Pokémon: Breeding Simulator

When Regigigas asked the question, Elias was genuinely surprised.

Strictly speaking, he and Giratina had never formally met.

Only Lucario and Zoroark had encountered it—briefly—and even that was months ago.

Yet Regigigas could still sense it?

Apparently, [Slow Start] didn't apply to his sense of smell.

Clearing his throat, Elias nodded and admitted,

"Yeah. A few months back, Zoroark and Lucario had a run-in with Giratina."

"It… seemed like it was also after the Plates."

"But Zoroark turned it down."

After a brief pause, Elias decided to fill Regigigas in on the situation.

Leaving aside whether they were really "partners," Regigigas was someone who likely knew far more than he did. Maybe it could help him figure out Giratina's true motives.

When Regigigas heard his answer, it first showed some relief at Elias's honesty.

Then, when it processed what Elias had said—it nearly stood up in alarm.

Giratina came to ask for Plates too?!

Of all his countless predictions, that was the worst-case scenario.

Regigigas had assumed Elias had just accidentally crossed paths with that temperamental brute.

But it had actively sought him out?

And even more shocking—Elias refused, and Giratina just accepted it?

In that instant, dozens of thoughts raced through Regigigas's head.

The reason it had chosen to work with Elias in the first place was because it suspected he might be Arceus's chosen one.

Its help had been a way of "intercepting" that divine plan.

But even after that, Regigigas had still hesitated. Maybe it should look for someone else—just in case it was wrong?

Now, however, its doubts were erased.

Sure, it was buried in ruins and couldn't move around freely—but Giratina? That overconfident tyrant of the Distortion World?

It was fully mobile—and unstoppable by all but Arceus.

If Giratina had come crawling to Elias…

And if even that egotistical monster didn't dare lash out after being rejected…

Then the only explanation was that it knew Elias was under Arceus's protection.

As for Regigigas itself…

It had no such divine backing. Not anymore.

Once upon a time, maybe. But in its current [Slow Start] condition?

Not a chance.

"Good… good…"

The sluggish joy in Regigigas's voice came out involuntarily.

Elias's visit had completely squashed its desire to find a "backup candidate."

Better guard the treasure I've already got, instead of shopping for another.

Thinking that, Regigigas slowly lifted its massive hand.

Elias looked on in confusion as the giant brought its palm crashing down onto the ground.

BOOM—

The floor trembled violently beneath them.

Zoroark's eyes instantly sharpened.

Was the giant turning hostile?!

But just as she prepared to intervene, something dark shot out from the impact site—hurtling straight toward Elias.

Zoroark's eyes gleamed with fury, and she was ready to strike it down—until Elias gently squeezed her lowered paw.

"Don't worry."

His voice sounded softly in her mind.

Then, with a flick of his hand, he caught the object midair using psychic power.

It was four round, polished stones of varying size—perfectly spherical, and far too uniform to be random.

They almost looked more like containers than rocks.

And just as that thought occurred to him, Regigigas confirmed it:

"You mentioned… humans are celebrating the new year…"

"Inside these four stones… I sealed some gifts."

"Consider it… payment… for this year."

His voice was warm and deliberate.

He hadn't thought to do this before—but now that Giratina had appeared?

If he didn't start handing out a few presents, his "corner" might very well get stolen.

Besides… he'd already sensed the charm that little fox wore was a gift from Giratina.

The blatant audacity of it made Regigigas furious.

That arrogant brute didn't even bother being subtle—just threw gifts around like it didn't care who noticed.

On the other side, Elias stared at the floating stones with a strange expression.

Regigigas… celebrates New Year's with gift-giving?

He blinked, lost for words.

"…Thanks. Happy New Year."

That was all he could manage after a long pause.

Regigigas looked like he tried to wave it off, but his massive arm barely budged.

Still, the lights on his face glowed brightly—he was clearly pleased.

---

[After staying a little longer, you prepared to leave the ruins with Lucario and Zoroark.]

[Before you left, Regigigas gave you one last warning]:

"That Pokémon… brings nothing but disaster. Be careful."

He did everything he could to drive home Giratina's menace.

"I understand. I'll be careful."

Elias nodded in reply.

What he didn't notice was Zoroark, off to the side, nodding quietly to herself too.

He really can cause disasters…

---

[Outside the ruins, the four gifted stones still floated behind you.]

[You hadn't opened them yet, and had no idea what was inside—but something about the mystery gave you an odd thrill.]

[Back at the village, you ran into Irida and Cynthia, who had just been looking for you.]

[After hearing about the four stones, Cynthia looked a little conflicted.]

"That gift Regigigas gave you… it doesn't sound like a red envelope."

"It sounds more like… a mystery box."

Then, as if just realizing something, her eyes widened.

"Wait—why do you know Regigigas?!"

To someone like her—a scholar and archaeologist—Regigigas was a monumental figure.

Its ruins were everywhere, and exploring them was often like opening a loot box.

Sometimes you found records of its lesser kin—like Regice or Regirock.

Other times, you stumbled upon traces of the Titan King himself.

Cynthia had always revered Regigigas, perhaps even more than Arceus.

So hearing that Elias had met it, she couldn't help but get excited.

Beside her, Irida might not have followed all of that—but she still turned to Elias, eyes full of curiosity.

"Um…"

"There are… a lot of reasons, I guess."

Elias didn't plan to hide anything, so he gave them a quick summary of how he'd come to know Regigigas.

When he finished, Cynthia massaged her temples.

She was this close to suspecting Elias might be Arceus reincarnated.

"By the way… what's a 'mystery box'?" Elias suddenly asked, remembering the unfamiliar term Cynthia had used earlier.

Cynthia: …

---

T/N: GACHA GACHAG ACHA GACHACGACHGACGAHCAH