"You want to stop Groudon and Kyogre?"
Lucas looked at N with a hint of astonishment in his eyes. Was this guy out of his mind?
Still, it seemed that N had truly taken his words to heart from back then. Otherwise, if N had continued staying at Ghetsis's side, such a drastic change in him would have been impossible. Although his personality had indeed shifted greatly, somehow, at his core, he still seemed to have a few of the same problems as before…
"Yes," N replied firmly, his expression grave. "It was Zekrom who told me that Groudon and Kyogre have awakened here… They… are far too dangerous."
His gaze turned toward the distance, where Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre loomed like natural disasters given flesh. Their terrifying power truly struck fear into the heart.
And N, with his innate ability to sense the thoughts of Pokémon, could feel it even more clearly. Within the hearts of these two super-ancient legends, there was nothing but pure rage and violence. Aside from that, there were almost no other emotions at all.
They existed only for one thing—to defeat the other. They had no consideration for anything else, no awareness of how their immense power would wreak unimaginable devastation upon the world around them.
And for beings like this, even if they were Pokémon, N would not allow them to rampage freely!
"Dangerous? Indeed, they are," Lucas nodded in agreement. Then, with what seemed to be a kindhearted reminder, he added, "But are you certain you want to step in? Forgive me for speaking bluntly, but… Zekrom is not their match."
This was not even a hint—it was outright, plain advice.
Charging straight at those two titans would only amount to throwing one's head on the chopping block.
"I want to protect all kind lives," N declared, smiling softly yet calmly. "Even if I must pay any price for it, I will not hesitate. If I stopped in fear and cowardice here, I believe Zekrom would only feel disappointed in me."
N's resolve did not waver. He was not blind—he knew that, more than likely, he and Zekrom were not the opponents of those two primeval legends.
But if he were to retreat simply because his strength was insufficient, unwilling to step forward at all, then N would only regard himself as a coward!
And he believed, wholeheartedly, that his partner Zekrom felt the exact same way.
Zekrom: "…"
The black dragon had already noticed Lucas's odd glance.
No—no, don't you dare blame me for this, N! This isn't my idea!
Deep down, Zekrom was filled with helplessness. In truth, what it really wanted to do was sneak off and roll away quietly. After all, once these two ancient Pokémon fought long enough, Rayquaza would definitely descend.
But alas… N was its hero. As his chosen hero, Zekrom had no choice but to follow his will and act according to his conviction.
"We will fully support you!"
At this moment, Steven's expression became extremely solemn as he spoke to N. This—this was what a true Legendary Pokémon Trainer should be like!
What did it mean to be a hero? This was what it meant to be a hero!
Steven's eyes grew faintly moist with emotion. He was utterly moved. Such justice, such goodness—such a pure-hearted Legendary Trainer! He loved it, he loved it so much!
"That's right," Wallace added, equally serious as he nodded in agreement. "Though our strength cannot compare to Zekrom's, we too will lend you whatever aid we can."
"Thank you… but that would be far too dangerous for you."
N politely but firmly declined. He had already experienced several battles between legends firsthand. He knew all too well—the power of legends could not be compared to that of ordinary Pokémon.
Even though he had once lost to Lance, Steven and Wallace's strength was nowhere close to that of Lance's dragon legion.
N himself was at the level of a mid-tier Champion, so he could roughly gauge how much pressure Steven and Wallace's presence truly exerted on him. It wasn't enough.
Steven and Wallace thought carefully for a moment, then fell into silence. Indeed, with Zekrom's power, it should at least be able to stall Primal Groudon and Kyogre for some time.
"Lucas, you're not going to make a move?"
N's gaze turned toward Lucas. Everyone here knew full well that his strength was the greatest among them.
"No," Lucas shook his head and refused. "I have other plans."
N fell silent, but he understood. For someone like Lucas, it was near impossible to sway him with words alone.
"Then, Zekrom—let's go!"
N's expression hardened as he tossed out a Poké Ball. A majestic Archeops emerged in a flap of wings.
Mounting the ancient bird, N shouted toward Zekrom.
"Roar!"
With a low, thunderous growl that shook the skies, Zekrom spread its immense wings and soared high.
Archeops sprinted forward before leaping into the air, carrying N aloft. Since Zekrom was about to engage in battle, N naturally wouldn't continue riding directly upon its back. That would only split its focus and drag down its combat ability.
"You go to Sky Pillar. I'll stay here."
Lucas's eyes flickered as he watched the black dragon's silhouette ascending. The corners of his lips curved upward as he turned to Zinnia and spoke.
"Alright," Zinnia paused briefly, then nodded in agreement without hesitation.
She had long wished to head to Sky Pillar. The only reason she remained here at all was because of her agreement with Lucas.
Mounting her Salamence, Zinnia immediately sped off in the direction of the Sky Pillar.
"Letting her go alone—are you sure that's alright? If Rayquaza ends up choosing her, wouldn't that mean you've wasted your efforts?" Green frowned slightly, giving Lucas a pointed reminder.
After all, she knew clearly—Lucas's ultimate goal was Rayquaza. But wasn't this letting Zinnia seize the advantage of first contact?
Moreover, as a descendant of the Draconid people, Zinnia already had a natural edge in lineage and connection with Rayquaza.
"She will not gain Rayquaza's recognition," Lucas replied with a soft laugh, shaking his head with absolute certainty.
Yes, Zinnia was talented. Extremely so.
But from the moment she joined Team Magma, manipulating Maxie and Archie in order to lure Groudon and Kyogre into awakening, her fate had already been sealed.
Rayquaza was also a legend of benevolence. Yes, it could be harsh and violent at times, but in truth it belonged to the side of goodness.
In the Special manga, when Zinnia, blinded by hatred, finally stood before Rayquaza, not only was she not acknowledged by it, but she was brutally swatted away by Rayquaza's tail, left gravely injured.
And in the games, while she was not directly attacked, Rayquaza still did not choose her.
Because Rayquaza could perceive the flaws within her heart. Zinnia was strong, yes, but not strong enough to stand as the pinnacle of humankind.
Her talent, her ideals—neither were the best. Why, then, would Rayquaza choose her?
For the sake of drawing out Rayquaza, she had deliberately awakened Groudon and Kyogre. That alone revealed her true nature.
She was the type who would use any means to achieve her goal.
Yes, she had her reasons. In her eyes, she was right. If Rayquaza did not appear, who would shatter the incoming meteor threatening Hoenn?
But no matter how justified it might have seemed, to Rayquaza, that was a flaw in her heart.
If Zinnia had been truly exceptional—exceptional enough to astonish even a legend—Rayquaza might still have considered her. But she wasn't.
She was excellent, but not that excellent. Not to the degree that even legends would turn their heads.
"You're awfully confident," Green muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes.
The certainty Lucas held—that Rayquaza would never choose Zinnia—was almost arrogant.
In Green's view, Zinnia was already outstanding enough. Not even twenty years old, and she was already a powerhouse capable of going head-to-head with Steven himself.
"There's plenty of gain for us to reap here as well," Lucas chuckled as he caught her mutter.
Originally, he had intended to go to the Sky Pillar alongside Zinnia. But with N's sudden appearance, he decided to change his plans.
After all, Zinnia would never gain Rayquaza's recognition as a successor. In that case, what did he have to worry about?
And seeing N's change—well, that stirred up some other thoughts within him as well.
Meanwhile, back on the battlefield
"ROOAAARRR!"
"WOOOOO!"
The furious roars of Primal Groudon and the resonant cries of Primal Kyogre clashed once more. Solar Beams and Hydro Cannons collided in midair, exploding in thunderous shockwaves.
The violent shockwaves pushed both titans back several steps, though neither yielded.
"Zekrom, use Thunder!"
From atop Archeops, N gave his order via telepathic command.
Zekrom's jet-black body surged with dazzling golden arcs of electricity. A pillar of lightning lanced skyward, piercing deep into the storm clouds.
In the next instant, a colossal thunderbolt slammed down, striking the ocean directly.
The sea below instantly became a churning sea of gold. Within the waves, Primal Kyogre narrowed its golden eyes, cold light flashing within them.
That strike hurt. Not lightly, either! But still, it was within its capacity to endure.
With a furious shake, Kyogre shattered the arcs of electricity clinging to its body. Its massive form surged upward, maw glowing as it unleashed a gargantuan Hydro Cannon straight toward Zekrom.
How dare this wretch interrupt its battle with that big lizard! How dare it sneak attack ME!
Unforgivable!
"Dodge! Then use Draco Meteor!"
N's expression tightened. He would not recklessly send his partner to clash head-on with Primal Kyogre.
His objective was not to win outright—it was to prevent Groudon and Kyogre from continuing their apocalyptic battle.
And if Zekrom charged straight into a slugfest, it would be crushed.
Zekrom twisted in midair, dodging the incoming Hydro Cannon with agility. Above, it summoned a sphere shimmering with the light of countless stars, launching a Draco Meteor skyward.
Then it immediately pulled away, opening distance—for Primal Kyogre was already diving after it!
Avoid direct confrontation. Constantly disrupt. This was N's battle plan.
He knew Zekrom could not win, but at the very least, it could drag things out.
…At least, that was the hope.
"No wonder it's Zekrom—it can actually hold off Primal Kyogre for now," Wallace murmured in admiration from the island.
Though being chased and battered, Zekrom had successfully captured Kyogre's full attention, halting its clash with Groudon.
But something still felt… off.
Wallace blinked, tilting his head as he watched the fierce chase in the skies.
"…"
Cynthia raised her eyes to the heavens briefly, then lowered them again—toward Primal Groudon, still standing firmly upon the earth.
Yes. Groudon had been utterly ignored.
While the black dragon and the oversized fish chased each other happily through the skies, Groudon was just left standing there, staring blankly upward.
"So that's it… the legendary Groudon, creator of land… lacks the ability to fly." Cynthia's eyes flickered with realization, and she murmured softly.
If it could not fly, then what choice did it have but to hurl long-range attacks? But with its opponents constantly moving, hitting them was far from easy.
It would require constant prediction, endless timing…
"Lucas… I think I finally understand what you meant earlier," Green said, her expression strange as she watched Groudon's lonely figure.
At first, she hadn't taken Lucas's words seriously. After all, many Pokémon couldn't fly. What of it?
But if nearly every other legend could soar or tread upon the air—and you, and only you, could not… then yes. That was quite awkward.
Just look at this scene: Zekrom and Kyogre darting merrily through the skies, while Groudon could only stand and watch helplessly.
To attack and miss again and again? That would be even more humiliating.
Lucas only shrugged. This isn't even the worst of it. If there's ever a true legendary melee someday… that will be Groudon's real social death.
"WOOOOO!"
At last, after nearly ten minutes, Primal Kyogre's golden eyes gleamed with icy fury. It had had enough of this black dragon that kept dodging and weaving!
The rain still fell in torrents as Kyogre's maw filled with frigid air, condensing into deadly frost.
Blizzard!
In the very next second, an overwhelming snowstorm exploded outward, sheets of ice and howling gales covering nearly all space before it.
"Zekrom! Dodge it!"
N's face paled, his telepathic voice urgent.
This blizzard, though not as terrifying as Kyurem's, still reached an extraordinarily low temperature—and with the torrential rain amplifying its effects, it was even more deadly.
They absolutely could not afford to take a direct hit. Not only was Zekrom naturally weak to Ice, but once the cold sank in, there would be no escape from Kyogre's relentless pursuit.
Zekrom roared, diving rapidly to avoid the blizzard. But—
A roar shook the heavens, deep and primeval.
A crimson light erupted from below.
N's pupils contracted sharply.
"Zekrom!!"
From the earth below, a magma blade dozens of meters tall burst forth, cleaving upward with terrifying force—striking Zekrom squarely as it descended!
It was Primal Groudon. The titan had been waiting in silence, biding its time. And now, it had seized its chance!
The attack, Precipice Blades landed with crushing impact.
Zekrom's dragon eyes shone with pain. That single blow was devastating, far too heavy to withstand.
N's face went deathly pale. His black dragon… had fallen once more.
As Zekrom plummeted toward the ocean, Primal Groudon's feral gaze followed it closely. On its monstrous visage appeared an almost human-like, cruel smile.
Fly, why don't you? Go on, keep flying, damn it!
Flying around was fun, wasn't it? Let's see if I won't swat you out of the sky every single time!
(End of Chapter)