Terrakion… apologizing?
Lucien blinked in surprise as the towering Pokémon approached him with its head lowered.
But considering the era, the relationship between humans and Pokémon, and the mission of the Holy Swordsmen, Terrakion's past hostility was… understandable.
It wasn't personal hatred.
It was instinct, born from witnessing countless humans hurt Pokémon, destroy their homes, enslave them.
"I don't blame you," Lucien said quietly, shaking his head. Then he looked up at the other two, Cobalion and Virizion, standing behind Terrakion. "But… how did you find me?"
Cobalion leapt down from the boulder with composed grace, walking toward Lucien.
"What you said that day," Cobalion asked, "was it true?"
"Of course." Lucien nodded. "Humans and Pokémon shouldn't hate each other like this. In truth, our goals don't conflict at all. You three fight humans to protect Pokémon… and I'm trying to build a place where humans and Pokémon can live together."
A place where humans and Pokémon can live together…
The Holy Swordsmen froze.
Virizion tilted its head, puzzled.
"What would such a place even look like?"
Lucien smiled faintly, then described it slowly, like painting a picture:
"Humans and Pokémon living side by side. Grass-type Pokémon tending the fields with farmers, bringing rich harvests. Fire-types helping cooks light stoves and prepare warm meals. Strong Pokémon helping with construction, carrying stone and timber to build homes together."
"In spring, humans and Pokémon plow the fields. In summer, they cool off under shaded eaves.
In autumn, they celebrate the harvest side by side. And in winter, when the snow falls, they sit indoors together around the hearth."
"No war. No oppression. No slavery.
Just cooperation… shared strength… and everyone living as friends, partners, even family."
Quiet filled the clearing.
After a long silence, Virizion whispered, "That sounds… beautiful."
Terrakion let out a booming laugh. "Makes me want to see it myself!"
Cobalion closed its eyes.
"Yet all we have seen are humans hurting Pokémon."
"That's why I came to find Kyurem's power," Lucien replied calmly. "If you don't believe me, come see my territory for yourselves."
"Eventually, we will." Virizion stepped forward. "But not right now. We have sensed your conviction, human. If you truly wish to turn that ideal into reality… then allow us to help you."
Lucien blinked.
They… believed him?
Terrakion puffed up proudly.
"Leave it to me! Last time I held back so I wouldn't crush your Pokémon. This time, let me show you my real strength!"
Lucien: "…"
Cobalion stepped forward again.
"We witnessed your battle with Kyurem. With your current power, you cannot defeat him."
Lucien lowered his gaze. He already knew that.
"So," Cobalion continued, "the three of us will teach you everything we've mastered, the techniques of the Sacred Swordsmen."
Lucien's breath caught.
This was… the Holy Swordsmen's legacy.
Their fighting techniques, the ones they once passed on to Keldeo.
His heart pounded.
The Swordsmen were offering to train him.
After a brief discussion, the three Pokémon arranged the training pairs:
Cobalion → Serperior
Virizion → Dragonair
Terrakion → Larvesta
The first day began in a field of tall grass.
Cobalion and Serperior stood facing one another.
Serperior's posture was proud, but her ruby eyes betrayed a flicker of tension.
Cobalion lowered its head slightly and said in a calm, deep voice:
"Serperior… learn from your failures."
In the rugged stone valley, Terrakion stood firmly on a boulder, grinning at the small Larvesta opposite it.
"Never take your eyes off your enemy!" it boomed, its tone both cheerful and commanding.
In the shadowed wetlands beneath the towering trees, Virizion emitted a gentle emerald glow as it regarded Dragonair softly.
"Overcome your fear," it whispered, voice light as wind brushing through leaves.
Farther away, in a clearing between pillars of rock and ice, Cobalion faced Serperior. Its expression was calm and solemn, every movement a lesson in control and precision.
And thus, three training battles began at the same time.
Lucien stood with Victini on a high boulder, gazing down at the scene unfolding below.
Three Pokémon, Dragonair, Serperior, and Larvesta, moved rapidly across the terrain as the Holy Swordsmen guided them.It was less like a battle and more like a masterclass in movement, discipline, and technique.
Jumping. Dodging.
Attacking with the minimum force for maximum effect.
Reading an opponent's intent. Holding one's ground with courage.
Striking only when the moment is right.
They passed down every scrap of their battle-hardened experience: brute strength from Terrakion, refined precision from Cobalion, and graceful strategy from Virizion.
Lucien couldn't help but let out a low breath.
"No wonder they were able to train Keldeo…"
As he watched the Swordsmen move, a bold idea surfaced in his mind.
The war to come would not involve just humans.
Every Pokémon and human in Unova would be dragged into the chaos, including these three Sacred Swordsmen.
What if… he could invite them to join his territory?
Their mission was to protect Pokémon.His mission was to create a place where humans and Pokémon lived together peacefully.
Those two desires weren't opposed, they complemented each other perfectly.
Humans and Pokémon united…If he could rally every force he could, Victini, the Sacred Swordsmen, his growing Pokémon army....
Then even if Kyurem ultimately rejected him, he still wouldn't be powerless.
Lucien's heart beat faster as the idea grew clearer.
He would need to grow stronger first, elevate his team, and challenge Kyurem again.
But afterward…
He would invite the Swordsmen to Lucien City.
Let them see, with their own eyes, how humans and Pokémon lived side by side.
Let them witness a town where cooperation replaced cruelty, and friendship replaced fear.
If they saw that, their hostility toward humans might soften.
...
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