[Alert: Reshiram has fainted]
[Alert: Having defeated Zekrom and Reshiram, please proceed to the next floor]
Using speed, Shadow Lugia had demolished Reshiram and won.
Both Lugia and Reshiram ranked among the highest-tier Legendary Pokemon in existence.
The difference came down to trainers.
Reshiram's trainer was Ghetsis. Well, "trainer" might be generous, more like temporary slave-driver.
Lugia's trainer, though? That was John.
Despite being a Psychic-type, Lugia's control over Psychic techniques was surprisingly crude. It didn't even know Teleport.
If Lugia had mastered teleportation, the movie scene with Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres chasing it would've played out completely differently. Instead of barely escaping, Lugia could've done what it just did to Reshiram, full-speed Brave Bird spam combined with instant repositioning, darting around like some oversized Fletchling on crack, absolutely brutalizing its opponent.
The three legendary birds couldn't match Reshiram's power level anyway.
Besides... even at the end, Lugia never used its real trump card.
Shadow-type moves dealing guaranteed double damage.
If Lugia had actually deployed those, Reshiram would've dropped even faster.
Apparently Shadow Lugia had enjoyed having a worthy opponent for once, so it prolonged the fun.
Meanwhile, in the fortress ruins below—
John prepared to enter the next challenge.
That's when Ghetsis made his mistake.
A Thunderbolt lanced toward John from Ghetsis's position, clearly targeting the trainer directly.
The electricity didn't get within ten meters. A murderous-looking Garchomp intercepted with Dragon Claw, shattering the attack.
Shadow Lugia didn't even wait for John's command. It dove from the sky, Hyper Beam charging in its maw, and fired at terrifying speed straight at Ghetsis.
The explosion lit up the sky.
When the light faded, nothing remained but scattered debris.
John stared at the falling remnants and sighed. "Didn't need to go that far."
Not an ounce of remorse in his voice, though.
Truth was, John didn't like killing people. If it wasn't life-or-death, he'd never crossed that line before.
But Ghetsis? The guy wasn't chasing ideals or dreams. Just pure domination.
He wanted to rule over all humans and Pokemon alike.
A complete megalomaniac.
So combining those factors, attempted murder plus irredeemable villainy, John felt zero guilt watching Ghetsis get vaporized. Maybe a touch of regret that it ended so quickly.
After dealing with the aftermath, John recalled Shadow Lugia and Garchomp to their Pokeballs.
He rode Salamence to the next gateway and stepped through.
Back in the real world, the internet had exploded.
Not just because John defeated two more Legendary Pokemon.
Because John had killed someone.
Shadow Lugia executed Ghetsis with brutally, even if John hadn't directly ordered it.
Worldwide, everyone watching erupted into heated debate.
Some argued John acted in pure self-defense, Ghetsis attacked first, and John didn't even give the kill order. His Pokemon retaliated on their own.
Most people pointed out that under International Trainer Law, when someone attacks the trainer directly, lethal counterforce is completely justified.
Others shrugged it off entirely. The trainer world was brutal. This surprised no one.
The Draconia released an official statement first: John holds the rank of Pokemon Investigation Officer and Draconian Champion. When engaging armed criminals wielding powerful Pokemon, if his life is endangered, he possesses full legal authority to use lethal force.
The World Pokemon League followed immediately with a similar declaration.
As Champion and Masters Eight member, when other trainers target him directly with attacks, defensive retaliation, including lethal measures, is completely within regulations.
Once those official statements dropped, the controversy died instantly.
Every major news outlet moved on.
Just as John had predicted, after Hoenn came Sinnoh, after Sinnoh came Unova, and after Unova—
Kalos Region.
His next opponent would be Team Flare's leader, Lysandre. A man who resembled a fiery lion given human form.