The once clear sky had darkened without warning, a sinister crimson hue faintly visible through the clouds. This apocalyptic scene sent waves of panic through the majority of Hammerlocke's residents.
"Warning! Warning! A highly dangerous wild Pokémon has appeared within the city. All citizens are advised to evacuate the stadium immediately."
"Warning! Warning!..."
The broadcast echoed repeatedly from every corner of Hammerlocke, as police officers flooded the streets, guiding the panicked crowds to safety. Hammerlocke, the central city of the Galar region and one of its most prosperous, could not afford any mishaps.
"What's going on?" A young man with a bronze complexion grabbed a police officer, his brow furrowed as he demanded answers.
"You… You're Raihan, sir?" The officer was momentarily stunned before recognizing the young man, his face lighting up with relief.
Yes, it was Raihan, the Gym Leader of Hammerlocke!
"Sir, you've finally returned! A terrifying Pokémon has appeared near Hammerlocke Stadium and is attempting to shatter the protective barriers. Please, you must stop it!" The officer pleaded urgently, his words tumbling out in a rush. The situation had escalated too quickly, leaving no time for preparation.
The stadium's protective barriers were designed to ensure the safety of spectators during Pokémon battles. Now, they had become the city's last line of defense.
"A dangerous Pokémon? Understood. Do your best to calm the citizens." Raihan's frown deepened. He had just returned to Hammerlocke after receiving a distress call from Oleana, who had directed him to the stadium.
What on earth was happening?
A sense of foreboding settled in Raihan's heart.
...
"Roar!"
A deep, resonant dragon's cry echoed through the air, followed by a massive crimson beam of energy hurtling forward.
Dynamax Cannon!
The beam shot straight ahead but was intercepted halfway by a translucent barrier. This was the stadium's safety shield, a crucial safeguard for spectators during Pokémon battles, especially in the Galar region, where Dynamaxing was a common occurrence.
These barriers were designed to withstand even the most powerful attacks from top-tier Champion-level Pokémon. Yet, as Eternatus continued its assault, cracks began to spiderweb across the barrier's surface.
It wouldn't be long before the barrier shattered completely, and Eternatus would descend upon Hammerlocke.
"Such awe-inspiring power. That crimson hue is truly magnificent, don't you think, Miss Oleana?" Standing at a corner of Hammerlocke Stadium, Ryuu Shiro gazed at Eternatus with an irrepressible smile of admiration.
This was the kind of power he craved—the overwhelming might of a high-tier Legendary Pokémon. This was the dragon of his dreams!
Though Eternatus, with its skeletal, dragon-like form, might appear terrifying to most, to Ryuu Shiro, it was nothing short of breathtaking.
"You're insane! Do you have any idea what this means?" Oleana, leaning against a wall to keep herself from collapsing, glared at Ryuu Shiro with a face drained of color. Her voice trembled with anger.
How could he still smile at a time like this?
"Take a good look!" Oleana raised a shaky arm, pointing outside, her eyes locked on Ryuu Shiro. Her usually composed demeanor had shattered, her voice sharp and piercing.
"Take a good look at this city! It's a thriving metropolis, home to countless residents. If Eternatus breaks through that barrier, those people will lose their last line of defense! If Eternatus goes out of control, this disaster will be entirely your fault, you monster!"
Yes, in Oleana's eyes, this was all Ryuu Shiro's doing. If he hadn't infiltrated the Energy Plant and released Eternatus, none of this would have happened. And yet, here he was, still smiling. What kind of person did that?
What kind of person could be so heartless?
"Oh, I see. Should I apologize then?" Ryuu Shiro's smile didn't waver. He glanced at Oleana, shrugging with a complete lack of remorse.
"You're quite the comedian, Miss Oleana. I must say, your jokes are unexpectedly entertaining."
"But tell me," his smile twisted into a sneer, "what does their survival have to do with me?"
"Besides, if you hadn't found and sealed Eternatus in the first place, I wouldn't have had this opportunity. So, in a way, I'm deeply grateful to you."
Ryuu Shiro's handsome face was now filled with malice as he leaned in close to Oleana, his eyes locking onto hers. His lips curled into a chilling grin.
"You bastard, you—" Oleana's face turned from pale to livid, her anger boiling over.
But before she could unleash a torrent of curses, a sharp, shattering sound reached their ears.
Oleana's expression darkened as she looked up. The protective barrier of Hammerlocke Stadium had been destroyed.
"The real show is just beginning~" Ryuu Shiro licked his lips, his gaze fixed on Eternatus as it roared into the sky, reveling in its newfound freedom.
With the barrier gone, the two "heroes" would surely have sensed its presence by now.
Meanwhile, deep within the Slumbering Weald, the dense fog that blanketed the forest seemed to grow heavier. A sleek, wolf-like Pokémon lying on the grass slowly opened its sharp eyes, lifting its head to gaze into the distance.
That aura… it was the calamity's presence!