March 7th, Sunday.
Snowpoint Temple, Snowpoint City.
The glacial peaks were blanketed in endless snow, ice crystals scattering across the palace-like ruins and stone pillars.
The towering Snowpoint Temple stood solemnly, its entrance guarded by a massive stone slab buried under layers of snow.
Brandon, clad in military-green expedition gear, brushed aside the snow covering the slab, his brow furrowed.
"Someone's tampered with this place too..."
"Who's there?!"
Suddenly, Brandon whirled around, arms crossed, gripping two Poké Balls in one hand and one in the other.
Rustle—
A tall, slender man in a gentleman's hat trudged through the deep snow, a stern-faced Lucario at his side.
"I mean no harm."
The man stopped before Brandon, removing his hat and pressing it to his chest, revealing steel-gray hair and resolute eyes.
"My name is Riley. I sensed an anomaly in the aura near Snowpoint Temple and came to investigate."
Brandon frowned, slowly lowering the Poké Balls containing the Regi trio.
"An aura wielder?"
"Indeed." Riley nodded slightly. "I can feel immense power radiating from you... May I ask why you've come to Snowpoint Temple?"
"Pyramid King, Brandon."
Brandon introduced himself, crossing his arms as he turned back to the temple's ancient stone tablets.
"I received word from the temple priestess that a group of Pokémon hunters has been spotted nearby. I came to deal with them."
"But... what exactly is their goal?" Brandon's frown deepened. "The temple hasn't been breached, and the local Pokémon remain unharmed..."
"That's precisely what I'm here to uncover."
Riley adjusted his cap, exchanging a glance with Lucario before nodding.
"Lucario!" Lucario extended its palm, azure aura rippling outward—only to recoil violently upon touching the temple, as if striking an invisible barrier.
Thud!
Lucario was sent flying, crashing into the snow with wide, stunned eyes.
Riley helped Lucario up, his expression grim as he turned to Brandon.
"I fear Snowpoint City may be in grave danger."
Has someone broken Regigigas's seal?
Brandon's face darkened as he stared at the towering temple.
"Mr. Riley... do you know what slumbers within these walls?"
Riley shook his head.
"Regigigas—the Colossal Pokémon said to have dragged the continents into place."
Brandon's voice carried solemn weight.
"Some say it's a deity worshipped by ancient civilizations, the bringer of primordial order."
"Others claim it's a harbinger of calamity, sealed away by our ancestors."
Brandon turned to Riley. "Which do you believe?"
"My knowledge extends only as far as aura permits."
Riley tipped his hat low, closing his eyes as if sensing the vast, turbulent energy within.
"But my aura tells me this: Regigigas is a being of pure simplicity."
"It grieves for fallen lives. It stirs uneasily when its sanctum is violated."
Riley opened his eyes, his voice heavy.
"And now... it rages at being disturbed from its slumber."
As if to confirm his words, the glacier trembled with a deep, ominous rumble.
"What kind of fools are these hunters?"
Brandon suddenly snarled, fists clenched. "Trying to capture a deity? Stuffing a Legendary Pokémon into a Poké Ball?!"
"Absolute madness!"
The glacier quaked again.
Gritting his teeth, Brandon hurled three Poké Balls.
The three Regis emerged, taking positions around the temple like silent sentinels as snow settled upon their stony forms.
"Is there anything I can do?" Riley asked quietly.
Brandon glanced at him. "Even the Regi trio may not quell Regigigas's fury."
"Alert Snowpoint's Gym Leader, Candice. Evacuate the city. If things escalate further..."
Brandon's voice turned gravelly.
"I don't know if we'll have any choice but to fight."
Snow piled upon Brandon's shoulders, nearly burying him.
Riley nodded, steel resolve flashing in his eyes.
"Then I'll use my aura to shield the city as best I can."
Brandon blinked. "Your aura... can cover an entire city?"
Riley studied his palm, then clenched it.
"Every aura wielder walks a different path."
"My ancestor, Sir Aaron, once saved the Tree of Beginning by channeling his aura."
"As for me... my gift lies in barriers."
A long silence followed.
"But that would mean..." Brandon began.
Riley smiled faintly, his gaze distant.
"Whether it's Iron Island or Snowpoint City..."
"An aura wielder must protect what matters. That is our fate."
"Lucario!"
Lucario stood firm beside Riley, its crimson eyes brimming with loyalty.
As snow swirled around them, Brandon sighed, watching the Regis stand vigil.
"I wish there were more aura wielders like you."
Riley chuckled. "Do you think we grow on trees? Shake one and a few will drop?"
"...You're funnier than I expected."
Brandon coughed, then scowled. "But those hunters..."
"They will pay for this."
...
Snowpoint City outskirts, Lake Acuity.
Ash sat on the train, gazing out the window at the shimmering lake, exclaiming, "So beautiful!"
"Pikachu~!" Pikachu wagged its tail cutely.
Lucian, seated across from him, legs crossed, remarked coolly:
"That is the lake where Uxie, the Symbol of Wisdom, resides."
"Amazing!" Ash said excitedly. "Can I challenge it?!"
Lucian sighed. "Uxie only appears before Trainers it deems worthy..."
Someone as reckless as you… What does wisdom have to do with you?
Pushing up his glasses smugly, Lucian thought:
Only a Trainer as wise as I am could earn Uxie's recognition!
Suddenly, Lucian's Pokédex beeped and flickered.
According to route analysis…
The fleeing Pokémon Hunter J is highly likely to appear nearby.
"Ash, we're getting off at the next stop."
Lucian adjusted his glasses, expression grave. "Stay sharp."
"If a battle breaks out… I can't guarantee I'll be able to protect you."
"Don't worry, leave it to me!"
Ash rolled up his sleeves, licking his lips. "I'll teach that jerk a lesson!"
"Pikachu~! (#｀皿′)"
Lucian glanced at Ash's bulging biceps, his eyelid twitching.
This guy's physique… is kinda terrifying…
"Next stop: Lake Acuity. Please exit in an orderly manner."
"Let's go."
Lucian patted Ash's shoulder, adjusted his glasses, and narrowed his eyes.
Damn you, Pokémon Hunter J!
Daring to ruin my Elite Four vacation—
I'll make sure you never forget this!
...
Lake Acuity's shore, dense coniferous forest.
A layer of snow covered the ground as Snover wandered leisurely through the bushes, the surroundings eerily quiet.
A woman in a black trench coat and combat boots, wearing tactical goggles, strode calmly through the trees.
"Failed to capture Regigigas…"
Pokémon Hunter J smirked cruelly. "But at least I can make Snowpoint City suffer."
Snowpoint Temple's security had been diverted to deal with waves of poachers.
Meanwhile, J had her Magnezone plant Magnet Bombs around the temple.
Success didn't matter.
She just enjoyed watching the inspectors scramble—and the fireworks that followed.
"Tch."
J smirked, recalling the psychologist who'd labeled her with antisocial personality disorder.
Then, she chuckled coldly, muttering:
"Giovanni… Cyrus… Natsume-sensei…"
"I'm just following in my idols' footsteps."
Emerging from the forest, the glimmering Lake Acuity came into view.
J shook her canteen, licking her dry lips.
"Those idiots… They won't catch up that fast, right?"
By the lakeside, Gastrodon drank peacefully from the clear waters.
J swallowed, throat parched, bending down to scoop some water—
Snap.
The sound of a book closing.
J's instincts flared. She jerked her head up.
Sunlight poured down, illuminating the open lakeshore—a perfect battlefield.
"Sinnoh Elite Four, Lucian."
A man in a wine-red suit, with faint purple hair, held a hardcover book. His smile was polite, but his eyes were ice.
"I've been waiting."
J instantly leaped back, hurling a Poké Ball. "Salamence!"
A crimson-winged beast emerged in a flash of red light.
"Salamence!" It lifted J onto its back, wings flapping for escape.
"A poor move… Checkmate."
Lucian adjusted his glasses with one hand, the other still holding his book. He pointed at J.
"Bronzong, Trick Room!"
Boom—!!
Bronzong landed heavily, its ancient engravings glowing blue.
In an instant, a dome of light enveloped the lake—and Salamence.
"Salamence!!"
Inside the distorted space, Salamence's wings felt leaden, its movements sluggish.
"Ash, in Trick Room, faster Pokémon are hindered!"
Lucian commentated loudly:
"And my Bronzong is now faster!"
Bronzong's Psychic energy shot out like a beam, skimming the lake's surface before slamming into Salamence's wings.
CRASH!!
Salamence roared in agony, J nearly thrown off its back.
"Incredible…"
Ash stared, awestruck. "This is… the strength of an Elite Four?"
Then—his instincts screamed danger.
He spun around.
Weavile's claws gleamed, aimed at his throat—
...
"Ariados, Sucker Punch!"
From Salamence's back, J barked orders.
"Drapion, Crunch!"
Two Poison-types lunged from the forest—Drapion's jaws clamping toward Lucian's unprotected back.
Ariados swung down on String Shot, all eight legs poised to strike Bronzong!
"So you had backup?"
Lucian smirked. "I did wonder why you'd fetch water yourself instead of sending a Pokémon."
"A good hunter baits the trap."
J licked her lips, grinning. "So tell me… who's the prey now?"
"I may not specialize in Dark types—"
Lucian adjusted his glasses, Drapion's fangs inches from his neck.
"—but I am a Psychic-type Elite Four."
Flash. Teleport!
Gallade materialized, shield-arm blocking Drapion's bite.
Then—Close Combat!
"Gallade!?(◣д◢)"
BAM!!
Drapion flew back, battered and bruised.
"Psychic Elite Four my ass—since when do you use Close Combat?!"
J snarled, watching Ariados get crushed under Bronzong's Body Slam.
"Things aren't looking good, Ms. J."
Lucian pocketed one hand, smiling.
J's arm-cannon fired—a petrifying beam!
Clang!
Bronzong, swapped in via Ally Switch, took the hit—turning to stone.
"Petrification?" Lucian frowned.
Annoying, but manageable.
He stepped forward, intent on subduing J—
"I'd let me go if I were you."
J's voice was icy.
"Or that kid won't live to see tomorrow."
Lucian froze, glancing back.
"Senior Lucian!"
Ash waved cheerfully—Weavile's claws at his throat.
"Weavile!"
The Ice-type smirked at Lucian.
"Tch… A stalemate."
Lucian grimaced, dispelling Trick Room.
Then—his eyes widened.
"Holy shit—!!"
Ash, after waving, grabbed Weavile's wrist.
"W-Weavile?!"
The Pokémon paled, realizing—
This human was stronger than it.
Then—
SLAM! Ash suplexed Weavile into the ground.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!!"
"Piiika—CHUU!!"
"…What."
As lightning flashed, Lucian's brain short-circuited.
Since when can a Trainer suplex a Pokémon?!
Are you even human?!
"This is bullshit—"
J's voice cracked. "Salamence, get us out of here!"
"ROOOAR!!" Salamence fled like its life depended on it.
Silence.
Lucian stood stunned.
Ash blinked. "Senior Lucian, why'd you go easy on her?"
"You weren't signaling for help?!"
"Nah, I was just showing off."
Ash scratched his head. "Wanted you to see my moves."
Lucian: "…"
My mistake.
You're the real battle maniac here.
Ash watched J's retreating figure.
"Senior Lucian, what about her?"
"Don't worry."
Lucian sighed. "Letting her go was part of the plan."
"Eh?"
"Hope makes despair taste sharper."
Adjusting his glasses, Lucian murmured:
"Besides… what awaits her is worse than death."
That's Natsume-sensei we're talking about.
Just imagining it made Lucian shiver.
"Let's head back. We've got a celebration to prepare."
"Aren't we helping Natsume-sensei?"
"Have you ever seen him need backup against rookies?"
"Yeah. He goes all out every time."
"…Truly, Natsume-sensei!"
...
Canyon pass.
Salamence flew erratically, J clinging to its back.
She laughed hysterically.
Salamence growled. "Salamence?"
"I laugh at the Sinnoh Elite Four's stupidity!"
Though battered, she'd escaped.
Tears in her eyes, J wheezed:
"If they'd ambushed us here… we'd be done for! Hahaha!"
"Salamence?! Σ(っ°Д°;)っ"
Salamence's jaw dropped.
J turned—and her blood ran cold.
From the bushes, a ghostly face peeked out.
"Gengar! "
J's face went white.
The sun levitated the dust, shining down in beams.
J squinted his eyes, looked up, and saw the top of the cliff.
A handsome Trainer was looking down at him with a playful look.
"I'm Natsume, I've been waiting for a long time."
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