Strictly speaking, Lucas's relationships with Kyogre and Palkia were both rather ordinary.
As for Kyogre, needless to say, they have basically never communicated.
Their only interaction was probably during the Hoenn battle when they fought each other.
As for Palkia, the situation was more or less the same; during the Space-Time War, they had also clashed once.
"If it's Palkia… If Sheena calls out to it, there should be a chance for a meeting. It's just that…"
Lucas pondered quietly. Compared to Kyogre, who currently had not a single clue pointing to its whereabouts, Palkia is living in its alternate dimension was ironically easier for Lucas to reach.
After all, with the ability Sheena possessed, she can communicate with the two gods of time and space anytime.
As long as he explained the situation to her, that girl would definitely be willing to help.
But the real question was—would Palkia be willing to help?
Putting aside Lucas's so-called "refusal to save" during the previous incident, the two gods of space and time had always kept a respectful distance from the Plates of Creation. They had shown no interest in approaching them at all.
"…Forget it. I should at least try."
After thinking for a while, Lucas still placed priority on Shadow Lugia. As long as he had time, he would make a trip to Sinnoh.
"It's a pity we still have no clue about Kyogre… I wonder if Steven has found the nesting place of Kyogre and Groudon."
Lucas sighed with slight regret. Steven had told him not long ago to keep Celesteela reserved for him.
But from the look of things, Steven still hadn't found the slumbering locations of the two ancient titans.
Compared to Palkia, Lucas simply preferred Kyogre more… mainly because Kyogre could actually be caught.
And when it came to pure Water-type strength, the "flying fish" was undeniably superior to Palkia in many ways.
"Still… I should tell Steven to send more people to search. Or maybe…"
Lucas's eyes flickered slightly. Finding a legendary Pokémon in a short period was nearly impossible—unless luck was heavenly.
As for Palkia, contacting it was possible, and who knew… maybe Giovanni's people stationed in Kalos had found something by now?
If the Arche Valley could be found, then with Hoopa on their side, Kyogre's location would no longer be a concern at all.
"Kyogre, Palkia… Lucas, do you have any way of finding them?"
Lugia's voice was low and heavy. Stronger than Suicune in sheer Water-type power—only those two existed.
But Kyogre's reputation was… unpleasant, and Palkia lived in a dimension Lugia simply could not enter.
"I'll figure something out. At least with the Splash Plate now, we don't need to worry about her condition worsening."
Lucas reassured Lugia. Though nothing was certain yet, as long as Shadow Lugia did not deteriorate further, that alone was already good news.
This way, they would have enough time to find a solution.
"…That's all we can hope for. Thank you, Lucas."
Lugia spoke with heartfelt gratitude. No matter what, Lucas had been the one helping them.
Otherwise…
Lugia didn't even dare imagine how disastrous things could have become.
"No need to thank me, it's a mutually beneficial arrangement."
Lucas chuckled softly. To him, this wasn't even something difficult.
And resolving Shadow Lugia's condition—thereby gaining the recognition of Lugia's entire family was something that benefited him as well.
With Shadow Lugia's matter temporarily settled, Lucas shifted his gaze toward the coastline. The battle over there was nearly finished.
"As expected… Agatha and the others are no match for Red's group."
Lucas eyed the three fallen Elite Four members.
They were currently being restrained by a random Officer Jenny who had appeared on the scene.
Agatha's aged features were calm—utterly indifferent to having become a prisoner.
Bruno was the same.
As for Lorelei, her expression was far from pleasant. Understandable—she was proud and sharp-tempered. Being defeated by juniors and then arrested…
To her, it was a considerable blow.
And Lance…
"Charizard, Dragon Rush!"
Red lifted his chin slightly, his crimson pupils locked upward.
Mega Charizard X, its body covered in wounds, roared sharply. A solid, violent dragon-shaped aura condensed and charged toward Dragonite with unstoppable force.
"Dragon Rush!"
Lance's expression turned stormy. He only had his ace Dragonite and two Dragonairs left!
His titanic Dragonite, Mega Garchomp, Gyarados, Dragonite Two, and Dragonite Three had all been taken down.
But likewise—N's Zekrom was nearly out of stamina, Zinnia's main dragon team were nearly wiped out, Caitlin's Psychic team was basically exhausted, and Blue had only Pidgeot remaining.
Yet even so… Lance's Dragonite and Dragonairs were also barely standing!
Even his mount, Aerodactyl had already fought and fallen!
This shouldn't have happened!
Why?
He, Lance Blackthorn, could he really… lose to a group of kids?
"ROOOAAR!"
Charizard's roar snapped Lance back to reality.
Mega Charizard X and Dragonite collided fiercely mid-air, the two dragons trembling from the impact. Both clearly at their limits.
"Dragonairs! Dual Dragon Pulse!"
Lance barked the order, eyes darkening.
"DRAAA!"
Two Dragonairs released blue Dragon Pulses, fusing together and blasting toward Charizard.
If the attack connected, Mega Charizard X would not hold out!
But—
"Pidgeot! Sky Attack!"
A radiant blue bird surged forward at top speed, intercepting the fused Dragon Pulse.
Though Pidgeot was blasted back violently, already at its limit…
It did stop the attack.
"Dragonite!" Seeing this, Lance's expression became even more ferocious, and he shouted at Dragonite.
Upon hearing Lance's voice, Dragonite forcefully pushed Charizard X away, then its claws glowed with sharp, blue energy as it attacked Charizard X without hesitation.
Dragon Claw!
The powerful strike slammed Charizard X, sending it flying again.
"See?! You can't defeat me! My dragon legion—will never fall to brats like you!"
Lance laughed wildly.
Yes—if he defeated this Charizard, victory would still be his!
How could naive little kids defeat his dragon army?
He bore the weight of his ideals—he would NOT fall here!
"Charizard!"
Red's lips tightened. Was it really ending here?
It couldn't!
Mega Charizard, trembling, forced open its eyes.
The sight before it—Dragonite charging in, claws outstretched for the final strike.
This is the final blow; if it is hit by this Dragon Claw again, it will never be able to stand up again.
Charizard gritted its teeth, forcibly stabilizing its body and advancing instead of retreating!
This sudden turn of events startled even the Dragonite.
Lance stared at the sky in shock, his dark face slightly distorted by the overwhelming shock.
"T-this… impossible!"
Charizard wrapped its arms around Dragonite, holding it tightly even while being electrocuted by Dragonite's Thunderbolt.
It still didn't let go.
How?
Where did it get the strength to lift Dragonite?
Where did it get the courage to rush into a fatal blow?
Where did it get the will to endure Thunderbolt and not release its grip?
What kind of terrifying resolve…
But impossible or not—Mega Charizard X had seized Dragonite.
As a top-tier Champion, Lance instantly knew what would come next.
"Seismic Toss!" Red commanded.
This was the final chance.
"Dragonairs! Dual Dragon Hurricane!"
Lance clenched his fists so hard blood dripped between his fingers.
The Dragonairs tried forming a cyclone to stop Charizard X, but—
"Pidgeot! Sky Attack!"
"Zekrom! Thunder!"
Two voices rang out at once.
A massive bolt of lightning descended, tearing into the Dragonairs before their move could form.
They had resistance to Electric attacks—but in their condition?
The lightning engulfed them entirely.
Then Pidgeot crashed into them with Sky Attack, dragging them into the ground with a violent impact.
And then—
A far greater explosion rocked the battlefield.
Mega Charizard X's Seismic Toss.
Lance staggered, nearly collapsing.
His face had gone pale.
His once-flaming red hair now seemed devoid of its former brilliance.
Red, Blue, and the others stood beneath the pouring rain, watching the outcome unfold.
The dust gradually settled.
In one crater, both Dragonairs and Pidgeot had lost the ability to battle.
In another, Charizard had reverted from its Mega Evolution, unconscious.
And beneath it lay Dragonite, motionless.
"…Haaah…"
Blue exhaled in relief, as did Caitlin.
Finally…
"Ugh…"
Lance stared at his fallen Dragonite. His bloodied hand clutched at his head, the stabbing pain tearing through his mind.
His face twisted.
He lost.
His dragon legion had fallen.
He actually lost—and to a group of juniors…
His pride.
His ideals.
His dragons…
He couldn't even beat his juniors.
What was this?
What was this?
Dizziness washed over him. His whole body weakened.
He could barely remain upright, half-kneeling on the ground.
"Dreams… Pokémon…"
Using one hand to prevent himself from collapsing fully, Lance stared at the ground with lifeless eyes.
It was laughable.
He couldn't even defeat juniors.
"Don't go."
Seeing Red wanting to approach, N held out an arm and stopped him, his eyes complicated as he looked at Lance's defeated figure.
Enemy or not—he was still an opponent worthy of respect.
At such a moment, any spoken words would become pity… an insult to a defeated man.
Red hesitated, then nodded.
Rain continued pouring endlessly.
After some time, an Officer Jenny approached Lance.
"…Lance."
Her eyes were filled with complicated emotion.
She recognized him—the once-glorious Champion of Indigo.
Lance raised his head slowly, and Officer Jenny's figure was reflected in his dark pupils. He recognized her from her voice and expression.
Officer Jenny Zero.
His former colleague.
One of the survivors of that night in the main conference room.
"You lost. Will you come with us now?"
She sighed softly.
Lance fell silent.
His gaze drifted toward the five that stopped him.
His dull eyes stirred faintly.
"…I lost. I have nothing left to say."
Perhaps—he truly had been wrong.
(End of Chapter)
TN: Damn, Lance lost. I'm sorry about this chapter's translation, I don't really like how it was translated but I've done this at midnight and I'm too sleepy to properly change some of the phrasing and such.