Sometimes, I really wonder what goes on inside your head. Professor Oak scratched his head and mused, "If only I knew as much as you do."
The girls around nodded in agreement, often sharing the same thought.
Carl chuckled and shifted the topic, "Is Grandpa Lou's seaside restaurant really that good?"
"Are you planning to eat there?" Professor Oak asked while making himself instant noodles. "His cooking is of a five-star caliber, with some signature dishes that surpass even that."
"As long as there are signature dishes, it's worth a try," Carl nodded.
Professor Oak looked envious, "I should have stayed over last night instead of heading back to Pallet Town. Now I'm stuck with instant noodles."
"That's really a shame," Carl said with a grin. "You're going to miss quite a show."
"What?!" Professor Oak's instant noodles fell to the ground. Missing out on food was one thing, but missing out on time with Carl was another. Who knows what news he might pick up over a meal? Now, Carl's mention of a show made him even more eager.
Professor Oak's curiosity piqued at Carl's mention of a spectacle. Anything described like that by Carl was bound to be extraordinary.
"Could it be a legendary Pokémon appearing in Blue Pearl Beach?" Professor Oak speculated eagerly.
"Not quite," Carl replied, easing the old man's anxiety.
But what Carl said next kept him on edge, "However, for you, this might be even more exciting than seeing a legendary Pokémon."
"What exactly is it? Tell me! If not, I'll have Dragonite fly me over right now," Professor Oak said, rubbing his hands in anticipation.
"Too late," Carl glanced at his phone's ferry schedule. "By the time you get here, the party will be over."
Blue Pearl Beach is an isolated island with only two ferries going back and forth each day. The morning ferry had already left, and even if Professor Oak rode his Dragonite, it would take hours.
"Looks like our meal will have to be dinner instead," Carl said, his gaze drifting to the distant city.
Separated from the main beach by a large stretch of rocks and a fence, their private beach suddenly felt tense.
Dark clouds gathered over the previously sunny sea, pressing down with a suffocating weight. The weather forecast had promised a clear day, but nature had its own plans.
"Lorelei, let's not forget why we came here. Time to get to work," Carl said, turning to Lorelei, who was putting on her jacket.
He hadn't intended to intervene, but given the situation, he couldn't ignore it. With the Water-type champion present, things should be manageable. And if not, Cynthia was nearby too.
"You mean the giant Pokémon attack?" Lorelei asked, fastening her jacket buttons with a serious expression.
"Exactly," Carl nodded. "That creature is enormous, even legendary Pokémon would be taken aback by its size."
"Big enough to surprise a legendary Pokémon?" Lusamine couldn't help but interject, "As far as I know, legendary Pokémon can grow to forty meters or so in their gigantamax forms. Are you saying there's a Pokémon over a hundred meters? That defies biology!"
Carl remained silent.
Lillie suddenly tugged on Lusamine's sleeve, "Look over there!"
"What is it?" Lusamine followed her gaze and her eyes widened.
"Oh my gosh! What is that monster?"
"Is this some kind of double gigantamax?"
Typically, gigantamax Pokémon grow three to ten times their usual size, reaching around forty meters. No matter their original size, they all end up roughly the same size, leading many to believe it's just a visual distortion.
After all, a gigantamax Pikachu and Steelix reach the same height, which seems improbable.
Normal gigantamax Pokémon are around forty meters tall.
But a double gigantamax would mean doubling that size again.
"Over a hundred meters?"
"More than that," Carl said gravely. "What we're seeing is only a small part of the giant Tentacruel. If it fully emerged, it might rival skyscrapers."
Everyone gasped.
Blue Pearl Beach, known for its towering high-rises, had buildings that were over a hundred meters, some nearing two hundred.
Could this Tentacruel be taller than two hundred meters?
"Why is this giant Tentacruel appearing? Is it a special mutation?" Cynthia asked, quickly donning her coat. She understood that a creature of such size, with even a basic Water Gun, could unleash an attack rivaling a champion Pokémon's full power. Lorelei alone wouldn't be enough to handle it. As a regional champion, she had to assist.
"This is its natural state," Carl explained. "It's neither a normal gigantamax nor an infinite gigantamax. It should be considered a special mutation."
"Infinite gigantamax?" Nanami blurted out.
"Simply put, it's a gigantamax without limits, but only specific Pokémon can achieve it, so it's not widespread," Carl shrugged with a hint of frustration. "But now's not the time for that discussion."
Nanami blushed, "Sorry, it's a force of habit." She had a fascination with gigantamax studies, frequently visiting regions to investigate. Hearing new terms piqued her curiosity. Since she wasn't involved in the rescue, her demeanor was relaxed.
Professor Oak on the screen shook his head, "Regardless of your interest, you must mind the occasion."
"Grandpa, did you see that giant Tentacruel?" Nanami suddenly changed the topic.
"Of course! It's the most remarkable live specimen!"
"I knew you'd say that, but you're missing out by not being here."
So that's what Carl meant! Professor Oak slapped the table, "I'm heading out now, hoping to catch up for research!" With that, he ended the call.
All set to go, Lorelei asked Carl, "Any more details on the Tentacruel?"
"That's about it," Carl said with his hands in his pockets. "Its appearance is linked to Team Rocket, but whether they can replicate it is unknown. The attack on Blue Pearl Beach is pure retaliation for humans destroying its home."
He paused, "If the Kanto League resolves this before the military steps in, you might get to study it. Otherwise, I may have Hoopa deal with it."
Initially, he had no interest in this mutated Tentacruel. Despite its destructive power, its abnormal size would draw too much attention and competition.
But things had changed—he had Hoopa. Hoopa had been trapped for a century because most of its power, along with its shadow, was sealed in the Prison Bottle, creating a unique barrier.
Within the barrier, Hoopa could transport objects through rings but couldn't travel itself. By harnessing the World Tree's power, Carl had freed Hoopa from its desert prison. Although its full strength hadn't returned, its teleportation capabilities were no longer limited.