A few days quickly passed. With time to rest and recuperate, Cobalion and the others had recovered significantly—at least enough to battle.
Rex followed the trio to the base of a mountain. Though the vegetation was lush, there was an overwhelming, unnatural silence.
It wasn't just quiet—it was deathly still. Aside from their group, not a single living creature stirred.
This eerie atmosphere sent chills down their spines. Rex had known that Deoxys had driven away the surrounding Pokémon, but he hadn't expected such complete eradication.
"Leave this place."
Just as they prepared to continue up the mountain, a terrifying psychic wave swept over them, accompanied by a voice brimming with fury.
Thankfully, Diancie was quick to react, raising a protective barrier around them just in time to shield them from harm.
Moments later, a red-eyed Deoxys appeared midair, barely holding back its rage. It was trying—but struggling—not to lose control.
"Deoxys, we mean you no harm! We're only here to ask that you let the displaced Pokémon return to their home!"
Cynthia shouted calmly, trying to appeal to reason.
But Deoxys gave no reply. Instead, one of its whip-like arms lashed out, hurling a Psycho Cut directly at her.
"Cynthia, it's no use. We'll have to subdue it before we can talk."
After Diancie blocked the attack, Rex called out to her firmly.
"I see. Then let's do this. Go, Garchomp!"
Cynthia summoned her ace, Garchomp, abandoning diplomacy.
Rex and Diantha followed suit, releasing Totem Swellow and Gardevoir, while Diancie remained nearby to protect the trainers from collateral damage.
"Swellow, Brave Bird!"
"Gardevoir, Shadow Ball!"
Almost simultaneously, they gave their commands, and Garchomp added a Dragon Pulse to the assault.
Deoxys didn't dodge. Instead, it shifted into Defense Forme, taking the hits head-on.
In this form, its defenses were maxed out. Even Garchomp's attacks barely made a dent.
Then Deoxys switched to Attack Forme and slashed down at Swellow with another Psycho Cut.
The attack tore straight through Swellow's aura and sent it crashing to the ground, wounded.
With Garchomp and Gardevoir distracting Deoxys, Swellow quickly used Roost to begin healing.
"Garchomp, Mega Evolve!"
"Gardevoir, Mega Evolve!"
Faced with such power, Cynthia and Diantha didn't hesitate—they triggered Mega Evolution.
Mega Garchomp and Mega Gardevoir unleashed a coordinated assault. While their attacks couldn't yet overwhelm Deoxys, they successfully disrupted its offense.
The battle reached a deadlock. Deoxys couldn't break through their defenses, but neither could they land a decisive blow.
"Swellow!"
Having recovered, Totem Swellow rejoined the fray. With its speed and aerial agility, Deoxys found itself under even more pressure.
And Rex still had five Mythical Pokémon in reserve. Unless Deoxys revealed a new, overwhelming power, its defeat seemed inevitable.
Perhaps realizing this, Deoxys suddenly became lucid. It transformed again—this time into Speed Forme.
In this form, Deoxys moved faster than anything on the field, even outpacing Swellow.
Though Speed Forme lacked raw power, the sheer speed let it chip away at its enemies while evading every counter.
The tables turned. Forced into a defensive triangle, Mega Garchomp, Mega Gardevoir, and Swellow huddled back-to-back, covering each other's blind spots.
Despite this, they were still getting hit, and the time limit on Mega Evolution loomed.
Rex was grateful he'd brought Diancie. Her Mega Evolution was their final trump card.
"All right, Rex. You can pull Swellow and the others back. It's our turn now."
Keldeo had watched the battle unfold. It knew the time had come.
With swift steps, it galloped into the sky toward Deoxys.
Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion nodded to the humans before charging in after.
Rex and the others recalled their exhausted Pokémon to their Poké Balls, letting them rest.
This time, things were different. Deoxys had expended considerable energy. And with battle-tested experience, the Swords of Justice would not fall easily.
"It's finally over…"
The battlefield was unrecognizable. The once-verdant forest had been blasted into a scarred wasteland. Fallen trees and cratered earth were all that remained.
Cobalion and Virizion had fainted. Keldeo and Terrakion were barely standing.
Still, Keldeo had landed the final blow, felling Deoxys with its Sacred Sword. But it was hanging on by a thread.
Looking at the heavily wounded Deoxys nearby, Rex couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. This had been the toughest enemy he'd faced since arriving in the Pokémon world.
"Keldeo, stay here and keep watch. We're going to check out Deoxys's cave."
Uncertain of what lay inside, Rex decided to scout it first. That had been their goal all along.
"No problem. Leave this to me."
Though weary, Keldeo nodded resolutely and stood guard.
(End of Chapter)