"Even though you, as a Legendary, possess an incredibly resilient body, a constitution far stronger than ordinary Pokémon, these kinds of wounds you've suffered will certainly not heal within just a few days."
Lucas cut off Zacian's cold remark without hesitation. Reshiram drifted closer to the Sword Hero and without giving it room to object, Lucas directly raised his hand and sprayed the medicine over Zacian's battered injuries.
Zacian turned its head slightly, first glancing at the wounds on its own body, then tilting its gaze toward Lucas, who was seriously and carefully treating it with medicine.
For the first time in countless years, the long-calm surface of its heart rippled with an unfamiliar disturbance. This… this was the very first time it had ever experienced such a strange emotion.
And yet, oddly enough, it did not dislike the feeling.
"Feels quite comfortable, doesn't it?"
Lucas noticed Zacian's eyes fixed upon him and spoke with a gentle smile.
Zacian froze slightly, and then—like a shy young girl whose secret thoughts had just been seen through—it abruptly turned its head aside, refusing to look at him, refusing to reply.
So tsundere. Lucas chuckled lightly but did not pursue the matter any further.
"Although you have spoken with reason, Eternatus is still far too dangerous. I do not recommend you keep it by your side."
After a short silence, Zacian's cold, detached telepathic voice once again rang beside Lucas's ears.
Lucas raised his eyebrows slightly. Even after things had developed to this stage, Zacian still remained unwilling to let Eternatus off so easily.
Naturally, Eternatus also heard Zacian's words. Its draconic pupils slowly grew sharp and hostile—it felt that this big mutt was really begging for a lesson!
"But… you are indeed an extraordinary human. I suppose you are confident in yourself. If it is you, then I can give that parasite a single chance."
Zacian stared straight back into Eternatus's dangerous eyes, completely fearless. This parasite dared to glare at it?
Eternatus very quietly shifted its gaze away. Mm. It had confirmed the look—it was facing an opponent it couldn't currently beat.
When this dragon recovers to its peak state, it will absolutely teach this dog a lesson!
Light shimmered across Zacian's form, and it stepped down from its Crowned Sword form, placing the weathered sword back within its mane.
"You won't stay to supervise it?" Lucas asked when he saw that Zacian seemed ready to leave.
"That won't be necessary. If it truly loses control, I will sense its presence immediately and come at once."
Zacian shook its head. Even though it had a favorable impression of Lucas now, it still was not accustomed to following alongside humans.
Especially not when that Eternatus was also nearby. Just imagining remaining close to it made Zacian feel as though its fur would stand on end.
Lucas's eyes glinted faintly at those words. Even if Zacian was extremely sensitive to Eternatus's aura, it was impossible for it to detect Eternatus from Galar if Eternatus was all the way in Kanto.
In other words, Zacian was, at least for now, not planning on returning to Galar?
-----------------------------------
Zacian departed—cleanly, crisply, and without hesitation.
"At last… it's finally over."
Looking up at the sky, which was gradually clearing after the storm, Lucas reclined upon Reshiram's back, lit a cigarette, and couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
Originally, his goal had been merely to deal with Team Plasma. He had never expected that both Kyurem and Zacian would appear. Truly, plans could never keep up with changes.
Fortunately, the final outcome was a good one.
Kyurem had shifted its attitude and granted him the chance to subdue it, while Zacian no longer regarded Eternatus as an unbearable thorn in its side.
At least within the next two years, he would not have to worry about Zacian bringing Zamazenta to come knocking on his door.
The greatest problem solved, Lucas's mood was naturally excellent.
"Rayquaza… Kyurem… Zygarde… Necrozma… Eternatus…"
He gazed into the vast heavens, his lips curving into a faint smile, softly murmuring the names of the five dragons he considered the strongest in his heart.
Yes, there was also Arceus equipped with a Dragon Plate… but that, decisively, he erased from the list.
As for the Creation Trio of Sinnoh, Lucas had no intention of touching them. They were far too special.
"Reshiram? No… I'll go with Shiny Rayquaza instead."
But five was an odd number, unbalanced. Lucas blinked thoughtfully, then cast a sideways glance at Reshiram beneath him. Somehow, Reshiram seemed… too small in scope.
He wondered whether this world contained that black-colored sky-soaring serpent. Truthfully, if he could capture two Rayquaza, Lucas would not object in the slightest.
After all, Rayquaza was one of the very few Legendary Pokémon that possessed a family line, and among them, their battle strength was at the absolute pinnacle.
The Rayquaza that appeared in the Deoxys movie, the Mega Rayquaza in the XY anime who fought against both Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre in a 1 vs 2, and the Black Rayquaza in the Hoopa movie—three had already been seen.
And aside from the one from the Deoxys movie, the other two Rayquaza were absolute monsters, each one undeniably awe-inspiring.
Calling them the definition of "legendary" would not be an exaggeration in the slightest.
"Let's set a small goal first… when I have time, I'll pay a visit to Ultra Megalopolis."
Lucas stroked his chin in thought. As for Zygarde, that was impossible for now. Even with memories from his past life, he had no idea how to find it.
He couldn't exactly copy Lysandre and create chaos, hoping Zygarde would surface—that would only cause Zygarde to classify him as a target to be purged.
The Rayquaza of Sky Pillar was the same. Unless Groudon and Kyogre awoke, Rayquaza would remain patrolling the ozone layer, making finding its trail no different from searching for a needle in the ocean.
Thus, only Necrozma remained. No matter the version, after its light was stripped away, Necrozma was always within the Ultra Megalopolis.
A trip to Alola's Ultra Space would suffice.
"Return, Eternatus. You've worked hard today."
After finishing his cigarette, Lucas recalled Eternatus, then had Reshiram descend back toward Zekrom and N.
At this moment, Zekrom's wounds were severe, and N was diligently applying medicine spray to its body, giving it a simple treatment.
"I think now you should understand how vast the world truly is."
Lucas cast a sidelong glance at the somber-faced N. The so-called King of Team Plasma had undoubtedly suffered a heavy blow today.
He had devoted himself to his ideals, believing wholeheartedly in the world he longed to create. His ideals had even been acknowledged by Zekrom itself.
This had once led N to believe his ideal was unquestionably correct and attainable.
And yet…
"Even if I am still weak now, that does not mean my ideal is wrong."
N pressed his lips tightly together. Though his eyes seemed unfocused, stubborn determination still flickered there. His handsome features were heavy with seriousness as he spoke in a low voice.
Kyurem and Zacian had indeed revealed to him the vastness of the world, showing him what true power looked like.
But he would not abandon his ideals!
"Are you absolutely certain… that the ideal you hold now is truly your own?"
"What do you mean by that?"
N frowned deeply. Surely, if anyone knew his ideal, it was himself?
"After leaving this place, go and see with your own eyes the true face of this world, N. 'Ideal' and 'Truth' are simply two different perspectives on life. Yet one thing cannot be denied: whether it be truth or ideals, both are indispensable to the world."
"Right now, you are nothing more than a bird confined within a cage. From childhood, you have been locked inside, and everything you've ever seen was only that which the one who confined you wished for you to see."
Lucas's lips curved as he gazed at N and spoke slowly.
"That's impossible! You're just—"
"Whether it is true or not, go and see for yourself, and you will know." Lucas cut him off directly.
N faltered, falling into silence, his lips pressed tight, his eyes clouded and uncertain.
He knew Lucas was not the kind of person who would waste his breath with lies merely to mock him.
"…Ghetsis is not a good man. Do not trust him unconditionally simply because of his so-called parental bond. If you truly wish to pursue your ideal—"
"The battle between Truth and Ideals does not end today. When you finally discover your true ideal, come find me in Kanto. I will be waiting there."
Lucas's smile deepened as he said this. Then, he signaled for Reshiram to carry him away.
Would the seed he planted within N take root? Lucas felt confident it would.
For N was never foolish—at his core, he was kind, and what he desired was nothing more than true happiness for Pokémon.
So long as he witnessed the true world with his own eyes, the poisonous ideas Ghetsis had instilled in him would inevitably be cleared away.
Guidance was all he needed.
Lucas had already shifted his perception of N. This man still had value.
After all, he was the Trainer chosen by Zekrom. With proper shaping, his potential was immense.
"…Zekrom, is it true? Has Father really been using me?"
As Reshiram carried Lucas away, N's eyes reflected profound confusion. For the very first time, he began to doubt the man he had always called 'father.'
-----------------------------------
"It looks like it's finally over…"
The battle ended completely.
A little disheveled, Burgh, Officer Jenny, Elesa, and the others exchanged hesitant glances.
Because the destructive power of Eternatus's Eternabeam had been so utterly terrifying, even though they were very far from the battlefield, they were still struck by the shockwave and nearly swept away.
"To think there really exists someone capable of controlling such a powerful Legendary…"
Elesa's beautiful eyes sparkled brightly. Though the distance had been too great to see clearly, she had firmly remembered that white figure riding upon Reshiram.
"After so many years, once again we are witnessing the appearance of Legendary Trainers. Reshiram and Zekrom have appeared… yet whether that is good or ill, I cannot say."
Officer Jenny's face was lined with worry. Up until now, the only recognized Legendary Trainer in the world was Brandon of Hoenn.
But Brandon had merely subdued one of the Regi trio.
Now, however—Zekrom and Reshiram, the twin Dragon Gods of Unova's legends, had both appeared. And that Reshiram's Trainer was clearly also the trainer of that eerie skeletal dragon legendary.
They had witnessed the power for themselves…
To have Trainers of such overwhelming might emerge—who could say whether they were good or evil?
"This must be reported immediately. And… they should be Unovan Trainers, correct?"
Burgh spoke uncertainly after some thought.
"Whether or not they are Unovans, all other regional Leagues must be warned and put on alert."
Officer Jenny nodded grimly. True, Reshiram belonged to Unova's mythology, and in theory, the emergence of the Heroes of Truth and Ideals should not be a bad omen.
Yet what could not be determined was whether their ideals and truths would ultimately benefit the world—or bring calamity.
Moreover, that Trainer was not merely Reshiram's trainer. That strange skeletal dragon was certainly no Unovan legend.
Jenny could not be certain whether Reshiram's trainer was truly of Unova.
But one thing was beyond doubt: this matter had to be reported to the Unova League and shared with the others as well.
If individuals of such power chose evil… the consequences would be utterly terrifying.
-----------------
At the same time, Lucas had returned to Marnie and the others.
Green's eyes sparkled with light as she looked at him. She had always known Lucas was strong, but today, for the first time, she truly understood the extent of that strength.
"This is Genesect. Dr. Colress, I must thank you sincerely for this time."
Lucas extended the Poké Ball of the Shiny Genesect toward Colress. He did like this rare specimen, yet not enough to risk sowing resentment in Colress by keeping it.
"Mr. Lucas, you are far too courteous. I did almost nothing at all."
Colress adjusted his glasses with a soft laugh, not taking the Poké Ball but instead gently pushing Lucas's hand back.
"As for this Shiny Genesect, allow me to gift it to you. It may not be a game-changer, but for you, it should still prove an additional strength."
Colress smiled politely, his unhurried tone calm and scholarly.
Yes—after witnessing a battle of legendaries firsthand, Colress was entirely certain now. Lucas was not just a powerful ally… he was the perfect ally.
Compared to Team Plasma, Lucas was leagues ahead—no, galaxies ahead!
With Lucas's protection, Colress no longer needed to fear the League or the evil groups that might covet him.
As for Genesect, he had only kept it to safeguard himself. Was there any need anymore?
Besides, he still possessed four more Genesect.
"This is your partner, isn't it?"
"I am a researcher, not a Trainer. Keeping this Genesect with me would only waste its true potential." Colress shook his head casually. His role had always been defined as that of a scientist. "By the way, I still have four more Genesect. Would you like them as well, Mr. Lucas?"
Since Colress had put it that way, Lucas did not argue. He pocketed the Poké Ball of the Shiny Genesect without fuss.
"No need. Leave them with you, so they can continue to protect both you and the other doctor's safety."
The other four Genesect did not interest him.
More importantly, Colress and Doctor Fuji's safety truly did need protection. While Colress was technically at Champion level as a Trainer, keeping the Genesect squad as guards was still the safest measure.
After tidying themselves up a little, the four of them headed toward Castelia City.
But upon arrival, they discovered the airport had temporarily suspended all flights.
Because of the earlier unnatural snowstorm, Castelia had been heavily affected. For safety's sake, all flights had been canceled for the day.
(End of Chapter)