It was a green, serpentine Dragon Pokémon, its body long and majestic. Rudder-like fins lined its flanks, with another at the tip of its tail. Golden, ring-shaped ancient patterns spiraled from the end of its tail all the way to the yellow ring crowning its head.
Two powerful limbs extended from its body, each ending in three tyrannosaur-like claws. From its head rose two long, flat, horn-like protrusions that stretched backward like blades.
At this moment, the sky dragon hovered in the air, staring at Kyurem with wary eyes filled with hostility.
That was Rayquaza.
The legendary ruler of the skies, a divine Pokémon said to command the air currents themselves.
Why had it appeared here so suddenly?
Lucien felt a flicker of unease.
But the moment he met Rayquaza's gaze, he understood.
Rayquaza had clearly sensed Kyurem's overwhelming Aura and had mistaken them for intruders trespassing into its territory.
Just like Deoxys in the legends. Merely crashing into the atmosphere had once been enough to make Rayquaza pursue it across the world.
Kyurem slowly exhaled a breath of icy mist.
"Your Majesty Lucien," Aaron said quietly, his voice tense. "Why has that Pokémon appeared so abruptly?"
Both Aaron and Lucario could feel it. A massive Aura pressed down like a mountain, filled with barely restrained rage.
Lucien did not answer immediately.
He rose to his feet, stepped forward along Kyurem's back, and attempted to speak.
"Rayquaza, we mean no harm. We are only passing through your skies."
Before he could finish, Rayquaza moved.
Sensing a threat unlike any ordinary being, it unleashed its strongest attack without hesitation.
Green light erupted from its body. Its long form compressed into a streak of emerald brilliance as it pierced the heavens and shot straight toward Kyurem.
Dragon Ascent.
"Begone."
Kyurem's voice boomed with solemn authority.
An absolute cold surged outward, freezing sky and air alike as it collided head-on with Rayquaza's attack.
The two forces met.
A shrill explosion tore through the heavens. Shockwaves rippled outward like a tsunami, ravaging everything in their path.
In a single exchange, the surrounding world became a dead zone.
Dragon Ascent shattered.
Rayquaza's body was hurled backward through the sky.
In this first clash, the fully restored Kyurem held the advantage.
But in the very next moment, the heavens convulsed.
Rayquaza roared.
The sky darkened as violent power surged outward. Storm clouds twisted into eerie crimson and violet hues.
A blazing meteor, trailing red flame, punched through the clouds and fell.
Then another.
And another.
It was as though the end of the world had arrived.
Draco Meteor.
Kyurem merely snorted.
It neither dodged nor retreated.
An Aura of ultimate cold erupted outward, expanding in every direction in an instant.
Below them, the sea froze solid, transforming into a vast icy wasteland.
Even the air itself seemed to solidify.
The falling meteors froze the moment they touched that cold. Their flames died, and the draconic energy within them fell silent.
Draco Meteor was sealed mid-air by ice.
This was Kyurem's Frozen World.
At the sight, Rayquaza's pupils shrank. Shock flashed across its draconic face.
"Rayquaza," Lucien said sternly, "I told you we mean no harm. We are not invading your territory."
Only now did Rayquaza notice the human standing atop the ice dragon.
"We are bound for the Kanto Continent," Lucien continued. "We merely strayed through your skies."
Aaron raised his staff, releasing Aura to reinforce Lucien's intent.
Rayquaza stared at them in silence.
Gradually, the hostility in its Aura faded.
Understanding dawned.
"Let us go, Kyurem," Lucien said.
Kyurem gave a low rumble, spread its wings, and swept past Rayquaza, continuing toward the distant horizon.
Silence returned to the sky.
Rayquaza remained alone, watching them depart, its thoughts unreadable.
"It is strong," Kyurem's voice echoed in Lucien's mind once they had left Hoenn's airspace.
Lucien did not disagree.
As the third deity of Hoenn, Rayquaza was capable of suppressing both Groudon, god of the land, and Kyogre, god of the sea, at the same time.
And this Rayquaza had not even reached its peak.
It had not Mega Evolved.
As a Dragon and Flying type, it was four times weak to Ice. Against Kyurem, it was heavily restrained.
"Had I not met you, I might not have defeated it," Kyurem admitted calmly.
Since meeting Lucien, its power had grown tremendously. Truth and Ideals had fused, its primordial might had returned, and the unwavering faith of countless people flowed into it.
Now, it stood at its peak.
Still, Rayquaza intrigued Kyurem. It was the first being it had encountered that could rival its strength.
"No matter," Lucien said softly. "We will not be its enemies."
Aaron finally found his voice.
"Your Majesty Lucien… what exactly was that Pokémon?"
Its power far exceeded anything he had ever seen. Commanding the weather so casually felt divine.
"It is Rayquaza," Lucien replied. "The sovereign of the sky. A being at the pinnacle of this world."
"We call such beings Legendary Pokémon. Or gods."
"A god…" Aaron murmured.
"They possess power great enough to alter the world itself," Lucien continued. "Some could destroy an entire nation without effort."
Aaron's pupils shrank.
"Are they… still Pokémon?"
"Naturally," Lucien answered calmly. "They are simply different. That is why they bear the title of Legendary."
"Do not worry. Under normal circumstances, they do not appear before humans."
"Most Legendary Pokémon are either asleep, hidden away, or quietly maintaining the balance of the world."
Only then did Aaron finally exhale.
He dared not imagine what would happen if those Legendary Pokémon were to appear openly in the human world, especially if they were to witness how humans treated ordinary Pokémon.
Three hours after leaving Hoenn, land finally appeared once more ahead of them, rising from the sea.
Scattered across the surrounding waters were islands of various sizes.
Lucien watched the archipelago with keen interest.
When Aaron and Lucario saw the familiar continent ahead, joy immediately lit up their faces.
"Your Majesty Lucien, the Kanto Continent has arrived!"
"So quickly?" Lucien could not help but marvel. Kyurem's speed was truly astonishing.
If the land ahead was the Kanto region, then the islands scattered nearby could only be the Orange Islands from the legends.
The Orange Islands.
The stage of the tale known as The Power of One.
Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno. And the guardian of the seas, Lugia.
Aaron adjusted his bearings, pointed in one direction, and said, "Your Majesty Lucien, Cameron Palace lies that way."
"Kyurem, let us go."
With their destination now in sight, Lucien felt a surge of anticipation.
The Kanto region. The place where everything had once begun.
Kyurem skimmed past the Orange Islands and flew into Kanto proper.
Forests, mountains, plains, valleys, and winding streams rushed past beneath them.
At last, among distant peaks, a towering castle emerged.
"Your Majesty Lucien, that is Cameron Palace!" Aaron said, his voice filled with excitement.
Kyurem accelerated toward it.
Yet Lucien's gaze drifted beyond the castle.
Between the mountains, mist hung thick in the air. Within that veil stood an enormous tree, so vast and ancient that its crown pierced the clouds themselves.
Its trunk was unimaginably thick, its canopy blotting out the sky. At a glance, it seemed to connect heaven and earth.
Kyurem also appeared to sense something and glanced in that direction.
Noticing this, Aaron followed Lucien's line of sight and explained, "Your Majesty Lucien, that is the Tree of Beginning."
Lucien feigned ignorance. "The Tree of Beginning?"
Aaron nodded. "They say it appeared when the world was born. It is the source of all life."
Lucien silently acknowledged the claim.
After all, Mew carried the genetic essence of all Pokémon.
While he pondered this, Kyurem descended and landed within Cameron Palace.
The arrival of such a colossal being immediately threw the city into turmoil. Alarms rang out as soldiers rushed forward, weapons raised, staring nervously at Kyurem.
"There is no need for alarm!" Aaron's voice rang out as he and Lucario leapt down from Kyurem's back.
The crowd froze.
"Lord Aaron?"
"Weren't you sent to the Kingdom of Eindoak?"
Moments later, Queen Rin hurried out from the castle.
She had golden hair, a jeweled crown upon her head, and held a scepter adorned with precious gems.
"Aaron?" she exclaimed. "You are back so soon? And this is…"
Her gaze fell upon Kyurem, shock plain on her face.
"Your Majesty Queen Rin," Aaron said, bowing. "The new king of Eindoak, His Majesty Lucien, brought me back. This being is called Kyurem. It is a companion of His Majesty."
Only then did Queen Rin notice the young man standing calmly behind Aaron.
"King… Lucien?" she said uncertainly.
Lucien stepped forward slightly and inclined his head.
"Greetings, Lady Rin. I am Lucien, the new king of Eindoak. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Queen Rin's expression froze.
Eindoak lay unimaginably far from Cameron Palace. How had he arrived so quickly?
And as a reigning monarch, how could he leave his kingdom so freely?
"I have come to visit you, Lady Rin," Lucien continued calmly, "and to discuss matters of cooperation. These concerns affect the development and future of both our realms, so I felt it necessary to come in person."
It took Queen Rin several moments to regain her composure.
"You may all withdraw," she ordered, waving her hand. The knights and guards lowered their weapons and stepped back.
She then turned to Lucien and said gently, "Lord Lucien, please come with me."
They entered the castle's council hall.
Maids soon brought black tea and pastries, setting them before Lucien.
"These are pastries from Rota," Queen Rin said. "You must be weary after such a journey. Please rest and refresh yourself. I have already ordered a banquet prepared."
"Thank you," Lucien replied, taking a sip of tea.
"The war in Eindoak has ended," he continued. "The land is now unified under my rule. We are entering a period of development. To be direct, I have come to ask a favor of you."
"And what might that be?" Queen Rin asked, curiosity evident.
After all, Rota was a small state within Kanto, far inferior in scale and strength to a fully unified Eindoak.
"I wish for your assistance in locating certain specific magical beasts," Lucien said carefully. He nearly said Pokémon, then adjusted his wording so she would understand.
"Magical beasts?" Queen Rin's surprise deepened.
"In exchange," Lucien said evenly, "Eindoak will share with you the methods by which we coexist with and command these creatures. This knowledge will allow you to better harness their strength for the development and protection of your realm."
A storm erupted in Queen Rin's heart.
Methods to command monsters?
Her mind immediately returned to the terrifying being she had just witnessed descending from the sky.
Could Lucien truly be offering a way to work with beings like that?
...
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