Pokémon: Raising Abandoned Pokémon into Legends

Chapter 30: Munchlax’s Spacial Rend

"Ka~"

In its divine state, Munchlax raised its right hand. Countless pale purple particles materialized out of thin air, converging toward its clenched fist.

Immediately, everyone felt an intense unease and tension.

Because the surrounding space began to emit cracking, shattering sounds.

Cynthia’s pupils trembled as she murmured in disbelief: "How is this possible! This came from a Metronome? What kind of move did it even roll?!"

Gabite: "Gah~" — I feel like I’m about to die.

Mr. Fuji swallowed hard: "This reminds me of descriptions I’ve read in ancient texts. I never imagined I’d witness it firsthand in my lifetime—through a Metronome, no less!"

Among the Gym trainees, someone exclaimed: "Good heavens! Can someone with more knowledge tell us what the hell this move is?!"

Rio watched the space crumbling around him: "Could this be that legendary’s move?"

Two seconds later—

"Ka~"

Munchlax’s right hand swung down.

A crescent-shaped, one-meter-long purple blade of light materialized and shot toward Gabite at terrifying speed. Wherever it passed, space itself was torn apart.

Cynthia: "Gabite, dodge!"

Gabite, pinned down by the overwhelming pressure: "Gah~" — I want to, but my legs won’t move!

Whoosh—

The light blade struck Gabite in an instant. Upon impact, a massive spatial rift tore open behind it. Gabite was hurled into the rift and vanished from everyone’s sight.

Seeing this, Cynthia nearly broke down. A casual battle, and her Pokémon was gone.

"My Gabite!" she cried out in terror.

Mr. Fuji muttered in awe: "I can confirm now—this is definitely a legendary Pokémon’s move. Only their attacks could cause such a cataclysmic display."

The Gym trainees: "This is a sight for the ages. Metronome can actually roll moves powerful enough to tear space itself."

Rio: "Case closed. This is that Sinnoh deity’s signature move—Spacial Rend. One hit can tear apart space. But now... how do we get Gabite back?"

Rio could feel Cynthia’s murderous glare fixed on him. He felt like she was about to skin him alive.

"It’s back! Gabite’s back!"

Just then, someone in the crowd shouted.

Everyone looked—Gabite was suddenly thrown back out through the spatial rift. It lay on the ground, completely incapacitated.

"Gabite!" Cynthia rushed over, overjoyed at its return.

Then, everyone saw a colossal Pokémon fly past inside the spatial rift. It glanced through the rift with a look of alarm, and everyone felt a profound sense of awe.

Cynthia, holding Gabite, gasped: "Th-this isn’t the legendary deity my grandmother studies?!"

Mr. Fuji’s mouth hung open: "A l-legendary Pokémon! It appeared because of Munchlax’s move!"

The trainees: "What Pokémon was that?! Can someone explain?!"

Rio took a deep breath: "Palkia—the Spatial God!"

He never imagined that the first legendary Pokémon he’d meet in this world would be Palkia, the god of space.

After glancing at the group, Palkia turned and disappeared into the vast darkness of the spatial rift. After its departure, the rift created by Munchlax’s Spacial Rend rapidly healed itself.

"Ka~"

After using the move, Munchlax sat down weakly.

Rio hurried over and fed it a few Snorlax Energy Cubes, then called out to Mr. Fuji: "Grandpa Fuji, could you get some more food for Munchlax?"

Still reeling from the shock, Mr. Fuji snapped to attention at Rio’s voice.

"Right away—I’ll arrange something for Munchlax immediately." He turned and instructed the Pokémon House volunteers to bring food from across the street.

"Ka~" — Rio, I was awesome, wasn’t I? Munchlax looked up at Rio with a goofy grin, clearly fishing for praise.

"Awesome! Munchlax, you were incredible!" Rio immediately gave it a big thumbs-up.

"Your performance just now stunned not only me but everyone here. Did you see Grandpa Fuji’s expression? Even someone as worldly as him was blown away. And on top of that, you attracted a legendary Pokémon—one of the most powerful beings in this world! How amazing is that?!"

"Ka~" — I’m the best! Munchlax grinned sheepishly and scratched its head.

Just then, a volunteer wheeled over a cart full of food. Munchlax happily dug in.

After praising Munchlax, Rio stood up with a smile.

But the next second, his brow furrowed slightly.

He noticed that Charmeleon’s friendship had dropped by one point—from 62 to 61—and it looked a bit dejected.

"Is it worried that Munchlax’s success means I’ll care less about it?" Rio thought.

He walked over and said with a smile: "Charmeleon, what’s wrong? You don’t think I don’t like you anymore, do you?"

He decided to address Charmeleon’s insecurity directly and resolve it.

Charmeleon looked up at Rio, its expression still a little downcast.

Rio continued: "Don’t think like that. In my eyes, you’ve always been my super genius—one in a million, my partner who’ll stand at the top of the world with me. How could I not like you?"

Charmeleon’s face brightened considerably, but its friendship still hadn’t returned to its original value.

"Still not hitting the core issue?" Rio wondered.

After a moment, he tentatively asked: "Are you feeling like Munchlax’s sudden power makes all your hard work seem pointless?"

Charmeleon nodded.

Rio patted its head and smiled: "You really shouldn’t think that. Your efforts have never been wasted—because you’re getting stronger step by step. No matter what happens, your power is yours to keep. Munchlax is different—its current strength basically comes from luck boosted by an item. Without that item, it can’t beat you. Besides, after using it once, it can’t do it again for a while, and it doesn’t have your stamina. So there’s no reason to feel like your efforts are in vain."

Charmeleon fell into thought.

Three seconds later, Rio saw its friendship rise—from 61 to 63, gaining an extra point on top. Regaining its confidence, Charmeleon leaped into Rio’s arms for a hug.

Rio laughed and scooped it up. Hoisted aloft, Charmeleon let out a triumphant cry at Munchlax, who was still busy eating—as if to say: No matter how strong you get, I’m still the most loved one.

Munchlax didn’t even acknowledge it; its eyes were only on the food.

Rio smiled at the scene and said nothing.

But he had to admit—Munchlax’s situation was bound to make other Pokémon jealous. It didn’t need to train any other moves; just mastering Metronome alone, if it rolled a divine move, could take down most opponents except legendaries. If Rio were a Pokémon, he’d probably feel pretty demoralized too.

Lucky for him, he wasn’t the Pokémon—he was Munchlax’s trainer.

(￣▽￣)ノ

And Munchlax had just defeated a Level 40 Gabite at only Level 17, jumping straight to Level 27—three levels higher than Charmeleon. One more such roll, and it might break past Level 30.

Just as Rio was thinking that, Cynthia, who had recalled Gabite into its Poké Ball, walked up to him with a defiant look.

"No way—I don’t accept this loss. It was pure luck. Once my Gabite is fully recovered, we’re battling again. I refuse to believe your Munchlax can roll a move that powerful a second time!"

Rio raised an eyebrow.

Heh—bring it on. I’d love that.