"You know about them too?"
Lucas cast a sidelong glance at Mew, the little creature that looked as if it was overly familiar with other legendary beings.
But thinking about it, it made sense. Mew was by nature playful and restless, always wandering around. It wouldn't be strange at all if it had witnessed countless things.
"Of course I do, mii~! I've seen them fight before, mii!" Mew answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world, its childish, tender voice brimming with pride.
"I've even seen many legendary Pokémon fight each other before!"
"As expected of you, Mew-chan."
"Ehhh… don't praise me like that, mii~ I'll get embarrassed."
"Then in a little while, you can go and fight them too."
"Of course, no problem… wait—???"
Mew froze midway through its boastful reply, its expression instantly stiffening. Fight with that giant lizard?
It quickly compared its own tiny frame with the colossal bulk of Primal Groudon.
Yeah… just the size of Groudon's single claw was bigger than its whole body. And it couldn't even fly!
"Ahhh~ so sleepy, mii… don't know why, but today I feel extra tired, mii. I need to rest and recover my strength. If anything comes up, please don't bother me, mii~"
Within a second, the little creature tucked its shiny head back into Marnie's backpack, yanked the zipper up with practiced ease, and pretended to collapse into a weak, drowsy state. Its feeble telepathic voice reached the ears of Lucas, Green, and Marnie.
Green: "…"
Marnie: "…"
As expected of you, Mew. Truly, as expected.
Lucas chuckled softly and turned his gaze back toward Primal Groudon. As for Mew? Hah, did it think it actually had a choice?
If things truly came down to it, Lucas would simply grab the backpack and hurl it straight at Groudon.
Sleeping, are you? Not on my watch.
At this moment, after unleashing a single devastating attack, Primal Groudon stopped paying attention to the tiny "ants" at its feet. It began striding away slowly into the distance.
Its pace wasn't fast, but each step was steady, powerful, and deliberate.
It had already sensed the aura of Primal Kyogre.
Lucas did not move to stop it. Steven's expression flickered with indecision, but in the end, he too did not intervene.
Especially after having witnessed that earlier strike, Steven was absolutely certain: he was no match for Primal Groudon. Not even close.
And more importantly, it wasn't just him on this island. There were still far too many other people here, including the League trainers who had accompanied him.
If he provoked Groudon and caused it to launch an indiscriminate attack…
That would be disastrous.
"Where is it going?"
Marnie tilted her head, watching the crimson titan's enormous back as it marched steadily onward. She turned curiously toward Lucas.
"Primal Kyogre awoke before it did. Naturally, Groudon is going to seek Kyogre out," Lucas replied after a brief pause. The answer was obvious.
What weighed on Lucas's mind instead was: When would Rayquaza appear?
If Groudon and Kyogre's battle became too fierce, would Rayquaza descend on its own?
Or would it require Zinnia or Wallace to pray at Sky Pillar to call it forth?
He didn't know for certain but it didn't matter.
"Look! Over there! Land! It's actually creating land!"
Green's surprised voice rang out, her hand pointing toward Groudon's massive feet.
Lucas lifted his gaze. Groudon had reached the very edge of the island; before it lay only the rolling sea.
But when its colossal foot came down, the surging waves instantly hardened into solid ground!
"Primal Groudon is the sovereign of land. The energy surging throughout its body is expelled as magma, and with each step it takes, new land is created."
Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly. He had already known this was Groudon's unique ability, yet witnessing it firsthand was still awe-inspiring.
What had been boundless ocean now gave way to a newly-forged causeway—an unbroken road stretching straight across the sea!
"Mr. Lucas… what is your true objective here?"
Steven's face grew darker and heavier as he stared, then shifted his gaze toward Lucas, asking in a solemn voice.
"Our goal… you'll soon understand, Steven," Lucas answered with a faint, amused smile curving his lips.
Steven pressed his lips tightly together. For Lucas to smile in this situation, yet for himself to be incapable of doing so—it was telling.
The land's sovereign and the ocean's sovereign had both awakened. That could only mean one thing: their catastrophic clash was inevitable.
And those who would suffer most would not be Groudon and Kyogre, but the people and the environment of Hoenn itself!
"Mr. Lucas, I had already heard reports about you before. A man who acts lawlessly, without restraint, devoid of any humanity or morality. At the time, I believed those were exaggerated rumors. But now…"
Steven exhaled deeply, his voice low and cold. Of course, Team Rocket operatives were all cut from the same cloth. Evil. Always evil.
But he had expected as much.
"Oh?" Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"As I thought! This world is beautiful, and we will protect it. No matter how powerful our enemy may be, we will not falter. We will not allow them to bring harm to anyone!" Steven's voice grew firm and resolute, his sharp gaze locking onto Lucas.
He did not know what Lucas was plotting, but his complicity with Maxie in awakening Groudon was undeniable. There could be no innocent explanation.
"What grand ideals. Truly worthy of you, Mr. Steven."
Lucas's lips curled into a smile, and he even gave a mocking little clap. The expression seemed half admiration, half mockery.
That was the archetypical speech of a righteous protagonist.
"But perhaps you should deal with Groudon and Kyogre first before giving speeches, oh admirable Mr. Steven."
Though Lucas's smile appeared gentle, his casual tone made the League trainers behind Steven glare daggers at him.
"Watch carefully. We will stop them," Steven replied, unshaken. He gave Lucas a deep, steady look before leading his people away.
Since Groudon was already awake, there was no longer any purpose in lingering here.
Continue to fight Lucas? For what reason? What would that accomplish?
The priority now was to prevent Groudon and Kyogre's clash from devastating Hoenn.
As for Maxie at this point, he wasn't even worth the effort.
"Tch… all talk. What are they going to stop them with?"
Green muttered with open disdain, glaring at the retreating League trainers. Their earlier looks of hostility still made her blood boil.
Weaklings, the lot of them. And yet they thought they could prevent the disaster of two ancient titans?
"Steven is quite an interesting man, don't you think?" Lucas mused with a faint laugh, watching the man's back.
Idealistic thoughts were lovely, but reality was cruel.
Without a legendary of their own, how could they possibly hope to intervene in a battle between Groudon and Kyogre? Would Hoenn's League somehow conjure up another Champion caliber like Drake?
Impossible. There wasn't a second person in this world of his level.
Yes, in the Special manga canon, Steven had endured the rampage of Groudon and Kyogre for twenty-two days straight—but that was only because he had the help of the Regi trio, the Elite Four, and countless others.
And that arc's Groudon and Kyogre hadn't even achieved Primal Reversion.
The Groudon and Kyogre standing before them now were at full power. They weren't even comparable to their normal forms.
To be blunt, their base forms might stand on par with the Tao Trio or the Sun and Moon deities.
But in their Primal state? Either one of them alone could smash the Black or White Dragon into the dirt.
-----------------------
Deep within a forest, beside a sparkling brook.
A handsome green-haired young man sat smiling gently as he distributed berries to the Pokémon gathered around him.
The creatures formed a circle, eyes shining with expectation and joy, happily chirping and brushing against him.
This man was none other than N.
"There, all done. Go play, and be careful."
N stood, patting the mushroom cap of a Breloom affectionately. The Pokémon squealed happily and scampered off, some clinging to him affectionately before disappearing into the woods.
N gazed after them with deep satisfaction. The eyes that were once dull and lifeless now gleamed with warmth and kindness.
Anyone who knew him well could sense the transformation clearly.
The old N had been quiet, aloof, face always calm, eyes dim. A man who shunned people and clung only to Pokémon, whom he considered his true family… his ideal.
But now? There was a new aura about him. A touch of humanity.
His smile, his eyes—gentle, pure, radiant.
"…So why… why was it that I never saw this before?"
Watching the last of the Pokémon vanish into the trees, N whispered softly, his gaze tinged with confusion.
He had always believed the world was wrong, that humans enslaved Pokémon, forced them into Poké Balls, shackled them. That Poké Balls were prisons.
But after fleeing with Zekrom during the Champion's battle in Unova—after crossing paths with Lance, and by chance ending up in Hoenn his perspective had begun to shift.
Wounded and weakened, he had been taken in by a kind family in a small village.
The simple kindness of strangers, the harmony between people and their Pokémon, the bonds that were both humble and unbreakable… all of it left N shaken.
And then he remembered Lucas's words:
"Leave here. See the real world with your own eyes. Right now, you are nothing more than a caged bird, shown only what others want you to see."
Back then, N hadn't understood. But now… he was beginning to.
"Father…" N murmured, lips pressed tight, his emotions a tangled storm. If he still didn't understand, he would no longer deserve to be called N.
He wasn't stupid. His talent was extraordinary, his intelligence far beyond most people.
But he had never imagined… that the man who raised him, who he had trusted as his father, had filled his mind with such twisted, obsessive ideology.
If not for Lucas dismantling most of Plasma's power… if not for Lance striking another blow…
What kind of man would he have become?
"…N."
Nearby, Zekrom stirred from its rest in the grass, lifting its head and staring into the distance. Its deep, resonant telepathy reached N's ears.
"What is it, Zekrom? Has Lance caught up to us?"
N stiffened. His expression soured at the thought. Gratitude toward Lucas? Perhaps. But Lance? Absolutely not.
Why?
Because that bastard had tried to flirt with his Zekrom. And right in front of him!
What was that supposed to be? Just because he was strong, did that mean he could act like Zekrom's trainer didn't exist?
Damn NTR scumbag! He deserved to die!
And yet… N had to admit, Lance's strength really was above his own. Even with Zekrom, they couldn't match him in a direct battle.
So yes… N still dreaded the thought of Lance catching up. If he did, the only option would be to keep running.
"No. Not that human."
Zekrom's words brought relief to N's face.
"It is Kyogre and Groudon. They have awakened."
The black dragon's piercing gaze turned to the horizon, its tone heavy and grave.
"Kyogre… and Groudon?" N quickly searched his memory, recalling what he knew of the legends.
"Yes. And from the aura I sense, they've awakened in their full primal state. This continent is in danger."
Zekrom's grim words deepened the furrow in N's brow.
The legends of Groudon and Kyogre were no secret. People knew them well. They were the origin of land and sea. And whenever they appeared—
They fought. Always.
"If that's the case, then soon this entire region will be consumed by their battle. N, we should—"
Zekrom turned to suggest leaving Hoenn altogether.
To intervene? With what? Against two Primal Legends, beings now on par with Kyurem itself?
Zekrom had no desire to invite pain. It knew Rayquaza would eventually appear to stop them. Why risk its own hide?
After all, ever since it had awakened, its life had been nothing but a series of humiliating beatdowns.
First it was crushed by Kyurem. Then by Reshiram. Then by Kyurem again. When it awoke once more, Zacian pummeled it. And afterward? Even some human's full team had managed to overwhelm it!
For the so-called Dragon of Ideals, it was humiliating. Constantly beaten down, mocked by fate.
It had had enough.
No more! No more getting beaten! This time, it wanted to be the one doing the beating!
But just as Zekrom was about to suggest retreat, N cut it off.
"Alright then! Let's hurry over there and stop them!"
His eyes burned with conviction. He had understood Zekrom's warning.
Groudon and Kyogre's awakening was a disaster for Hoenn. Therefore, it was their duty to stop them.
For N, whose heart brimmed with newfound kindness, this was only natural. He even assumed Zekrom must feel the same way.
Zekrom stared at him, utterly dumbfounded.
"…No, N. What I meant was—"
"I understand, Zekrom. I know what you're thinking." N's eyes shone with sincerity, convinced Zekrom was only worried about him.
"Even if our foes are ancient titans, I will not falter. I believe, so long as we fight together, we can overcome them!"
"My body may still be weak, not yet fully healed. But as your partner, I will never retreat a single step!"
"This world must not be destroyed. Any who would harm its beauty—whether human or Pokémon—I will never forgive!"
N's voice rang clear, his gaze resolute. His ideal now was to preserve the world's fragile peace and make it truly beautiful.
He was Zekrom's chosen hero of ideals. He would never cower before any foe.
The Black Dragon's Hero never surrenders!
Zekrom: "…"
Its eyes trembled violently as it stared at N.
It wanted… oh, it desperately wanted… to swat this man flat with one colossal claw.
Good grief. Really, N? Now you remember you're the "hero who never retreats"?
And after you said all that, what can I even say anymore?
You really are my brave hero. Truly, you are.
…Damn it all!
Zekrom sank into brooding silence. Perhaps it had made a mistake. Perhaps, that day, it really should have chosen to follow that other human instead…
(End of Chapter)