After defeating the two Tyrantrums, the levels of all three Pokémon were upgraded.
Slowking had reached level 66, which, relatively speaking, may not have been a significant improvement.
But Gengar and Florges were different.
They had both been at level 64 before, entering Champion level, but now they had reached Full Champion level, the same as Slowking.
At the very least, they had reached the same level as the two Tyrantrums on the opposing side.
Mega Gengar's Mega Evolution ability suddenly faded, and it reverted to its original form.
Such a short duration of transformation was hardly a waste for Aoki.
With this, Aoki now had three Pokémon that had reached level 65.
Among the official elite Trainers, he had firmly established his position.
Pupitar, standing to the side, watched the majestic Gengar and its companions, as well as the Tyranitars fighting in the distance, with envy in its eyes.
There was still a trace of unwillingness.
At this moment, if it had the strength, it would have stepped forward itself.
Though the power of allies could also be considered its own, not being able to defeat the enemy with its own strength left a lingering dissatisfaction.
Aoki noticed Pupitar's disappointment and walked over, gently patting it without saying much.
This longing for power might just become the driving force behind Pupitar's evolution.
After dealing with the two Tyrantrums, Aoki felt a slight regret at not being able to capture them. He stood there with his Pokémon, waiting for the battle between the Tyranitars to conclude.
Without these two Tyrantrums to threaten their territory, the Tyrantrum tribe suddenly lost their momentum. They had fought against the Tyranitars many times before, but without much success.
Now, just as they had finally gained an advantage, they had been stopped by an outsider.
Roar—!
The leader of the Tyrantrums let out a long, furious cry.
The signal to retreat had been given.
The Tyrantrums had no intention of dragging out the battle. They frantically shook off their opponents and prepared to flee.
But the Tyranitars weren't about to let them escape so easily.
If not for Aoki and his team's intervention today, they might have suffered heavy losses.
Unlike the Tyrantrums, the Tyranitar tribe reproduced slowly, and the time and resources required to raise even a single member of their species were immense.
Once the Tyrantrums decided to flee, they did so without hesitation, not even sparing a glance at the two fallen Tyrantrums in front of Aoki.
It seemed cold, but it was the most efficient way to preserve their numbers.
The Tyrantrums fled, and the Tyranitars gave up the chase after a short distance.
When they returned, each Tyranitar bore numerous scars.
Yet their expressions remained fierce.
At this moment, not just anyone would dare approach them.
The Tyranitar leader and its group approached Aoki and Pupitar.
They bowed slightly.
Following their leader's lead, all the Tyranitars bowed as well, showing their respect.
Grar—!
The Tyranitar leader was expressing gratitude for Aoki's assistance.
Aoki waved a hand dismissively, gesturing toward Pupitar beside him without speaking.
The meaning was clear.
As Pupitar's kin, helping them was only natural.
The Tyranitar leader looked at Pupitar with gratitude.
Grar—!
It called out to the Tyranitars behind it.
Two of them stepped forward.
They lifted the two unconscious Tyrantrums from the ground and followed the main group into the valley.
Though brutal, this was the true law of the wild.
Aoki said nothing.
Since he hadn't been able to capture these two Tyrantrums, he had little interest in their fate.
Still, he was curious—how would the Tyranitars deal with them?
Upon returning to the valley, Pupitar and the other Larvitar, who had been hiding, cheered at the sight of the Tyranitars' return—and the two Tyrantrums slung over their shoulders.
Thud—! Thud—!
The two Tyrantrums were thrown to the ground. The two least-injured Tyranitars prepared to handle them, while the rest, led by their leader, dug through a pile of rocks in the corner of the valley, retrieving some half-herb, half-mineral plants.
Finding medicinal herbs in this rocky terrain was no easy feat.
However, with a water source, cultivating scarce resources became possible.
This was likely the main reason the Tyrantrums had sought to seize it.
Water wasn't just for drinking—it enabled the growth of renewable resources.
The Tyranitars settled onto the ground.
"Florges, use Grassy Terrain." Aoki decided to extend his assistance further.
Helping them to the end would only strengthen their goodwill.
A vast field of lush grass sprouted beneath the Tyranitars, emerald energy rising from the blades and seeping into their wounds.
Their injuries began healing rapidly.
The Tyranitars stared in amazement at the sudden growth of grass and their closing wounds.
They hadn't expected such an ability.
Now, as they looked at Florges, their eyes burned with admiration.
A Pokémon with healing abilities was rare in this world.
Grar—!
The Tyranitar leader, despite being the most heavily wounded, forced itself to stand.
It studied Aoki and Pupitar for a long moment.
Then it turned and walked toward another corner of the valley.
Rummaging through the rocks, it soon returned clutching two stone-like objects pulsing with ochre energy.
Grar—!
With a mighty roar, the leader hurled the two head-sized stones at Aoki's feet.
Then it pointed at Pupitar, growled once more, and returned to the grassy field.
The other Tyranitars gazed at Pupitar with approval.
The remaining Larvitar and Pupitar watched with envy.
Aoki knew these stones were no ordinary items—and the Tyranitars' reactions confirmed their significance.
"System, scan these stones." Aoki commanded.
The system quickly displayed the data.
Item Name: Unknown Rock
Description: A stone infused with dense Rock-type energy, crafted through special means.
Function: Provides vast amounts of energy to Rock-type Pokémon. The energy is pure, allowing for safe absorption—though caution is required if the Pokémon's strength is insufficient.
Note: Likely formed from the core of a Rock-type Pokémon, combined with unique craftsmanship and environmental conditions. Contains traces of Dragon-type energy alongside the Rock energy.
Aoki was intrigued.
Could these stones have been made from the remains of a Tyrantrum?
Given that Tyrantrums were Rock-type Pokémon with Dragon traits, the trace of Dragon energy made sense.
What surprised Aoki was that the Tyranitars possessed such a skill.