"Come forth Lunala, prepare for battle!"
"Laaaa~!"
As the Poké Ball burst open mid-air, a dazzling white light filled the area, accompanied by a piercing, echoing cry. From within the light, an elegant, radiant being drifted quietly into view—Lunala, the Moon's emissary, hovered gracefully in midair like a queen of the night.
"This is… Lunala!"
Steven's eyes were locked onto the magnificent Pokémon. Just from its oppressive, legendary aura alone, he could tell this Pokémon was anything but ordinary.
As one of the top Trainers himself, Steven had a vast knowledge of Pokémon across all regions. The wings spread like a crescent moon, its batlike form was not frightening in the slightest; instead, it carried an otherworldly grace and regality.
And the pressure radiating from its body—there was no mistaking it. This was none other than Lunala, the "Beast That Summons the Moon" worshipped in Alola.
Another high-tier Legendary Pokémon!
"What's going on with this guy…" Iris muttered, her small face scrunching in disbelief. She simply couldn't wrap her head around it.
He was supposed to be just a member of Team Rocket, how in the world did he manage to capture so many Legendary Pokémon?
"It seems you all recognize Lunala," Lucas said, smiling faintly as he put away the Poké Ball. "I only caught it not long ago. You'll be its first opponents."
"Oh, should we feel honored, then?" Blue scoffed, his tone tinged with irritation. Somehow, he could tell Lucas was showing off.
"If that's how you want to think of it, I wouldn't call it wrong," Lucas replied with a shrug. Though they were opponents, meeting a Legendary and battling one could indeed be considered a rare privilege.
"We'll take down your so-called legendaries!" Blue's eyes flashed with determination. Proud as ever, he had no intention of surrendering.
Two high-tier Legendaries as opponents? So what? At worst, he'd just lose again—
Anyway, it wouldn't be his first time losing to Lucas!
Still, he couldn't afford to lose his fighting spirit. No matter what—he, Blue Oak, would never admit defeat easily!
"Although I admire your courage," Lucas said, raising a brow with a faintly amused look, "unfortunately, it's impossible for you to succeed."
"Whether we can or not isn't for you to decide!" Iris shouted back, her youthful spirit brimming with defiance. She couldn't stand Lucas's calm, arrogant demeanor.
After all, she was Iris—the prodigy Trainer of Unova's younger generation!
"Hydreigon, Draco Meteor!"
Without hesitation, Iris launched the next round of battle.
Hydreigon roared, gathering a sphere of radiant, star-filled energy before unleashing it skyward. It exploded in the air, scattering countless blazing comets that rained down toward the field.
"Metagross, Meteor Mash!"
Steven immediately followed up, his tone steady yet firm.
Even against two Legendary Pokémon, surrender was never an option!
The shiny Metagross gave a low rumble before launching itself forward, a gleaming meteor fist glowing at the end of its iron arm.
"Moongeist Beam," Lucas murmured softly, his lips curling in a light smile. A perfect target.
"Laaaa~!"
Lunala's haunting cry rang through the air as its wings spread wide. A third eye opened upon its forehead, and its body began to glow with an ethereal blue radiance edged with gold, like a moon at its peak.
Full Moon Phase—
When unleashing Moongeist Beam, Lunala briefly enters a state of overflowing energy.
In the next instant, a massive beam of dark light tore through the battlefield, roaring straight toward the charging shiny Metagross!
"Blastoise!"
Blue, who had been watching closely, called out sharply.
Mega Blastoise let out a deep growl, the three cannons on its shell rotating and locking into position before unleashing triple torrents of water at high speed—Hydro Cannon!
He was trying to cover Steven's advance… well, mostly because his Blastoise couldn't fly.
"You're too naive," Lucas said with a small grin. "Lunala's power isn't something a Mega Blastoise can stop."
Blastoise's strength was undeniable but Lunala's was on an entirely different level.
The Moongeist Beam and the Hydro Cannon collided midair, energy bursting outward in all directions. But in seconds, Lunala's attack overwhelmed the watery barrage and continued forward, slamming toward the shiny Metagross.
"Metagross, dodge it!"
Steven's eyes narrowed, his voice low but urgent. He knew full well what would happen if that beam struck directly.
"Dragon Rush!"
Before Metagross could retreat, a blur of motion erupted from the side—a savage form cloaked in draconic energy slammed forward, intercepting the dark beam head-on.
BOOM!
A massive shockwave ripped through the arena—it was Cynthia's Mega Garchomp, blocking the attack for Metagross!
"Metagross, Meteor Mash!"
Steven pressed forward, tightening his jaw. Cynthia's timely defense was a clear sign of trust.
He couldn't let that trust go to waste.
Metagross surged ahead, its four metallic arms glowing brightly as it swung down at Lunala, starlike sparks scattering through the air.
Lunala's ruby-like eyes stayed calm and unreadable, not a hint of panic even as meteoric punches descended upon it and above, Draco Meteors rained closer and closer.
"Creating an opening for your partner, huh?"
Lucas chuckled softly, nodding with rare approval. Their teamwork was improving rapidly—it seemed the pressure he, as their "raid boss," provided was quite effective.
"Though I'd love to praise you all, it seems you've forgotten something," he added gently—though his next command was far from gentle.
"Reshiram, Fusion Flare!"
Behind Lunala, the blazing figure of Reshiram rose into the air. In front of it, a colossal fireball began to form.
"What?!"
Steven and Blue's eyes widened in horror.
"This is bad!"
"Blastoise, Hydro Cannon, now!" Blue shouted immediately.
Fusion Flare, Reshiram's other signature move!
And Metagross was a Steel/Psychic type—highly vulnerable to Fire!
He had to stop it!
Mega Blastoise's cannons flared with blue light, energy gathering rapidly but would it be fast enough?
"Too late," Lucas said softly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Mega Garchomp had just expended its strength blocking Lunala's earlier attack and couldn't intervene this time.
Metagross could already feel the searing heat in the air, it was too late to dodge.
If it couldn't escape, then at least it would strike back!
Metagross raised its arms higher, pushing its Meteor Mash straight toward Lunala—
BOOM!
The enormous fireball from Fusion Flare slammed into Metagross, engulfing it in brilliant crimson flames.
The shiny Metagross let out a low, distorted cry. The fire-type damage was overwhelming, forcing its body downward.
"Dark Pulse."
Lucas's calm voice followed, tinged with amusement.
"Laaaa~!"
Lunala spread its wings wide once more, surging with dark energy before unleashing a massive black shockwave.
The sinister pulse tore through the air, chasing down the falling Metagross and exploding on impact.
Dark Pulse, originally Zoroark's signature move, but one Lunala had also mastered.
The blast hit true, and with the earlier damage from Fusion Flare added on, it was too much.
Metagross crashed to the ground with a thunderous impact, barely managing to twitch before reverting from Mega Evolution and fainting.
Shiny Metagross has lost the ability to fight!
"It seems I might've overdone it," Lucas said lightly, his tone polite, almost teasing. "My apologies."
"Don't get too cocky," Steven replied through gritted teeth as he recalled his shiny Metagross. "This isn't over yet."
He had known from the moment Dark Pulse hit that the outcome was inevitable, but seeing his ace fall before his eyes still stung deeply.
Shiny Metagross was his strongest partner—its loss weighed heavily on him.
"We'll need to be even more careful now," Cynthia said quietly, her elegant face shadowed by concern.
The fall of Metagross wasn't just a tactical setback, it meant one of their pillars had crumbled. The pressure on the rest of them doubled.
And worst of all…
Cynthia's gaze rose to the three Pokémon hovering above—Reshiram, Lunala, Dragonair. Even Metagross had been taken down in mere moments…
"Finished your discussion?" Lucas asked casually. "Though, I have to say—you really don't have any hope left."
"We're not that fragile, Lucas!" Steven snapped, his eyes burning with determination. "Even if you're strong, Team Rocket will fall today!"
Lucas chuckled quietly. "Such confidence. But I disagree. Even if Team Rocket loses… you still won't be able to defeat me."
"Lunala, Dark Pulse!"
Lunala's cry echoed again, its wings glowing with dense black energy before it unleashed another sweeping arc of darkness toward Steven's group.
"Blastoise, Hydro Pump!"
Blue barked sharply. Mega Blastoise reoriented its cannons and fired three powerful torrents forward, intercepting the dark energy head-on.
"Flash Cannon!" Steven ordered, sending out his remaining Metagross to assist.
The two attacks collided violently, detonating in a shockwave of smoke and light.
"Reshiram, Flare Blitz!"
Reshiram's body ignited in roaring flame as it charged forward like a meteor.
"Blastoise!" Blue called again, trying to intercept—but before he could react, a blur shot across his vision.
It was Dragonair using Dragon Rush!
"Blastoise, Ice Punch!"
Mega Blastoise swung its freezing fist into the oncoming Dragonair, but the serpentine dragon powered through, shattering the icy energy and slamming the turtle backward.
They both crashed into a nearby building, bringing it down in a roar of collapsing stone and dust.
Blue's face darkened. He'd let his guard down—again.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the field, Cynthia's Mega Garchomp met Reshiram head-on with Dragon Rush, clashing directly against the blazing Flare Blitz.
The air exploded in light and sound.
"Lunala, Moonblast!"
Lucas's smile deepened.
Lunala darted forward, stopping gracefully behind Reshiram. Its wings spread wide, a full, radiant moon manifesting above it before firing a giant beam of pink energy straight at Mega Garchomp.
"Metagross, Hyper Beam!"
Cynthia and Steven's expressions darkened—Lunala's target wasn't Reshiram, but Garchomp!
Metagross fired its counterattack immediately, but it was too late.
The Moonblast struck Mega Garchomp squarely. The Fairy-type attack hit hard against the Dragon/Ground Pokémon.
With a cry of pain, Garchomp faltered—then Reshiram, taking advantage of the moment, launched a Dragon Pulse that blasted Garchomp down to the ground.
Within seconds, two heavy blows had brought even the mighty Mega Garchomp crashing down.
"Too much…" Iris whispered, staring in shock. In the blink of an eye, their two strongest—Mega Blastoise and Mega Garchomp—had both fallen.
This was… too much!
Was this still a battle? Or bullying?
"I told you already," Lucas said calmly, looking over at the shaken group. "You're not my opponents."
Behind him, Reshiram, Lunala, and Dragonair floated silently, their eyes gleaming with divine authority.
The oppressive pressure was suffocating.
Drag things out? How could they?
Even Steven, normally so composed, felt an icy helplessness crawl up his spine.
He couldn't hold on any longer.
I'm sorry, he thought faintly. It seems… I can't delay him after all.
(End of Chapter)