After sensing Regirock's power, Aiden Flint couldn't help feeling slightly surprised.
This Regirock wasn't just a Legendary—it actually possessed a divine authority. Though it was only the Stone Titan, a lower-tier god compared to beings like the Sky God, Sea God, or Earth God, it was still a true deity.
That raised an interesting question.
Did all secondary Legendaries possess divine authority… or was this Regirock simply special?
Only time would tell.
Looking up at the towering fifty-meter titan before him, Aiden smiled faintly.
"Regirock. I came here for you. I want you to become my Pokémon."
Regirock's massive body shrank rapidly until it returned to its normal three-meter height. The glowing orange pattern on its face lit up in a firm H-shape.
A challenge.
If Aiden wanted to claim it, he would have to defeat it.
Aiden's eyes shone with excitement. He unclasped the Master Ball from his neck and hurled it forward.
A crimson flash erupted—and a roaring emerald dragon burst forth.
Rayquaza appeared.
Because of the confined space of the ruin, its body was only about ten meters long, but the terrifying divine pressure it radiated was unchanged.
Even after seeing it many times, Shelly still felt a chill run through her body.
As for Cynthia, the moment she laid eyes on Rayquaza, her pupils contracted with excitement.
So he really had it.
This was exactly the kind of opponent she had come to Hoenn to face.
Regirock studied Rayquaza quietly. Though it respected Aiden for freeing it, it showed no hesitation in battle.
With a flash of light across its body, it gathered electromagnetic energy and fired a blazing beam straight at Rayquaza.
"Rayquaza, Dragon Breath."
A torrent of draconic energy roared forward.
The two attacks collided in midair, exploding with a deafening shockwave that rattled the entire ruin.
But after only a moment of resistance, Rayquaza's attack tore through Regirock's Electromagnetic Cannon and smashed into its body.
Regirock was hurled backward.
The difference between a primary god and a secondary one was undeniable.
Yet Regirock did not fall.
It struggled to its feet, stone fragments breaking away from its body. Even damaged, it continued to stand tall.
Aiden's gaze sharpened.
He signaled Rayquaza with his eyes.
No more full power.
"Rayquaza, Dragon Tail."
Rayquaza roared as its glowing tail swept forward.
With a thunderous impact, Regirock was struck again and sent flying.
This time, when it hit the ground, it did not rise.
The titan had finally been defeated.
Aiden immediately threw a Heavy Ball.
Thanks to the special Poké Balls Wallace had gifted him back in Mauville City, this was the perfect tool for capturing massive Pokémon like Regirock.
The Heavy Ball opened, drawing Regirock inside. A moment later, it closed with a clear, decisive click.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host. Regirock has been successfully captured."
Aiden retrieved the Heavy Ball using his psychic power and then recalled Rayquaza.
Inside his private system space, Rayquaza would explain everything to Regirock—and with the endless stone materials available there, restoring its body would be easy.
Cynthia watched the Heavy Ball float back into Aiden's hand, deep in thought.
So he was a psychic too.
"Alright," Aiden said calmly. "We're leaving the ruin now. Cynthia, are you staying… or coming with us?"
Cynthia smiled. "I'm coming with you. You promised me a battle, remember?"
Inside her mind, however, she was screaming:
Please get me out of here already—I'm lost again!
Aiden froze for a split second.
Then he smirked.
"So that's it… I found your weakness, Cynthia."
"You don't want everyone to know you're direction-challenged, do you?"
Cynthia's eyes widened.
"W-what!? How did you—!?"
Psychic users were terrifying like that.
With a single thought, Aiden teleported all three of them out of the ancient ruin and into the open air.
Cynthia inhaled deeply, relief washing over her face.
She loved history too much to destroy ruins just to escape—but getting stuck inside one was still miserable.
She turned to Aiden, her eyes burning with excitement.
"Aiden Flint… battle me. Right now."
"And use Rayquaza."
The challenge had officially begun.
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