Victory Pokémon, of course, is a nickname.
"Victini?"
The discovered Victini tilts its head slightly, watching Damian and the three approaching.
It isn't afraid, just puzzled.
Naturally, it feels that the aura on this human boy is very comforting, and it also smells a scent that is not unfamiliar.
Hmm, it's the same one that hates Tornadus, but Tornadus was wild and raging before, right? This one has been caught?
"Hello, Victini."
"Hello—hello~"
Damian arrives beneath the tree, smiling warmly at this Victini.
Jirachi also waves a small hand at Victini.
Yes, this Pokémon is Victini, the Mythical Pokémon Victini, and it's also the reason Damian came to Eindoak Town.
Victini's shape is small and mouse‑like, all pale yellow like a plush toy; its ears form the letter "V" on its head, blue eyes are pure and beautiful, absolutely adorable.
"Victini~"
Victini slowly floats up, leaning closer to Damian, glancing at Jirachi, its big eyes full of curiosity.
It recognizes Jirachi, but in its memory, Jirachi should be in slumber right now.
"I'm Damian's partner now, Victini, want to come with us and leave together?"
Jirachi smiles innocently.
"Victini?"
Victini bites its fingers, thinking.
It has stayed in Eindoak Town for a long time, seeing many things.
"We can show you more scenery and stories; I came here this time to take you along, so you can see more too."
Damian smiles.
"Can we become lifelong close friends?"
"Victini…"
Victini hesitates, looking at Damian with big eyes.
Its personality is timid; at first it wasn't afraid, thanks to the power of Viridian on Damian and Jirachi's presence.
But now…
Why does it feel so pressured by this proposal of lifelong friendship?
Lifelong means forever, right?
Victini thinks it needs to consider carefully.
"Don't be afraid, I'm sincere; I really like Victini, that's why I came to find you."
Damian senses Victini's step back was a bit hurtful, so he decides to apply a little pressure.
"Even if you're not willing, I won't let you off the hook; let's have a battle. If you lose, you'll become my partner."
?
Victini's head pops up with a big question mark.
The little guy thinks this human has a problem.
And a battle? Victini isn't fond of in‑person battles; it prefers to share its power with someone who admires it, watching others win under its boost.
"What about you, Victini?"
Damian's gaze is earnest.
Victini stares at him for a long moment; the pace seems too fast.
As teammates, they should at least understand each other first, but they've only just met.
"Victini…" Victini hesitates, just about to lift its head.
A black silhouette appears beside Damian, its purple‑flame eyes fixed on Victini.
That thick malice makes Victini take a step back, swallowing hard; its gaze clears instantly.
"Victini!!"
Under Elesa's eerie gaze, Victini straightens its spine and roars with indignation.
"Very good, caught Victini."
Damian looks pleased at the Ultra Ball in his hand, containing Victini.
With Damian's sincere urging, Victini agrees to become Damian's teammate and enters Damian's Ultra Ball.
Though Victini agrees through tears, Damian doesn't mind much.
He won't abuse Victini; he actually quite likes Victini. Not only adorable, Victini also boosts his other Pokémon.
With full utility, it's not any less valuable than a Wish‑giver like Jirachi.
Victini's category is Victory Pokémon; strictly, it represents the concept of "Victory" itself.
In simple terms, with Victini's boost, even a Caterpie using Tackle could beat a Dragonite with Dragon Rush, or launch through it.
Just like Palkia represents "Spatial," Dialga "Temporal," Uxie "Knowledge," etc.
But Victini's "Victory" obviously can't compare to Palkia's or the others.
Because this world exists thanks to the fusion of Spatial, Temporal, and antimatter, with Knowledge, Emotion, and Willpower—the spirit that unites them.
The material and the spirit form the foundation, giving rise to other concepts later.
Yet even though it represents "Victory," Victini's power isn't unlimited.
Just as space dragons can't erase a small spatial distortion, Victini's boost has limits.
But there's no doubt that Victini's assistance is handy; it's certainly capable in the Champion tier.
Catching Victini makes Damian feel great.
Seeing Victini perched on his shoulder, nibbling a small cake, is especially comforting.
"Nice," Damian murmurs; his expression is goofy but warm.
With Victini on one shoulder and Jirachi on the other, Damian doesn't linger long; the three of them head back to the Castle the next day.
As for the Sword of the Vale and the People of the Vale, Damian isn't interested; what era is it? Reviving a kingdom?
In short, even if Terrera revived, what would that help? The next day the Pokémon League would come.
Purely to amuse himself.
Back at the Castle, Damian doesn't waste time; they're set, and next—
Unova League's old site, located in the northernmost area of the Unova Region.
Damian gathers Zinnia and others here.
Then he releases Reshiram, letting Reshiram release its aura; for several days it had kept its aura hidden well.
Now is the time.
This moment, Unova is in a certain location.
Originally resting on a hill, Black Kyurem suddenly opens its golden dragon eyes; a violent aura bursts forth instantly.
"Reshiram!!!"
Black Kyurem's roar shakes the sky.
Originally it had swallowed Zekrom, and at first it planned to battle Reshiram, but it doesn't know Reshiram's location!
These days Black Kyurem has been wandering Unova like a headless fly, unable to find Reshiram.
It even went to Dragonspiral Tower; within that tower there is indeed the aura of Zekrom and Reshiram, yet it's still missed.
It even suspects Reshiram may have left the region, since it has no clue at all.
This makes Black Kyurem extremely annoyed, and it even considers returning to Glacier Canyon to sleep if it can't find it.
Now, Black Kyurem keenly senses Reshiram's aura appearing.
"This time you won't slip away, Reshiram!"
Black Kyurem's body rockets upward in an instant, flying toward the detected location at high speed.
Elsewhere.
"Champion Alder, Kyurem moved again! And according to reports, Damian has appeared at the League's old site."
Jenny's commander enters Alder's office, reporting to Alder.
"Are you sure?"
"Very sure; Reshiram is standing at the old site's top."
Jenny's commander pulls out a tablet and hands a photo to Alder.
"Indeed it's Reshiram, Damian, what is he up to?" Wallace asks, puzzled.
"Who knows, but this is good news."
Alder rests his chin in his hand and ponders; whatever Damian's plan, it's a good opportunity.
Black Kyurem's sudden action is clearly aimed at Reshiram, and this is undeniable.
Steven suggests to Alder, "Best to evacuate nearby towns on Victory Road first."
This Kyurem vs Damian battle will likely be intense.
"I understand, you go handle it; I'll contact Gym Leader Giovanni and the others."
Alder orders Jenny's commander; fortunately, this is at the League's old site area, not in the grander cities in the wild.
"No matter what, this battle will decide our stance toward Team Rocket."
If this battle can beat Damian, or drive Damian and his people away, that's a victory.
But if Damian remains unbeatable…
Alder already weighs how to negotiate with Damian, bracing for a big move.
"Move out!"
Unova League's old site.
The true Dragon stands above the old site, its Azure dragon eyes gazing far away, its pure white form both beautiful and moving.
Reshiram's beauty in any scene is as breathtaking as ever.
"Reshiram looks so good, as expected, the Truth Dragon."
Zinnia crosses her arms, admiring Reshiram's figure, though she concedes it isn't as pretty as Rayquaza.
"More beautiful than N's Zekrom, for sure." Zinnia adds.
"That's true, in general style." Colress adjusts his glasses, agreeing.
N opens his mouth but says nothing.
Reshiram remains statue‑still, an artwork in the air.
Knowing it's luring Kyurem, it still stays calm and composed—Reshiram, this guy…
N sighs.
From a glance at Kyurem's attitude, it seems Zekrom has lost.
After all, when he sensed Kyurem's aura, Zekrom almost ran away and didn't dare face Kyurem.
But actually…
"Damian, when Kyurem arrives, I won't need to fight it, right?"
Reshiram's telepathy connects only to Damian; according to the plan, it's only a lure dragon to tempt Kyurem.
"Allowed, you may stand by the side."
Damian hadn't expected Reshiram to do much; this Reshiram leans toward Truth.
"I think, Damian, you should recall me into your recall Ultra Ball now; Kyurem is a mad dog, if it charges at me…"
Reshiram is still worried; it's so beautiful, and Kyurem's beastly nature might pounce.
If it weren't for Damian's orders, it wouldn't stand in front of Kyurem at all.
Moreover Kyurem has already eaten Zekrom.
Then, Reshiram's dragon eyes flash.
"Holy shit! Damian, recall me into your Ultra Ball now! Kyurem is coming!!!"
~~~
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