"SCREEEE!"
A piercing, shrill cry, tinged with unmistakable madness split the air as Shadow Lugia's black wings swung down with violent force.
A jet-black hurricane erupted instantly. The raging, howling darkness swallowed the very sky, surging with lethal ferocity straight toward Eternatus.
Shadow Storm!
"Dynamax Cannon!"
The crimson glow brewing in Eternatus's chest and abdomen flickered with dangerous depth. The eerie red light illuminated its skeletal draconic frame, making it appear even more sinister.
The next moment, its power fully charged, a brilliant dark-red beam tore through the air, piercing straight toward the incoming Shadow Storm.
BOOM!
Shadow Storm and Dynamax Cannon collided head-on!
Terrifying ripples of energy burst outward. Layer after layer of shockwaves exploded in nearly tangible waves—but with the naked eye, it was already clear: in its rage-driven state, Shadow Lugia's all-out Shadow Storm swiftly overwhelmed Eternatus's Dynamax Cannon!
"If there's time, I really need to make a trip to Galar. It's about time I put Eternamax back on the agenda."
Watching this, Lucas narrowed his eyes. Eternatus was the first legendary Pokémon he ever obtained, and the foundation of his growth this year.
In Lucas's heart, this skeletal, demonic-looking poison dragon—surprisingly gentle despite its appearance—held a significance unlike the others.
However, he had to admit something: aside from its ultimate trump card, Eternabeam, Eternatus was still somewhat weaker than the other top-tier legendaries.
Restoring its Eternamax form had become necessary.
He hadn't gone earlier mainly because Eternamax required an enormous amount of energy to achieve. Though Chairman Rose was eager to be on good terms with Lucas, even offering to provide Eternatus with abundant energy sources…
Lucas didn't want to owe Rose too many favors. After the Lance incident, Rose even personally visited the Blackthorn estate to invite Lucas to become the Champion of Galar.
Naturally, Lucas refused and declined politely.
"After Eternamax, Eternatus can produce a few energy dens by itself… but not too many."
He let out a helpless sigh. The Dragon-type Plate allowed Eternatus to maintain a steady energy supply…
But the energy increase from the Plate wasn't actually that large. With Eternatus's current strength still too low, the Plate simply couldn't grant much improvement in a short time.
And time was short—Arceus would likely awaken soon, and once the Alpaca God woke, the Plates would have to be returned.
The Creation Plates were indeed miraculous, but aside from Arceus, no other Pokémon—legendary or not—could truly draw out their full power. For example: holding a Plate does not make a Pokémon immune to the Plate's type.
Arceus achieves immunity by fusing the Plates into itself. Other Pokémon? Impossible.
Moreover, Arceus's signature move, Judgment, can freely change type based on the Plate it holds.
Only Arceus can do such things.
Other Pokémon may receive a beneficial boost or even a pleasant surprise, but the hidden power of the Plates remains locked.
"Seems like I'll have to owe Rose that favor after all… well, it can't be helped."
For Eternatus to fully regain its true Eternamax form, the amount of energy required was simply astronomical.
And Lucas simply disliked owing anyone.
…
Meanwhile, high above—
While Shadow Lugia was still suppressing Eternatus, Black Kyurem launched a full-speed assault.
Beautiful, dreamlike arcs of blue-violet energy wrapped around its body, crackling with violet electricity.
Freeze Shock !
In this state, Black Kyurem slammed into Shadow Lugia with terrifying force.
A pained cry escaped Shadow Lugia as electricity ravaged its body. Unable to resist, its entire frame was shoved downward, spiraling out of control.
BOOM!
"Thunder!"
Another thunderous explosion rocked the sea. Waves churned violently as a massive bolt of lightning fell from the heavens, smashing down hard.
The entire ocean turned into a golden sea of thunder.
Moments later, Black Kyurem clutching one of Shadow Lugia's wings rose out of the water and flew toward Lucas.
Shadow Lugia was nearly unable to resist now. Though not completely defeated, its injuries were severe.
Black Kyurem dragged it toward the high-rise where Lucas stood, tossing Shadow Lugia onto the ground with a heavy thud that kicked up clouds of dust.
The brutal throw made Shadow Lugia whimper weakly. Its entire body was battered—electric shock was an agony few could imagine.
"You've worked hard. Kyurem, Eternatus."
Landing atop Lugia's body, Lucas glanced at the weakened Shadow Lugia and nodded in satisfaction, praising his two legendaries.
"Hmph. Even without that guy helping, I could have handled it alone."
Black Kyurem snorted, its deep, resonant psychic voice filled with pride.
To the arrogant ice dragon, defeating an enemy together with another legendary was nothing to boast about.
"Well~ this time was urgent. Next time, if there's a suitable opponent, I'll let you fight alone."
Lucas shrugged with a small smile.
Black Kyurem bared its fangs in satisfaction but remained watchful nearby—Shadow Lugia was wounded, but who knew if it would lash out again?
…
"Leader? Leader, can you hear me?"
Lugia edged closer, calling softly to the fallen Shadow Lugia.
But Shadow Lugia showed no reaction—ignoring Lugia entirely.
Lugia frowned, attempting to use its psychic power to link thoughts.
But before contact could form—
Shadow Lugia's scarlet-red eyes flickered with hatred so thick that Lugia's psychic link nearly shattered under the violent malice!
The malice and resentment were overwhelming.
Lugia's expression dimmed; it knew now for certain—Shadow Lugia's condition was far worse than when it was imprisoned in the Water Jail.
"Stop wasting your time. That thing has no consciousness left. It's running purely on muddled, corrupted instinct."
Black Kyurem watched quietly, its low psychic voice calm.
Of all Pokémon, it understood best—having fought Shadow Lugia directly.
"Lucas."
Lugia turned toward him.
"Well… let's try, Suicune."
Lucas nodded.
Suicune slowly approached Shadow Lugia. A gentle, water-blue light radiated from its body. A mysterious ancient Plate slowly rose from its back.
"The Creation Plate?!"
Black Kyurem's eyes widened, stunned at the sight of the blue Water Plate hovering over Suicune.
Holy sh—?!
Shocking the Ice Dragon further that it was more than one!
"At the start of the year, I happened to obtain a few Plates. I'm just not sure if the Plate can suppress Shadow Lugia's malice."
Lucas explained simply. After all, legendaries viewed the Plates with unique significance.
Everyone knows the Creation Plates belong exclusively to Arceus.
They are the source of Arceus's life—literally its lifeforce.
If Arceus loses all Plates, Arceus dies.
In the movie, an apocalypse meteor struck Arceus, knocking out all its Plates and nearly killing it. Only after Damos returned the Plates did Arceus revive instantly from near death.
Arceus wasn't wounded by the meteor—its "death" was caused by losing the Plates.
Because Damos once retrieved the Plates for Arceus, Arceus trusted him deeply and even separated off several Plates to forge the Life Jewel for Damos to restore his homeland.
Lacking those Plates and betrayed because of his trust—Arceus fell into the trap and was gravely injured.
Within this worldview, Arceus with all Plates cannot be critically wounded by any Pokémon's attack.
To defeat Arceus:
Either, use pure, non-typed force (like a world-ending meteor) to knock its Plates out.
Or attack using the type it lacks.
Thus, Black Kyurem was utterly stunned to see Suicune wielding the Water Plate.
"Did… something happen to Arceus?"
Black Kyurem muttered, shocked even further.
Obtaining even one Plate is absurd—yet Lucas said he got "a few."
Before Kyurem could continue questioning—
"We can talk details later. For now, let's focus on this one."
Lucas smiled wryly.
Meanwhile, Suicune guided the Splash Plate above Shadow Lugia.
Gentle, serene water-blue radiance cascaded down upon the corrupted Lugia.
Suicune was no longer weak. Compared to when Lucas first captured it, months of nurturing under the Water Plate had strengthened it significantly.
After all—compared to monsters like Eternatus…
Well, let's just say the Plate worked very well for Suicune.
Caught within the Splash Plate's warm purifying force, the malice and resentment within Shadow Lugia began to slowly soften. The terrifying scarlet glow in its eyes faded slightly.
Time trickled by.
The suffocating, nausea-inducing malice covering Shadow Lugia's entire body slowly receded.
"It's working!"
Seeing this, Lugia's eyes lit with joy, and Mother Lugia also showed immense relief.
"The power of the Plate truly is incredible."
Lucas raised his brows. He hadn't expected it to work this well.
The Creation Plates, born at the dawn of the world—indeed mysterious and worthy of awe.
Though Shadow Lugia's malice remained overwhelmingly heavy, it was undeniably far better than before, when merely approaching it made one want to vomit.
"Leader?"
Seeing Shadow Lugia's gaze dim slightly, Lugia called out gently again.
…This time, Shadow Lugia reacted.
It lifted its head slightly, looking at Lugia. Not ignoring it like before.
"It really works! The clan leader can still be restored!"
Lugia trembled with joy—Purification through the Splash Plate was possible!
Lucas smiled softly as well. He was happy for Lugia.
But…
Ten more minutes passed.
And in those ten minutes, Shadow Lugia's malice stopped decreasing entirely.
Lugia grew frantic. It wanted to shove Suicune aside and do it itself. Come on, Suicune-chan—work harder!
If Lugia had water-type affinity, it would've pushed Suicune out of the way long ago.
"No good… Lucas, its malice is too strong. My strength is no longer enough to draw out more power from the Splash Plate."
Suicune spoke through telepathy, sounding apologetic.
Its strength was nowhere near Shadow Lugia's. The earlier purification was only possible because the Plate had helped suppress the malice.
But pushing further was impossible. Suicune could at most prevent Shadow Lugia from spiraling into another berserk breakdown.
Purification… required much more power.
"Huh?" Lucas blinked.
Lugia and Mother Lugia grew even more anxious.
"To fully awaken Lord Lugia's consciousness, someone stronger than me, someone who can draw out more of the Splash Plate's power is needed."
Suicune sighed. It really wanted to shine today… but reality disagreed.
As Ho-Oh's sacred beast, Suicune naturally addressed Lugia with respect as "Lord Lugia."
"A water-type Pokémon stronger than you…?"
Lucas pondered. The first water-type specialist that came to mind was Wallace—but honestly, Wallace's Milotic probably wasn't even stronger than this Suicune.
Lugia and Mother Lugia looked troubled. Water-type legendaries were few to begin with. Stronger than Suicune?
Not many.
Though there was one.
"The strongest water-type legendary… isn't it that one?"
Marli and Green exchanged looks.
Yes—if asked who the strongest water-type Pokémon is, only one name comes to mind first.
And Lucas obviously thought of it as well.
"Kyogre… but its whereabouts are impossible to track."
Lucas frowned lightly. Ever since the Hoenn War, both Groudon and Kyogre had vanished again.
Who the hell knew where that big fish was now?
As for the other water-type legendary, the space dragon…
If he remembered right, Lucas just watched Palkia get yeeted by Giratina into the Reverse World and didn't intervene…
(End of Chapter)
TN: Hey guys, I'm sorry for not updating. I got sick and since its December lots of events are happening in my life right now so I got too busy to read or update anything really.