"Iron Thorns, listen to me," Kai's voice continued in his mind. "You are not alone in this. I'm here to guide you. You have power, but you don't need to fight against it. Let me help you regain your clarity."
The battle within Iron Thorns was not physical, but mental. The creature's consciousness was caught between worlds, struggling to find a stable footing. Kai could feel it — the temporal distortion tugging at Iron Thorns from both sides.
But Kai was resolute. He reached deeper, pushing past the chaos, extending his influence and calming presence like a steady current beneath the storm. The flashes of the future began to fade, the static receding. Slowly, the creature's mind settled, finding a balance between the present and the future.
Finally, the rift in Iron Thorns began to close, the creature's eyes flickering open. They were still filled with confusion, but there was now a sharpness to them — a focus that hadn't been there before. Iron Thorns lifted its head, its massive body rising with effort.
It looked at Kai, its glowing eyes narrowing in recognition.
For a long moment, neither moved. The air between them was thick with tension, as though both were waiting for the other to make the first move. Iron Thorns looked down at Kai, a sense of clarity beginning to return. The confusion in its gaze began to fade as it realized it was no longer lost between two worlds.
Kai smiled softly, his voice calm and reassuring. "You're free now. You're not stuck anymore."
For the briefest moment, Iron Thorns seemed to hesitate. It looked around, its glowing eyes scanning the mountainside. But then, the creature lowered its massive head and took a tentative step forward.
Kai's expression remained calm, knowing exactly what the creature was thinking. He extended his hand, palm open, and stepped closer. "Come with me," Kai said, his voice filled with quiet confidence. "You're not alone. You belong here, with us. If you'll have me, I'll guide you."
The Paradox Tyranitar's glowing eyes locked onto Kai's, a deep understanding passing between them. The bond they shared was unspoken but powerful — Iron Thorns had made its decision. It would follow Kai.
With a low growl, Iron Thorns took another step forward. It was no longer the chaotic creature that had rampaged moments ago. It was focused, calm — and it was accepting the hand Kai offered.