A clear, deep-blue sky.

Lu Ye sat on Reshiram’s back, slicing through layer after layer of clouds, his expression shifting slightly.

"Alright, high enough. No need to climb any further!"

"This isn’t even the stratosphere yet." Reshiram said with a hint of helplessness.

Although they were surrounded by a transparent light screen, its transparency meant they could still see the crowded cloud clusters and the endless sea of clouds.

Lu Ye glanced down at the buildings below, leaned forward and wrapped his arms around Reshiram’s neck, and relaxed a little. "This is much better."

It reminded him of riding Garchomp and hugging Mengmengda back then.

Come to think of it, Giratina’s platinum helmet has those raised handles you can grab.

If you don’t tug Reshiram’s white mane “twin tails,” you can only hug the neck like when riding a tropical dragon.

"Nimi~" Victini, who could obviously fly, still imitated Lu Ye and hugged onto Reshiram.

Watching the drifting snowflakes, Victini opened its big eyes, glittering with curiosity.

This was Victini — leaving the castle for the first time in centuries, seeing the outside world up close.

Victini glanced at Teacher Lu, whose face had gone a bit pale, then flew over to Lu Ye’s head and hugged him happily.

"Nimi~!"

"Don’t pull my hair, you’ll make me bald… you’ll fall off!"

Reshiram, seeing the hero’s fear of heights laid bare, hesitated to comment, then his expression suddenly turned serious.

Looking down at the ground, snowflakes scattered across the mountains, and a deep roar of a giant dragon echoed from below!

"That’s the direction." Lu Ye adjusted his focus and looked toward it.

Reshiram nodded, bearing Teacher Lu, and beat his white wings, heading through the snow toward Lacunosa Town.

Lacunosa Town — Giant Chasm.

Professor Acerola pressed the fusion machine’s button, spread his arms, and the lenses reflected fanatical zeal.

"Come! Kyurem, let the world witness science’s miracle!"

Boom!

Kyurem’s powerful claws dug into the ground;

it lifted its menacing jaw, eyes deep and distant.

Then Kyurem’s ice wings folded together, and the ice spikes at the wingtips fired off dark-red beams, all aimed at Zekrom!

"Roar!!"

Zekrom’s mechanical black wings closed and then suddenly beat, lightning radiating outward, trying to intercept the beams.

Bang!!

Kyurem’s beam effortlessly pierced the splintering field of teravolt-level electricity and struck Zekrom!

"Zekrom!" N cried out in worry.

The dark-red light gradually swallowed the roaring Zekrom, transforming it into a dark crystal.

Kyurem’s gaze went icy. The ice spikes on its wings extended gene-lock chains that could siphon the Dark Stone’s power, dragging the Dark Stone toward itself.

The Dark Stone hovered above Kyurem, emitting a dazzling red glow as it gradually fused into Kyurem’s body!

The light of evolution erupted. N’s pupils widened in disbelief.

"Kyurem fused with Zekrom? This is like a math formula!"

"It is my honor to introduce invention model No. 1198 — a replica of the DNA Splicers fusion device." Professor Acerola pushed up his lenses, hands behind his back, smiling: "My proudest work."

"Legend has it that absorbing a dragon’s power, Kyurem’s new form—"

Ghetsis tilted his head and murmured, the single red lens reflecting the roaring dark Kyurem.

The dark Kyurem stood on its hind legs;

one arm was black, the other blue;

a black engine hung from its tail;

its chest, back, and face were covered in black hide;

the tail ice was gone and had become three-clawed, curved clamps that locked onto the black engine.

Ghetsis trembled with excitement and glared at N, shouting:

"With this power, I will rule Unova. I no longer need you, monster!"

"Roar!!"

Dark Kyurem entered overdrive mode.

Blue electric light flashed within its engine;

energy surged through tubular connections into its wings and arms. The menacing face of dark Kyurem exhaled cold air and fixed its stare on N.

A crushing pressure turned into an icy wind.

The green hair beneath his cap fluttered. N spread his arms slightly and looked at dark Kyurem with clear eyes.

"Zekrom… I can hear you. You can still separate. Now is the time — it’s not too late…"

Ghetsis ground his teeth.

N using his terrifying talent to sway Pokémon was the one thing Ghetsis never wanted to see!

The rampaging dark Kyurem strangely calmed down;

a hint of struggle flashed in its eyes, as if it could hear N’s call.

Professor Acerola said indifferently, "It’s useless. Once in overdrive, even I cannot fully control dark Kyurem’s power."

"However." Acerola pushed up his lenses, eyes sharp. "I can control it for a few minutes—more than enough."

"Tear him apart, Kyurem!"

Ghetsis lifted his scepter, which contained Acerola’s chip.

"Roar!!"

Blue orb-like lightning gathered at dark Kyurem’s chest, light that seemed ready to swallow N!

"Pokémon are not tools for humans."

N lifted his gaze, standing before the crisscrossing lightning, calm:

"They meet humans, help one another, and new emotions are born…"

N stepped forward, his eyes steady. "Pokémon are our companions!"

Ghetsis’ face turned pale and then flushed.

Like venting his rage, he thrust his scepter and pointed it at N:

"Shut up, you monster!!"

As Ghetsis roared, the lightning at dark Kyurem’s chest discharged!

N remained composed, standing before the incoming electricity, accepting his fate.

Even if destined to fail… at least I fought.

That is proof that I was here.

Boom!!!

Blue flames collided with shining lightning and tore apart, detonating violently!

KABOOM!!

Thick black smoke billowed from the explosion’s center, a powerful gust sweeping outward.

Ghetsis used his cloak to shield himself, then turned to the cave mouth, his face tightening.

N’s cap was blown off by the airflow. N looked back and saw the cap on the ground.

He lifted his eyes slowly and widened them in disbelief, then turned around and said:

"Reshiram…"

Against the cave’s backlight, a dark-haired young man stood on Reshiram’s back, rimmed with shadow.

His facial features were hard to make out — only strong lines and a slightly upturned mouth.

Reshiram’s sleek white mane fluttered in the wind;

his bright blue eyes quietly watched the people there, their expressions varied.

The dark-haired young man leapt down, picked up the cap, and dusted it off.

Sunlight cast a shadowed halo over his handsome, resolute face.

Hearing Ghetsis call him a "monster" and sensing N’s inner wavering, Teacher Lu’s dark pupils were warm and profound.

"A person’s origin has nothing to do with their fate—"

"What truly defines you is how you use your life."

Lu Ye handed the cap back to N and smiled:

"Sorry. Took me a bit on the way."

N’s eyes widened;

his dim gaze brightened and he croaked, "Teacher…"

Ghetsis gritted his teeth;

veins bulged on his face as he glared at this trainer who had twice foiled his plans.

Acerola extended a trembling hand, pushed up his lenses, forced a smile mixing helplessness and respect.

I should have seen this coming…

Gaining Reshiram’s recognition — the true hero of Unova!

Acerola raised his head and stared at Lu Ye, his gaze sharp.

At the same time, this is my chance to redeem my shame!

Dark Kyurem stood before Ghetsis and Acerola, facing Reshiram beside Lu Ye.

A strong sense of oppression turned into cold wind, whipping Teacher Lu’s coat.

In the shadow stretching behind Lu Ye, Darkrai also looked a bit annoyed, staring left and right at dark Kyurem.

What is this thing?

It really is the fusion of two legendary beasts!?

Damn, following Lu Ye means seeing new things all the time!

Thinking about the upcoming tough fight, Darkrai felt duped.

Agreeing to be Lu Ye’s bodyguard might have been a mistake…

Oh well!

Darkrai’s gaze hardened as he stared straight at dark Kyurem.

Back home, I’ll ask Lu Ye to arrange a raise!

N was still turning Teacher Lu’s words over in his head.

They were lines that once beat Mewtwo. Mewtwo had pursued its own meaning, just as N questioned whether he was human or Pokémon.

N thought of Meowth, whom he’d met once, and lifted his determined gaze.

"Keep searching. Ideals, bonds, meaning — one day, answers will come!"

Lu Ye glanced at the changed N, then locked eyes with dark Kyurem, feeling a strange mixture of emotion.

He hadn’t expected Acerola would still build a fusion machine without the DNA Splicers.

"Science’s power sure is grand…" Lu Ye murmured.

Bang!!

The fusion machine in Acerola’s hands suddenly sparked and exploded!

"Has it reached its limit…?"

Acerola looked at the smoking, discarded components and then at his burned hand, expressionless as he pushed up his glasses.

"No matter. The goal has been achieved."

Next was dark Kyurem’s turn to act!

Ghetsis gripped his scepter and said in a grim voice:

"Dark Kyurem, Interlaced Lightning!"

Dark Kyurem scowled. The engine in its tail flashed blue electricity, energy streaming through tubular connections into its body — it had fully entered overdrive!

Blue orb lightning converged, the electric light illuminating the entire cavern like daytime!

Reshiram’s eyes flickered with concern. He beat his wings and flew to Lu Ye’s front.

"Get behind me, human."

That is no longer the Zekrom I knew…

To guide what’s real back to the right path, I must use the blue flame and mete out punishment!

Lu Ye frowned slightly.

Reshiram’s power alone was far from enough to contend with dark Kyurem — Kyurem fused with Zekrom.

But you have a fusion mechanism, and I have a full Blue Assist!

"Victini, Helping Hand!" Lu Ye ordered.

Victini could transfer energy to other Pokémon, famed for Infinite Energy;

its signature move was V-Heat Flame.

Reshiram was also a fire-aligned legendary;

its tail thruster could turn fire into energy. Victini’s flames could perfectly boost Reshiram’s propulsion.

With Victini’s support, Reshiram could go toe-to-toe with dark Kyurem and not fall behind!

"Nimi~!"

The V mark on Victini’s forehead glowed a scorching red as a steady stream of energy poured into Reshiram.

"Roar!!"

Reshiram beat his white wings;

hot air surged. The thruster at his tail ignited with an orange-yellow blaze, showering sparkling embers!

Lu Ye shouted:

"Reshiram, use Blue Flame!"

"Roar!!"

Reshiram spread his wings wide. The inner tail root flared with intense heat like an engine, and he unleashed a powerful, surging column of flame from his maw!

Flame and lightning lit up the cave and collided, sending chunks of rock tumbling from the ceiling — the cave teetered on collapse and the ground trembled!

"Reshiram, drag dark Kyurem outside the cave!" Lu Ye yelled.

"Roar!!"

Reshiram maneuvered in the cramped space, turning to breath fire at dark Kyurem, trying to provoke it into fighting in the open sky.

"Roar!!" Dark Kyurem roared back, lifting off. Its thick blue and black arms crashed down on Reshiram.

Boom!!

The cave could not withstand a clash between two legendaries;

cracks tore through the walls.

Seeing Reshiram fly out of the cave, a cold glint flashed in Ghetsis’ eyes.

Dark Kyurem was about to regain consciousness, but within the remaining control time, it could still carry out many illicit directives…

"Dark Kyurem." Ghetsis pointed his scepter at Lu Ye and snarled: "Finish him!"

Lu Ye raised an eyebrow.

The old man actually ordered the trainer taken out?

Perfectly to my liking!

"Roar!!" Lightning braided together before dark Kyurem lunged at the defenseless Lu Ye!

N gasped, "Teacher Lu!"

Ghetsis grinned menacingly.

Acerola looked at Ghetsis, scepter in hand, disappointment flickering across his face.

But the shadow before Lu Ye rose up, and from it a murky, swaying figure of Darkrai emerged. Its deep blue, cold gaze calmly watched the flying interlaced lightning.

Lu Ye: "Darkrai, Dark Void!"

Darkrai tore open a black hole with his claws and swallowed the blazing lightning. A faint curve formed at the corner of his mouth.

Hand it over!

(Giratina: ???)

At the same time, the chip inside Ghetsis’ scepter flashed and failed.

Dark Kyurem screamed and followed Reshiram, charging into the sky outside the cave to continue the battle!

Inside the dim, smoke-dark cave, only a pale-faced Ghetsis and a hand-over-forehead Acerola remained.

And Teacher Lu, wearing an amused expression — with N still not fully comprehending what had happened.

"We should support Reshiram, right, Teacher Lu!" N urged anxiously.

"No rush."

Lu Ye toyed with the shrunk Poké Ball in his palm and smiled:

"First get rid of the trainer, then take care of dark Kyurem."

N froze and looked at the two, Ghetsis and Acerola, who were full of unease.

Even Acerola’s chip had reached its limit controlling Kyurem. Controlling dark Kyurem was even harder.

Now that dark Kyurem had been dragged outside by Reshiram, only Ghetsis and Acerola remained, staring at each other.

Acerola sighed, "We’ve been outplayed…"

Behind Acerola, Haunter poked its head out and bared a toothy grin at Lu Ye;

its merciless fist aimed at Acerola’s back!

Ghetsis looked down and found his ankles gripped by a shadow — even fleeing was impossible. Cold sweat dripped down his temple.

"Ha, Mister Lu Ye."

Ghetsis tried to keep up a gentlemanly air and forced a smile.

"I trust you wouldn’t refuse the universal rules of Pokémon battles, nor soil your hands as a champion?"

Lu Ye lifted one finger:

"One, I’m using the rules of the Ninth Quartz Conference."

Ghetsis’ smile froze. He looked to Acerola for confirmation.

What's that?

"A no-holds-barred format where trainers initiate attacks against each other, and in the end the 'Fighting Man' Red takes the crown." Acerola grimly explained.

Lu Ye raised a second finger and said with a grin: "Two, I am not the champion."

Ghetsis: ?

You can tell such lies to get dirty?!!

Reshiram, are you sure this is the true hero you recognized!?

"Haunter." Lu Ye snapped his fingers. "Shadow Punch!"

"Gengarrr! (σ;

*Д*)σ⁼³₌₃⁼³₌₃⁼³₌₃"

Haunter’s shadow punch struck Ghetsis square in the gut.

The ambitious man’s eyes bulged;

his abdomen caved in. He toppled backward to the ground, the red single lens ‘Kala’ shattered!

Lu Ye had not struck to kill, but the force left Ghetsis woozy.

Acerola’s casual demeanor vanished;

he forced a laugh: "Teacher Lu, as a Pokémon professor, I enjoy certain leniencies…"

Acerola from Sun &

Moon was still active — given his arrest record, using inventions to reduce sentence was highly likely.

"I believe you are a hero who pursues justice. Procedural justice and result justice both matter. Before an arrest is officially approved, please allow me to—" Acerola tried to stall and seek escape.

What cut him off was a black, gilt-edged ID flashed before his eyes.

Acerola’s lips went dry;

he glanced at Lu Ye’s expressionless face.

"Interpol — Countermeasures Division inspector."

Lu Ye enunciated clearly, "Acerola, you are suspected of multiple serious criminal offenses and will be handed over to the Flycloud City headquarters for processing."

"Gengarrr~"

Haunter licked the cold sweat running down Acerola’s face with its cold, slippery tongue.

"In other words."

Lu Ye pocketed the ID, looked at the stunned Acerola, and said calmly:

"Professor Acerola, you are under arrest."