Two days had already passed since Lucas's challenge against Leon, yet even so, the topic most discussed across the world was still centered around Lucas.
There was even a fan club established specifically for Lucas on the forums.
Yes—Lucas had effectively leapt into the spotlight, becoming a dazzling new idol.
After all, he was powerful, had a good temperament, possessed a handsome and refined appearance, and was still so young. Naturally, the number of people who admired him was countless.
Moreover, although Lucas hailed from Blackthorn City in the Johto, the fact that he had not officially joined the Indigo League had already spread far and wide.
With that, regional biases naturally eased somewhat…
Though, strictly speaking, this kind of mindset could be considered self-deception.
But those who admired Lucas didn't think that way at all. If someone asked them, "Is it really appropriate for you to idolize a Trainer from another region like this?"
They could answer righteously and without hesitation: "What business is it of yours? Lucas is from a neutral faction, okay~?"
Mm. Very much that kind of vibe.
Hammerlocke Arena.
At this moment, Lucas, Green, and Marnie had already arrived here.
"This really is a familiar place," Lucas said, looking around.
Although it had been renovated and rebuilt, it was easy to see that the structure was still modeled after the original Hammerlocke Arena.
Returning here after nearly a year, Lucas couldn't help but feel a bit sentimental.
The place where dreams began, huh~
"At the beginning of the year, the destruction rate of Hammerlocke City reached sixty-three percent. It took a full eight months of uninterrupted construction work to restore the city to normal operations," Oleana said calmly, dressed in high heels and a professional OL secretary outfit.
There was no shortage of resentment in her tone.
Standing nearby, Raihan rubbed his nose, his eyes darting strangely toward Lucas.
Because the chief culprit who had nearly destroyed Hammerlocke City beyond recognition was none other than the very person who had just sighed, 'This really is a familiar place.'
And it wasn't just Hammerlocke City—after that disaster, a guilt-ridden Raihan had sunk into self-isolation for a long time.
He had nearly developed a psychological shadow from it…
"That really is regrettable, but back then I truly had no other choice," Lucas said, naturally knowing what Oleana was referring to. He shrugged innocently and replied without the slightest hint of sincerity.
At the time, although he was already a top-tier Champion-level Trainer, he still had to tread carefully when dealing with the Galar region.
Leon's strength made him extremely wary, not to mention that Galar had more than just Leon as a Champion. Raihan might not have been his match, but causing trouble while Lucas was fighting was entirely possible.
That was why he had chosen to break into the Energy Plant only when both Leon and Rose were absent.
"Hehe~ What's past is past. Lucas, let's go inside," Rose said with a light chuckle, taking the lead toward the underground Energy Plant.
Yes—after the World Championship challenge match, Lucas had stayed in the Galar region for two more days. Since he was already here, there was no way he would forget about Eternatus.
Rose was also extremely generous and did not refuse at all, directly bringing Lucas to Hammerlocke City.
"The Energy Plant was proposed and constructed by the Chairman several years ago. Wishing Stars and energy fragments have been continuously collected ever since. Now, this Energy Plant supplies nearly half of Galar's energy needs," Oleana explained as she walked ahead, guiding the group inside.
"Ever since predicting that Galar's energy would be exhausted a thousand years in the future, I have been searching for a solution," Rose continued.
"Later, after consulting a vast number of ancient texts, I finally discovered the truth—the Wishing Stars and fragments scattered across Galar…"
"Even Dynamax energy itself originates from Eternatus."
Rose's voice was deep and magnetic, and he made no effort to conceal his past intentions. The Energy Plant had been built precisely for Eternatus!
"So, Chairman Rose, you set your sights on Eternatus?" Green asked, curiously surveying the surroundings. It was her first time inside the Energy Plant.
This was, after all, the very place where Lucas had stormed in earlier this year and released Eternatus—the starting point of everything.
Leon and Raihan did not speak. When they had first learned the truth, they had been unable to accept it.
After all, doing something so dangerous in the present era just to prevent an energy crisis a thousand years later—even if the intentions were good, how could they accept it?
But now, the two had already come to terms with it. After all, Eternatus had already been subdued by Lucas.
"That's right. I sent my subordinates everywhere to search for Eternatus. Three thousand years ago, the calamity that engulfed the entire Galar region, the Darkest Day, was not truly ended. Eternatus was not destroyed by Zacian and Zamazenta," Rose said calmly.
"So, I found it. At that time, it was extremely weak, its life signs were nearly gone."
"I secretly transported it here to this Energy Plant and infused it with enough energy to keep it alive."
Rose nodded as he spoke. He had never believed that he was wrong.
He could understand why others opposed him—after all, his actions were extremely dangerous. Eternatus was the calamity that had nearly annihilated Galar three thousand years ago; its danger was undeniable.
But what in this world ever had a one-hundred-percent success rate?
Rose could not accept simply standing by. He could not watch the future collapse, so he chose to use Eternatus to eliminate the energy crisis. Was he truly wrong?
At most, it was simply a difference in ideals and beliefs.
"And what happened afterward…" Rose glanced at Lucas. There was no need to continue.
Before his plan could even begin, it had already been disrupted. While Rose and Leon were away, Lucas of Team Rocket had forcefully broken into the Energy Plant and unsealed Eternatus.
As a result, half of Hammerlocke City was destroyed, and Rose, for the sake of Galar, had personally gone to Kanto with a single confidant to seek cooperation with Lucas.
"So, the Chairman actually went to speak with Lucas in person back then?" Raihan said in admiration after hearing the story.
Though he had always respected Rose, he had to admit that Rose's foresight and wisdom truly reached far into the future.
"Hmph! At the time, Lucas was still a member of Team Rocket. In order to reach an agreement with him, the Chairman spent a tremendous amount of money to acquire two Pokémon with exceptional talent," Oleana said bitterly, revealing how difficult things had been for Rose.
Back then, Lucas had been arrogant and unruly. To even speak with him, Rose had been forced to purchase a top-tier shiny Arbok from a Pokémon hunter.
But before they even reached Viridian City, due to hesitation, the shiny Arbok escaped—money completely wasted.
That was a top-grade shiny Pokémon! Even if it was an Arbok, its value was no less than that of a pseudo-legendary.
Left with no choice, Rose had to purchase another rare Salamence…
It had truly been too difficult.
Oleana felt heartache for her Chairman. His own belongings had been taken by force, yet he still had to politely visit the culprit's doorstep to seek cooperation.
After all, Eternatus had already been captured by Lucas. If Galar was to be 'saved,' then Lucas's help was the only option.
Raihan: "..."
Leon: "...…"
Green: "..."
Lucas coughed lightly, not without embarrassment. Rose's attitude toward him really left nothing to criticize.
If he had been born in Galar, Lucas would absolutely have worked together with Rose to make Galar bigger and stronger.
But there were no 'ifs' in this world.
"Hehe~ Those are all just interesting stories from the past. Everything is fine now, isn't it?" Rose said with a charming, mature smile, clearly unconcerned.
His magnanimity far exceeded what outsiders imagined—and he had indeed made the right gamble. Lucas was no ordinary individual; the goodwill he had shown back then was worth it.
If anything were to happen to Galar in the future, they could always ask Lucas for help.
Even though Lucas had not joined Galar, their relationship was still extremely solid.
Oleana said nothing. She had brought this up deliberately so that everyone would understand Rose's sacrifices.
That way, Lucas would remember Rose's kindness more deeply, and Leon and Raihan would also understand their Chairman's painstaking efforts.
As they talked, the group passed through a long corridor and finally arrived at the deepest part of the Energy Plant.
"This is the core of the Energy Plant. While it doesn't contain all of Galar's energy, I believe it should be enough for Eternatus to recover to its peak," Rose said, pointing at the energy machinery ahead.
Helping Eternatus regain its full power would consume an enormous amount of energy, but Rose believed it was worth it.
"Thank you, Chairman Rose," Lucas said sincerely, the corners of his mouth lifting into a smile.
"Eternatus!"
Without any needless hesitation, Lucas took out a Poké Ball and threw it.
The space here was vast—more than enough for Eternatus to fully stretch its body.
A deep dragon's roar echoed as the gigantic skeletal dragon unfolded its form, floating above everyone's heads, an ominous dark-red glow radiating outward.
"So, this is Eternatus?" Leon murmured.
Unlike Raihan and Oleana, this was Leon's first time seeing Eternatus in person.
Carefully examining it, Leon finally understood why Eternatus was considered the most powerful and most evil Pokémon in history.
That oppressive aura, that ferocious and terrifying appearance—it didn't look like something that belonged to the side of justice at all.
"Eternatus, your meal has arrived," Lucas said with a smile.
Nearly a full year had passed since he had captured Eternatus.
Now, at last, he could allow this very first partner of his to return to its peak!
Eternatus' white-spotted draconic eyes fixed on the energy machinery ahead. It could clearly sense the vast, abundant energy contained within!
A crimson glow slowly flared, and a beam of red light shot from Eternatus' chest, striking the energy machinery directly.
Massive amounts of energy were continuously absorbed by Eternatus—unceasing, endless!
Second by second, time passed. Eternatus remained motionless, steadily absorbing the energy reserves of the plant.
Yet the pressure within the space grew heavier and heavier!
As Eternatus absorbed more energy, its power continued to rise without stopping!
"Reserves are down to seventy percent," Oleana reported, staring at the display.
Eternatus had already absorbed thirty percent, yet it showed no sign of being satisfied.
"Fifty percent."
"Forty percent!"
"Thirty… twenty… five percent!"
Oleana's voice gradually turned into shock, and by the end, she nearly shouted it out.
Damn it—this thing eats way too much!
Oleana stared in disbelief at Eternatus above them. This was energy sufficient to supply the entire Galar region!
"ROOOAAAR—"
A low, hoarse dragon's cry echoed as Eternatus' skeletal body swayed violently. The crimson glow around it had grown so intense that nearly the entire underground space was bathed in eerie red light.
Finally, as if it could no longer endure it, Eternatus raised its head and shot skyward.
BOOM—!
The ceiling was smashed open instantly, leaving behind a massive hole.
"Repairs are expensive, you know!" Oleana stomped her foot, glaring at the gaping hole.
Not only had it devoured so much energy, it even smashed open the Energy Plant again!
"Let's go. We're heading outside," Rose said calmly.
Clearly, Eternatus' energy had reached near saturation.
"Gardevoir! Teleport!"
With Gardevoir's Teleport, the group arrived on a high platform within Hammerlocke Arena, from where nearly the entire city could be seen.
Yet at this moment, everyone's attention was completely fixed on Eternatus beneath the darkened sky!
Yes—the sky was no longer clear.
Black and red filled the heavens, a colossal vortex hanging above, slowly rotating and churning.
Like an ancient catastrophe descending upon the world, the sight was overwhelming and terrifying!
Even with mental preparation, Rose, Leon, and the others felt a chill run down their spines.
This was the Darkest Day that had once shrouded the entire Galar region three thousand years ago!
"ROOOOOAAAAAAAR—!"
An incomparably deep dragon's roar shook heaven and earth as Eternatus' massive body, glowing with ominous red light, surged upward and plunged directly into the black vortex.
"Eternamax!"
Lucas stared intently at the endlessly surging black vortex, his heartbeat unconsciously accelerating.
Eternamax!
Not a temporary reversion like when using Dynamax Cannon—but true, complete Eternamax!
(End of Chapter)