"unbelievable, really, I actually witnessed Reshiram's awakening with my own eyes!"
On the way back to Icirrus City, Rosa's excitement is through the roof; she's still buzzing from the previous spectacle.
After all, as a native Unovan, she grew up hearing the founding myths from childhood.
And the legendary Reshiram has awakened before her very eyes, then chosen its Hero in front of her!
This is simply thrilling!
"Hm~ Mr. Damian really isn't an ordinary person, is he."
Hilda nods in agreement; she had suspected that the mysterious voice might be Reshiram all along.
But it didn't end up choosing her, which is a pity; she still congratulates Damian.
"…" Elesa remains silent.
These two girls have no idea about Damian's true identity, but Elesa does.
This beautiful Reshiram chose Damian…
Will it stop doing misdeeds with Damian in the future?
Thinking of Reshiram becoming a top villain's poster main roster, Elesa can't help but feel the tension.
Still, Caitlin wears a faint elegant smile, genuinely happy for Damian.
Reshiram is a legendary Pokémon after all, and Damian managing to catch it marks a huge increase in strength.
Damian himself is in a good mood too: Zekrom's combat power isn't particularly stellar among legends, but…
It's so good-looking!
Those smooth white feathers, if you ride it, would be incredibly comfy and stylish.
After all, others ride things like Lance with a fossil dragon, Steven with Metagross, Cynthia with Garchomp, Giovanni even walking on foot.
And he's riding the legendary Reshiram!
Aesthetically, it's on another level.
"Damian, when are we going to take on Zekrom?"
A neutral, ethereal Telepathy echoes in Damian's mind, precisely Reshiram's voice.
It can't wait to take on Zekrom!
To be honest, Reshiram thinks it's witty for not choosing a hero earlier.
After Zekrom was awakened by N, its own consciousness has been awakened too, but it's still cautious.
Because it picked up that this generation's Hero of Ideals is the strongest among all Heroes of Ideals.
In the end, Zekrom and Reshiram have always been at odds, but because they originate from the same source, their strengths are equal.
The conflict between Truth and Ideals isn't easily decided; it all depends on which Hero they choose.
Zekrom's chosen humans are very strong, so Reshiram has to be careful in its pick.
Ahem, so it has sent a bunch of "telegraphs" to people…
Rosa and Hilda are among the most qualified of Reshiram's reserves and the ones Reshiram thinks have the best chance to beat Zekrom in the future.
But Reshiram remains indecisive; while it sees potential in Rosa and Hilda, they aren't developed yet, and right now they'd likely be hunted by Zekrom and his Hero N.
But never mind! Its wait has finally paid off with the best result!
The chosen one has emerged!
Damn, the one I just picked has exceptional strength (Kyogre), and most importantly, is genuinely amazing and compatible with me!
This is it, Zekrom is doomed!
"Not in a hurry, Reshiram, let me ask you something."
Damian raises a brow; clearly Reshiram is quite obsessed with Zekrom.
But of course, in Gen III, IV, V, VI, the cover dragons are usually at odds or not on good terms.
Reshiram and Zekrom share a common origin, but their meanings differ; naturally they're in opposition.
"?" Reshiram stays cool and aloof.
"Do you know where Kyurem is?"
Damian asks Reshiram.
"Damian, why are you asking about Kyurem?"
Reshiram freezes.
"I'm actually quite interested in it."
To be honest, if there's a dragon in Unova that has Damian's heart, it would be Kyurem, the strongest Legendary Dragon revered as the "strongest Legendary Dragon."
As Unova's Third Legend, Kyurem's power is undeniably formidable.
In Swords of Justice, Kyurem is introduced as a "trial officer," showing its oppressive aura, easily freezing the Swords of Justice with Ice moves.
And in Hoopa, the fierce Shiny Rayquaza gets a lot of love, but Kyurem's presence there is also striking.
Not only can Kyurem freely shift forms, it can even freeze Primal Groudon with an Ice-type move.
That's Primal Reversion's Groudon—the heat is intense, but White Kyurem can freeze it with ease.
Worth noting, in both movies Kyurem can freely switch forms, yet it hasn't absorbed Zekrom and Reshiram; that suggests Kyurem still retains some "essence" of Reshiram and Zekrom inside it.
"So I wouldn't push you to go find Kyurem; Kyurem is freakishly strong!"
Reshiram's Telepathy is heavy and serious.
"Oh?" Damian can't help but smile.
"Its temper is exactly… that bad! And typically Kyurem is in slumber, but it has a fierce morning temper."
"If we bother its sleep, it will attack us directly."
Reshiram doesn't want Damian to bother Kyurem—Kyurem's temper is volatile, though it won't leave its cave unless provoked.
"So, Reshiram, you know Kyurem's slumbering spot, right?"
Damian nods; according to the game, Kyurem should dwell in the Giant's Crater.
But Damian is wary of differences in-game lore and isn't planning to chase Kyurem now.
Reshiram's description of Kyurem is tinted by its own bias; both Reshiram and Zekrom belong to Unova's Dragon spirit, while Kyurem is the "body" of Unova's Dragon, with its own power.
Although the body is mostly empty, there may still be a fragment of "spirit" left inside, which allows Kyurem to switch between White and Black forms.
Thus, Reshiram and Zekrom can't compare to Kyurem; that's why in the game's plot N's Dragon was swallowed by Kyurem.
It's like Necrozma swallowing Solgaleo and Lunala; Kyurem swallows Zekrom's version too.
"...I do know," Reshiram finally concedes.
"Okay, we'll look for Kyurem later."
Damian nods; he won't push Reshiram; now they'll deal with Zekrom first…
And the likely reason for Kyurem's uptake would be to "feed" it later.
Kyurem would need only one precise move to swallow Reshiram's White Kyurem, and then Damian would have to deal with a fully formed White Kyurem.
Hoping Primal Kyogre and Little Rayquaza can overpower Reshiram's White Kyurem is wishful thinking.
"So, you understand. Let's focus on Zekrom first. We'll deal with Kyurem when we're stronger."
Reshiram still has faith in Damian; with their current strength, taking on Zekrom is a breeze!
And when Damian grows further, beating the Kyurem isn't impossible!
"..."
Hearing Reshiram bring the topic back to Zekrom, Damian is momentarily speechless.
Reshiram really has its own issues.
Time quickly passes another two days.
Team Plasma and the Unova League's meeting arrives as scheduled.
Victory Road, the northernmost road in the Unova Region, is the only way to the former Unova Pokémon League site.
The meeting location for the parties' agreement is right here.
Alder brings the Unova Elite Four, along with Steven and others, and they arrive here without much surprise.
Ghetsis is already waiting, with N by his side.
Even for this meeting, Ghetsis has set up a table at the front.
"Champion Alder, long time no see, huh?"
Ghetsis sees Alder and the others approaching, a smile splitting his face.
"Ghetsis, you're really fearless, showing up like this," Alder replies, half-smiling.
"Why should I be afraid?"
Ghetsis's lips curl into a cold smile as his eyes sweep past Alder.
Unova Elite Four are no threat; it's Hoenn's Steven and Hoenn's Wallace the two Champions worth taking note of.
And furthermore...
"Champion Alder, it seems you do fear Team Rocket indeed—Hoenn Champion Steven, Sinnoh Champion Cynthia, Galar Champion Leon."
Ghetsis names Alder's back-row of strong names one by one.
Three region Champions, plus Alder, that's four in all—quite prestigious.
Ghetsis is indeed surprised that, if not for someone in the Unova League, he wouldn't know Alder had invited two regional Champions over.
"However, alas, no matter how many Champions you have, it won't help you fight Team Rocket. You'll need our Team Plasma's help."
Ghetsis lets out a low laugh, still confident on his side even with two more Champions.
"Ghetsis, you're arrogance is showing a bit too much."
Alder can't help but laugh; he isn't going to pretend anymore, his expression becomes serious.
"How the Unova League handles Team Rocket is our business; it's none of your evil organization's business to poke your nose in here!"
"Ghetsis, and N, I, in my capacity as Unova Champion, amCapturing you two! If you know what's good for you, hand over your Poké Balls and surrender!"
Alder's voice drops.
"What?!"
Ghetsis freezes in shock; he really didn't expect Alder to turn on him.
"Alder! What are you joking about? You really plan to fish‑hook us?"
Ghetsis's face immediately turns grim.
N's brows also furrow at once.
"Who's joking? Ghetsis, you really think I came here to cooperate with you?" Alder smiles wryly.
"Without us Team Plasma, do you think you stand a chance against Team Rocket?"
"That's none of your concern." Alder opens his Poké Ball, and a Volcarona appears before him.
"Alright!!"
Ghetsis laughs in anger, face dark as night.
"I used to think you were a clever man, Alder, but I see you're a fool. Do you think just a few Champions can take us down?"
Ghetsis's cold voice, distorted like a demon's, erupts.
Alder's betrayal really enrages him!
Just a few regional Champions; you think you can hold him, Ghetsis? How naive!
"N!"
Hearing Ghetsis's voice, N's dull eyes turn toward Alder and the others.
The sky darkens swiftly; a thundercloud appears from nowhere, blocking the sun, blue lightning shimmering within the clouds.
"Zekrom."
Roar!
A deep, dragonlike bellow sounds, and a jet-black Zekrom descends from the clouds, landing heavily in front of N.
A massive Dragon aura fills the air—Ideals Dragon, Zekrom!
"This pressure—clearly a high‑tier legendary."
Leon's expression tightens; the legend of Zekrom clearly isn't your ordinary tale.
And now, having felt this Dragon aura firsthand, this Zekrom is incredibly powerful, even if its strength isn't as high as Primal Kyogre.
Even Leon wouldn't feel confident about a direct Battle with Zekrom.
Unless his whole team goes in, perhaps there would be a chance.
But the opposing Zekrom's Trainer is clearly a Champion-tier as well.
"Today I'll show you how ridiculous your choices are," Ghetsis snarls.
With that, he opens three Ultra Balls; three white flashes descend.
Three Pokémon that look like humanoid large insects land before Ghetsis.
Genesect! And the lead one, and the two behind it, are different as well.
Not only is their body size thicker, their body color is red—a Shiny Genesect!
That Shiny Genesect's aura is far stronger than the other two.
And all three Genesect are wearing a steel ring on their heads—that's Colress's Machine.
Colress has prepared it to help Ghetsis control the Genesects.
One Ideals Zekrom, three Genesect—that's Team Plasma's final trump card.
"Come! Let's see how you'll capture us!"
Ghetsis's shadowy vision sweeps over Alder and the others.
~~~
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