Zygarde was unlike any other legendary Pokémon. It possessed responsibilities unique to itself—yes, Zygarde existed as the guardian of the ecosystem.
Whenever the ecological balance of the Kalos region fell into abnormality, Zygarde would appear, using its absolute power to correct those disruptions.
However, under normal circumstances, Zygarde would divide itself into countless cells that dispersed and hid throughout every corner of the region.
According to the number of divided cells, Zygarde would take on different forms—generally the divided cells form into two types.
Zygarde Cells: Small, green, worm-like organisms with no combat ability whatsoever. Their sole function was surveillance and Zygarde Core, a rare variant distinct from the ordinary cells.
The biggest difference between the core and ordinary cells is that the core possesses a high degree of intelligence, and only a very small number of cores exist.
If the Cells were Zygarde's body, then the Cores were its brain—they were the ones that determined when an ecological anomaly needed intervention. Once a Core confirmed danger to the ecosystem, it could summon the surrounding Cells and command them to transform into combat forms.
And at this moment, leaning weakly against a tree trunk, was exactly such a creature—a Zygarde Core.
…
"Have you figured anything out yet? It looks like it has absolutely no combat power,"
Malva asked casually, glancing at the Zygarde Core that had its single eye tightly shut, its expression twisted in pain.
Of course, she knew this was the legendary Zygarde. But the disappointing part was that she still had not discovered what use this frail, powerless little thing could possibly serve.
"Zygarde's strength surpasses both Yveltal and Xerneas. Malva, do you understand what that means?"
Lysandre replied calmly.
Tracing his family line, Lysandre's ancestor was the younger brother of AZ himself. This was why he knew so much about the ancient legends of Kalos.
And based on everything he knew… whether it was Yveltal, the embodiment of destruction, or Xerneas, the embodiment of life, neither matched Zygarde.
The guardian of ecological order, Zygarde, stood above both.
For the sake of the eternal, beautiful world he dreamed of, Lysandre understood that he needed Zygarde's power.
"We've already located the Ultimate Weapon. But to activate it, we need the energy of Xerneas."
"Even then, that's not enough. The world we seek, that beautiful world, has no place for those foolish people who bring only chaos and conflict."
"Zygarde can help us eliminate them."
Before Malva could respond, Lysandre continued speaking.
Even though he had Malva acting as a spy within the League, and even though the Kalos League was far weaker than others, he was keenly aware that Team Flare, as it was now, could not possibly reshape the region.
He needed power.
And the legendary Zygarde could give him exactly that.
"But in this state, it certainly doesn't look like the creature described in the legends."
Malva tilted her head slightly, raising an eyebrow.
As Lysandre's trusted confidante, she naturally understood his ambitions. But this powerless creature? Was it really that legendary Zygarde?
"It needs time. Time to accept and embrace our ideals," Lysandre said without the slightest impatience.
He was already accelerating the process.
Zygarde could only manifest fully when a Core summoned the scattered Cells. Only the Core could command them.
Now that he had captured one of the Cores, all he needed was to push it to its limits. Using his specially designed machinery, he would be able to control Zygarde entirely.
This was Lysandre's plan.
"How is the pursuit of the other Core going?"
"There's progress. Still tracking it," Malva replied.
Through constant searching and surveillance, they had confirmed that there wasn't just one Core, another one was still roaming the wild.
"Good. Find it as soon as possible. And… issue an order—tell everyone to operate more discreetly for the time being."
Lysandre nodded. The closer he came to the most critical stage of his plan, the more he needed to remain calm.
"Oh? Is there a special reason?"
Malva asked in mild confusion.
"Something unusual happened. That legendary dragon trainer from Indigo, Lucas Blackthorn, has suddenly come to Kalos."
Lysandre frowned. No matter what, the danger posed by this man was beyond question.
The title "White Dragon Trainer" already said everything.
Yes, Lysandre believed Zygarde would ultimately surpass him in power but Zygarde had not fully appeared yet.
If Lucas interfered now, it would be extremely troublesome.
"That man…," Malva murmured, her brows tightening.
As one of the Kalos Elite Four, she knew more than most.
At that moment, a chubby man in a red uniform hurried into the ecological chamber.
"Lord Lysandre!"
"What is it?"
The newcomer was Xerosic, a senior scientist of Team Flare and one of Lysandre's key personnel—normally calm and composed. For him to look this flustered was rare.
"Sir, look at this."
He handed Lysandre a letter, clearly excited.
Lysandre opened it and skimmed through its contents—and his expression shifted slightly.
"The Arche Valley? Sealed Hoopa?"
Malva also leaned closer, reading the letter before exclaiming in shock.
Indeed—the document recorded information about the Arche Valley and Hoopa.
"Where did this come from?"
"The reception desk. They said a man left it behind, asking that it be delivered directly to you."
Xerosic explained. Because the source was suspicious, he had opened it first—and after reading it, he wasn't sure whether it was real or fake.
But if it was real…
"This must be a prank. Does such a legend really exist?"
Malva questioned.
A Pokémon capable of summoning other legendaries? That was far too absurd.
And the Arche Valley? A place whose residents were supposedly blessed by Arceus? She had never even heard of such a thing.
"Whether it's true or not, we just need to send someone to check."
Lysandre spoke after a pause.
Yes—simply dispatch people to investigate. If it was fake, it was nothing more than a prank.
But if it was real…
Then whoever delivered this information undoubtedly had their own intentions.
But as long as the information itself was true, Lysandre would never pass up the opportunity—trap or not.
Hoopa, capable of summoning legendary Pokémon, was far too valuable.
Inside the barrier, the Zygarde Core trembled, glaring at Lysandre and the others outside.
"Damn it… these filthy humans!"
Without the support of the scattered Cells, a Core had almost no battle capability.
Even though it was filled with rage, it was powerless.
As expected… humans like these deserved to be purged!
…
Time quickly passed into evening.
"The message has been delivered. But according to the reports, Lysandre hasn't left the research facility once."
"Mr. Lucas, does that mean he's suspicious?"
Archer asked.
"He definitely has doubts. But there's no way he'll let this opportunity slip. He'll send people to investigate for sure."
Lucas remained calm.
Lysandre wasn't a fool. Nobody would believe such a conveniently timed message immediately.
But… the bait was far too tempting for him to ignore.
Just like Cyrus back then, he didn't trust the intel at first either, yet he still personally went to the Michina Ruins.
"Tomorrow, we'll head to the Arche Valley ourselves. We can take our time and enjoy the trip as well."
They could spare two days.
After resting one night in Lumiose City, Lucas and his group set off toward the Arche Valley the next morning.
The valley wasn't particularly far from Dahara City though not exactly close either.
With flying Pokémon carrying them across the region, admiring the scenery along the way, time passed comfortably.
Especially riding on the White Dragon. Reshiram's flight speed was swift, yet the breeze brushing past them was gentle thanks to its careful adjustments.
"Hm?"
As they passed over a forest, Reshiram's sapphire eyes shifted downward, a hint of puzzlement flickering within them.
"What is it?"
Lucas asked, noticing its slowing flight.
"Something is below us."
Reshiram's ethereal voice echoed through his mind.
"Then let's take a look."
Anything that could catch Reshiram's attention was unlikely to be ordinary.
It descended gracefully, and Giovanni, riding on his Salamence along with the others on Dragonair, followed immediately.
"Liepard, Night Slash!"
Upon landing in the forest, the group heard a sudden shout.
Looking over, Lucas's eyes glinted.
A Liepard leapt into the air, claws covered in dark-purple energy, striking fiercely toward a tree trunk.
No—that wasn't its true target.
Clinging to the trunk was a tiny green creature.
Despite its small size, it moved with surprising agility, dodging Liepard's attack with ease.
"Huh? What kind of Pokémon is that?"
Green stared in curiosity—she had never seen it before.
"It feels strange. Its aura is… very unusual."
Reshiram was also staring intently.
The reason she had stopped earlier was precisely because she sensed this creature's energy.
It felt similar to her kind—yet also extremely different.
And its presence… was unexpectedly weak.
"A Zygarde Core. And I didn't expect to run into one here."
Lucas smiled slightly.
That tiny green creature was indeed a Zygarde Core.
"Dragon Pulse."
Lucas shifted his gaze to the attacker—clad in red uniform. A Team Flare grunt.
So, Team Flare was pursuing the Cores.
Just like in the anime, Lysandre had set his sights on Zygarde.
Perfect.
This would make it much easier to draw out Zygarde's Complete Form.
Reshiram surged forward at his command, unleashing a pure, concentrated Dragon Pulse.
"Liepard!"
The Team Flare grunt's face twisted in terror.
Why had such a monster suddenly appeared?!
Liepard wanted to dodge, but the attack was far too fast.
BOOM!
The Dragon Pulse struck Liepard directly, blasting it backward.
When the smoke cleared, Liepard lay unconscious.
The grunt trembled, recognizing the majestic white dragon.
Reshiram the legendary Dragon of Truth.
Without hesitation, he turned around and fled.
He couldn't win. Not even close.
"Heh."
Lucas chuckled and didn't bother to pursue.
Such small fry weren't worth his time.
…
"The Dragon of Truth? Why is it here…?"
The Zygarde Core landed on the ground, staring at Reshiram with its single eye, full of confusion.
As Zygarde's brain and commander, it naturally recognized her.
But why would the White Dragon from faraway Unova appear here?
"Because I'm its trainer now. Wherever I go, it follows."
Lucas replied.
"By the way, Zygarde, being chased by a small fry like that… isn't that a bit embarrassing for the guardian of ecological order?"
"You recognize me too?"
The Core was stunned.
For ages, no human had ever recognized its identity.
Yet recently… everything had gone wrong.
It had even been hunted down by humans!
It, the great guardian of order, reduced to this miserable state?!
Outrageous!
And it didn't even know what had become of its other Core.
Perhaps that one was suffering too…
(End of Chapter)