Chapter 149: Merely an empty shell

"Don't be so afraid, Reshiram. You are the True Dragon God, after all, and Kyurem is just an ice dragon."

"No, no, no, Dylan, I don't think you understand."

Dylan could almost imagine Reshiram shaking its head frantically.

"At that time, because of differences in ideals, I and the black dragon separated from the body of the Original Dragon. We inherited the inner power of the dragon, but its shell was left behind, which eventually turned into Kyurem."

Reshiram explained the origin of the Three Dragons of Unova to Dylan.

"Do you understand what I mean, Dylan? At the root, both Zekrom and I are parts of Kyurem that were lost. It can capture me and the black dragon, then reintegrate us back into itself to restore the body it lost."

"Being originally just a shell, Kyurem possesses power that surpasses mine and the black dragon's. Although we separated and took some of the power, a portion of the 'inner essence' still remains within Kyurem."

"Its true power is far beyond what I can compare to now."

Reshiram spoke softly, revealing why both it and Zekrom preferred to stay hidden from Kyurem.

It wasn't just because of the overwhelming difference in strength; the most terrifying thing was that Kyurem was a "hero waiting to fill its lost body with truth and ideals!"

The consciousness of the Original Dragon of Unova had long since perished, splitting into three: Zekrom, Reshiram, and Kyurem.

But Kyurem was special! If any of the three dragons could return to their original form as the Original Dragon of Unova, only Kyurem had the potential to do so!

"So, you're saying Kyurem is incredibly strong?" Dylan leaned on his hand, gazing at the massive gray dragon in the distance.

"Yes, extremely strong!" Reshiram replied seriously. It seemed that its hero finally understood the gravity of the situation, which brought Reshiram some relief.

"Tsk~ That only makes it more appealing. Now, I really want to capture it."

Dylan's eyes glinted with excitement. From Reshiram's words, he had grasped a crucial piece of information.

When the Original Dragon split, its shell still retained some of the 'inner essence'? In that case, this Kyurem could be just like the one in the movies!

"???" The white dragon was confused.

"Don't worry, Reshiram. Be brave. As your hero, I'll always be your strongest support!"

Dylan reassured the suddenly nervous white dragon.

"I'll have Necrozma ready to assist you at any time. If you can't handle it, we'll gang up and show 'truth' what's what!"

"Are you sure, Dylan?"

Reshiram was skeptical about the sincerity of Dylan's words, especially since fighting the ice dragon was…

"Of course, I'm sure. You're my white dragon, after all. Do you think I'd just stand by and watch you get beaten up by an ice dragon?"

"Then, Dylan, make sure Necrozma is on standby at all times, okay? Watch closely."

Reshiram was still a little uneasy and kept reminding Dylan repeatedly.

"Relax, relax~ You can count on me." Dylan's eyelid twitched slightly. This white dragon was too much.

Then, Dylan looked towards Kyurem in the distance. His Rotom Pokédex flew out, containing the legendary Pokémon data he had compiled.

'Beep~ Kyurem, Dragon/Ice-type, Boundary Pokémon.

Ability: Pressure.

Moves: Sheer Cold, Glaciate, Outrage, Blizzard, Hyper Voice, Ice Beam, Dragon Pulse, Freeze-Dry, Scale Shot...

Description: A hero waiting to fill its lost body with truth and ideals, the legendary Ice Dragon Pokémon.'

So strong!!

Lillie listened to the Rotom Pokédex's introduction and gripped Dylan's clothes tighter. This was the legendary Ice Dragon, Kyurem.

"The strongest dragon on land."

Dylan held Lillie's small hand to reassure her, then walked towards Kyurem with her slowly.

Buzzing~

It seemed that the geometric snowflakes swirling in the sky noticed the two uninvited guests, emitting a low hum before calming down again, as if afraid of disturbing something.

But it was already too late.

Dylan could feel Lillie's hand suddenly tightening around his. That was because the massive gray dragon ahead had opened its eyes at some point, its golden, majestic gaze fixed on the two of them.

Kyurem had awakened!

The entire glacial valley seemed to fall silent at this moment!

Under the overwhelming, oppressive atmosphere, even the air seemed to grow thick. Lillie felt like she had to use all her strength just to breathe—the pressure was immense!

"Roar~!"

A ferocious roar echoed across the sky, deafeningly loud. The sound waves generated by the roar surged forward, causing the entire glacial valley to tremble slightly.

So terrifying! This was just a roar!

Lillie shielded her face with her hand, the biting wind stinging her cheeks.

The gray dragon slowly rose, towering over the two humans who dared to approach it.

Kyurem's golden dragon eyes glowed with a frightening light as it stared directly at Dylan. It could feel it! It could sense it clearly!

"White Dragon! You dare to appear before me!"

The hoarse, deep voice resonated telepathically throughout the valley. It was Kyurem's voice.

It had sensed the presence of the white dragon emanating from this human.

"Has my kindness for the past two thousand years made you too bold?"

Kyurem lowered its head slightly, its face twisted into a terrifying snarl, enough to make a child cry.

It hadn't gone out of its way to find and devour the black and white dragons, which was its act of mercy toward them. And now, the white dragon dared to come before it on its own. Was this a provocation?

"Don't be angry, Kyurem. We don't intend to disturb your slumber."

Dylan smiled as he spoke, releasing a gentle aura, but Kyurem's demeanor remained hostile, though at least it hadn't attacked outright.

That was already a good outcome—after all, this was the legendary Ice Dragon, Kyurem.

"I am Dylan, Reshiram's partner. We came here specifically for you, Kyurem."

"Hah~"

Kyurem sneered. It could already guess that Zekrom and Reshiram would normally avoid it at all costs, so why would they suddenly seek it out?

"Kyurem, the strongest dragon of Unova's legends, sleeping in a place like this for so long… Don't you think that's a waste?"

Dylan glanced around at the surroundings. The pristine, immaculate glacial valley was a magnificent sight, but this had been Kyurem's home for thousands of years.

"Your power is so overwhelming, incredibly alluring. Even Reshiram and Zekrom have left behind legends passed down through the generations."

"As the strongest dragon, isn't it a shame that no one acknowledges you, Kyurem?" Dylan spoke slowly to Kyurem.

In response, Kyurem merely scoffed.

"What a ridiculous statement."

Kyurem's golden dragon eyes stared at the human chosen by the White Dragon.

"Why would I need validation from weak ants like humans? Only the worthless care about such things."

"The White Dragon and the Black Dragon are both fools. What truth? What ideals?"

Kyurem slowly straightened up, and its hoarse, resentful telepathic voice grew more dangerous.

It held nothing but contempt for the Black and White Dragons, who were constantly at odds over laughable concepts like truth and ideals. It was almost enough to make a dragon laugh.

"Weak White Dragon, weak Black Dragon, and their feeble principles and existence."

"Relying on frail humans to affirm their value—what right do those worthless beings have to be compared with me?"

Frost began to emanate from Kyurem's body, and its presence grew heavier.

"Pathetic creatures. Then again, I have let them be for over two thousand years. Perhaps it is time to bring them back."

In the end, as far as Kyurem was concerned, the so-called White and Black Dragons were no better than this.

"Reshiram, it seems Kyurem holds you in low regard."

Dylan narrowed his eyes slightly and pulled Lillie back, jokingly teasing his White Dragon in his mind.

"That's just how Kyurem is. But it's actually the most pitiful one," Reshiram replied calmly.

"It mocks us for having the purpose of truth and ideals, but Kyurem itself is merely an empty shell."

Kyurem despised the Black and White Dragons, but to both of them, the strongest Ice Dragon was equally pitiful.

"Having lost its inner self, all that's left is a hollow shell with nothing but power. It doesn't even have a purpose for its existence," Reshiram said faintly.

Hearing Kyurem's mockery of it and the Black Dragon, Reshiram remained unexpectedly composed.

The divine dragon had split due to ideological differences, resulting in two dragons born with principles of truth and ideals. But what of the remaining shell?

Nothing but emptiness—it had nothing but power because its heart was already hollow. Thus, it was waiting to fill the void with truth and ideals.

"Tsk..."

Dylan clicked his tongue. Goodness, while Kyurem's insults were harsh, Reshiram was no slouch either.

Without uttering a single curse, Reshiram's disdain for Kyurem was evident—every word was a critical hit. Truly worthy of being the White Dragon of truth, it was a verbal onslaught.

If Kyurem heard this, wouldn't it go berserk?

Oh, right—why didn't Reshiram just say it to Kyurem's face?

"Human boy, bring out your White Dragon! After more than two thousand years, it's time to settle the score."

Kyurem didn't know what Dylan and Reshiram were discussing, but now it felt there was no point in continuing the conversation.

Since Reshiram had come here, Kyurem wouldn't let the White Dragon go so easily!

"Kyurem, why so aggressive? Why don't we keep talking? Look, isn't it boring just lying here and sleeping? How about I show you the outside world?"

"Human! I won't repeat myself."

Kyurem's voice was nearly growling, barely suppressing its anger. If it weren't for the inexplicable feeling that this human's aura wasn't entirely repugnant, Kyurem would have already unleashed a freezing beam.

It had little patience.

"In that case, Reshiram!"

Dylan tossed Reshiram's Poké Ball, and with an ethereal, resonant cry, the graceful and magnificent White Dragon spread its wings and floated in the air. Its azure eyes stared intently at Kyurem.

Kyurem's golden eyes suddenly gleamed fiercely, and the pressure it exuded intensified.

"White Dragon!!!"

The Ice Dragon's roar echoed through the icy canyon, and a flame instantly ignited on its back, spreading across its entire body.

In the blink of an eye, a larger, colder yet paradoxically searing grayish-white dragon appeared.

"This is...?" Lillie was stunned.

Its upper body rose, standing on its two legs, with some features resembling Reshiram, including a similar heat-emitting organ on its tail.

This was White Kyurem!

'Beep~ White Kyurem, Dragon/Ice-type, boundary Pokémon.

Ability: Turboblaze. Moves: Glaciate, Sheer Cold, Outrage, Blizzard, Fusion Flare, Ice Beam, Freeze-Dry...

Description: It has foreseen the arrival of a true world for Pokémon and humans, and seeks to protect such a future! (White Kyurem)'

So powerful, so powerful!!

"Indeed, this Ice Dragon can freely change forms just like in the movies." Dylan's eyes glimmered as he looked at the awe-inspiring White Kyurem.

"White Dragon!"

White Kyurem slowly floated upward, its savage dragon eyes locked onto the elegant Reshiram. A vicious smile appeared on its menacing face.

"I have seen the true world coming, White Dragon. In that true world... there is no place for you!!"

Reshiram suddenly felt a chill run through its body, its white feathers standing on end.

This Ice Dragon was too much! It actually tried to scare it!

'Dylan, you'd better make sure Necrozma keeps an eye on things! This Kyurem seems serious!'

'Don't worry, don't worry, Reshiram. Just go for it—we've got your back.'

'Then why are you all moving farther away?'

(End of chapter)