Morning arrived quietly over northern Sinnoh. A cold wind swept across the hills and abandoned industrial district. Rusted factories stood from another era while cracked roads disappeared beneath tall grass that had reclaimed the forgotten land. Very few people ever came here anymore.
Far away, several members of the Sinnoh forces remained hidden among the trees. Champion Rowan had insisted that Gladion should not investigate General Alvarez completely alone.
Although Gladion had agreed, he had also made one condition. "I will go in alone."
The Sinnoh officers had immediately objected. They did not want to risk the life of someone who was a diplomat from another region. "That is far too dangerous."
Gladion had simply smiled. "It is a trap and it is for me. It is only fair that only I walk to it. Besides, it would be fun to get out alive from another of General Alvarez traps."
He looked toward the abandoned complex. "They might not even trigger the trap or whatever they are planning to do if they see me arriving with an army. Besides, You all can act as my backup."
Rowan had remained silent for several moments before finally agreeing. Now dozens of officers remained hidden several kilometers away. Sabrina was also waiting with them. If something happened, they would move immediately. But for now...
Gladion walked alone. His footsteps echoed softly across the cracked concrete road. The abandoned industrial complex slowly grew larger before him. Not even a wild Pokemon could be seen. Gladion quietly observed everything.
There were no bird Pokemon singing. No Bug Pokemon hiding among the weeds. Nothing. It was as though life itself avoided this place. His hand rested casually on one of his Poke Balls.
'General Alvarez...' He thought about the old soldier. The man had already attempted to kill him twice. First with snipers. Then with an explosive military base. Neither attempt had worked.
'If I were him, I would not repeat the same mistake.' Gladion slowly smiled. 'Which means today should be something different.'
He continued walking. Several old military trucks remained abandoned nearby, their metal frames covered in rust. Gladion stopped. He looked around one final time. Still nothing. No movement. No voices. No Crobat riders. He sighed quietly. "I know you're watching."
His voice echoed through the abandoned buildings. "You've gone through all this trouble to bring me here." Silence answered him. The wind continued blowing. Gladion folded his arms. "At least come out and say hello." Still nothing. He smiled slightly. "I suppose blowing things up is more your style."
The words had barely left his mouth. A strange sound reached his ears. Click. Gladion's eyes immediately narrowed.
He did not hesitate. "Ultron." The Poke Ball on his belt instantly opened. A flash of silver light appeared. Metagross materialized beside him. The powerful Steel and Psychic type had only one second to react. Its eyes glowed bright blue. A massive psychic barrier surrounded both of them. The next moment...
BOOOOOOOM!
The entire factory exploded. Fire erupted from every direction. Steel beams shattered. Concrete walls collapsed instantly. A massive fireball swallowed the entire entrance. The shockwave spread through the surrounding valley. Trees bent from the force.
Hidden several kilometers away, Cynthia immediately stood up. "Explosion!" Sabrina's eyes widened. "He activated another trap!" Several officers immediately grabbed their Poke Balls.
Champion Rowan's face became serious. "Move!" The rescue force immediately rushed toward the industrial complex.
Meanwhile... Inside the explosion... Ultron's barrier remained completely intact. Blue psychic energy surrounded Gladion and Metagross like an unbreakable sphere. Flames crashed against it. Concrete struck it. Pieces of burning metal bounced away harmlessly.
Several seconds later, the explosion finally weakened. Smoke slowly cleared. Gladion stood exactly where he had been before. Not even his clothes had been damaged.
Ultron calmly floated beside him. Its barrier slowly disappeared. Gladion looked around at the burning ruins. Then he sighed. "They really don't seem to learn that explosions can't kill me." Ultron made a low metallic sound. Almost as if agreeing.
Gladion looked upward. The factory no longer existed. Everything had been reduced to rubble. He shook his head. "I honestly expected something more creative."
Then... The ground trembled. Gladion immediately stopped smiling. The vibration was different from the explosion. This was not collapsing rubble. This was... Movement.
Rumble... Rumble... The shaking became stronger. Small rocks began bouncing across the ground. Cracks spread through the earth.
Then... Gladion felt it. A presence. Ancient. Overwhelming. His breathing became slower. His instincts screamed at him. This aura... It was unlike anything normal.
He slowly turned towards where the factory was.
Gladion narrowed his eyes. 'So...' Realization slowly appeared. 'The explosion was never meant to kill me.'
He looked toward the collapsing rocks. 'It was meant to wake something up.' The realization sent a chill through even him.
Whatever was beneath that factory... It had been sleeping. The explosion had acted like an alarm. Another massive tremor spread across the valley.
Then... A gigantic hand emerged from the ground. The colossal figure slowly pulled itself upward.
Every instinct Gladion possessed told him exactly what he was looking at. His eyes widened slightly. "So..." He slowly exhaled. "They lured me here to fight against Regigigas."
Far away, The rescue force finally reached the edge of the valley. Then they froze. Every single person stared ahead. One officer's mouth slowly fell open. Another nearly dropped his Poke Ball.
Champion Rowan's face became completely stunned. Even Sabrina's calm expression disappeared for the first time in a long while. No one spoke. Because no one needed to. Standing before Gladion... Towering near him... Was one of the oldest and most powerful legendary Pokemon in existence.
And somehow... General Alvarez had turned the hunt for a terrorist into a battle against a titan. The giant slowly raised its head. Its glowing eyes settled upon the lone trainer standing below.
-----Author Notes------
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