I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

Boom!!!

The deafening roar shook the mountains as ice and snow cascaded down the peaks, sending up vast plumes of white mist.

Lu Ye's group stood knee-deep in snow, their expressions grave as they gazed at the ancient temple before them.

A brilliant red light shot through the temple dome, piercing straight into the dark snow clouds swirling ominously above.

"Reeeegiii---!!"

A metallic clanging sound, ancient and vast, echoed across the snow-capped mountains like a primordial roar.

Brandon held his breath, teeth chattering as he exhaled a shaky puff of white vapor.

"That... is the ancient deity who once moved continents - Regigigas!"

The red light exploded from the temple, shattering it like a detonated hydrogen bomb as stone bricks and marble pillars erupted outward.

A shockwave of sand, stone, and snow blasted toward Lu Ye's group. "Gengarrr!" Haunter extended its arms, creating a pale green Protect barrier, its usual grin now serious.

"Hold on tight, Pikachu!"

Ash's blue vest flapped wildly in the wind as he desperately clutched his cap with one hand and Pikachu with the other.

When the dust settled...

Everyone stared at the colossal figure standing amidst the temple ruins.

An overwhelming pressure weighed on their hearts.

"Reeeegiii---!!"

The massive Regigigas bore three metallic stripes across its body, with forest-like plants clinging to its legs.

Rows of signal-light eyes lined its metallic torso - all now glowing angry red!

"GIGAASSS!!"

Regigigas clenched its steel fists and slammed them into the snow.

The already ruined temple foundation sank further as the entire mountain trembled violently!

"But its ability is Slow Start!" Lu Ye shouted in disbelief. "Why the hell is it fighting like a war god already?"

"I suspect this is actually its weakened state," Brandon said grimly before yelling, "We need to stop it now!"

Otherwise...

Brandon gritted his teeth.

Not just everyone here, but the entire Snowpoint City - perhaps all of Sinnoh - might face catastrophe!

Aogen in his gentleman's hat sent out Lucario.

Together they created an aura barrier like a thin membrane, shielding the group from both the blizzard and Regigigas' oppressive presence.

Aaron's wine-red suit shoulders were already dusted with snow as he adjusted his fogged glasses:

"There might be a way to resolve this without fighting!"

"Now's not the time for riddles!" Lu Ye shouted, licking his lips nervously while staring at the nearly 10-meter tall Regigigas.

And this was its incomplete awakened form.

According to legends, the Colossal Pokémon Regigigas could reach 50 meters tall - even 100 meters - a true Godzilla-like monster!

"The plan is!" Aaron threw a Poké Ball as Bronzong landed heavily, "We put it back to sleep with hypnosis!"

"You're a genius!" Lu Ye pointed at Regigigas wildly firing Hyper Beams everywhere.

"Does that look like something that'll listen to a lullaby?!"

"Reeeegiii---"

Regigigas clasped its massive hands together, gathering destructive red energy between them.

BOOM!!!

The red energy shot out like a mortar shell, blasting open a cave in the mountainside!

"GIGAASSS!!"

Without pause, another Hyper Beam erupted forth, shaking the entire peak!

"Damn it!" Brandon looked up at the mountain.

"Mr. Aogen, can you maintain the barrier?!"

The avalanche continued gaining momentum, white death tumbling toward them.

"Against this scale..." Aogen paled.

"My aura barrier won't last minutes!"

"ROOOAAAR!!"

A mighty cry rang out as herds of Mamoswine, Piloswine, and Abomasnow emerged from the snowy plains.

Using their thick fur and sturdy bodies, they formed living walls against the cascading snow!

"During disasters, Pokémon and humans stand together!"

Even for these Pokémon living here...

Brandon took a deep breath, determination flashing in his eyes.

"We must calm Regigigas' rage quickly!"

Beside Lu Ye, the Mamoswine formed protective barriers with their bodies.

Standing in the temporary safety zone, Lu Ye watched the enraged, red-eyed Regigigas and held up two fingers toward Aaron.

"That's Plan B."

"What?!" Aaron removed his snow-covered glasses, not hearing clearly.

"I said we'll try your backup plan after negotiations fail!" Lu Ye gritted his teeth.

"Negotiations?"

Aaron blinked while Brandon looked incredulous.

Negotiate with an enraged deity?

That's just suicide!

But Ash suddenly understood, eyes shining as he watched Lu Ye's back.

"If it's Professor Lu... he can definitely do it!"

Suddenly, Brandon's heart pounded.

That's right - Professor Lu... this young scholar is an expert in ancient languages!

He might actually succeed!

"Aogen! Aaron!" Brandon shouted hoarsely, "Use your Pokémon to help Professor Lu reach Regigigas!"

Aogen immediately sent out Lucario, bellowing: "Aura, be with me!!"

Brilliant light erupted from Aogen and Lucario's palms, forming a solid barrier around Lu Ye.

Seeing the Aura Power display again, Ash grinned fiercely:

"Alright, Pikachu, let's help too!"

"Pikachuuu! ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ"

"Use Thunderbolt!"

Across the white plains, the yellow electric mouse darted before leaping up, unleashing lightning!!

"Pikaaa---CHUUU!!"

[Pikachu] used [Thunderbolt] on [Regigigas]!

It's not very effective...

The electricity harmlessly sparked off Regigigas' metal body.

"Pika~" Pikachu tumbled cutely through the air as Ash caught it.

Lu Ye's face twitched.

Pikachu, are you faking it?!

It didn't even touch you!

But thanks to Ash's distraction,

Regigigas' movements slowed again.

"Reeeegiii---"

Regigigas scratched its head, its signal lights shifting from red to yellow as if assessing Pikachu's threat level.

"GIGAASSS!!"

Suddenly realizing, it raised Hyper Beam-charged fists furiously.

Damn yellow rat, take this!

Lu Ye gulped.

If that Hyper Beam hits,

Ash might not even live long enough for Ho-Oh to resurrect him!

Brandon clenched three Poké Balls tightly.

Unless absolutely necessary... he didn't want to unleash the three Regis against their creator!

But—

Just as Brandon prepared to throw,

"Ash!"

Aaron yanked Ash back by his collar, shielding the boy as he commanded:

"Bronzong, maximum Light Screen!"

Despite sweating profusely in the freezing cold,

Aaron stood firm as Sinnoh's dutiful Elite Four Psychic specialist!

As the Hyper Beam prepared to fire,

Everyone's breath froze along with the frigid air.

Yet Regigigas suddenly paused!

Even the Hyper Beam in its hands dimmed!

"Professor Lu... succeeded?!" Aaron gasped.

"I told you Professor Lu could do it!" Ash wiped his nose.

"No."

Brandon's voice turned grim.

Squinting, he saw Lu Ye facing away, holding up two fingers.

The meaning was clear.

Negotiations failed - prepare for combat!!

......

Amidst the blizzard, Lu Ye stood dangerously close to Regigigas.

The handsome trainer gazed up at the titan with awe.

"The Pokédex says it's under 4 meters tall."

Lu Ye admired the metallic behemoth - its sleek lines, flashing signal lights, ancient plants on its legs.

"Seems even Professor Oak makes mistakes."

"Gengarrr!" Haunter floated beside Lu Ye, grinning up at Regigigas.

This big lug seems friendly.

Maybe I should sing to it?

"Reeeegiii---"

Regigigas noticed the human at its feet, slowly bending down as its signal lights blinked rapidly.

The sheer size difference created overwhelming pressure.

Yet the black-haired young man smiled calmly and greeted:

"■■■■? (How ya doin'?)"

"Reeeegiii---(O_o)??"

Regigigas' lights flashed wildly.

This human spoke perfect ancient tongue!

It completely stunned the Colossal Pokémon.

But Regigagas' intelligence far surpassed its titanic brethren.

It had been sleeping peacefully until poachers' explosions rudely awakened it.

Now seeing Lu Ye's group,

It instinctively considered them enemies disturbing its slumber.

"GIGAASSS!!(╬￣皿￣)"

Regigigas finally realized—

I just woke up and you ask how I'm doing?!

That's blatant mockery.

Time to teach this rude human a lesson!

As Regigigas' lights flashed red and it slowly raised its fists,

Lu Ye had already slipped away, sprinting back to the others.

"Quick! Time for Plan B, Aaron!"

While running, Lu Ye wondered:

"Was my ancient pronunciation off?"

"Impossible... that's how the ancients greeted..."

"Reeeegiii---!!"

Behind him, Regigigas took thunderous steps, crushing ice and snow.

"Retreat to the nearby canyon!" Brandon ordered. "Before Regigigas destroys the mountain!"

"So I'm just bait?!" Lu Ye shouted before calling to Aogen. "Mr. Aogen, lend me your Salamence!"

Startled, Aogen tossed a Poké Ball: "Oh, sure!"

'It's very temperamental and hates strangers,' Aogen meant to say.

"Salamence, fly to the canyon!"

Lu Ye mounted Salamence, expertly gripping its spine while channeling aura.

"ROAR!!"

Salamence's eyes glowed red as it beat its wings, creating gale-force winds!

Woo-hoo, liftoff!!

Squinting at the departing figure, Brandon turned:

"We need to hurry!"

Aaron nodded.

"The plan Professor Lu (and his Haunter) devised involves creating a gravity field near the canyon."

Aaron said gravely, "The gravity will maximize our chances of putting Regigigas to sleep!"

Ash's mouth twitched.

Success rate... isn't that Professor Lu's weakness?

"Bronzong, take me to the canyon!"

Aaron mounted the floating Bronzong.

Brandon summoned his Flygon: "Ash, ride with me."

Ash: "No need, I brought Charizard - great at flying!"

Aogen coughed awkwardly:

"My Salamence was just borrowed..."

"Mr. Brandon, might I ride with you?"

Brandon smiled: "Of course!"

As the group raced toward the canyon,

"Reeeegiii---" Regigigas trudged away from the crumbling mountain.

Aogen adjusted his hat, watching Salamence ahead with confusion.

"Strange... isn't that my Pokémon?"