"Alright, as the winner, you have now earned the right to challenge our most anticipated opponent."
"Now, let's hear a few words from Mr. Palmer, who is waiting for his challenge!"
As Johanna finished speaking, Palmer responded with a commanding presence:
"This is the final stage of the Twinleaf Festival. Paul, let's have a serious battle!"
"I'll give it my all!" Paul answered with determination.
"That's the spirit! Go, Rhyperior!" Palmer praised Paul as he tossed his Poké Ball.
"Rhyarrgh!"
Rhyperior emerged, its massive drill-tipped horn gleaming menacingly. Its rocky armor-like hide looked indestructible and its club-like tail swung heavily behind it. Every part of its body seemed like a weapon forged for war.
If one had to describe it, the best word would be a "living war machine."
"It's here, it's here—it's Dad's Rhyperior!"
In the spectator stands, Barry was practically vibrating with excitement, as if he were the one standing before Palmer instead of Paul.
"My Rhyperior is a fortress that every Battle Tower challenger must overcome. Let's see if you have what it takes!"
Palmer spoke confidently then fell silent, waiting to see which Pokémon Paul would choose to face his Rhyperior.
So, it really is Rhyperior...
Paul's expression was more serious than ever as he quickly weighed his options between Electivire and Torterra.
If this Rhyperior were only as strong as the one depicted in the anime which became sluggish after using Rock Wrecker, Paul figured that any of his Pokémon could take it down.
But fantasies were one thing—reality was a harsh truth.
The overwhelming presence radiating from this Rhyperior was no less imposing than any of Reggie's strongest Pokémon. This was an opponent to be taken seriously.
Should he use the airborne Electivire? Or the steadfast Torterra?
This was a crucial decision.
Three seconds passed in a flash. Paul made his choice, tossing his Poké Ball and declaring:
"Torterra, prepare for battle!"
"Raaaaaa!"
With a deep rumble, the battlefield trembled as a colossal figure emerged. It was a Pokémon, but the first impression it gave wasn't of a creature—it was that of a moving mountain.
Even though Rhyperior was the stronger Pokémon in terms of raw power, the one that exuded the greater sense of dominance... was this Torterra.
"Hsssss—"
"Whoa!"
"Holy—!"
"What the—!"
"WHAT?!"
The moment Torterra appeared, the entire arena went silent for two full seconds. Then, a wave of gasps followed—immediately followed by utter disbelief.
"Impossible… This can't be real!"
"A Torterra that big?!"
"This is insane!"
"This defies are all logic!"
Everyone's reaction was surprisingly similar—they all widened their eyes in shock at the sight of Torterra.
Rhyperior was already considered massive under Palmer's meticulous training, standing at a terrifying height of nearly 2.8 meters.
But Torterra?
Unlike Rhyperior, whose imposing presence came from sheer height, Torterra was renowned for its sheer bulk. And now, including the towering tree on its back, this particular Torterra reached a staggering 4 meters tall.
The difference between them was staggering!
It was true that the world had Pokémon known as Totem Pokémon, Alpha Pokémon, or other naturally enormous specimens. But even among those, this Torterra was beyond normal standards—something even Palmer had never encountered before.
Isn't bigger not always better when raising a Pokémon? That just means you haven't raised them big enough!
Palmer immediately let out a whistle of admiration.
"Incredible, kid! You actually managed to raise a Torterra this massive!"
"Thanks for the compliment." Paul responded politely for the first time before a battle, addressing his Pokémon directly:
"Torterra, give it everything you've got—prepare for Growth!"
"Raaaaaa…"
Torterra glanced at Paul with a serious nod, subtly adjusting its stance to optimize its position, preparing to unleash its full strength at any moment.
"The final battle begins now! Each Trainer may use only one Pokémon. The first to lose the ability to battle will be defeated. Begin!"
"The challenger moves first!"
As soon as the referee finished speaking, Torterra immediately rooted itself into the ground—Growth, Ingrain, and Giga Drain were all activated in a seamless flow!
The Infinite Growth strategy—initiated!
"Leech Seed—Frenzy Plant!"
Paul wasted no time, ordering Torterra to launch an attack the moment its preparations were complete.
"Raaaa!"
Without moving its body, the ground in front of Torterra suddenly cracked open, and dozens of massive reinforced vines burst forth, surging toward Rhyperior in a deadly strike.
At the same time, a hidden seed was secretly launched among them.
What the hell?!
Palmer, who initially planned to have Rhyperior simply withstand the attack without guarding, immediately realized the danger and shouted, "Defend yourself, quick!"
"Rhyarrgh!!"
Rhyperior reacted instantly. Sensing the overwhelming force behind the attack, it crossed its arms in front of its body while activating Stone Edge—raising a barrier of solid rock pillars as a protective shield.
BOOM!
The moment the reinforced vines struck, the supposedly indestructible blue stone pillars shattered completely, unable to withstand the attack's force. The remaining momentum surged forward, slamming into Rhyperior's body.
At the same time, the hidden seed latched onto Rhyperior's thick hide.
The battlefield trembled and shockwaves sweeping through the air as a cloud of dust engulfed Rhyperior entirely.
The attack ended, and Torterra didn't linger—releasing Frenzy Plant immediately to avoid the move's temporary exhaustion effect.
BOOM!
"Rhyarrgh!!!"
With a powerful stomp, Rhyperior dispersed the dust cloud with sheer force revealing its body—now bearing minor wounds and wrapped in thorny vines.
It had taken damage, but nothing serious.
At this moment, Palmer finally understood—this Torterra and its Trainer were no ordinary opponents. Their strength might not yet surpass his own, but if he didn't take them seriously, he could very well be overturned.
Without hesitation, he made his call:
"Rhyperior, boost your speed—Rock Polish!"
"Rhyarrgh!"
Rhyperior activated Rock Polish, its body gleaming as it reduced wind resistance, significantly increasing its speed. At the same time, flames erupted across its body, instantly incinerating the parasitic vines from Leech Seed.
But just as Rhyperior finished its preparations, it realized Torterra had already shaken off Frenzy Plant's exhaustion.
"Magical Leaf—Power Whip!"
A flurry of glowing green leaves cascaded from the tree on Torterra's back, shimmering with an ethereal light as they shot toward Rhyperior from all directions.
Simultaneously, a network of verdant roots burst from the ground, whipping toward Rhyperior like thick powerful vines.
The speed of the combo was so precise, so seamless—it felt like battling a Pokémon of the same level!
Without hesitation, Rhyperior unleashed Fire Punch, sweeping its arms in broad arcs to burn away the incoming vines, creating a temporary safe zone.
However, in that brief moment, the airborne Magical Leaves closed in and struck Rhyperior's body, dealing unavoidable damage.
"Use Heat Crash and Megahorn!"
"Rhyarrgh!"
Rhyperior's body erupted into searing flames, burning away every approaching Magical Leaf. Charging forward like a battering ram it lunged at Torterra with unstoppable force, its massive horn glowing with a dazzling white light as if capable of piercing through any obstacle.
Countless vines lashed at Rhyperior along the way, while knots of Grass Knot rose from the ground in an attempt to trip it up. However, none of it made the slightest difference.
This assault—was simply unstoppable!
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