Tyrantrum looked like a massive dark-red Tyrannosaurus, its body studded with orange rocky protrusions and a ring of gray fur around its neck. Its lower jaw was extremely powerful, its mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth; its hind legs were muscular, while its foreclaws were unusually short.
“Tyrantrum evolved from a baby Tyrunt resurrected from a jaw fossil,” Violet said softly. “They say it ruled the land eons ago.”
The Rotom Pokédex floated next to Lu Ye and reported:
“Beep beep... Tyrantrum’s jaw has tremendous bite force; it can tear through heavy iron plates like paper. Rotom!”
“So it’s a Pokémon modeled after the Tyrannosaurus.”
Lu Ye murmured, glancing at Pupitar on the field and noting its keen expression.
Even if it’s a baby Pupitar—no, even if it were Godzilla (scratch that)… you can’t provoke a Tyrantrum casually!
Keeping its short foreclaws tucked in, Tyrantrum closed the distance to Pupitar fast, opening its bloodthirsty maw as drool dripped from its fangs.
Chakuro barked sharply, “Tyrantrum, use Ice Fang!”
Ice crystals formed along Tyrantrum’s fangs, and empowered by its Strong Jaw, it lunged to bite Pupitar. The trainers’ faces grew stern.
“Pupitar, evade and use Strength!” Lu Ye ordered.
The ground rumbled as Pupitar shifted sideways and swung a powerful punch, battering Tyrantrum’s skull.
A violent shockwave exploded where the fists collided, leaving the watching trainers stunned.
“When Pupitar is in extreme rage, it can fight barehanded against a Tyrantrum.”
“That punch might even inflict confusion!”
The Fighting-type move Strength packs brutal power but at the cost of lowering the user’s own Attack and Defense.
It was a technique taught to Pupitar by Arcanine... designed to severely wound an opponent with overwhelming force!
“Husky wrecking houses is one thing,” Lu Ye thought, mood oddly mixed. “Now we’ve got Godzilla wrecking houses too.”
Tyrantrum’s bite was forced aside, its Ice Fang embedding into the ground and kicking up a spray of icy mist!
Pupitar stared down Tyrantrum with a cold glare: “Yoji!”
Tyrantrum squinted in pain, shook its head, rose again, and looked even more ferocious, roaring with fury: ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹⟡𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⟡𝙣𝙚𝙩
Chakuro watched the roaring Tyrantrum, brow furrowing until his eyes hardened.
If so, respond with even stronger rage!
“Tyrantrum!” Chakuro yelled. “Use Outrage!”
Tyrantrum’s pupils glowed red. Snarling viciously, it radiated a fierce aura. Changing direction, it stamped and charged at Pupitar; its enraged bellows echoed throughout the castle!
The prestige of a once-dominant ancient Pokémon swept through the arena, stirring the trainers’ spirits.
Lu Ye said grimly, “Dragon... Donds!!”
Tyrantrum slammed forward, its savage head crashing into Pupitar. Pupitar thrust out a claw.
Pupitar used its paw to block Tyrantrum’s skull. The impact forced Pupitar to skid backward several meters, plowing through the dust as debris flew across the arena.
Amid the spectators’ astonished expressions,
Pupitar did not lose its footing. In the swirling dust, its gaze remained sharp.
Instantly, a fierce red aura rose from Pupitar’s body; surging power poured into it. When it swung a fist, purple-red light trailed the blow, and its heavy punch staggered Tyrantrum back several steps.
“Grr...” Tyrantrum shook its head and stared at Pupitar; its pupils narrowed, and it felt a flicker of fear.
Lu Ye snorted, “Pupitar, use Earthquake!”
Pupitar slammed a punch into the ground. The ensuing tremor roared like a beast, the quake’s might rocking the castle. Stone tiles cracked and shattered, streams of white light burst up, and Tyrantrum was instantly engulfed!
The guttural sound reverberated through the castle as trainers looked on, bewildered.
“Is that Earthquake... a move Pupitar can use?”
“Even Excadrill’s Earthquake isn’t this strong!”
“I know this one—Kanto’s Green is said to be skilled with Earthquake... it’s a Ground-type secret technique!”
“Tyrantrum is incapacitated.”
The steward announced, “Therefore, the victor is Count Lu Ye!”
After a brief silence, applause rose around the battlefield.
Watching from the bleachers, Violet felt more certain than ever that giving Teacher Lu her badge had been the right decision.
If Pupitar could unleash that technique in a Gym match—the consequences would be unimaginable!
Korrina said with a daze, “Even Pupitar can possess this kind of power...”
She felt some embarrassment for earlier wanting to challenge Blastoise, but quickly rekindled her resolve and murmured:
“At least... I must continue training with Lucario, and then defeat Ami!”
Looking down at the fallen Tyrantrum, Pupitar exhaled: “Yoji...”
Then the little one confidently put its hands on its hips, lifted its head, and shouted, “Yoji!”
The Rotom Pokédex’s light flashed, it took a photo of Pupitar, then emitted blue light to scan it top to bottom.
“Yoji?” Pupitar scratched its head.
Rotom floated back to Lu Ye’s side and whispered:
“Beep beep... Energy readings indicate Pupitar is about to evolve, Rotom!”
Lu Ye blinked and looked at the bewildered Pupitar, suddenly understanding.
Having consumed rich minerals and accumulated battle experience, Pupitar had reached the time for evolution.
Moreover, Pupitar had already mastered ground-shattering techniques like Earthquake and Stone Edge, making Evolution Suppression unnecessary.
Lu Ye always respected a Pokémon’s own will regarding evolution.
Some, like Pikachu and Meowth, refused to evolve;
others, like Chimchar and Greninja, longed to grow stronger.
Lu Ye had also prepared an Everstone for Pupitar,
deciding to offer it to Pupitar later so it could choose for itself.
“Feels like that idiot gave Pikachu a Thunder Stone all over again...” Lu Ye sighed.
Applause rang through the castle for Teacher Lu and the victorious Pupitar.
Lu Ye’s title was successfully promoted to Marquis. Chakuro stepped forward to congratulate him.
“Congratulations, Mr. Lu Ye.”
Chakuro sighed, “I really haven’t climbed over that mountain yet.”
“Climbing mountains is tough,” Lu Ye said.
Chakuro shook Lu Ye’s hand earnestly: “If I try to scale that peak, I won’t have regrets.”
Is Pupitar now considered a ‘peak’—?
Lu Ye nodded. “Good luck. I look forward to a full battle with you.”
Chakuro’s face stiffened for a moment, then he forced a laugh, “Haha.”
A full battle with Teacher Lu?
I’m not confident enough for that yet.
Suddenly, Chakuro realized something and his expression turned odd.
Teacher Lu must mean... a full battle when I challenge his Gym!
Oh no, that possibility is very high!
“I need to find a chance to hand my badge to Teacher Lu.”
Cold sweat dotted Chakuro’s temples as he thought, Today I can’t find the opportunity—then tomorrow—or give it to Lu Ye’s Pokémon instead.
“If I can’t get that Rock Badge off my hands, I won’t sleep well!”