Chris didn't have time to react fully. Hastily, he caught the key Theodore threw and watched him charge toward the center of the fierce battle between the two Landorus, riding his Salamence at the breathtaking speed of Dragon Rush.
All the researchers, Chris included, were stunned. What was Theodore thinking? This was a clash between two god-like Pokémon! Could Professor Theodore be courting disaster by rushing in?
Despite sensing Theodore's approach, the two Landorus ignored him, engrossed in their titanic battle. The sky filled with rolling quicksand that climbed hundreds of feet, radiating intense heat. The crimson spectacle resembled a massive pillar of fire, threatening to scorch the ground below.
The two Landorus unleashed their Sandsear Storms, their furious attacks colliding directly over the space rift that had briefly appeared. Theodore, showing no signs of hesitation, surged ahead.
Just as Theodore appeared destined to be consumed by the intersecting storms, he released his Xatu. With a sharp cry of "Xatu!" the Pokémon used Teleport to shift them a thousand meters forward, diving into the rift just as it sealed behind them.
The researchers, watching through their binoculars, collectively exhaled in relief, though unease lingered. Theodore had entered the rift, but why? The rift was gone now, repaired by the natural balance of the space in mere seconds.
"Why did Theodore enter that space rift?" Chris asked, bewildered, turning to the researchers. They exchanged uncertain glances, unable to answer.
Looking down at the key Theodore had left behind, Chris found it was nothing more than a plain room key. Determined, he resolved to report to their teacher as soon as they returned to camp.
At that moment, a group of trainers arrived, flying in from the distance. At the front was Denver.
"What happened here?" Denver asked, landing his Dragonite near Chris.
Chris handed him a pair of binoculars. "Two Landorus are engaged in battle."
Hearing this, the trainers quickly borrowed equipment to observe the legendary spectacle. Denver casually asked, "Where's my cousin?"
Chris hesitated before replying, "When the Landorus clashed, a space rift appeared, and Theodore rushed in."
"What?!" Denver lowered the binoculars, glaring at Chris in disbelief. "With his strength, he should've known better! Did he say anything?"
Chris nodded. "He told me to inform the principal if he doesn't return within a year."
Denver muttered under his breath, "That lunatic's counting on the principal's power! What'll he do when the principal's not around anymore?" He sighed heavily and then addressed Chris, "Go ahead and report this to the principal."
"I will," Chris assured him.
Denver turned to the group and the researchers. "Everyone, head back to the camp. The Landorus clash won't end anytime soon—it might take days or even months unless someone stronger intervenes. We'll rest and plan our next steps from there."
Chris nodded, leading the group toward the camp. He couldn't help but reflect on legendary tales of battles between Groudon and Kyogre, said to have lasted endlessly and shaped the seas and land. Though the two Landorus weren't as powerful, their battle promised to rage on for quite some time.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!" echoed the clash of their power behind them.
The ground of the Mayan Forest trembled violently as a towering, muscular figure emerged from the distant darkness. Each step of the behemoth caused the entire forest to quake, the earth shuddering under its immense weight.
The two Landorus halted their fierce battle, turning their attention toward the source of the tremors.
Chris, startled, hastily grabbed the binoculars from a nearby researcher and peered through them.
Under the pale moonlight, an enormous titan more than 100 meters in height revealed itself. Its white, rocky body was etched with black square stripes that ran across its form. Golden saffron bands glowed brilliantly on its wrists, shoulders, and head. However, the most striking feature was the three pairs of eyes on its chest—one pair red, one blue, and one silver—shimmering vividly in the dark.
"It's... the Pillar King, Regigigas!" Chris whispered in awe.
Regigigas, the legendary land-dragging titan. Mythology spoke of its immense power: when Groudon's chaotic battles shattered the world, it was Regigigas who dragged the landmasses together to form the continents. Its legend was as old as the earth itself.
Regigigas? Here, in the Mayan Forest? Why?
The researchers and trainers watched in stunned silence. Was the titan here to intervene in the battle of the gods?
All eyes fixated on Regigigas as it strode purposefully toward the two Landorus. When it reached them, it raised its colossal arms and swung them forcefully.
"Smack!"
"Smack!"
Even from dozens of kilometers away, the sound of the strikes roared through the night, shaking the very air.
Despite Regigigas's notoriously slow movements—likely due to its Slow Start ability—the two Landorus couldn't avoid the attacks. It wasn't that they didn't want to dodge. When Regigigas struck, it seemed to emit an overwhelming force that immobilized them, as though their bodies were burdened by a mountain. They were utterly helpless.
The titan's immense palms slammed into the two Landorus, sending them flying. The legendary forces that had moments ago clashed with such ferocity were now mere specks, vanishing into the distant sky. Only faint streaks of light betrayed their whereabouts.
"Boom... boom... boom..."
As the echoes of the blows faded, Regigigas, having swatted away the two "flies," turned without a word. It began its slow, deliberate journey back into the depths of the Mayan Forest, its massive footsteps causing the ground to tremble anew.