Chapter 147: Chapter 148: Really?
Ghetsis was not in a good mood! His speech had been going well, and he was just about to reach the climax.
Then, out of nowhere, some clueless kid called Officer Jenny, and now this kid wanted to stop him from leaving?
"Well, well~ Ghetsis, you're certainly throwing your weight around."
Dylan stood up, casually sizing up Ghetsis with a look of astonishment.
"I wonder what kind of reward I'd get if I turned you over to the Unova League? But considering your worth, I suppose I'd be lucky to get a Deino in exchange."
"???" Ghetsis's face darkened to the point where it looked like water could drip from it.
This brat!!
"Ghetsis, shall we deal with him? Officer Jenny is probably already on her way," one of the two Plasma Grunts behind Ghetsis whispered. Although they were furious about Dylan insulting their Sage, time was pressing.
It would be trouble if Officer Jenny arrived.
Ghetsis understood the urgency, and after glaring at Dylan with an extremely cold expression, he let out a cold snort and prepared to leave.
"Oh? I was expecting something more from you, Ghetsis. Turns out, you're just planning to slink away?" Dylan's mocking tone stopped Ghetsis in his tracks.
"Even if Alder were here today, he couldn't save you! You disrespectful little punk!!"
Ghetsis whirled around, his cold, sinister voice sending chills through the air as he opened a Poké Ball.
A Hydreigon appeared before Ghetsis, its black and red eyes fixed on Dylan and Lillie.
A Hydreigon, huh?
Lillie clutched Dylan's sleeve, cautiously eyeing the ominous Hydreigon. Though it seemed darker than Zinnia's Hydreigon, it clearly lacked Zinnia's Hydreigon's presence.
"Oh? Big words, Ghetsis. If Champion Alder were here, you'd probably be begging for mercy." Dylan continued to taunt lightly.
Ghetsis's face twitched, his expression darkening further.
Never! No one had ever dared to provoke him like this before!!
"Kid, I've decided. After I break your mouth, let's see if you still have the nerve to talk."
Ghetsis's icy gaze never left Dylan. Being an arrogant and conceited man, how could he endure such humiliation?
"Come on, Ghetsis. Show me what you're made of. I hope your bite is at least half as tough as your bark."
Dylan chuckled dismissively as he released a Salamence, whose violent aura filled the air as it spread its wings and looked down at Hydreigon.
A Salamence?
Ghetsis's expression flickered. A Salamence was no ordinary Pokémon; could this kid actually be powerful?
Perhaps he shouldn't act rashly—after all, they were still in Icirrus City.
"Relax, Ghetsis. Whether you want to fight or not, Salamence won't let you leave. After all, I still plan to trade you to the Unova League for a Deino." Dylan smirked, as if he could read Ghetsis's thoughts.
"Arrogant!!"
Ghetsis's expression changed instantly.
"You brat! If you insist on courting death, I will gladly oblige!"
Ghetsis's menacing words prompted a nonchalant shrug from Dylan.
"Your mere Salamence is nothing in front of my Hydreigon!"
Yes! As the true leader of Team Plasma and even the mastermind behind the hero chosen by the dragon of ideals, he could surely defeat an arrogant and foolish boy.
Hydreigon versus Salamence—how could he lose?
He would win!!
But then…
"W-What? How is this possible?"
Ghetsis staggered back, pale-faced, as he watched his Hydreigon fall effortlessly.
How could it be so strong?!
"I can't lose to you! I am the perfect human who founded Team Plasma!!"
Ghetsis's twisted and resentful face showed he was on the verge of a breakdown.
"What a pathetic man, unable to even accept reality," Dylan remarked in disdain, glancing at the ashen-faced Ghetsis.
"Congratulations, you're even weaker than I expected, and to think you call yourself a 'perfect human.'"
Dylan's taunts showed no mercy.
"Don't get cocky! This isn't over! Just you wait!!"
Ghetsis was seething with hatred. This brat's strength had caught him off guard, even his prized Hydreigon was easily defeated.
But it didn't matter! He still had his adopted son, N, who was followed by the dragon of ideals. As long as N was around, no one in this world was his match!
N was unbeatable!!
"Are you not fully developed intellectually? You can still say things like 'just you wait'?" Dylan's eyes gleamed with amusement.
"You!!" Ghetsis's eyes were bloodshot.
But Dylan could no longer be bothered with this defeated dog. Under Salamence's intimidation, Ghetsis, though bristling with anger, reluctantly laid all his Poké Balls on the ground.
Before long, a police car arrived, and Officer Jenny from Unova stepped out.
"I'm Dylan, Gym Leader of Rota Gym in Kanto, here on a trip with my sister. I just happened to catch this guy spreading the ideology of an evil organization."
"As a good citizen who upholds the values of the League, I couldn't tolerate such heresy."
Dylan gave a brief explanation to Officer Jenny.
"Thank you, Gym Leader Dylan. We've been on the lookout for Team Plasma operatives recently. You've done us a great service." Officer Jenny saluted Dylan gratefully.
Ever since Zekrom appeared in Saffron City, Goodshow had contacted the Unova League, and they had begun a crackdown on Team Plasma members, though no high-ranking officials had been caught.
But now, capturing one of the Seven Sages, Ghetsis, was indeed a big win for Officer Jenny.
"No need for thanks. I was just doing my duty."
Dylan nodded with a smile, then handed Ghetsis's Poké Balls to Officer Jenny.
"Please be careful with the detention, Officer Jenny. Ghetsis is a highly dangerous Elite-level Trainer."
"Rest assured, Gym Leader Dylan!"
Officer Jenny's expression became serious. This guy was an Elite-level Trainer? What about Dylan, who defeated Ghetsis?
"I'll report this matter to my superiors. The Unova League will not forget your contribution, Gym Leader Dylan."
Officer Jenny, being astute, immediately addressed Dylan.
"I was just doing what I should," Dylan replied with the same line.
With that, Officer Jenny handcuffed Ghetsis and escorted him into the police car, which then drove toward the station.
Hopefully, Ghetsis would enjoy the meals in Icirrus City's jail because he would soon be transferred to Opelucid City.
Would N break into the Unova League to rescue Ghetsis? That would surely be an interesting spectacle.
"Big brother, who was that man?"
As the police car drove away, Lillie curiously asked Dylan.
It was her first time seeing her brother mock someone so mercilessly. He usually wasn't like this, which showed just how much he disliked Ghetsis.
"Ghetsis, the founder of Team Plasma and N's adoptive father. The reason N is the way he is now is because of him."
Dylan casually explained. He really didn't think much of Ghetsis, unlike other leaders of villainous teams who had ambitions and reasons.
Only Giovanni and Ghetsis were driven purely by ambition, though Giovanni at least had the aura and qualities of a hero and could accept defeat, as he temporarily disbanded Team Rocket after losing to Red to train and grow stronger.
But Ghetsis was different. He resorted to all kinds of means for his ambitions, even manipulating a child's worldview with a false reality.
He raised N, treating him as a monster while pretending to be a guide and loving father. After being defeated, he became deranged, unable to accept his failure.
All of this showed that Ghetsis was a pathetic and incapable man.
Just like Archie and Maxie—nothing but trash.
Dylan didn't dislike ambitious villains. In his view, the world was colorful and dazzling precisely because of the various people who existed and intersected, making it a vibrant place.
But at least villains needed to be outstanding and charismatic, right? Only such ambitious individuals could create an exciting story.
"Let's go, Lillie. We'll get something to eat, and tomorrow we'll head to Lacunosa Town."
"Alright~!"
The next day, Dylan and Lillie flew to Lacunosa Town on Reshiram.
Lacunosa Town, located in the southeastern part of the Unova region, gets its name from the lattice pattern used in woven bamboo baskets, known for warding off evil spirits with its triangular shape.
After about two hours of flying, Dylan and Lillie arrived at Lacunosa Town. Reshiram wasn't flying at its maximum speed, yet they made good time.
"Huh? What are these walls?" Lillie was surprised as she noticed the walls surrounding Lacunosa Town. Walls? In this day and age?
"It's an old custom of theirs, nothing to be puzzled about," Dylan said as he recalled Reshiram. After surveying the surroundings and determining the direction, he led Lillie toward the northwest.
"Do you know why they built these walls?" Lillie asked, curious. It felt like Dylan knew everything.
"It's a local legend passed down in Lacunosa," Dylan explained. "A long time ago, a meteor fell from space, carrying a terrifying beast. They say the beast would appear at night, accompanied by a cold wind, to snatch away people and Pokémon to eat them."
"What?" Lillie was stunned.
"So, the townspeople built these walls to encircle the town and even established a rule prohibiting people from going outside at night, encouraging everyone to stay indoors. Even today, some residents stay home at night, though not everyone believes in the legend anymore."
Dylan chuckled softly. Indeed, this was the story passed down in Lacunosa Town.
The "terrifying beast" from the legend was none other than the Ice Dragon, Kyurem. Compared to its two counterparts, the Black Dragon and the White Dragon, the Ice Dragon was less famous. Its fierce appearance only added to Kyurem's negative reputation among the locals.
Saying Kyurem has a bad temper is certainly true, but saying it eats humans and Pokémon?
(Confused emoji)
Dylan was more inclined to believe that Kyurem had frozen some unfortunate individuals who accidentally provoked it. After all, in the Sacred Sword movie, Kyurem did freeze the three Swords of Justice in an instant.
Furthermore, Lacunosa Town's legend was fundamentally incorrect. Kyurem originated from the remains left behind after the original dragon split into the Black Dragon and White Dragon, not from some meteor.
However, there was one element of truth in the legend: Kyurem's lair wasn't too far from Lacunosa Town.
The Giant Chasm.
Located in the far northeastern corner of the Unova region, the Giant Chasm is a massive crater said to be Kyurem's home.
Dylan took out the winter clothes they had prepared in advance, and with Lillie, headed into the depths of the Giant Chasm.
Guided by Necrozma's sense of direction, they continued onward. As they ventured deeper, the temperature noticeably dropped, and both Dylan and Lillie were now bundled up in thick winter coats.
"Dylan, I think I sense a familiar presence. Where have you taken us?"
Abruptly, Reshiram's solemn telepathy echoed in Dylan's mind. Even while inside its Poké Ball, Reshiram could feel the aura of the Ice Dragon growing stronger.
Where had Dylan brought them now?
"Let's turn back, Dylan. I can sense we're getting closer to a terrifying creature," Reshiram urged its Hero of Truth.
However, the brave Hero of Truth wasn't about to heed the White Dragon's advice.
"That's right, Reshiram. My target is none other than the legendary Ice Dragon, Kyurem."
Dylan and Lillie emerged from a cave to find themselves in a breathtaking world of ice and blue hues.
It was magnificent—truly magnificent!
They had entered a pristine, glacial canyon. On the ground ahead, a gray dragon was lying down, leisurely napping.
It was Kyurem, the Ice Dragon! And why did it look so content?
Because above Kyurem, a multitude of Cryogonal were slowly floating around, while flakes of icy snow drifted down.
Yes, these wild Cryogonal were creating "artificial snowfall" for Kyurem, suggesting that the Ice Dragon knew how to enjoy itself.
"Huh?"
Reshiram was taken aback.
"No, Dylan, you may not understand what Kyurem represents! Its temper is utterly horrible; it's best we don't provoke it."
"How about we go after the Black Dragon instead?" Reshiram quickly recovered and started negotiating with Dylan.
"Kyurem is a legendary dragon, and it's an Ice Dragon. But Reshiram, as a Fire Dragon, you should be able to defeat Kyurem, right?"
"I'm supposed to fight Kyurem???" Reshiram's ethereal telepathy was filled with bewilderment.
Who could understand? It had finally found a strong Hero, and now this Hero wanted it to fight Kyurem right away? If Reshiram had that kind of power, it would have already scattered the Black Dragon's ashes without needing to choose a worthy Hero of Truth.
(End of chapter)
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