"Lucas appetite is enormous… He's actually eyeing Kyurem too?"
Iris continued muttering to herself. She didn't even need to think about it—there was no doubt at all that Lucas had set his sights on Kyurem.
He wanted to capture the strongest dragon of the Unova region!
"It's not surprising. With Lucas's level, this is perfectly within expectations."
Cynthia's voice remained calm. The Black Dragon and White Dragon were revered across Unova as the twin Dragon Gods, but the Ice Dragon is the strongest dragon that surpasses both of them.
For someone born into the dragon fanatic like Blackthorn clan, there was nothing more attractive than a powerful dragon.
"So… our job is to just stand here and wait quietly?"
Alder hesitated. The Unova League Chairman had sent them here precisely to resolve the abnormal disturbances in the area.
But right now, the ones fighting were Kyurem and Mega Rayquaza. There was no way they could intervene.
"Of course that's what we're supposed to do. What else can we even do?"
Iris narrowed her eyes sharply, speaking with no courtesy whatsoever.
Back in Saffron City, they were utterly devastated by Mega Rayquaza and Necrozma's Dawn Wings…
Legends of this tier were completely beyond what Champions could deal with.
Leon, Steven, and the others fell silent, implicitly agreeing with her.
Raihan glanced at Leon. Chewing gum as usual, he thought for a moment and then pulled out his handheld camera…
"Well~ we can't interfere, but recording it should be fine, right? This is a battle between legendaries."
Raihan smiled as he spoke, praising his own cleverness.
If he managed to record the battle between Mega Rayquaza and Kyurem and upload it to his channel, he would absolutely gain a massive wave of followers!
This was far better than documenting his daily life!
"That… doesn't seem like a problem."
Leon blinked, looking at his best friend, instantly understanding Raihan's intention.
When did this guy start using his brain so well?
"Flygon, let's go!"
Raihan grinned proudly and threw out Flygon's Poké Ball. They were still too far away; getting closer would give him a much clearer shot.
But he had to be careful not to get caught in the crossfire.
Truth be told, Raihan's impression of Lucas had never been good. Earlier that year, in order to capture Eternatus, Lucas had allowed Eternatus to attack and destroy Hammerlocke without hesitation.
That left a deep shadow in Raihan's heart—such ruthlessness and lack of humanity had made his chest tighten.
Even after the incident ended, Raihan remained depressed for a long while, frustrated at his own helplessness and at the damage done to his city. He shut himself off for quite some time before recovering.
But now… although he still didn't like Lucas, at the very least, Lucas had left Team Rocket. And Raihan was an open-minded person, so he was able to think more neutrally now.
Seeing Raihan take off first on Flygon, the rest exchanged looks, then sent out their own flying Pokémon and followed after him.
The battle continued.
…
"Dragon Claw!"
Mega Rayquaza swung its tail, forcing the approaching Black Kyurem back, then lifted its body and slashed down with Dragon Claw.
Black Kyurem did not understand the meaning of fear. It met Dragon Claw head-on.
Dragon Claw vs. Dragon Claw!
The first collision shook the air. Immediately afterward, both dragons raised their other claws simultaneously and struck again.
The double exchange of Dragon Claws sent both of them flying backward!
"Dragon Pulse!"
Mega Rayquaza gathered intense draconic energy in its mouth, firing a Dragon Pulse directly at Black Kyurem.
Black Kyurem retaliated relentlessly with Ice Beam.
The two moves clashed in midair and detonated violently.
"So strong! Even Mega Rayquaza can't get the upper hand!"
The battle had gone on for quite some time, and now both Mega Rayquaza and Black Kyurem were covered in numerous wounds.
But even so, Black Kyurem was not falling behind at all. This was a first!
Ever since Mega Evolution became available to Rayquaza, this was Green's first time seeing another legendary capable of fighting Mega Rayquaza as an equal.
Even when facing Dialga and Palkia, Mega Rayquaza hadn't exactly dominated but back then it was 1 vs. 2. And if Palkia had not kept ambushing, Mega Rayquaza would've crushed Dialga completely!
Yet now, it was truly a one-on-one duel, and Black Kyurem was still matching Mega Rayquaza blow for blow.
"Don't be fooled by appearances. Kyurem's injuries are much worse than Rayquaza's."
Marnie commented calmly while filming. On the surface the battle looked equal, but in reality, Black Kyurem had consumed far more stamina.
Although they had been exchanging blows evenly, Kyurem had been taking the worse end earlier.
But Black Kyurem's iron-willed battle spirit suppressed the pain, allowing it to fight relentlessly.
Lucas's eyes flickered slightly. The fight had gone on long enough. Based on stamina… it should be almost time.
"Dragon Ascent!"
Mega Rayquaza lifted its long body high, brilliant green light swirling around it as its overwhelming aura surged upward.
"ROOOAAAR!"
Black Kyurem narrowed its savage eyes, staring intensely at Mega Rayquaza. The turbine on its tail began glowing.
Dreamlike blue-violet energy lit up around its body, violet sparks crackling wildly.
A beautiful, glowing ring enveloped Black Kyurem as its power swelled.
Freeze Shock!
In the next instant, Black Kyurem charged straight toward Mega Rayquaza!
"Rayquaza!"
Lucas called out sharply.
Mega Rayquaza's eyes flashed. The green light around it intensified—and in the next heartbeat, Mega Rayquaza shot forward like an emerald arrow, meeting Black Kyurem head-on.
Damn you—!
Dragon Ascent!
Mega Rayquaza, wreathed in brilliant green light, tore through the sky like a blade, colliding violently with Black Kyurem.
Dragon Ascent vs. Freeze Shock!
BOOOOOOOOM!!!
A deafening explosion shook the heavens. Blue and violet light engulfed the entire sky.
Shockwaves rippled outward in rings. The gale force winds were like a catastrophic hurricane, sweeping everything away.
The ground beneath them cracked open violently from the pressure alone.
Even Reshiram who was far away from the two clashing Pokémon, turned and retreated the moment he sensed something was wrong, but the enormous gust of wind was still too fast.
Green and Marnie hugged Lucas tightly, one in front and one behind, as their hair whipped wildly.
Reshiram quickly conjured a blue Protect barrier and fell back to a safe distance.
Lucas never once took his eyes off the two legendary dragons.
…
"ROOOAR!"
"ROAAAR!"
Meanwhile, in mid-air, the roars of Mega Rayquaza and Black Kyurem echoed continuously. Both dragons were frantically urging their power, with Dragon Ascent and Freeze Shock charging at each other with all their might.
But soon—
"Kyurem is overpowering Rayquaza? How is that possible?!"
Green's sharp eyes widened in disbelief.
The blue-violet energy of Freeze Shock… was slowly pushing back the green glow of Dragon Ascent!
"Dragon Ascent simply isn't as strong as Freeze Shock."
Lucas frowned. It was possible, after all—Dragon Ascent was a Flying-type move, which Ice resisted. While Delta Stream removed Flying-type weaknesses for Mega Rayquaza itself…
It did not remove the type disadvantage from the moves it used.
And purely comparing power, Dragon Ascent indeed lost to Freeze Shock.
"Rayquaza!"
Hearing Lucas's voice, Mega Rayquaza instantly understood his meaning thanks to their long-standing tacit understanding.
"ROOOAR!"
With a sudden burst of power, Mega Rayquaza suddenly forced its body forward, breaking free from Black Kyurem's pressure.
The collision between Dragon Ascent and Freeze Shock burst apart in a violent shockwave.
Both dragons were knocked backward.
"Draco Meteor!"
As it fell back, Mega Rayquaza lifted its head, releasing a perfectly condensed sphere of energy that shot into the sky.
Meanwhile, Black Kyurem's eyes flared with brutality as flames erupted across its whole body.
White Kyurem Appears!
In an instant, it switched into its special-attack-oriented form. Its turbine flared to life.
Blue-red flames encircled White Kyurem in a dazzling halo.
Then—
A torrent of blue-red flaming energy fired toward Mega Rayquaza.
Ice Burn!
"Rayquaza, dodge!"
Lucas's brows knit tightly. He hadn't expected Kyurem to still be able to transform into its special-attack form at this point.
And to use Ice Burn on top of that?!
Damn it—having too many signature moves really was unfair!
Mega Rayquaza struggled to move. It managed to dodge several of the blazing blasts—
—but several still hit it directly.
Mega Rayquaza let out a pained cry. Ice Burn was extremely effective!
White Kyurem roared triumphantly at its successful hit.
"Dragon Ascent!"
Mega Rayquaza was forced back by Ice Burn, but endured the pain. Green light gathered around its body once again.
Kyurem noticed this and prepared to switch forms as its White Kyurem form was terrible at taking Dragon Ascent.
But—
Draco Meteor arrived first!
White Kyurem looked up to see the falling meteors of fiery dragon stars with trailing bright tails descending rapidly, already too close.
If it switched forms now, it would be hit!
White Kyurem's expression twisted. Damn it!
Grinding its teeth, lightning flashed across its body, switching it back into Black Kyurem form.
But immediately afterward—
Two Draco Meteors slammed into its back!
Agony wracked its body, sending it staggering lower. Yet the turbine lit up with crackling electricity.
A stunning blue-violet ring formed around it again—
Freeze Shock!
It was forcing the move!
"…It won't make it in time," Lucas finally smiled softly.
This was Kyurem's pride.
If it were him, he would've ordered Kyurem to dodge Draco Meteor first, then weaken Dragon Ascent afterward.
But Kyurem didn't think that way. It wanted to face Mega Rayquaza head-on.
Could it succeed?
A deep, majestic roar answered.
A flawless emerald flash tore through the sky—
Bursting through the incomplete Freeze Shock aura and smashing it apart.
Dragon Ascent struck Black Kyurem directly.
Black Kyurem's face twisted in pain—the blow was too heavy!
Mega Rayquaza drove it downward, slamming it into the frozen ground.
BOOOOOOM!!!
The earth trembled. The ground split open into deep, jagged cracks.
"Earthquake!"
Mega Rayquaza lifted its tail high. Black Kyurem tried to stop it, gathering freezing light, but its strength had fallen drastically.
BOOM!
Mega Rayquaza slammed its tail down, another violent quake ripping through the battlefield.
Black Kyurem cried out again—Earthquake was far too punishing now!
When the tremors subsided, Black Kyurem lay on its back in the crater, breathing harshly, struggling to rise.
It managed to lift its body slightly—
—but exhaustion overwhelmed it immediately, and it collapsed again.
Only then did Mega Rayquaza slowly float upward. Its stamina was nearly depleted too, though still better than Kyurem's.
Black Kyurem glared unwillingly at Mega Rayquaza—but could do nothing except stare.
Mega Rayquaza noticed its gaze and glared back.
A loser still dares to stare?
"You lost, Kyurem."
Reshiram descended gracefully. Lucas hopped from its back, crossing a deep fracture as he approached the crater.
He stared at the weakened Black Kyurem for a long moment before smiling.
"According to our agreement, you will become my partner."
Lucas took out an empty Poké Ball and shook it lightly toward Kyurem.
Black Kyurem turned its head with difficulty to look at him, its gaze flicking toward Reshiram. Complex emotions swirled in its dragon eyes.
It did not answer.
"The strongest dragon shouldn't break its promises, right?"
Lucas raised a brow, knowing full well how proud this dragon was. Accepting defeat would be hard.
Black Kyurem's gaze grew troubled. Though unwilling… it had indeed lost—to this Rayquaza.
"If you defeat me… I will follow you for a hundred years. I… will not go back on my word."
After a very long silence, Kyurem's deep telepathic voice finally echoed.
Green and Marnie exchanged looks of delight.
Reshiram also breathed subtly in relief. As expected, although Kyurem had a terrible temper, it never broke its word.
"Then welcome aboard, Kyurem."
Lucas's handsome face lit up with joy as he tossed the Poké Ball.
Black Kyurem turned into a beam of red light and was drawn inside.
Ding~ Ding~ Ding~
Click!
Kyuremthe Ice Dragon, captured!
(End of Chapter)