Early the next morning...
Ash set off with Keldeo, heading deep into the mountains—toward the Giant Chasm.
This place, known as the Giant Chasm, was Kyurem's ho.
Though it was called a "dragon's lair," the environnt was nothing like what most Dragon-types would find comfortable—it was bitter cold, unforgivingly icy.
No other Dragon-type Pokémon would enjoy such a place. Only Kyurem would choose to dwell in this kind of frostbitten solitude.
Keldeo's condition was clearly different from the day before.
A Swords of Justice warrior must be fearless, must charge forward no matter the odds.
Without that resolve, one could never truly beco a Swordsman—let alone master Sacred Sword.
"Ash… why are you coming with to the Giant Chasm?" Keldeo asked, confused. "Kyurem doesn't allow humans into that place."
Ash just smiled mysteriously and said nothing.
"You'll understand when we get there."
Even in broad daylight, the Giant Chasm was shrouded in freezing mist. Only the sun's rays piercing the fog managed to keep the place from descending into total darkness.
Visibility was low, the air harsh and biting.
But Keldeo had strengthened its heart. Though it still trembled before the lair, it was no longer consud by fear like it had been yesterday.
As the pair approached the inner sanctum of the Chasm—a deafening roar shattered the silence.
Inside the icy lair stood an enormous gate, carved entirely from ice, so lifelike it seed to breathe.
"You really ca, human."
Kyurem stood tall behind the gate, within its battle arena.
"I'm sorry, Kyurem!" Keldeo stepped forward. "I lied to you before. I'm still not a true Swordsman yet… but I ca anyway. Please, release Cobalion and the others!"
Kyurem's gaze didn't waver. "Did you think I didn't know? Yesterday's battle was your chance to prove yourself—but you ran. A swordsman who runs is no swordsman."
Kyurem's voice rang with judgnt. "Prove yourself. If you want to save them, earn my recognition."
Those words struck deep. mories of the Swords of Justice's teachings surged through Keldeo's mind.
It charged at Kyurem again—ready to prove itself and break through its limits to beco a true Sword.
The result? Predictable.
Kyurem barely lifted a claw before sending Keldeo flying with brutal force.
But this ti, Keldeo didn't flee. It used every skill in its arsenal to the fullest—
Double Team, Aura Sphere, Double Kick, Aqua Tail, Swords Dance, Hydro Pump, Close Combat...
Each technique was executed with fierce determination.
But Kyurem? It effortlessly swatted Keldeo aside with a single Slash.
"Too weak. Far too weak. You are not qualified to be a Swordsman. And you're certainly not qualified to save them."
Kyurem shook its head. In its eyes, Keldeo was barely halfway to being what it needed to be.
Suddenly—
"Keldeo, believe in yourself. Defeat yourself. Beco who you're ant to be."
Ash's voice rang in Keldeo's heart—his Aura Power resonating through it.
Keldeo's eyes lit with renewed conviction.
It faced Kyurem again, charged forward… and was struck down again.
And again.
Crashing into the icy walls, slamd into the arena floor.
Then—Freezing Beam!
Kyurem fired a Glaciate, freezing Keldeo's legs solid.
It was losing patience.
Kyurem opened its maw, energy gathering at the tip of its snout in the shape of a massive, burning X-shaped fireball—
Fusion Flare!
At the very last second, Keldeo tore free from the ice, dodging the burning sphere.
But Kyurem—perhaps on purpose—fired that ball toward the frozen Swords of Justice trio!
This was it.
Ash clenched his fists—could Keldeo overco itself here?
Keldeo didn't hesitate.
It leapt into the air, placing itself between the massive fireball and the helpless trio.
It let out a mighty roar, and in that mont—
Its broken horn began to regenerate—faster, brighter, fiercer—!
A golden blade of energy burst forth from its forehead—
Sacred Sword!
With one mighty swing, it sliced the Fusion Flare in half, causing a fiery explosion.
The heat from the blast lted the ice encasing the Swords of Justice—they were freed.
But Keldeo… was caught in the explosion's full force.
Its Sacred Sword vanished, and in its place was a blackened, iron-like horn.
Kyurem stepped forward, placing one claw firmly on Keldeo's new horn. The young warrior could no longer stand.
But it had done its best.
"Get up," Kyurem said. "You gave up victory to protect your comrades. You've earned my recognition. You've passed the trial."
Despite Kyurem's fearso strength, it showed a strange rcy to Pokémon with courage.
The Swords of Justice gathered around Keldeo, their eyes full of pride.
Then Kyurem turned… and set its gaze upon Ash.
It began to walk toward him.
One step at a ti.
"This is forbidden ground for humans," it growled. "Say what you must—and leave."
It clearly didn't believe Ash had anything to offer worth its attention.
"I can help you regain your true form."
Ash spoke clearly, calmly.
In that mont—Kyurem's aura surged, rising higher and higher!
Ash's Master Ball opened on its own—
wtwo appeared, instantly transforming into ga wtwo X, placing itself in front of Ash!
This Kyurem… the pressure it radiated—it was enormous.
So great that even wtwo, one of the most powerful Pokémon alive, had hesitated to teleport Ash out just monts ago.
Still, Kyurem's molten-gold eyes remained locked on Ash.
"…What kind of cooperation do you propose?" it asked, its voice slightly calr.
Kyurem had sensed the imnse power of ga wtwo X—and it understood, this human wasn't here to bluff.
Ash smiled slightly, as though expecting this question. He pulled out another Master Ball.
"My thod only works if you are in the Master Ball's registered state," Ash explained. "But with your power, the Master Ball won't restrict your freedom. That's what I'm offering: not a command—but a partnership."
"You follow . I won't order you around. I'll help you unlock your form-changing ability. And in return, when I face a threat I can't overco alone… I ask you to stand with . Not as a captured Pokémon—but as a friend."
For a Mythical Pokémon of Kyurem's caliber, admitting to being captured was unacceptable.
Ash had wisely reworded the agreent.
Kyurem exhaled, its icy breath swirling through the air as it tested wtwo's psychic barrier.
wtwo expanded its aura domain, neutralizing Kyurem's oppressive pressure.
In high-level battles, even a small level gap ant everything.
ga wtwo X was already Level 111, while Kyurem was Level 116. A difference of 5 levels at this tier couldn't be bridged even by ga Evolution alone.
Still—Kyurem knew it couldn't easily defeat wtwo either.
"Very well," Kyurem said at last. "If you can grant the ability to freely change forms—restore my original power—then I'll go with you."
Just as Ash had predicted.
But he didn't plan to give away both pieces of the Ultimate DNA Splicers just yet.
The next mont—
The Master Ball tapped Kyurem's body—
And it was drawn inside.
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