"ROOAARRR!"
The dragon's roar of White Kyurem echoed high into the skies as a blizzard vast enough to blot out the heavens surged toward the Sword Hero, Zacian.
The storm of ice and snow was overwhelming—wherever one looked, there was nothing but a blinding white tempest.
Zacian's expression turned cold and stern. It was not skilled at special attacks—in fact, one could say it was extremely unskilled at them.
Faced with the raging blizzard unleashed by White Kyurem, Zacian, of course had the option of using brute physical force to tear open a gap in the storm. However, if White Kyurem did not cease channeling its blizzard, then no matter how large the gap created, it would inevitably be filled again sooner or later.
Zacian's four limbs pounded against the frozen earth, driving its body into a mad sprint.
Kyurem's massive head moved in perfect sync with its storm, its feral eyes fixed on the blue wolf before it. The dragon intended to freeze this loathsome blue beast solid, to bury it in eternal ice!
"Heat Wave."
On the sidelines, Lucas gave a calm and measured order. Naturally, the blizzard was not only targeting Zacian; it spread to all directions indiscriminately. Thus, Reshiram released a hot, sweeping gale to shield Lucas and his side of the battlefield from the storm of snow and ice.
High above in the turbulent sky, Zacian glanced once over its shoulder at the pursuing wall of snow, then without hesitation transformed into a streak of brilliant blue light, hurtling straight toward Kyurem.
Kyurem's draconic face twisted into a vicious, sinister smile. A streak of electricity danced violently across its body, surging from horn to claw.
The monstrous form of Black Kyurem emerged!
Its sharp claws gleamed with a ghostly aura, the dreadful chill of death clinging to them—Shadow Claw!
Shadow Claw versus Metal Claw!
The darkened Kyurem's claws clashed heavily with Zacian's shining metallic blade-claws. The collision shook the battlefield with the ring of steel and the howl of stormwinds.
In the very next instant, Zacian pushed off and leapt backward, using the rebound of the impact to spring away. With a burst of incredible speed, it darted around to Kyurem's flank, its Decayed Sword transforming into a radiant holy blade.
Sacred Sword!
The sword of light came crashing down onto Black Kyurem's back. The dragon roared in agony, its massive body stumbling several paces backward under the strike.
But then—
An ominous cold radiated outward in an instant.
Zacian's pupils contracted sharply. It tried to retreat, but it was already too late.
Glaciate!
A wave of terrifying, bone-chilling cold erupted. At such close range, Zacian had no chance to evade. The freezing breath slashed across its form.
Crack… crack… The dreadful sound of ice spreading echoed through the storm. Before it could even land, Zacian was forcibly encased in thick, glimmering ice!
"You fool. Didn't I tell you your movements were fast? Yet even so, this is the price of your recklessness—your punishment."
Black Kyurem slowly turned its monstrous head, letting out a cold, contemptuous laugh as its cruel eyes fixed on the frozen figure of Zacian.
Zacian's movements were hardly slower than that skittish red insect—Genesect. But unlike that cowardly bug, Zacian had dared to approach directly, to strike at it without fear.
And by doing so, it had handed Black Kyurem the perfect opportunity!
"Hm?"
Yet the very next moment, Kyurem's eyes narrowed sharply. Cracks had begun to spread across the ice that had sealed Zacian.
The Sword Hero was struggling fiercely within, refusing to yield, and it was precisely that struggle that prevented its frozen body from falling to the earth.
Without hesitation, Black Kyurem swung another devastating Shadow Claw straight into the ice-bound wolf.
Shatter! The ice burst apart into shards, and Kyurem's claws tore brutally into Zacian's body.
"Tch… as expected, not easy to deal with."
The pain coursing through its body was unbearable. In this prolonged battle, Zacian had not managed to gain any real advantage over Kyurem.
On the contrary, its injuries had multiplied, blood and wounds marring its once-proud frame. Of course, Kyurem too bore its own scars, but the stalemate was dragging both to their limits.
"Lucas, we can withdraw now."
Reshiram's solemn voice spoke up at last, addressing Lucas. Watching the clash grow more and more stalemated, Reshiram gave its suggestion.
Although it wanted nothing more than to see how this battle between legends would end, it could not guarantee that the two combatants would not suddenly turn their attention elsewhere.
If that happened, then even wanting to retreat would be impossible.
"Not yet…"
Lucas replied in a low voice, his eyes narrowing as he glanced into the distance.
A large group of people stood there, watching the battle from afar. Among them were Burgh, the Gym Leader of Castelia City and Elesa, the Gym Leader of Nimbasa City. Surrounding them were numerous Officer Jennys and an array of male police officers.
Yes—these were the people of the Unova League!
Ever since Kyurem had revealed itself, the battle had grown far too intense. The unnatural blizzard it summoned had spread even to Castelia City itself.
It had been clear skies just earlier, and now, snowflakes were falling lightly from above. Such a bizarre phenomenon could not possibly be ignored.
Yet even though they had come this far, none of them dared to approach too closely. After all, Kyurem was locked in combat with other Legendary Pokémon. Who among them had the courage—or the strength—to step in?
"No need to concern ourselves with them," Lucas muttered, eyes gleaming. "Let's hope they have the sense to stay out of the way."
For now, the Elite Four of Unova had not appeared, but it was only a matter of time. Lucas had no desire to waste energy on distractions, but should anyone interfere, he would show no mercy.
"How much longer until Champion Alder arrives?"
Burgh, tall and slim, his half-curled hair messy from the cold winds, spoke in a grave tone to the Officer Jenny beside him. Normally known as both a Gym Leader and a celebrated artist, he could find no artistry in this moment.
Kyurem was not far from Castelia. The battle's violent changes in weather were steadily spreading across the region. If this continued, his city would no longer be Castelia—it would become a Frozen City!
This was no exaggeration, no metaphor.
But what could he do?
Even from this distance, the sheer oppressive power of Kyurem radiated like a physical weight. If anyone dared approach, they would be frozen into an ice sculpture within seconds!
"They're already on their way. Please remain calm, Gym Leader Burgh," Jenny replied, her tone severe yet steady.
She understood his fear—she shared it herself—but it was precisely because of that fear that they could not afford to panic.
"Why did Kyurem suddenly appear here? And what is that Pokémon fighting it?"
Elesa, tall and elegant, her usually playful tone nowhere to be found, furrowed her brows in genuine concern. She had only just arrived, summoned because Nimbasa City was closest to the disturbance.
But the moment she saw the scene, she was dumbfounded. Two legends were clashing in the skies, their powers shaking heaven and earth. She wanted nothing more than to point at the battle and demand an answer from Burgh.
Stop them? Break up their fight? Who was she kidding?
'I'm sorry,' she thought bitterly, 'I am but a weak woman. I am not worthy of interfering in a battle of legends.'
"That," Jenny answered after a pause, "is Zacian, the Hero of the Sword of legend from the distant region of Galar. As for why it is here in Unova, battling Kyurem… I honestly cannot say."
"And that boy… he's riding Reshiram, isn't he?"
Elesa's eyes sparkled faintly, her gaze settling on the lone figure standing amidst the frozen battlefield.
Yes, he was the only one left standing. Everyone else—Plasma grunts included—had been turned into lifeless statues of ice.
"That's right. He should be the Hero of Truth chosen by Reshiram. That strange skeletal dragon is also his Pokémon. In fact, not long ago there was another—one chosen by Zekrom, the Hero of Ideals…"
Jenny trailed off, lowering her voice as though unsure whether to reveal the truth.
"What about the Black Dragon's Hero?" Elesa asked curiously.
"…He was defeated instantly by Zacian."
"Oh, instantly defeated, huh? …Wait—what?!"
For a moment, Elesa had nodded casually, but then her mind caught up to her ears. Zekrom's Hero was defeated instantly?
"Kyurem and Zacian are simply far too powerful," Burgh muttered, his expression dark with worry. "If they continue fighting like this, Castelia City will be devastated."
This was what it meant when gods clashed and mortals suffered. Especially Kyurem's icy breath—its power was enough to freeze entire cities solid.
They had all heard the legends of the Ice Dragon, but no one had taken them seriously. Legends were distant, intangible stories… until today.
Now, without even facing them directly, they had felt that overwhelming might carved into their very souls.
Kyurem had emerged into the world—and they had no way of stopping it.
Jenny and Elesa exchanged grim looks. They were ready to sacrifice themselves if needed, but in this case, charging into the battlefield would not be sacrifice—it would be meaningless death.
Even the aftershocks of the fight were too much for them to handle, let alone the battle itself. All they could do was wait, and hope Alder arrived soon.
"ROOAARRR!"
Kyurem's violent roar split the heavens, violet-blue lightning crackling like a dream across the storm. The energy it summoned swelled into a terrible barrier of power.
The very next second, Black Kyurem launched itself into a charge, aiming straight for Zacian, who had just barely halted its battered body midair.
Zacian's eyes sharpened. Its opportunity had been seized.
It wasted no time—the Decayed Sword in its jaws morphed into an enormous greatsword.
Behemoth Blade!
Fusion Bolt versus Behemoth Blade!
The heavens erupted as golden energy tides surged outward, colliding with Kyurem's electric charge.
Terrifying ripples of energy spread out in waves, shaking the battlefield violently. Yet unlike their previous clash, this time Zacian's Behemoth Blade was being pushed back, overwhelmed.
A hastily formed Behemoth Blade—how could it possibly stand against Kyurem's Fusion Bolt?
"…This is bad."
Lucas raised his brows, quickly making his judgment.
And indeed, his prediction proved true. Slowly but surely, the golden energy of Zacian's sword was ground down and suppressed beneath the crackling might of Kyurem's Fusion Bolt.
At last, both energies detonated in a cataclysmic explosion.
The blast struck first at Zacian. It was hurled backward violently, its expression twisted in pain as it plummeted helplessly toward the ground.
Its body had already lost balance.
Kyurem, meanwhile, retreated with ease, its massive frame barely buffeted by the shockwave.
"I am the strongest dragon!"
Black Kyurem roared again, its voice a blend of ecstasy and ferocity. Another colossal blizzard stormed outward, determined to crush Zacian completely.
Zacian clenched its fangs tightly, glaring at the incoming storm. It struggled to rise, to raise its holy sword for one final defense—but its body was wracked with too much pain.
It needed more time, a moment to recover. Yet Kyurem would give it no such mercy.
Could it be… that it was not this dragon's equal?
"Dragon Tail!"
At that very instant, a gigantic figure stepped forward, planting itself firmly between Zacian and the storm. Its long, muscular tail lashed out, sweeping aside the onrushing blizzard in a single, devastating strike.
It was Eternatus.
Zacian's eyes widened, pupils contracting in shock as it stared up at the towering dragon that now shielded it. In that moment, its heart was a storm of emotions—anger, humiliation, confusion, and more.
"I don't need your help!"
Almost immediately, Zacian's gaze turned cold again, its voice cutting through the air in icy telepathy.
To be saved—by the very enemy it despised most—this was the greatest humiliation imaginable!
It had hunted Eternatus, pursued it relentlessly across eras… only to now be protected by it?
What was this mockery?
Eternatus glanced back, its speckled eyes flashing faintly. If not for Lucas's order, it would never have raised its tail to defend Zacian.
In fact, had it been free to choose, it would have happily struck Zacian down with a Meteor Beam while it lay vulnerable.
Three thousand years ago, Zacian had nearly destroyed it. And since its reawakening, Zacian had pursued it endlessly. Expecting Eternatus to feel goodwill toward Zacian was laughable.
But Lucas's voice had commanded it otherwise.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Kyurem is too strong. If we don't fight together, we'll never be able to bring it down."
(End of Chapter)