At some unknown moment, a raging storm had already swallowed the entire stretch of ocean. Under the gloomy sky, heavy rain poured down in violent sheets.
"DynaDynamax Cannon!"
The massive, fearsome skeletal dragon's white, spot-like pupils flashed sharply. A crimson glow lit up within its chest and abdomen, and after a brief buildup, a beam of destructive energy tore through the sky.
Eternatus's DynaDynamax Cannon!
"SCREEEE—!"
Shadow Lugia let out a piercing shriek, and a white column of light infused with slicing wind shot forth to meet the attack head-on.
Aeroblast!
Aeroblast and DynaDynamax Cannon collided fiercely in midair. Tremendous waves of energy rippled outward, violently shaking the winds and storm clouds.
After a short stalemate, Shadow Lugia released a furious, ear-splitting cry. Aeroblast suddenly swelled, expanding in diameter as if exploding outward, forcing back Eternatus's Dynamax Cannon with overwhelming might.
But before Shadow Lugia could feel even the slightest triumph—
"Glaciate!"
A wide, crescent-shaped wave of shimmering blue frost breath surged toward Shadow Lugia. Even though its mind was nearly drowned in malice and negativity…
Its primal danger instincts were still intact.
"SCREEEE!!"
Shadow Lugia's eyes flickered with a violent red glow as it snapped its head to the side, shrieking sharply.
But it was still locked in a beam struggle with Eternatus; dodging was nearly impossible.
The icy breath of Glaciate swept across the air in an instant, striking Shadow Lugia directly. Rain, air, dust—everything it touched froze solid in that terrifying blast of absolute cold.
And Shadow Lugia itself was immediately sealed in a massive block of ice—a frozen sculpture hanging in the stormy sky.
"What a wonderful view~"
Lucas raised an arm to shield his eyes as though gazing at the horizon, deliberately using an appreciative tone while staring at the enormous ice sculpture above.
"Kyurem might not be very pretty on the outside, but its signature moves really are flashy and gorgeous."
The icy blue arc of Glaciate, the red-and-blue cold flame of Freeze Burn, the dreamy violet-blue shimmer of Ice Volt…
Yes—if we talk purely about visual effects, Kyurem's moves definitely ranked in the top three.
Even though Kyurem's own tyrannosaur-like appearance was ferocious and brutal, its attacks were the complete opposite—beautiful and elegant to an almost surreal degree.
"Is… is it over already?"
Mother Lugia stared at the frozen sculpture of Shadow Lugia, injured pride flickering faintly in her voice.
As expected of the two legendary dragons, Kyurem and Eternatus…
Working together, they had subdued their berserk clan leader almost effortlessly.
"How could that be possible? Even if ice types counter it, a top-tier legends isn't going down from just one Glaciate."
Lucas shook his head.
If defeating a top-tier legendary were truly this easy, then they wouldn't be called top-tier legends.
Kyurem's ice-type power was terrifying—but it wouldn't instantly erase a top-tier legendary still in decent condition.
"But don't worry. This big guy is very strong, yes… but also extremely irritable. Opponents like that are honestly the easiest to deal with."
Lucas's relaxed tone made it obvious—fighting one top-tier legendary no longer troubled him.
…Except maybe the Creation Alpaca.
The main reason he sent Eternatus into battle was simply to make things easier. Because—
This wasn't a fair one-on-one arena battle.
This was a wild battle.
Fairness did not exist here.
Lugia: "…"
Good grief. Didn't you just say moments ago that "it's not easy to handle"?
So you were lying to our whole family this entire time?!
While Lucas said only a few casual lines, cracks were already spreading across the block of ice encasing Shadow Lugia.
"SCREEEEE!!!"
The ice sculpture shook violently. In the next second, it shattered into countless shards as Shadow Lugia burst free, spreading its wings wide as it screamed in overflowing rage.
But—
"Dragon Tail!"
Just as Shadow Lugia escaped the ice, Eternatus's long skeletal tail, glowing with a faint blue aura, whipped toward it with brutal force.
Shadow Lugia noticed too late. Its scream cut off abruptly as it tried to gather energy—but the gusting wind of the incoming attack was already upon it.
BAM!
Dragon Tail crashed into Shadow Lugia's face, warping its expression with pain. But more than pain—what filled it was overwhelming hatred and resentment.
It was immediately thrown across the sky, tumbling backward before regaining its balance. Its crimson eyes glared murderously at Eternatus.
Dark, sinister energy swirled around it.
It wanted to tear this damn skeletal creature apart!
"Fusion Bolt!"
Kyurem, having shifted into its black form, crackled with spherical arcs of blue electricity, then dove downward from above.
"SCREEEEE!!"
Shadow Lugia roared, launching a blast of sinister black energy.
Dark Pulse slammed into the charging Kyurem—not enough to stop Fusion Bolt, but enough to slow it down. That was all Shadow Lugia needed to retreat and gain distance.
But—
BOOM!
A crimson beam ripped the air apart, hurtling toward Shadow Lugia at high speed.
Dynamax Cannon!
Shadow Lugia could not dodge.
The cannon struck dead-on.
A violent explosion followed.
Shadow Lugia's red eyes flickered dimly—its pain was so intense its vision nearly blurred. Being repeatedly struck, one after another, even a top-tier legend's endurance began to buckle.
It nearly fell out of the sky.
"SCREEEEE!!!"
After a moment, Shadow Lugia stabilized itself, releasing a piercing scream that reverberated across the stormy ocean. Its dark-red eyes glared death at Kyurem and Eternatus.
Rage!
Unrestrained, all-consuming rage!
Even with its mind clouded, it could feel a blazing fire inside its chest—
A fire screaming for it to tear these two dragons apart!
Damn reptiles!
Just because there are two of you, you think you can bully one bird?!
Have the guts to fight one-on-one, huh?!
"Today might become a lifelong trauma for it~"
Hearing Shadow Lugia's near-hysterical screeches, Green clicked her tongue in amusement.
It was strong—extremely strong but fighting two enemies while half-feral meant it was being completely overwhelmed.
Its mental state was probably on the verge of collapse…
"No problem. Legendary Pokémon usually have pretty strong mental endurance."
Lucas was completely calm.
Besides—this was the strongest dark Pokémon in that story's universe.
The one here was a bit different from the game version, but it was still a top-tier legendary Pokémon. There was no way it would be broken this easily.
"It should be resolved soon. Lugia, do you have a way to awaken Shadow Lugia's consciousness?"
Lucas stroked his chin, glancing at Lugia and her mate.
With Black Kyurem and Eternatus teamed up, Shadow Lugia could not stir up much trouble. It was only a matter of time before it fell.
And not a long one.
"This…" Lugia hesitated, her eyes dimming.
"Don't tell me… you can't?"
"If there had been a way, our clan leader would not have ended up like this."
Mother Lugia glanced at her partner, sorrow in her eyes. When they first arrived at the Orange Islands, they learned how dire the clan leader's condition actually was.
It barely had any consciousness left—only overflowing malice and the festering resentment accumulated during its long imprisonment.
"Then how do we wake Shadow Lugia at all?"
Lucas frowned.
He wasn't an expert in this—and Shadow Lugia's condition was far more bizarre than he expected.
Its very form had changed. Who knew if its original consciousness was even reachable anymore?
"I will try my best. But if it truly cannot wake…"
Lugia's voice trembled with determination. His normally gentle, clear eyes darkened with resolve.
If there was no way to bring the clan leader back…
Then she would rather apologize to it and end its suffering.
He could not allow the clan leader to continue existing in this twisted, monstrous state. The creature before them was no longer the Lugia he remembered—it was simply a mindless beast.
"…As you wish."
Lucas fell silent, then nodded.
This was a matter of their clan. He couldn't interfere. And if Shadow Lugia truly could not be restored…
Ending it might indeed be the best option.
Otherwise, Shadow Lugia was far too dangerous.
"Lorelie and the others have all arrived, huh."
Choosing not to dwell on the heavy topic, Lucas shifted his gaze toward the coastline.
Lance and N were still engaged in intense battle.
N was using the immense power of Zekrom to hold back Lance's main team, while Blue, Red, Zinnia, and Caitlin took the opportunity to surround and attack Agatha, Lorelei, and Bruno.
Despite being former comrades—and in fact, Red and Blue even knew Agatha and Lorelei—
Now, standing on opposite sides, neither held back even a little.
"It seems the situation is advancing faster than expected."
Lucas raised an eyebrow thoughtfully.
Four vs. three—especially since Red's side had the advantage meant Agatha's trio was already beginning to fall behind.
Agatha was tricky and strong, but Bruno and Lorelei simply weren't on par with Red, Blue, and Zinnia.
Caitlin was weaker, but she had psychic ability—essentially a built-in cheat.
Back on the S.S. Anne earlier this year, Lorelei could still fight evenly with Red.
But months had passed, and Red had clearly surpassed her.
That was talent.
Once Red's group defeated Agatha's trio, they could all turn around and focus on Lance.
He would lose.
The rebellious Elite Four organization would collapse entirely.
The progress was faster than Lucas anticipated.
"I hope Lance's mindset can still be corrected. If not… breaking him mentally works too."
Lucas narrowed his eyes.
This deviated a bit from his original plan, but if Lance's psyche broke down, that would still fit perfectly into Lucas's long-term goals.
From Lucas's perspective, Lance was never someone who could truly succeed. Strong as he was, and even with Agatha and the other two supporting him, the world was simply too complex.
The modern Pokémon League wasn't like the Adventures manga, where the League practically didn't exist early on.
If Lance's mentality shattered, Lucas could guide him back—or Lance might even correct himself.
Lance wasn't inherently evil. The Adventures manga proved that.
He was simply blinded by extremism.
After being defeated in the original story, he reflected, repented, and slowly redeemed himself.
"I hope Red and the others can handle it."
Lucas silently cheered them on.
Red and Blue were original protagonists, after all.
Surely they could activate their protagonist cheat codes like the legendary "Talk-no-Jutsu" to save Lance.
Once Lance was reformed, Lucas could bring him back into the Blackthorn Clan and strengthen their lineage.
"By the way, Lugia—can the Creation Plates purify Shadow Lugia's malice?"
Suddenly, Lucas remembered something.
He still had Creation Plates!
"The… Creation Plates? They probably can… I think?" Lugia blinked in surprise.
The Creation Plates were mysterious slabs born with the origin of the world.
"Perhaps the Dread Plate or Splash Plate would help. They might have special effects on him."
Shadow Lugia was now Dark-type.
The Dread Plate might help.
The Splash Plate, with its pure, cleansing water energy, might help as well.
Lugia wasn't certain.
"I don't have the Dread Plate, but the Splash Plate…"
Lucas blinked, then pulled out a Poké Ball he had nearly forgotten existed.
He did have the Splash Plate—but since he had no water-type main fighters, he never bothered using it.
And then he caught a certain legendary and forgot again…
A burst of white light.
A beautiful blue Pokémon landed lightly before him, staring straight at him with deep, resentful eyes.
"Suicune, I might need your help this time."
Lucas said cheerfully, with zero shame.
Yes—Suicune.
Come to think of it, he hadn't used Suicune even once since capturing it. If he didn't clean its Poké Ball daily, he might've forgotten it entirely…
Suicune: "…"
The legendary beast, who had basically been thrown into cold storage, trembled and nodded vigorously—with tears in its eyes.
Finally!
By the power of Ho-Oh above, this damned human finally remembered it existed!
Seriously?!
You never use me!
Why did you even bother catching me?!
You could at least use me as transportation!!
(End of Chapter)