For everyone heading to work or school, the two biggest issues are often low salaries or poor grades and the ever-too-short vacations.
Especially, those joyful holidays feel even shorter.
Chris has returned to his usual routine of studying, exercising, and playing games.
It's an early morning on a rare day off.
Chris decided to give himself a break. He's been leveling up every day lately, and even fun games can become tiresome with repetition.
"When something you love turns into a job, it stops being fun." That's what a pro e-sports player had once told Chris in his previous life. So now, Chris makes a habit of taking short breaks to keep himself feeling fresh and motivated.
Every so often, he takes a mini-vacation: no games, no takeout. Instead, he watches movies, cooks his own meals, and spends time with his Pokémon.
This morning, he suddenly craved dumplings.
So, he decided to make them from scratch.
Hariyama was called in to help knead the dough—its big hands and incredible strength make it perfect for the job!
Chris thought that instead of just training Hariyama in battles, he could also train it to be a kitchen helper—maybe even a top-notch dessert chef someday.
At least for now, Hariyama seems to enjoy kneading dough.
Next, Chris asked Gabite to chop the meat, giving it some practice with its Dragon Claw and Cut moves. Originally, he'd considered asking Greninja for this task, as it had recently learned to create a blade more than a meter long, perfect for chopping.
But when he looked, Greninja was already training in the yard.
Through the kitchen window, he could see two Greninjas sparring with long knives in close combat. The other Greninja was its Substitute. Chris felt it was only a matter of time before Greninja mastered the skill.
Not wanting to interrupt, he let it be.
With Hariyama kneading dough, Gabite chopping meat, and Gardevoir helping make dumplings, the process went smoothly.
Suddenly, the sound of metal clanging from the yard caught Chris's attention.
He turned to see a small, black Tyrannosaurus harassing Lairon, who was basking in the sun.
The "Tyrannosaurus" was, in fact, a Tyrunt Chris had revived from a fossil. As for its attributes:
*Tyrunt* (Rock, Dragon)
*Level:* 1
*Ability:* Strong Jaw (increases bite-type moves by 50%)
*Individual Values:* HP (31), Attack (31), Special Attack (31), Defense (31), Special Defense (31), Speed (31)
*Moves:* Tackle, Tail Whip, Roar, Ancient Power, Charm, Bite
*Held Item:* None
A rare 6V Pokémon!
When Chris had seen these stats, he was overjoyed, feeling as though he'd been blessed by sheer luck.
The newly revived Tyrunt had an energetic personality and, with its Strong Jaw ability, a natural urge to bite things.
Over the past few days, it had already chewed through two sofas, five chairs, three Pokéblock containers, and three phone charging cables.
Chris couldn't help but wonder if he had a Tyrunt or a mischievous Husky on his hands.
To avoid replacing his furniture daily, he bought a special chew stick designed for Pokémon.
But Tyrunt wasn't interested in it at all. Instead, it had set its sights on Lairon, who was peacefully sunbathing.
Lairon lay lazily beside the stone table in the yard, as it usually did. Tyrunt bounced around it, biting here and there with playful enthusiasm.
The "clang, clang" of metal echoed through the yard as Tyrunt bit down on Lairon's sturdy armor.
Lairon didn't mind Tyrunt's playful attacks at all. Its steel-covered body made it impervious to Tyrunt's bites, so it paid little attention to the young fossil Pokémon. Occasionally, when it got bored, Lairon would give Tyrunt a gentle nudge with its paw, sending the little dinosaur tumbling to another part of the yard.
Chris chuckled, wondering if Lairon would still be so nonchalant once Tyrunt evolved into the fearsome Tyrantrum.
In the games, Tyrunt evolves into Tyrantrum at level 39, a challenging milestone. Chris hadn't prioritized leveling Tyrunt recently, planning to focus on that after he finished the Petalburg Gym and had a bit more free time. Just imagining himself riding the powerful Tyrantrum made Chris feel excited.
Aside from Tyrunt, the yard's noise also came from Blaziken.
Blaziken was practicing its Blaze Kick and chain-kick moves against a target. During his recent battle with Chris's Bangira, Blaziken had been used as a defensive support, which made it a bit dissatisfied—not with Chris, but with its own strength. Determined to become stronger, Blaziken was training even harder now.
"It's getting a bit noisy here. Let's move somewhere quieter," Chris said to Gardevoir, carrying a tray of dumpling wrappers and minced meat.
Some things, like wrapping dumplings, had to be done in the living room.
"Gardevoir, can you help?" he asked.
"Gardevoir~~" Gardevoir replied, lifting the bowl with Confusion and guiding it alongside Chris.
In the living room, things weren't exactly peaceful either. Hariyama wasn't the only one glued to the LCD TV lately—Togepi and Wobbuffet were now competing with Hariyama for the remote.
Togepi and Wobbuffet sat on the floor with game controllers, intensely mashing buttons. On the screen, a Garchomp and a Tyranitar were battling fiercely.
Chris had bought a PS5 to play new games, but it quickly turned into a favorite toy for the two little Pokémon. Little Wynaut had recently evolved into a full-grown Wobbuffet, now a chubby blue companion. Togepi still loved to play alongside it, often waddling beside Chris or clinging to his side.
"You two, lower the volume on your game—and your voices, too!" Chris called out.
"Wobb…" Wobbuffet hummed in its usual tone, barely glancing up.
"to~ge~pi!" Togepi chimed in, both Pokémon twisting their little bodies and giggling.
Not long after, the dumplings were all wrapped, and Chris was about to start cooking them when his phone rang. Olivia was calling.
"Sorry, I was busy out of town for a few days, but I just got back to campus today," she said.
"How about it? Are you free anytime soon? I can take you to the East China Sea Dragon's Nest whenever you're ready!"
Just as the dumplings were about to be served, Olivia arrived at school.
Chris thought it over and decided to return the next day so that Counselor Olivia could get some well-deserved rest.
Early the next morning, we all set off together at the same time and place.
When Olivia arrived, she was wearing white sportswear, her ponytail bouncing as she walked. She looked full of energy, her complexion glowing, and her smile bright. With her fit figure and cheerful expression, she looked good in anything.
Seeing Chris, she waved. "Over here!"
Chris walked over quickly.
"I heard you donated an Enigma Berry tree to the school over the holiday, and now Principal Vladimir has accepted you as a disciple," Olivia said, giving Chris an appraising look. She hadn't realized he had such connections.
She knew Enigma Berries were found in the Forest of Plenty, but she didn't have the skills to find such rare fruits herself.
"I was lucky. I happened to be there with my senior sisters, and I brought it back when I found it," Chris replied. Speaking of which, Mia had sent three exclamation marks in her message when she heard the news.
No wonder Chris had to leave early.
Mia wasn't envious of Chris, as he'd found the tree on his own; it had nothing to do with her or the others, so there was no reason to feel jealous.
"How about you, Sister Olivia? How was your holiday?" Chris asked.
"I didn't do anything major. Just entered a competition and placed in the rankings," Olivia replied, trying to sound casual, though her eyes sparkled with pride.
"What kind of competition?" Chris couldn't help but be curious.
"I'll tell you on the way. If we don't leave now, we'll end up eating dinner when we get back!" Olivia laughed, releasing her Poké Ball.
Blastoise and Gyarados splashed into the water as Olivia leaped onto Blastoise's back, gesturing for Chris to join her on Gyarados.
Gyarados still looked a bit wary.
"No need; I have my own mount Pokémon this time." With that, Chris released his own Poké Ball.
A Flygon appeared in front of him.
Chris had captured it while training at the Mirage Tower. At level 43, it made a more suitable flying mount than his Skarmory.
He had even fitted it with a saddle and was planning to take the flying license test at school soon.
Flying in the wild, after all, required a license.
Besides, Chris was eager to learn more about advanced flying techniques. He'd heard that the Flying instructor would teach complex moves like "Spiral Flight" and "Barrel Roll."
Olivia eyed Flygon with interest. "When did you capture Flygon? They're rare in the southern region of our country!"
With that, Olivia returned Gyarados to its Poké Ball.
"It was a lucky find." Chris brushed off the question, mounting Flygon, and the two set off toward the East China Sea Dragon's Nest.
As they flew, Chris asked more about the competition and learned that Olivia had participated in the famous "Lugia Cup" tournament over the holiday.
The Lugia Cup was an annual youth trainer competition held in the southern part of the Dragon Kingdom. Chris often received notifications about it on his phone.
As a prestigious competition for young trainers, the Lugia Cup had strict requirements—only trainers under the age of 30 were eligible to participate.
Any trainers who have graduated from prestigious schools are almost certain to participate in competitions like the Lugia Cup before turning 30.
Winning a place in the Lugia Cup not only grants significant Pokémon item rewards but also catches the attention of various groups, organizations, and influential trainers, who may recruit or even accept successful competitors as disciples.
In a way, it's like a job fair from another life—except here, trainers demonstrate their skills and potential by battling with Pokémon.
Moreover, ranking in the Lugia Cup can be a stepping stone toward becoming a Gym Trainer.
To qualify as a Gym Trainer, one must either have a strong resume, such as experience as a Pokémon Inspector, Pokémon Ranger, or member of an official organization with proven achievements, or demonstrate significant skill and reputation by performing well in major competitions, ideally finishing in the top three.
The Lugia Cup is one of the officially recognized high-level competitions.
Olivia's third-place win in the Lugia Cup means she's already qualified to pursue a Gym Trainer position!
My Tutor's strength really isn't weak!
Just as Olivia crossed paths with Chris again, he also encountered her with new respect.
Recently, Chris had been comparing his Pokémon to those of Gym Trainers through video battles and found that he still has some way to go to reach their level.
But it's not an impossible gap; most Gym Trainers' Pokémon levels range from about 60 to 70.
If we compare to the final two gyms in the Hoenn Region, like Mossdeep Gym and Sootopolis Gym, a trainer ready to face these gyms would likely be capable of becoming a Gym Trainer, so Chris feels he's not far off.
If Olivia is Gym Trainer material, her Pokémon's levels are likely around 50—a rare feat for someone who graduated college less than a year ago!
If she continues to grow steadily, Olivia will likely become a Gym Trainer before she's 30.
"So, what's next for you? Are you planning to aim for Gym Trainer?" Chris asked.
Olivia shook her head. "The competition for Gym Trainers is fierce, and I'm not interested in becoming one. What I want is to be a Pokémon Inspector!"
At the mention of Pokémon Inspector, her eyes lit up with excitement.
Chris nodded.
Large-scale competition results can also open doors to roles that require high combat effectiveness, such as Pokémon Inspector. Trainers who rank well generally have clear backgrounds, and about 80% of them go on to join the Inspector ranks.
"What about you? Would you want to become a Pokémon Inspector after graduation?"
"By then, Sister Olivia would probably be a senior inspector and could take you along!" Olivia said with a grin.
"I'll think about it when I graduate—it's still a bit early," Chris replied.
His career plan is to become a Pokémon Breeder, though being an Inspector sounds like it could be a valuable experience.
But that will have to wait until he's unstoppable!
When the time comes, he imagines himself riding a powerful Rayquaza, traveling the world to uphold peace. Just thinking about it gives him a thrill.
Passing through the foggy wall, Chris and Olivia landed in the Dragon's Nest in the East China Sea.
Looking around, Chris started searching for the Shiny Axew. He last encountered it along this coast, so its lair should be nearby… assuming the coast hadn't changed.
But… Chris felt completely lost.
"Goodra, please, take us to the Haxorus clan," Olivia said, noticing Chris's discomfort and tossing a Poké Ball.
In a flash of silver light, a Goodra appeared in front of them.
"Mah~~" Goodra greeted the pair, then turned its head and began to lead the way.
Chris looked at Olivia in awe; she even had a pseudo-legendary Pokémon.
"How do you think I can freely come and go from the Dragon's Nest in the East China Sea?" Olivia said, noticing Chris's surprise. "Dragon-type Pokémon born here always know their way home, so I can always find the nest with its guidance."
Chris glanced at his Poké Ball containing Gabite.
"Useless!" he muttered under his breath.
Gabite: "You didn't even ask me! o(¯~¯#)"
With Goodra leading, the two of them followed along the beachfront.
In the Dragon's Nest of the East China Sea, the layout of the dragon-type Pokémon is based on strength. The stronger groups occupy the central areas of the island. Only three species reside in the center: Goodra, Dragonite, and Garchomp, each led by one of the three Dragon Kings.
Although the Haxorus clan is strong, they lack the power of the pseudo-legendary types, so they are naturally located on the outer ring of the island.
Before long, Goodra guided Chris and Olivia to Haxorus' lair—a massive cave.
Several Haxorus were lying down inside, Fraxure were playing outside, and young Axew mostly stayed close to the Haxorus. At a glance, Chris spotted the slightly different Shiny Axew resting beside its mother.
As Chris took a few steps forward, every Haxorus in the cave immediately locked eyes on him.
They didn't attack; they knew that a contract had been made between humans and the Dragon King, but, as wild Pokémon, they remained instinctively cautious of Chris.
"Uh, what should we do next?" Chris asked Olivia, pausing.
The last time he was here, the three Dragon Kings had granted him a choice. This time, to take Shiny Axew with him, he'd need to seek the approval of the Dragon Kings.
"I'll have Goodra negotiate with Axew's mother. If she doesn't agree, you might need to consider another dragon-type Pokémon," Olivia said.
"But don't worry. Most Dragon-types respect strength and admire powerful trainers. Your presence here already shows the Dragon King's approval."
"Troublesome…" Chris muttered.
Olivia summoned Goodra and briefed it. Goodra then approached the Haxorus.
Haxorus didn't seem overly wary of Goodra; not only were they both Dragon-types, but Olivia's Goodra had been born and raised in the East China Sea Dragon Nest—it was practically a neighbor. It had just been away for a while.
Goodra and Haxorus communicated briefly, then Goodra returned to Olivia as Axew's mother stepped forward, baring her claws at Chris.
"Huh?"
"It seems the negotiation was successful," Olivia said. "As I mentioned, Dragon-types admire the strong. If you want to take her child, you'll need to prove your strength by battling her."
"Winning would be ideal, but even if you can't, as long as you show strength that satisfies her, she'll likely entrust her child to you."
Chris breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as he had a chance, he'd be fine. His biggest fear was that Haxorus would drive him away without a word, making this trip a waste of time.
As for the battle… Although his career goal was to be a breeder, Chris was never one to shy away from a fight.
He raised his hand and threw a Poké Ball.
"Nai~~" Gardevoir appeared in front of him, her beautiful blue hair flowing slightly in the breeze, and her long white gown enhancing her graceful form.
No matter how many times Chris saw her, he was always captivated by her beauty.
In recent days, Gardevoir had leveled up to LV45. Although he wasn't certain of Haxorus's level, Gardevoir's Fairy type made her an ideal choice against Dragon-type Pokémon.
Olivia, watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but feel a flicker of surprise when she saw Gardevoir's blue hair.
"A Shiny Gardevoir…?" she murmured, realizing that Chris owned not just a Shiny Hariyama, but a Shiny Gardevoir as well.
And soon, he'd likely have a Shiny Axew, too. Olivia felt a pang of envy. How long had Chris been a Trainer, and he was already close to having three Shiny Pokémon? Many Trainers go their entire lives without ever seeing one.
The sight of Gardevoir was a clear signal to Haxorus's mother, who charged forward like a cannonball, her strength and speed on full display.
"Dazzling Gleam!" Chris commanded with a confident wave.
Gardevoir placed her hands over her chest, gathering pale pink energy that formed into a brilliant orb, which she then directed at Haxorus.
As the orb hurtled forward, Haxorus raised her claws to use Slash, attempting to cut through the Dazzling Gleam.
But Gardevoir snapped her fingers.
Boom! The Dazzling Gleam orb detonated just before reaching Haxorus, sending pink energy surging like a tidal wave. It washed over Haxorus, leaving her no room to evade.
"Roar!!" Haxorus bellowed in pain, yet continued her charge, a fierce green flame igniting around her as her pupils glowed red with intensity.
She was using her ultimate Dragon move—Outrage.
Haxorus's claws became engulfed in dark green Dragon-type energy as she slashed wildly, tearing through the lingering Fairy energy in her path, aiming straight for Gardevoir.
But Chris knew her efforts were in vain.
"Finish it, Moonblast!" he called, having already gauged her strength.
He estimated Haxorus was at about LV50, and against Gardevoir's type advantage, she didn't stand a chance.
Gardevoir raised her hands, and a radiant Moonblast formed, locked onto Haxorus. With a graceful wave, she unleashed a barrage of Moonblasts, each one falling like a meteor shower upon Haxorus, bombarding the battlefield.
"Life Dew"
Chris asked Gardevoir to heal Haxorus.
For Haxorus of the same level, it's nearly impossible to withstand two Fairy-type moves. Moreover, Haxorus is a Pokémon that focuses heavily on offense, so its base stats for defense, special defense, and physical endurance aren't very high.
Once Haxorus recovered, it took the initiative to bring Shiny Axew over to Chris. It had recognized this human as someone who could guide its child to grow stronger.
Chris leaned down, took out a golden gem Pokéblock, and placed it in front of Shiny Axew.
For a moment, every Pokémon in the cave turned its attention toward him.
The reason was simple—this Pokéblock was delicious!
The excellent Pokéblock had a rich, fruity aroma. It was hard to tell exactly which fruit, but just the smell alone was enough to make any Pokémon drool. In Chris's tests, none of his Pokémon could resist it!
Shiny Axew stared hungrily at the incredible Pokéblock in Chris's hands, drooling. It had never seen or smelled anything like this before.
However, Axew hesitated to approach—it still remembered that Chris had just attacked its mother. Could he be trusted?
"Crack!" Mother Haxorus gave her son a quick smack on the back of the head.
Hurry up! Don't be shy—I want to taste it too!
With his mother's encouragement, Axew eagerly took a nibble and then swallowed the Pokéblock in delight.
Axew: ㄟ(≧◇≦)ㄏ Perfect!
The surrounding Pokémon gulped in envy.
Was it really that good?
"Come with me. We need to complete the bonding ritual under the witness of the three dragon kings," Chris said to Axew and Haxorus. This was a necessary step for their alliance.
"Axew~~" Axew nodded vigorously.
Nearby, Haxorus couldn't help but wonder how delicious the treat her son just devoured must have been. She watched him eat with a touch of envy, almost forgetting herself!
Seeing how many Pokémon were drooling, Chris decided to share. He took out a box of high-quality Pokéblocks and had Gardevoir distribute one to each Pokémon in the cave using Confusion.
To Chris, money was just a number. His fruit mixer was always running, churning out Pokéblocks daily. He ensured his Pokémon had access to as many premium treats as possible, only giving high-quality Pokéblocks when the best ones weren't available.
As for ordinary berries, his portable storage was filled to the brim with stacks of them.
Chris led Axew to the center of the East Sea Dragon's Nest, followed by Mother Haxorus.
"What exactly was that? Why were all the Pokémon so excited?" Olivia asked, curious. Even her picky Goodra had drooled over the treat and looked delighted after tasting a small silver cube.
As Goodra's trainer, she knew how rare it was for it to react so eagerly to any food.
"Oh, this is a special Pokémon ration I make myself. If you'd like, I can sell some to you," Chris offered, though he planned to sell only ordinary Pokéblocks.
In the future, when he was strong enough, Chris hoped to start a company that specialized in selling Pokéblocks.
"How much?" Olivia asked.
"I'll give you a friendship price—100,000 per box of 24 pieces. Each box is meant as a reward treat and should last a week. The quality is a bit lower than what Goodra just ate," Chris calculated aloud, setting a fair price.
It took around sixteen berries to make twenty-four cubes, with each berry costing 200, so the cost came out to 3,200.
The cost is 3,200, and I sell it for 100,000.
Thirty times the profit.
Mmmm, friendly price!
Normal people aren't qualified to buy Pokéblock from me.
"One hundred thousand?" Olivia was a bit taken aback; this wasn't exactly cheap—it was the cost of a standard item for a Pokémon.
"What's the added effect?"
Chris raised his brows. "Depends on what you're looking for. I can customize Pokéblocks according to your needs. But the price might be a little steep..."
"Why does this feel like a breeding center?" Olivia suddenly felt a strange sense of familiarity.
"Cough, business, just business as usual," Chris replied with a small cough.
*
Any money other breeders made off my Torchic and Froakie, I'm going to make back from others!
As they walked, chatting with Axew, Olivia decided to spend 200,000 to buy two boxes for Goodra to enjoy.
She originally bought just one box, but the moment Goodra got it, she devoured the whole thing in one bite.
Left with no choice, Olivia bought another box, but this time she kept it in her hands, planning to feed Goodra one Pokéblock at a time.
Seeing Goodra's delighted expression, Chris mused that Pokéblocks might be a lifelong favorite for her.
Arriving at the center of the East Sea Dragon's Nest, Chris blew the horn as promised.
Dragons began gathering, one after another.
Dragonite, the Dragon King, emerged first from the water, tilting his head curiously at Chris—it seemed like he recognized him from somewhere.
The Goodra Dragon King arrived next, also giving Chris a long look.
Where have I seen this guy before?
Finally, the Garchomp Dragon King appeared, spotting his son being lured with food by this human. Why was he here again? Had his son been so unruly that the human wanted to return him?
The situation clarified when Chris let Axew stand in front of him.
It turned out that Chris had once again been recognized by Dragon University and had come to take one of their kind on a journey.
The three dragon kings exchanged a glance and then, with a nod, gave their approval for Chris to take Axew with him.
Axew wasn't a direct clan member, and Chris had already obtained permission from his mother.
They didn't care whether Axew was a Shiny Pokémon or not.
With the three dragon kings' consent, Chris took out a Premier Ball and captured the eager Axew, who had been waiting for this moment.
Chris exhaled in relief as the Poké Ball stopped flickering, signaling Axew's official capture. He held the Poké Ball tightly, proud to have bonded with Axew.
With Axew now part of his team, Chris had no more business left in the East Sea Dragon's Nest.
It was time to head back to Dragon University—just in time for lunch.
But as Chris turned to leave, a massive figure suddenly blocked his path, holding a blade.
Primal energy pulsed in the air, carrying an invisible yet powerful presence.
Chris looked up and saw the Dragon King Garchomp looming above him.
Before Chris could say a word, the Poké Ball on his belt opened on its own, and his Gabite sprang out.
"Graarr!" Gabite growled, directing a challenge at its mother.
"Garchomp!" Garchomp looked at Gabite in surprise.
They hadn't been apart long, but Garchomp could clearly sense how much her child had grown!
The Dragon King Garchomp turned to Chris again, nodding in approval. This young trainer had indeed done an impressive job, nurturing her offspring to such a strong level in such a short time.
"Gar!" Suddenly, Garchomp let out a powerful roar, summoning her tribe.
From the crowd of Garchomp, an elderly one stepped forward, carefully holding a basketball-sized Dragon Fang in its sharp claws. The old Garchomp walked straight up to Chris and extended the Dragon Fang toward him.
"Quick, take it! This is a treasure-level Dragon Fang!" Olivia whispered to Chris in excited disbelief.
"A treasure-level Dragon Fang?" Chris murmured, taken aback. "They're just… giving this to me?"
He looked up at the Dragon King Garchomp, who nodded solemnly in his direction.
With a deep breath, Chris accepted the Dragon Fang.
It was incredibly heavy!
Chris had previously purchased smaller Dragon Fangs for Gabite to boost its dragon-type moves, but those were less than a fifth of the size and perhaps only a tenth of the weight of this one.
He couldn't even begin to imagine what kind of dragon could have such a massive tooth.
After presenting the Dragon Fang, the Garchomp Dragon King turned and led her tribe away.
Many of the surrounding dragons cast envious glances at the Dragon Fang in Chris's hands, but under the Dragon King's command, they all departed one by one.
"You're unbelievably lucky! The Dragon King Garchomp actually gifted you a treasure-level Dragon Fang!" Olivia said with excitement as she joined Chris. She couldn't help but feel a pang of envy—she hadn't yet acquired a treasure-level item herself.
"My Goodra is also a descendant of the Goodra Dragon King. Why didn't I get anything?" Olivia sighed, glancing at her Goodra.
Goodra: "Gooo…dra~~"
Chris hadn't expected such a generous gesture from the Dragon King Garchomp. The last time he encountered her, she hadn't given him anything, even when he'd caught her child. Yet now, she had offered him this priceless Dragon Fang out of nowhere.
What a surprise!
He certainly wouldn't mind more surprises like this in the future!
Now, he had three powerful dragon Pokémon at his side.
On their way back, Chris and Olivia returned to school just in time for lunch, so they decided to eat together.
Afterwards, Chris hurried back to his dorm, eager to inspect the attributes of his new treasure.
First, he focused on the qualities of the Treasure-level Dragon Fang.
Crackling Dragon Fang: Increases the power of dragon-type moves by 40%, reduces the chance of taking physical damage by 30%, and enhances weather effects.
Weather effects?
Chris felt a spark of realization.
There was only one dragon Pokémon capable of controlling the weather!
The ruler of the skies—Rayquaza!
Of course, this was just a theory.
But if this Dragon Fang belonged to Rayquaza, it would certainly be a legendary item.
Chris handed the massive treasure, the Dragon Fang, to Gabite.
Since it was a gift from Gabite's mother, Chris felt it wouldn't be right to give it to Axew or Tyrunt. Plus, as Chris's main dragon Pokémon, Gabite would benefit most from absorbing the Dragon Fang.
The Dragon Fang's added power to physical attacks came with a defense-breaking effect, making it ideal for all three of Chris's Pokémon, given their strength in physical attacks. However, when it came to the boost from weather effects, Gabite's ability, Rough Skin, wasn't perfectly suited, as it would only fully benefit from Sandstorm boosts after it Mega Evolves and gains Sand Force. Still, this wasn't a major issue.
Haxorus and Tyrantrum could also benefit, with Tyrantrum's Rock typing making it naturally resistant to Sandstorm. But in terms of maximizing Sandstorm power, Gabite was the best choice.
Shifting his focus, Chris checked the panel for his shiny Axew:
---
*[Axew (Dragon, Shiny)]*
*Level*: 17
*Ability*: Exceptional (When this Pokémon uses a move, it can partially nullify the abilities of its target, the target's allies, and its own allies.)
*Individual Values*: Stamina (31), Attack (31), Special Attack (11), Defense (30), Special Defense (25), Speed (31)
*Moves*: Scratch, Leer, Bite, False Swipe, Assurance, Slash, Dragon Claw
*Held Item*: None
---
With its HP, Attack, and Speed at 31 IVs and Defense close behind, Chris considered Axew nearly 4V. The low Special Attack wasn't an issue, as Haxorus's role would be as a physical powerhouse, relying on Attack stats alone.
The strong stats and shiny appearance made Chris pleased with Axew's potential; he typically looked for at least two high IVs in Attack and Speed. He recalled the frustration of catching Axews with high Special Attack but low physical Attack—especially in a Dragon-type attacker.
With Gabite, Tyrunt, and Axew, Chris now had three solid dragons. He was just one Pokémon short of forming a complete team of six dragons.
Although Chris had many Pokémon, he knew his collection was still modest compared to Gym Leaders and Elite Trainers, who often trained and bred multiple Pokémon of the same species. Gym Leaders tailored Pokémon combinations and battle strategies to counter specific types. A Gym Leader who stuck to only one set team would soon be defeated, much like when Chris had taken on the Mauville Gym; the all-electric team was nearly helpless against a ground-type team.
With this in mind, Chris aimed to take advantage of his position and capture more high-quality Pokémon. His goal was to form a primary team of his strongest Pokémon, while others would serve as backups to adapt to various opponents and create versatile teams for any challenge that came his way.
Leveling up day after day.
Time flies quickly.
The transition from October to November felt like a blink of an eye. In less than half a month, Chris managed to obtain a Flying driver's license, allowing him to fly freely in non-urban regions in the future.
During this time, a comprehensive mid-term examination for the breeding department also took place.
It was surprising to Chris that universities still had mid-term exams. In his previous life, university exams were limited to finals. However, this underscored the academic rigor of Dragon University. Failing the mid-term exam meant a mandatory makeup exam—a rule that left no room for complacency.
The breeding department's mid-term was solely a written exam. Out of a class of more than 40 students, Chris ranked tenth.
This result surprised many.
In their eyes, Chris was the top figure in the breeding field. After all, he was working in Professor Theodore's lab and was also a protégé of Principal Bai. Everyone assumed he'd take first place with ease.
But for Chris, tenth place was more than satisfactory.
He spent an average of 30 hours a week gaming, with most of his study time limited to class hours. Attending Dragon University—a hub for academic prodigies—meant being surrounded by some of the brightest minds.
Securing tenth place among over 40 students made Chris feel like a genius!
He mused that if he dedicated his gaming hours to studying, getting first place would be a breeze.
But that wasn't happening. Chris had no plans to cut down on his gaming time.
Without the thrill of leveling up all day, life would be dull. Aside from pursuing his breeder certification, Chris was adamant about spending his free time gaming whenever he wasn't eating or sleeping.
As for others' opinions? Chris couldn't care less.
---
*In-game progress:*
Chris's main Pokémon team saw modest level increases. The star of his leveling efforts was Blaziken, which had reached level 47 but still fell short of Chris's expectations for challenging the Petalburg Gym.
Nevertheless, Chris decided to tackle the Mt.Chimney dungeon.
The decision came after his Gabite evolved into Garchomp.
Blaziken didn't have area-of-effect (AOE) moves, so Chris rotated Gabite, Gardevoir, and Steelix during battles. Blaziken held the Exp. Share, gaining half the experience in the background. This strategy boosted Blaziken from level 36 to level 47 while also leveling the rest of the team.
Gabite, in particular, reached level 49 and evolved into Garchomp at level 48.
*[Garchomp (Ground/Dragon Type)]*
- *Level*: 49
- *Ability*: Rough Skin (Contact moves inflict damage on attackers.)
- *Individual Values (IVs)*: Stamina (31), Attack (31), Special Attack (31), Defense (31), Special Defense (24), Speed (31)
- *Moves*: Sand Tomb, Tackle, Sand Attack, Dragon Breath, Bulldoze, Bite, Slash, Dual Chop, Dragon Claw, Dig, Quick Attack, Cut, Strength, Rock Smash, Earthquake, Sandstorm, Dragon Dance
- *Held Item*: Dragon Fang
Garchomp, a pseudo-legendary Pokémon, was widely regarded as a "late bloomer" among Trainers. Officially, such Pokémon required significantly more experience to level up compared to regular Pokémon.
Their delayed growth was apparent in their evolution stages. While starter Pokémon typically reached their final forms around level 36, late bloomers like Garchomp took much longer to achieve their full potential.
And so, the late bloomer Pokémon Gabite evolved into Garchomp at level 48, marking one of the earlier evolution thresholds for pseudo-legendary Pokémon. In comparison, other pseudo-legendary Pokémon like Dragonite's family require Dragonair to reach level 55 to evolve into Dragonite, Pupitar evolves into Tyranitar (Bangira) at level 55, and Shelgon evolves into Salamence (Violent Salamander) at level 50.
Once this prolonged growth phase is complete, these Pokémon undergo their final evolution, resulting in a significant leap in combat power.
Now as a Garchomp, Chris confidently stated that it could take on five Gabites of the same level without breaking a sweat!
---
*Petalburg Gym Strategy:*
At the Petalburg Gym, Chris's father, Norman, wielded a Slaking as his trump card. However, Slaking's inconsistency—due to its Truant ability causing it to skip every other turn—made it a risky opponent. A single misstep, like encountering Slaking during its "active" turn, could lead to a devastating loss.
---
*Mt.Chimney Plan Dungeon:*
Maxie, leader of Team Magma, and his Camerupt served as Chris's next target. Since Maxie's strength was relatively weaker compared to Norman's Slaking, Chris decided to tackle Maxie first and then challenge the Petalburg Gym. With the cooldown timer for entering the Volcano Plan dungeon reset, it was time for action.
Chris directed the protagonist to Mt. Chimney, triggering the dungeon entry prompt.
*[Yes/No to enter the dungeon "Mt. Chimney" (special rewards for the first completion)]*
*[Dungeon recommended entry level: 45]*
Without hesitation, Chris selected "Yes."
The scenery shifted as the dungeon initiated. Chris found himself back on Mt. Chimney. The sulfuric stench stung his nose, thick black smoke filled the air like a battlefield haze, and the oppressive heat waves rolled across the volcanic terrain.
All around him, clashes between Team Magma and Team Aqua were in full swing.
*[Dungeon Goal: Defeat Maxie, the leader of Team Magma, and prevent the Volcano Plan from being implemented.]*
*[Dungeon Time Limit: 60 minutes.]*
Having been here once before, Chris confidently locked onto Maxie's last known location and began his ascent to the summit of Mt. Chimney.
---
*Encounter with Team Magma Grunts:*
Barely two steps in, Chris overheard the shouting of Team Magma grunts.
"Look, there's a member of Team Aqua over there!"
"But he's not wearing a Team Aqua uniform?"
"Doesn't matter—if he's not with Team Magma, take him down!"
Chris smirked. "I'm pretty sure I heard this the last time I was here…"
An opposing *LV32 Mightyena* appeared, growling aggressively. Chris remained unfazed. "Blaziken, clear the way!" he commanded, tossing a Poké Ball.
Blaziken burst forth, its powerful legs hitting the ground. In a flash of red and flame, Blaziken dashed forward. Mightyena barely registered its presence before being launched through the air with a powerful Blaze Kick, landing heavily in the distance.
This was only the first obstacle.
Chris continued his march while Blaziken obliterated every Pokémon blocking their path—whether they belonged to Team Magma or Team Aqua. Even Pokémon from Team Aqua were no exception. It was clear Blaziken had a lot of pent-up energy to release.
Chris couldn't help but grin. "Nice work, Blaziken!"
Defeating Team Aqua's Pokémon yielded experience points, too. With all Pokémon encountered being above level 30, it was an excellent opportunity to quickly rack up experience.
---
*Showdown with a Team Magma Admin:*
After a few minutes of steady progress, Chris encountered a familiar figure—a previously defeated Team Magma admin blocking his path.
"Who are you to dare challenge the members of Team Magma?!" the admin shouted, clearly ready for a rematch.
Chris tightened his grip on his Poké Ball and smirked. "Let's get this over with."
[Trigger BOSS Battle: VS Fire Rock Team Executive "Tabitha" (extra rewards can be obtained after defeating)]
Tabitha stood in Chris's way with a Houndoom, his expression determined.
Chris didn't waste any words.
"Blaziken, Double Kick!"
Blaziken sprang into action, its crimson body flashing forward like a streak of flame. Its movements were swift and precise.
Tabitha's eyes narrowed, a mix of anger and caution in his expression. "It seems you're determined to stand against Team Magma!" he spat, watching Blaziken closely. The earlier display of its power hadn't gone unnoticed, and Tabitha silently acknowledged the Pokémon's strength with six words: *very strong, nearly unstoppable*.
"Smoke!" Tabitha commanded sharply.
Houndoom opened its mouth, releasing a cloud of toxic smoke interwoven with flames. This wasn't ordinary black smoke meant to obscure vision—it was laced with venomous heat.
But Blaziken was undeterred. Sparks danced beneath its feet as it surged forward in a flash, its speed making it appear as though it had teleported.
With a resounding "Boom!" Blaziken landed a powerful upward kick directly under Houndoom's jaw. The Dark/Fire Pokémon let out a cry of pain as it was launched skyward, its head snapping back.
Before Tabitha could react, Blaziken's second kick struck Houndoom squarely in the stomach with precision and force.
"Boom!"
"Woo~~" Houndoom whimpered as it flew through the air and disappeared into the mouth of a nearby volcano.
Blaziken's movements were seamless—a flawless combination of speed and power. Its mastery of balance, honed through relentless training, made it clear that its strength wasn't just from level gains via Exp. Share.
Tabitha, stunned by the rapid defeat of his Pokémon, instinctively jumped back. He fumbled for his remaining Poké Balls and hurled them into the air.
In twin flashes of light, Electivire and Camerupt emerged on either side of Tabitha.
But Chris was already one step ahead.
"Moonblast!"
"Double Kick!"
Gardevoir appeared beside Chris, its elegant form glowing as it summoned a swirling pink orb of Fairy-type energy. With precision, it launched a barrage of Moonblasts that rained down on Electivire before it could fully materialize.
Meanwhile, Blaziken landed heavily on the ground, canceling the inertia from its previous Double Kick with a quick Bulldoze. Using Quick Attack, it dashed forward just as Camerupt emerged from its Poké Ball.
In a single fluid motion, Blaziken transformed its momentum into force and delivered a devastating Jump Kick. From Tabitha's perspective, it almost looked as though he had thrown Camerupt directly into Blaziken's attack.
"Boom boom boom…"
"Bang bang bang!!"
Electivire was pounded into the ground, pink energy from Gardevoir's Moonblast leaving behind a faint crater radiating with Fairy-type power. Camerupt, on the other hand, was overwhelmed by Blaziken's relentless assault. Its Double Kick exploited its quadruple weakness to Fighting-type moves, delivering catastrophic damage.
By the time the dust settled, both Electivire and Camerupt were down.
As Blaziken and Gardevoir retreated to Chris's side, the notification of victory appeared before him.
*[Defeat Camerupt LV40: Blaziken gains 3214 experience points.]*
*[Defeat Electivire LV40: Gardevoir gains experience 3524.]*
Chris smirked as he reflected on his progress. In the past, rivals would battle fiercely for 20 minutes before yielding. Now, they couldn't last ten seconds against him.
It wasn't just raw power—it was tactical superiority. Knowing his opponent's Pokémon in advance and predicting their moves ensured his overwhelming victories.
"Don't get cocky!" Tabitha shouted as he fled, his voice echoing in frustration. "I didn't bring enough Pokémon this time, but next time, you'll lose!"
Chris watched Tabitha retreat, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Pathetic," he muttered. If Tabitha's Pokémon were always this weak, he could defeat six of them in less than ten seconds.
*[BOSS battle victory! Received extra reward: "Sun Stone."]*
A radiant, sun-like stone appeared in Chris's hands, its warm glow marking it as a treasure-level evolutionary item.
"A treasure like this in mere seconds," Chris thought. "If only this dungeon didn't have a 30-day cooldown, I'd farm Tabitha until I ran out of berries."
Pocketing the Sun Stone, Chris pressed on toward the peak of Mt. Chimney. With 55 minutes left, he had ample time to finish this mission.
---
Ten minutes later, Chris arrived at the summit and spotted Maxie.
The Fire Rock Team leader stood clad in his signature red-and-black trench coat, operating a complex machine. Feeling Chris's presence, Maxie turned, his cold, calculating gaze sweeping over the intruder.
"So, you're the Trainer who defeated Tabitha?" Maxie remarked, his tone calm but laced with disdain. "I'll give you an opportunity to join Team Magma. Together, we can welcome the rise of Groudon and witness the expansion of the endless continent!"
Maxie's eyes glimmered as he continued, his voice rising with conviction. "This will create new opportunities for Pokémon evolution and provide humanity with more space to thrive. This is the Team Magma's dream!"
Chris noted the stark difference in Maxie's approach compared to their previous encounter. Last time, Maxie attacked him without hesitation. Now, he was trying to recruit Chris, laying out the ideals of his organization.
Was it because of time? Chris wondered.
"The way you see the world is flawed," Chris countered, his voice firm. "The Groudon you want to awaken won't bring prosperity. It'll bring ruin. The world doesn't need more land at the cost of devastation!"
Maxie's confidence faltered momentarily as surprise flickered in his eyes. He hadn't expected Chris to know the true scope of their plan.
The Fire Rock Team's Volcano Project was designed to trigger Mt. Chimney's eruption, awakening Groudon from its ancient slumber.
Chris continued, his tone sharp. "You're too naive, Maxie. Groudon's awakening will plunge the entire Hoenn region into endless scorching heat. It won't just reshape the environment; it'll destroy it. Even if new Pokémon and ecosystems eventually adapt, half of humanity and Pokémon will perish in the process."
Maxie's expression hardened. "Enough talk. You know nothing of our vision!" he snapped, flinging a Poké Ball into the air.
"*Earthquake!*"
Camerupt appeared in a flash, its massive frame landing heavily on the ground. Its hooves struck the earth with the force of a Bulldoze, sending cracks splintering outward like shattered glass.
The tremor triggered a chain reaction deep within Mt. Chimney. Molten magma, long dormant, began to surge upward, threatening to erupt.
At the moment the magma erupted, Gardevoir quickly teleported, bringing Chris 100 meters away from the danger zone.
The crimson fire illuminated the sky, painting it in vivid hues of red. Lava cascaded down the hillside, spanning hundreds of meters. The air was thick with the pungent smell of sulfur, and waves of intense heat radiated outward, creating a boiling atmosphere.
Mt. Chimney, a living volcano, had been triggered by the Earthquake, forcing it to eject lava in a single massive outburst. However, to fully ignite its destructive potential, additional stimulation was required.
Chris still couldn't understand why Maxie was so intent on harnessing the power of the Groudon. It wasn't connected to Jirachi or Deoxys—so what was its significance? He recalled returning the Meteorite to the Professor at Meteor Falls, who had handed him a TM for **Return** as thanks. Chris had felt it wasn't worth the detour, but he hadn't lingered on the matter.
Suddenly, the sharp crack of a gunshot echoed.
A crimson fireball erupted from the volcano-like hump on Camerupt's back, streaking through the air toward Chris.
"Teleport!" Chris shouted. Gardevoir instantly moved them to safety.
The fireball exploded midair, fragmanting into countless smaller fireballs that scattered across the area, creating a massive radius of fiery destruction. Camerupt had unleashed **Eruption**, a devastating area-of-effect attack.
"Greninja, **Water Pulse**!"
"Steelix, use **Iron Tail**!" Chris called out, throwing two Poké Balls simultaneously.
Greninja emerged first, leaping into the sky. Its cheeks swelled as it launched a powerful **Water Pulse** that collided with the flowing magma below.
"Fssssshhh!" The hot magma hissed as the cool water struck, sending up clouds of steam and solidifying the molten rock into hardened stone.
Steelix landed on the freshly formed rock, its massive tail glowing as it swung with immense force. The **Iron Tail** smashed through the fiery debris, blocking the smaller fireballs heading for Chris.
In Chris's lineup, Steelix was his best option to endure Camerupt's **Eruption** despite the disadvantage. However, Steelix's lower special defense and its double weakness to Fire made it a risky play—it wouldn't withstand many more hits.
Maxie observed the field with narrowed eyes. "Still standing, huh?" he muttered, impressed. "That Steelix is tougher than I expected. Well then…"
"**Inferno Overdrive!**" Maxie commanded.
Camerupt snorted, releasing plumes of white-hot steam from its nostrils. It raised its front hooves, preparing to unleash another powerful attack. But before it could strike, a shadowy figure cut through the rising mist at high speed.
A sharp, dark green edge sliced through the fog, heading straight for Camerupt's face. It was Garchomp!
"**Protect**!" Maxie countered swiftly.
Camerupt slammed its hooves to the ground, summoning an invisible **Protect** Barrier. Yet the barrier shattered instantly under Garchomp's razor-sharp claws, sounding like breaking glass.
The **Dragon Claw** connected, slamming Camerupt's massive frame into the ground with a deafening crash. The earth cracked under the impact, fissures spreading outward.
"Unbelievable," Maxie muttered, eyes wide. Camerupt was overwhelmed in an instant. "This Garchomp… it's powerful enough to pierce Protect and take down Camerupt in one blow.
Undeterred, Maxie acted quickly, throwing another Poké Ball. Mid-flight, the Poké Ball burst open, releasing a Magmortar. Its level, 48, flashed above its head. Using the momentum of its entrance, Magmortar aimed its cannon-like arm directly at Garchomp and unleashed a blazing **Flamethrower**.
But Garchomp didn't even flinch. Without breaking its focus, it raised its claws once more, delivering a second, devastating **Dragon Claw** aimed directly at Camerupt.
Seeing the situation escalating, a blue figure suddenly darted through the mist wrapped in rushing water, intercepting Magmortar's attack. It was Greninja, moving with its signature speed that rivaled Garchomp's. Though it had appeared after Garchomp, this was all part of Chris's strategy.
Deploying Greninja too early would have prompted Maxie to counter with a second Pokémon sooner. With only Garchomp initially in play, Maxie was less likely to release two Pokémon at once. Chris's plan was simple: let Garchomp handle Camerupt while Greninja blocked any incoming reinforcements.
Greninja propelled itself with a **Water Jet**, colliding head-on with Magmortar's **Flamethrower**. Fire and water clashed, creating a dense white mist that obscured the battlefield. The outcome of their clash was hidden, but Garchomp continued its relentless assault.
With a resounding **Dragon Claw**, Garchomp slammed its attack onto Camerupt's head once more. The ground trembled violently, cracks forming a web-like pattern around them. Camerupt's massive head was partially embedded in the earth, though its sturdy legs remained upright. Despite the brutal attack, Camerupt still had fight left in it. Its resilience was extraordinary.
"One Dragon Claw isn't enough?" Chris muttered. "Then let's make it two!"
Garchomp raised its claws for another strike, but before it could land the blow, a burst of radiant, multicolored light erupted from Camerupt. The intense energy forced Garchomp to step back.
As the light dissipated, Camerupt had transformed. Its two dormant volcano-like humps were now active, spewing molten lava. Its once shaggy fur now flared outward like a billowing cloak, giving it an imposing presence. Camerupt's demeanor had shifted entirely, from calm and passive to wild and aggressive.
Camerupt had undergone **Mega Evolution**.
The surrounding steam cleared, revealing Greninja and Magmortar retreating from their misty clash. Both Pokémon appeared worn but still capable of fighting
Chris stood frozen for a moment. "Mega Evolution? Maxie has access to that?" His mind raced. The game's plot mechanics had completely unraveled. If Maxie had mastered Mega Evolution, what would the future gym battles look like? Would every Leader have Mega Pokémon too?
Maxie smirked coldly, his confidence rekindled. "I underestimated you, Chris, but that's over now." He reached for another Poké Ball and tossed it forward. A LV49 Krookodile appeared, roaring as it landed.
Maxie's team was complete: LV50 Mega Camerupt, LV49 Krookodile, and LV48 Magmortar stood in formation, ready to overwhelm Chris.
On Chris's side, Garchomp held the central position. Greninja had returned to his right, while Blaziken—unnoticed until now—was already poised on his left.
A three-on-three match? Not quite.
Behind Chris's active lineup, three more Pokémon stood ready. Gardevoir had healed Steelix with **Life Dew**, bringing it back into the fray. Hariyama stood solid and eager, ready for battle.
Chris smiled, confidence building as he surveyed the scene. "Maxie, you might have three strong Pokémon, but I brought six."
The numbers were in Chris's favor: six Pokémon against three. Even if Maxie's team was formidable, Chris knew his squad's combined strength outclassed their opposition. With proper strategy, they wouldn't even need to reach the dungeon's suggested level cap of 45 to win this fight.
"Sorry, Maxie," Chris said with a smirk. "I'm taking you down late, but I'm taking you down for sure!"
Maxie's face froze as Chris's six Pokémon advanced. This time, Maxie had brought only three Pokémon into the battle. It wasn't by choice—his recent encounter with the Team aqua had left most of his team badly injured. Only three were in any condition to fight.
But Maxie was not one to back down easily.
"Camerupt, use **Lava Plume**!"
"Krookodile, use **Sand Tomb**!"
"Magmortar, fire off a **Fire Blast**!"
Mega Camerupt stomped the ground furiously, its volcanic humps erupting with smoke and fire. The **Lava Plume** it unleashed was an explosive, area-of-effect move, but its intensity caused even its own teammates—Krookodile and Magmortar—to brace themselves against the heat.
Krookodile crouched low, slamming its claws into the ground. The terrain under Chris's six Pokémon fractured, twisting into a swirling vortex of **Sand Tomb**.
Magmortar stepped back slightly, lifting its arm like a cannon. Flames swirled into its barrel, forming a glowing, "大" shape —the signature **Fire Blast** attack.
"Bang!" The shot rang out with a powerful burst, sending the fiery symbol hurtling toward its target like a blazing specter.
Chris's Pokémon didn't wait for his orders—they reacted instinctively.
Garchomp's crimson eyes flared. With a powerful leap, its **Dragon Claw** met the ground, propelling it forward like a hunting falcon. The move, combined with **Aerial Ace**, was locked onto Mega Camerupt.
Greninja darted ahead with blinding speed, its **Substitute** creating decoys that weaved past the fiery **Fire Blast**. A flash of its blade-like limbs initiated an **Aerial Ace**, striking Magmortar with surgical precision.
Blaziken, with its **Speed Boost** ability fully stacked, moved even faster than Garchomp. It was a blur of red flames, a ghostly phantom across the battlefield. Krookodile had barely finished its **Sand Tomb** when Blaziken's **Double Kick** struck its head with precision. The Ground-type staggered, dazed, before the second kick slammed it into the dirt.
Gardevoir stood resolutely beside Chris. With a wave of its hand, it used **Confusion** to lift Chris out of Sand Tomb's reach. Its other hand prepared a glowing **Moonblast**, aimed squarely at Krookodile.
Meanwhile, Hariyama operated like a long-range artillery unit. With one hand raised, it formed a shimmering **Aura Sphere**, refined from extensive training in its earlier **Vacuum Wave** move. The sphere arced through the air like a guided missile, intercepting Magmortar's **Fire Blast** mid-flight. The two attacks collided in a spectacular explosion, canceling each other out.
Steelix, stationed at Chris's side, served as a defensive wall. Its massive frame shielded Chris and his Pokémon from the swirling sands, though it remained ready to act if commanded.
The clash lasted barely a minute, but the results were decisive.
Before Krookodile could even recover, Blaziken's fiery **Force Palm** drove it further into the dirt, delivering a thunderous blow. As a Ground type, Krookodile instinctively tried to burrow underground to escape, but Blaziken didn't allow it. Its second **Double Kick** sent Krookodile flying across the battlefield like a startled rodent.
The intensity of the battle left the field scarred, with smoke and dust settling as Chris's Pokémon stood victorious.
Krookodile flailed its arms wildly in mid-air, desperate to burrow into the ground for escape, but it never got the chance. Gardevoir's **Moonblast** landed with a brilliant pink explosion.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The combined assault of **Double Kick**, **Force Palm**, and **Moonblast**—all moves super effective against Krookodile—sealed its fate. By the time the Ground-type hit the dirt again, it was thoroughly incapacitated.
Meanwhile, Magmortar, having launched its **Fire Blast**, quickly transitioned into a dual-wielding barrage. Its arm cannons locked onto Greninja and its **Substitute**, firing rapid bursts of flaming projectiles.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Each fiery shot was like a compressed **Fire Punch**, a unique and innovative application of the move. Chris couldn't help but acknowledge the ingenuity.
But creativity doesn't always equate to effectiveness.
Greninja and its **Substitute** began an evasive dance, using **Cut** in conjunction with **Quick Attack** to close the distance. Magmortar's fiery barrage struck nothing but air as Greninja zipped through the battlefield.
Maxie watched with mounting frustration, his blood pressure spiking, only for the dread to sink in as Greninja closed the gap.
With fluid precision, Greninja slashed twice—one diagonal cut from the right shoulder to the left waist, then another from the left shoulder to the right waist. The crossed strikes formed an "X" on Magmortar's chest.
Before Greninja could follow up with a water-based finishing move, Magmortar collapsed. It simply couldn't endure the relentless assault.
With Krookodile and Magmortar down, Maxie was left with only Mega Camerupt.
Mega Camerupt, though battered, refused to back down. Using **Lava Plume**, it shrouded itself in smoke and fire, obscuring its figure within a thick haze. The move's power surged thanks to Mega Camerupt's **Sheer Force** ability, which enhanced its attacks while negating side effects like burns.
Garchomp, despite its injuries, pressed on. Sensing the tremors of Mega Camerupt's movements through the ground, Garchomp preemptively evaded the charging **Double-Edge**, a powerful physical move. As Camerupt barreled forward, Garchomp countered with **Dragon Claw**, slamming the fire-type into the ground. Without missing a beat, it followed up with another **Dragon Claw**, securing the victory.
Though Garchomp appeared to handle the situation smoothly, the reality was far different. It stood battered and breathing heavily, showing the toll Mega Camerupt's boosted **Lava Plume** had taken. The resistance granted by its Dragon typing was the only reason it endured the onslaught, and even that was barely enough. Camerupt's overwhelming special attack, coupled with its **Sheer Force** boost, made it a dangerous opponent even in defeat.
At last, all three of Maxie's Pokémon were down.
Chris let out a breath of relief, realizing that once again, the sheer number and coordination of his Pokémon had turned the tide. When raw strength isn't enough to dominate, the strength of a well-coordinated team prevails.
There was no anger or hatred on Maxie's face; his slightly furrowed brow suggested he was deep in thought, perhaps reflecting or strategizing.
It was as though he was recalibrating his plans.
"Sure enough..." Maxie muttered, taking out three Poké Balls to recall his defeated Pokémon. While the battle raged moments ago, he had not been idle. He had used the time to manipulate the controls of the instrument he had brought.
Despite his efforts, the plan to harness the Meteorite's power to revive Groudon had largely failed. The issue did not lie with the Meteorite itself or Mt. Chimney, but with Groudon's absence. No matter how much he stimulated the Meteorite's power, Groudon could not be revived without its physical presence.
All his work today had been for nothing.
"We need to locate Groudon first," Maxie declared. Suddenly, a helicopter buzzed overhead, lowering a ladder just behind him.
Climbing aboard, Maxie ascended into the sky, his gaze fixed on Chris below. "We will meet again sooner or later," he promised. "Next time, I will bring the king of the earth with me! You will regret not joining us today and choosing to stand as our enemy."
As the helicopter carried him away, Maxie turned his eyes to the distance. Beyond the battlefield where Chris had fought him, Archie stood on a towering rock formation. Arms crossed, Archie's face was brimming with smug amusement.
As a witness to the battle, he had watched Maxie suffer defeat.
His rival had been bested by a young Trainer, a spectacle so satisfying that Archie thought it might make his next meal even more enjoyable.
"Confusion," Chris commanded his Gardevoir.
Gardevoir's body glowed, psychic energy surging as it attempted to capture Maxie. But several Honchkrow emerged from the helicopter, swiftly intercepting Gardevoir's Confusion and allowing Maxie to escape. Chris could only watch as the helicopter disappeared into the horizon.
He made no attempt to pursue. Instead, he wondered what consequences his intervention here might have on future events.
Once Maxie had vanished entirely, a shimmering blue screen materialized before Chris.
> *[Dungeon "Volcano Project" Completed. Rewards are as follows:]*
> *1. Random Advanced Pokémon Item*
> *2. Rare Skill TM*
> *3. Random Mega Evolution Stone (Special reward for first completion)*
> *4. Meteorite (Special reward for first completion)*
In mid-air, four items appeared and gently descended:
- A black Charcoal, occasionally flickering with golden sparks.
- A dark brown TM, seemingly containing a Fighting-type move.
- A basketball-sized Meteorite with a rough, cratered surface.
- A transparent glass bead with intertwined streaks of dark green and pink.
Chris reached out, catching the items.
In a sudden flash of light, he found himself back in his dormitory.
Wasting no time, he opened his bag to inspect the new items.
First, he examined the most important— the Mega Evolution Stone.
Unfortunately, it was not for any Pokémon in his current team.
It was a Venusaurite.
"Am I supposed to raise a garlic king?" Chris mused, smirking at the thought.
If he didn't plan to train a Venusaur in the future, this Mega Evolution Stone might become a trade item once he gained more connections and resources.
The attributes of Venusaur were undeniably appealing. The Grass and Poison types were currently missing from Chris's lineup, making it a potentially valuable addition.
Moreover, Venusaur's final evolution not only allowed it to Mega Evolve but also offered access to its unique Gigantamax form. These enhancements hinted at promising potential for the future as a Pokémon to raise.
However, finding a good Bulbasaur in reality was a bit challenging. Unlike the game, where information about the starter Pokémon families was limited, sourcing one in the real world required effort and a fair amount of luck.
"Forget it," Chris thought to himself. "If I get the chance, I'll raise one. If not, this Mega Evolution Stone can always be traded. Being a starter Pokémon's Mega Evolution Stone, there will definitely be demand for it."
Turning his attention to the rare Skill TM reward, Chris found it contained the move *Focus Blast*:
- *Focus Blast*
- *Power*: 120
- *Effect*: A 10% chance to reduce the target's Special Defense by one level.
This high-powered Fighting-type move lived up to the label "rare."
In the game, Focus Blast had a notoriously low accuracy rate. However, in reality, battles were not governed by strict percentages. Instead, a Pokémon's control over energy and its proficiency with the move determined its effectiveness.
Moves like Aura Sphere were guaranteed to hit because of their unique tracking properties, but moves such as Focus Blast required great precision and mastery to execute properly.
Its formidable power and defensive-lowering potential made it understandable why the move was so difficult to control.
Interestingly, Chris noted that in the Pokémon world, Focus Blast was essentially an exclusive move for *Yveltal*, the legendary Pokémon symbolizing death. Yveltal was the only Pokémon that could naturally learn Focus Blast by leveling up; others could only learn it via TMs.
This raised a curious question: Where did the first Focus Blast Skill TM originate? Perhaps some legendary figure had crafted it after witnessing Yveltal use the move.
Next, Chris inspected the Pokémon item reward.
- *Bolt Strike Charcoal*
- *Effect*: Boosts the power of Fire-type moves by 40%.
- Fire-type moves gain Electric damage, with a small chance of inflicting paralysis.
" Secret Treasure-level item!" Chris's eyes sparkled with excitement.
In handheld games, Secret Treasure-level Pokémon items were the pinnacle of rewards, granting significant advantages in battle.
Of the four items Chris received, the Mega Evolution Stone and Meteorite were clearly marked as first-time dungeon rewards. Repeating the Mt. Chimney dungeon in the future wouldn't yield those items again.
However, high-level Pokémon items and rare Skill TMs would still be available as rewards for subsequent challenges.
This realization was thrilling.
The Mt. Chimney dungeon could be tackled once per month, granting the potential to obtain Secret Treasure-level Pokémon items regularly.
"Delicious!" Chris thought, already imagining the possibilities.
In the past, obtaining Secret Treasure-level items meant venturing into dangerous high-level areas. Even though his secret base allowed him to live comfortably in the wilderness, it was always a gamble.
Now, with a guaranteed source of premium resources through the handheld system, there was no need to take unnecessary risks.
And if the handheld system offered this dungeon, then pushing the plot forward would undoubtedly unlock a second dungeon in the future.
For now, the Bolt Strike Charcoal was a perfect fit for Blaziken, the only Fire-type Pokémon in Chris's current lineup. The item would undoubtedly enhance Blaziken's fiery assaults.
Finally, Chris examined the last reward: the *Meteorite*.
Under the valuables section, the description was minimal, containing only a cryptic line:
> "Meteorite from beyond."
Chris chuckled. "Well, if it didn't come from beyond, could it even be called a Meteorite?"
He placed the Meteorite safely into his bag.