Pokemon Paldea [279-280] (Patreon)

Chapter 279: The Shadow Triad Sets Their Sights on Victini

That icy touch could only come from metal—or a blade. Mannes's body went rigid.

His Adam's apple, usually hidden by his fat, bobbed as he tried to speak, but one of the three white-haired, masked intruders who had somehow slipped into the archives hissed a warning in a voice as cold and raspy as a snake's tongue:
"Don't move. Don't make a sound. Do exactly as we say. Or else—you know."

Cold sweat soaked Mannes's back. With the dagger wielder's permission, he gave the slightest nod to show he understood.

The man called Shadow curled his lips beneath his mask, apparently pleased with Mannes's obedience. He asked directly, "Tell us everything you know about the dragons of Truth and Ideals."

"And don't even think about lying. We've got ways to test that. If we catch you—you know what happens."

Mannes felt the knife press closer to his throat as the man tightened his grip. Panic-stricken, he could only nod minutely again.

Shadow nodded, satisfied. The Shadow Triad owed their lives to Ghetsis. Now they served as his sharpest blades in the shadows, each adopting Shadow as their name. For Team Plasma's future, this mission had to be flawless.

Prodded by the three, Mannes reluctantly began recounting the history of Eindoak and, in the end, stated bluntly that the two dragons had become the Dragon Stones and had shattered the castle's rock as they vanished into the sky.

The Sword of the Vale no longer held slumbering dragons.

When he finished, one of the Shadow glanced sideways at the portable lie detector devised by Team Plasma's chief scientist. Realizing Mannes hadn't lied, he frowned deeply.

Another Shadow placed a hand on his shoulder, signaling him to remain perfectly calm, then asked in a low voice, "Then, about the Victini in that story—how much do you know?"

Beads of sweat rolled down Mannes's temples. Under threat of death, he gritted his teeth and slowly revealed that Victini was currently traveling with a Trainer.

…

Far from the archives and near the castle's top, Luxray lay at the corner of a large bed, watching Lucas drift into sleep while Victini sprawled on top of him, snoring sweetly. The sight drew a faint smile from Luxray.

Just as Luxray decided it was time to sleep, he sensed something. His head snapped up, golden light blazing in his sharp eyes.

Pouring more power into his eyes, he saw ever more, until his vision pierced several floors to the archives below. The moment he saw the scene there, Luxray sprang up and roused Lucas without hesitation.

By the time Lucas and Luxray reached the archives, they found Mannes terrified and collapsed on the floor, books strewn everywhere, and a window letting in a frigid draft.

…

A short while earlier, outside the castle, the Shadow Triad had been conferring in the shadows.

"Shadow, are we just leaving? According to the mayor, Victini is inside this castle, right?"

"Shadow, remember Lord N's order: this operation must not harm innocent Pokémon. That definition is too broad. To avoid angering Lord N, we can't risk it."

"Shadow is right. We'll report to Lord N that the dragons no longer slumber here. After he departs, we'll return, prepare, and then seize the Victini accompanying that human for Dr. Colress."

…

Lucas brewed a pot of hot tea and poured a cup, setting it before the trembling Mannes. He pulled up a chair and sat.

"You're saying three white-haired masked people, like ninjas, held you hostage, asking for information on the dragons of Truth and Ideals," Lucas said gravely.

"And when they learned the dragons had vanished, they switched targets and asked about Victini?"

Guilt-ridden, Mannes glanced anxiously at Lucas and Victini, who peeked at him from behind Lucas. Clutching his head, he trembled. "I didn't want to, but they had a knife to my throat. I'm sorry. I'm sorry…"

Juanita rushed in, opening the door just in time to hear his quavering apology.

She gave Mannes a helpless look. She wanted to be angry, but what could she say? It was a life-or-death crisis. From her position, she couldn't condemn him.

A swirl of emotions ended in a sigh.

She met Lucas's gaze; they exchanged a nod. "How are the students?"

"I've checked them all. They're fine, sleeping soundly," Lucas replied.

Juanita patted her chest in relief, tension draining from her. If anything had happened to the students Lucas had brought—students she'd suggested sleep in the castle—she'd have felt guilty for a long time.

A crackle of electricity sounded as Luxray vaulted in through the window. After a brief exchange with it, Lucas looked unsurprised.

If he was right, the trio who had held the mayor hostage were Ghetsis's subordinates—the Shadow Triad of Team Plasma.

It was easy to pinpoint them: white hair, ninja style, a group of three, hunting the legendary dragons—too many obvious markers.

In the games, they came and went like ninjas, leaving no traces or scents. And they likely carried some Plasma tech on them. It wasn't surprising that Luxray had found nothing nearby.

Lucas shook his head at Juanita's questioning look. She blanched. "Then what do we do? Without the dragons as their goal, they'll set their sights on Victini."

"Should we hide somewhere, cancel tomorrow's battle festival, have Officer Jenny lock down the city?"

Resting a hand on Luxray's back, Lucas pondered, then spoke with a plan in mind. "We don't do anything. The festival proceeds as normal. Their only targets will be me and Victini at my side. With that intel, we can do a lot."

Mannes lifted his head, worried. "Are you sure?"

Lucas smiled faintly. "It'll be fine."

…

The next day, in Eindoak's largest plaza—

Though worried, Mannes forced a smile and announced brightly, "The rules are as before. I declare the festival battles celebrating the Harvest Festival—begin!"

Amid cheers and fireworks, Lucas and Nemona each received a wooden tag.

According to the rules, trainers wearing the tags could challenge each other. The last trainer still wearing a tag would be champion.

Each battle allowed only a single Pokémon, but trainers could use different ones in different battles.

Simple and easy to understand.

Lucas fingered the surprisingly well-crafted wooden tag. After saying goodbye to an excited Nemona, Eri, and the forcibly-dragged, dead-eyed Penny and Arven, he set off alone.

Carlita seemed intent on saving their match for last and didn't challenge him immediately. Lucas wandered the streets, feigning alertness, waiting for the others to make a move.

"Vee-tee…"

Hearing that someone was after it, the invisible Victini on Lucas's shoulder let out a nervous sound.

The Vulpix in Lucas's arms whispered comfort, promising to beat any intruder to a pulp.

Victini clasped Vulpix's tiny paw, deeply moved.

Though he couldn't see invisible Victini, Lucas knew what the two little cuties were up to. He shook his head helplessly—just as the first challenger appeared.

A young man—his name didn't matter. They were ships passing: one battle, and that was all.

At the ref's whistle, Lucas and the boy sent out their Pokémon amid cheers.

Samurott and Comfey!

By size, by gaze, by cutting aura, Samurott looked like a drawn blade compared to the delicate Comfey.

But the result stunned everyone.

Comfey danced through the flowerbeds, nimbly dodging Samurott's water-sheathed shell blade strikes. Like a dancer in blooms, she unleashed a storm of petals like whirling snow.

After only a few exchanges, Samurott fell before the adorable, harmless-looking Comfey, to a chorus of gasps.

If Arven had been here, he'd have heckled Samurott for daring to challenge Comfey. Once, a student accidentally provoked her, and he and his Pokémon nearly suffered trauma.

It was that kind of beatdown—brutal domination while she continuously healed you.
Painfully wholesome.

Meanwhile, atop a tall clock tower, the three Shadow—dressed like ninjas but scanning Eindoak through high-tech goggles—made for a bizarre sight.

They'd brought the devices overnight. They could even pick up invisible Pokémon silhouettes—Dr. Colress had modified them from a Devon Corp tool used to reveal Kecleon in Hoenn.

Lock onto the suspected Victini signal, press a button, and a strange magnetic field would force Victini to appear. Then they'd strike like lightning and snatch it in one go!

After a short search, they picked up a signal matching an invisible Pokémon—likely Victini.

Their gaze fell on a man, cradling a cute ice-blue Vulpix, walking down a quiet alley.

On his shoulder, the goggles read an enormous energy signature.
It was daytime, but opportunity passed in a blink. Grab Victini, and go!
The three shared a look, decided, and vanished in a blur.

…

Rounding a corner onto an uphill path, Lucas saw Eri's Annihilape crash to the ground. He glanced at her opponent and raised an eyebrow, surprised.

Carlita—the daughter of Juanita, about his age—and her roaring Hydreigon!

Hydreigon's main color was blue, covered in black fur, with three pairs of wings, and two rows of maroon markings on its belly. It had no hind legs, and as its name suggested, three heads—but only the central head had a brain and will.

After defeating Eri, Carlita turned her eyes to the passing Lucas and smiled. "Perfect timing!"

Eri handed her tag to the judge, slumped back to Lucas's side, and murmured, "Teacher Lucas, I lost."

He patted the tall girl's shoulder. "It's fine. She's raised a Hydreigon. As a newer trainer, it's normal for you to be outmatched. Don't sell yourself short."

"I understand."

Eri nodded and stepped aside to let the ref ask whether Lucas would accept Carlita's challenge.

No hesitation. Lucas had already promised Carlita he'd fight with his main team.

Not only Carlita was excited—even Victini, who scampered from his shoulder to the top of his head, beamed.

Besides poffins and sweets, Victini's favorite food was the victory aura that only it could see, radiating from its trainer after a win.

Victini loved absorbing victory. Following Lucas through the festival, it had watched him swap in Comfey and Alcremie to trounce more than a dozen trainers, the victory aura growing rich and mellow.

It hadn't had such a feast in a long time.

Victini was eager for Lucas's battle with Carlita, who herself radiated a faint victory aura. This would be today's biggest, tastiest serving!
The narrow slope wasn't ideal for Carlita and Hydreigon. At Lucas's suggestion, they moved to an open plaza. The battle was about to ignite.

On a nearby rooftop, the Shadow Triad landed silently, eyes fixed on Lucas setting his stance. They smiled, certain of success.

Victini, the mythical Pokémon that could make its trainer undefeatable—rumored to have infinite energy—
Perfect to serve Team Plasma, Lord Ghetsis, Lord N, and Dr. Colress—to further Team Plasma's goals!

Chapter 280: The Shadow Triad Faceplants, Fireworks, and the Sea

"Dragonite, I'll leave this battle to you."

Lucas calmly sent out another pseudo-legendary known to all: Dragonite. Carlita's eyes shone like never before.

Not just Swampert, Luxray, and Serperior—Lucas also had Dragonite. Amazing!

The crowd cheered and focused on the impending clash between dragon Pokémon.

Hydreigon let out a hoarse snarl. Black energy coiled around its three pairs of wings; its vicious eyes looked ready to rend flesh.

Facing the pressure, Dragonite beat its wings and climbed to match Hydreigon's altitude, expression unmoved. Victini, invisible atop Lucas's head, was less composed.

A savage glint flashed across Hydreigon's face. Dragonite matching its altitude was blatant provocation!

"Tri-Attack!"

At Carlita's command, Hydreigon's three mouths opened. Beams of flame, lightning, and frost blasted forth.

Dragonite merely flexed its claws. With a sweep trailing emerald light, it ripped the triple beams apart.

In the next instant—before Hydreigon could react—Dragonite closed the distance. Its tail flashed green and cracked the air like a whip, lashing Hydreigon hard!

Hydreigon's pupils shrank. It saw only the oncoming dragon tail—and the next moment it was smashed into the ground.

Before it could recover, Dragonite cloaked itself in a roaring dragon-shaped aura and crashed down with terrifying force!
Boom!
A deafening blast shook the sky. A turbulent shockwave rolled out with dust; spectators staggered.

Carlita covered her mouth and nose. She squinted—then her eyes went wide. Hydreigon lay motionless in the crater.

She… hadn't even given proper commands, and Hydreigon was already down?

Was the gap between her and a champion that vast—like heaven and earth?

Victini pressed its cheeks with its hands, as if sipping fine nectar. Its face flushed.

This victory aura was delicious!

Eri clicked her tongue beside them. Teacher Lucas's Dragonite was still the same—brute force miracles. The Hydreigon that had fought her Annihilape so hard was steamrolled. Still as over-spec as ever.

The referee blew the whistle. "Hydreigon is unable to battle. Dragonite wins!"

Thunderous cheers erupted. Seeing Lucas's familiar face and that outrageous display, they remembered—this was the man who defeated Champion Alder.

Applause swelled like a tide. Give-and-take battles were fun, but sometimes pure dominance had its charm.

Carlita handed over her tag with a wry smile.

She had asked for this—asked him to go all-out so she could see the gulf between them.

She hadn't expected Hydreigon to be a chick before a dragon—completely helpless.

She recalled Hydreigon, covered her face, and walked to Lucas through the lingering dust. She offered a hand. "Thank you… for the lesson."

Lucas shook his head and reached to clasp it—when a sudden voice in his mind made his expression turn grave.

A heartbeat later, smoke burst around the plaza. Carlita's pupils shrank as the invisible Victini on Lucas's head suddenly flickered into view.

As the crowd screamed in panic, three nearly inaudible whooshes sliced toward Lucas, followed by icy blades cleaving down at him and Carlita.

The Shadow Triad burst through their own smokescreen. Two targeted Lucas and Carlita with knives, while the third wore Plasma's restraint gauntlet, lunging straight for the now-visible, panicking Victini.

All of it took less than three seconds.

This was the perfect moment: post-battle laxity, Poké Balls just returned, no time to send out new Pokémon. If they were going to snatch Victini from the man who beat the champion—this was it!

Got it!
The thought flashed in all three minds.

But the next instant, they were dumbstruck.

Lucas's shadow writhed like a raging sea. A pair of massive claws burst forth and slapped the two knife-wielders away.

Mimikyu leapt from the shadow, the Shadow Ball it had been charging screaming toward the third Shadow and his ominous device. A bright blast sent him flying, slamming into the ground.

In the fourth second, prompted by a critical system warning, Lucas had Dragonite's ball in hand again and pressed the button.

A gale surged out, shredding the smoke. The three intruders were revealed, battered, as the crowd shrieked and scattered.

The leader glanced at the wounds the blast had torn into him. Pain lanced through his mind, but he kept his cool.

He didn't understand how Lucas had reacted.

They had verified with their device that neither Lucas nor Carlita had a Ghost-type lurking in their shadows. They'd chosen the perfect moment for a lightning strike, a one-hit kill.

If so—then they'd take it by force!
They exchanged looks and decided. Worst case, they'd retreat.

Their escape techniques were honed to perfection. There was no way a first-time Unova visitor could keep up.

Lucas stared coldly at the three white-haired, masked figures. In a single kip-up, they flipped back and sent out their Pokémon:
Accelgor, Banette, and Bisharp!

These three were the Shadow Triad's sharpest blades, veterans of countless missions—enough to make a typical Gym Leader sweat!

Lucas signaled Dragonite. It soared skyward to shield Eri and the crowd.

He pulled Carlita behind him, leaving his back to Mimikyu, and was about to send out Luxray to discipline these daylight robbers when Vulpix wriggled free of his arm with surprising strength.

Kid, this is not the time to run at murderous thugs…
Before Lucas could grab Vulpix, the three fierce Pokémon and their trainers attacked.

With only Hydreigon, Carlita stayed behind Lucas, eyes on the tiny Vulpix—then gaped, rubbed her eyes, unbelieving.

Why was Vulpix glowing?

A golden aura rose around the little fox. Vulpix felt limitless strength and energy welling up. It took a confident step forward, cheeks puffing as frost gathered.

"Myuu!"

Powder Snow!

A bitter gale roared out. Everything in its path froze under a thick coat of ice—the Shadow Triad mid-charge, their Bisharp, Banette, and Accelgor—all became lifelike ice sculptures, standing in the blazing sun.

The wind ran to the edge of the plaza, curled against a wall, and formed a cascading sculpture of frozen falls.

At some point, snow began to drift from the sky.

Proud of itself, Vulpix lifted its chin to accept Victini's praise—the crisis past, it had dropped invisibility.

Lucas looked at Vulpix and Victini, then at the frozen Shadow Triad and the crowd Dragonite had pushed far back. A slow question mark formed in his mind.

Wasn't this supposed to be my time to shine?

Vulpix had stolen all the thunder.

He'd been counting on making a heroic save, letting his charm radiate until Victini begged to follow him.

Now Victini was clinging to Vulpix…

A strange desolation welled up inside Lucas. Snowflakes drifting down seemed to catch his mood and fall even more bleakly.

And that's how the Shadow Triad got caught—so ignominiously that even Lucas, who had prepared thoroughly, hadn't expected it.

One-shot by a pampered Vulpix not even six months old.

Even Officer Jenny, arriving to take custody of the notorious trio and to get Lucas's statement, gave him a look that was hard to describe.

Lucas had a guess. During the festival, invisible Victini had repeatedly made physical contact with Vulpix. Perhaps even Victini hadn't noticed that, driven by worry, it had subconsciously channeled its infinite energy into Vulpix.

That let Vulpix fire off a Powder Snow akin to Sheer Cold or Blizzard, one-shotting the Triad and their Pokémon.

Vulpix's rare ability was Snow Warning. Victini's infinite energy likely activated it, changing the weather for a while.

The Shadow Triad—Ghetsis's elite enforcers—were not only superhumanly swift and strong; their Pokémon could give Gym Leaders nightmares.

Yet they'd been wiped by Vulpix's Powder Snow. Victini's power was even more ridiculous than Lucas had thought…

With the Triad caught, Lucas lost interest in more battles. He forfeited, handed in his tag, and walked away as if nothing more than a trivial errand had occurred.

Nemona won the festival in the end. A pity Carlita had been beaten by Lucas himself—he'd have liked to see how Nemona and Pawmot would fare against her Hydreigon.

The battle festival concluded. Smiling broadly, Mannes declared it over.

But the Harvest Festival continued.

…

At 8 p.m., night had long fallen, but Eindoak glittered with lanterns of local flavor. The night market had just begun.

Lucas took Comfey, Alcremie, Vulpix, and Victini—through the streets toward the best-viewing terrace.

By the time they arrived, it was packed. Seeing the sea of heads, Lucas actually grimaced.

The little ones had been too playful, and he'd come late. Hopefully Nemona and the others had already secured prime spots.

Otherwise, they couldn't watch the fireworks from the best angle.

He glanced down at the three Pokémon's expectant faces and smiled helplessly.

Fine. A harmless bit of cheating tonight.

He slipped out of the crowd to a secluded spot with a blocked view. He called out Dragonite.

With a downdraft that bent the treetops, Lucas took to the night sky on Dragonite.

He handed Poké Balls to Alcremie, Comfey, and Dragonite. Holding Vulpix in one arm and Luxray's ball in the other, he finished setting up.

This way, Luxray and the others could watch the fireworks through their Poké Balls.

As the show neared, he glanced at Victini on his shoulder and noticed its unusually calm expression—unlike Vulpix and the others, who were giddy at their first fireworks.

Cheering rose below. Lances of light shot upward; booming blossoms unfurled in the sky.

Just the prelude.

More fireworks ascended and bloomed.

Vulpix, Alcremie, Comfey—and even those in their balls like Luxray and Serperior—wore rapt expressions.

Below, brilliant light played over Nemona and the others' faces. Though disappointed not to watch with Lucas, they were spellbound by the spectacle.

While fireworks thundered, Lucas watched Victini's face.

Silent, he guessed the reason for its calm.

In the thousand years of its confinement, Victini had seen fireworks countless times.

To it, the fireworks were a reminder—another year of being bound. Sitting atop the Sword of the Vale's tower, day after day, watching time pass and familiar things fade away.

Behind Victini's cheerful façade was a sensitive, lonely heart.

He drew a breath and spoke gently, pulling Victini's attention to him. "Victini, how does it feel—watching fireworks with friends and companions?"

Victini's eyes slowly widened. For the first time in centuries, fireworks were reflected there again.

Right—this time, it wasn't alone.

"Vee-tee~!"

Victini stared at Lucas's profile, as if making a decision. It patted him.

Maybe the fireworks were too dazzling tonight.

In Lucas's gaze, Victini's eyes shone brighter than ever. It flashed its signature V sign and wore a radiant smile.

Victini's smile was contagious. Lucas couldn't help but grin back and ask from the heart, "Do you have a wish you want to make come true?"

Victini blinked, then looked past the fireworks, beyond Eindoak, to the calm, mysterious sea.

It wanted to see the ocean—just once.

Even the fireworks couldn't drown out Lucas's voice. He patted Dragonite, who seemed to understand. "Let's go. Let's go see the sea together—let's watch the waves sparkle under the sunrise!"

Victini froze for a heartbeat. Dragonite wrapped itself in wind and flew toward the ocean.

As they neared the unseen barrier that bound it, Victini grew uneasy.

A red-and-white Poké Ball appeared before its lowered gaze.

"Do you trust me?" Lucas asked.

Victini started—then, following its heart, touched the button.