"Get some rest," Cynthia said softly.
Caleb shook his head.
Kyurem had left Lacunosa Town, but the place was now a ruin, with only the survivors remaining.
Officer Jenny was organizing the able-bodied townsfolk and Pokémon to search for food outside.
Nurse Joy was negotiating with a few Electric-type Pokémon, hoping to temporarily restore power to the Pokémon Center.
"I have food," Caleb murmured.
Cynthia asked, "Are you going to give it to them?"
Caleb nodded and, without hiding it, pulled all the food from his inventory.
The aroma immediately drew the attention of the people and Pokémon nearby.
When Caleb offered it freely, they all thanked him sincerely.
No one asked where it came from, and Caleb didn't explain.
Caitlin walked back in and announced to the crowd, "I've reported the situation here. Rescue teams will arrive soon to help everyone!"
After briefing Officer Jenny on logistics, she approached Caleb, her expression grim, "We have to go."
Caleb understood immediately from her look... Kyurem's rampage wasn't over.
"Which city?" he asked.
"Opelucid City was attacked an hour ago. Kyurem has already left, but based on its path, its next target is likely Icirrus City," Caitlin said, "The League's strongest Trainers are already gathering there."
"Then let's go," Caleb said.
This was his main quest, so he couldn't avoid it. And if this kept up, all of Unova would be buried under ice.
According to Xingwang, the fused form of the Tao Trio had instantly defeated the three members of Elite Fours and a Champion. Its power likely surpassed any ordinary Legendary.
Officer Jenny escorted the three onto the helicopter.
As Lacunosa shrank below, Caleb asked, "Any news on Alder's group?"
Caitlin nodded, "They're injured and being transported back to Castelia for treatment."
Exhausted from lack of sleep, Caleb leaned back in his seat, told Cynthia he'd rest for a bit, then dozed off...
...
When he woke, the helicopter had landed in Icirrus City. A coat was draped over him. He recognized the scent instantly, it was Cynthia's.
Noticing she wore only light clothing in the freezing temperature, Caleb pulled a high-tech thermal coat from his inventory and handed it to her.
She accepted without hesitation and slipped it on.
Caitlin was still asleep. The pilot pointed silently out the window.
Caleb turned and saw the Officer Jenny of Icirrus City waiting outside with a group of grim-faced officials. He opened the door and jumped down.
Cynthia woke Caitlin, and the two followed...
Officer Jenny reported immediately, "Kyurem hasn't left Icirrus yet. The city center is now uninhabitable due to its influence."
Caitlin frowned, "Were the residents evacuated safely?"
Jenny nodded, "Temperatures there have dropped beyond human survival limits. Any living thing entering gets instantly frozen solid. Our Trainers can't do a thing."
Caitlin's brow furrowed deeper. She glanced instinctively at Caleb.
Caleb nodded, "I'll go check it out."
He released Dragonite and was about to mount when Cynthia said, "I'm coming with you."
Caleb didn't object.
Caitlin called after them, saying, "Be careful! Wait for me at the perimeter, I'll join you shortly!"
Caleb nodded. Cynthia released Garchomp. The two mounted their Pokémon and flew toward the city center, which was shrouded in a dome of swirling white ice fog.
As they neared, the temperature dropped sharply. Their breath crystallized the moment it left their lips.
Thankfully, the thermal coats Caleb had bought from the Infinite Shop handled the extreme cold perfectly.
"We're here," Cynthia said cautiously, halting just before the massive dome of fog.
>..It's strong..<
Mewtwo telepathically warned from his Poké Ball. Then, in a flash of light, he materialized beside Caleb.
Mew2 followed instantly, appearing at Caleb's left.
"Wuuurr…" Dragonite whimpered weakly.
The freezing air (Ice type), which was especially harsh on Dragon-types, made Dragonite visibly uncomfortable.
Caleb stroked the chonky dragon's stiffened cheek, landed gently, and recalled him with a soft praise, "Good job."
Suddenly, the silent fog began to churn. A roar of terrifying power boomed from within.
Legendary Pokémon could sense each other's presence, meaning Kyurem had noticed them...
The temperature plummeted further. The fog surged outward, then, a beam of freezing energy shot toward them at blinding speed.
"Mewtwo!" Caleb shouted.
Mew2 intercepted instantly. Its eyes blazed blue as thick psychic wave materialized, meeting the attack head-on.
Mew2 had used Psystrike!
Above, storm clouds gathered without warning. Thunder crackled within.
The cold hit its lowest point... then, as if by magic, it suddenly spiked into searing heat.
That was White Kyurem's Ice Burn!
Simultaneously, lightning struck the ice fog, forming electrified ice blocks that encircled them.
And that was Black Kyurem's Freeze Shock!
The dragon fusion had used three signature moves almost simultaneously...
'Is this the power of the Strongest Dragon?'
Caleb didn't dare act rashly. Cynthia was here, and he couldn't let her get hurt.
"Teleport us out of here!" he ordered.
Mewtwo nodded. Psychic aura enveloped them, but nothing happened.
Mewtwo's sharpened. In an instant, he Mega Evolved into Mega Mewtwo Y, unleashing a denser psychic wave that formed a protective barrier around Caleb.
*Ding!*
[Teleport failed! You are within Kyurem's Frost Aura. Psychic abilities are frozen. Teleportating outside the field is impossible!]
*Ding!*
[Due to Frost Aura, your Pokémon 'Mewtwo' has suffered a 70% speed reduction!]
Before the alert faded, Caleb saw frost creeping up Mew2's Psystrike, spreading from the point of contact to its body in seconds.
*Ding!*
[Your Pokémon 'Mewtwo' has been inflicted with a frozen status!]
Now Caleb understood why Alder's team failed.
'This is absolutely insane!'
He recalled Mew2 and turned to Mewtwo, asking, "Can you break through the restriction?"
Mewtwo Y gave a firm nod: >..Yes!..<
Instantly, a tidal wave of raw psychic aura burst from his body, pushing back the freezing aura.
From the fog, a colossal silhouette emerged...
Caleb looked up and froze.
Before him stood a titanic Pokémon, its body split perfectly between black and white, golden eyes burning with divine authority. Its color scheme reminded Caleb of the yin-yang symbol from Taoist philosophy.
Just locking eyes with it filled the mind with one thought: This is not a foe to be challenged.
But immediately after, burning defiance surged in Caleb's chest.
'To hell with fear! I'm here to beat the strongest!'
He and Mewtwo exchanged a look of perfect understanding.
A soft green glow enveloped Caleb. It was his enhanced Viridian Power...
[Viridian Power (MAX): A mystical power granted by nature to the chosen.]
[Basic Abilities: Heal Pokémon, communicate with them, sense their emotions.]
[Advanced Abilities:
1. Enhanced Healing: Healing time greatly reduced, Viridian energy consumption decreased...
2. Enhanced Perception: Can sense the inner thoughts of Pokémon around the player and communicate with them. This ability does not require physical contact with the Pokémon...
3. Purification: Can cure any negative status condition of Pokémon, such as Burn, Sleep, Poison, etc...
4. Mass Healing: Mobilize the power of nature to restore the stamina of designated allied Pokémon within an area.]