"Gaaarr~"
A heavy, raspy breathing sound echoed through the air as Zygarde stretched its enormous body straight, its massive jaws opening wide to bite down savagely toward Dawn Wings Necrozma.
Dark energy swirled around Zygarde's razor-sharp fangs—as it prepares to bite with the Dark-type move, Crunch.
Necrozma quickly withdrew, attempting to dodge the lunging strike, but Zygarde's speed far exceeded what its size suggested.
Crack!
Zygarde's jaws clamped down fiercely on one of Necrozma's wings, the bone-chilling sound of bones and crystal being crushed ringing sharply.
"CROOO!"
A fierce gleam flashed across Necrozma's eyes—being hit by Crunch brought it undeniable pain.
"Shadow Claw!"
The other wing of Necrozma radiated with a cold, eerie glow before it struck Zygarde with tremendous force.
BOOM!
The sheer impact blasted Zygarde away, sending the giant creature flying.
"Psychic!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Lucas ordered Necrozma to pursue.
Necrozma's eyes shimmered with a deep, intense blue. A prismatic shockwave burst outward, surging straight toward the airborne Zygarde.
Zygarde sensed the incoming Psychic attack and wanted to counter or defend, but Necrozma's strike came far too quickly.
BOOM!
The Psychic force struck Zygarde once again, sending its colossal body crashing heavily into the ground. The earth trembled violently, kicking up a massive cloud of dust.
"Photon Geyser!"
Lucas had no intention of letting up.
This Zygarde, currently being controlled by negative emotions, was not even his real target.
The best solution was to incapacitate it first; otherwise, it was simply too uncontrollable and violent.
Lucas could see clearly that Zygarde was being remotely controlled by the chubby Team Flare grunt's handheld device but the device was only a medium.
The true source of influence was undoubtedly a large machine, just like in the original plot. Team Flare must have brought that machine as well.
But since Lucas didn't know where they hid the device, the quickest method was simply to disable Zygarde entirely.
"CROOO!"
Twin golden lights gathered at the tips of Necrozma's wings, growing stronger as its energy condensed.
The next second, the twin golden points fused into a single blazing beam—an enormous golden Photon Geyser shot straight toward Zygarde.
RUMBLE!!!
The ground cracked violently as countless black-red vines erupted upward, forming a massive barrier in front of the Photon Geyser.
"Oh? Quite the quick response."
Lucas raised his eyebrows slightly.
Just moments ago, Zygarde had been hit by Shadow Claw and Psychic—yet it still reacted quickly enough to summon a defense?
As expected of a Dragon/Ground-type legendary…
Its ability to endure blows was truly unmatched.
After all, Zygarde's Complete Forme was famous for its exceptional endurance. Even this 50% Forme, second only to the full form, possessed extraordinary resilience.
Photon Geyser continued to advance, shredding through the thick roots. But even as they shattered, more vines surged forth behind them, seemingly inexhaustible.
The dust finally settled.
Zygarde lifted its serpentine body, its cold, insect-like compound eyes staring murderously at Necrozma through the gaps between the vines.
A crimson aura surged around Zygarde's body—this was the prelude to Thousand Arrows!
Even after suffering considerable damage, Zygarde clearly still intended to launch an active counterattack.
"In the end, it's still just a mindless Pokémon."
Lucas chuckled lightly.
Strictly speaking, ever since Zygarde appeared, its fighting style had been purely instinctual.
Xerosic had no right, nor ability to command a legendary like Zygarde. In fact, someone of Xerosic's level would only hinder it; letting Zygarde act on instinct was actually better for him.
But precisely because of that, Zygarde had been at a continuous disadvantage in its battle against Necrozma.
However—
"SCREEEE—!"
A piercing shriek ripped across the sky as a powerful crimson beam suddenly shot toward Zygarde.
Yveltal had launched a surprise Oblivion Wing!
Lucas glanced at the legendary harbinger of destruction.
Yveltal's cold, merciless eyes were fixed firmly on Zygarde.
After resting briefly, Yveltal had clearly recovered a significant portion of its stamina—enough to fly again.
And the attack came too suddenly.
Zygarde didn't have time to defend. Oblivion Wing struck it squarely, interrupting the half-formed Thousand Arrows.
Zygarde recoiled in pain, the damage from Oblivion Wing was far from minor.
Without Zygarde's control, the black-red vines stopped growing, and Necrozma's Photon Geyser crashed down without obstruction.
BOOOOM!
Even before the force of Oblivion Wing had faded, Photon Geyser blasted Zygarde yet again.
The resulting explosion sent shockwaves rolling through the air, making Lucas's white robes flutter violently.
"As expected of Yveltal. That sneak attack was beautifully executed."
Lucas chuckled softly. Truly befitting a Dark-type legendary, its proficiency in ambushes was practically instinctual.
"Necrozma, finish it—"
But before he could give the final order, he noticed that both Necrozma and Yveltal had turned their attention elsewhere.
They had sensed something.
And whatever it was, even Yveltal's aura grew darker and more violent.
"What is it, Necrozma?"
Lucas asked in confusion.
But before he even finished speaking—
He understood.
High in the sky, a Braviary was flying toward them in utter desperation, fleeing for its life.
And behind it—
A gigantic Pokémon was in relentless pursuit.
Its terrifying, monstrous form was enough to make one's blood run cold.
"Hoopa Unbound … no—something even worse."
Lucas narrowed his eyes.
That massive, nightmarish figure was unmistakably Hoopa Unbound.
Since its sealing, Hoopa had possessed two forms:
the restrained, weakened Confined Form, and the full-powered Unbound Form, returned when its power was restored.
But something was wrong—terribly wrong.
The Hoopa approaching them radiated an overwhelming, murderous madness.
Its glowing red eyes were nearly identical to Shadow Lugia's—a corrupted, berserk state.
"Baraz… didn't reseal the evil shadow?"
Lucas's interest was piqued.
He knew Baraz had gone searching for the Prison Bottle.
After encountering the evil spirit within for the first time, someone with Baraz's calm personality should never have let Hoopa's shadow take control again.
With the Prison Bottle in hand, the evil consciousness should have remained sealed.
Yet here it was—an Evil Hoopa Unbound chasing Baraz like prey.
"Necrozma!"
Lucas's eyes sharpened as the corrupted Hoopa attacked.
Two golden rings appeared in front of the fleeing Braviary, blocking its path as two massive fists materialized from the rings, reaching out to crush it.
Lucas would not allow Baraz to die—he still needed him.
"Crooo!"
Necrozma raised its wings, firing two lightning-fast Power Gems at the hands emerging from the rings.
The shadowy arms recoiled, and a furious roar erupted from the distant corrupted Hoopa as it accelerated.
"Baraz!"
"Mr. Lucas?!"
Riding Braviary, Baraz heard Lucas's call and immediately descended.
"Mr. Lucas, why are you still here?"
Landing, Baraz rushed over carrying Hoopa in his arms, astonishment written all over his face.
"Reshiram sensed something unusual here. It seems you didn't succeed. Baraz—Hoopa's true power isn't restored?"
Lucas spoke casually, eyes fixed on Confined Hoopa.
"Yes… something unexpected happened. Something very big."
Baraz's expression darkened.
"Hoopa's power… it developed its own consciousness. And now that consciousness has escaped. It wants to kill Hoopa and replace it entirely."
Baraz's voice was heavy.
Today was without doubt the most terrifying day of his life.
Only he knew how he had survived being hunted down by Evil Hoopa again and again.
He could cry just thinking about it.
"Oh? Hoopa's shadow?"
Lucas smirked.
Interesting. The stage was getting grander.
Originally, he planned to deal with Team Flare first, then guide Baraz and the others into attempting a different approach.
But suddenly—
"Disappear!"
A giant golden ring appeared silently above Lucas and Baraz.
A massive fist wreathed in dark energy punched downward.
Hoopa's signature attack, Hyperspace Fury!
With six rings and six arms, Hoopa Unbound could unleash the full force of Hyperspace Fury.
"Not good!"
Baraz's face drained of color but he still had hope.
Lucas's power exceeded his imagination.
This was exactly why he had returned to the Arche Valley.
He originally planned to rely on Yveltal and Xerneas to deal with Evil Hoopa.
But upon arriving, he instead found Dawn Wings Necrozma.
He didn't know what Pokémon it was, but its power was undeniable.
"Night Slash!"
Necrozma shot upward, its shadow-lined wings colliding with Hyperspace Fury.
BOOM!
The clash sent Necrozma skidding backward, while the massive fist retreated into the ring.
In raw physical combat, Evil Hoopa held the advantage.
Lucas wasn't surprised. Dawn Wings Necrozma specialized in special attacks, not close-quarters power.
But Evil Hoopa had already reached them.
Its murderous red pupils locked onto Hoopa Confined but its gaze also flicked briefly toward Necrozma.
Annoying obstruction.
Evil Hoopa bared its teeth in a feral grin.
After chasing Braviary so long without success, its frustration had grown unbearable.
Its target was ONLY Hoopa Confined.
Legendary or not, anything that got in its way would be crushed.
And since Necrozma was too strong to ignore—
"ROOOAR!!"
Evil Hoopa let out a sky-shaking howl.
Its six severed arms unfurled as the golden rings around its wrists expanded and shot outward.
The six massive rings lined up at both sides of Hoopa's head.
As Hoopa slowly rotated its arms, the centers of the rings began twisting space itself.
A terrifying, suffocating pressure fell over the entire world.
"This…"
Baraz stared blankly, frozen in disbelief.
He had seen something like this before—but… could it be…?
"Stop him! Mr. Lucas, we have to stop him! He's summoning other legendaries!"
After several stunned seconds, Baraz snapped back to his senses and shouted in terror.
This damned Hoopa—
It was summoning legendary Pokémon!
Evil Hoopa alone was already a nightmare.
If it summoned even more legendary Pokémon to assist it, they would all be finished.
Worse—
Hoopa was channeling ALL SIX RINGS at once!
Meaning…
It intended to summon SIX LEGENDARY POKÉMON IN ONE GO!
Even those still fighting, Giovanni, Green, Marnie, and others were completely stunned.
Even Yveltal, whose eyes had been cold and vicious the whole time, visibly changed expression.
This…
Had Hoopa truly gone insane?
If so many legendaries appeared at once, the consequences would be catastrophic.
"It's already too late."
Lucas slowly pulled out a shrunken Poké Ball, his gaze locked firmly on the six rings.
Baraz couldn't see it—
but deep in Lucas's eyes burned irrepressible excitement.
Six summoned legendary Pokémon—plus Evil Hoopa itself.
Seven legendaries in total.
Even for Lucas, such a lineup of foes made his blood surge with anticipation.
As his words fell, Evil Hoopa let out a triumphant, thunderous cry.
It raised its arms high, the distortions in the rings growing ever more violent.
A divine, overwhelming power descended from the heavens.
And then—
From each twisting ring…
A titanic silhouette slowly emerged.
(End of Chapter)