Chapter 0657: The King Who Knew Not Hearts(Two-in-One)

On the way to the castle, aftershocks continued to rock the area.

Boulders tumbled down the hillside, shattering with a crack, as townsfolk scattered, watching the white beam of light shooting into the sky from atop higher ground.

The pillar of light surged from the cracked earth into the clouds, churning them into a swirling vortex that spread outward.

At the same time, the glowing barrier enveloping Eindoak Town splintered with fissures!

"This—this is the Light Stone sealed by the Sword of the Vale! It’s awakening!" the mayor cried.

From the castle’s second floor, a woman in traditional attire called out to Natsume and the others:

"You there! Hurry, this way!"

The barrier at the castle’s center was more stable, offering better protection against the quakes.

Ash, sharp-eyed as ever, recognized the girl beside her—Carlita, the one who had sent out the shiny Hydreigon earlier—and turned to Natsume.

"Should we go?"

"Move. Stabilizing Reshiram comes first!"

Natsume’s gaze was grave as he stared at the towering light.

If I’m right, Reshiram is reacting to Zekrom’s presence.

As opposing forces, Reshiram wouldn’t ignore Zekrom’s movements.

In other words… judging by that draconic roar earlier, Zekrom must be nearby too!

CRACK—CRACK!

The ground beneath Natsume’s feet split apart, on the verge of collapse. The woman ordered her Golurk to rescue them.

Golurk’s feet ignited with propulsion flames as it flew from the castle’s second floor, scooping up Ash and the mayor under its arms. It hesitated when it glanced at Natsume.

"Get them up first."

Natsume eyed the crumbling ground. "Gengar, use Psychic to levitate me."

"Gengar!" Gengar’s crimson eyes flashed blue.

As Natsume’s feet left the ground, suspended in a pale blue aura, the earth beneath him gave way entirely!

The entire slab of rock plummeted into a bottomless chasm. Golurk carried Ash and the mayor to safety on the second floor.

Natsume and Gengar hovered midair, peering down at the abyss below before exhaling in relief.

"Victini~!" Victini placed its tiny paws on Natsume’s shoulders, eyes glowing blue.

Instantly, a surge of energy flooded Natsume’s chest—his limbs brimmed with strength, as if he could scale Prism Tower barehanded!

"Gengar." Natsume rolled his shoulders, licking his lips. "I’m gonna try jumping. Catch me with Confusion if I fall!"

"Gengar…" Gengar nodded blankly.

Trainer’s really pushing his luck again…

Stepping out of the psychic field, Natsume felt gravity take hold. He kicked off a protruding ledge, launching himself four meters upward.

As Carlita and her mother gasped, hands over their mouths—

Natsume caught the balcony’s edge with one hand, legs dangling over the abyss, before hauling himself up and dusting off his palms.

"Whew… I’m getting rusty."

Stunned silence.

Sorry, but no one’s cooler than the Big Shot himself.

Natsume was referring to the physical prowess granted by Master-level Fighting training.

Combined with Victini’s buff, he’d felt confident enough to try.

For that one moment, it was as if the goddess of victory herself had blessed him—Natsume could’ve sworn he could take on a Bewear solo!

(Spoiler: He couldn’t.)

"D-Do you do this often?!"

Carlita was dumbfounded. What kind of human had this level of physical ability? At this rate, even Pokémon wouldn’t stand a chance against Natsume.

"Just basic field survival skills."

Ash nodded confidently. "Natsume-sensei once knocked out a Regigigas with one punch too!"

Janta's jaw dropped.

As one of the Earth's people, she knew the legends of the colossal titan said to drag entire continents.

But surely that was just Natsume feeding Ash some tall tale...

"It was Victini's help," Natsume said.

"Victini~!" Victini popped up behind him, flashing a bright V-sign with its tiny paws.

Understanding dawned on Janta's face.

After witnessing his earlier feat, it was clear Natsume was a seasoned veteran of [no-holds-barred battles].

"Time is short, so I'll be brief," Janta said urgently. "Natsume-sensei, we're aware of your exploits. The Light Stone is behaving erratically—we humbly request your assistance!"

"That's exactly why I came."

The group visibly relaxed.

Janta turned to lead them toward the underground passage where the Light Stone was imprisoned.

Natsume lingered at the balcony's edge, peering down at the dizzying drop.

Oh. That's... much higher than I thought.

Almost lost my nerve back there!

His heart still pounding, he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

Guess I really need to invest in some proper flight gear after this...

……

Dozens of miles from Eindoak Town lay Lacunosa Town.

The town was preparing to host the Youth Tournament of the World Tournament series, having invited Pokémon Masters like Alder, Natsume, and Cynthia for the opening ceremony.

Lacunosa Town was perpetually blanketed in snow, its streets haunted by chilling legends of missing children and man-eating spirits—so much so that nighttime outings were strictly forbidden.

This major event might finally bring prosperity to the forsaken town.

Though it was still early, a heavy snowstorm raged over Lacunosa. From the distant black mountains came a piercing, mournful roar.

"Again?" A resident grumbled. "Must be some Pokémon in Giant Chasm getting restless."

"No ordinary Pokémon could make a sound like that."

The second resident paled mid-sentence.

"Listen!"

A thunderous boom split the sky, something between a clap of lightning and a draconic shriek.

Both looked up just as jagged bolts tore through the clouds, followed by deafening thunder.

CRACKOOOOOM!

"That was a Pokémon?!" The first resident's knees shook.

"Thundurus, maybe? The legendary stormbringer..."

"But that roar—it sounded like a Dragon-type!"

High above the clouds, Zekrom soared, its black-and-gold armor crackling with energy as its tail engine thrummed.

Below, a green-haired young man stood motionless, his cap and pendant fluttering in the gale. His eyes were distant, attuned to a sound only he could hear.

Kyurem's anguish—furious, trapped, unspoken—resonated deep within N's soul.

He exhaled slowly, gaze locking onto the cavern near Lacunosa. A place carved by meteorites, frozen and abandoned.

The perfect hiding spot.

N whispered:

"Found you."

……

In the depths of Giant Chasm near Lacunosa Town...

The gloomy Ghetsis leaned on his staff, his red monocle glinting as he coldly observed the towering Kyurem before him.

"Kyurem!!"

Kyurem resembled a blue-gray bipedal brute, its powerful jaws gaping as frost spilled forth. Two jagged ice horns extended from its head like broken spears, while massive ice formations formed wings along its back. Its tail ended in three glacial spikes—so cold they seemed capable of devouring both lightning and flame.

As Kyurem roared, a blistering gale howled toward Ghetsis!

The barrier before him CRACKED under the frost, yet Ghetsis remained unmoved, his voice low.

"Magnificent, Kyurem."

"Being an extraterrestrial Pokémon," Colress mused from behind, adjusting his glasses with a gloved hand, "it holds far greater research value than terrestrial legendaries."

"Have you succeeded in controlling it?" Ghetsis asked flatly.

"Failure is impossible under the brilliance of my scientific achievements."

Colress produced a modified device and pressed a button.

"Legendary Pokémon... are no exception."

ZZZT—CRACKLE!!

Electric currents wracked Kyurem's body. The ice dragon stomped violently, unleashing a torrent of freezing mist!

Ghetsis and Colress watched dispassionately.

Slowly, Kyurem stilled, its face glowing with an eerie crimson light.

"Just another legendary," Colress sighed, pushing up his glasses. "Honestly, only fools like Archie or Maxie would lose control over one and get devoured."

Ghetsis sneered. "Have you forgotten our failure in Opelucid City?"

Without the DNA Splicers, even his prison break hadn't secured his dominance over Unova.

"No... I haven't."

Colress adjusted his frameless glasses, his calm eyes hidden behind the lenses.

He remembered him—that black-haired young man in the snowstorm.

Even through surveillance footage, their locked gaze had stirred something shameful in Colress: fear.

"Which is why," Colress said softly, "I look forward to our rematch."

"Zekrom—!!"

The cavern trembled. Distant thunder boomed as both men whirled toward the entrance.

Silhouetted against the light stood a tall, green-haired figure—his long hair and pendant swaying in the wind. When he lifted his gaze, it was like staring into a void.

"Tch." Colress stepped back.

Beside N loomed Zekrom, its black-and-gold armor crackling as its tail engine spun with discharge.

Ghetsis's voice was a strangled hiss. "Unova's black dragon... Zekrom... So you've become the hero? Gained its allegiance?!"

N didn't answer.

His hollow eyes—filled with sorrow and disappointment—locked onto Ghetsis, who scoffed and gripped his staff tighter.

"Ah, I see. You've come for me."

"Zekrom told me Kyurem is in pain," N said, his gaze sharpening as it flicked to the restrained dragon. "I won't allow selfish humans to torment Pokémon!"

"Eloquent as ever, N." Ghetsis slow-clapped. "My education of you as 'king' wasn't wasted. But tell me—are you human? Pokémon? Or..." His lips curled. "...a heartless monster?"

N looked away briefly.

"Zekrom!!"

Zekrom's furious cry shook the cavern. This was the Hero of Ideals it had chosen!

Ghetsis's smirk faltered.

For the first time, his meek, obsessive foster son met his gaze with a glare so piercing it chilled him.

"Father," N said. "This will be the last time I call you that."

"Because I'll atone for my sins."

He spread his arms slightly, his green hair whipping in the icy wind.

"I love Unova's land. Its people and Pokémon taught me harmony. The laborers, the Roggenrola hauling cargo, the Claydol shaped from earth, the Cofagrigus honoring the departed... All are miracles no equation can decipher."

"You understand none of this. Your heart is silence. Your numbers—zero."

"SILENCE!" Ghetsis slammed his staff down. "You're not human! Spare me your vomitous drivel!"

"It doesn't matter."

N's dull eyes gleamed.

"There's a forest where Zorua, Gardevoir, and Gothitelle await me—where Anthea and Concordia still believe in me."

"A café where Gengar, Sylveon, and Togepi's trainer trusted me to change things."

"So I'll keep pursuing my ideals."

"Because some are worth believing in... and some still believe in me."

"Pokémon, humans, you—all just tools for the strong!" Ghetsis's knuckles whitened around his staff. "I'll reeducate you on respect!"

"NOW, KYUREM!"

Kyurem lunged, ice shards erupting as it blasted Zekrom with a glacial storm!

Frost crawled over Zekrom's armor, but its tail engine roared to life, electricity arcing—

BOOOOM!!

Light flooded the cavern as the dragons clashed.

Colress removed his glasses, wiping a faux tear.

"Such touching familial bonds... But," he replaced them, smirking, "science interests me more."

Perfect timing.

Even without the DNA Splicers...

I, Colress, will fuse legendaries!

What Professor Bill failed at, what Fuji feared, what Oak never recorded—

"Behold my magnum opus!"

He activated the Fusion Device.

Years ahead of Alola's technology, fueled by obsession, Natsume-sensei's rivalry—

Colress Machine #1198: A device to reunite Kyurem with its other half. Modified via Reuniclus research. (Warning: May explode!)

"SCIENCE KNOWS NO LIMITS!"

Amidst the storm of ice and lightning, between a tyrant's ambition and a hero's ideals—

Colress pressed the button.

"Kyurem!!"

Kyurem's tail spikes shot out like Destiny Knots, piercing through Zekrom's Teravolt aura!

N's eyes widened. "ZEKROM—!"

The black dragon's engine overclocked, its armor blazing blue as it unleashed a gigavolt surge—

Yet the bonds sliced through, hurtling toward Zekrom!

"Zekrom—!!"

Zekrom's cry echoed across Unova.

Brother... HELP!!

Eindoak Town — Sword of the Vale

The castle quaked as a white pillar of light erupted skyward!

Hold on, I'm coming!!

"Natsume-sensei, what are you looking at?" Ash asked.

Natsume tore his gaze from the light, his expression twitching.

"Uh..."

A chill crept down his spine. He rubbed his chin, sighed wearily, and muttered:

"Pretty sure someone just... delivered Kyurem a free meal."