After taking a breath, Steven continued speaking.
"In the legends that have been passed down, the three Regi titans were all created by their king, Regigigas. Brandon has always wanted to use those three Pokémon to lure Regigigas into revealing itself.
When he is resting, he gathers Regirock and the other two together and then releases them back into the places where he originally captured them, allowing them to roam freely and see if there is any chance of attracting the appearance of the king of the Regis.
It was only after I fought him this time that I finally understood the whole situation. All that excitement was for nothing."
Theo's interest was instantly piqued, his eyes lighting up.
"Mr. Steven, you fought Brandon? Who won?"
Steven shot Theo an annoyed glance.
"Hmph, of course I won. His Regirock was no match for me."
"Huh? After you defeated Regirock, didn't Brandon send out other Pokémon to continue the battle? I thought you two would end up having a full-on fight."
"You really enjoy watching the chaos, don't you."
Steven laughed and shook his head.
"In the past, it would have been hard to say who would win between us, but now, thanks to you, my Metagross can Mega Evolve. Brandon is no longer my opponent."
Theo thought about it and found that it made sense.
In his previous life's games, Metagross was known as a pseudo-legendary. Although its title was not as prestigious as that of legendary Pokémon, its base stat total reached 600.
As for Pokémon like the three Regi titans or the three legendary birds, although they carried the title of legendary, their base stat totals were only around 580, actually lower than the pseudo-legendaries of various regions.
After Mega Evolution, Metagross' base stats soared directly to 700. When compared like that, it was clearly a completely different level of power.
"Alright, enough about Brandon."
Steven waved his hand, as if suddenly remembering the main reason for his visit.
"I almost forgot why I came today. Here, take this first. It's what I promised you before."
As his words fell, Steven raised his hand and tossed out a Poké Ball. A flash of red light appeared, and a round, adorable green Pokémon materialized in front of them.
A small, blunt horn stood atop its head. Beneath its eyes were two distinctive black tear-like markings. Embedded in its belly was a diamond-shaped piece of red armor, giving it a soft and lovable appearance.
It was nibbling on its tiny finger while staring curiously at Theo with eyes as dark as obsidian.
This was none other than the initial form of the so-called Desert Tyrant, the core powerhouse of sandstorm teams, Tyranitar's pre-evolution, Larvitar.
"Lar… Lar…"
A soft and tender cry sounded beside Theo's ear.
[Pokémon: Larvitar]
Type: Rock / Ground
Category: Rock Skin Pokémon
Ability: Guts (When affected by a status condition, it shows determination and increases its attack power.)
Moves: Rock Throw (Mastered), Payback (Mastered), Bite (Expert), Rock Slide (Mastered), Stomping Tantrum (Proficient), Crunch (Proficient), Dragon Dance (Proficient), Outrage (Proficient)
Theo's gaze immediately locked onto the inherited moves on Larvitar's move list, Outrage and Dragon Dance.
This was truly a great little one.
In this Pokémon world, many Pokémon that were not Dragon-type could still learn Dragon-type moves, which meant that powerful draconic blood flowed within them.
If a Pokémon could inherit such moves, then regardless of other aspects of its potential, its physical constitution was absolutely top-tier.
"Oh right, this little guy can use Outrage just like its mother. When I first encountered them, it was training that move together with her."
Steven smiled as he asked,
"So, are you satisfied?"
"More than satisfied! Thank you so much, Mr. Steven!"
Theo nodded repeatedly. He could not have been happier. This little one did not just know Outrage, it also knew Dragon Dance.
"I couldn't capture Regirock, but I definitely didn't let that Tyranitar mother and child pair go."
Steven continued.
"That Tyranitar was no weak opponent. Even my Metagross had to spend quite some time before finally suppressing it. If it had not been trying to protect this still young Larvitar, it would have escaped at full speed long ago and would not have been so easy to capture.
I have already sent Tyranitar back to the Devon Corporation's mining area. It can eat plenty of ore there and recover its strength. It has not even been a year since it gave birth to Larvitar, and it has not fully regained its post-birth condition yet."
Steven paused briefly before continuing.
"Oh, right. Tyranitar also has a Mega Evolution. Did you know that? Elite Four member Sidney has one.
At headquarters, the Mega Evolution research lab always prioritizes exploring whether the main Pokémon of each region's Elite Four and Champions have Mega Evolution forms.
They have already analyzed Tyranitar's Mega Stone. I have informed them to prepare one for you as well.
When the time comes, it will be sent to a Pokémon Center. Remember to contact them and specify which city's Pokémon Center you want it delivered to. Don't forget."
"Alright, thank you so much, Mr. Steven!"
"Alright, alright, there is no need to be so polite between us. I originally just came to deliver Larvitar to you, but we ended up chatting for so long that it is already night."
Steven lifted his gaze toward the deepening night sky.
"The space center in Mossdeep City reported that their spacecraft captured some unusual phenomena and asked me to take a look, so I will not stay any longer."
He lowered his head to look at Larvitar, his tone gentle.
"Larvitar, this is your new trainer. From now on, you must behave and listen well."
Larvitar nodded obediently.
"Lar! Lar!"
"Theo, take good care of it. I will be heading off now. The researchers over there are still waiting for me."
"Alright, Mr. Steven, take care!"
Theo waved as he bid Steven farewell.
Steven leaped onto Skarmory's back. The two shiny Metagross lightly collided with each other as a silent form of goodbye.
Skarmory spread its wings and soared into the air, its steel feathers slicing through the night breeze as it quickly disappeared into the darkness.
Only then did Theo lower his head and carefully examine the Larvitar in front of him.
He still remembered that in the anime from his previous life, there had been a heartwarming episode where Ash played together with a Larvitar. Ever since then, he had liked this little Pokémon immensely.
Theo bent down and slipped his hands under Larvitar's arms, trying to lift it up.
"Hm?"
He exerted force, but it did not budge at all.
"Hey!"
He tried again with more strength, yet Larvitar remained firmly rooted to the ground as if it had been welded there.
"…What the hell."
"Why is it so heavy!"
Theo clearly remembered that in the anime, Ash had easily picked up Larvitar without any effort.
After struggling for quite a while, Theo finally managed to lift Larvitar slightly off the ground, but the little guy started squirming restlessly, and Theo could not hold on any longer, forcing him to put it back down.
This little one was simply too heavy, almost as heavy as an adult man.
Theo thought for a moment, wondering whether Beldum in its younger days had been heavier than Larvitar.
Back when he used to carry Beldum, it would use its psychic powers to support its own steel body and reduce its weight, making it easier to hold.
But the Larvitar in front of him did not have psychic abilities, so it could not replicate Beldum's trick.
After landing back on the ground, Larvitar looked at Theo, who could not lift it, and immediately broke into a cheerful smile, its eyes curving into crescents.
It even tilted its head, made faces at him, and raised its arms to show off its muscles, blatantly mocking Theo for his lack of strength.
(End of Chapter)