"According to the ancient texts, we must awaken Registeel, Regirock, and Regice in sequence before the gates to the ruins of Regieleki and Regidrago will even budge," Alivia explained, her eyes scanning the flickering holographic map on her communicator.
"These three roam the ruins as eternal sentinels, attacking anyone who dares to trespass. Only by subduing them can we hope to face the even more terrifying powers of the Electric and Dragon Titans."
Hardly had she finished speaking when a massive tremor shook the lapis lazuli floor. A heavy, metallic clanging echoed through the corridor as a silver-grey silhouette emerged from the gloom. It was the guardian of the lake ruins: Registeel.
Registeel had a spherical, grey body marked with black stripes. Its "face" consisted of seven red dots arranged in a hexagonal pattern. Its arms were thick and black, ending in three blunt fingers, and its legs were sturdy cylinders. Its entire form was composed of a mysterious substance harder than any metal known to modern science.
"This one is already awake," Feng Che noted, his eyes narrowing. "It seems Sakaki Tsuna's group accidentally tripped the internal security sensors during their desperate escape from the island."
Registeel raised its heavy arms, white energy beginning to coalesce between its palms.
"It's charging a Hyper Beam! Master Feng Che, this way!" Alivia shouted. She released a Tauros, while Lewis summoned a Lairon. They mounted their Pokémon and sprinted down a side corridor.
Feng Che released his Flygon and took to the air. As he watched Lewis bouncing along on the jagged, metallic back of his Lairon, Feng Che's mouth twitched. He really wanted to ask: Lewis, is your backside made of iron, too?
Alivia tapped her communicator, projecting a full 3D layout of the ruins they had just mapped. "Master Feng Che, we are currently in the Lake Ruins, which are guarded by Registeel. There is a safe exit passage leading to the surface, but we have to pass the inner sanctums of the other Titans first."
"No matter," Feng Che said dismissively. "We find the exit first. We'll leave the 'subduing' of these troublesome giants to the main Team Rocket forces later. Once the Genesect units are fully operational, a squad of five should be able to handle the Titans with support."
The only thing I'm worried about is Regieleki and Regidrago waking up prematurely, Feng Che thought. Those two have tempers ten times worse than the original trio. I've only got my eyes on one of them: the Dragon Titan, Regidrago.
Behind them, Registeel's Hyper Beam detonated, carving a bottomless pit into the ancient floor. The destruction actually worked in their favor, creating a gap too wide for the heavy Registeel to easily cross. The Titan paused at the edge of the chasm, its red dots blinking as its core processed the tactical obstruction, before turning back to patrol its original sector.
The Jinx of the Ruins
"Master Feng Che, this ruin is surprisingly clear of minor guardians," Alivia noted, wiping sweat from her brow. "When I explored a site in Galar, we were swarmed by Runerigus almost immediately."
The moment the words left her mouth, the shadows along the lapis lazuli walls began to writhe. The ancient drawings on the stone slabs seemed to peel away, manifesting into hundreds of floating, spectral entities.
Feng Che: "..." Lewis: "..."
They both shot a look of pure exasperation at Alivia. She immediately slapped a hand over her mouth. "Oh dear... I've been away from the field too long. I forgot the Golden Rule: never mention a Pokémon by name in its own tomb!"
A Runerigus is a Ground/Ghost-type, a cousin to Cofagrigus. Instead of a gold coffin, its body is held together by cursed, broken stone slabs. Touching its shadow-like spirit body is said to force the victim to relive the horrific memories etched into its paintings.
"Runerigus... Ground and Ghost," Lewis said, regaining his composure. "Go, Empoleon!" He swapped his Lairon for the majestic Water/Steel starter. "Use Water Gun! Stay at a distance! Don't let those shadows touch you!"
Alivia released her Bibarel, which dove into the shallow canal running alongside the corridor. "Bibarel, use Aqua Jet from the water!"
"Greninja, join them!" Feng Che commanded.
Greninja unleashed a volley of Water Shurikens, striking the stone slabs of the Runerigus. Bibarel blurred through the water, slamming into the spirits with high-speed impacts.
Suddenly, the floor heaved again. Massive boulders began falling from the ceiling. A second gargantuan shadow loomed at the far end of the hallway: Regirock.
Regirock was composed of grey and orange stones, with an "H" pattern of orange dots on its face. It had massive, spiked shoulders and a stumpy stone tail. It let out a low, grinding sound that vibrated the very air.
"Regirock is up too? What did Tsuna do to this place?!" Feng Che cursed. He could have ended this in seconds with Mewtwo, but he didn't want to show his hand to these two specialists just yet.
Mewtwo, I assume Regice is awake as well? Feng Che asked telepathically.
Drop the 'assume', Mewtwo replied dryly. I can sense its aura flying toward this sector from the cryo-chamber. But I do have good news: Regieleki and Regidrago are still dormant. You still have your chance to claim the Dragon King.
"Master Feng Che, look! The canal leads to an inner lake!" Alivia shouted. Guided by her Bibarel, she dived into the water.