Chapter 116: Have a Dynamax Adventure Part 2

Making their way through the caverns, the quartet were soon met not with another Pokemon, but a scientist of all things.

"Greetings, travelers! I have a special proposition for you: this Pokeball contains a Wigglytuff. Would any of you like to trade it for one of yours?"

No one spoke up for a moment, and they were just about to turn away when Green took him up on it, handing over Ivysaur's ball to him.

"You never know, it might come in handy! Thank you."

"You're very welcome. Good luck."

After waving goodbye, Green quickly caught up to the others.

"Are you sure that was a good idea? What if we need Ivysaur later?"

"Aw, you guys worry too much! We'll be fine, I'm sure. Besides, like Gary said: I should focus on learning how to work with different Pokemon, not just the ones I'm familiar with."

Gary chuckled.

"Oh, so you're admitting I was right? Maybe now you'll do as I say."

"As if! I'm just saying maybe you're not as stupid as you look."

Goh and Horace couldn't help but laugh, while Gary just ignored them all.

After a while, the group reached the next den, which housed a Galarian Linoone.

"Alright, this should be simple! Goh's Wartortle knows Aura Sphere, and Galarian Linoone are both Normal and Dark type! This should be a cinch!"

"Not so fast," Goh interrupted her. "Look closer."

Sure enough, there were four barriers surrounding Linoone.

"We need to break those before we go Dynamaxing anyone."

"Right. See any weak points, Gary?"

Gary scanned the barriers, but shook his head.

"None. This one must be stronger than the last."

"I guess that makes sense. Anyone else have any bright ideas?"

"Maybe if we all focus our attacks on one spot, it'll do the job?"

Everyone considered their options for a moment, before deciding to give Goh's idea a try.

"Alright then, Fire Pledge, Charmeleon!"

"Wartortle, use Hydro Pump!"

"Raichu, use Focus Blast!"

"Dazzling Gleam, Wigglytuff!"

The four attacks connected, blasting through one of the barriers and even managing to put some cracks in the next one. Linoone growled, and hit them all with a Max Strike, though they managed to stay standing.

"Alright, one down!"

"Yes, but three to go. Same plan?"

"Works for me!"

This time, they managed to break through two of the barriers, but there wasn't any time to celebrate, as Linoone quickly fought back with Max Darkness.

"Lightscreen, Raichu!"

Before the black tendrils could hit them, Raichu summoned a large psychic shield around them, lessening the blow.

"Good thinking, Gary!" Horace complimented, much to Green's annoyance.

"Yeah, good job, I guess. I could've done that, if Wigglytuff knew it."

"Never mind that, we need to get rid of that last barrier!"

Goh scanned the barrier, before finding a small crack in the bottom left.

"There, there's the weak spot! Wartortle, use Hydro Pump!"

Wartortle quickly blasted it with water, shattering it.

"Alright then, time to kick it up a notch. Wartortle, time to Dynamax! Use Max Knuckle!"

Wartortle grew to giant size, and with one quick punch knocked Linoone down, allowing Goh to capture it.

"Alright, way to go Goh!"

"Are you going to keep it?"

Goh thought for a minute, but decided against it.

"You never know, the next one could be a Fighting type. Better safe than sorry."

Gary nodded, before leading the way onward.

"Good point. Now come on, I want those tokens before dinner!"

As it turned out, their next challenge wasn't a Fighting type, but the Water and Ground Type Quagsire. Gary turned to Green, a bemused look on his face.

"Bet that Ivysaur is looking real nice now, isn't it?"

Green snarled, and refused to admit he was right. On the bright side, there were no barriers protecting Quagsire, but none of them had a Pokemon strong against Ground Types, and Raichu was weak to them.

"Anybody got any bright ideas?"

"Nope."

"Any dumb ones?"

Goh thought for a minute, before answering.

"Maybe if we attack his legs, we can push him over?"

"Goh, that has got to be the dumbest idea I've ever heard!" Green said.

"Well, you asked for dumb ideas!"

Luckily, Gary was quick to come to Goh's defense.

"Stupid idea or not, it's the only one we've got. Raichu, use Focus Blast!"

"Ice Beam, Wartortle!"

"Dragon Pulse!"

The three Pokemon launched their attacks at Quagsire's feet, Wartortle managing to freeze him in place while he took damage. Quagsire struggled to break free, but to no avail.

"Focus Blast, Raichu!"

"RaiCHUUUUUUUUUUU!"

With one powerful strike, Raichu landed a direct hit on Quagsire, nearly making the giant topple over.

"Alright, now we put it all together! Wartortle, Ice Beam!"

"Dragon Pulse!"

"Focus Blast!"

"Dazzling Gleam!"

Before Quagsire could recover, the four Pokemon launched their attacks once more, finally putting Quagsire down for the count. One Pokeball throw from Horace later and he was captured, Horace deciding to keep Charmeleon.

"Alright, good job guys! We did it!"

"No thanks to you," scoffed Gary.

"Me? What did I do?"

"More like what you didn't do. If you had ordered an attack sooner, we could've knocked him out in one hit!"

"Hey, you don't know that!"

Before their fight could escalate, Horace got in between them.

"Guys, now isn't the time to argue. The last den is up ahead."

Realizing he was right, Green and Gary ceased their argument, but Green kept glaring daggers at him behind his back.

To their surprise, the next den they entered was completely empty, with the exit just in front of them.

"Well, this is a letdown."

"Maybe that was the last one?"

"I don't know, this seems too easy."

Just then, a huge roar was heard echoing throughout the cavern, forcing everyone to look up. Descending from the sky was a massive Articuno.

"Annnnd there it is."

Gary stepped forward to take the lead.

"Alright everyone, stay on your guard. Horace, You'd better Dynamax Charmeleon, because we'll need the extra firepower."

"Right!"

Once Charmeleon had grown giant sized, Gary turned to Goh.

"Goh, you're with me. Water Types resist Ice Types, so any attacks will do less damage to Wartortle. I'll try to cover you as much as I can."

"Got it!"

"And Green? Try not to get in our way."

Green wanted to retort, but Gary had already turned away to ignore her, leaving her to fume in silence.

"Alright Charmeleon, Max Flare!"

"Rising Voltage, Raichu!"
"Aura Sphere!"

Articuno took the attacks head on, before unleashing a Max Hailstorm on the group, forcing their Pokemon to shield themselves from the bitter cold.

"Dazzling Gleam, Wigglytuff!"

Before Articuno's onslaught could continue, Wigglytuff created the most brilliant flash of light she could manage, blinding Articuno and giving them a reprieve. Gary turned to her and gave an appreciative nod, which she returned.

"Alright then, we need to take advantage of this while we have a chance. Raichu, Lightscreen!"

"Water Pledge!"

"Max Flare!"

"Expanding Force!"

Articuno went at it again, this time with a Max Airstrike. Raichu jumped in front, creating a barrier to block some of the damage while her teammates launched their attacks again, dealing some damage to Articuno, but while Articuno was still going strong, their Pokemon were clearly feeling exhausted.

"Alright guys, time to-"

"Wait."

Surprisingly, Horace returned Charmeleon to its Pokeball, withdrawing from the fight.

"Horace?"

"We're clearly outmatched. We've barely left a scratch on Articuno, and our Pokemon are about to pass out."

Upon looking at their Pokemon, everyone had to acknowledge Horace's point. Knowing it would be a pointless endeavor to continue, they all recalled their Pokemon, Articuno nodding before flying out.

"I hope we made the right choice. I don't think Quillon will be too pleased with us bailing."

"For sure."

When they got back to mainland Galar, they sucked it up and called him. Surprisingly, Quillon was completely understanding of their situation.

"You may not have captured Articuno, but you did achieve the goal of the mission by investigating what was causing the weird energy readings. And you did manage to drive it off, allowing the company to start operations again. Therefore, I award all of you with three Project Mew Tokens."

Everyone cheered as three medals appeared on their phone screens.

"However, some of your actions also merit extra tokens. Gary, for your leadership and teamwork, shall receive one."

Gary smirked confidently.

"Goh, for your attention to detail and planning, shall receive an extra one, as will Horace for being the first to deduce your situation and retreat."

Goh and Horace smiled as their extra token popped up.

"And Green…your teamwork is improving, but still needs work."

Green gave a weary sigh. Having overheard this conversation, Danika stepped into frame and interjected.

"If I recall correctly, Quillon nearly blew our first mission together just because HE wanted to capture the shiny Gyarados first, and look at him now!"

Everyone laughed, except Quillon, who just glared at his coworker.

"Over and out."

With that, he hung up, leaving everyone to go their separate ways. But as she headed towards the airport, Green knew that Quillon was right, and that she had a lot to think about.