Come again!
Snorlax had never been this imposing before, and the little stars twinkled in Togetic's eyes as it watched from Natsuhiko's arms.
So cool.
Seeing this scene, Natsuhiko also raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.
It wasn't Snorlax's performance that surprised him, but rather the strength of this Turtonator.
It seemed... not that strong.
Elite Candidate Level?
Comparable to Snorlax in strength.
Compared to those Salandit and Salazzle, it was indeed strong, and considering it had been living in the searing magma for many years, even other Pokémon might not see or attack it if they got close.
Even Snorlax could only shout from the shore, not daring to step into the magma.
The magma temperature here was much higher than the lava region where Magcargo lived outside.
Since it was Elite Candidate Level, Natsuhiko wasn't that apprehensive anymore.
After all, you couldn't expect to encounter a wild Elite Trainer Level Pokémon everywhere you went.
For wild Pokémon, without the support of a group or many tribe members to help gather resources, unless they had extraordinary talent or some opportunity, reaching Elite Trainer Level strength was quite difficult.
Just like Dragapult back then, which took thousands or even tens of thousands of years under the infusion of dense Ghost Energy to reach such strength.
While the Death God Plate from around the same period was still just Elite Level.
Thump—
Since the Turtonator wouldn't come out, Natsuhiko brought several Pokémon onto the platform next to the magma pool.
Glancing at the Turtonator, which was wary of Snorlax in the magma, he strode towards the stone platform in the middle of the magma pool.
Noticing Natsuhiko's actions, the Turtonator couldn't sit still anymore, growling lowly to try and scare off Natsuhiko.
But Snorlax stood like a massive wall in front of it, unmoved by its roars.
Finally.
Just as Natsuhiko was about to approach the stone platform, the Turtonator couldn't hold back anymore.
Stirring the rolling magma, it quickly moved towards Natsuhiko.
"Here it comes." Natsuhiko's eyes flashed as he walked with his head down, calculating the Turtonator's advance.
"Snorlax, block it."
"Gamu!"
Snorlax opened its arms wide. Already larger than ordinary Snorlax, it stood with its arms spread out, blocking the path of the Turtonator, whose nearly two-meter height seemed like a child in front of Snorlax.
Facing Snorlax's blockade, the Turtonator immediately adjusted its posture, arching its body to meet Snorlax with its back.
Its shell was covered with a large amount of sulfur, which could cause violent explosions with the slightest touch. This shell was not only its strongest defensive tool but also its most potent weapon.
Trap Shell!
A technique that only the Turtonator in the entire Pokemon Realm could learn and master, almost equivalent to a signature move, with tremendous destructive power.
"Instant Amnesia."
Natsuhiko's voice came through, reminding Snorlax, who was prepared to fight back with an attack of its own.
"Gamu."
Snorlax let out a low growl, its head shimmering with a psychic pink glow, forgetting what it had eaten for breakfast today in exchange for a significant boost in Special Defense.
At the same time, numerous scattered cherry blossom petals fell on its body.
Cherrim quietly activated Sunny Day, changing its form and bestowing the Flower Ceremony trait's buff onto Snorlax.
Although the difference in strength was large, and Cherrim's boost couldn't maximize the Flower Ceremony trait's effect, it was enough.
Thick Fat trait, Flower Ceremony's Special Defense boost, and Instant Amnesia's Special Defense boost together made Snorlax the strongest Special Defense shield at the moment!
As these preparations were completed, the shell on the Turtonator's back approached Snorlax.
Snorlax lifted its hands, standing steadily on its broad feet, ready to catch the attack directly with its hands.
Boom!!!
A violent explosion erupted at the moment Snorlax's palms touched the Turtonator's shell.
The terrifying airflow swept through the entire cave, with magma in the pool scattering outward from the center of their collision, waves of magma pummeling the surrounding rock walls, shooting up a rain of magma.
The psychic power fusion of Natsuhiko and Yujira withstood the impact and aftermath.
And then they saw.
Snorlax, looking gray and dusty.
But its eyes, peeking through the narrow slits, were exceptionally bright.
Because its upraised arms had firmly grasped the Turtonator's back shell.
The Turtonator was full of disbelief—its strongest attack had been forcibly caught by the opponent?
This creature's defense power... what kind of monster was it?
In fact, Snorlax was also injured, despite having so many boosts and the heat insulation provided by the Thick Fat, it had withstood an attack with a power as high as 150 from the Turtonator.
But the injury seemed insignificant compared to Snorlax's extraordinary stamina.
"Gamu!!"
Snorlax let out a low growl, its body emitting an orange glow again. Grabbing the Turtonator with its arms, it slammed it toward its own belly while also thrusting out its belly.
Hundred Thousand Horsepower!
Bam!!
A Ground-type Technique with a type advantage against the Turtonator, with attack power boosted by Abdominal Drumming still in effect.
And so, the Turtonator ended up the same way it had come, being catapulted and crashing heavily into the opposite rock wall.
The hard wall was forcibly smashed into a depression, with the Turtonator embedded in it.
No movement at all.
"Gamu—"
Snorlax patted its belly, evidently satisfied with the outcome.
Having not fought in a while, its battle strength was still the same, giving it peace of mind.
Abdominal Drumming plus Hundred Thousand Horsepower, and it actually knocked out the Turtonator in one hit.
"Hua..."
'So... so strong...'
Doublade looked up at Snorlax's massive form and murmured.
It understood that Natsuhiko had it practice the Combined Techniques of Continuous Slash and Holy Sword to achieve this kind of extreme, instant-kill satisfaction.
It was so exhilarating.
Seeing the Turtonator defeated, Natsuhiko was relieved and walked up to the stone platform.
Only then did he finally see clearly the dark red special stone placed on the platform, with a golden vein running through it, flickering off and on. The golden magma beneath the surface around this stone also seemed to flicker along with the golden vein.
Just being close to it, terrifying heat hit his face.
"Is the temperature of the magma in this Molten Rock Cave so high because of it?"
This stone, even with Natsuhiko's deep knowledge of various tools and materials in the Pokemon Realm, he couldn't tell what it was at first glance.
But knowing it could influence the entire magma in this Molten Rock Cave, it was undoubtedly not a simple thing.
His mind flashed through all of the Fire-type Pokémon, but none matched.
"Chaki—"
Togetic held the Super Evolution Stone embedded in the crevice of the stone platform, offering it to Natsuhiko like a treasure, its small eyes blinking expectantly, awaiting praise.
Seeing its expression, Natsuhiko couldn't help but smile.
He rubbed its small head and praised, "Well done."
Interrupted by Togetic in this way, Natsuhiko also paused his attempt to figure out from memory what this dark red stone was.
Anyway, it definitely wasn't something simple and absolutely had high value.
When he returned to the Pokemon Realm, he would look up information to see if he could figure out what this thing was.
Thinking of this.
He encased his hands in psychic energy and reached for the stone.
However.
Just as he touched the stone, something unusual happened.
Boom!!!
A surge of heat shot out from within the stone.
And the Sunny Day orb released by Cherrim above the Molten Rock Cave, to change its form...
was dispersed.