"Terastallize, Swampert!"
As Lucas shouted, he gripped the Tera Orb. The dark orb suddenly glowed blue—a strange energy called Terastal energy.
He tossed the glowing orb at Swampert's head in a perfect arc.
Swampert stared up at the orb. As if responding, the Tera Orb burst into dazzling, jewel-like light.
The light rained down, crystallizing around Swampert. The next moment, with a glass-like shattering sound, the crystalline shell exploded.
In the scattering shards, Swampert's transformed body appeared before Lucas, Arven, and Mabosstiff.
Now, Swampert's body looked covered in gems, shining brilliantly.
On its head was a crown-like Tera jewel, atop which appeared something like a cross-section of the earth itself.
This object, made of pure Terastal energy, was filled with all sorts of elements—
Oceans, plains, mountains, inner core, outer core, mantle, crust, and more.
It looked bizarre and otherworldly.
Lucas murmured, "Terastal… Ground type."
Arven was even more excited than Lucas, hugging Mabosstiff and stomping his feet in delight.
"It's Terastallization! So cool, so awesome!!"
He gazed in awe—when would he be able to Terastallize Mabosstiff?
Lucas was a bit confused. Was Arven always this excitable?
Compared to Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, and Dynamax, Terastallization's style was a bit odd.
But as one of the four great systems, its potential was undeniable.
Lucas beckoned. Swampert, feeling the strange new energy in its body, lumbered over and crouched beside him.
Lucas poked the Terastal Ground Jewel, curious. "It's solid. I wonder how hard it is…"
Swampert noticed the weird object on its head, looking annoyed.
So that was why walking felt off—this thing was throwing off its balance. Not heavy, but enough to affect high-level battle maneuvers.
Lucas could tell Swampert didn't like the crown and smiled, "You'll get used to it. It makes you stronger."
"Swamp…"
Swampert touched the crown, grumbling.
Watching, Lucas suddenly thought of some special uses for the crown but shook his head to dismiss the ideas.
He was retired. What was the point of thinking about battle tricks?
Shaking off such thoughts, Lucas said to Arven, "Come on, I'll show you something cool!"
"Okay!"
Arven nodded, following Lucas, Swampert, and Mabosstiff.
Soon, they reached the overgrown, rock-strewn farm plot.
Arven blinked in disbelief.
He was still young, but thanks to his parents read a lot.
He could tell Lucas's crop area was so barren, that even potatoes might not grow!
Turning wasteland into farmland took massive labor and resources. Could Pokémon speed it up?
He suddenly looked at the Terastalized Swampert, realizing something.
Lucas and Swampert exchanged a knowing glance. No words needed, Swampert got ready, gathering ground-type energy.
And then Swampert was shocked.
The ground-type energy inside it now shimmered with the same dazzling light as its Terastallized state. As it used its move, both Swampert and Lucas were stunned.
Swampert stomped the ground, and a wave of crystal-shining brown earth swept out like a tsunami.
The move: Stomping Tantrum!
Everything in its path—rocks, weeds—was pulverized. Even the hard ground was turned to fluffy soil.
Earlier, Lucas had Serperior use her high-level Pokémon pressure to drive all the wild Pokémon from the area, so there wouldn't be any casualties.
Swampert stared, dumbfounded, at its Terastal crown and then its feet.
It hadn't used much energy, expecting to only clear a small patch. But with this mysterious Terastal boost, Stomping Tantrum was almost as strong as Earthquake!
If Stomping Tantrum were this strong, what would an Earthquake be like?
Swampert now truly understood why Lucas had said what he did—Terastallization simply, powerfully boosted its strength.
If it'd had this before, it might have beaten that Abomasnow…
Swampert fell into deep thought.
Arven, hugging Mabosstiff, blushed with excitement and awe. "So strong… Is this the power of a champion-level trainer's Pokémon?"
Lucas recovered from his shock. He'd known Terastallization was strong, but seeing it in person was still surprising.
No wonder it was ranked alongside Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, and Dynamax.
Once Swampert mastered Terastal power, it would have a huge edge over Luxray.
Afterward, Lucas had Swampert finish clearing the farm and pasture. All the rocks were pulverized, and weeds uprooted.
When all was done, Swampert dropped out of Terastal form, savoring the recent surge of power, and stared at Lucas's Tera Orb.
Seeing Swampert's look, Lucas glanced at the now-dim black orb and grumbled, "Having to recharge after one use is bad design!"