Chapter 365: Challenging Kyurem
Rio watched as Cobalion and the others were frozen by Kyurem and muttered to himself: "Next comes the part where Keldeo regains its courage."
"But I’m curious—without the existence of that certain trainer, how will Keldeo find its courage again?"
As Rio muttered, a roar echoed from within the Giant Chasm.
"Kyurem~!" — Keldeo! This battle isn’t over yet!
That roar sent the fleeing Keldeo into a panic—it ran straight off a cliff and fell, landing right below Rio’s hiding spot.
Rio peered down at the fallen Keldeo. "Could it be... it’s up to me, the Chosen One, the successor of the legendary trainer?"
At that thought, Rio smiled. Just then, Gengar’s voice echoed in his mind: "Rio, Kyurem is right in there—is it time for us to gang up on it yet?" Gengar emerged from the shadows, its face alight with anticipation.
"Not yet. No rush. I think we need to put on a bit of a show first." Rio looked toward where Keldeo had fallen. "Helping this Keldeo regain its fighting spirit before we take on Kyurem might be more interesting."
"So much trouble." Gengar was clearly dissatisfied with Rio’s plan, but it had no choice but to go along.
The next morning, Rio followed Keldeo with Gengar and Victini to Anville Town in the Unova region. There was a train station there. Keldeo, having fled the Giant Chasm, had run all the way and collapsed onto a parked train car.
Rio watched from the nearby woods and smiled. "Now’s the time to save this Keldeo. Gengar, get me onto that train."
Gengar used Psychic to send Rio aboard. The train was mostly empty, so Rio’s stowaway entry went unnoticed. He adjusted his appearance in a mirror before making his way to the roof of the car where Keldeo had landed.
Keldeo lay there, covered in soot, seemingly unable to move. Rio approached with a healing spray—but Keldeo suddenly kicked him, nearly sending him off the moving train. Gengar caught him just in time.
"Keldeo, you really don’t know who your friends are!" Rio complained once he’d steadied himself. Keldeo ignored him and, through telepathy, looked up in panic.
"It’s coming!"
"Kyurem is coming!"
"Kyurem is coming!!!"
With that, Keldeo tried to jump off the train, but Rio grabbed it. "What are you talking about? Kyurem is coming? You’re badly injured—you need rest." Rio pretended not to know anything.
But as he spoke, a dragon’s roar echoed from above. A massive Pokémon leaped from a nearby mountain onto the train.
[Pokémon: Kyurem]
[Level: 92 (29881 days until next level)
[Talent: Legendary]
[Friendship: 0]
[Ability 1: Pressure]
[Gender: —]
[Moves: Dragon Breath (146%), Ancient Power (146%), Noble Roar (146%), Freeze-Dry (146%), Slash (146%), Endeavor (146%), Dragon Pulse (146%), Ice Beam (146%), Hyper Voice (146%), Scary Face (146%), Blizzard (146%), Imprison (146%), Outrage (146%), Glaciate (146%), Sheer Cold (146%), Avalanche (146%), Draco Meteor (146%), Dragon Claw (146%), Dragon Pulse (146%), Hyper Beam (146%)...]
[Description: A legendary Mythical Pokémon that was once one with Zekrom and Reshiram. Due to differing ideals, it split into three. When reunited with Zekrom and Reshiram, it can merge with them. ]
Rio raised an eyebrow as Kyurem arrived. Kyurem fixed its gaze on Keldeo, and an intense cold spread from its feet—within seconds, one train car was frozen solid, and the frost was rapidly spreading toward Rio, accompanied by an Ice Beam.
"Gengar, use Protect!" Rio commanded.
Gengar reluctantly used Protect to block Kyurem’s Ice Beam. "Get us inside!" Rio ordered as he noticed a tunnel approaching. Gengar fired a Shadow Ball at Kyurem while using Psychic to carry Rio and Keldeo into the train car.
Kyurem scoffed at the Gengar’s audacity and fired another Ice Beam—but when the Shadow Ball and Ice Beam proved evenly matched, Kyurem hesitated. "Gengar~" — Kyurem, you’re still far behind Old Ghost!
Gengar gloated. Kyurem was furious and prepared to retaliate—but the tunnel was right behind it, limiting its movements. It would have to collapse the entire tunnel to crush the train, which it didn’t want to do.
"Kyurem~!" — Keldeo! You wait—I’ll deal with you later!
With that threat, Kyurem leaped off the train and disappeared.
Inside the train car, Rio sprayed Keldeo’s wounds with healing spray and fed it an Energy Root. Keldeo’s injuries began to heal—though its broken horn couldn’t regrow, its body was clearly recovering.
"It’s you—you’re the human who was watching me fight the Swordsmen!" Keldeo finally recognized Rio.
"That’s right." Rio smiled, not denying it. "I saw you fighting the Swordsmen yesterday. How did you end up on Kyurem’s bad side, with it chasing you today?"
At that, Keldeo lowered its head. "Because I was arrogant. After realizing I could match the Swordsmen, I rushed off to challenge Kyurem—to complete the final trial and become a Swordsman."
"But when I actually fought Kyurem, I started to feel nervous and afraid. Kyurem was too strong—I couldn’t see any way to win."
"Then the Swordsmen stepped in to stop the fight—but Kyurem froze them all."
"And then... I ran away out of fear."
"The battle isn’t over. Kyurem is chasing me to finish me off—to complete the challenge."
Keldeo lowered its head to the ground in shame. Rio watched it and raised an eyebrow.
"So... are you planning to keep running away? To abandon the Swordsmen who were frozen because of you?"
At that, Keldeo immediately lifted its head and shot back: "No! I never planned to run away forever! I will definitely defeat Kyurem and save the Swordsmen!"
"Oh, really?" Rio raised his eyebrow further. "Then why did you just say you were nervous, afraid, and scared? Those three words all show weakness."
Keldeo was provoked. "Fine—if you don’t believe me, I’ll go save the Swordsmen right now!"
It turned to leave—but Rio stopped it. "Wait—I believe you." Rio smiled. "I just wanted to see your determination. If you’re truly resolved, then I’ll help you. I’ll go with you to face Kyurem and save the Swordsmen."
Keldeo was stunned. It hadn’t expected that. Its eyes reddened, and its friendship toward Rio shot up from 0 to 5.
"Thank you." Keldeo said gratefully.
"It’s nothing. When I first saw you the other day, I thought you were an excellent Pokémon—destined to become a Swordsman. Even though you’re facing difficulties now, I believe you can overcome them. Failure is always a stepping stone to success." Rio spoke passionately.
Keldeo’s friendship rose from 5 to 8. It had never expected a human it had only met once to believe in it so strongly.
Meanwhile, Gengar watched from the side, arms crossed, looking utterly done with Rio’s performance. If it had only just become Rio’s Pokémon, it might have believed the act. But after years together, it knew this human all too well. Actor. Master actor. A performer so skilled he could move you to tears. It had seen him fool countless Pokémon, including itself. And now, it seemed, he had just hoodwinked another one.
Rio added: "We should get you treated at a Pokémon Center before challenging Kyurem again."
The train had emerged from the tunnel into a city full of skyscrapers. Kyurem hadn’t attacked there. Keldeo looked around and nodded. "Alright."
Rio took Keldeo to the Pokémon Center. Nurse Joy, familiar with Keldeo and the Swordsmen, provided the best care, healing even the areas the Energy Root hadn’t fully restored.
By dusk, Rio and Keldeo left the Pokémon Center. Their plan was to return to the Giant Chasm and challenge Kyurem again.
"By the way, Keldeo—what do the Swordsmen mean to you?" Rio asked as they walked.
Keldeo thought for a moment. "Terrakion is stronger than any other Pokémon—fun and gentle."
"He sounds like a great Pokémon." Rio nodded. He recalled that in the original story, the legendary trainer had asked a few simple questions that helped Keldeo find its heart—and unlock the secret to awakening Secret Sword.
Keldeo continued: "Virizion is calm, steady, and cool. It always tells me that fear is the greatest enemy—and that to grow stronger, I must drive fear from my heart. It’s truly wise, and the fastest of the Swordsmen."
"Then there’s Cobalion, the leader. It always guides us. I’ve grown a lot under its teaching. It often tells me that losing a battle doesn’t matter—what matters is learning from defeat. And other things I don’t always understand."
"I see." Rio nodded. "Keldeo—have you been able to follow their teachings?"
Keldeo fell silent at the question, walking in thought for a long while. After about ten minutes, it murmured a phrase:
"When partners unite as one, true strength and sincere courage are born!"
Rio saw this and smiled softly.
They walked through the night for two or three hours, reaching the Giant Chasm. But just as they were about to enter, Keldeo was seized by the same fear as before—its limbs trembling.
"I told Kyurem I was a Swordsman. I lied to it—that’s why the battle started."
"But I haven’t actually become a Swordsman yet. So Kyurem will never forgive me—it won’t let me save the Swordsmen."
Seeing this, Rio smiled—not reproachfully, but gently: "In that case, Victini and I will go save the Swordsmen ourselves."
"Vic~" — That’s right—we’ll go!
With that, Rio carried Victini and walked into the Giant Chasm, ignoring Keldeo’s fear. Keldeo watched him disappear inside, gritting its teeth—caught in a final internal struggle.
About ten minutes later, Rio reached the heart of the Giant Chasm. He saw the frozen Swordsmen—and Kyurem emerging from the depths. Kyurem was furious at his arrival.
"Kyurem~!" — This is no place for humans! Leave! Get out now! Or you’ll stay here forever!