Eternatus was thoroughly indignant. It couldn't help but feel it was incredibly unlucky.
Who could understand this pain? It had run into dogs!
It had arrived on this planet via a meteorite, and for a long time, it'd stayed peacefully asleep. It didn't have any evil schemes in mind.
Then, after 17,000 years, it found itself running out of energy.
So, to stay alive, it did the only logical thing—it began absorbing the energy of the land. That was just for survival! What was wrong with that?
But the process was a bit… loud, and soon two mutts showed up.
They didn't even bother to talk. Just ganged up on it and beat it half to death, completely shattered its body and scattered its remains all over the place.
It barely escaped destruction, and due to massive energy loss, it had to spend 3,000 years recovering.
And now, just barely awake, it got ganged up on again!
Even worse than last time—now it was four-on-one!
Have some shame! At least try fighting one-on-one!
Getting beaten was bad enough, but then that mutt with a sword started calling it a "menace" again?
**Menace your *!
Eternatus was fuming.
But Zacian didn't care in the slightest. Step by step, she walked toward the weakened Eternatus, her blade growing longer and sharper.
This time, she was going to chop it into a hundred and eight pieces and scatter the remains!
Let's see it try coming back after that!
The atmosphere grew colder and more lethal by the second, icy killing intent spilling off Zacian in waves.
"Kyurem."
A cold ray of ice shot out from the hovering Reshiram-Kyurem, striking the ground in front of Zacian.
She stopped in her tracks.
The ice beam flared, forming a giant crystal, which then shattered into sparkling powder drifting through the air.
Zacian looked up at Kyurem, her sharp gaze silently questioning the interruption.
Zamazenta stood nearby, also glancing at Kyurem.
But Kyurem didn't care about their reactions. It was only following Dylan's command.
And if they had a problem? Then bring it on. Kyurem was still itching for a real fight.
Eternatus, meanwhile, looked from one to the other, thoroughly confused.
Weren't these guys just cooperating to beat it down?
Why did it feel like they were about to start fighting each other?
"You don't have to go that far, Zacian."
Dylan's calm voice carried through the air.
Riding atop Reshiram, he descended with his companions. Rose followed behind, riding a Corviknight.
Reshiram landed, and Dylan stepped forward, examining Zacian up close.
What a magnificent sword king she was.
Zacian turned toward him, her eyes still frosty and unreadable.
Zamazenta stepped up behind her—wherever she stood, he stood.
"Eternatus has already been defeated," Dylan said gently. "What were you planning to do just now?"
"I can guess," he added. "You did the same thing three thousand years ago. But you didn't finish the job."
"But this time is different. It didn't cause serious damage. Killing it isn't justified."
Dylan's voice was calm.
He hadn't expected Zacian to be this intense in real life. She wasn't just cold—she was brutally decisive.
Truly a sword king in both name and nature.
"You don't understand it."
A cool, clear voice echoed in everyone's minds.
"Huh?"
Leaf and Lillie froze. Rose was shocked too.
Dylan raised a brow. No doubt about it—Zacian was speaking through telepathy.
So she really was the elder sister, huh?
Technically, the Pokédex listed Zacian as genderless, but lore suggested a sibling—or rival—relationship with Zamazenta.
Besides, Pokédex data wasn't always accurate. Lugia was also listed as genderless, yet the anime had a Lugia mom and a baby Lugia.
"What do you mean?" Dylan asked, intrigued.
"It's a parasite," Zacian said coolly, her gaze flicking to the beaten Eternatus sprawled on the ground.
Eternatus glared at her.
You mutt!
"It feeds on energy like a parasite. Don't be fooled by its power. Its very existence is a mistake."
Zacian's tone was calm but absolute. She could tell Dylan wanted to tame Eternatus.
But to her, Eternatus had no value—no right to exist.
You're the mistake, you merciless mutt!
Eternatus was quietly wondering if it could manage a Max Flare in its condition.
It tried igniting a spark in its claw—just a flicker of red light.
Yeah… no. Way too injured.
That spark couldn't even burn off one of Zacian's hairs.
"See? It's still trying to sneak attack me."
Zacian didn't even turn around, voice icy.
Eternatus: "???"
"A hopeless parasite."
Eternatus: "???"
"Cut it up and toss the ashes into the sea—that would be mercy."
Eternatus: "???!!!"
Lillie: (—)
Leaf: (.)
Dylan: "Zacian, don't you think you're being a bit… extreme?"
"Am I?"
Zacian tilted her head slightly and looked at her brother.
Zamazenta shook his head vigorously, terrified to disagree.
"I'm not extreme. I'm protecting this land," Zacian said flatly.
"You still don't understand. This thing can't survive without absorbing energy. That means this situation will repeat itself."
"You weren't there. You didn't see what it did three thousand years ago."
Back then, the chaos Eternatus caused almost destroyed Galar. Countless Pokémon Dynamaxed out of control. Cities fell. Despair reigned.
All because of it.
"No Pokémon exists without a purpose," Dylan replied slowly. "I understand your concern—but what if I take responsibility?"
"I'll watch over it myself. I'll ensure this never happens again."
"You're already strong. You don't need more power," Zacian said, eyes fixed on him.
It was clear she didn't trust him.
"I'm not doing this for power," Dylan said warmly. "The world's already beautiful. Let's not destroy it over fear."
"I believe no Pokémon is born evil. Even those labeled 'dark' can change with the right guidance."
He smiled, undaunted by Zacian's razor-sharp gaze.
Zacian fell silent.
"You don't trust me?" Dylan asked.
Still no answer.
"Then how about this—stay with me. Watch me. Watch Eternatus. If it ever steps out of line, you'll be there."
His smile widened.
Rose blinked.
Wow. He's not just after Eternatus—he's trying to win over Zacian too?!
The guy's guts were unreal.
Zacian tilted her head again.
"If Eternatus follows me and still causes trouble, I'll end it myself. That's my promise."
Dylan meant it. He liked Zacian—if she joined him, it'd be amazing.
But it seemed she wasn't so easily persuaded.
Silence fell again.
"Big sis?" Zamazenta looked over. Clearly, Dylan wasn't backing down.
Zamazenta didn't think it was worth a fight, especially with Kyurem and Necrozma still floating overhead. And the Crown Tundra King standing right behind Dylan.
Zacian clearly understood all that.
She stared coldly at Eternatus one last time, then withdrew from her crowned form.
Her gleaming sword dissolved into a rusted one, which floated over to Dylan.
He caught it, raising a brow.
"If that parasite acts up again, use that to call me," Zacian said.
Then she vanished into a streak of blue light.
Zamazenta also stepped back, glanced at Dylan, gave a respectful nod, and followed.
"They're gone."
Dylan turned the rusted blade over in his hands.
The Fairy King's Blade.
Said to be able to cut through anything. Even dragon scales like paper.
Only Zacian could wield it. To others, it was just an indestructible relic.
She had left it with Dylan, just in case.
"So, Eternatus, are you going to get in the ball yourself, or should I help you?"
Dylan approached, holding a Luxury Ball.
"I nearly got into a fight with Zacian and Zamazenta over you. Don't play dumb—you get the idea."
He added that last part with a smile, but the pressure was real.
Eternatus went quiet.
Then, a voice—somewhere between male and female—rang in Dylan's head:
"If I go with you… will I get a chance to beat the crap out of those mutts someday?"
"…Depends. Maybe I'll need you for a capture battle."
Dylan was genuinely surprised.
So Eternatus held a grudge too, huh?
"Deal!"
Eternatus responded instantly.
It knew it didn't have a choice. It wasn't stupid.
"Great. Let's shrink you down first—this form's a bit much."
Dylan sprayed a potion on it, healing it enough to move.
Red light flared—Eternatus returned to its standard bone-dragon form.
Dylan tossed the Luxury Ball.
Click.
No shake.
Caught.
"Eternatus, caught."
Dylan picked up the ball, turning it in his hand with satisfaction.
Another powerful dragon for his team—and a Poison-type powerhouse at that. Poison had always held a special place in his heart.
It was his first-ever team theme, after all.
Maybe next time someone pulls the "golden legend" team from the randomizer, he'd use Eternatus to give them a proper welcome.
It had been a while since a lucky player pulled a gold-rank set…
"Congratulations on catching Eternatus, Dylan."
Rose smiled.
He had expected it—but not like this. Seeing the legendary heroes? That had been a treat.
"Thanks. Couldn't have done it without you," Dylan replied.
"No—thank you."
Rose shook his head, laughing wryly.
If they'd stuck with his original plan, Galar might've been doomed.
He could accept being hated. What he couldn't accept was causing the fall of the region he loved.
"I need to go calm the public," Rose added, checking a message from Oleana.
They still had a lot to clean up.
"Of course," Dylan said. "Go handle what you need to."
Rose flew off. Dylan looked around.
The battlefield was wrecked. The stadium? In ruins.
Good thing Rose had evacuated everyone in advance, or it could've been much worse.
"Calyrex? What's up?"
Dylan turned to the silent monarch, who was furiously typing on a phone, brows furrowed.
"I won a chess match online, and my opponent insists I cheated," Calyrex said, frustrated.
"…Huh."
Dylan sighed.
Calyrex had recently become obsessed with online puzzle games—especially chess.
"He said if he was using cheats and still lost, then I must've been cheating too," Calyrex muttered.
Leaf rolled her eyes. "Some people just can't accept losing."
"I told him I was a king once. A king would never cheat," Calyrex said solemnly.
"6," Dylan replied.
The events in Stow-on-Side had caused quite a stir. After all, a large number of citizens had been evacuated, and Eternatus's emergence had created a massive disturbance—followed by a battle involving multiple Legendary Pokémon.
Thankfully, Chairman Rose made a public statement, declaring that although it had been a grave crisis, it was now perfectly resolved thanks to Champion Dylan's assistance.
Rose truly knew how to handle things. He even helped Dylan raise his reputation throughout the Galar region.
And with Rose preoccupied for the rest of the day, it worked out well—because Dylan had already planned to head somewhere.
The Isle of Armor—formally known as the Armor of Solitude.
Located in the eastern waters of Galar, the island was once uninhabited. But after Mustard settled there, he gave it the name "Isle of Armor."
Dylan and his companions rode Reshiram, following the map they'd gotten from Leon.
As Leon was Mustard's former disciple, he naturally knew the way.
Mustard had built a dojo there—a training ground, though not officially a Pokémon Gym. It was his personal dojo.
When the three of them arrived, they were greeted at the entrance by a mature woman.
"You must be the friends Leon told us about? Please come in, my husband has been waiting for you," the woman, Honey, said warmly and politely.
"Thank you."
Honey led the trio into the dojo's main hall, where an elderly man in casual attire was watching a video on his phone, lost in thought.
"Honey, the guests are here," she said.
Husband???
Lillie and Leaf widened their eyes, staring at the elderly man, then at the radiant Honey.
Wait, these two were married?
They looked like they were at least thirty-four years apart!
"Huh? They're already here? Hahaha~ I've been looking forward to this. You must be Dylan, right? Loo~"
Hearing the voice, Mustard turned his head, his eyes lighting up as he got up and walked over with a hearty laugh.
Though clearly elderly, he radiated vibrant energy. His body might've aged, but his spirit was still young.
"Senior, I've long admired you. I hope our sudden visit doesn't offend," Dylan greeted respectfully.
"Aww, don't be so formal! I'm thrilled you came! I was just watching your battle with Little Dandan~" Mustard said cheerfully, hands behind his back and eyes crinkled in amusement.
Little Dandan? As in Champion Leon?
Pfft—Leaf nearly burst into laughter. She didn't expect the Champion to have such a cutesy nickname.
"Incredible! Little Dandan's even stronger than I was in my prime, and yet you completely swept him. Amazing!"
Mustard truly admired Dylan. He understood Leon's power intimately—they'd recently sparred when Leon visited the previous year.
But Dylan had utterly steamrolled Leon.
What a terrifying young man.
"You flatter me, senior," Dylan said politely as ever.
He truly respected Mustard—not only had the old man once been a top-tier trainer, he was a living legend.
Mustard, Leon's predecessor's predecessor as Galar Champion (with Peony, Rose's younger brother, in between), had once been the Gym Leader of a Fighting-type Gym before climbing to the top of the Galar League. He earned the title "The Strongest Champion in History," holding an unbeaten record for eighteen years—still unmatched across any League.
After the death of his partner Pokémon, Mustard's performance declined, and he eventually lost his title. Later, he retired entirely after being asked to throw a rigged match.
A truly respectable elder, now retired to the Isle of Armor to mentor the next generation.
"Come, sit. I heard from Little Dandan that you came to see me for something, right? Loo~"
Mustard gestured for the trio to sit, while Honey brought them tea.
"Let me guess—you're here for my bear student?"
He smiled at Dylan. Though retired and aging, he didn't think he had much to offer someone like Dylan—especially someone who had beaten Leon so easily.
So clearly, Dylan had come for one reason: Kubfu.
"You're right, senior. Besides wanting to meet you, I'm here for Kubfu."
Dylan didn't hide it.
Kubfu, a Legendary Pokémon, wasn't known to the public anymore. The only one who had it was Mustard, as he was a Kubfu trainer.
"I'm quite fond of Kubfu. When I heard you had one, I asked Champion Leon for your location."
"I do have a bear student. If it's you asking, I see no reason to refuse. However…"
Mustard smiled. One of the reasons he opened the dojo was to find a worthy successor for Kubfu.
And Dylan? Obviously wouldn't let the little guy go to waste.
"Please, go ahead," Dylan nodded.
"How about a battle with this old man? I haven't gone all-out in ages—but…"
Mustard raised a finger, his expression suddenly serious.
"You're not allowed to use those Legendary Dragon-types you brought out against Little Dandan. I'm not him—I'm old and can't handle that kind of beatdown. Hahaha~"
He chuckled at the end. He'd just watched Dylan's battle with Leon—and those Dragons were brutal.
"Of course," Dylan said with a smile.
"Then let's head to the backyard. I've been itching for a real match."
Mustard's excitement was evident. He led them to the dojo's vast training field.
Several of Mustard's students were already training there. When they saw the group approach, curiosity stirred.
"Master's going to battle?"
"Oh man! I've been here for months and never seen him fight!"
"Wait… isn't that Champion Dylan? The one who battled Leon yesterday?"
"Definitely! Black hair, black clothes—you can't miss him!"
"Is he about to battle our master? Is this gonna be another sweep?"
"Man, Dylan's wild. Beat the current champ and now challenging the old champ? He's taking down every Galar Champion in order!"
The students watched eagerly as Dylan and Mustard took their positions. The battle with Leon had spread across Galar—Dylan's face was well known.
Being able to watch a match live? A rare treat. Especially with their own master as the challenger.
Though… none of them actually expected Mustard to win.
"You punks—none of you have faith in your master, huh?" Mustard scolded with a laugh.
His cheerful, easygoing nature—and perhaps his humor—was what kept him so lively at his age.
"I'll be the referee!" Leaf volunteered enthusiastically. "I was the official ref at the Rotta Gym!"
"Of course. If I'm not mistaken, you're one of Kanto's Four Elites, right?" Mustard said, clearly amused.
Though retired, he'd researched the current Kanto League after hearing about Dylan.
And was shocked to find all Four Elites had been replaced.
"Hehe~ You've got sharp eyes, senior." Leaf grinned.
"Well, let's begin then."
Leaf coughed theatrically, pulled out a tiny flag from who-knows-where, and gave Dylan and Mustard a sweeping look.
"The match will now begin. Participants: Dylan vs. Mustard."
"Rules: 3-on-3, switching allowed. The first to lose all three Pokémon loses."
"Battle—start!"
She waved the flag and stepped off the field.
On the scoreboard, the pointer spun and landed on Dylan's side.
"I'll go first, then."
Dylan didn't seem too concerned. He looked at Mustard.
"Since I'm battling a master like yourself, I'll treat this with the proper respect."
He loosened his collar and gracefully pulled on a pair of black gloves.
"I know you're a Fighting-type expert—and a former Gym Leader."
"So allow me to ask your guidance on handling Fighting-type Pokémon."
"My first Pokémon will be this one."
He tossed a Poké Ball behind him.
"Great Tusk, prepare for battle!"
The Poké Ball burst open midair, white light flashing as a wild, powerful presence emerged. A savage-looking Great Tusk landed with a heavy thud, growling low toward Mustard.
"Oh~ Great Tusk, what a magnificent Pokémon! Loo~"Mustard's eyes gleamed as he gave the Pokémon an appreciative once-over.
As one of the Paradox Pokémon discovered and recently documented by Professor Oak and Professor Snow, Great Tusk's existence was known to those keeping up with Pokémon research. And for an experienced Fighting-type specialist like Mustard, a new species like this was especially intriguing.
"A Fighting-type, eh? Then this old man will start with… him!"
Mustard didn't hesitate. He tossed out his own Poké Ball.
"Mienshao, I'm counting on you!"
A lithe, ferret-like Pokémon landed gracefully. Standing on two legs with sleek white fur and elegant purple markings, Mienshao coolly raised its arms, eyeing Great Tusk without flinching.
'Beep~ Mienshao, Fighting type. Martial Arts Pokémon.Ability: Inner Focus.Moves: High Jump Kick, Bounce, Aura Sphere, Drain Punch, Focus Blast, Fake Out, Detect…Info: Its arm fur functions like whips. Once it starts striking, there's no stopping it.'
"This Mienshao looks strong…"Leaf blinked, visibly impressed. She hadn't expected Mustard, despite his age, to field a Pokémon that radiated such speed and precision.
"Of course it's Mienshao up first," Dylan muttered, a knowing smile tugging at his lips.He remembered that in the games, Mustard always led with Mienshao when going all-out.
"Earthquake!" Dylan commanded, launching the first strike without hesitation.
Great Tusk roared, raising its body before slamming its feet down, the ground beneath them glowing with earthen energy.
"Fake Out!"
But Mienshao was faster.
With a flicker of motion, Mienshao darted forward and struck Great Tusk with a sharp palm strike—light, but fast enough to flinch.
Thwack!
Great Tusk staggered back, momentarily dazed, halting the Earthquake before it could be executed.
The Pokémon looked around in confusion, as if thinking: Where am I? What just happened?
"Bounce!" Mustard followed up instantly.
Mienshao leapt high into the air, twisting mid-flight with acrobatic flair before diving toward Great Tusk, foot extended.
"Ice Spinner!"
Great Tusk quickly recovered. Curling its limbs inward, it began to spin like a top, shards of frost forming around it—an Ice-type technique, Ice Spinner.
The spinning tusk creature veered sideways, just barely dodging Mienshao's downward kick.
Mienshao's foot hit empty ground as Great Tusk twirled and counterattacked.
"Very nimble Ice Spinner… and highly trained."Mustard's eyes narrowed.
But no attack was landing just yet.
"Brick Break!"
Mienshao twisted aside from the spinning assault and swept in with a glowing palm, slamming it down toward Great Tusk's flank.
"Grab it!"
Great Tusk's trunk suddenly coiled upward, intercepting the strike. It latched around Mienshao's arm.
"Caught you."
Dylan's lips curled into a smile.
Speed was Mienshao's forte—but once caught, it couldn't escape easily.
"Wha—" Mustard was momentarily startled.He hadn't expected Great Tusk's trunk to be that dexterous.
"Drain Punch!"
Mienshao immediately tried to retaliate, channeling energy into its other hand.
"Play Rough!"
Dylan's counter came just as fast.
With a feral snarl, Great Tusk surged forward, fangs and claws glowing with pink light—Fairy energy.
Bam!
Mienshao's Drain Punch struck first, landing cleanly on Great Tusk's gut.
But the elephant Pokémon didn't even flinch—it powered through and slammed its glowing tusks into Mienshao.
Mienshao screeched, the Fairy-type move hitting super effectively. It stumbled.
"Aura Sphere!" Mustard called.
"Finish it!" Dylan shouted at the same time. "Another Play Rough!"
Mienshao began forming a glowing orb between its palms, but it was too late.
CRASH!
Great Tusk lunged forward again, hammering Mienshao with a second Play Rough. The blast of pink energy exploded on impact.
Mienshao was sent tumbling back, barely conscious.
"Mienshao is unable to battle! Great Tusk wins!"
Leaf raised her little flag and called the result.
"Yikes! That Pokémon's feral!"
"Seriously intense—charging in like it's got nothing to lose!"
"Master got wrecked… caught once and it was over."
"No wonder he's the Kanto Champion—crazy strong."
The dojo students whispered among themselves.
Mustard recalled Mienshao, staring thoughtfully at its Poké Ball.
"Senior, how'd you like my use of a Fighting-type Pokémon?"Dylan smiled politely.
"Fighting-type, huh…?"
Mustard's face twitched slightly.
You really dare say that was a Fighting-type battle?
You didn't use a single Fighting move!
You've got no Fighting-type trainer spirit, you rascal!
(Chapter End)