Chapter 863: Interlude · The First Lesson in Becoming a Brave
240 years ago.
Sinnoh region, Alabaster Icelands.
An ultra-massive steel pyramid was soaring above the snowfields.
That was the Battle Pyramid, renowned across the Hoenn region!
A place challenged by both Paul and Ash.
However.
The owner of the Battle Pyramid was an adventurer and archaeologist who loved traveling the world—Pyramid King Brandon.
Therefore, it was not strange that the Battle Pyramid would appear in the Sinnoh region at this moment.
What was strange was.
The Battle Pyramid was speeding north at full throttle.
As if some critical emergency had occurred.
One must know.
Brandon was a quasi-Champion-tier Trainer who possessed the Legendary Titans as his Pokémon.
For him to make such a fuss, it was bound to be a major event threatening an entire city, or even a region.
"Once Regigigas is forcibly awakened, it will definitely enter a rampage. When that happens, it won't just be Snowpoint City suffering, but the entire Sinnoh region."
A short-haired woman in a pure white shrine maiden outfit stood behind Brandon, her face unable to conceal her anxiety.
She was the shrine maiden of this generation guarding the Snowpoint Temple.
Brandon setting out.
Was precisely due to her plea for help.
Besides this.
Inside the pyramid, there was another group of people.
Namely:
The trio of Ash, Dawn, and Brock.
As well as.
Riley, accompanied by two Lucario, one large and one small.
The larger Lucario was over two meters tall, while the smaller one was only 1.2 meters.
Although the smaller Lucario looked quite petite.
In reality, this was the normal standard expected of the League era.
That large Lucario.
Was an ancient magical beast from the Magical Beast Era of a thousand years ago.
"Eh? Regigigas being in the Snowpoint Temple, isn't that just a legend?"
The young girl Dawn held Piplup-kun in her arms, a look of shock on her face.
"If it really were just a legend... we wouldn't have had to guard the Snowpoint Temple for generations."
The shrine maiden had a bitter expression and shook her head.
"I originally came to the Sinnoh region precisely to investigate this matter. To think it's actually real."
Brandon had a solemn expression.
He stared at the screen before him.
The Snowpoint Temple had already appeared in his field of view.
And at the entrance.
Stood dozens of people dressed in gray combat suits.
"That's Pokémon Hunter J's fleet! Have they already entered?!"
The shrine maiden's expression changed drastically.
It seemed they were too late.
At this moment.
At the entrance of the Snowpoint Temple.
Hunter J's subordinates noticed the Battle Pyramid in the sky. Shocked, they all summoned their Pokémon to launch attacks.
Looking closely.
It was actually a vast swarm of Skarmory and a small number of Metang!
"A rare Pokémon like Metang, since when could so many appear all at once!"
Riley frowned deeply, muttering in confusion.
He was the master of Iron Island in the southwest corner of the Sinnoh region.
That was an open training ground and habitat for wild Pokémon.
Abundant primarily in Rock, Ground, and Steel types.
Riley and his Lucario had met there.
He knew quite a bit about Steel-type Pokémon, so he was well aware of how difficult it was to encounter a Pokémon like Metang.
"Plundered."
The large Lucario spoke without changing his expression.
Since leaving the side of Kazuya and Lorelei.
He had traveled extensively far and wide.
He had witnessed many things and stopped many things.
What kind of scoundrels Pokémon hunters were, he understood all too well.
"What an infuriating bunch of scumbags!"
"Pika!"
Ash and Pikachu wore furious expressions.
It seemed they wished they could jump straight down from the pyramid and pummel that group.
"Now is not the time for this! We cannot fight in the air. Emergency landing!"
Brandon bellowed.
He hurriedly ordered his control personnel to lower their altitude.
The enemy had superior numbers.
The combined force of Skarmory and Metang numbered nearly a hundred!
"Officer Jenny~"
Brock's infatuated voice suddenly rang out.
Bang!
Croagunk popped out of its Poké Ball and struck him with a Poison Jab.
Brock instantly collapsed to the ground.
Although it was a brief comical interlude.
Brock's voice prompted everyone to look downward.
Far off across the snowy plains, numerous vehicles belonging to the Pokémon police were speeding over in vast numbers, easily several dozen officers.
Leading the charge at the very front.
Was none other than one of Brock's countless goddesses, Officer Jenny of Snowpoint City, alongside her Growlithe.
The response time of the Pokémon League police was trustworthy!
They would never wait until everything was settled before lazily showing up to clean up after others!
"Wonderful! With this, our pressure will be significantly reduced, and we can head straight into the temple to stop J."
The shrine maiden of Snowpoint Temple breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
The situation had finally improved somewhat.
The Battle Pyramid soon touched down on the snow.
Just then, the Pokémon League police had already engaged Hunter J's subordinates in combat.
One had to admit.
As an organization that plundered others' Pokémon and sought to capture Legendary beasts across the world.
Their formidable strength was not something the police force of a small-to-medium city like Snowpoint City could easily match.
Though Officer Jenny and her officers fought with all their might.
They still fell into a disadvantage.
"You stay behind to assist. Brandon, Riley, Lucario, follow me inside to stop J!"
The large Lucario scanned the area and issued the order.
He did not intend to let Ash's trio enter the temple.
Whether it was J or Regigigas.
Both were exceptionally perilous entities.
He would not allow a group of children to face them.
"Understood!"
The large Lucario's words carried absolute authority.
Likely due to his imposing demeanor and formidable strength, no one had any objection to him giving orders.
Living beings.
Ultimately possess two sides.
Before a certain lazy Darkrai, the large Lucario might appear exceptionally gentle and obedient.
Yet before this group of juniors from a millennium later, he exerted immense presence.
Without any hesitation.
Led by the large Lucario, with the three youngsters following closely behind, they charged straight into Snowpoint Temple.
Along the way, they crossed paths with a few Pokémon hunters.
None could withstand even a single blow from Lucario.
Delving all the way into the deepest reaches.
They spotted the mastermind behind today's crisis.
Hunter J.
And her Pokémon, Salamence.
"Brandon, so it's you who came."
J turned toward the arrivals, a smirk instantly forming on her face.
It appeared.
The two were already acquainted.
There seemed to be past grudges between them.
"J, surrender quietly! You are surrounded!"
Brandon raised his hand and tossed out his Poké Balls.
His Legendary Titans materialized in the cavern, blocking the exit entirely.
"Hahaha! You're too late! Take a good look at this fellow first!"
J gave a thumbs-up and pointed behind her.
The next instant.
Rumble——!!
The entirety of Snowpoint Temple began to shake violently.
A colossal behemoth rose from the ground behind J, its towering stature immediately scraping the cavern ceiling, shattering countless stalactites.
A massive, shadowy figure abruptly loomed, blotting out the already faint light inside the cavern.
The moment Regigigas emerged.
J hopped onto Salamence and retreated into a secluded corner.
She was in no rush.
She planned to let Brandon and Regigigas tear each other apart first, waiting until both sides were exhausted before striking.
"Regi!!"
Regigigas's furious roar resounded throughout the dim cavern.
The sheer volume forced all listeners to grimace and cover their heads in pain.
The awakened Colossal Pokémon.
As expected, had gone on a rampage!
Regigigas's gaze immediately locked onto Brandon's group.
They were simply too conspicuous.
Especially with the Legendary Titans standing behind them like glaring miniature monoliths.
Naturally.
Regigigas directed its hostility toward them first, believing these trespassers were the ones who disturbed its slumber.
Boom!
It took a step toward the group.
With that single step.
The earth trembled and the mountains shook.
"Lucario, what should we do? Should we pull back? Fight outside?"
Brandon turned to look at the large Lucario.
Even if Regigigas had just awakened, with its power likely halved due to its "Slow Start" Ability.
Even so.
It was definitely not something an ordinary person could contend with.
Even if a Champion were here, it would be an uphill battle.
"Master?"
Riley and the smaller Lucario also looked over.
At that moment.
They realized that upon seeing Regigigas, the large Lucario's expression hadn't shifted in the slightest.
"Outside? No. There are still many innocent people and children out there."
The large Lucario glanced back, then shook his head, "We fight right here. We cannot allow Regigigas and that rat in the back to escape."
He crossed his arms over his chest.
Holding his head high, he stared up at the titan before him.
Admittedly.
Regigigas exerted terrifying pressure.
Even Lucario felt a shred of tension, though it didn't show on his face.
However.
Tension was one thing.
It did not mean he was afraid.
"Regi!!"
Regigigas bellowed again.
A gargantuan arm swung straight toward them.
Like an entire airliner crashing down upon their heads.
Both Riley and the smaller Lucario.
Could not help but swallow hard, taking several steps back.
"Hammer Arm!!"
Brandon's shout rang out.
The Legendary Titans behind him moved forward to intercept.
However...
Boom!!
A dull impact resonated.
The large Lucario took two strides forward, extending both arms and forcefully halting Regigigas's arm in its tracks!
Everyone was dumbfounded.
Did the situation stall out at this moment?
Not at all.
Gritting his teeth, the large Lucario took a step forward.
Pushing up with both arms.
He actually forced Regigigas back by half a step.
Riley and the smaller Lucario froze where they stood, jaws slack, staring blankly at the broad back before them.
The towering silhouette turned slightly, casting a glance over his shoulder at them:
"The first lesson in becoming an Aura Brave."
"Even knowing the path ahead is certain death, you must never take half a step back."
"If you cannot control the fear in your heart."
"Then think carefully, and look closely."
"At who still stands behind you."
Hearing those words.
The smaller Lucario subconsciously looked down at his paws.
The trail of dust scraped across the stone from his backward retreat.
At this very moment.
Felt so piercingly conspicuous.
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