"Necrozma… turned out to be much easier than I imagined."
Lucas gently turned the Poké Ball in his hand, which now contained the silent, dormant figure of Necrozma. The corner of his lips curved unconsciously upward, and the usually cold, handsome face now carried a faint, lingering smile.
Anyone could tell he was in a very good mood.
Necrozma.
He had captured Necrozma!
The very same Pokémon that, as of the end of the seventh generation, had been praised as one that surpassed all previous legendaries, an entity beyond comparison!
And not only that—he also possessed Eternatus, the Pokémon known in the eighth generation as the most powerful and most malevolent existence!
Ultra Necrozma!
Eternamax Eternatus!
With these two restored to their peak forms, who in this era could possibly be his rival?
He truly had every right to call himself the strongest of this age!
"Necrozma, Eternatus, Rayquaza, Reshiram…" Lucas murmured as he looked down at the Poké Balls in his hand, his gaze slightly dazed. "Without even realizing it, I've already gathered four Legendary Dragons."
Half of his dream had already been achieved before he even noticed.
"Well then~ if I can just find Kyurem, Zygarde, and the Black Rayquaza, that'll complete the set," he said with a light laugh. "Half a year… and I've come this far already. Not bad."
Indeed, everything had progressed faster than he could have ever imagined.
"Power really does change everything," he mused. "Once you have enough strength, even legendaries aren't as difficult as they seem. After all—how can one rise without taking risks?"
If his strength hadn't grown, he never would have made it this far.
Everything began the day he invaded the Galar Energy Plant. Without Eternatus accompanying him, all his ambitions would have remained just dreams.
But he had the courage—the audacity—to break into the Energy Plant alone. That courage had laid the foundation for everything he'd achieved since.
Did people really think the Energy Plant was so easy to infiltrate?
That place was Rose's domain. Lucas had waited for a very long time, waited until Rose and Leon were both away before daring to strike.
He had planned and prepared endlessly for that day. But now, looking back, it had all been worth it.
"Alright, enough smiling already. I know you're happy, but are we heading back now?"
Green's clear, slightly exasperated voice sounded beside his ear.
The girl rolled her eyes—she hadn't seen Lucas this absent-minded in ages. Was catching Necrozma really that exciting? Surely not…
"Of course we're going back. Our mission here is done." Lucas smiled lightly. "Let's take a few days to relax. After all, wandering around the Ultra Space for a week is exhausting."
Indeed—it was. Even resting had been difficult; the only place they could sleep was leaning against the White Dragon's warm body.
Reshiram had even complained that its feathers had been plucked out by Green and Marnie in their sleep!
Hearing Lucas's words, Green, Marnie, and Lusamine all relaxed visibly. As fascinating as Ultra Space was, right now, all they wanted was a long soak in a hot bath.
"What about them?"
Marnie asked quietly, glancing toward the four figures not far away—Phyco and his group.
At the moment, the four were standing still, watching them silently, not daring to approach.
"They'll decide for themselves," Lucas replied, his gaze flashing as he waved for them to come closer.
The ancestors of Ultra Megalopolis had been foolish, their arrogance bringing ruin upon their descendants. Because of that, their city now lay on the brink of extinction.
But they had suffered enough. Surely, by now, they understood.
Of course, that wasn't the only reason Lucas was willing to spare them—he wasn't so kindhearted.
"You people possess the technology for dimensional riding, correct?"
He asked the question directly, his tone calm but unmistakably commanding.
The truth was that the civilization of Ultra Megalopolis far surpassed that of the human world—they had even mastered spatial technology.
Had it not been for their ancient sins, their civilization would have been flourishing beyond imagination.
"Yes, respected sir," Phyco said with a deep bow, her tone filled with reverence. "Ultra Warp Riding Technology is something our ancestors passed down. We are quite familiar with it."
Although their first meeting had been tense, after witnessing everything, Phyco no longer dared harbor any resentment.
This man was far beyond their reach.
"Necrozma has been subdued by me. The threat to your world is gone," Lucas said evenly. "However, Necrozma has lost its light—and it will no longer provide you with any."
"You understand what that means, don't you?"
"…Yes, we do," Phyco replied bitterly. His expression dimmed.
They had witnessed Necrozma's capture with their own eyes. Technically, they should have felt joy—the crisis that haunted their people for generations had finally ended.
But with it… their last hope was gone.
The light of Ultra Megalopolis came from Necrozma. Now, not only was it drained and weakened, but given what their ancestors had done to it, there was no chance it would ever again offer them light.
Their city was doomed.
Ultra Megalopolis would sink forever into darkness.
And they—their people—would eventually fade into extinction.
"The city cannot be saved," Lucas continued. "Humans can no longer survive here. But in other worlds… survival is still possible."
"But, esteemed sir," Phyco said helplessly, "the other Ultra Spaces we've explored are no better suited for us. We've been to many."
It was true. Outside of Ultra Megalopolis, most other dimensions were dangerous wastelands.
In Ultra Ruin, the land was dominated by Guzzlord, ferocious, gluttonous beast that devoured everything. Rocks, steel, even buildings—nothing was safe from them.
Living there? Impossible.
Half the ruined cities of Ultra Ruin were literally eaten into rubble.
The aggression of those creatures made the Poipole and Naganadel of Ultra Megalopolis look tame by comparison.
"No, you're mistaken," Lucas replied gently. "There is a world perfectly suitable for you—ours."
A soft, noble smile appeared once again on his fair face, calm and reassuring.
"You mean… you'd allow us to live in your world?"
Phyco's eyes widened in disbelief, his voice trembling. Behind him, Dulse and the others gasped in astonishment.
From the look of Lucas and his companions, it was obvious—their world was one of light and color, a true world of life.
"Of course," Lucas said kindly. "We gladly welcome peaceful, cooperative people into our world. But—I will need a small favor in return."
"Please, say the word, sir," Phyco replied without hesitation. "Whatever you need, we will do our best to fulfill it."
Though reluctant to abandon their homeland, they knew it was necessary.
Their home was dead—its future already gone. They had to think of their descendants, who deserved to live in a world of sunlight, not endless night.
"Your Ultra Warp Riding Technology," Lucas said plainly. "Ultra Space may not be fit for humans, but it exists as an independent dimension. When needed, I want you to use that technology to assist us."
"Of course," Phyco replied quickly. "It would be our honor."
The request was simple—almost generous.
"And one more thing," Lucas continued, his tone turning firmer. "Monitor Ultra Space. You know its nature—it's stable, but easily linked to other worlds. If you ever detect any beings or humans not belonging to this dimension, contact me at once."
That was his true purpose.
With Lunala and Necrozma, he could open portals to Ultra Space anytime. He didn't need their technology.
But Ultra Space had to be monitored.
"Understood, sir," Phyco replied after a pause, bowing deeply again.
He was… worried about other invaders? Other humans entering Ultra Space?
He understood what he was implying but could such a thing even happen?
Still, he wouldn't question him.
"Good," Lucas said with a nod. "President Lusamine, I'll leave them to your care for now. Aether Paradise will host them. I'm sure you won't mind."
His voice softened, turning to Lusamine with a knowing smile.
It was necessary to keep watch over Ultra Space—after all, Lucas still suspected the existence of Rainbow Rocket.
That organization led by Giovanni—was the ultimate evil force across the multiverse, consisting of past villain leaders such as Archie, Maxie, and Cyrus, each having conquered their own region and captured their legendaries.
That was why Lucas needed Phyco's group to monitor Ultra Space—to prevent any such threat from reemerging.
And with their knowledge of Ultra Warp Ride, they were the perfect candidates.
"Of course," Lusamine said with a graceful smile. "Aether Paradise would be honored to host such distinguished guests."
It was an easy favor. For Lusamine, caring for a few more people was no burden—especially not with the benefits Lucas had just described.
"Then let's go home," Lucas said at last, tossing Necrozma's Poké Ball forward.
"Ne… croo?"
Necrozma materialized, floating quietly, its form dark and imposing. It tilted its head curiously toward Lucas.
Having absorbed a good deal of light generated by Rayquaza and Reshiram's Drought, its power and sanity had partially recovered.
"Necrozma, if you would, open a portal back to the real world."
Lucas smiled. With Necrozma under his command, Ultra Space was now little more than his private garden.
"Necroo!"
Necrozma gave a low cry, raising its twin claws. In an instant, a gleaming Ultra Wormhole opened before them.
"Let's go home."
Lucas led the way into the portal, the others following close behind.
Lusamine, Green, and Marnie stepped through next. Behind them, Phyco and his team exchanged looks.Nervous, uncertain, yet full of hope.
Taking a deep breath, Phyco motioned for the others to follow. Together, they stepped into the light.
…
Back in the real world, in Alola Region in an unnamed island.
From the twisting, swirling wormhole, Lucas and the others emerged one by one.
"Ahh~ finally back," Green sighed in relief, stretching her arms high above her head. She took a deep breath of the salty sea breeze, a radiant smile lighting up her delicate face.
Ultra Space might have been mysterious and fascinating—but everywhere they went, there was an overwhelming sense of pressure, of suffocating darkness.
Here, for the first time in days, she could breathe.
"It's true," Lusamine said softly, brushing a strand of golden hair from her forehead. "There's a sense of comfort here that's… hard to describe."
Blue skies.
Calm waves.
Verdant, living forests.
It was all so breathtakingly beautiful that Phyco and his team were moved to tears.
But then—
The world went dark.
In an instant, the blue sky turned pitch-black. The warm sunlight vanished, swallowed completely.
The heavens dimmed into a dreadful shadow, darker than any night devoid of even a single star.
"What's going on?!" Green gasped, spinning around.
All around them, the wild Pokémon on the island were in panic, crying out and scattering in fear.
"This is…"
Phyco and his team were stunned. Just moments ago, sunlight had bathed them in warmth—how could it have disappeared so suddenly?
And then they looked up.
"NECROO!"
Floating high above them, the black crystal-like form of Necrozma hovered ominously.
It was clear what had happened.
The sunlight had been devoured.
And not just here—across the entire Alola region, people looked up in horror at the darkened sky.
It was midday. Yet there was no light.
The sun… had vanished.
All of Alola plunged into chaos.
"What a terrifying power," Lucas murmured, staring upward. "Necrozma truly is a Pokémon capable of ending the world."
With just a single movement, it had swallowed all the light of Alola. Such power rivaled even that of Kyogre's Primordial Sea and Groudon's Desolate Land.
And across the darkened ocean, four silhouettes were rapidly approaching the island—
The four Tapus, the guardian deities of Alola.
(End of Chapter)