"The destination is just ahead, Rotom!"
The howling winds whipped past Natsume's ears as he clung to Salamence's back, the familiar canyon coming into view.
This was the same natural canyon where he'd once ambushed Pokémon Hunter J.
The wide plains at its center—lacking only defensive towers—made it the perfect battleground!
"Salamence, set me down here. Good job."
Natsume casually channeled another Aura of Ripple.
"Salamence!" Salamence's eyes narrowed in pleasure as it descended, its entire body radiating contentment.
Pure. Bliss.
In the distance, the thunderous footsteps of Regigigas grew louder.
Lucian and the others soon arrived.
"Natsume-sensei, the plan is for Brandon and Mr. Riley to draw Regigigas' attention."
Lucian hopped off Bronzong, polishing his glasses before readjusting them.
"Then, my Bronzong will put it to sleep in one decisive move!"
Lucian had earned his reputation in the Master League through his infamous Gravity Hypnosis strategy.
As a Psychic-type Elite Four, his confidence in Hypnosis was absolute.
Natsume nodded.
"My Gengar's also great at sleep tactics. Let it assist Bronzong."
Lucian hesitated. "But if either fails, it could enrage Regigigas further!"
"That's exactly why I want Gengar to boost Bronzong's success rate!"
Lucian: ???
I was worried Gengar would sabotage us!
Little did Lucian know, of all the underhanded tactics in existence—
Natsume-sensei and Gengar shared a special bond with sleep strategies.
Left side, right side—no one was safe.
What could be cuter than a Gengar that put everything to bed?
"Very well."
Lucian adjusted his glasses, steeling himself.
"Once Mr. Brandon has Regigigas occupied, we move in unison!"
Ash, Pikachu perched on his shoulder, blinked.
"Mr. Brandon, are you using those three?"
Brandon crossed his arms, his expression grave.
"We have no other choice now."
BOOM—
Riley closed his eyes, sensing the approaching aura.
"Regigigas has entered the Gravity zone. Five seconds... four... three..."
"REGIGIGAS—!!"
Regigigas's roar sent flocks of birds fleeing as its metallic frame emerged into view.
CRASH!!
Regigigas ignored the intensified gravity entirely, its footsteps shattering the canyon floor.
"REGIGIGAS!!"
It loomed at the canyon's heart, blotting out the sun as it raised its massive fists.
The sheer force contained within those hands—enough to drag continents—sent chills down everyone's spines.
"This is Slow Start?!" Natsume gulped.
"I can't imagine its full power," Riley murmured.
"Go, Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt!" Ash yelled recklessly.
Natsume yanked him back by the collar.
"Stop charging in! We need to stall!"
BOOM!!
Regigigas' fists hammered down, launching massive boulders skyward.
The resulting Earthquake was catastrophic; Rock Slides rained like meteors.
"Lucario!!" Riley's Lucario thrust out its paws, crimson eyes blazing.
A shimmering Aura Barrier formed, barely holding back the falling debris.
"Lucario!"
Cracks spiderwebbed across the shield as blood trickled from Lucario's mouth.
Then—a surge of gentle aura revitalized it.
Lucario glanced back in surprise to see Natsume smiling.
"Lucario!" Nodding firmly, it pushed the barrier to its limits alongside Riley.
Miraculously, the Rock Slide was halted!
"Cough!" Riley spat blood, swaying until Ash steadied him.
"Mr. Riley, are you okay?!"
"I'm fine."
Wiping his mouth, Riley smiled grimly.
"Lucario and I... knew the risks."
CRACK!!
Regigigas' Earthquake split the earth like crumbling glaciers, threatening to swallow the entire canyon.
Brandon stood firm before the group.
"Enough, Regigigas!"
His voice carried both sorrow and resolve.
"Look at your people—the Pokémon and humans who revere you! Stop this!"
"REGIGIGAS!!"
The reply was another Bulldoze.
Razor-sharp pillars of rock erupted from the ground, impaling the sky!
THUD!!
Three crimson beams shot from Brandon's Poké Balls—Regice, Regirock, Registeel.
"Regigigas!"
Registeel shattered the boulders with a single punch.
Regirock and Regice combined Earth Power and Ice Beam, freezing the quaking fissures solid.
The Earthquake subsided—but the canyon still trembled.
"REGIGIGAS—"
Regigigas's lights flickered rapidly as it studied the three Regis.
They felt familiar... yet it couldn't quite recall.
After all, in ancient times, Regigigas had casually sculpted dozens of such "figurines."
Lucian stared in awe.
"Mr. Brandon is actually holding it off?!"
Natsume's gut twisted.
The three Regis were subordinates to Regigigas.
Even if Brandon caught them... betrayal was inevitable.
His eyes hardened.
"Gengar, now! Hypnosis!!"
"Gengar!"
Gengar's grin widened as it split into a dozen shadow clones, encircling Regigigas.
"REGIGIGAS—"
The titan's lights went haywire before it crushed a clone in its fist.
POOF!
The Double Team disintegrated into black mist.
"Gengar! (?????)"
Unfazed, Gengar reappeared atop Regigigas' head, licking its metallic grooves.
"Gengar(*⊙⊙)"
Even Regigigas stiffened at the sensation.
Seizing the opening, Lucian barked:
"Bronzong, Hypnosis!"
A magnetic Gravity field surged as Bronzong's ancient engravings glowed blue.
"REGIGIGAS—"
Regigigas's movements slowed—but its lights flashed wildly as it grabbed Bronzong.
Lucian paled.
"Did we fail...?"
"Regice, Ice Beam!!" Brandon ordered.
The ice golem's beam froze Regigigas' arm mid-crush—saving Bronzong at the last second.
"REGIGIGAS!!" Enraged, it shattered the ice, leaving Bronzong severely injured.
"This is only making it angrier!" Brandon shouted.
"Gengar."
Natsume's voice cut through the chaos.
"One more time. Hypnosis!!"
Lucian's eyes widened as Gengar levitated, its grin turning feral.
"Gengar!"
Eerie blue light erupted from its eyes—
And struck true.
Regigigas' movements grew sluggish... then ceased entirely.
Hypnosis. Success.
"So this..."
Lucian exhaled, his voice thick with awe.
"Is the bond between Natsume-sensei... and sleep tactics."
Silence fell over the canyon.
Even the three Regis stood motionless around their master.
Riley removed his hat, stunned.
"Is it... over?"
Lucian adjusted his glasses solemnly.
"My skills in Hypnosis... pale in comparison."
Brandon burst into laughter, clapping Natsume's shoulder.
"We owe you our lives, Natsume-sensei!"
But Ash's voice was hoarse.
"Guys... look at Regice!"
Natsume's blood ran cold.
"Regigigas—"
Regigigas' lights pulsed purple.
Confuse Ray.
Under its glow, the three Regis turned—
And leveled their attacks at Natsume's group.
Brandon's laughter died.
"What... is this?"
Riley sensed their auras, his face grim.
"The Regis draw power from Regigigas."
"Now that it's in danger..."
"They'll protect it at all costs."
Lucian gave a strained smile as the Regis advanced.
"Well. This is... less than ideal."
Natsume shot Brandon an exasperated look.
First possessed by the King of Pokélantis.
Now mind-controlled by Regigigas.
Really?!
Brandon coughed awkwardly.
"My apologies. I didn't anticipate this..."
Natsume massaged his temples.
"Can you handle the Regis?" he asked lowly.
"We can hold them off..."
Lucian tensed.
"But Regigigas—"
Natsume inhaled sharply.
His trump cards were nearly spent.
If even Aura of Ripple failed now—
No.
His gaze sharpened.
Just as Leon wielded unbeatable strength, as Red conquered all challenges—
This was his role to play.
Aura flared around him, whipping his coat wildly as he gripped a Dive Ball.
"Gengar, prepare another Hypnosis."
His voice was steel.
"I'll stop Regigigas."
As the ball left his hand, a tidal wave of aura erupted.
Riley's breath caught.
"This power... it's like the Tree of Beginning itself!"
Lucian watched Natsume's back with reverence.
Even against impossibility—
One of Natsume's core team stood ready.
"Just one second of an opening..."
Lucian vowed.
"And I'll put it to sleep for good!"
"Blastoise... ヾ(■_■)"
The colossal turtle removed its sunglasses with deliberate slowness.
The pendant on its chest gleamed like ocean depths.
Then—
Torrent, ACTIVATE.
A crimson aura exploded across its frame.
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