With a satisfying click, the capture was complete. John quickly opened his Gameboy to check Tyranitar's stats.
[Tyranitar (Rock/Dark-Type)-Totem]
[Ability: Sand Stream (Summons a sandstorm that lasts five turns.)
[IVs: HP (31), Attack (31), Special Attack (31), Defense (31), Special Defense (31), Speed (25)]
[Moves: Rock Throw, Tackle, Scary Face, Rock Slide, Iron Defense, Superpower, Swords Dance, Dragon Dance, Dragon Claw, Dynamic Punch, Snarl, Bulldoze, Crunch, Sandstorm, Thrash, Payback, and Hyper Beam]
John whistled. "5V stats, with speed at 25? No wonder this thing could obliterate everything in its path. It's a walking nightmare."
This Tyranitar wasn't just any Pokemon—it was a Totem, imbued with enhanced abilities and a boosted aura. Its Swords Dance and Superpower alone made it an offensive powerhouse, but moves like Dynamic Punch and Dragon Claw? Those weren't even in its usual repertoire. Clearly, this Tyranitar had seen some battles.
But most exciting of all? It was Rock-type. As a pseudo-legendary Pokemon with a base stat total of 600, Tyranitar's strength was legendary, and with its Totem aura boosting its stats even further, it could rival even some mythical Pokemon in sheer power.
John grinned. "This guy is my new trump card. Team Magma won't stand a chance when I bring him to Mt. Chimney."
He placed Tyranitar's ball in his bag and swapped Lairon out for storage at the Pokemon Center. "Sorry, buddy," John muttered, "but I need the big guns now."
Stepping into the Mirage Tower's fourth floor, John marveled at the enormous fossil resting on a stone pedestal. Its unmistakable silhouette screamed Tyrannosaurus—a Tyrantrum fossil. Picking it up carefully, he couldn't help but imagine the fossil's potential after resurrection.
As soon as his hand touched it, the tower began to tremble. A text alert flashed across his Gameboy: "The Mirage Tower collapses."
John sighed. "Guess that's the price of treasure."
He quickly escaped the crumbling ruins, cradling the ancient fossil. "A Tyrantrum in the making," he muttered, eyes gleaming. "With Tyranitar and Tyrunt on my team, no gym leader will stand a chance."
On his way to Rustboro City to resurrect Tyrunt, John detoured to Mauville City for some healing and restocking. Along the route, he decided to test Tyranitar's strength. Placing it at the front of his party, he entered a wild battle.
"Tyranitar, use Hyper Beam!" John commanded.
The giant Pokemon, however, did nothing. It stood still, staring at him with disdain.
Tyranitar doesn't want to obey.
John groaned. "Right. Level cap rules. I forgot."
In the games, trainers could only control Pokemon up to a certain level based on their badge count. John, having just defeated the Lavaridge Gym, could only command Pokemon up to level 50. Tyranitar, being level 52, was officially out of his control.
He sighed, imagining the chaos a disobedient Tyranitar could cause in the real world. A rampaging Totem Pokemon could destroy half the city if left unchecked. "Okay, okay, new plan. I need to beat the Petalburg Gym first and raise my cap to level 60."
John's determination burned like never before. "Tyranitar's not just a Pokemon—it's a game-changer. If I can't use it, I'm holding myself back."
He mapped out his strategy. First, he'd focus on leveling up his Blaziken and other team members. Then, he'd take on the Petalburg Gym. Once he had his fifth badge, Tyranitar would be fully under his command.
As he reached Rustboro City, John made a quick stop at Devon Corporation. Handing over the Tyrannosaurus fossil, he eagerly awaited its resurrection.
While waiting, he glanced at Togepi, who had fallen asleep against his leg. "It's not too early," he murmured, thinking of the Delibird that often delivered his supplies. He gently picked up Togepi and carried it back to his room, laying it on a soft cushion. "Rest up, buddy. You've earned it."