Chapter 308: The Giant

Beneath Ross Mountain.

The Pokémon’s frenzy and chaos subsided; the immense power of the yellow crystal swept away all the waves, the Giant King ceased movement, and the signal lights stopped flashing.

The surrounding frenzied Pokémon regained their senses; the surge in power had brought extreme weakness, even among the Elite Four’s Pokémon.

“Ugh! How, how could it fail?! Akroma’s machine always breaks at the critical moment!”

Sumura frowned, angrily gripping his instrument—he didn’t understand what had just happened.

The vast yellow light had already left its reflection in his eyes; Sumura stared at the weakened Pokémon and suddenly froze, feeling an unprecedented pain deep within his heart.

“Ugh… my heart… why does it hurt so much?”

Sumura felt something was wrong; he wanted to leave, so he called for the Dark.

“Crystal Lantern Spirit! Overheat!”

Wanlong’s Crystal Lantern Spirit suddenly appeared; its deep blue crystalline lantern spewed fierce ghost flames, engulfing Sumura in fire and causing him to cry out in shock—but one of the Dark Trio appeared in time, immobilized Wanlong, and instantly teleported Sumura away.

Only the damaged Akroma machine prototype remained.

“Damn, he got away!”

Lian Wu panted heavily; a large group of Pokémon lay collapsed beside him. This Fighting Elite Four member had suppressed countless frenzied Pokémon and beaten them into unconsciousness by himself.

“What was that just now? I suddenly couldn’t move—Psychic?”

Wanlong frowned slightly; as an Elite Four member, watching the troublemaker escape right before his eyes was deeply unpleasant—though Wanlong wasn’t the type who enjoyed fighting,

this was embarrassing!

“The Dark Trio are Psychic-type specialists with the ability to immobilize others and teleport. Core members of Team Plasma.”

Guang Tai explained: “To block their escape ability… wouldn’t Miss Jirachi be able to do it?”

Jirachi’s Psychic observation, brainwave linking, explosions, future prediction, and teleportation—but in the Special Episodes, even she couldn’t track the Dark Trio’s movements.

But if it came to tearing down buildings with bare hands, Guang Tai believed this young lady wouldn’t lose.

“Miss Fenglu, these Pokémon are extremely weak—they need healing!”

Fenglu was examining the injuries of the fallen Pokémon; she was highly sensitive to life’s frailty—many here had drained their vitality, leaving their life forces teetering on the edge.

She quickly pulled out some Vitality Shards, but after counting them, realized they weren’t enough.

“Use these.”

Guang Tai stepped beside Fenglu and pulled out Emergency Jelly.

“No one carries too many Vitality Shards on them; at times like this, specially crafted remedies come in handy.”

“Recovered!” Fenglu looked at the Talonflame in her arms; after consuming the remedy, its nearly extinguished life force surged back, and it opened its eyes, letting out a contented low cry.

Guang Tai had many more medicines; he now gave some to Fenglu to treat the Pokémon weakened after their frenzy.

He glanced around.

His own Pokémon lay exhausted on the ground.

Soul battles drain not the body but the spirit; their bodies had sustained varying injuries during the prior battle and urgently needed recovery.

Guang Tai took out various healing medicines from his backpack and began restoring his injured partners.

Blue Mao Xiaogou and white Mao Fa leaned against Turtwig, chewing on berries while swallowing Revival Grass leaves, occasionally biting into an Energy Root.

Shieldon and Skitty were also absorbing energy from Revival Grass and berries.

Poliwhirl stuck out its tongue, its large head emitting a low rumble.

Hungry. That’s what it said.

But Energy Roots and Revival Grass are too bitter—he didn’t want to eat them.

Turtwig kept generating various plants to heal everyone!

“Alright, alright, we still have Energy Cubes!”

“Wait, you’re treating Turtwig like a Pokémon Center? Is this a supply station?!”

The Revival Grass on Turtwig’s back attracted the weakened Pokémon; they gathered spontaneously, sharing the leaves, chewing steadily to restore their strength.

At this moment, Turtwig truly resembled a mobile Pokémon Center; under the blessings of several forests, as long as natural energy flowed, Revival Grass could continuously regenerate.

Among humans, Mr. Vado and N were not here.

Mr. Vado was absent because he hadn’t been pulled into the Spirit Realm—but Professor N—

Yet Guang Tai could sense N’s soul’s presence—it was a strange feeling—and a voice came from within his heart:

【Don’t worry—he returned to the Tower of Heaven. He’s already gone!】

Guang Tai froze, then softly nodded.

It seemed Emlido’s power had moved them here.

“Akroma machine…” Guang Tai retrieved the strange device; a prompt appeared in his vision.

【Item: Akroma Machine (Prototype #99).】

【Description: A special device that forcibly awakens Pokémon abilities. But as a prototype, its functions are incomplete.】

【Effect: Prototype #99 is considered a failure—it excessively triggers Pokémon frenzy and drains their life force.】

【Note: By analyzing this device, you can craft a special powerful apparatus—】

【Craftable Items: Wave Nullifier (Anti-Akroma Machine), Galaxy G-109SP Radar, Pokémon Control Gun, Anti-Pokémon Control Gun, Aura Scanner.】

【The principle behind Pokémon control devices: uses special waves to overload Pokémon minds, forcing them into battle-ready states to maximize combat power—but inflicts damage on the Pokémon themselves.】

The Yellow Crystal’s voice came.

【Modern human technology is mere trickery; under the light of Crystal energy, these machines are nothing but scrap metal!】

Ancient souls looked down on modern creations—this seemed common in the Pokémon world?

Ancient mystical science could produce a standalone movie with any random artifact, while modern tech merely gave villains flashy waves and capture devices—usually crumbling at the first touch of mystical science.

“Though I’ve heard this before, it still startled me—Crystals talking.”

Guang Tai tried communicating with the Yellow Crystal: “Blue Crystal has helped me many times, but it never spoke to me.”

“So, are you the soul of the Yellow Robe Prince?”

【I am only a part of the Prince’s soul.】 The Yellow Crystal’s voice was ethereal, like singing: 【Friend, you are special. If anyone can help us fulfill our wish, it is you.】

【Blue Crystal says you know the ancient legends of Almia—our story?】

【Blue Crystal doesn’t speak to you because it refuses to burden others with such grim matters, and fears you might be tempted by the Dark Crystal—that is a dangerous thing. Only those destined can dispel its power, so it trusts fate.】

【But I do not believe in fate. Long ago, when I journeyed alone to the desert lands, I knew I must defy this fate—and correct the errors of the past.】

【Long ago, we schemed against each other, fought for power, and plunged the kingdom into chaos. The King grew furious and exiled me and the Red-Haired One, while the Blue-Haired One remained in the kingdom. Later, greed and desire swirled like a vortex, staining the King’s heart and soul black.】

【You still have duties to fulfill—after you complete your work here, if you wish… please go to Almia.】

【You are a craftsman who seeks rare materials—and in this world, nothing is more precious than our raw crystals.】

The Yellow Crystal’s voice faded, as if sinking into silence—but in truth, it still emitted a faint glow, seemingly communicating with the Blue Crystal, deliberately avoiding Guang Tai.

Hummm—

Regigigas’s call drew Guang Tai’s attention.

Regigigas, the Legendary Giant King, stood before him, fully awakened from chaos, “watching” Guang Tai.

【The Great Dragon has been repelled. Mission complete.】

【Ancient King, you who hold the key—but lack the power.】

The strange protrusions on Regigigas’s body glowed.

【By ancient pact, I shall connect with you—to grant you the Giant’s Heart!】

————

“Boss Ju! We were about to ask you—the same thing! What’s with this giant Pokémon? Why did Pokémon chaos break out here?”

“Just now, in the Spirit Realm, it suddenly appeared and punched the Legendary Dragon down!”

Wanlong excitedly recounted what had just happened, watching Guang Tai establish a connection with Regigigas, his heart pounding!

So fascinating! So beautiful! The materials encountered on this journey with the shopkeeper are countless!”

“The battle at the Tower of Heaven, the Spirit Realm, the Azure-Silver Dragon, the Wind and Thunder Gods, the Legendary Giant… It’s like a Legendary Pokémon clearance sale!”

Boss Ju scratched his head in disbelief:

“Spirit Realm? You say you were dragged into a Spirit Realm by a giant dragon?!”

“If it were the old me, I’d have scoffed—but now, I believe it without doubt!”

“After all, I’ve experienced the wonders of the Ancient City—and if it’s connected to that guy, such things are normal!”

“This Giant just called out to us. According to your account, when the stars appeared, a twisted black gate opened here, and it simply walked out from behind that wall—vanished in an instant, then reappeared beside you the next!”

“Lian Wu, what do you think?”

Boss Ju turned to Lian Wu, and the straightforward Fighting Elite Four member wore a resolute expression:

“I’m a martial artist—I don’t understand these mystical things. As long as no disaster happened, that’s enough.”

“Still, what puzzles me is…” Lian Wu’s expression turned serious, his gaze fixed on Guang Tai’s back.

“A powerhouse. Absolute powerhouse! I don’t mean just as a Trainer—his body itself feels incredibly strong!”

“Oh right, Mr. Guang Tai has tremendous strength!” Fenglu mentioned: “Maybe he’s a martial artist?”

Lian Wu: “Hmm… a martial artist? Young genius martial artists aren’t unheard of—I recently received a recommendation letter saying a young karate prodigy from the Galar region is coming to train under me.”

Lian Wu smiled slightly: “That Giant is also an incredible being—though I don’t know what it is, it’s definitely a Legendary Pokémon!”

Wanlong adjusted his glasses: “You don’t even know what it is, yet you call it Legendary?”

Lian Wu waved his hand: “Don’t worry about such trivial details! Sometimes, not knowing is what makes it Legendary!”

Wanlong glanced at Lian Wu and muttered: “Didn’t you say you wanted to thank the maker of that remedy? The shopkeeper here—he’s the one who made it.”

“He’s also the one who took the commission to find Champion Adik.”

Lian Wu froze.

“It was he who pulled Master Adack out of the public outcry vortex, neutralizing the Plasma Team’s attacks—all thanks to that specially crafted medicine sent from a distant land!”

As Adack’s disciple, Lian Wu was deeply grateful to the person who made the medicine, never imagining that person stood right before him!

And he had even calmed the chaos between the King of Giants and the Pokémon!

“Hmm, he’s a fighter. Fighters tend to like Fighting-type TM’s or black belts? Seems a bit ordinary.”

“Wait—I once collected rare martial arts manuscripts from around the world. These would make a perfect gift. Plus, I’ll add a TM!”

Lian Wu began muttering to himself.

This was a personal thanks—he had to offer something valuable and precious!

But since he’s a fighter, Lian Wu’s warrior instincts were burning!

I really want to fight him somewhere—wait, isn’t there an event for that?

This year’s year-end!

That Galar fighting prodigy came for the same reason!

————

On the other side, Guang Tai received his reward.

Emildor had departed, but left behind a surge of energy that strengthened the bond between himself and his Pokémon.

【The stronger the emotion, the greater the power it unleashes. Different emotions carry different powers—use them wisely!】

【Though the arrival of Cresselia was unexpected, the distortion here has been repaired. A new Platinum Pearl has been born, and it has become your friend. You now hold a badge—two more remain!】

Emildor’s voice faded away.

Another badge appeared on Guang Tai’s other hand. When not in use, the badge remained hidden. Unlike Cresselia’s badge, the Azure Dragon’s badge was silver-white.

In his soul, Cresselia’s discontented voice echoed.

What kind of celestial deity with heavenly power got beaten by its own Qiyuezhe ? And worse—it actually tried to “steal away” its own Qiyuezhe ?

Your badge is the most useless one! Cresselia was furious!

Still, in the Reverse World, it praised Guang Tai, saying this battle truly showed the might of our universe—spiritual, no shame!

That’ll make Arceus look good when facing other versions of itself!

“You even care about giving your old man some face… but Arceus probably doesn’t care. By the way, is the alternate-universe Arceus golden?”

【Quest Complete!】

【Reward: Release Jade ×15, Belief of the Seeker ×1, King’s Proof ×1, Fiery Soul, Soul Liberation!】

【Belief of the Seeker: Projecting your belief onto your Pokémon allows them to inherit part of the power from fallen allies, and doubles the trigger chance of move additional effects!】

【Fiery Soul: Your spirit communication power has increased dramatically! You have obtained “Master Spirit Communicator!” You may summon spirit power through prayer, strengthening yourself and your Pokémon with the emotions of human and Pokémon souls. When in dire straits, your indomitable spirit power will surge exponentially!】

【Note: This power comes from ancient Spirit Masters!】

【Soul Liberation: You may raise your soul’s upper limit, break its chains, and cause your soul to resonate with Pokémon, unleashing unimaginable power; you may awaken lost souls, shielding them from the malice of the physical world, and open gateways to the Spirit Realm to safely guide souls there.】

【Note: This gift comes from the Tower of Heaven!】

【C-Device Skin (1): A skin for the C-Device. Special world events allow one skin recording—perhaps capturing unique fluctuations. “Azure Cresselia” has been recorded! You may use “Spirit Wave”—increases Spirit cultivation efficiency, and allows the C-Device to receive and transmit Spirit Realm signals.】

【Learned the legendary melody “Star Requiem (Imitation)” — can be taught to Cresselia!】

The stronger the emotion, the stronger the soul; the stronger the soul, the greater the power!

By the way, Fiery Soul, Soul Liberation, Spirit Signals… this ancient Spirit Master you mentioned—could he be named Atum?

“Thank you, Emildor, the Linking Tree. This is invaluable!”

Spirit Communicator was his first profession, and now it had reached the pinnacle of its field!

Guang Tai believed that Fleur, the Elite Four member from Hoenn, must be a Master-level Spirit Communicator—she could commune with the Spirit Realm, escort the dead, and perhaps even travel freely between the Spirit Realm and the living world.

In later generations, even among Ghost-type experts, few ever matched Fleur’s extraordinary skill.

Take Wan Long, who knew him well—though also an Elite Four member of Ghost-type, Wan Long was not a Spirit Communicator.

Now, it was time for Regigigas’s power.

The King of Giants mumbled words incomprehensible to others, but Guang Tai understood them without barrier.

The King of Giants’s emotions and thoughts flowed into his heart.

【Long ago, the King of the Sun City forged a pact with us. Giants came to this world to help them fight the colossal dragon from beyond the heavens—but I failed.】

【The dragon’s faith replaced ours, yet the people of the Sun City never forgot me. They erected colossal statues in the city and built a gate beneath the earth leading to the Moon Realm—switching mechanisms between day and night allows passage to different worlds.】

【I created three Pokémon to guard both the Sun World and the Moon World—in the Black World and the White World. Normally, only by bringing them to me could I be awakened.】

【But you are different. I sense the same aura in you as in my creations. Have you met them before?】

“Regirock, Regice, Registeel—King of Giants, do you know there are other Giants like you in the world?”

If only one Regigigas existed, it would appear only at Snowpeak Temple.

If a King of Giants appeared in Unova, then Kings of Giants must exist across the entire world.

“In my homeland, the Three Pillars appeared too. They lived and worked alongside the ancients of the Divine Capital, but after the Divine Capital scattered, they fell into slumber within their own temples. Now they have awakened—and became my friends, residing in the space I created.”

【So that’s how it is… but besides this, there is more.】 Regigigas pointed to Guang Tai’s pendant.

A yellow crystal emitted a soft pulse and glow.

【The owner of this crystal once received the friendship of my kin. You are the one chosen by this crystal. But this crystal doesn’t seem to be a raw stone—only a fragment. You should try to obtain its original form.】

Regigigas’s tone was wistful:

【We dragged the continents of the world, shaping them into different regions, then settled on each landmass, pouring our power into the earth—and lost the immense strength we once had to move continents.】

【The land beneath this mountain was dragged from a continent called Hoenn. That land was one of the world’s origin regions. The land-beast Groudon raised volcanoes and land; the sea-beast Kyogre filled the oceans; and we carried them to their proper places.】

【My kin have not seen them in a long time… they left temples across different regions, didn’t they?】

What would the Kings of Giants discuss among themselves?

The current state of their temples and continents?

Regigigas sighed: 【I sense one of my kin fought in another region and fell. Events on other continents… the Dark Night.】

Guang Tai thought: Damn.

“Do you know the King of Giants from Galar?”

【Galar is the human-given name of the continent. The King of Giants who fought the celestial dragon and fell.】

Guang Tai: “Another king who fought the dragon.”

The Eternatus incident?

The Galar King of Giants fell on the Crowned Snowfield. The Eternatus incident caused Regieleki to lose part of its memory. Historically, around 3,000 years ago, Eternatus absorbed Galar’s energy to sustain itself, triggering the appearance of red light.

This caused the Dark Night phenomenon, driving nearby Pokémon into Gigantamax and Max Raid states, nearly driving them mad and nearly destroying the Galar region.

The King of Giants likely went mad as well, fought Eternatus, and fell on the Giant’s Bed.

【The King of Giants at Snowpeak Temple was given a divine mission: All things in this world were shaped by the gods. We dragged continents to form regions, fell into slumber at the gods’ command, and awakened to protect the world—but we failed our mission. Failure followed failure.】

【You were entrusted with fate by the Ancient City. The spirits of the dead chose you—so I choose you too.】

【What has the world become now?】

Guang Tai transmitted his memories to the King of Giants, showing him the present world.

Ah… now the Kings of Giants are no longer needed.

The world changed too fast. The Giants’ memories remained stuck in ancient times. Regigigas was bewildered by the outside world.

The King of Giants fell silent for a long while before the strange signal-light protrusions on his body glowed again.

【Humans have forged a new future. Whether the Sun Kingdom or the Sea Kingdom, all have become distant legends. Was there no victor in the old conflicts?】

【This is the “New World.”】

【But I believe the history of ancient humans and Pokémon will not vanish easily. You are the last king. Use this power to do something—to leave your mark, and ours, in the history of the New World.】

【By ancient pact, I grant you power!】

As Regigigas spoke, Guang Tai felt a surge of energy appear within his spirit!

【Obtained: Heart of the Giant!】

【Description: A special power from Regigigas—the ability to channel natural energy to recharge Pokémon. Regigigas used this power, through unique lava, ice, and rock, to create unique Pokémon. Ancient humans used this power to create Claydol and Gigalith. One who possesses the Heart of the Giant may summon Giants for aid.】

【Craftable Items: Phantom Plate, Spiral Plate, Unmelting Ice, Legendary Black Gold, Ancient Rock, Volcanic Stone.】

【Bonus: Your strength and physique increased by 200%. You have mastered the Giant’s Power (Million-Ton Punch).】

【Bonus! Unlocked special profession “Martial Artist” *(Punch Plate enhances this profession)!】

【You have learned the special power “Qi”—the ability to project one’s aura, attainable only by Martial Masters.】

【Effect: High affinity with Fighting-type Pokémon; mastery of unique martial arts.】

【Martial Secret (obtainable via crafting): One-Shot Scroll — Piercing Scroll.】

【Description: A secret martial art from a distant land, emphasizing a single strike to defeat the opponent. By concentrating Qi, it breaks through elemental resistance—martial technique “Bullet Piercing.” When used as a Pokémon move, its power is 120. This move ignores weaknesses, resistances, and any additional effects on the target’s body or Pokémon!】

【Craftable Item: Glowing Robe.】

【The Heart of the Giant reacted with your other abilities, unlocking a special crafting recipe.】

【Link Modification Craft (S-): Connect the power of different Pokémon through breeding, repair, or modification, using natural energy flow for deep alterations. May produce illegal traits or powers. Consumes one Release Jade and other materials!】

【C-Device Skin (2): A skin for the C-Device. Special world events allow one skin recording—perhaps capturing unique fluctuations. “Unova’s King of Giants, Regigigas” has been recorded! Through the C-Device, you may receive signals from Giants and send Giant messages!】

A flood of information surged into Guang Tai’s consciousness.

Martial arts, the power of Giants, the special scroll.

Qi! This was a Fighting-type energy. Usually, not only Fighting-type Pokémon, but humans too could gain this power through training—but only a Martial Master could truly comprehend Qi!

Feeling a current surge within his body, he realized this flow had always been there—only invisible before he understood Qi. Now, with awareness, it became unmistakable.

With both physique and spirit enhanced, Qi could now be projected outward—manifesting as overwhelming aura and fist winds.

There is also the connection to the modification craft…

Although Guang Tai had previously considered the possibility of repairing the Sacred Pillar King, he never expected that obtaining the Giant’s Heart would provide such immense assistance!

What is this thing—a Pokémon modifier?

Then, the moment of gratitude has arrived!

“Thank you for your gift, but afterward…”

Guang Tai suddenly proposed: “Shall I perform a repair on you?”

“Although you say you lost your power because you channeled energy into the earth, and that’s why you have the slow-start trait, after the repair, that trait might disappear.”

(End of Chapter)