After hesitating for a long time and seeing that Regice was about to attack again, Aoki still chose to step forward.
He didn't need to engage in direct combat—his goal was simply to help facilitate communication. After all, Aoki was currently operating within the Hoenn region, and establishing a good relationship with the Frontier Brains was crucial.
Summoning his Flygon, Aoki stepped onto its back, preparing to fly upward. However, as soon as Flygon emerged and sensed the overwhelming presence of the Pokémon above, it trembled with fear, its wings faltering.
Aoki was speechless.
Where is your pride as a Dragon-type Pokémon?
So what if there are two Legendary Pokémon above? So what if their strength might surpass even that of the Champion's team?
Was this really worth being so terrified over?
Clearly, this Pokémon still required more training. Relying on a Pokémon raised by someone else was proving unreliable—Flygon had a long way to go before reaching its full potential.
Aoki conveniently ignored the fact that he, too, had been utterly terrified when he first encountered Regirock.
Right now, Nolan's Articuno was holding the line, and Aoki knew that as an official member of the Pokémon League, Nolan wouldn't let harm come to him. With Articuno acting as a deterrent against Regice, Aoki felt somewhat secure in approaching.
As Flygon struggled to ascend, its flight erratic and unsteady, Aoki could practically feel its rapid heartbeat beneath his feet.
The poor thing was genuinely frightened. The last time it had been in this situation—back in Neverland under its previous Trainer, Drake—it had encountered Regirock. Back then, it hadn't even been able to put up a fight before being instantly knocked unconscious by the Legendary Pokémon.
And then, when it woke up, its Trainer had somehow changed. Its original Trainer was nowhere to be found.
Above, standing atop his Charizard, was a man with a stern expression, wearing a red cap and a sleeveless white coat—Nolan, the Frontier Brain of the Battle Factory.
Noticing Aoki's approach, Nolan's expression darkened.
Who in their right mind would interfere at a time like this?
A man of principle, Nolan didn't hesitate to shout at Aoki despite Regice's volatile state.
"Get down from here! Stay back! This isn't something you should be involved in!"
He was genuinely frustrated. Couldn't this guy see the danger? Hadn't he felt the shockwaves from the battle earlier?
And yet, here he was, flying straight into the fray.
As a seasoned Frontier Brain who had faced countless battles, Nolan could gauge Flygon's strength at a glance. While it was impressive for a younger Trainer's Pokémon, it was nowhere near capable of handling this situation. His warning was purely out of courtesy—under normal circumstances, he wouldn't have bothered with an unknown Trainer.
"Master Nolan! I'm Aoki, the Verdanturf Town Gym Leader from the Hoenn region! I'm here to help!" Aoki called out hastily.
He hadn't wanted to reveal his identity until he was closer—if Regice attacked before Nolan recognized him, there was a chance Nolan wouldn't react in time to protect him.
"Aoki…?"
Nolan frowned, searching his memory.
The name didn't ring any bells. Even if it did, what could someone of this level possibly contribute?
Verdanturf Town?
Was there even a Gym in that town? He didn't recall hearing about it.
Nolan, who rarely kept up with online news, had no idea who Aoki was.
Still, the title of Gym Leader carried some weight. Nolan didn't stop Aoki from approaching.
If you're a Gym Leader, you should understand the risks of your choices.
As Flygon ascended, it realized the two powerful Pokémon weren't targeting it, and its flight steadied slightly.
Soon, Aoki was beside Nolan.
"Master Nolan, Pokémon like the Regis can't understand modern language," Aoki said immediately.
"I'm aware. But unless you can speak the ancient tongue, there's no alternative," Nolan replied, eyeing Aoki skeptically.
He knew that as ancient guardians, the Regis couldn't comprehend modern speech. The only reason his own Regirock understood him was due to extensive training.
Brandon, the Pyramid King, was fluent in the ancient language—a skill passed down through his lineage. But Brandon wasn't here right now.
If he were, Nolan wouldn't be struggling to contain Regice's rampage.
Aoki shook his head firmly.
Ancient language?
Who even learned that anymore?
Seeing Aoki's immediate dismissal, Nolan nearly sighed aloud.
Then what are you doing here? Just adding to the chaos?
"But I have another method," Aoki quickly added.
Before he could explain further, Regice's patience snapped.
"Watch out!" Nolan barked, bracing alongside Articuno for Regice's next assault.
But Aoki acted first.
Channeling his Telepathy, he forcefully linked his mind with Regice's.
Back on Neverland, when Regirock and Registeel had been dormant, Aoki hadn't been able to establish a connection. But now, with Regice fully awake, communication was possible.
"REGICE!" Aoki's mental roar echoed through the psychic link.
The attack Nolan anticipated never came. Regice halted mid-charge, the glowing cross-shaped markings on its face flickering rapidly—clearly processing the sudden mental contact.
Only then did Nolan notice the strange glow in Aoki's eyes—a shimmering, otherworldly light.
Psychic powers?!
Nolan immediately recognized it. Though rare, he had encountered Psychics before.
Now he understood Aoki's plan.
If words won't work, communicate through thoughts!
Even after Aoki's mental shout, Regice didn't stop completely—though its advance slowed, it still pressed forward.
Taking a risk, Aoki projected a vision into Regice's mind—a memory of the Mew Ruins, where this very Regice had once slumbered.
He was betting that this was the same Regice that had vanished from the ruins.
The gamble paid off.
The moment the vision appeared in Regice's mind, it froze.
Then, the real communication began.
To Nolan, it looked as though Aoki and Regice were simply staring at each other in silence. But in reality, their minds were exchanging information at lightning speed.
Telepathy allowed thoughts to be conveyed instantly—no words needed.
Within minutes, Aoki and Regice had reached an understanding.
And just like that, the crisis was averted.