Pokémon: Raising Abandoned Pokémon into Legends

Chapter 55: The Earth Trembles – Another Divine Move Rolled by Munchlax

"Metronome? What’s that kid thinking?"

On the other side, Lance, who had just ordered Dragonite to use Dragon Rush, was both shocked and disappointed when he heard Rio’s command. Shocked that someone would actually send out a Munchlax just to use Metronome. Disappointed that such a powerful Charizard was in the hands of someone who clearly didn’t understand proper Pokémon battling. If only it were in the hands of a Dragon Tamer Clan successor like himself.

"I cannot let this Red Gyarados fall into the hands of someone like that—it would be a disgrace," Lance resolved internally.

"Dragonite, show it the true power of a Dragon-type Pokémon!" Lance patted Dragonite’s neck.

"Drra~" Dragonite responded, its expression growing even more serious.

Dragon Rush charged head-on into Charizard’s Flamethrower, creating a striking scene in the sky: a pale yellow draconic beam splitting the blazing red flames in two.

One side kept diving forward, the other kept firing and retreating. But it was clear to the naked eye that the advancing side was gaining ground—a significant advantage.

"As expected of Lance’s Dragonite—it’s easily pushing through Mega Charizard Y’s flames," Rio marveled.

From that single exchange, he could tell that Charizard was still far behind Dragonite in a straight fight. Head-on, it was no match—hence his hit-and-run strategy. But he wasn’t discouraged—this was an uphill battle. Dragonite was Level 65 with Elite Four talent and near-maxed move proficiencies, while Charizard was only Level 40, boosted to 50 after Mega Evolution. It was completely outclassed in every aspect.

"Ka~" Just then, Rio heard Munchlax’s cry. He turned to look—and saw the divine state he had been hoping for.

Munchlax’s pupils had gone vacant. But unlike before, this time its body was marked with unusual black patterns.

"What legendary move is it this time?" Rio wondered eagerly.

As he spoke, he noticed the Lake of Rage below suddenly begin to tremble. The water boiled visibly, and countless Water-type Pokémon burst out of the lake, frantically swimming toward the shore, as if scalded by the sudden heat.

The Red Gyarados and Lance’s blue Gyarados also writhed in pain, letting out agonized roars. Lance’s blue Gyarados had been in a three-way brawl with Rio’s Primeape and the Rockets, but the sudden upheaval gave Primeape an opening—it leaped off the Rocket fishing boat and landed a heavy punch square on the blue Gyarados’s skull, knocking it out cold.

At the same time, deep beneath the Lake of Rage, the hidden Team Rocket base was shaking violently. Alarms blared from every machine.

"What the hell is going on?! None of the Pokémon up there used Earthquake! Could it be that dormant volcano down here is erupting? Damn it—erupting now of all times?! You idiots, grab all the research data and run!"

"And make sure you capture that Red Gyarados! Don’t let those two take it—it’s the key to my next phase of research!" Dr. Sila, the scientist in charge of the Evolution Wave research at the Lake of Rage, panicked as he stared at the large monitors tracking the battle.

The screens showed various angles of the conflict, with the two center screens focused on the Red Gyarados and the clash between Rio’s Charizard and Lance’s Dragonite.

On the screen, Lance’s expression was one of shock. "What’s happening?! Why is the entire Lake of Rage undergoing such a drastic change? Could there be another unknown powerful Pokémon hidden here?"

He scanned his surroundings, both shocked and expectant. His instincts told him today would be a bountiful harvest—because he was the strongest trainer in this area.

But at that very moment, an unexpected turn of events occurred.

From the boiling lake, massive, searing-red giant swords of fire erupted—one of them shooting up directly beneath Dragonite with lightning speed, carving a deep gash across its body. If not for its Multiscale ability, it might have been impaled completely.

"Drra~!" Dragonite let out a piercing shriek and briefly lost its ability to fly, plummeting toward the lake.

Splash— Lance fell into the water along with it.

"Ahhh—!" The scalding water made Lance cry out in pain.

"So... Munchlax rolled Groudon’s Precipice Blades?" Rio stood atop Charizard, staring at the massive, fiery red stone blades jutting out of the boiling lake, and swallowed hard.

He couldn’t think of any other move that could cause such a phenomenon except Groudon’s Precipice Blades.

"Ka~" Just then, Munchlax—having done its job and clocked out—tugged at Rio’s pant leg.

Rio turned. The special markings on Munchlax’s body had faded, and it was once again in a weakened state from energy depletion. But compared to before, it seemed to be doing better—Rio suspected that after a quick recharge, Munchlax might be able to roll a second legendary move in a short time.

"You worked hard, Munchlax. When we get to Blackthorn City, I’ll treat you to a big feast." Rio patted Munchlax’s head and gave it three Snorlax Energy Cubes to replenish its energy.

"Ka~" Munchlax nodded excitedly, tossed all three cubes into its mouth at once, and wore a satisfied little expression.

Rio recalled it into its Poké Ball to rest, then turned his attention to the Red Gyarados and Primeape.

The Red Gyarados, unable to bear the scalding water, had already swum to the shore. Primeape, after knocking out the blue Gyarados and punching the Rocket fishing boat into pieces, was now swimming through the boiling lake like a madman, frantically searching for more opponents. It was the only Pokémon that, instead of heading for shore, grew more agitated, angrier, and more red-hot from the boiling water.

"Charizard, now’s the perfect time to catch the Red Gyarados—fly over and suppress it with Flamethrower!"

Deciding to leave Primeape alone—or rather, too afraid to interfere—Rio pointed at the Red Gyarados.

Charizard let out a roar and shot toward the Red Gyarados, its Flamethrower already primed.