Pokemon: Gym Leader

A streak of red and a streak of blue descended atop a rooftop, their gazes locking on the towering Eternamax Eternatus floating in the sky.

"Who are those two Pokémon?"

Rose, along with Lillie and Leaf, had also noticed them. The two beams of light were simply too eye-catching.

They were—Zacian and Zamazenta!

"Zacian and Zamazenta, the legendary heroes," Dylan murmured, eyes flickering with interest.

"Legendary heroes? Are you sure, Dylan?" Rose was surprised.

"No doubt about it," Dylan nodded. "They're the ones who defeated Eternatus and saved Galar three thousand years ago."

Though Dylan spoke calmly, it made sense that Rose hadn't known.

The truth was, after Zacian and Zamazenta ended the Darkest Day, Galar's ancient royalty—fearing these Pokémon would overshadow their power—chose to erase their involvement. They buried the records and claimed the royal family were the true heroes.

Even statues built to honor the wolves were hidden away.

"…So that's how it is."

Rose narrowed his eyes, lips curling into a wry smile.

How absurd.

No wonder Bede uncovered two statues while excavating. These were the real heroes.

Beep—Zacian (Crowned Sword), Fairy-type, Warrior Pokémon

Ability: Intrepid Sword

Signature Moves: Giga Impact, Close Combat, Moonblast, Iron Head, Swords Dance, Sacred Sword…

Entry: Said to be Zamazenta's older sister, though some claim they're rivals. (Crowned Sword Form)

Beep—Zamazenta (Crowned Shield), Fighting-type, Warrior Pokémon

Ability: Dauntless Shield

Signature Moves: Giga Impact, Close Combat, Moonblast, Iron Head, Iron Defense, Metal Burst…

Entry: A Pokémon forgotten by nearly all, once turned to stone and sealed in eternal slumber. (Crowned Shield Form)

While the others watched in awe, Zacian and Zamazenta were observing Dylan's Pokémon—Kyurem and Dusk Mane Necrozma—dominating the fight.

"Big sis?" Zamazenta looked to Zacian. "Do we even need to step in?"

It seemed Eternatus was already on the ropes. Even without them, its defeat was inevitable.

"That human… his aura is strange," Zamazenta muttered as its gaze drifted toward Dylan. "I sense a mix of many things…"

Zacian barely glanced his way.

"A menace like that must be destroyed—completely!"

Its icy eyes returned to Eternatus, now burning with killing intent.

It had let the creature live once. That mistake wouldn't be repeated.

Zamazenta immediately understood.

Zacian was decisive, always had been—and challenging her judgment had never ended well.

It still remembered what happened the last time it questioned her… those were not love taps.

A solemn howl cut through the air.

Zacian drew a rusted sword from her mane. Zamazenta summoned a rusted shield.

In a flash of light, the two legends transformed—

Crowned Sword Zacian and Crowned Shield Zamazenta!

"Whoa!! So cool!"

Leaf's eyes sparkled as she saw them "transform."

Especially Zacian—with her dazzling golden sword, sharp royal markings, and regal crown, she looked like a majestic, indomitable monarch.

The Sword King of Galar!

Beside her, Zamazenta stood strong and steady, golden shield covering its chest, flowing blue mane now glowing, crowned just like its sibling.

The Shield King!

"Zacian and Zamazenta, huh?"

A Poké Ball opened beside Dylan—Calyrex appeared.

The ancient King of Bounty stared solemnly at the two legendary wolves.

They were not strangers.

Though these two shunned the world, sleeping in seclusion, Calyrex knew them well.

Beep—Zacian (Crowned Sword), Fairy/Steel-type, Warrior Pokémon

Ability: Intrepid Sword

Signature Move: Behemoth Blade

Entry: Said to be able to cleave anything in existence, it is revered as the Fairy King's Blade, feared and respected alike.

Beep—Zamazenta (Crowned Shield), Fighting/Steel-type, Warrior Pokémon

Ability: Dauntless Shield

Signature Move: Behemoth Bash

Entry: Said to repel all attacks, it is known as the Fighting King's Shield, honored and feared throughout legend.

Compared to their standard forms, the crowned forms brought not only visual changes, but drastic power boosts—including their signature moves, Behemoth Blade and Behemoth Bash, which dealt double damage to Dynamaxed foes.

Zacian became a blur of blue light, streaking toward Eternatus.

Zamazenta followed close behind.

ROOOOOAR!!

Eternatus bellowed in rage.

It was still battling Kyurem and Dusk Mane Necrozma when Zacian arrived.

The constant two-on-one barrage had kept it too busy to notice the wolves.

Dynamax Cannon!

Red beams surged toward White Kyurem.

Kyurem evaded effortlessly, wings blazing.

In that opening, Dusk Mane Necrozma charged and fired Photon Geyser.

BOOM!

Eternatus gritted through the hit and countered with another Dynamax Cannon, blasting Necrozma squarely.

It hissed in pain.

But then—

A flash of blue steel.

Zacian charged in, sword glowing with Fairy aura, growing ever larger.

"ROOOOAR!!"

Eternatus's roar turned manic.

It recognized this dog.

This was the one who shattered its body three thousand years ago.

Its rage ignited. Fire gathered in its claws.

It remembered its mistake—Dragon and Poison moves were useless against this monster.

This time, it would fight smarter.

But Zacian was faster.

With a vicious slash, she unleashed Behemoth Blade!

CLANG!!

The golden slash erupted like a holy explosion.

Even though Steel wasn't super effective, Behemoth Blade's bonus against Dynamaxed foes made it brutally powerful.

Eternatus reeled.

It gathered flames again—Max Flare—

But Zamazenta arrived just in time, hurling Behemoth Bash straight into its claws.

BOOM!

Its aim was thrown off.

One after another, the legends took turns landing hits.

"RAAAH!!"

Eternatus roared in fury.

Again! These dogs again!

Zacian's sword gleamed once more—

Kyurem gathered icy flames—

Necrozma's body lit with golden energy—

Behemoth Blade!

Fusion Flare!

Photon Geyser!

BOOM!! BOOM!! BOOM!!

A triple assault slammed into Eternatus's massive body.

Even at its peak form, it howled in agony.

It tried once more to charge Max Flare—but it was too late.

The next wave was already coming.

"…Damn," Leaf muttered, watching the relentless beating.

"It's really a punching bag, huh?"

"Eternatus really knows how to take a hit," Dylan praised.

Its defense and stamina were monstrous. Despite being countered, it was still on its feet.

Even now, it was trying to fight back.

None of its retaliations had succeeded—not one.

Every time it gathered energy, another strike knocked it down.

Still, it kept going.

That alone was impressive.

But eventually… even Eternatus couldn't last.

The enormous vortex-like body finally collapsed, crashing into the earth.

Its giant claws twitched—gasping for breath.

"Menace."

Zacian landed.

Her cold eyes locked onto Eternatus.

No hesitation. No mercy.

She stepped forward.

It was time to end this.

Eternatus raised its claws, staring back with equal fury.

It wasn't afraid—it was pissed.

This shameless mutt!

Calling it the menace?

Coming at it four-on-one?

How about a fair fight!?

"COME AT ME ONE-ON-ONE IF YOU DARE!!"

Eternatus's mind roared.

See if I don't turn you into a dead dog!

(End of Chapter)