Compared to the western zone, the eastern area remained relatively unscathed...
Due to last night's rain, the forest was now saturated with heavy moisture.
Clusters of wood ears and mushrooms sprouted from the decaying logs lining the paths. Caleb transformed into a mushroom-foraging trainer, thoroughly plundering this small area of its fungal bounty.
Riolu nimbly scaled several trees, darting agilely through the branches before landing next to Caleb with an armful of berries.
Carrying their gathered ingredients, the pair returned to camp just as Dragonite arrived back with a pot filled to the brim with clear water.
After lunch, afternoon arrived...
Learning of Luna's whereabouts from a Pidgey, Caleb retrieved her and brought her back to their base.
...
Standing inside the cave, Luna surveyed the surroundings with a peculiar expression...
The log stools, Caterpie-silk blanket, iron pot, clothes-drying rack outside, and the neatly constructed wooden wall at the cave entrance.
She asked incredulously, "Does the Infinite World have some kind of instant-crafting skill?"
Caleb was confused, "What?"
Luna pointed at the iron pot, gesturing animatedly, "You know, like how Steve in Minecraft can instantly turn mined iron ore into an iron sword."
Caleb: "You're overthinking it. I brought that back from the abandoned ship."
Luna remained skeptical, "Don't lie to me. Then what about these stools and blanket?"
Caleb sighed, "The stools were made with help from Scyther and Ursaring. The blanket was traded for berries with some Caterpie."
Luna: "They didn't attack you?"
"I completed their hidden quests," Caleb replied succinctly before changing the subject, "Rather than discussing this, we should plan how to deal with the last Dynamax Pokémon tonight..."
Between Gigantamax Lapras and Dynamax Tyranitar, he would inevitably have to face one of them.
Seeing the logic in this, Luna dropped the previous topic, "Compared to Tyranitar, I think our chances are better against Lapras."
As Lapras was doubly weak to Electric-type moves, shifting the battlefield from sea to land would significantly reduce its combat effectiveness.
Caleb nodded, "Your Pachirisu will need to coordinate with my Dragonite then. Of course, if Tyranitar ends up being the final opponent, that's another matter entirely."
"What about strategy?" Luna asked, "Same as yesterday's Butterfree? Me providing interference while your Dragonite handles the main attack?"
Caleb pondered briefly, recalling Lapras' potential traits, and shook his head, "No. We don't know that Lapras' ability yet. Water Absorb or Shell Armor would be manageable, but Hydration would be problematic."
Luna, who typically brute-forced her way through Pokémon games with overleveled teams and high-powered moves, asked, "What does Hydration do? How's it different from the others?"
Caleb gave her a look. Then asked, "Don't you research Pokémon data in the Infinite World?"
Luna admitted sheepishly, "I do, but with so many abilities, I keep forgetting their specific effects."
Suppressing a sigh, Caleb explained patiently, "Hydration... It's Lapras' hidden ability. It automatically cures status conditions during rain."
This meant Pachirisu's moves like SweetKiss and Thunder Wave would be rendered useless.
Luna's brows furrowed in understanding, "Then how do we fight this? They already outlevel us..."
Suddenly brightening, she suggested, "What about Toxic? Could we stall it to death? One night should be enough to poison it down, right?"
Caleb recalled Luna mentioning all her Pokémon knowing Substitute, Protect, and Toxic. His lips twitched, "...You really love toxic stalling, don't you?"
"Don't you think it's an all-purpose strategy?" Luna shot back.
Caleb: "..."
....
The afternoon passed swiftly...
Before they knew it, darkness had fallen again.
Caleb sent Luna ahead to the southern zone to prepare for battle while he took Dragonite and Riolu over the sea.
From a distance, he spotted the Lapras leisurely drifting across the water's surface.
"Thunderbolt!" Caleb commanded.
Dragonite opened its mouth, gathering electricity that condensed into a yellow beam and shot it downward.
The next instant, brilliant lightning illuminated the entire sea surface. The massive Lapras writhed within the dazzling electrical currents, its pained cry echoing melodiously across the water.
Having successfully drawn its attention, Caleb immediately had Dragonite retreat to the airspace above land.
The Lapras turned its enormous body, its cold blue eyes locking onto Caleb's figure with chilling focus.
The sea churned violently as a towering, spiraling water column erupted from Lapras' maw.
"Fly higher!" Caleb ordered urgently.
The Max Geyser shot beneath Dragonite, shearing through entire swaths of island trees like a colossal blade.
Undeterred by its missed attack, Lapras initiated its next move without hesitation...
G-Max Resonance! The signature G-Max move of Gigantamax Lapras!
The musical staff-like white rings surrounding its body began vibrating rapidly, transforming into a brilliant white beam studded with ice crystals that lanced toward the airborne Dragonite.
Caleb's eyes narrowed. Clutching Riolu tightly, he pressed flat against Dragonite as they dove sharply toward the island's interior.
The white beam pursued relentlessly, sweeping horizontally under Lapras' control to intercept Dragonite's low-altitude flight.
Gritting its teeth, Dragonite glanced back before abruptly changing direction and plunging into the forest canopy.
A deafening explosion erupted behind them. The once-lush jungle terrain struck by Lapras' attack had been reduced to a barren wasteland coated in glittering frost.
"That was too powerful!" Caleb swallowed hard.
Then he used his Scout ability on the distant Lapras.
[Gigantamax Lapras: Lv. ??? (Invincible Entity)]
"I can't see its level?" Caleb's brows knitted tightly.
As he stared at Lapras, a bold hypothesis suddenly formed in his mind. Then he instructed, "Dragonite, take me away from this island!"
Remounting Dragonite, they soared back over the open sea.
Lapras' gaze tracked their movement unerringly. The moment they left the island's airspace, another massive water column gathered in its maw as its enormous body gave chase at unbelievable speed.
"Return!" Frowning, Caleb patted Dragonite's shoulder.
Dragonite wheeled sharply, carving a graceful arc through the air as it raced back to land.
At this, Lapras' assault ceased abruptly. It remained hovering beyond the shore, its gaze icy and imperious as it watched Caleb on the island...
...
{T/N: I might be dropping this translation soon. Also, the mtl isn't actually so bad if you can subconsciously fix errors in your head...}