A sharp whinny sounded from the grass as a figure wreathed in crimson flames came galloping over...
The crisp clip-clop of hooves against the ground rang out as Ponyta dashed up to Caleb and affectionately nuzzled his cheek with its head.
Caleb nearly toppled over from the impact, but Dragonite swiftly steadied him with its claws.
Petting Ponyta's neck, Caleb asked, "Was it you following us earlier?"
Ponyta raised its head in confusion. It had just happened to pass by. So that wasn't it.
"Alright, maybe I was mistaken," Caleb said, glancing in the direction Dragonite had indicated before dropping the matter.
Ponyta let out two crisp whinnies, trotted forward a few steps, then turned back to gaze at Caleb with its large and bright black eyes.
Caleb understood... Ponyta was inviting him to ride.
This wasn't an opportunity just anyone got. Happily accepting, Caleb climbed onto Ponyta's back, and the fiery steed joyfully took off into the forest at a gallop.
Dragonite couldn't keep up on foot and had to fly after them.
After they left, a Riolu dropped down from a thickly leafed tree. It stood where Caleb had been moments ago, silently staring in the direction Ponyta had gone.
A moment later, it moved again, chasing after them...
...
~Evening~
Caleb rode Dragonite high into the sky, looking down at the island shaped like a Caterpie...
Amid the boundless sea, the island appeared utterly isolated. Even from thousands of meters in the air, no other land could be seen beyond it.
Caleb pursed his lips, refocusing on the island. Using the campsite as a dividing line, the island could be split into four regions: east, west, south, and north.
The eastern area was relatively small. Its terrain was dominated by dense forests. It's also where the Dynamax Mamoswine appeared.
Compared to the east, the western region mainly consisted of rivers and swamps, it was home to many Water and Poison-type Pokémon.
The southern area was filled with steep cliffs and caves, where the sound of waves crashing against the rocks at night echoed through the labyrinthine caverns.
In the north stood a massive volcano. Its slopes were covered in lush trees and flowers... It clearly hadn't erupted in a long time.
Apart from the eastern region, the Dynamax/Gigantamax Pokémon in the other three areas had yet to reveal themselves.
Tonight's task was to identify the species of the Dynamax Pokémon in those regions.
But…
Caleb turned his gaze to the sea. Beyond the land, there was also a Gigantamax Lapras lurking in the waters.
If defeating Dynamax Pokémon was truly the key to uncovering the main quest's clues, then a life-or-death battle with Lapras was inevitable. {T/N: Gigantamaxing is also a form of Dynamaxing...}
Admittedly, this Scenario's difficulty had skyrocketed compared to the previous two.
Circling the entire island from the air, Caleb committed the general terrain of each region to memory.
Soon, the sun set, and night fell once more.
At that moment, a faint purple-black glow flashed below, instantly spreading to the island's edges before vanishing into the air.
Dragonite frowned. It sensed that strange energy again.
Caleb also noticed the anomaly, something he hadn't caught in previous nights. But before he could ponder it further, a series of deafening roars erupted from across the island.
Out at sea, a colossal figure breached the surface. Gigantamax Lapras had reappeared, swimming around the island once more.
Glancing at Lapras, Caleb placed a hand on Dragonite's back. Understanding, Dragonite flapped its wings and soared toward the western region.
Yet before they could descend, a massive shadow surged from the darkness, a furious gale roaring in its wake.
*Wooosh!*
Dragonite gritted its teeth, struggling to stabilize itself.
To avoid being blown off, Caleb flattened himself against Dragonite's back, minimizing wind resistance.
Once the turbulent currents subsided, he looked up, only to see an enormous silhouette hovering directly ahead blocking their path.
Caleb used Scout on the figure. A second later, its details appeared on his interface:
[Gigantamax Butterfree: Lv. 100]
"Damn it! Run!" Caleb ordered without hesitation.
Dragonite was only Level 66 right now. It was no match for Butterfree, especially while carrying him.
Obediently, Dragonite wheeled around and fled at top speed...
The Gigantamax Butterfree gave chase, relentlessly bombarding them with MaxAirstream.
'This is way too intense!' Caleb felt like he was about to ascend to the heavens.
To avoid being blown off and plummeting to his death, he barked, "Drop altitude!"
Below stretched an endless sea of trees... once they entered, Butterfree would lose sight of them.
"Wuu!"
Dragonite acknowledged, adjusting its angle mid-flight before diving toward the forest.
Though Butterfree was fast, Dragonite wasn't slow either. Within moments, they plunged into the treetops and vanished into the emerald canopy.
Butterfree instantly lost its target. Towering over the trees, it couldn't see beneath the dense foliage.
Letting out a shrill cry, it gathered green energy around itself before furiously unleashing G-Max Befuddle at the ground below.
But none of its attacks connected...
....
The rapid descent sent Dragonite skidding across the forest floor for over a dozen meters, only stopping after crashing through a stunted sapling...
Weakly sliding off Dragonite's back, Caleb slumped against a tree alongside his partner. Both were panting heavily.
Exchanging a glance, they shared a look of relief. A red mark had formed on Dragonite's forehead from the impact, its eyes glistening with unshed tears as it gazed pitifully at Caleb.
Guilt gnawed at Caleb as he reached out to use his Viridian Power while murmuring, "Sorry, I was too reckless."
Dragonite shook its head, patting Caleb's shoulder reassuringly. The chonky dragon didn't blame him...
Just then, hurried footsteps approached from nearby.
Caleb and Dragonite tensed, and hurriedly turned their heads, only to see a beautiful woman with long disheveled hair sprinting toward them. She seemed out of breath.
Luna's eyes lit up at the sight of Caleb, she exclaimed, "It's you!"
Dragonite eyed her warily.
Luna froze, then hastily explained, "Don't worry, I mean no harm! I saw that Butterfree chasing someone and came to check."
She had initially thought it was Drake's group being pursued, and had come to mock them... only to find Caleb instead...