"You head back to university first. I still have some things to take care of."
At the airport, Julian gave Nicole's perky rear a light pat, causing her cheeks to flush slightly as she nodded. "Then be careful yourself."
She didn't ask what Julian was planning. If he wasn't bringing her along, it must be for a reason.
Watching Nicole disappear through the boarding gate, Julian waved goodbye.
Once outside, he dialed John's number. "Grandpa, are you there yet?"
"My dear grandson, I'm on my way. Just three more hours."
"Alright, I'll wait for you at the cave then."
"Good."
Hanging up, Julian released Dragonite. Under the astonished gazes of people around, he took off toward the Hara Desert.
A pseudo-legendary Pokémon was always a spectacle. A few sharp-eyed onlookers even recognized the masked figure as Julian—especially since his Dragonite's belly was noticeably rounder than average.
Julian was well aware of this, though he didn't realize his Dragonite's "dad bod" had already become common knowledge.
---
Inside Tyranitar's cave, Julian waited with Metagross and Dragonite for John to arrive.
He gave Dragonite's soft belly a pat—it even jiggled a little.
This was all Julian's own handiwork, a fact that filled him with both pride and helplessness.
Dragonite scratched the back of its head, then proudly pushed its belly forward as if to say, "Like it? Go ahead, pat some more."
Julian waved his hand. That wasn't the kind of rubbing he was into.
…Wait why did it suddenly feel like this conversation was heading off the rails?
After a while, the sound of footsteps came from the cave entrance. Sensing John's aura, Julian called out, "Grandpa, you said three hours—it's been four."
"The sandstorm got worse and slowed me down a bit," John grumbled.
When Julian arrived, the Hara Desert's sandstorm was at level five. By the time John came, it had risen to level seven, so it inevitably delayed him.
"You're certain?"
John asked gravely.
"Mm, no doubt about it," Julian nodded.
"Alright, then let's go in."
"Yeah."
And with that, the grandfather-grandson duo stepped into the Ruin.
---
Meanwhile, at the Ancient Giant Tree.
Half a month had passed since Julian and Nicole left, yet the exploration team—ignoring Julian's warning—had pushed forward to the giant tree.
Norman stared at the massive tree looming before him. After scouting the area, he found that Julian hadn't lied—there really were three mid-stage Champion Regis stationed here, though they remained undisturbed for now.
"According to the stone tablet, the Ancient Giant Tree was formed from the seed of the World Tree. If I can claim it, forget Champions—I would be able to rival even First-class legendaries."
Norman muttered to himself, a look of fanatical obsession flashing across his face.
If Julian was here, he would definitely be shocked that Norman actually knew about the connection between the Ancient Giant Tree and the World Tree. The "stone tablet" he mentioned might very well be the key to that knowledge.
Behind him, the exploration team stood in eerie silence, not a single person was speaking, and even their breathing was faint.
"Three mid-stage Champion-level Pokémon… once you devour their souls, you will undoubtedly ascend to the Champion-tier," Norman whispered.
As his voice fell, a Chandelure slowly materialized beside him, its flames flickering with an unnatural, bone-chilling coldness.
It was slowly draining the life force and souls of the exploration team members. The reason it hadn't outright killed them was because they still had other uses.
Norman's gaze swept over the five trainers who had accompanied him—two early-stage Pseudo-Champions and three peak Elites.
He approached them one by one, plucking three Poké Balls from each of their belts. With a flick, fifteen Pokémon materialized before him.
The Pokémon hadn't yet understood what was happening when they saw their trainers already under the enemy's control.
"If you want your trainers to live, then use Self-Destruct on that giant tree," Norman said coldly.
He wasn't worried that these fifteen Pokémon wouldn't obey—after all, they were their trainers' most trusted partners—raised from childhood, bound by unshakable loyalty.
To a Pokémon, saving their trainer mattered more than their own lives. Self-Destruct? Suicide? They wouldn't hesitate.
Even knowing that the enemy would likely still kill their trainers afterward, it was still better than doing nothing at all.
Even in death, they wanted to go first—to light the way for their trainers in the afterlife.
This was a Pokémon's devotion. Tragic. Noble. Foolish.
Norman's Pseudo-Champion peak Chandelure was only a hair's breadth from reaching the Champion-tier, and in truth, it already exuded traces of a Champion's presence.
Under its oppressive aura, the fifteen Pokémon gave up any thought of rescuing their trainers directly.
After one last, lingering look at their trainers, they turned and marched toward the Ancient Giant Tree.
Soon, they arrived at its perimeter.
The three Regis naturally noticed the fifteen unfamiliar Pokémon and immediately blocked their path.
Their indicator lights pulsed.
Regirock: "Outsiders, leave this place at once."
Pokémon born and raised within the Ruin carried a distinct aura from those of the outside world. The three Regis could easily tell the difference.
They also sensed that these fifteen Pokémon were radiating an extremely dangerous aura.
"ROAR!!"
A Cloyster bellowed at the Regis before charging recklessly toward them.
Regirock: "Seeking death."
If these fools wanted to throw away their lives, so be it.
But the next second, Regirock realized it was wrong—its opponent suddenly erupted with an intense white light, even brighter than the glow of evolution.
Registeel: "Not good—it's using Self-Destruct!"
The Cloyster was at peak of Elite-level. If a Pokémon of that strength self-destructed at close range, it could easily injure—or even kill—a late-stage Pseudo-Champion Pokémon.
BOOM!!!
Cloyster exploded before Regirock could dodge, blasting it away. The massive shockwave set the entire Ancient Giant Tree swaying violently, with branches snapping off by the force.
The three Regis were instantly enraged. Just as they were about to deliver the final blow to the badly injured Cloyster, they were horrified to see the remaining fourteen Pokémon all simultaneously preparing to use Self-Destruct.
The weakest among them was still peak Elites, and the strongest were early-stage Pseudo-Champions.
If all fourteen Pokémon detonated at once, the combined power would be enough to obliterate the entire Ancient Giant Tree.
The Regis existed for one purpose—to protect the Ancient Giant Tree. It was the duty Mew had entrusted to them, and the very meaning of their existence.
Registeel: "Combine forces—use Imprison!"
This scale of destruction was far beyond what any one of them could handle alone. Only by joining forces could they hope to contain it.
*****
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