The dark radiance rippled across the entire Ice Mountain range, and the members of the Dragon Clan all witnessed a colossal mushroom cloud slowly ascending from the earth. A massive concussive wave rippled outward in every direction.
The sheer force of the shockwave was immense enough to completely scatter and neutralize the oncoming avalanche just as it was about to breach Opelucid City.
While the direct crisis threatening the Dragon Clan was cleanly averted by the kinetic wave, the broader, more powerful shockwave proceeded to level the outskirts of Opelucid City, flattening the perimeter entirely.
Half an hour later, as the destructive force finally began to wane, Feng Che caught sight of Black Kyurem collapsed upon the earth. Its eyes had fully regained their clarity, indicating that Kyurem's conscious will had finally reasserted dominance over the fusion.
Black Kyurem's frame was thoroughly riddled with structural lacerations, deep red blood flowing steadily from its wounds and pooling upon the ground to form dense clods of dragon essence.
"Go, Poké Ball!"
Feng Che produced a Master Ball, hurling it straight toward Black Kyurem. A Legendary deity of this caliber could only be secured with the absolute assurance of a Master Ball.
The thoroughly defeated Black Kyurem dissolved into a beam of red light, drawn cleanly into the capsule. The Master Ball bounced off the dirt before returning to Feng Che's hand.
Black Kyurem thrashed violently inside the sphere, but it ultimately could not override the absolute authority of the Master Ball. As the capsule stopped shaking, a tiny star flashed briefly over the capture switch. Black Kyurem was officially captured by Feng Che.
"Excellent. Let's move out, locate my father, and return to Team Plasma's headquarters," N said, patting Reshiram's head.
It did not take long for Reshiram to pinpoint the coordinates of the frozen Ghetsis. The flash-frozen block holding him stood out prominently against the landscape, his highly flamboyant, multi-colored vestments acting as an instant marker. The recent cataclysmic shockwaves had failed to shatter Ghetsis's physical vessel; the exceptionally dense permafrost encasing him had actively shielded him from the kinetic impact. It truly proved the ancient adage: The good die young, but evil leaves a thousand-year stain.
Reshiram unhinged its jaws, expelling a stream of incandescent white flames. The heat rapidly dissolved the thick ice locking Ghetsis down. Within moments, the mastermind regained consciousness.
Though his legs trembled violently and his face was an ashen shade of grey, his cognitive faculties remained fully intact.
"N... get me out of here immediately. Instruct the remaining operational units of Team Plasma to initiate a full retreat. This campaign has failed," Ghetsis spat sourly, casting a thoroughly irritated look at N. He was deeply resentful of N's earlier defiance.
"Understood, Father. I shall notify the remaining five Sages to withdraw," N replied with a nod.
"N, do not utter a single word to Vio! His blatant betrayal today is the sole reason our deployment fell into such chaotic disarray," Ghetsis growled, his voice laced with venom. "I have officially stripped him of his title and expelled him from Team Plasma. The moment we return to headquarters, we must completely overhaul our security parameters to prevent that traitor from leading an assault against our strongholds."
Vio had personally designed the vast majority of Team Plasma's defensive networks, a reality that left Ghetsis nursing a subtle wave of acute regret.
"We must clear the area immediately. If the vanguard of the Dragon Clan surrounds our position, we will be caught like rats in a trap. Help me up!"
Just as Ghetsis prepared to mount Reshiram's back, the Vast White Pokémon fixed him with a sharp, piercing glare. Ghetsis's face turned icy cold; he could distinctly sense the dragon's intense displeasure and hostility.
"N, deploy my Staraptor instead. I will have it carry me to the transport docks. We are returning to base."
Team Plasma's primary stronghold was situated within an exceptionally remote territory, heavily armed with a massive arsenal of defensive weaponry Ghetsis had meticulously deployed.
"We haven't lost everything yet. At the very least, Team Plasma retains the bulk of its core military assets," Ghetsis muttered under his breath before launching himself into the air aboard the Staraptor, quickly leaving the basin behind.
"Clan Leader Feng Che!"
From a distance, Feng Che caught the booming shout of Drayden. As the veteran Gym Leader closed the distance, he was stunned to see that the entire Ice Mountain range had been nearly torn to pieces by the sheer scale of the battle.
"Clan Leader Feng Che... where is Kyurem?" Drayden asked, testing the waters cautiously.
"I have successfully captured Kyurem. Have our units initiate environmental restoration protocols for the mountain ecosystem," Feng Che replied calmly. "It would be an absolute disgrace if this territory were left as a scorched wasteland because of my actions."
"Understood, Clan Leader Feng Che."
Drayden's expression quickly turned grim as he stroked his thick beard. "Champion Alder has just arrived at the Dragon Clan's borders, leading a massive contingent of League operational forces. It appears their objective is to launch a hostile takeover and absorb the Dragon Clan entirely under League administration."
"Fascinating. Allow me to go and personally meet this Champion Alder," Feng Che countered, his eyes narrowing. He was thoroughly displeased by Alder's blatant attempt to sweep in and reap the rewards of their hard-fought victory.
Meanwhile, at the perimeter.
"Champion Alder, word has reached us that the Dragon Clan has officially instated a brand-new clan leader," Grimsley observed in his slow, methodical drawl. He had been promised numerous administrative incentives by Alder to participate in this joint League intervention, and he was currently holding a glass of vintage red wine, taking a measured sip.
"That won't be an issue. Intelligence suggests the newly appointed leader does not command universal respect across the lineages. We can easily drive a wedge between him and the conservative factions," Alder replied with supreme confidence. "I have waited a long time for an opening as perfect as this. The Dragon Clan fell into a massive internal feud and subsequently traded devastating blows against Team Plasma. Their overall combat parameters must be severely compromised."
"My reconnaissance reports just came through—Team Plasma has broken formation and initiated a full retreat, taking Reshiram along with them," Alder murmured, his eyes gleaming. "This stands as our absolute best window to break the Dragon Clan's independence. If we allow them the luxury to recover their strength, finding an opportunity of this caliber again will be an absolute impossibility."
"All units, establish a full containment perimeter around the Dragon Clan's borders! Do not permit a single member of the clan to clear the sector!" Alder barked, handing down his deployment orders.
"Well, if it isn't Champion Alder and Elite Four Grimsley," a mocking voice echoed smoothly from the skies above.
Alder snapped his head upward, catching sight of Drayden riding a Salamence, smoothly guiding Feng Che down toward the League's assembly ground.
"Talk about a target delivering itself straight to my doorstep. Saved me the effort of a manhunt," Alder laughed triumphantly. "Secure Gym Leader Drayden immediately!"
Even though Drayden had technically abdicated his position, Alder knew he could easily utilize the veteran as a high-value hostage to force the rest of the Dragon Clan into absolute submission.
"Champion Alder, Drayden happens to be under my protection," Feng Che interjected.
Seeing the massive wall of League personnel close in, dozens of high-level Pokémon systematically formed a tight circle around his position.
"Elite Four Feng Che, you serve as a member of the Unova Elite Four. Don't you think you're overstepping your administrative boundaries a bit too much?" Alder growled, a sinister, dark glint flashing across his eyes. "Our objective is Drayden, not you. Stand down, or we will not hesitate to handle you with force."
"Hmph! I stand as the primary Elite Four member of the Unova League. Let us see who among you possesses the audacity to lay a finger on me," Feng Che cold-snapped.
Right at that exact second, Grimsley took several calculated paces backward, smoothly tossing a Poké Ball to deploy his Honchkrow.