Virizion, Cobalion, and Terrakion.
They had once lived peacefully on this land.
Until one day, humans waged a devastating war, and countless Pokémon lost their homes, their freedom… and even their lives.
Witnessing this cruelty, the three Pokémon were filled with righteous fury.
So they formed the group known as the Swords of Justice.
From that day on, all three devoted themselves to protecting Pokémon whose homelands had been ravaged by human conflict.
But after many years of fighting, the three of them gradually understood a painful truth:
Even with their combined power, it still wasn't enough.
If they wanted to truly guard their fellow Pokémon, they needed to grow stronger, much stronger.
Thus, they began a long period of strict training.
And this time, they had come here for that very purpose.
Deep in these mountains dwelled a powerful being. If they could overcome it, they would take another massive step toward becoming stronger Swords of Justice.
But before they could make their challenge…
Someone else had arrived first.
A human.
A human accompanied by several Pokémon.
"Hmph. Kyurem isn't someone any random fool can challenge," Terrakion growled, hostility burning in his eyes. "That human is overestimating himself."
Cobalion did not speak.
He simply observed the figure below with calm, serious eyes.
The human stood silently at the entrance of the cavern for a long time, as if gathering his resolve, and then stepped inside with deliberate determination. His silhouette disappeared into the darkness.
"Should we follow?" Virizion asked softly.
They had no reason to care about humans, but they couldn't ignore the Pokémon that followed him.
They didn't want to see them get devoured by Kyurem.
They were ready to intervene at any moment…and if necessary, "liberate" the Pokémon that human carried.
"Hmph. Let's go watch that human get flattened by Kyurem." Terrakion pawed the cliff impatiently.
Cobalion finally nodded.
"Very well."
The interior of the Giant's Cave was pitch-black.
Victini concentrated its flame into its large V-shaped ears, illuminating their surroundings with a gentle golden glow.
"Thanks, Victini," Lucien said softly.
"Nini~!" Victini chirped, circling him cheerfully.
Serperior slithered silently behind Lucien. The cold air was biting; for a Grass-type like Serperior, this place was uncomfortable and hostile.
But as Lucien's Pokémon, it could feel the heavy tension radiating from him.
"Hm?"
Serperior suddenly paused and looked toward Lucien.
"What's wrong, Serperior?"
Lucien turned back, noticing the unusual expression on its usually proud face.
"Hrr…"
A flicker of worry shone in Serperior's eyes.
Lucien froze for a moment.
He hadn't expected Serperior to be so perceptive.
It was true, he was nervous.
Kyurem was no ordinary opponent; it was a terrifying legendary Pokémon capable of freezing half of Unova in an instant.
With their current strength, they had no chance of defeating it.
Should he really push forward into a battle he couldn't possibly win?
Lucien didn't know the answer.
Faces from his territory flashed through his mind, the townspeople who trusted him, the Pokémon who followed him.
Machoke. Dugtrio. Gyarados. Minccino. Larvesta. Dragonair.All of them had put their hopes onto him.
He could only move forward.
War was approaching. Chaos was looming.
If he didn't secure Kyurem's acknowledgment, his land, the only place where humans and Pokémon lived truly as equals, would be swallowed by the storm.
His emotions churned painfully, but he still managed to force a faint smile.
"Don't worry. I'll be fine, Serperior."
Serperior didn't say anything.
Instead, it extended a slender vine… and gently wrapped it around Lucien's hand.
As if telling him:You're not alone. We're with you.
Seeing Serperior's gesture, Lucien paused, took a deep breath, and felt his resolve solidify.
He nodded firmly.
"Yes."
A moment later, the space ahead suddenly widened.
Lucien blinked, realizing they had passed through the outer cavern and arrived at the central crater.
The interior was immense. Even after decades or centuries, the scars of the meteorite impact were still visible. The gigantic celestial rock had smashed into the ground, blown open an entire crater, and ruptured underground water veins. Torrents of groundwater had surged out and pooled into a vast lake at the center.
It was still dim, the air icy, the silence oppressive.
Lucien looked around but didn't see Kyurem.
But the chill that seemed to pierce bone and the overwhelming aura that filled the entire chamber…
Kyurem was here.
Clenching his fist, Lucien shouted across the cavern.
"Kyurem! Come forth! I am Lucien, the third prince of the Kingdom of Eindoak, and I have come to challenge you! Reshiram and Zekrom have awakened, and a terrible war is about to sweep across Unova. Countless humans and Pokémon will die."
"I want to stop this. To do that, I need your strength. In return, I will help you restore your lost primal power."
"Kyurem, appear!"
His voice echoed across the ice and stone.
For a long time… nothing answered him.
The cave was silent enough that Lucien could hear the underground river flowing far beneath the frozen crust.
Was Kyurem not here?
A faint frustration tightened Lucien's chest.
Then.
"Hm…"
A low, distant sound rumbled from deep within the darkness.
It was ancient, resonant, and so heavy it felt like the ceiling trembled.
Something stirred.
The temperature plummeted. White mist rolled across the ground like a living fog. When the cold reached the lake, the water froze instantly, ice racing across its surface until the entire lake had become a sheet of shimmering frozen glass.
Then came the sound of footsteps.
Slow. Heavy. Reverberating.
A voice flowed out of the darkness, old yet majestic.
"Do you have the right to claim my power?"
From the shadows, a colossal figure emerged.
Kyurem stepped into view, its icy body radiating an aura so cold that Lucien's breath froze in the air. Frost crawled up his clothes and hair. Serperior's scales glazed over with ice. Even Victini's flame dimmed in fear.
This was a legendary Pokémon. It hadn't used a single move, not even a flicker of intent. Its presence alone was oppressive enough to freeze the world around it.
Lucien tightened his stance, teeth clenched.
"No matter what… I have to try," he said in a low voice.
Kyurem watched him in silence, towering above them, an ancient glacier given life.
The pressure in the air was suffocating.
But Lucien did not look away.
After a long, heavy pause, Kyurem finally spoke.
"Very well."
...
Bonus @300
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