Six Legendary Pokemon defeated in less than a day.
Why couldn't news outlets just report them one at a time?
It wasn't that journalists wanted constant overtime, the problem was there wasn't any overtime left to work. What should've been Magnus versus Lance had transformed into the entire world's media camping at Sky Island, waiting to cover whatever insanity John would pull next.
Honestly, after three consecutive god-slaying incidents, the shock value had worn thin. Initial reactions of disbelief and awe had dulled into something closer to "oh, he did it again."
People were already placing bets on which Legendary Pokemon would fall next.
A trending topic called "World Legendary Pokemon Registry" somehow climbed higher than even John's first Groudon/Kyogre victory. Except it wasn't actually a registry, it was a death list. Which region's Legendary just got demolished. Which region's Legendary might be next.
The internet was having an absolute field day. What started as an epic god-tier Pokemon battle had devolved into worldwide carnival chaos. Nobody saw that coming.
Rainbow Rocket headquarters, fourth floor.
"You've arrived."
The man wore an immaculate black suit, his hair burning like wild flames in a leonine mane. Lysandre sat on an ornate throne, watching John's approach with calm intensity.
John didn't respond, surveying the surroundings instead. A massive pristine forest stretched in every direction. So this battlefield would have environmental factors, which meant... where were Lysandre's Legendary Pokemon?
Lysandre didn't seem bothered by John's silence. Reading his confusion, he rose from his throne and snapped his fingers.
From the forest behind Lysandre, a crystalline deer emerged slowly, rainbow-hued antlers catching the light. Life energy radiated like morning mist, and everywhere it stepped, vegetation flourished.
Simultaneously, above the deer's head, a crimson and black bird descended, its massive tail feathers resembling grasping talons. Death's aura scattered wherever it flew, turning everything below to withered gray.
Two Pokemon representing complete opposites, locked in eternal opposition. Life and Death. Xerneas and Yveltal.
Old friends of John's.
[Yveltal LV100]
[Xerneas LV100]
Both at maximum level, as expected.
John had anticipated something interesting, but these two were completely within his predictions. The Pokemon he'd chosen to counter them had been decided long ago.
He walked to the PC terminal, quickly selected his six Pokemon, then turned toward Lysandre.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lysandre, one who strives endlessly toward a beautiful world." He bowed with aristocratic grace.
"John. The guy about to beat you."
Beautiful world? John remembered Lysandre's actual plan involved using an ultimate weapon to destroy everything. Yeah, he wanted everyone to live "beautifully" by not living at all. No point in small talk.
John threw two Pokeballs.
ROAR!!!
Two colossal monsters descended with earth-shaking impacts, their tremendous weight making the entire forest tremble.
Aggron and Tyranitar.
Aggron's Steel/Rock typing countered both Xerneas and Yveltal perfectly. John planned to use it against Xerneas, beyond the type advantage, Aggron could resist Fairy-type techniques. Tyranitar would handle Yveltal for the same reason.
Lysandre's eyes swept over the two Pokemon flanking John, his gaze carrying analytical weight. He'd watched John's battles through all three previous worlds. This trainer could make ordinary Pokemon fight on par with, even defeat, Legendaries. Underestimating him would be fatal.
"Well then... let the battle begin!" Lysandre raised both arms dramatically. Behind him, Xerneas and Yveltal moved forward together.
John simultaneously revealed his MEGA Ring.
Rainbow light erupted as Aggron and Tyranitar Mega Evolved simultaneously. The brilliant radiance forced the advancing Xerneas and Yveltal back momentarily.
One terrifying, ferocious beast. One gleaming warrior resembling a king's champion.
The beast was obviously Tyranitar. Its Mega Evolution complete, the entire forest's aesthetic suddenly reversed, transforming into stark black and white as sandstorm energy radiated outward.
Beside Mega Tyranitar, Aggron finished its transformation into something unprecedented. It hadn't evolved toward becoming a heavier war fortress, it had become a warrior.
The crimson cape billowed behind it. The King's Sword gleamed in its right hand, the King's Shield in its left. Crimson and sapphire patterns adorned its metallic body, even across its face, making it look absolutely fierce.
Hero Form.