Looking at the Cofagrigus that had been lifted up by Machamp and tossed to her feet, Officer Jenny couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the packaging on its body.
"Come here, Arcanine."
Arcanine aimed its huge mouth at the Cofagrigus. In the Cofagrigus's terrified eyes, scorching flames swept out, wrapping it up.
"You bully the coffin too much!"
The Cofagrigus let out an incredibly angry cry, and then completely lost consciousness.
"Looks like it fainted."
Officer Jenny kicked the Cofagrigus and said.
"If it fainted, let it faint."
Lucas glanced at it and said: "As long as it's not dead."
"That's true."
"So this is the culprit?"
"Sort of, but the sandstorm weather must be someone else. If I'm not mistaken, it should be that Pokémon."
As Lucas finished speaking, a sound came from inside the Cave.
Immediately after, a huge figure slowly appeared in the darkness.
It stood on two legs, its huge tail swinging behind it, and the claws on its two small hands were exceptionally sharp.
"Roar!"
It glared at Lucas and let out a roar.
Gengar, Gothitelle, Machamp, Ninetales, and Zoroark all stood in front of Lucas, staring at the shadow in front of them.
"That is—"
Officer Jenny looked at the Pokémon that was gradually revealing its form and couldn't help but speak: "Why would it appear here?"
This Pokémon was covered in armor-like green shells. Several spikes of different sizes protruded from the back of its head, neck, and shoulders. There was also a ring of smaller spikes at the end of its tail. Its upper and lower jaws each had a pair of fangs, and its hands and feet both had three claws. The Tyranitar's shell had two triangular holes on each side of its chest, in the center of its back, and on its knees, with the inside of the holes being black.
The desert tyrant, Tyranitar.
This Tyranitar was exceptionally tall, even taller than the nearly two-meter-tall Machamp. At this moment, its cold eyes were vigilantly staring at Gengar and the others.
'Where did these Pokémon come from—'
'Why is everyone's aura so scary—'
'Can I beat them?'
'No, even if I can't beat them, I have to fight! I have a reason I can't lose—'
"Roar!"
'Get out!'
Tyranitar roared again, and a sandstorm began to blow in the Cave.
"Whoosh!"
'Get lost!'
Ninetales emitted astonishing heat, forcibly dissipating the small sandstorm in the Cave.
Outside the Cave.
"Pfft."
"Pfft."
"Pfft."
"Why is the sandstorm getting bigger?"
Professor Rowan's assistant finished speaking and spat out a mouthful of sand.
'If I had known, I wouldn't have led the team here.'
Inside the Cave.
Lucas looked at the Tyranitar in front of him.
"Why do I always feel like something is wrong?"
Tyranitar stood firmly in place, but Lucas felt that it seemed to be blocking the path behind it, not letting Lucas and the others pass. This Tyranitar was very strong, but on Lucas's side, four of Machamp's Dynamic Punches would be enough to take it down four times over. There was also Lilligant, whose Seed Flare, like a missile, could also make it lose its ability to resist instantly.
Lucas's Pokémon had too many moves that countered it.
Logically speaking, a normal Tyranitar would definitely turn and run upon seeing this, but this Tyranitar remained in place. It didn't attack like other Tyranitar, but it didn't retreat either.
Staring at the expression on the Tyranitar's face, there was a hint of anxiety.
"Misdreavus, come here."
During the standoff, Lucas waved his hand. After Misdreavus flew over, Lucas whispered to it.
"Is there any other Pokémon in the Cave behind it besides itself?"
Misdreavus recalled for a moment, then nodded.
"Mis— It seems its child is there, but its body seems to be in poor health. After the Cofagrigus brought us to submit to it, its body seemed to get even worse. It used to be able to walk, but a few days ago when we looked from afar, it seemed to have fallen into a coma."
'So that's why.'
'It's carrying a child.'
Lucas looked at the Tyranitar, and its introduction popped up in front of him.
[Tyranitar]
[Gender: Female]
[Introduction: Inherited the child of her late sister, but the child seems to have some kind of congenital disease. She traveled over mountains and rivers with her own child and her sister's child, only wishing to find medicine that could cure her sister's child. Not long ago, she met a Cofagrigus that had arrived in the Unova region, and the Cofagrigus lied, claiming it knew where the medicine she needed was. So, she followed the Cofagrigus with the children to this place. However, due to unknown reasons, the child fell into a coma, so she was forced to stay here.]
After Lucas finished reading the text that popped up in the text box and understood the ins and outs of the matter, he looked at the Tyranitar.
Just as both sides were about to fight, Lucas suddenly spoke.
"Tyranitar, can you do me a favor?"
Officer Jenny: "—"
'At a time like this, you're asking for a favor?'
Lucas: 'Oops, I'm used to saying that. I accidentally said it naturally—'
Tyranitar: "???"
"I mean, I might have a way to help you solve the problem you are currently facing."
Tyranitar glared at Lucas and let out a low roar.
"Roar?"
'What?'
"Oh, never mind. I mean, I might have a way to help you cure your child's illness."
'Why does this Tyranitar feel like it's not very smart, just like a block of stone.'
"Roar?"
'Really? Why should I trust you?'
"Why?"
Hearing the Tyranitar's doubt, Lucas revealed a kind smile, looking at the Tyranitar.
"Because, you can't beat me. Is this reason enough?"
"Roar!"
'Bulls*it!'
"Ma Machamp?!"
'Wanna spar?!'
Machamp stepped forward, his four fists constantly clashing, the sound deafening in the Cave.
The muscles on his arms were constantly expanding, veins bulging, especially the arm tied with the Black Belt, as if one punch could blast the Tyranitar away.
Tyranitar looked at the eager Machamp in front of her and couldn't help but gulp secretly.
'Where did this Machamp come from—how did he grow so big—'
'If he hits me with one punch, won't I die?'
"Roar—"
'Are you serious?'
Lucas nodded. "But I have to go in and take a look."
Tyranitar hesitated for a moment, then finally cleared the way and walked in first.
"By the way, Tyranitar, what should we do about this Cofagrigus?"
Lucas pointed at the just-awakened Cofagrigus and asked the Tyranitar.
Tyranitar glanced at it, then used Rock Slide to bury it.
"Oh, damn—"
Lucas was grabbed by the arm by Zoroark and thrown back, landing on his butt, his butt numb from the gravel.
Tyranitar looked at the fist that suddenly appeared in front of her, felt a pain in her face, and the whole Pokémon flew backward.
Tyranitar: "???"
Tyranitar wobbled to her feet, feeling for a moment that the whole world was incredibly quiet, even forgetting what she had just wanted to do.
"Roar?"
'Who am I?'
'Where am I?'
'What am I doing?'
"Machamp."
Lucas stopped Machamp, who still wanted to continue attacking, then stood up and rubbed his painful butt. "It wasn't intentional."
Looking at the stunned Tyranitar standing in place, Lucas looked at Machamp. "You didn't hit it stupid, did you? It was already stupid, and with this punch of yours—"
"Ma Machamp?"
'I don't know, I didn't even use much force—'
After a long while, Tyranitar's hearing recovered, and then she looked at Lucas.
Lucas smiled.
Tyranitar shivered and quickly ran into the Cave.
Lucas and Officer Jenny, with Gengar, Arcanine, and the others, followed.
"Over there."
Officer Jenny pointed in a direction, and Lucas saw it too.
A Pupitar and a Larvitar.
The Larvitar was lying on a bed made of stone, motionless.
Lucas walked over quickly, looking at the Larvitar with its eyes closed and unconscious. "Is this it?"
"Roar—"
Tyranitar nodded worriedly.
Lucas squatted down, picked up the Larvitar, held it in his arms, and began to examine it.
Tyranitar: 'You—'
Machamp pressed down on her shoulder. She looked at Machamp, and Machamp shook his head at her.
"Ma Machamp—"
'Don't worry, leave it to him.'
"The body temperature isn't right."
Lucas felt the coldness coming from the Larvitar's body and said, then reached out to lift the Larvitar's eyelids. The pupils were lifeless, as if it had been frightened by something, shrinking together.
Lucas frowned.
He opened the Larvitar's panel.
[Larvitar]
[Gender: Male]
[Introduction: Because the pokémon egg was forcibly broken by a wild Pokémon during the pokémon egg stage, it was born prematurely, resulting in a weak body and an underdeveloped heart, making it unable to move for long periods. At the same time, it also suffered from the Curse and Astonish of a Cofagrigus, and is currently in critical condition.]
[Save my child — Tyranitar]
[Don't let it leave me — Tyranitar]
Lucas's brows furrowed tightly. Congenital heart disease?
And suffered from intimidation and a Curse?
Damn you, Cofagrigus!
"It's rotten to the core! I went too easy on it earlier!"
Lucas asked Gothitelle to bring him the recovery herbal medicine, then pried open Larvitar's mouth and carefully poured it in.
One bottle, two bottles, three bottles...
The situation improved slightly, but there was no major change.
"How is it?" asked Officer Jenny, who was standing nearby.
Lucas shook his head.
Tyranitar: "Roar!"
Impossible!
Tyranitar stepped forward, its eyes crimson, wanting to snatch Larvitar from Lucas's arms.
Machamp stood in front of it and forcibly blocked it.
"Surgery is necessary; it has a congenital heart condition."
Listening to the increasingly slow heartbeat coming through the stethoscope, Lucas said, "But for now, we need to stabilize its condition."
Although he was a bit reluctant, Lucas sighed as he watched Tyranitar getting knocked down by Machamp repeatedly, only to stubbornly stand back up, and looked at Gengar.
Gengar grinned, took out a small jar of sweet honey, and handed it to Gothitelle.
Gothitelle opened the lid of the sweet honey, and the Cave was instantly filled with an enticing fragrance. It used a spoon to scoop up some sweet honey, poured it into the recovery herbal medicine, and stirred it gently. Lucas took the sweet honey, dipped a finger into it, and fed it into Larvitar's mouth.
"Larvi..."
Larvitar's weak voice came through. Tyranitar stopped moving and looked excitedly at Larvitar in Lucas's arms.
Larvitar opened its eyes and looked at the human face before it; the smile was so gentle, and full of heartache.
Watching a small jar of sweet honey being used up just like that, Lucas's heart was bleeding.
Forget it. After all, it's such a cute Larvitar, so he shouldn't feel bad. At worst, he'd just have to let Vespiquen work harder and brew some more. Besides, she still had some left...
In the hive, on the throne.
"Bee!"
Achoo!
Is Gengar here to steal honey again?!
Vespiquen opened her eyes and looked around vigilantly, but did not find any sign of Gengar.
"Bee..."
Another nightmare; scaring myself again...
"Come on, finish the medicine, then take a nap, and you'll be fine."
Lucas took the herbal medicine, looked at Larvitar, and gently fed the medicine in his hand to it.
"Larvi..."
Larvitar weakly finished the herbal medicine and then fell into a deep sleep.
Watching Larvitar having nightmares in its sleep, Lucas looked at Officer Jenny. "Sister Jenny, can you help me contact Sister Joy in Twinleaf Town? Ask her to prepare an operating room at the Pokémon Center for me; I need to perform surgery on Larvitar."
There is actually no cure for a congenital heart condition; it can only be managed. The reason for the surgery is the wounds on Larvitar's body. Inside its hard shell, its body, which had been continuously corroded by the Curse of the Cofagrigus, was already riddled with sores and holes.
Thinking of this, Lucas gritted his teeth. It was all the fault of that Cofagrigus. "Gengar, go drag that guy back here."
Gengar's body instantly vanished.
Then Lucas looked at Tyranitar. "Come here."
Tyranitar dragged its severely injured body over. Gothitelle handed it the recovery herbal medicine. After it drank it, Lucas handed the Larvitar in his arms to it. "Comfort it well and talk to it; it's having a nightmare."
Then he looked at the Pupitar on the ground. "You too, okay? You need to talk to your little brother."
"Pupi..."
It's the big brother...
Lucas: ...
"It's all the same anyway. You need to talk to it properly and encourage it."
"It's all arranged, but how should we get there? The sandstorm outside is still going on."
Officer Jenny looked at Lucas with concern. Lucas looked at Tyranitar.
"Roar..."
That...
Tyranitar stretched out its hand, and a yellowish-brown stone was lying quietly on it.
"This is... Smooth Rock?"
Lucas looked at the stone in Tyranitar's hand and said.
Tyranitar nodded.
"So... it will take a while before it disappears, right?"
"Roar..."
Tomorrow...
"By tomorrow, Larvitar will be cold."
Lucas raised his hand. Soon, a passage to the Distortion World appeared before everyone's eyes.
"Let's go." Lucas walked in first.
Giratina, who was hard at work repairing the Haze in the Distortion World caused by the dissipation of the powers of Truth and Ideals in the Unova region, watched as Lucas once again brought a large group of people into the Distortion World.
Giratina: ???
"Sorry, sorry, there's a real emergency this time. This kid can't hold on much longer. Please forgive me. I'll have Alcremie prepare a huge pile of desserts for you and send them in another day."
"What kind of dragon do you take me for?"
"I'll have Meowstic accompany Alcremie when they come in, alright?"
"Bring Little Shauna and Little Tomoyo."
"Got it, got it, you lolicon."
Giratina: ???
Lucas, I...
Lucas and his group had already disappeared from the Distortion World.
Looking at the Haze before it, Giratina, still working overtime, wished it could rush to the Unova region right now, drag those two brothers out, and beat them up severely.
If you want to sleep, just sleep! Why make such a racket?! Just to show off that you can rest, right?!
Inside the Distortion World, after venting its anger, Giratina repaired the Pillar of the World that it had broken in its rage.
At this moment, in the Unova region, Opelucid City. An Earthquake began. But it stopped again very quickly.
Lucas and Joy walked out of the operating room. Lucas let out a sigh of relief, crouched down, and opened his arms toward Lilligant.
Lilligant pounced into Lucas's arms. Smelling the sweet floral fragrance before him, Lucas's spirits recovered a little.
Lilligant used a tissue to wipe the sweat from Lucas's forehead.
"It's okay now; Larvitar is out of danger," Joy said gently, looking at Tyranitar and Pupitar sitting obediently on the ground.
Upon hearing this, Tyranitar shed tears.
"Roar..."
Thank you...
Looking at Tyranitar, which was crying tears of Joy, Lucas sighed, patted Lilligant's little head, and stood up.
"So remember for next time, Tyranitar: if you encounter any trouble, the best choice is to go find Officer Jenny and Joy in the city. Look, the staff wearing this kind of uniform—they will help you, rather than you wandering around aimlessly. And don't listen to others. You should know that the culprit this time was Cofagrigus; it probably just wanted to take the Smooth Rock you were holding for itself."
Lucas came to Tyranitar's side, patted its head, and said.
"Fortunately, we arrived in time, and Larvitar was able to save its life. However, it's a pity that it cannot engage in battle, which means it cannot leave with a Trainer. It would be best to find a place where it can rest and settle down."
"Roar..."
Okay...
Lucas looked at Officer Jenny from Sandgem Town. "So, Sister Jenny, after Larvitar recovers, how should we arrange for Tyranitar, Pupitar, and Larvitar? Should we let them continue living in that Cave?"
Officer Jenny shook her head.
"No, Tyranitar is, after all, a short-tempered Pokémon. We can't let them live there, especially since Larvitar has just recovered. A Pokémon Hunter might spot them. If Tyranitar loses its temper one day, a Tyranitar of this strength would be a huge threat to passersby who frequently use that road."
"That's true."
"Cousin, why not just keep them in your Sandgem Town?" Jenny Ye stood aside and suggested.
"Impossible, we can't afford to keep them," Jenny said, shaking her head. "How could Sandgem Town afford to keep them? Do you think I don't know? Larvitar needs to eat an entire mine. Although Pupitar doesn't need to eat, once it evolves into Tyranitar, two Tyranitars and one Larvitar... wouldn't that eat Sandgem Town into poverty?!"
"Sandgem Town isn't wealthy?" Lucas was a bit surprised.
Jenny looked at Lucas. "You think Sandgem Town is wealthy? Let me tell you, if it weren't for Professor Rowan's Research Institute, Sandgem Town would be even poorer than Twinleaf Town. After all, your Twinleaf Town is at least by the sea, while our Sandgem Town is in the middle of nowhere."
"They could be sent to Oreburgh City; after all, Oreburgh City has plenty of ore," Joy said.
"How about keeping them in Twinleaf Town?"
"No!" Lucas refused instantly.
Keep them in Twinleaf Town? Do you really believe that as soon as you left, your two sisters would send them to the Breeding House...
The Breeding House really can't afford to keep them (crying). Wait until Munchlax evolves into Snorlax, and then add three Tyranitars... Oh my god... The money earned isn't enough to feed them...
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