"Defense counterattack! Bastiodon, use Metal Burst!" shouted Byron, the Canalave Gym Leader.
Bastiodon's metallic body shone brightly as it absorbed the damage it had just taken. Energy crackled around it like molten steel, and a red-transparent Metal Coat aura pulsed through its armor. With a sudden burst of power, it channeled the attack back at its foe through a powerful Spit Up!
Whoosh!!
Bang!!
The Metal Burst exploded forward, slamming squarely into Rhyperior's chest.
"Rrraaaagh!" Rhyperior roared as the blast sent shockwaves across the arena.
Metal Burst reflects 1.5 times the received damage—a punishing strike even for a Pokémon as durable as Rhyperior. Its stone plates cracked under the sheer recoil of its own power, yet it remained standing, trembling with pain.
"Excellent!" Byron clenched his fist. "Now, Bastiodon, follow up with Flash Cannon!"
Gary, his opponent, raised a hand sharply. "Rhyperior! Charge in with Horn Drill!"
The massive Drill Pokémon let out a deep, rumbling growl as its horn spun into a blur of blinding white light. It thundered forward, drilling straight into Bastiodon's beam of Steel-type energy. The Flash Cannon's silver beam was split like mist before the unstoppable drill head.
"So, it's Horn Drill…" Byron's eyes narrowed. "But Bastiodon doesn't have a single weak point. Use Iron Head!"
Bastiodon's steel armor shimmered with a molten glow, reflecting the harsh stadium lights like a polished shield. It charged forward with unyielding momentum, horns first, encased in Iron-type energy.
"Rhyperior!" Gary barked. "Stop it in its tracks and grab it!"
Rhyperior planted its colossal feet, the battlefield cracking beneath its weight. With a deep grunt, it braced itself and extended its arms wide to intercept Bastiodon.
"BAS-TI!" Bastiodon bellowed defiantly, crashing into Rhyperior's chest. Sparks flew. Metal scraped against stone. The shock of impact reverberated across the Gym floor.
"Come on, Bastiodon!" Byron urged. "Push it back!"
But Rhyperior roared, forcing forward with monstrous strength until it had both arms locked around the Iron Shield Pokémon.
"What—?!" Byron's eyes widened. "You actually caught it?"
Rhyperior tightened its hold, the grooves of its armor grinding against Bastiodon's steel plates.
"Even ten Bastiodons couldn't outmuscle my Rhyperior!" Gary declared proudly.
Byron smirked. "Oh, we'll see about that. Bastiodon, Flash Cannon!"
"Rhyperior, Dynamic Punch!" Gary countered.
Both Trainers shouted at once.
Rhyperior's right fist glowed with intense, swirling Fighting-type energy, transparency turning to visible heat. Meanwhile, Bastiodon's maw lit up — silver beams gathering at the edges in a concentrated pulse of power.
BOOM!!
Rhyperior's colossal fist collided mid-charge into Bastiodon's face before the attack could fully discharge. The entire arena shook violently from the impact.
The metallic light in Bastiodon's mouth sputtered out. The steel energy scattered into the air as the Iron Shield Pokémon staggered backward, eyes spinning, its movements sluggish and erratic.
Byron gritted his teeth. "Not good. Dynamic Punch's side effect—it's confused!"
"Now, Rhyperior!" Gary commanded. "Circle around and hit Dynamic Punch again!"
The massive Pokémon roared, stamping the ground as it pivoted expertly, surprisingly swift for its bulk. It leapt, spun, and drove another blazing fist toward Bastiodon's flank.
"Bastiodon, shake it off!" Byron commanded. "Hold steady—steel yourself!"
But the Iron Shield Pokémon was trembling, movements unpredictable. It spat a distorted Flash Cannon into the air that fizzled weakly before dissipating.
The second Dynamic Punch connected cleanly.
THRUM!!
Bastiodon's metal faceplate cracked under the blow. It was launched backward, sliding across the rocky floor before slamming into the Gym wall with a metallic crash.
Dust and smoke filled the arena.
"Bastiodon has lost its ability to battle!" called the Gym referee, raising a flag. "All of Gym Leader Byron's Pokémon are unable to continue. The winner of this official Canalave Gym Match is Gary!"
Byron sighed, his expression softening. He returned Bastiodon to its Poké Ball.
"You've defeated the Pokémon that make me proud, Gary," Byron said warmly. "I acknowledge your strength. Please, accept this — the Mine Badge of Canalave Gym."
He handed over the shining badge shaped like a faceted piece of iron ore.
Gary accepted it with a respectful nod. "Thank you, Byron."
[Ding! The system chimed in Gary's mind.]
[Mission complete. Reward has been delivered to the space backpack.]
After receiving the Mine Badge, Gary didn't linger. Leaving the Gym, he stepped into the bright Sinnoh sunlight, released his Garchomp, and soared toward the easternmost part of the region.
Soaring through clouds, the Dragon-type cut through the sky like a blade.
Gary opened his system interface, scrolling through his newly acquired rewards.
[Reward Item: Peat Block]
[Can be used on Ursaring below Legendary potential. Increases potential level by +1.]
He frowned. "A Peat Block? Seriously? Another evolution item?"
This system clearly had an obsession with evolutionary items.
According to the data, an Ursaring can evolve into Ursaluna using a Peat Block. There are, however, two known forms: the standard Ursaluna native to Sinnoh's ancient Hisui area and the Bloodmoon Ursaluna recently documented in modern studies.
Both require the Peat Block, but the Bloodmoon variant must evolve under a full moon.
The two forms share generally similar physiques, though their battle natures differ significantly. Ordinary Ursaluna is a ferocious physical powerhouse, while Bloodmoon Ursaluna is a mystical hybrid — a special attacker channeling lunar energy through the earth.
The Bloodmoon Ursaluna also possesses an exclusive Ability, Mind's Eye, allowing it to see and strike through illusions, evasion tactics, and even semi-invisibility — attacks cannot miss when the foe hides in mist or darkness.
In addition, this form boasts the special move Blood Moon, a formidable 140-power special attack that drains moonlight energy. Like Giga Impact or Hyper Beam, it can't be used consecutively, but its destructive potential is undeniable.
Gary crossed his arms in thought. "Hmm… impressive. But if I could choose, I'd still stick with the regular Ursaluna — the standard one has three possible Abilities. Flexibility beats flash."
While Bloodmoon Ursaluna's mysticism fascinated researchers, Gary preferred reliable strength over spectacle.
"To each Trainer their own moon bear," he mused with a grin.
He then flicked through the system's options. "System, redeem one Steel-type TM for Steel Beam."
[Ding!]
[Skill learner redeemed successfully!]
"Good," Gary muttered. "Steel Beam — the strongest Steel-type special move there is. That one's going to the lab team for sure."
Two hours later, Garchomp landed gracefully at the glittering harbor of Sunyshore City.
The bright metropolis gleamed with glass and solar panels. Every roof glowed golden in the sun's reflection, feeding power to the entire city via solar energy.
Sunyshore was not only Sinnoh's eco-capital — it was the direct gateway to the Lily of the Valley Conference, where the region's best contended for the Champion's seat.
But energy management here was controlled almost entirely by Volkner, the city's renowned Gym Leader and engineer genius. His inventions powered the Gym and much of Sinnoh itself, harnessing the sun's energy to keep everything running.
The city's prosecutor once failed to regulate its power grid and handed the entire energy system over to the Elite Four for inspection — but even they deferred to Volkner's authority on electricity.
"Brilliant as always," Gary murmured, gazing at the glimmering panels.
He guided Garchomp down near the Pokémon Center, recalling the dragon-type into its Poké Ball. He then hopped onto his sleek green Cyclizar, the two-wheeled lizard Pokémon whose tail served as the rear axle, and revved it loud enough to make nearby Wingull scatter.