Western Suburbs
"This is a little too much..."
Ethan stood in awe, watching the world bathed in a green glow. Though he'd seen Zygarde gather its cells in the anime, witnessing it in real life was overwhelmingly spectacular.
He hadn't expected the dispersal of Zygarde's cells to be this dramatic.
"Go on, little guy."
Crouching slightly, Ethan placed the squirming, planarian-like Zygarde cell on the ground. The cell wriggled twice before slowly fading away.
This was Zygarde's way of overseeing the world.
Zygarde could split itself into countless cells, spreading them across grasslands, valleys, mountains, rivers, oceans, forests—everywhere.
The cells had no will of their own. They only recorded and observed. Their actions were guided by Zygarde's core.
"Looks like it'll be busy for a while..."
Ethan sat on the grass, watching as Zygarde continued to scatter its cells into the sky.
Right now, Zygarde itself wasn't even visible—its body had become a massive green light source in the sky.
Ethan pulled out his phone. His group chat had nearly exploded.
Maddie: Where are you, boss?! You disappeared without a word!
Ty (LarvitarLover): That vision was terrifying! Way more intense than when Zapdos showed up.
Jake (MrHonest): I have a feeling... this Zygarde might be the real deal...
Nina (BirdWatcher): I agree. This could be that high-tier legend the boss mentioned before.
Sam (TheSunNeverSets): OMG... this is like a miracle! (shocked emoji)
Ryan (FoxKing): Boss! Say something! We NEED to know what Zygarde is! (panicking monkey emoji)
Jessie (ToxicPets): Guys, if you're not at the western suburbs, don't bother. It's packed. Everyone's here for the miracle—but no one dares to get close.
Ethan chuckled reading the chaos in the chat.
Ethan (OldSchool): This is Zygarde doing its thing. It should wrap up soon.
Ethan (OldSchool):(uploads images and video)
After a brief moment, he sent the Pokédex entry and a video of Zygarde's appearance. His friends immediately clicked on it.
The video showed Zygarde's dramatic descent, surrounded by twisting green light. It was absolutely awe-inspiring.
Silence.
But only for a moment.
Ryan (FoxKing): HOLY CRAP! IS THAT A GUNDAM!?
Maddie: IT'S A DRAGON! MY DREAM DRAGON!! (fan emoji)
Ty (LarvitarLover): Ground-type too!? That's insane! I'm in love!
Ashley (QueenBee): The Pokédex says it's the Guardian of the Ecosystem? That's... epic!
Emily (CloudDancer): Order Pokémon!? It looks like a Mega! So cool!
Noah: Just from its looks, it's stronger than a Mega! Major boss energy!
Zoe (IceQueen):'Said to have power that surpasses even Xerneas and Yveltal'—that's no joke.
Jessica clicked her tongue while typing. She didn't even know what Pokémon Xerneas and Yveltal were, but if the Pokédex said that, it had to be something serious.
Ethan (OldSchool): If we were to rank legendary Pokémon, Zygarde is at the top. You might even see its full power one day.
Ethan smiled slightly, looking up at the sky.
Legendary Pokémon were blessed by the world—some born to meet its needs. Zygarde was definitely among those standing at the peak.
In the anime, legendary Pokémon were often underwhelming. Even in Hoopa's movie, despite the flashy battles, the power scaling was absurd.
Giratina's Shadow Ball barely scratched buildings. A shiny Rayquaza tackled Giratina into a building, and it didn't even collapse.
Primal Kyogre's Origin Pulse didn't even break a road.
The only real standout was Kyurem, who froze a massive river in a desert city. Still... kind of ridiculous, right?
So many legends fought in the city, and yet not a single building fell?
Of course, the anime is made for kids. There's no need for serious destruction. For real combat strength, check out the special manga.
Though the special manga often nerfs legendary Pokémon (some even losing to human trainers), its portrayal of power is more realistic.
In one case, Lance, a villainous Elite Four member, used just one Dragonair to completely destroy Vermilion City—the largest harbor city in Kanto.
Just one Pokémon, and the city was gone.
Given time, he could've wiped out all of Kanto.
Pokémon are far more powerful than what the anime shows. Top-tier legends really can destroy worlds… it just takes a little time.
"Maybe other high-level legends will show up in the future. Then we'll have a real battle."
Ethan looked at Zygarde. Right now, there wasn't much it could do—there were no worthy opponents.
Even the wild Totem Pokémon that gave others like Chris trouble were no problem for Ethan, much less Zygarde.
Manaphy and the others could even mess around with sharks.
"I hope we get the chance to show off a bit."
Ethan shook his head. He really wanted a moment to shine.
With a Pokémon this powerful, and no one to fight? It was such a waste. He couldn't just throw around moves in the middle of nowhere—it'd be too flashy.
"Maybe I could nuke the Arctic or Antarctica?"
He tilted his head, imagining Zygarde's Core Enforcer, its signature flashy move.
"...Nah. Those places will be Ice-type sanctuaries someday."
He let go of that tempting thought. Once Pokémon truly arrived, those regions would become homes to many Ice-types—they shouldn't be turned into battlegrounds.
As time passed, the green light slowly faded. Zygarde's huge figure shrank down in the sky.
Then, under Ethan's gaze, three Zygarde cores flew off in different directions.
The last one descended toward him.
"Whew~ finally done."
The red-bellied Zygarde Core sighed dramatically, speaking in a comically exaggerated tone.
"Thanks a lot."
Ethan smiled warmly, letting the core crawl onto his hand.
Both the Zygarde Cores and cells were tiny—only the size of a human palm.
The cores looked like planarians too, but unlike the cells, the cores had consciousness and intelligence.
They were the "brains"—only they could command the cells to assemble or change form.
"This is my duty. I already sent three clones to other regions. If anyone disrupts the ecosystem, the clones will handle it."
The Zygarde Core stood up and said seriously.
"Good. Also, watch out for poachers." Ethan nodded.
"Poachers?" The core tilted its head.
"Yeah. Humans who use machines or unethical methods to capture wild Pokémon. If you find them—take care of it."
Ethan started walking back toward the city.
"That wasn't part of my job before," the core muttered.
"But since you're my partner, I'll handle it!"
It stood tall (for its size), speaking with exaggerated pride.
After all, a partner's request was worth fulfilling.
"Thanks. Here, a reward."
Ethan laughed and handed over a Ground-type energy cube.
"I'm Zygarde! I don't need food... but since it's from a partner—I guess I can try it."
The core turned its head, then sniffed the cube. Tempted by the aroma, it gave in and started eating.
"Energy cubes are tasty and nutritious—even though you probably don't need them."
Ethan smiled as the little core munched happily.
Even if it looked a little odd, this Zygarde Core was undeniably cute.
"As far as flavor goes—it's okay. But it's only because you gave it to me!"
The core finished its treat, a crumb still on the corner of its mouth, trying to act serious despite its goofy tone.
It was Zygarde! Guardian of ecosystems! Stronger than that dumb bird Yveltal or the hot-headed deer Xerneas!
No way it would normally accept food!
But this human… was his partner. He'd allow some pampering.
"If you liked it, I've got plenty more."
"Really? Ahem... not that I care! I was just wondering if you humans eat snacks late at night?"
"Late-night snacks aren't exactly healthy."
"I am Zygarde! If I'm going to live with a human partner, I must learn human habits!"
"Emmm… fine. But don't eat too much."
"Of course not! I'm Zygarde! I'm no glutton!"
"Okay, okay, no need to stress..."
Ethan wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead.
"I'm Zygarde! It's important to clarify! When that big black bird got mad—I beat it up with one move!"
Ethan: "Uh... okay..."
Diancie:(O_O)
Manaphy:(o.o)
Yep. This Zygarde Core… definitely had a lively personality.
Advance chapter in PATREON
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