacian's overwhelming power created a gulf so wide that type advantage alone could not bridge it. In nearly full fighting condition, the warrior wolf had easily endured the legendary attack.
It wasn't as though the strike had done nothing—it was simply far weaker in effect than Reshiram had hoped for.
Reshiram's draconic eyes narrowed, expression grave. This opponent truly was terrifying.
"Pathetic."
Meanwhile, seeing the black dragon felled by a single strike from Zacian, and watching the white dragon's assault land with little effect, Black Kyurem's glare darkened dangerously.
Though Reshiram and Zekrom were its sworn enemies, for some inexplicable reason, seeing them so utterly helpless before another outsider did not bring Kyurem satisfaction. Instead, it stirred only irritation deep in its chest.
They were born of the same origin. And yet those two—the black and white dragons—were such useless failures that they could be mocked so easily.
"So, there is no need for lofty dreams of truth or ideals. With me—Kyurem, the strongest of dragons—that alone is enough!"
Its voice rumbled like thunder as its aura grew more violent, eyes blazing with savage rage.
A sudden pillar of flame burst forth from the turbine-like tail at its back, spreading across its entire body. The shift was instant: Black Kyurem's form shimmered, warped, and gave way to White Kyurem.
"Fall back!"
Lucas immediately sensed the change, urgently warning both Eternatus and Reshiram through his bond.
Something about White Kyurem was undeniably wrong.
No—not just wrong.
Even from the ground, Lucas could feel the temperature plummeting to a terrifying degree. Snowflakes began to swirl down from the heavens. A supernatural storm of frost was already unfolding.
Quickly, Lucas released his Gardevoir. This was going to get out of hand. White Kyurem was about to explode.
"ROOOAAAARRRR!"
A deafening, domineering roar split the sky. A suffocating wave of frozen breath surged outward from White Kyurem's body.
Glaciate!
A radiant blue ring of energy spread from White Kyurem at blinding speed, rippling outward like an expanding dome.
Compared to its Black form, White Kyurem excelled in special attacks, and in this form its Glaciate was incomparably stronger than before.
The very sky seemed locked in ice. Even the ground shuddered under the weight of the attack. Trees far away groaned as frost spread across their branches, layers of ice forming with frightening speed.
Obeying Lucas's warning instantly, Eternatus and Reshiram retreated as far as they could, wings straining as they landed further away from the ice dragon.
Even so, thin layers of ice crystals already formed upon their scales.
As for Zacian—
By the time it realized what was happening, it was already too late to evade. The wave of frost had come too swiftly.
Zacian's icy blue eyes hardened, fury flashing as it glared at White Kyurem. The rusted sword clenched in its jaws glowed brightly.
Sacred Sword!
With a radiant slash, it cut through the encroaching frost.
Even so, the chilling energy was so overwhelming that a sheen of ice formed across the blade itself.
But with one fierce swing, Zacian shattered the oncoming cold, breaking free of the wave.
Crack! The Sacred Sword dissipated, shards of ice scattering. Yet Zacian's expression was far from composed—it was grim, sharp, and deeply displeased.
"Ice Dragon… what is the meaning of this?"
The telepathic voice was devoid of warmth, yet laced with restrained fury.
Hadn't they tacitly agreed to handle their respective opponents first? And now this—an indiscriminate, all-encompassing area attack?
What, did White Kyurem think it could simply trample over Zacian without consequence?
"It means nothing. I was merely attacking the white dragon."
Kyurem's response was calm, but its eyes glimmered with hostility. Would it admit that, in truth, seeing Zacian strike down Zekrom so effortlessly had filled it with resentment?
Of course not.
Zekrom and Reshiram might be weaklings, but they were still its kin. Only Kyurem was allowed to punish them.
No one else.
So yes, the move had struck Zacian—but only because the attack's range was too wide. Totally unintentional. Absolutely.
Such a tsundere excuse.
Naturally, Zacian wasn't so foolish as to believe otherwise. It knew full well what the ice dragon was doing.
"You go too far."
Zacian's aura grew frigid, its patience evaporating. Time and again, its pride had been provoked. Did this so-called strongest dragon think it was nothing but a toy?
"You truly believe I fear you?"
Its eyes narrowed dangerously. This dragon had come not merely for battle, but for trouble.
"You trespass into my fight, and I have yet to settle that debt."
Kyurem's gaze twisted with feral savagery.
"Your strength is impressive. Just don't come crawling away with your tail between your legs when I break you."
The turbine at its tail flared, fire roaring as it condensed a massive blazing orb.
Fusion Flare!
"Didn't you shrug off the white dragon's flame just now? Then try enduring mine!"
With a furious roar, the inferno surged forth, crashing toward Zacian.
But Zacian did not dodge. The rusted sword shimmered with a sharp, lethal glow.
Sacred Sword!
The blade cleaved through the fireball, splitting it neatly in two.
"They've started…."
Watching the clash, Lucas stroked his chin thoughtfully. He hadn't even begun to sow discord, yet here they were, already tearing into each other.
"Hey, Reshiram… are you certain Kyurem hates you?"
Looking at the scene above, Lucas spoke inwardly to Reshiram. From the way Kyurem was acting, it seemed almost protective—lashing out at Zacian just because Zekrom had been struck down.
But weren't the Tao trio supposed to be at odds?
"The ice dragon does not hate us," Reshiram replied with a sigh, its telepathy tinged with melancholy. "It… envies us."
"Envies…?"
Lucas blinked, puzzled.
"You know as well as I, Lucas, that the three of us were once one. I was born embodying Truth. The black dragon embodied Ideals. But the ice dragon—Kyurem—is different."
Reshiram's voice was soft, patient, explaining the truth of their origin.
"When Truth and Ideals departed, the husk that remained became Kyurem. This empty shell possessed the greatest raw power, capable even of assimilating the strengths of both me and Zekrom."
Lucas's eyes widened slightly. Yes—that made sense. From one original dragon god split the black and white dragons, while the leftover body became the ice dragon.
Compared to the others, born of philosophy and purpose, Kyurem was merely strength incarnate.
"Kyurem'spower surpasses ours, but its might is nothing more than brute force. It has no meaning for existing."
"And so, aside from targeting us, it has no reason to live at all."
Reshiram's tone was steeped in quiet sorrow. Though Kyurem despised its siblings, neither Reshiram nor Zekrom had ever truly hated it.
After all, they were one in origin. Zekrom pursued Ideals, Reshiram embodied Truth. But what did Kyurem represent?
Nothing.
It was hollow.
Even in the Pokédex entries of Lucas's past life, Kyurem was described as awaiting a hero who could fill its emptiness with Truth or Ideals.
The reality was cruel—Kyurem had nothing. Not even the meaning of its own existence.
Its pursuit of its siblings was not truly born of hatred, but of longing. To defeat them was the only way it knew to affirm its strength.
That was its sole pursuit.
For dragons born of one god, there was no real enmity between black and white, save for differing philosophies. And Kyurem, poor Kyurem, was even further adrift.
Which was why, back when Lucas had sought to capture it, Reshiram had agreed without hesitation. If Kyurem were to follow him, it would finally gain a reason to live.
"I see…"
Lucas's eyes gleamed faintly as he watched the savage clash overhead.
"Lucas… who do you think will win?"
Reshiram's wistfulness lasted only a heartbeat. Its voice returned to calm neutrality, though with a faintly amused undertone. It had no intention of aiding Kyurem, merely watching from the sidelines as the two titans clashed.
Yes, perhaps Kyurem had chosen this battle out of envy, even out of some twisted protectiveness. But so what?
For thousands of years it had been nothing but a thorn, forever calling them weaklings, mocking them, threatening to freeze or petrify them.
Now, finally, it had met a foe worthy of it.
Let them fight! Let Zacian beat the arrogance out of the ice dragon!
"Who knows…"
Lucas could only sigh at the faintly gleeful note in Reshiram's otherwise pure and sacred telepathy. So much for holiness—this dragon was as petty as the rest.
Still…
His gaze lingered on the dueling figures in the sky, Zacian and Kyurem locked in ferocious combat. His eyes flickered, thoughtful.
(End of Chapter)