The scene unfolding before Aoki was nothing like what he had anticipated.
The Altaria moved with effortless grace, gliding through the ruins as if strolling through a familiar garden. She showed no concern for potential dangers, her demeanor relaxed and untroubled.
In stark contrast, Aoki remained tense, his nerves on edge. Beside him, Slowking maintained a vigilant stance, his psychic powers stretched to their limits, ready to trigger a teleportation escape at the slightest hint of threat. The difference between the composed Pokémon and the wary Trainer could not have been more pronounced.
Before long, the brief journey reached its conclusion, and Aoki caught sight of Regirock's motionless form. The legendary Pokémon stood like a weathered statue, its rocky body blending seamlessly into the ruins. The seven dots marking its face remained unlit—this was Regirock's dormant state.
Aoki halted. One more step would awaken the guardian. At this distance, Slowking's teleportation would provide a safe retreat—assuming they had enough time. If Altaria could delay Regirock even slightly, their chances would improve.
Yet while Aoki stood frozen in caution, Altaria tilted her head, studying him with mild confusion. She seemed entirely unbothered by the looming threat of the awakened titan.
After a moment's hesitation, Aoki retrieved the ancient key given to him by Lucario, gripping it tightly. If Regirock stirred, he would present the artifact immediately, hoping it would grant them safe passage.
"Let's hope this works," he muttered through gritted teeth.
Testing the waters, he took a single, careful step forward.
Regirock remained still.
Encouraged, Aoki advanced further, gauging the limits of the guardian's awareness. He needed to know how close he could get before triggering its defenses.
Altaria, however, had no patience for such caution. With a dismissive glance, she fluttered past Aoki and perched atop Regirock's stony head, preening her feathers as if the legendary Pokémon were nothing more than a convenient resting spot.
"…"
Aoki and Slowking exchanged glances, their earlier tension now replaced by sheer bewilderment.
They had witnessed Regirock's immense power firsthand. Yet here was Altaria, treating the colossus like a common rock.
Steeling himself, Aoki moved closer, step by step, until he stood directly before Regirock. Still, the guardian did not react.
Confused, Aoki reached out with his telepathy, attempting to communicate—but Regirock's mind was silent, unreadable.
With no other options, he pressed onward, passing the dormant titan.
Soon, another sentinel came into view: Registeel, the Iron Guardian, standing vigil among the ruins.
Pokémon: Registeel (Light Blue)
Type: Steel
Gender: Genderless
Level: 78
Ability: Clear Body
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: None
Basic Moves: Hyper Beam, Stomp, Metal Claw, Charge Beam, Superpower, Curse, Ancient Power, Iron Defense, Amnesia, Iron Head, Flash Cannon, Hammer Arm, Lock-On, Zap Cannon, Heavy Slam, Explosion
Learnt Moves: Stomp, Shock Wave, Snore, Stealth Rock, Thunder Punch, Iron Head, Ice Punch, Magnet Rise, Gravity, Focus Punch
TM Moves: None
This Registeel was every bit as formidable as Regirock, its light-blue aptitude ranking among the strongest Aoki had ever seen in a wild Pokémon. Though both guardians were legendary, they held no divine authority—not even the status of minor deities.
For now, they were beyond Aoki's ability to challenge.
He could only hope that when Team Rocket arrived, their forces would be enough to subdue the Titans. Whether the organization could capture them, however, depended on whether they could earn the Pokémon's recognition in battle.
Yet one detail puzzled Aoki: only two of the legendary titans were present. Regice, the Ice Guardian, was nowhere to be found.
Typically, the three pillars stood together—or, in rare cases, only one would be stationed. But two without the third was unusual.
Had Mew relocated Regice elsewhere?
Shaking off the thought, Aoki pressed forward. Beyond the guardians lay the heart of the ruins.
A weathered but sturdy structure came into view—modest in size, resembling an ancient dwelling. Set into its door was a keyhole, perfectly sized for Lucario's artifact.
Ascending the short staircase, Aoki inserted the key.
There was no grand tremor, no dazzling light—just a faint shudder as the doors groaned open, revealing the sanctum within.
The resting place of Mew lay before them.