Garchomp.
This was the only Pokemon qualified to learn Precipice Blades.
Not even Steelix, despite sharing the Ground typing, could master this technique.
Originally, John had thought Tyranitar might be able to learn it. Although it lacked the Ground type, it was quite proficient with Ground-type moves.
"A god's exclusive technique, the learning requirements are indeed more stringent," John mused, stroking his chin as he decided to let Garchomp learn this devastating move.
But where to test it?
Looking around, he found himself in the small villa on Trial Island at Riverstone University. If he tried Precipice Blades around here, the teachers would have his head by nightfall.
It was New Year's season, after all. Better to keep things peaceful.
Time to find a suitable dungeon in the game.
There weren't many copies available in the Hoenn Region: Team Magma Base, Team Aqua Base, Underground Power Plant...
The Underground Power Plant had been shut down after he'd captured Zeraora himself.
Both Team Magma and Team Aqua bases were indoor environments where Precipice Blades wouldn't have room to reach its full potential.
Besides, John had been playing those dungeons once a month for ages. The sight of Maxie and Archie's faces made him sick at this point.
So... time to check out Mt. Chimney!
John stored Salamence in the PC, replaced it with his newly acquired Lugia as a flying mount, and flew straight to Lavaridge Town. From there, he took the cable car to the top of Mt. Chimney and entered the dungeon map where most Pokemon were under level 40.
A faint sulfur smell permeated the air.
John stood at the volcanic entrance of Mt. Chimney, facing a group of Team Magma grunts performing their "usual duties" in the crater.
"Garchomp! MEGA Evolution!" John threw a Pokeball.
GRAAAAH!
Garchomp roared as it hit the ground!
The MEGA Evolution stone connected with the Key Stone, and rainbow light enveloped the dragon.
In the next second, the more ferocious Mega Garchomp appeared on stage.
Its violent and savage aura suppressed the entire Mt. Chimney. The Team Magma members who had been preparing to attack couldn't help but hesitate, and the Pokemon they'd released were even more reluctant to advance.
Is this the kind of opponent we're supposed to stop?
John stretched out his hand, and the vermillion Red Orb slowly emerged from his chest, throwing it to Mega Garchomp. The orb merged straight into its back.
John had previously tested whether the Red Orb, Blue Orb, or Green Orb could all be absorbed by Pokemon. Even though this absorption ignored type matchups, Garchomp could absorb Kyogre's Blue Orb or Rayquaza's Green Orb, the boosts and effects from non-matching orbs would be weaker.
Red orb-shaped markings immediately appeared on Mega Garchomp's chest after absorbing the Red Orb, extending to every corner of its body like flowing magma.
In the blink of an eye, the already ferocious Mega Garchomp grew slightly larger, bright red lines exuding a fiery gleam as if covered with a magma coat. Its two massive scythes became magma blades, and the barbaric atmosphere escalated again.
Many Team Magma members and their Pokemon collapsed on the spot, unable to bear the aura unintentionally emitted by Mega Garchomp, losing consciousness immediately.
Looking at Mega Garchomp's appearance, John was reminded of Groudon and Kyogre's Primal Reversion forms.
From now on, he'd call this process of integrating orbs into Pokemon "Primal Reversion."
"Garchomp, Precipice Blades!" John commanded with a wave of his hand.
ROOOOOAR!
Mega Garchomp bellowed toward the sky.
It raised both scythes high, sparks flying around them as power gathered.
The ground began shaking, and thick smoke rose from Mt. Chimney as if something underground was being pulled and ready to riot at any moment.
Then it struck down hard!
Two magma scythes split the ground.
BOOM!
The explosion erupted.
Two explosions fused into one, the first from the scythes hitting the ground, the second from Mt. Chimney erupting.
In an instant, magma erupted and scattered chaotically. In the direction of Mega Garchomp's slash, countless rock spikes more than ten meters high and wrapped in red magma rumbled as they emerged from the ground, spreading rapidly into the distance.
[Defeat Mightyena LV32, Garchomp gains 1086 experience]
[Defeat Numel LV35, Mega Garchomp gains 1286 experience]
With one breath, every Team Magma member and their Pokemon standing before John and Mega Garchomp were wiped out!
Every rock spike seemed to have eyes, hitting every opponent precisely.
Even Flying-type Pokemon like Zubat and Golbat, normally immune to Ground-type moves, couldn't escape the magma power infused in Precipice Blades. The terrifying heat was enough to roast them instantly.
BOOOOOM!
An exceptionally loud explosion sounded thousands of meters away.
John looked up hurriedly to see a giant rock spike flowing with magma pierce the ground a thousand meters distant, as if trying to punch a hole through the sky itself.
Before John could process what had happened, he felt dizzy.
He was back in his room.
The quest... was over?
But there was still a boss that hadn't been fought yet!
John quickly grabbed his Gameboy to check the system prompt.
[Defeat Team Magma Leader "Maxie"]
[Dungeon "Volcano Project" (Completed), rewards are as follows:
[1. Random Advanced Pokemon Item (Sun Stone)]
[2. Rare Skill TM (Flamethrower Skill TM)]
"Maxie has been defeated?" John was shocked.
It seemed that Precipice Blades from Mega Garchomp had cut directly from the dungeon entrance to the very end.
Not only were the Team Magma members killed in one blow, even lMaxie wasn't spared. Moreover, John checked carefully and found no record of Maxie's Pokemon being defeated.
Thinking about it, Maxie probably didn't even have a chance to release his Pokemon before Precipice Blades reached him.
The dungeon clear time: less than 30 seconds.
Absolutely terrifying...
"As expected of a god's exclusive move," John said softly with emotion. "Even when used by Garchomp, its power is so devastating."