Pitter patter. The numerous attacks from the Pokémon League were akin to raindrops rapping against a window on a rainy day. The Max Guard coated the stone titan like a blanket, turning Regirock into a bulwark that shrugged at the attacks of the Top Champion and her Gym Leader onslaught.

Melody Miro 's Icy Wind caused stone joints to stiffen momentarily, before thin layers of ice shattered as the advance continued. It saved the Top Champion only a second, but time was a precious commodity. The momentary decrease in speed bore fruit as Genevieve Cromwell and Josh Devlin approach on mounts of wind.

"Hm." The admin stood on the shoulder of giants, looking out over the ensemble before him. His arm trembled, and he suppressed the urge to vomit. Dynergy rushed through the body like blood, and every joint in his body creaked like an unoiled machine. "I've made so many enemies."

Eduardo Hisakawa . Genevieve Cromwell . Hideo Kino . Melody Miro . Montgomery James fled, as the deputy was like to do.

"And precious few friends." He extended out a finger as Kallistatus appeared nearby. "Good to know that I haven't lost the Visionary's approval."

His eye flicked to THEO BECKETT as he flew by. Cillian Quinn and Raziel Beckett and Absinthe Blackwood and Aurelie Lefevre and Tempest Quinn .

Few of them are truly friends, but it's good that I haven't been forsaken. It means I still have more to give. More for them so they can live. Static buzzed in his communicator as Shred snarled into his ear. "Hugs and kisses, Shred."

The line was already dead. Fuck Shred .

Regirock took a step forward. Genny's fist kissed the Max Guard and the eight layers of barriers protecting the giant. The most she's able to do is crack the golem's foot, which rapidly healed due to Aurelie's Heal Pulse. Josh's speed was great. Even without Melody's interference, he would've reached the golem quickly. Yet too many barriers stand between him and Regirock.

He blamed Howard for Shalin's imprisonment. There's nothing to be said. He had committed atrocities, but that one was not his. This was the cost of shouldering Team Rocket's sins. Despite Alba's contributions, there's little to celebrate here.

"Hell, Devlin! You'll see her soon enough!"

Why did he say that? Just to make the Gym Leader fight harder? When Eternatus and Howard Slayte were dead, would he become part of the choir?

A Ribombee Dynamaxes. All Howard can do is release a scoff of amusement as the minute insect swells in size. The Pokémon was only a shadow of its trainer, and if he knew of Hideo's involvement, Howard would've rolled his eye.

"Ridiculous. When will you people learn..." The Max Guard shined brightly. "THAT I BEAT DYNAMA-"

Shatter.

The Max Guard collapsed into a million pieces as a sword cut it in two. Time slowed to a standstill as fractal pieces of barrier twinkled in the light. A hero of many battles emerged, and Howard let out a roar as the sheriff of Dewford challenged him.

"I ALREADY PAID FOR DEWFORD!" He spat as Regirock was assailed from all sides. The Ribombee's attack hit, causing two barriers to shatter. Words rang in his ears as Eternatus's leftovers whispered in his mind. "I missed you at Petalburg, Navy! Could've used your help there, but fuck me, right!? Gotta let me do it all by myself!"

Nineteen people!

You've killed thousands!

You were too slow!

Ruination cannot be stopped!

"QUIET!"

Regirock smashed its fists together, expelling the energy from its shattered barriers outwards, forcing Zacian back with the force of the explosion. Cillian's assist pushes the hero further away. Before Zacian could react, a Max Knuckle smashed into the dog, sending her flying into a distant dune. Howard allowed himself a smile.

I know you, Zaria. I watched you practice for months.

The fist continued, slamming into Hideo's Ribombee with a ridiculous amount of force. Without the ability to dodge or move, the insect was a sitting duck when faced with the moving fortress that was Regirock. Turning towards Registeel, the admin unhooked a Pokeball from his belt.

"MINE."

For the sake of Hoenn, for the sake of the world, he would shoulder the burdens of giants alone. He would not tolerate the creation of another june sleigh . Nobody deserved to have their future tied to Eternatus.

That was his burden alone.

He threw a Pokeball towards the steel giant, a reddish-magenta comet that sailed over Eduardo Hisakawa 's head.

---

Howard realizes he's being attacked on all sides, Max Guard blocks the worst of the damage while Howard thinks about the enemies he's made.
At least he has a few friends r-right bros???
Melody's freeze lets Josh/Genny catch up and box, the damage is healed off by Aurelie
Fuck you Shred
Zacian cuts through the Max Guard with Behemoth Blade, Hideo breaks two barriers with Dynamax Power:tm:
Blasts everyone back by expelling Dynergy (le wrath of registeel reference???)
Max Knuckles Zacian into the dirt, follows into Ribombee
Throws a Pokeball at Registeel (GO EDDIE GO)
SIX BARRIERS (Shiv perm to be flexible)