"So now… how will you deal with this?" Byron smirked, raising his shovel.
"Steelix, use Roar!"
"Dig!"
"Boom—!"
The moment the Flame Orb activated, flames burst across Ursaring's body. Instead of weakening it, the burn ignited something deeper—its eyes hardened with unshakable resolve.
Its claws tore into the ground, burrowing just in time to evade the roaring shockwave.
It tunneled fast—directly beneath Steelix.
"Steelix, Earthquake!" Byron reacted instantly.
Peter's eyes narrowed.
"Too late."
The next instant—
Ursaring erupted from the ground.
"BOOM!"
Its massive paw slammed upward, launching Steelix several meters into the air!
Under the effect of Guts, its power had skyrocketed.
"Keep going—use Fling!"
"Bang—!"
A burning orb shot forward. Flames engulfed Steelix, inflicting burn—its physical attack instantly halved.
"Don't go down! Steelix, Earthquake!"
"ROOOAR—!!!"
Steelix roared and raised its colossal tail, slamming it into the ground with devastating force.
"Ursaring!" Peter shouted.
"RAAA—!!"
In that moment, trainer and Pokémon moved as one.
"Use Belly Drum!!!"
"RAAA—!!!"
Facing the incoming Earthquake, Ursaring didn't dodge.
It buffed.
Its belly expanded as energy surged violently through its body.
Pain from the burn mixed with the recoil of its own move—but its will only grew stronger.
"BOOOOM—!"
The battlefield shook. Smoke and debris filled the arena.
Peter's eyes flashed.
"Ursaring—Cross Chop!!!"
"What?!" Byron's heart skipped.
Through the dust—
Ursaring charged out, body covered in wounds, claws glowing with fierce fighting energy.
"BOOM—!!!"
The strike landed squarely on Steelix's skull.
The massive serpent crashed into the ground, cracks spreading across the battlefield like a web.
Base power 100.
Super effective.
+6 Attack.
Guts boost.
Effective power: 1200.
Even a defense monster like Steelix couldn't withstand that.
…
"Te-di~!" In the stands, the Teddiursa in Whitney's arms clapped excitedly.
"RAAA!!!"
Ursaring roared to the sky, flames flickering around it, eyes burning crimson.
Its HP was nearly gone—
But sheer will kept it standing like a general holding the line.
What followed was inevitable.
Even Byron's ace Bastiodon fell—its 4× weakness to Fighting sealing its fate.
"Boom—"
Another Dig landed.
Bronzong collapsed.
Ursaring finally dropped, the red glow fading from its eyes.
…
"Bronzong is unable to battle. Challenger Peter wins!"
[Ding! Cross-tier victory! +50 general EV points! Ursaring leveled up…]
"Good work, Ursaring~"
Peter walked onto the field, restoring it with healing items while feeding it a Rare Candy and Pokéblocks.
"Raa~"
Ursaring chewed contentedly—then suddenly—
Its body began to glow.
[Ding! Ursaring reached Lv.40. Friendship maxed. Learned 'Return' and mastered it.]
[Evolution condition detected. Prepare required item.]
Peter paused.
His gaze shifted to Ursaring's data.
[Ursaring ♂ Lv.41 (Elite Low)]
Description: A Pokémon with incredible perseverance and exceptional learning ability. After intense battles, it has converted accumulated energy into strength—it now stands at the brink of evolution.
…
Peter's thoughts drifted.
In Pokemon Legends Arceus, Ursaring evolves into Ursaluna—
Under a full moon.
Using a Peat Block.
That evolution grants it Ground typing.
So… I need peat.
His eyes slowly shifted—
Landing on Byron.
Wait…
A mining expert…
…
Right on cue, Byron approached with a badge in hand.
"Here, Peter. Proof of your victory—the Mine Badge."
Peter accepted it. The metallic emblem shimmered in the sunlight, shaped like interlocking stone plates forming a steel helm.
[Ding! Main quest complete! Rewards: TM Iron Head, TM Heavy Slam, +100 Master Points!]
Peter nodded in satisfaction. Perfect—both moves improved coverage for Braviary and Slaking.
"Oh right—Uncle Byron, do you know where I can find Peat Blocks?"
"Peat?" Byron scratched his head.
"They're everywhere on Iron Island, aren't they? Check the swamp area with Riley."
"Got it, thanks!"
After saying goodbye, Peter and Whitney returned to Iron Island.
Soon, they found a vast swamp.
"This should be it," Riley said. "No one really collects peat, so there should be plenty."
After giving a few safety tips, he left.
Peter stared at the massive swamp.
"…How am I supposed to search this? I can't just dig randomly…"
Then—
Whitney's voice cut in.
"Honey, are you looking for this?"
He turned.
She was holding a rough, black clump.
[Peat Block: A soil-like coal chunk. Can be used as fuel. Favored by the Ursaring line.]
"…Where did you—"
Before he could finish—
He saw it.
Teddiursa.
Playing in the mud.
"Bi-ne~!"
The little bear was happily digging, pulling out peat chunks one after another.
Whitney sighed, wiping mud off her thigh.
"Teddiursa! You're a girl, you know!"
Peter opened his mouth to speak—
Click.
His Poké Ball opened.
Ursaring leapt straight into the swamp.
"Splash—!"
Mud exploded everywhere.
Both Peter and Whitney were instantly covered.
"Raa~"
"Bi-ne~"
The two bears rolled around happily, completely unaware of the chaos.
"URSARING!!"
"TEDDIURSA!!"
They shouted in unison.
The next second—
Splap.
Two blobs of mud hit their faces.
"…."
With only their eyes visible, Peter and Whitney looked at each other.
Then at the two happily playing Pokémon.
They wanted to be mad.
But couldn't.
"…Fine."
After cleaning up with stored water, the two spent a quiet, peaceful afternoon by the swamp.
Their tent, however…
…was shaking quite a bit.
--------------
T/N:
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