As for Registeel, Paul had originally planned to let Garchomp handle it—a sparring match between steel and fang. But even the best plans can't keep up with unexpected changes.
Garchomp had only just engaged Registeel when Regidrago appeared—and in that instant, its attention was wholly captured.
With a powerful Brick Break followed by a blazing Fire Blast, Garchomp drove Registeel back... only to abandon the fight entirely and launch itself skyward toward Regidrago.
"Registeel's yours. Let me witness the raw power you hold."
Seeing Garchomp take the initiative to challenge the stronger foe head-on, Paul didn't argue. He handed the Steel-type titan over to Electivire.
"Vireee!"
"Hey big guy, take a punch from the boss!"
Electivire didn't care who the opponent was—it charged at Registeel, laughing as it did.
Over the past few days, it had taken down more than a few Registeel with varied strategies. But to fight one relying solely on brute strength and raw speed? That, it hadn't tried.
Now that Paul had planted the idea, Electivire was eager to test whether its iron fists could overpower the Iron Titan itself.
Time to find out: was Registeel's body tougher—or was its own punch harder?
The answer came quickly—and painfully for poor Registeel, who was soon getting thoroughly beaten down.
Each Pokémon was now fighting its own battle, and the battlefield situation was relatively clear. Paul, however, kept his eyes fixed on the aerial clash between Garchomp and Regidrago. A hint of concern flickered in his gaze.
Regidrago—the Dragon Orb Pokémon. According to legend, its entire body is formed from crystallized dragon energy, with a particularly high energy density concentrated in what forms its "torso." It's said to possess the powers of every Dragon-type Pokémon.
Its Ability—Dragon's Maw, boosts the power of its Dragon-type moves beyond that of any other Pokémon when strength is equal.
One legend claims that the Legendary Titan King Regigigas attempted to craft Regidrago using dragon energy crystals, but due to an insufficient supply, only managed to create its head—hence its body's appearance resembling a dragon's maw.
Another tale says that Regidrago's full form was simply too powerful, and ancient people destroyed its body, leaving only its head behind.
Whichever version is true, one thing is certain: its power and uniqueness are unquestionable.
Facing a Dragon-type Pokémon as pure as they come—and one that was clearly stronger than itself.
Garchomp knew that defeating Regidrago would be second only in difficulty to when Regieleki had battled Electivire.
Despite Regidrago's appearance—more endearing than fierce, almost inexplicably cute—Garchomp's expression was deadly serious. And yet… there was a spark of excitement in its eyes.
The seriousness stemmed from both the type and stat disadvantage. Even the invisible pressure of Regidrago's innate Dragon's Aura weighed heavily on Garchomp, like a storm pressing down on its chest.
But the excitement came from something primal—something far more instinctive.
Regidrago's entire body was essentially a crystallization of Dragon energy. It radiated raw, unfiltered draconic power.
To Garchomp, that energy stirred something deep in its blood. A desire—to consume it.
This wasn't just an exaggeration. Nor was it poetic hyperbole like Electivire's dramatic descriptions. Garchomp, who had once tasted Dragon Claw Soup, had no reservations about going for the kill—or the bite when it came to Regidrago.
It believed, with certainty, that if it could devour and absorb Regidrago's essence, its own power would soar to unprecedented levels.
So much so, that it might even hold its ground, blow for blow, against Cynthia's own Garchomp for a time without being overpowered.
Right now, the only thing giving it pause wasn't Regidrago's strength—but the strange, ancient "tree" looming silently behind it.
But with such a feast practically laid out before it… why hesitate?
Garchomp roared and lunged, activating its Bloodline Reawakening state—its crimson dragon eyes flaring to life. The blood-red aura around its body surged to the fiercest intensity it had ever reached.
Boosted by Dragon Dance, Garchomp executed a perfect combo: Dragon Rush fused with Outrage and Dragon Claw—a fusion of sheer primal violence.
It dove toward Regidrago like a hell-dragon unleashed.
"Regi...dra~!"
Sensing the danger from Garchomp's onslaught, Regidrago quickly turned its torso to face the attacker. Its arms came together, forming the figure of a dragon's maw.
In that moment, both its inner life force and external energy surged, combining into raw Dragon-type power. Then—
A beam of violet energy surged forth like a torrent—
Dragon Energy unleashed!
Amplified by its Dragon's Maw ability, the move was terrifying in both name and power. The moment it fired, an overwhelming draconic pressure burst out in all directions.
The two forces collided in a violent deadlock. Within three seconds, the dragon-shaped projection was shattered into fragments, and Garchomp's form spiraled helplessly through the air, falling in a freefall.
"Forest's Healing!"
At that moment, Paul's voice rang out.
From outside the field, Torterra lifted its head—the bindings on its shell radiating with vibrant life energy. A cluster of green light drifted outward and gently landed on Garchomp.
This was a newly adapted move developed by Paul's Torterra, inspired by the Tree of Beginning from ancient lore—it was a precision healing technique rooted in the energy of the land: Targeted Forest's Healing.
Bathed in the emerald glow, Garchomp's injuries and stamina rapidly recovered. At the same time, it corrected its posture midair, regaining control of its descent—and locked eyes with Regidrago once more, its gaze more savage than ever.
But Regidrago showed no reaction. Maintaining the form, it immediately summoned another beam of ancient draconic power—a thunderous blast of purple energy streaked across the battlefield.
Seeing this, Garchomp hesitated no longer. It launched into Dragon Dance, increasing its speed dramatically as it narrowly evaded the blast, closing the distance with Regidrago.
After two successive Dragon Dance boosts, Garchomp finally possessed the mobility and reaction time to contest Regidrago on more even footing.
But Regidrago suddenly twisted its body upward. A glowing sphere of energy condensed at its maw—Energy Ball!—before unleashing it skyward. Moments later, a Draco Meteor began to rain down.
The impact zone was immense—wide enough to cover multiple battlefields at once.
Various Pokémon scrambled to react—some dodging, some forcefully blocking, while others used the massive forms of the Legendary Titans as makeshift shields. Through desperate measures, they withstood the devastating storm.
As for Garchomp, it relied on its increased speed to weave through the falling meteors.
But just as it evaded the last of the meteor barrage, a blazing Dragon Energy Cannon blasted forth directly in its path. Though Garchomp instinctively raised its claws for a Dragon Claw counter, the sheer force of the blast knocked it from the sky once again.
Crashing to the ground, Garchomp was now hanging by a thread. It barely managed to rise—its breathing ragged, its body battered—but the bloodlust in its draconic eyes only grew fiercer, as if it were building up toward some ultimate release of power.
Still, Regidrago remained silent and unfazed. It fixed its aim on Garchomp once more, charging another devastating blast of Dragon Energy.
"Frenzy Plant!"
SHHH! SHHH!
BOOM!
In a desperate moment, the ground cracked open. Hardened vines erupted from beneath Garchomp's feet, surging upward to intercept the Beam of Ruination. The two forces collided violently in midair, detonating with a thunderous blast that echoed through the sky, unleashing shockwaves in all directions.
Torterra had stepped in at the critical moment—shielding Garchomp from what could have been a decisive blow.
Under normal circumstances, losing a battle was just a loss. Paul wouldn't have minded.
After all, failure was simply another form of training.
If Garchomp chose to take a direct hit and lost as a result, then that defeat should be accepted without complaint.
But what Paul saw now was troubling—Garchomp's condition clearly wasn't right.
That's why Paul made the call and had Torterra intervene.
"Raaa... Break!!"
Garchomp didn't move a muscle. His eyes locked onto Regidrago, and his Dragon Claw transformed into a blade of light. The aura around him surged with intensity.
A blood-red energy coiled around his body, while a radiant blue glow began to shimmer from within.
Green. Red. Blue.
Three distinct colors began to flicker across his form—each growing ever more vivid.
(End of Chapter)
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