The king's bedchamber.
Flames roared in the hearth, a thick carpet bearing the royal crest covered the floor, and a plush fabric sofa sat opposite the fireplace.
Cobalion, Virizion, and Terrakion lolled side-by-side on the sofa, the three legendary Pokémon tangled together in a heap.
Hearing Draconis's words, Cobalion gave a slight nod and murmured, "Mm."
Although Unova had been united and the general course was sound, there were still small matters that required their attention.
Yet… after resting so long in Draconis's palace, the three swords of justice felt reluctant to leave.
Cobalion, their leader, and the wise Virizion quickly mastered their emotions.
But the frank Terrakion grinned. "This place is so comfy—ah don't wanna go!"
Draconis chuckled at Terrakion. "Then stay a while longer. Winter's not over and heavy snow still falls outside—travel would be hard. Wait till spring blossoms before you depart."
Cobalion and Virizion exchanged glances and looked out: the whole of Nimbasa City lay beneath a sea of white.
Beyond the town stretched a boundless, snow-blanketed world.
Cobalion pondered, then turned back and nodded. "Agreed."
"Then we'll impose on you a while longer," Virizion said softly in thanks.
Terrakion had never wanted to leave; hearing the decision, it flopped back onto the sofa at once.
"Perfect," Draconis said with a smile. "I'm about to hold a Pokémon battle tournament. Watch, and you'll see my plan for the future path of humans and Pokémon."
"A battle?" Cobalion blinked.
Draconis nodded. "Not a fight to the death—just a contest of strength to crown the strongest Pokémon and Trainer."
"The strongest…"
the three swords of justice stared.
"Humans devise different training plans for each Pokémon, honing will and body, teaching new moves—this is a Trainer," Draconis explained.
"That is the road I wish to build: humans and Pokémon become partners, friends, even family, growing and growing stronger together."
The three were no fools; grasping the idea at once.
"An excellent plan," Virizion praised. "A truly wise decision!"
"Then it's settled." Draconis turned to the many Pokémon gathered around.
"Let's all celebrate the New Year together—nothing better than a lively reunion!"
*
The final day of the New Year arrived at the end of January, kingdom calendar year 150, with a heavy snowfall.
After days of travel, lords from every province reached Nimbasa City for the grand performance His Majesty Draconis had prepared.
Within the Grand Colosseum…
Dozens of lords were seated in the closest VIP rows.
At nine sharp, ticket-holding spectators streamed through the gates.
Guided by seat numbers and sections, they quickly found their places and sat.
Citizens of Nimbasa, visiting lords and nobles, and Pokémon living in the city packed the arena to the rafters.
Anticipation sparkled in every eye; they waited for King Draconis to appear.
But the Colosseum was open to the sky, and icy gusts swept through; many in the crowd shivered.
"So cold!"
"The weather's awful—looks like more snow!"
"I don't care—I'm staying till His Majesty shows himself!"
Hearing the adoration behind them, the front-row lords exchanged uneasy glances, unsure what to say.
Some felt aggrieved: if Commoners and Slaves wanted to freeze, let them—why must great lords suffer beside lowly folk?
Sharon smiled faintly, staying out of the talk, simply pulling his robe tighter.
Gross, lord of Castelia Territory, sat silent among them, eyes closed; he feared the king's true reason for summoning them all.
Surely Draconis hadn't dragged them here just to watch a show?
Then, without warning, the arena changed.
A sacred, majestic dragon-roar rolled from the horizon.
Every head turned skyward.
The next instant they saw a dragon soaring above the Colosseum.
It was the legendary dragon who, with King Draconis, had ended the war and saved the kingdom—Kyurem!
Awe blazed in every eye; the crowd gazed up in wild devotion.
Kyurem moved.
Radiant divine power flared; a white-hot beam shot from its body into the clouds.
In a heartbeat the snow-laden sky vanished, icy winds stilled, and golden sunlight bathed the world.
The warm light drove away the cold as if every soul now sat beside a crackling campfire.
"Not cold anymore—so warm!" someone cried.
"It's the dragon Kyurem and King Draconis!"
"His Majesty couldn't bear to see us freeze—he sent the dragon to warm us!"
"Praise King Draconis!"
Eyes shining, the crowd stared upward.
Even Gross and the other lords gaped in shock.
To change season and climate at will—such power!
Those who had not witnessed the Three-Dragon War felt a stab of dread.
—So this is the might of a dragon god…
The arena warmed; when the last chill fled, Kyurem vanished into the heavens.
Below, the stadium stirred anew.
At opposite ends the great gates thundered open.
Two youthful figures stepped forth.
The crowd hushed, every gaze sweeping downward.
On the left: a boy of about fifteen, fiery red hair, a scar across his face—bold and martial.
On the right: a gentle girl with long blue hair, serene and lovely.
Some of the noble spectators frowned at the sight—surely this exhibition match wasn't going to be nothing more than watching two green kids who hadn't even grown all their hair yet duke it out?
Under everyone's gaze, the two on the field moved the very next second.
They pulled out from their pockets two round balls, each about the size of a berry.
"Those are Poké Balls from the Poké Mart!"
"They say any Pokémon, no matter how big, can fit inside and be carried around!"
Sharp-eyed spectators recognized the balls in the two youngsters' hands.
Without another word, the boy and girl locked eyes mid-air, and a wordless understanding rippled between them.
Then they hurled the two Poké Balls high into the sky.
Twin flashes of white light burst forth, and two completely different Pokémon emerged from the glow, landing on the field.
On the left stood a Pokémon wreathed in roaring flames around its neck, black brows slanted upward, two thick black arms, and a bulky frame.
Its imposing form radiated scorching heat, its belly marked with patterns that seemed to symbolize martial prowess.
That Pokémon was none other than Tepig's final evolution—Emboar!
On the right was a slender, graceful Pokémon, as svelte as a sexy bunny girl.
It looked like a rabbit, covered in brown fur with long ears.
Lopunny!
The next second, at the two youths' command, the Pokémon sprang into motion.
Emboar's bulky body blazed with fire; a searing jet of flame surged from its maw toward Lopunny.
The fiery beam coiled like a serpent around Lopunny's slim waist.
With a soft cry, Lopunny's slender legs kicked hard and it leapt high, flying at Emboar in a Jump Kick.
That tiny kick held terrifying force; even mighty Emboar staggered.
But it quickly recovered.
Landing, Lopunny tried to back away, yet Emboar's body ignited again as it charged straight at Lopunny.
Heat Crash!
Lopunny's speed faltered by half a beat; its delicate body was sent flying.
"Is this… a battle between beasts—no, between Pokémon?!" some spectators realized.
"No, look! Those kids are clearly commanding the two Pokémon!"
Hearing this, countless spectators felt the same thought flash through their minds.
—You can actually do it like this?
On the field, under their Trainers' directions, the two contrasting Pokémon clashed again and again with their favorite moves.
As time passed, both Pokémon were nearly spent, their injuries growing worse.
Yet neither stopped.
The fight had reached fever pitch.
After another exchange, Emboar and Lopunny paused, panting as they stared each other down.
The fight had reached fever pitch.
Who would win?
At that instant, almost every spectator found the same question rising in their hearts.
Though this was their first time watching Trainers battle, the novelty, the thrill, the tension, the sheer visceral clash drew them right in.
Who would claim victory?
The bulky, power-packed Emboar?
Or the sleek, wind-swift Lopunny?
Before the answer came, no one could tear their eyes away.
Soon both Pokémon hit their limit.
Yet the stronger, sturdier Emboar held a slight edge.
After taking a Flamethrower, Lopunny dropped to its knees in a wretched heap. Gritting its teeth, it fought to rise.
But it failed—it had reached its limit.
Emboar's massive frame blazed with finishing fire as it slowly strode toward Lopunny.
It's over!
A heavy stone seemed to fall in every spectator's heart.
"Looks like the fire-breather won."
"Brilliant! I'm sweating just watching!"
With the outcome finally clear, the crowd came back to themselves, chattering excitedly with friends and family.
But just then—
Just as everyone assumed Emboar had the win sealed—
on the field, the blue-haired girl suddenly shouted,
"Lopunny, hang in there!"
Hearing her, Lopunny froze; memories of life with its Trainer flashed through its mind.
Back when it was still a Buneary, Melanie had chosen it, taken it home, and lived with it.
They'd gone to class together, trained together on the field, shared tasty lunches, and at night slept side by side in the same bed.
No—she couldn't fall!
A surge of will burst within Lopunny, lifting it back to its feet.
Facing Emboar's Heat Crash, Lopunny's leg muscles tensed and its eyes glowed blue.
Agility!
Its form flickered like a ghost.
Emboar's Heat Crash struck only air.
In the next instant Lopunny was already behind Emboar.
Jump Kick!
The hit landed; the already gasping Emboar toppled in defeat.
In the vast arena, only Lopunny remained standing, panting hard.
To keep its Trainer proud, Lopunny had endured!
A happy smile crossed its face; it gave its Trainer one last look, then collapsed with a thud.
Silence swept the stands!
Disbelief filled countless eyes.
"H-how? That rabbit was at its limit—how could it explode with such strength at the end?!"
"Incredible—absolutely incredible!"
"As expected of His Majesty Draconis, to dream up a show like this!"
"Hey, can anyone enter a match like that? Watching this makes me want to jump in with my Watchog!"
High above, Draconis looked down at Emboar and Lopunny on the field, a smile touching his lips.
Such is the charm of Pokémon battles.
Until the final second, no one knows who will win.
"Kyurem, did you see that?" Draconis asked.
Kyurem inclined its head; it had sensed the source of Lopunny's last surge—truly dragon-astonishing!
"That is the brand-new power born between human and Pokémon that I've told you about—bonds!"
....
Power Stones PlZZZZ
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