The shattered lake surface froze solid, but sounds of cracking from the lakebed suggested that Chien-Pao might break free in just a few moments.
"Come on, it's chased us for so long; now it's time to give it all back! Lucario!"
Yagen's entire body erupted with blue light, his normally messy hair waving with the energy's pulse, his cloak floating behind him.
Beside him, Lucario also radiated blue light, sensing Yagen's Aura, with its originally red pupils turning to a vivid blue.
"We're going all out; don't hold back, Summer!"
"Of course, as we agreed!"
Based on Yagen's experience with the other calamities, the calamity of the sword was the most aggressive and highly dangerous, but it had a weakness: its fragile body.
Thus, the strategy that Summer and Yagen devised was straightforward—finish the battle quickly with an all-out attack from the start, not giving the calamity of the sword any chance to counterattack.
"Ogerpon, let's Terastallize."
"Gaa-o!"
Shining crystals clustered around Ogerpon, and a giant demonic mask roared as it broke free from the crystals. Intense flames began to burn around it, instantly turning the cold air scorching hot, and the raging blizzard turned to white mist upon contact.
With its Beads of Ruin ability activated, the crimson crystals reflected the memories of rage. Now, Ogerpon's anger was directed at the calamity of the sword, which desecrated life indiscriminately. Everything evil must be burned away!
"Haha, impressive!" Even the well-traveled Yagen couldn't help but praise. "This heat rivals the volcano god of my homeland. But look, it's breaking free."
Boom! The originally frozen lake surface exploded with dazzling beams of light, instantly sliced into several large chunks. Chien-Pao broke free and darted like a phantom across the ice chunks, leaping into the air with a roar.
Suddenly, a beam of crimson moonlight pierced through Chien-Pao's body, followed by two more beams exploding on its back—three Pokémon launched simultaneous attacks.
Chien-Pao responded to Summer's greeting with a joyous cry, passing through the icy mist formed by its body. In an instant, its body was restored.
"It's recovered! Although its defense is weak, its recovery is incredibly strong!" Summer said, embedding the Z-Crystal into his bracelet.
"Snow! It's using the blizzard to heal itself. We need to finish it off in one go!" Yagen gritted his teeth as the blue light enveloping his body grew brighter.
In the blizzard, Chien-Pao's speed became terrifying. Within about five seconds, it had left the vast lake surface and was sprinting across the snow.
"Kill them! This time, use your sharp teeth to sever them! I want them to become souls beneath my sword!"
The voice in its head made Chien-Pao even more excited, but as it tried to speed up, it suddenly felt sluggish. Countless cold eyes were staring at it.
The Ghost-type Pokémon, filled with resentment, all used the move "Mean Look" together. They silently told Chien-Pao that those who plunder life indiscriminately would face retribution.
Dark Pulse exploded around Chien-Pao, causing the Ghost-type Pokémon to scatter. Some even lost their ability to fight.
Chien-Pao roared in anger, but their efforts weren't in vain because Summer and Yagen were ready!
"Shining crystals, carrying our bond, transform into flames that melt the extreme cold. Inferno Overdrive!"
With ancient dance steps and words of trust, Summer's wrist burst into intense light, transmitting power to Ogerpon, who felt the bond's strength. The flames in its heart became scorching.
A giant, blazing fireball appeared in front of Ogerpon's mask, instantly evaporating the surrounding snow. Ogerpon gripped its thorny club tightly and swung it fiercely.
"Channel my Aura, Lucario. Aura Sphere!"
With the infusion of Aura, Lucario's body was etched with countless black marks. It raised both arms, gathering a massive blue energy ball in its hands, and hurled it mercilessly at Chien-Pao.
For the first time, the calamity of the sword felt danger. It wanted to escape, but that feeling from earlier returned! Froslass was staring at it with her icy blue eyes!
The scorching Inferno Overdrive merged with the massive Aura Sphere, transforming into a blue inferno. The unimaginable heat enveloped Chien-Pao, and with a roar of unwillingness, its body turned to mist.
The spherical blue flame rotated and burned fiercely, scorching the blackened broken sword and incinerating its sins.
Clang! Two broken swords fell onto the charred rock surface as Chien-Pao's figure disappeared, and the raging blizzard gradually ceased.
"Is it over?" Summer asked, panting.
"Not yet. Look," Yagen, equally out of breath, pointed to the nearby snow, which was rapidly advancing toward the broken swords. "Not a chance. Cresselia, please, put it to sleep."
The light of the crescent moon enveloped the broken swords, with beautiful aurora-like feathers covering them. The advancing snow stopped in its tracks.
"Phew, one last step," Yagen's voice suddenly turned serious. Blue light enveloped the broken swords and then flew toward him, landing on the ground.
He removed his shirt, took out four exquisite, small ceremonial swords: one pure white, one with a metallic shine, one water-blue and translucent, and the last one dark and cold.
"Respect the great deity of Sinnoh," he said, waving the pure white sword in his hand, then the other three swords, saying, "By your power, halt time, freeze space, reverse matter, seal!"
Blue light erupted from Yagen's hand, and the four small swords radiated light, enveloping the broken swords. The clouds over Glaseado Mountain dispersed, and long-lost sunlight shone upon the land.
Summer marveled at the familiar material of the ceremonial swords in Yagen's hands. Could it be made from plates?
"Haha, it's finally over. Now it won't move for a thousand years." Yagen relaxed, but the ceremonial swords seemed shorter than before.
"Yagen, did you just seal it?" Summer asked.
"Yes, an acquaintance of the old man taught me, but it requires Aura to activate the tools. Heh, that woman in black is even scarier than the old man," Yagen said, shaking his head.
Yagen crouched to pick up the now harmless broken swords, saying, "Skills are never a burden, but we still need to find a way to destroy them."
"Destroy?"
"This seal lasts only a thousand years. Even with another sealing technique, it would last only two thousand years."
"Sins seep within. When they awaken and regain their power, they will wreak havoc again."
"I wish I knew a purification technique. Then at least when they revive, they'll be just ill-tempered Pokémon without the evil intent driving them."
The calamities were born from malice, but they were also life. If not for the future peace, Yagen wouldn't want to destroy them.
"What about the water that purifies all impurities?" Summer took out a small bottle.
"Haha, you really are something, Summer. You even managed to get this?!" Yagen nodded, smiling. "It's not much, but with my secret technique, it should be enough."
Beside them, Ogerpon puffed out its chest with a proud expression, as if praising Summer was also praising itself. Summer is amazing, so Ogerpon is amazing too!
(Chapter End)