Just as Brandon attempted to channel the power of the prismatic orb to command Regigigas, a green-feathered arrow whistled through the air, striking the artifact with pinpoint accuracy. The shot had been fired by Feng Che's Decidueye, striking from the shadows of the valley.
With a sharp crack, a massive fissure spider-webbed across the surface of the orb. The fracture expanded in a heartbeat, followed by a violent shattering sound as the treasure disintegrated into a shower of colorful dust.
"No! My orb! My power!"
Brandon clutched his head, staring at his empty hands with vacant, hollow eyes. He let out a final, agonizing cry before losing consciousness, slumping over the back of his Bronzong.
With the controlling medium destroyed, Regigigas shuddered. Seizing the opening, Venusaur and Decidueye unleashed a barrage of hardened vines, coiling tightly around the giant's limbs. Regigigas struggled, its ancient gears grinding as it began to tear through the foliage, only for the Colossal Steelix to lunge forward and wrap its massive, metallic body around the Titan in a crushing bind.
Regigigas flexed its stone muscles, sending the Steelix crashing to the ground with a single, powerful heave. Gyarados and Greninja immediately followed up with a dual Ice Beam, encasing the King of Giants in a solid block of crystalline ice.
It held for less than a second.
Regigigas shattered the frozen prison, but it was already too late. Regidrago's Dragon Energy had coalesced into a roaring black dragon of pure draconic force, lunging toward the King's chest. Simultaneously, Mewtwo's gathered energy manifested as a brilliant white tiger, its claws bared as it tore through the air.
As Regigigas raised its arms to unleash a final Crush Grip, it suddenly found itself paralyzed. Gengar's Shadow Stitch had locked its movements from below.
Regigigas: Cursed shadows... I cannot move. No!
The "Black Dragon" and "White Tiger" struck the giant at the exact same moment. A pillar of blinding white light erupted from the valley floor, turning the world into a featureless void. Feng Che shielded his eyes against the searing radiance, followed by an explosion so thunderous it felt as if the sky itself had cracked.
The Aftermath
When the light finally faded, Feng Che found himself levitating on the back of Regidrago, who had returned to its base form. His other Pokémon were being held aloft by Mewtwo's telekinesis.
Below them, the valley had vanished. In its place was a vast, shimmering lake.
"Our combined strike punctured the subterranean aquifer," Mewtwo explained, its eyes glowing as it began to telepathically rewrite the unconscious Brandon's memories. "Regigigas has been buried deep within the underground river. It is severely wounded and will likely spend the next several centuries in a dormant state, slowly absorbing natural energy to repair its chassis."
"I've scanned the situation in Celestic Town," Mewtwo continued. "The Temple's main legion has been dismantled. The forces from the Bertha, Volkner, and Pastoria clans were successfully routed by the Garden family's ambush."
"Celestic Town has won the day, but at a great cost. There are many injured, and even Shaymin is struggling to keep up with the healing."
Feng Che looked down at the new lake, a triumphant smirk on his face. "The major clans have had their strength broken in this war. It's the perfect opportunity for the Garden family to begin a silent takeover of their assets. I've effectively crippled the competition."
The Coronation
At the Sinnoh League Stadium, Cynthia stood over Bertha's defeated team, letting out a long, weary breath. Having swept through the Elite Four, the title of Sinnoh Champion was now hers, pending only the official ceremony.
"You got lucky, Cynthia," Bertha spat, recalling her last Pokémon. "If my primary partners hadn't been 'engaged' elsewhere, you wouldn't have taken the throne so easily. But no matter—I imagine your precious Celestic Town is nothing but ash by now."
Bertha was unaware of the final outcome, but she knew the Temple had deployed Regigigas. She couldn't imagine any force in the town surviving.
Just then, Cynthia's communicator chirped. She checked the report, and her eyes widened with relief. Celestic Town had held. Not only had they won, but the Garden family had acted as a miraculous shield. However, the news that the Pope had deployed a God-tier Titan made her blood run cold.
She quickly dialed Dr. Carolina.
"Cynthia... congratulations," the Lorekeeper said, her voice sounding exhausted but proud. "You are the youngest Champion in our history. The town has held, and we have detained the invading Temple and League personnel. No lives were lost, thanks to the Garden family and their Shaymin."
"But I have dark news," Carolina continued with a heavy sigh. "The Dragon Orb was stolen from the shrine during the chaos. A mole survived our purges and escaped with the relic."
"I am currently rooting out the remaining traitors to ensure this never happens again. But the loss of the Orb... I feel a deep sense of unease. Cynthia, as Champion, you must investigate the Pope's true goal in gathering the five Orbs. I fear his endgame has only just begun."
"I understand, Grandmother," Cynthia replied, her gaze hardening into a cold, sharp light. "Chairman Boldo has made a mess of this League. It's time for a change in leadership."
The Shadow of Galactic
At that exact moment, Team Galactic's airships arrived over Lake Verity, Lake Valor, and Lake Acuity.
Aboard the bridge of the lead vessel, Saturn looked down at the shimmering waters of the lake with cold indifference. He reached out and pressed a large red button marked with a skull.
A massive Galactic Bomb, two meters in diameter and coated in a specialized silver alloy, was dropped from the bay, hurtling toward the heart of the lake.