The Fossil Canyon stretched before them like the jagged spine of some colossal prehistoric beast. Sunlight pierced the thin veil of mist in harsh, fragmented rays, falling across fractured stone and fossilized remains that jutted from the canyon walls. Every step of Cyrus on the cracked earth sent echoes ricocheting across the cliffs, each sound amplified by the cavernous expanse. Tyrunt squirmed in his arms, small claws digging lightly into Cyrus's jacket, emitting soft whines that mingled with the low hum of the canyon's life.
Ditto hovered at his shoulder in its hawk form, tilting its head with that familiar "I-see-something-but-who-knows-what" expression. "No, Tyrunt," Cyrus murmured, tightening his hold. "Do not lick Ditto. I mean it. Ditto does not need your saliva." The small gremlin-blue dinosaur sniffed anyway, pushing its snout forward before settling into a more patient sulk.
The canyon vibrated. Dust and tiny stones shifted beneath their feet. Meltan and Charcadet, sensing danger, flickered and clicked nervously at the edges of Cyrus's pack. "Stay," he whispered, gently pressing the buttons on their Poké Balls. With a soft pop, the metallic and fiery companions vanished, leaving only Gengar, who melted into the shadows behind him, eyes gleaming, phasing effortlessly between crags and fissures. Its silent presence pressed close to Cyrus's back, a guardian poised for the inevitable.
The air shifted. From deeper within the canyon, a rumble grew — low, resonant, and almost metallic. Then, a sound split the stillness: the roar of Tyrantrum, a cry so raw, so primal, it made Cyrus stumble, heart hammering. The earth itself seemed to shake in answer.
Ahead, the titans revealed themselves. Mega Steelix gleamed under the fractured sunlight, each segment of its immense body covered in jagged crystalline armor, veins of iron pulsating like the life force of the canyon itself. Its massive head swung with precision, eyes glittering with predatory calculation. Tyrantrum emerged opposite, muscles tensing, jagged scales catching light like molten rock, eyes ablaze with primal fury and protectiveness. The ground vibrated as the two behemoths squared off, each a monument to survival and evolution.
Tyrunt whined sharply, claws flexing in Cyrus's hands. Its blue-and-white scales glimmered faintly, small but impossibly fierce. Cyrus noticed a tremor of recognition in the small Pokémon — something deep and instinctive. Tyrantrum was aware of Tyrunt, of the dinosaur in his arms. A surge of protective energy emanated from the larger predator.
Cyrus adjusted his grip on Tyrunt, hugging him close. "Yeah, yeah," he whispered. "I see it too. Your parent's… very opinionated. Don't worry — I've got you."
The battle erupted with terrifying force. Mega Steelix slammed its tail into the canyon floor, fissures splitting the stone, sending shards flying. Tyrantrum leapt with explosive power, jaws snapping, each bite cracking metallic armor and shattering rock. The impact sent tremors through Cyrus's boots, forcing him to press Tyrunt closer against his chest. Dust and shards clouded the air. The two Pokémon collided repeatedly, a storm of teeth, claws, and stone that flattened the canyon's fragile vegetation.
A chunk of fossilized rock fell from the cliff edge, narrowly missing Cyrus. Tyrunt squealed, claws gripping Cyrus's jacket. He dodged, rolling to keep the small dinosaur safe. The Velozolt pack from the forest's edge skittered past, shocked by the display, their electric crackles filling the canyon's echoes.
Mega Steelix pivoted, sweeping its massive head in a crushing arc. Tyrantrum met it head-on, jaws clamping down on a segment of the iron serpent's body, grinding with every ounce of strength. Sparks and stone splintered where metal met tooth. Cyrus's arms ached holding Tyrunt steady, the canyon alive with the sound of grinding armor, shattered fossils, and the primal roars of titans.
Tyrunt's eyes widened, small body trembling as Tyrantrum delivered a flurry of attacks. Cyrus felt the weight of history in the battle — not just the creatures before him, but the living memory of survival itself. Tyrantrum lunged, slamming Mega Steelix into the jagged wall, but the Mega Steelix retaliated, crushing rock and ground beneath its immense body. Tyrantrum fell back, dust rising, a roar of fury and frustration cutting the air.
Cyrus felt Tyrunt stir anxiously, whining, claws tapping against his chest. The small dinosaur's instincts were raw, aware of the peril, understanding at a depth even Cyrus couldn't fully comprehend: this fight was not about display, it was life and death. He whispered soothingly. "Hold on… you're safe with me, little one. You're coming home with me." Tyrunt blinked, ears flicking, and leaned closer. Its body was tense, muscles coiled, yet it allowed Cyrus's arms to keep it secure.
Mega Steelix slammed its tail again, cracking stone across a wide radius. Tyrantrum rolled to avoid a crushing blow, jaws snapping at anything in reach. The ground quaked beneath them, fragments of fossils dislodging, tumbling into the canyon's depths. Cyrus's boots slipped on gravel, forcing him to drop to his knees to maintain balance, Tyrunt squeaking in alarm.
From the corner of its eye, Tyrantrum spotted the small blue Tyrunt in Cyrus's arms. Its roar faltered for just a moment, a brief flicker of recognition and primal connection. Cyrus felt the shift, the brief pause in the battle — Tyrantrum's focus was no longer solely on Mega Steelix. It was aware of Tyrunt, aware that the little one survived in his hands. The beast's attacks became slightly more deliberate, measured, as if every strike now considered the safety of its offspring.
Mega Steelix slammed forward, driving Tyrantrum back. Rocks exploded in every direction. Tyrantrum's jaws clamped down, armor cracking, scales scoring stone. Cyrus's heart pounded — one misstep could be fatal. Tyrunt clung to him, squealing, and Cyrus whispered, "I've got you… I've got you, little one."
The battle reached its crescendo. Tyrantrum's massive tail swung in a sweeping arc, toppling Mega Steelix partially, grinding segments of its body into shattered fossil slabs. Cyrus's ears rang with the roar of titans, dust and debris filling every sense. Tyrantrum lunged forward, teeth aimed at Mega Steelix's skull — a strike meant to protect, meant to assert dominance, meant to survive. The canyon trembled with the force, rock splitting beneath them.
Mega Steelix retaliated with a crushing upward swing, metal plating and rock colliding with Tyrantrum. The larger Pokémon was lifted, slammed against the canyon wall, teeth grazing stone. Cyrus's eyes widened. Tyrantrum staggered, powerful limbs trembling. Tyrunt whined, claws flexing, tail thrashing in distress.
In that instant, Tyrantrum turned its head, jaws snapping toward Mega Steelix one final time, and Cyrus realized with a lump in his throat what the blue Tyrunt already knew — this strike was the last. Tyrantrum's roar echoed, not at Cyrus, not at the intruder, but at Tyrunt: survive, grow, live.
Cyrus felt Tyrunt stiffen, small body pressing against his chest, understanding at a level he could not voice. Tears pricked his eyes as the ground beneath them shook, stones and fossil fragments tumbling like rain. Tyrantrum's massive body faltered, collapsing onto the fractured canyon floor, eyes closing slowly. The roar faded, replaced by the sound of Mega Steelix retreating, thrashing through dust and shattered stone.
The canyon fell into uneasy silence, punctuated only by the rasping breath of Cyrus and the soft whines of Tyrunt. The little dinosaur pressed against him, tail flicking nervously. Cyrus knelt, cradling Tyrunt. Its eyes, bright and intelligent, met his. For the first time, it nuzzled into his chest, then demanded what it needed: a berry from his pack. Cyrus offered it, and Tyrunt sniffed, then devoured it greedily, all the while keeping its gaze on the canyon, on the spot where its parent fell.
"Yeah," Cyrus whispered, voice hoarse, "we're leaving now. You're coming with me, little one. You're not alone." Tyrunt chirped softly in agreement, small claws gripping him, tail flicking with pride and relief. The bond was instant, forged in survival and sacrifice.
Gengar emerged from the shadows, ethereal eyes scanning the canyon. Cyrus muttered, "Thank you. I think… that was exactly what we needed. A little backup." The ghost Pokémon drifted closer, blending into Cyrus's shadow, a silent sentinel as he rose to his feet.
The canyon's rocks shifted beneath their weight. Cyrus tightened his grip on Tyrunt, moving carefully toward the edge. Dust still settled from the collapsed cliffs. Every step was precarious, a reminder of the forces they had witnessed. Tyrunt, once stand-offish, now clung to him confidently, tail flicking and ears alert. It seemed proud, fierce, and just a little chaotic — a perfect survivor.
As the canyon narrowed into a safer ridge, Cyrus allowed himself a deep breath. Tyrunt pressed against him again, head tilting, bright eyes meeting his. They had survived. The forest, the canyon, the titans — all were left behind in the dust and echoes. Cyrus knew the blue dinosaur would follow him, loyal now not just because of instinct, but because he had earned it.
He whispered softly, almost to himself, "Come on, little one. Let's get out of here. The island has given us enough lessons for one day." Tyrunt chirped sharply, an almost commanding note. He glanced back one last time — a shadow of the fallen Tyrantrum lingered, eyes closed in finality. Cyrus didn't look back again. Tyrunt's small, proud head against his chest reminded him that life, survival, and loyalty would carry them forward, long after the echoes of the last roar had faded.
The sun dipped behind the canyon walls, painting them in molten gold. Cyrus adjusted his pack, Tyrunt secure, and stepped carefully onto safer ground. One step, then another. They moved forward. Together.