Chapter 7 – Natural Nemisis

After all, Eternatus is a foreign species with the Poison and Dragon types, while Zacian holds the Fairy and Steel types!

Poison-type moves are ineffective against Steel-types, and Dragon-type moves do nothing against Fairy-types!

Is there even a need to say more?

Zacian is the natural nemesis of Eternatus! And not just that—it's a nemesis that completely overwhelms Eternatus in terms of typing!

If it weren't for Eternatus' sheer strength after Gigantamaxing, then back three thousand years ago, why would it have needed Zamazenta's help to deal with it?

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Hammerlocke Stadium.

"ROOOARR!"

Eternatus' dragon's roar pierced through the heavens, as a dangerous crimson radiance began to overflow from its body.

In the sky, which was already tinged with a deep reddish hue, dense layers of black clouds started churning violently.

Those twisted dark clouds spun faster and faster, gradually forming a vortex that blanketed the entire sky!

The Darkest Day.

The apocalyptic scene from three thousand years ago was once again re-emerging. The black vortex rapidly expanded, engulfing the entirety of Hammerlocke.

Large numbers of civilians, completely unaware of what was happening, were struck by waves of panic and fear.

Yes—Eternatus, now free from its shackles, had subconsciously begun absorbing the surrounding energy!

Because in this moment, it wasn't even close to being in its prime. Its energy reserves were far from full. It needed to replenish itself.

Especially beneath it—the energy plant. Eternatus could feel it. There was incredibly rich energy down there!

Three thousand years ago, its body was shattered by Zacian and Zamazenta, scattering into Wishing Stars and their fragments throughout Galar.

Now, it would once again absorb that energy to return to its peak state!

"Stop it. Do you want to be shattered by them again?"

Just then, a voice suddenly echoed deep within Eternatus' mind.

Eternatus paused instinctively, and the swirling dark clouds above stilled momentarily.

'Shattered by them again?'

Eternatus lowered its massive head and looked downward. That voice—it wasn't unfamiliar. It belonged to the human who had released it.

For some reason, it could sense a strange familiarity from that human's aura.

Combined with the fact that the human had saved it, Eternatus had developed a faint sense of goodwill toward him.

But… if it didn't absorb energy, how could it recover?

Eternatus tilted its head in confusion, gazing at Lucas.

And right at that moment—

A streak of blue draconic light pierced through the air, striking Eternatus directly!

It was Dragon Pulse!

The blast of Dragon-type energy exploded on impact, and Eternatus felt a faint sting.

Its glowing, spotted dragon eyes instantly flickered with a dangerous glint.

"Raihan!"

Seeing this, Oleana's voice rang out with surprise and joy.

Yes, the Dragon Pulse just now was unleashed by Raihan's main Pokémon—Archaludon.

Raihan had arrived!

"Ah, here comes the free delivery."

Lucas curved his lips into a faint smile.

Seriously, how bold could this guy be? He really dared to launch an attack on Eternatus without the slightest hesitation?

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Raihan, the Gym Leader of Hammerlocke City, was one of the top-tier Trainers in the Galar region, second only to the Champion, Leon!

In fact, Raihan was also the only Trainer in Galar so far who had managed to defeat the most Pokémon from Leon's team in an official battle.

Yes, whether the rumors that Raihan could become a Champion in any other region were exaggerated or not, it didn't matter.

One thing was certain—Raihan was undeniably a Champion-level Trainer!

"That big guy…"

Walking into the stadium, Raihan's usually suave expression was now creased into a deep frown as he looked up at the colossal Eternatus in the sky.

In front of him stood a bipedal, platinum-colored Pokémon—his ace, Archaludon.

"The legendary Eternatus? Why is it here?"

Raihan's eyelids twitched rapidly as he recalled what he knew about the legend of Eternatus.

Just now, Archaludon's Dragon Pulse had hit directly—but Eternatus looked completely unaffected.

That was enough to make Raihan feel an ominous sense of dread.

Now he was certain.

This towering, menacing monster really was "The Darkest Day"—Eternatus!

Dammit! Why on earth was a legendary Pokémon this dangerous appearing in Hammerlocke?!

And not just outside the city—but inside the city itself?!

Raihan wanted to curse out loud, but the dire situation forced him to remain calm and confront Eternatus head-on.

"ROOOAARRR!"

There was no time left to hesitate.

From the sky, Eternatus had already locked eyes on Raihan and Archaludon.

A blinding, terrifying crimson glow began to gather in Eternatus' chest. The sight made Raihan's pupils contract sharply.

"Oi oi oi! This isn't a joke! You're starting off with your ultimate move?!"

Raihan quickly retreated.

His instincts screamed with danger. Eternatus was truly enraged!

A radiant red beam of destructive energy lit up the dim sky, shooting straight toward Archaludon at an insane speed!

It was one of Eternatus' signature moves—Dynamax Cannon!

"Archaludon! Use Steel Beam!"

Archaludon roared as brilliant metallic energy gathered in its mouth.

A gigantic platinum beam of light fired back at the oncoming Dynamax Cannon!

Steel Beam!

One of the most powerful Steel-type moves in the game—with a base power of 140!

But its side effect was severe—it drastically drained the user's stamina. Even more so than reckless moves like Double-Edge.

Red and platinum beams collided midair with a deafening boom. The violent shockwaves exploded outward, sending gusts and turbulence through the entire stadium.

"He's strength… is passable."

Lucas narrowed his eyes as he watched Archaludon still holding its ground. He didn't hesitate to offer a rare word of praise.

Not bad.

Even though Eternatus clearly wasn't going all out, the power of a high-level Legendary Pokémon was enough to plunge anyone into despair.

Yet Raihan's Archaludon had managed to withstand it head-on, even if only briefly.

That alone proved that Raihan's reputation wasn't just for show.

But… that's as far as it goes.

"Hmph!"

Hearing Lucas's casual remark, Oleana's face darkened.

To say that someone of Raihan's caliber was merely "passable"? How arrogant could he be?

She gave a cold snort.

But even she had to admit that with just Raihan, there was no stopping Eternatus.

With anxious eyes, Oleana tapped into her private communications and sent a message to Leon.

But the Champion had just ventured deep into the Crown Tundra—one of Galar's most treacherous wild zones.

Signals there were completely blocked. She had no idea whether Leon could receive her message at all.

Meanwhile, within those few short moments—

Eternatus unleashed another powerful surge.

Archaludon's Steel Beam was instantly shattered by the Dynamax Cannon. The crimson beam gave Archaludon no chance to escape and struck it dead-on!

BOOM!

A terrifying explosion erupted, sending shockwaves throughout the entire stadium, as if a tornado had ripped through it.

Archaludon was blasted back, crashing into the ground. The injuries were severe.

"Archaludon!"

Raihan, who had retreated earlier, immediately recalled Archaludon into its Poké Ball.

From that brief exchange, it was obvious—Archaludon was absolutely no match for this version of Eternatus.

Raihan looked down at the Poké Ball in his hand. The Dynamax Band on his wrist crackled with red arcs of electricity.

Yes—he was preparing to Gigantamax Archaludon!

Even though he knew he couldn't win, as Hammerlocke's Gym Leader, he had a responsibility to stop Eternatus.

"Foolish."

From afar, Lucas caught sight of his actions and sneered.

Trying to Gigantamax in front of the source of Dynamax energy itself?

In Raihan's hand, the Poké Ball began to swell in size under the surge of red arcs…

But just as quickly, the energy fizzled out, and the ball shrank back down.

Gigantamax failed!

"What? How is this possible?!"

Raihan was visibly stunned, staring in disbelief at his now-unresponsive Dynamax Band.

"Eternatus is the very source of all Dynamax energy.

Since Dynamax is essentially powered by Eternatus itself, trying to use it without its permission… is nothing but a joke."

"Wouldn't you say so, Miss Oleana?"

Lucas chuckled coldly as he turned his mocking gaze toward Oleana, who stood there pale-faced, biting her lip.

She was the creator of the Dynamax Bands.

Without her devices regulating the flow of energy, Trainers wouldn't be able to use Dynamax at designated spots.

And what Lucas said—was absolutely true.

"ROAR!"

But Eternatus didn't care about any of that.

Its dragon eyes locked onto Raihan once more. That deadly crimson light flashed again.

Another Dynamax Cannon!

An overwhelmingly powerful beam of red light blasted through the air at high speed—headed straight for Raihan!

"Run! Raihan!"

A terrifying crimson beam tore through the darkened sky, piercing straight toward the ground.

This overwhelming attack… was all too familiar.

"Run! Raihan!"

Oleana's pupils contracted. She could no longer hesitate. She shouted in panic, completely disregarding everything else.

If that blast hit Raihan directly, how could an ordinary human body possibly survive?

But no—it couldn't happen!

Raihan was one of Galar's most elite Trainers.

If they lost him, the blow to the region would be devastating.

"Flygon—!"

As a top-tier Trainer, Raihan's instincts were razor sharp. A sense of danger unlike anything before surged through his body.

A Poké Ball appeared in his hand—he was ready to throw it.

But it was too late!

His shock over the failed Gigantamax had cost him precious seconds. Eternatus' beam was just too fast.

"I can't believe… I'm going to die here…"

Raihan clearly realized it too. The crimson light filled his vision. He forced a bitter smile at the corner of his lips.

But just then—

A streak of blue light shot through the air like lightning, soaring right above Raihan's head.

The sharp blue radiance was like an impossibly sharp blade—

It sliced straight through the oncoming Dynamax Cannon, cleaving it from the center!

Oleana and Raihan both stared in stunned silence at the blue light.

The light was too intense—they couldn't make out what was within it.

But…

That was Eternatus' Dynamax Cannon!

The same move that had just shattered Archaludon's Steel Beam like it was nothing!

(End of Chapter)

(Author's Note: There's a theory that Eternatus' Gigantamax form is a result of energy overload, but in its standard form, using "Eternabeam" briefly reverts it back to its true appearance. So in this story, Eternatus' Gigantamax form is considered its original form. That's the setting.)