"That… is the Sword of Ruin."
Led by Articuno, Ethan arrived at the deepest chamber of the underground ice world.
There, resting upon a stone altar, was a broken ancient sword.
The blade was clearly old—bronze in material, etched with archaic patterns reminiscent of Shang–Zhou craftsmanship. After the Qin and Han dynasties, iron refinement had advanced, and bronze swords became rare.
"Lord," Yanhuang's voice sounded within Ethan's mind,
"This sword is ancient indeed."
"And it has killed… many humans."
"The killing intent within it is overwhelming."
Yanhuang had seen battlefields. As a former western general, he had carved through countless enemies. His sensitivity to killing intent was unmatched.
Yet even he admitted—
This sword had slain at least ten thousand lives.
Ethan's gaze sharpened.
Was this… the sword once wielded by Zacian?
As he pondered—
Frigibax, who had been following him curiously, waddled toward the altar.
He was barely six months old.
Unlike many Pokémon that matured quickly, Frigibax's Dragon-type lineage meant slow growth. He was still innocent and playful.
He had never been here before.
Never seen this sword.
Curiosity took over.
Before Articuno or Ethan could react—
Frigibax grabbed the broken sword.
"Don't touch it!!"
Articuno shouted—but too late.
The moment Frigibax made contact—
The Sword of Ruin activated.
A terrifying suction force erupted.
It began draining Ice-type energy directly from Frigibax's body.
Frigibax was weak—barely Normal (Early) tier.
His energy reserves were tiny.
Within seconds, the lively little dragon became visibly sluggish.
"What's happening?!"
Ethan instantly activated Heal Pulse.
But—
It had no effect.
Frigibax wasn't injured.
His energy was simply being siphoned away.
Articuno swallowed nervously.
"That's the curse of the sword."
"If it leaves the altar, its suppressive seal loosens."
"It will absorb surrounding Ice energy uncontrollably."
"Wait here. I'll fetch Lord Regice."
She took off at once.
But Ethan's eyes darkened.
At this rate, Frigibax would be drained dry long before Regice arrived.
More importantly—
This was the Ice Lord's subordinate's only child.
If something happened under his watch—
That would be unacceptable.
Metagross' calm voice entered his mind.
"Boss. The sword is only absorbing Ice energy."
"Frigibax isn't being damaged directly."
"You obtained the Supreme Ice Jade earlier."
"It contains immense Ice energy."
"If we provide a substitute source…"
Ethan's eyes lit up.
Without hesitation, he retrieved the Supreme Ice Jade and placed it upon Frigibax's body.
BOOM!
A tidal wave of pure Ice energy surged outward.
The Sword of Ruin vibrated violently.
Excited.
For the first time in centuries, it encountered such abundant Ice energy.
Its absorption intensified.
Frigibax became a conduit.
Energy flowed from the Jade → into Frigibax → into the sword.
Though acting as a transfer station, Frigibax's body was constantly tempered by overwhelming Ice energy.
And for a growing Dragon-type Pokémon—
That was a blessing.
Normal (Mid).
Normal (Late).
Normal (Peak).
Outstanding (Early)…
Outstanding (Mid)…
His strength skyrocketed.
Elsewhere—
Deep within an icy cavern—
A crystalline titan stirred.
Regice.
"What is this surge of Ice energy?"
Articuno arrived breathless.
"Lord Regice! Someone touched the broken sword!"
Regice remained calm.
"The sword absorbs energy, yes."
"But it does not kill."
"I have been feeding it for centuries."
"Regigigas entrusted it to me."
"It has the potential to ascend."
Articuno relaxed—
Until Regice asked:
"Can you sense where this energy surge originates?"
Articuno closed her eyes.
Then froze.
"…It's coming from the sword chamber."
Regice: ???
Back in the chamber—
Frigibax had already reached Elite-tier.
And still rising.
Ethan exhaled in relief.
At least the child was safe.
But then—
Something changed.
The Supreme Ice Jade floated into the air.
The broken sword rose as well.
Light burst forth.
Frigibax began glowing brilliantly.
"Evolution?"
Indeed.
In moments, the light faded.
Arctibax stood where Frigibax once had.
Stronger. Taller. A frost mask forming across his face.
He roared excitedly.
"Aka!"
But above them—
The Supreme Ice Jade and Sword of Ruin remained suspended.
Then—
An astonishing phenomenon unfolded.
Using the Ice Jade as a core—
Bones began forming.
Then sinew.
Then flesh.
Yanhuang's voice trembled.
"Lord…"
"We've struck fortune beyond measure."
"This is… Transformation."
Transformation.
A phenomenon so rare that even he had only heard legends.
A weapon… gaining form.
A soul… taking flesh.
As the fusion completed—
A snow-white beast descended.
Its body resembled a sleek snow leopard.
Stone-like markings dotted its fur.
And its fangs—
Were shaped like broken blades.
The Sword of Ruin had taken form.
Chien-Pao.
It landed gracefully.
Despite its fierce appearance, it approached Ethan and rubbed against him like a large cat.
System notification flashed.
[Pokémon Identified: Chien-Pao]
[Status: Newly Transformed]
Before Ethan could react—
A colossal figure materialized at the entrance.
Regice.
Its voice trembled with disbelief.
"The Sword of Ruin… has transformed?"
"How is this possible?!!"
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