Chapter 23:

The Great Tyranitar Risk

Location: Bridge Field (Wild Area)

"Up and at' em!" I told Hop.

"Urgh," he said. "Wait… we're reaching Hammerlocke today!"

"Yep!" I said. "Come on! We can't waste a single minute! We have some training to do as well!"

Location: Stony Wilderness (Wild Area)

We came into an area where large stones were lodges into the ground in various locations. We saw the hill that led up to Hammerlocke in the distance. In the middle of this was a small desert. From one of the dens, there was purple energy bursting into the sky.

"I can't contain my excitement!" said Hop. "Let's get going!"

"Sure!" I said. "Before we do though…" I saw a Galarian Zigzagoon. "I want to try something. Kubfu, it's your time to shine!" I sent out my Fighting Type for the first time. "Rock Smash!" Kubfu punched Zigzagoon for Super Effective, though not massive, damage. Zigzagoon then came back with Pin Missile; it wasn't very effective. "And now use Headbutt!" Kubfu hit Zigzagoon with its head. Zigzagoon retaliated with Take Down. It almost finished Kubfu, but Zigzagoon had taken a beating as is. "Finish with Aerial Ace!" Kubfu dove into Zigzagoon, finishing it off.

"Nice one!" I told Kubfu. We fist-bumped.

"Kubfu's first battle!" Hop replied. "Now that that's dealt with, let's… hey! Look!"

In the distance we saw Allister! He was battling a blue-round Pokémon.

Golett (ゴビシト)

#088

Ghost/Ground Type

Automaton Pokémon

3'03" (1 m)

92 kg (202.8 lbs)

This Pokémon was created from clay. It received orders from its master many thousands of years ago, and it still follows them to this day.

To battle Golett, Allister was using a purple Pokémon with disconnected hands.

Haunter (ゴースト)

#142 (Mainland)

Ghost/Poison Type

Gas Pokémon

5'03" (1.6 m)

0.2 lbs (0.1 kg)

If you get the feeling of being watched in the darkness when nobody is around, Haunter is there.

Gastly -Lv 25- Haunter

"Use Hex!" Haunter's eyes started glowing red, and it did damage to Golett. Golett then came back with a Stomping Tantrum, but it did nothing to Haunter because of Levitate. "Okay. Go!" Allister threw a Great Ball at Golett… and he caught it!

"Hey!" I said. "Nice one!"

"Gloria…" Alister said, stepping away. "No… don't worry. She's your friend."

I smiled. "That's our Allister. So, you on your way to Hammerlocke?"

"Via here," he said. "Come on out Yamask!" Allister sent out his Yamask. Yamask have a regional form in Galar. Unlike the ones found in the Unova region, they have a pattern where their mask would be.

Yamask (Galarian form) (デスマス)

#327 (Mainland)

Ground/Ghost Type

Spirit Pokémon

1'08" (0.5 m)

3.3 lbs (1.5 kg)

A clay slab with cursed engravings took possession of a Yamask. The slab is said to be absorbing the Yamask's dark power.

"And you are here to train with it?" I asked.

"Evolve it," Allister said. "It's a bit of a complicated procedure though, so watch me." Allister went over to a yellow Pokémon that was spinning.

Baltoy (ヤジロン)

#082 (Mainland)

Ground/Psychic Type

Clay Doll Pokémon

1'08" (0.5 m)

47.4 lbs (21.5 kg)

It was discovered in ancient ruins. While moving, it constantly spins. It stands on one foot even when asleep.

"Yamask, go!" said Allister.

"Looks like Allister has the advantage!" I said.

Baltoy started with Extrasensory. It did a bit to Yamask. I saw Allister subtly do a "yes" formation with his fist; was this part of his plan? "Yamask! Night Shade!" Yamask sent out weird waves towards Baltoy. It hit and did about half. "No! Too strong!"

"Too strong?" Hop asked.

Baltoy used another Extrasensory. "Disable!" Yamask stared at Baltoy, disabling Extrasensory. It then used Ancient Power, which wasn't very effective. "Now use Night Shade again!" Yamask defeated Baltoy with that move.

"Great one!" I said. "Though Yamask does look pretty beat."

"Just what I wanted!" Allister said. "Come on! Let's head to the Dusty Bowl!"

Location: Dusty Bowl (Wild Area)

We walked into the tiny desert. "There it is!" Allister said, pointing to a rock formation. It was a large rock held up by two smaller ones. "I need to walk under it and Yamask will evolve!"

"Go get em!" I said.

Allister took a deep breath, then ran towards it.

"Stop!" I said. We heard a roar. It was… a Tyranitar!

Tyranitar (バンギラス)

#385 (Mainland)

Rock/Dark Type

Armor Pokémon

6'07" (2 m)

445.3 lbs (202 kg)

The quakes caused when it walks make even great mountains crumble and change the surrounding terrain.

Larvitar -Lv 30- Pupitar -Lv 55- Tyranitar

"Get away!" I told Allister. "It's too strong for any of us!"

The angry Tyranitar started powering up energy. "It's about to use Giga Impact!" Hop yelled.

Tyranitar charged at Allister with full pelt. "I can't watch!" I said, putting my hands over my eyes.

"Yamask!" Yamask got in front of Allister and took the hit; it did nothing due to Yamask's Ghost Type! Because Giga Impact requires the user to recharge, Allister and Yamask used this opportunity to charge through the rocks. Doing this caused Yamask to start glowing. When Yamask had evolved, it was made up of grey plates with a pattern on it.

Runerigus (デスバーン)

#328 (Mainland)

Ground/Ghost Type

Grudge Pokémon

5'03" (1.6 m)

146.8 lbs (66.6 kg)

Never touch its shadowlike body, or you'll be shown the horrific memories behind the picture carved into it.

Yamask -After taking 49 damage from battle, walk under the rock formation in Dusty Bowl- Runerigus

"That is one complex method," Hop said.

At that point, Tyranitar had rested up and prepared to fire a Stone Edge.

"Stop it!" I shouted.

Tyranitar fired sharp stones at Allister, but Runerigus managed to cover Allister; it protected its Trainer!

"We need to get him out of there!" I said. I sent out Corvisquire to pick up Allister and bring him back to safety. Runerigus followed him and we all made a break for it.

Location: Giant's Cap (Wild Area)

"That was insane!" I told Allister. "What in the name of Arceus made you think you could just waltz into a desert ruled by a Tyranitar?!"

"My love of Ghost Types, and my Pokémon," he said.

"Well you still could have got hurt," I said. "Please. Never put yourself into harms way like that again. Even Leon wouldn't."

"Hey! Lee could take on and beat that Tyranitar easily!" Hop said.

"Fair point," I replied. "How about we do something a bit less dangerous? A Max Raid Battle!"

"Great idea!" Hop replied.

"That one!" Allister said. "I can feel the presence of a Ghost Type…"

"So you can feel them to?" I asked. "Amazing."

"Let's just get to work," Hop said. "I need to get my mind off of… whatever happened there."

We all walked over to the Max Raid Den.

"Hold up!" We saw a Lass run up. "Can I join?"

"I think we'll need it," I said. "This one looks strong."

Location: Max Raid Den

We were confronted with the Pokémon; it was… a Froslass.

Froslass (ユキメノコ)

#081 (Mainland)

Ice/Ghost Type

Snow Land Pokémon

4'03" (1.3 m)

58.6 lbs (26.6 kg)

After a woman met her end on a snowy mountain, her regrets lingered on. From them, this Pokémon was born. Its favourite food is frozen souls.

Snorunt (Female) -Dawn Stone- Froslass

"I choose Raboot!" I shouted.

"You're up Litwick!" said Allister.

"I'll use Cramorant!" Hop shouted.

"Go Weavile!" Ivy shouted, sending out a black Pokémon with sharp claws and red feathers in different areas.

Weavile (マニューラ)

#293

Ice/Dark Type

Sharp Claw Pokémon

3'07" (1.1 m)

75 lbs (34 kg)

With its claws, it leaves behind signs for its friends to find. The number of distinct signs is said to be over 500.

Sneasel -Lv up at Night-time holding Sharp Claw- Weavile

"Leave it to me!" shouted Allister. He sent back Litwick, and his Pokéball got bigger. He threw it again, and Litwick came out Dynamaxed!

"Neat!" said Hop.

"Okay Raboot, Flame Charge!" Covered in fire, Raboot charged into Froslass. Then, Froslass used Draining Kiss on Weavile.

"Come back with Assurance!" Weavile attacked Froslass for lots of damage.

"Cramorant, Pluck!" Cramorant stabbed Froslass with its beak.

"Litwick! Max Flare!" Litwick shot a large pillar of fire at Froslass! It was weakened!

"Now's your chance!" I told Allister.

"Got it!" Allister got out an Ultra Ball. It got bigger, and Allister threw it. Froslass went inside… and stayed!

Location: Hammerlocke Hills

At long last, we approached the entrance to Hammerlocke. The entrance looked like the head of a Hydreigon.

"Thank you for everything," said Allister. "I'll do anything in return for the help you gave me with Froslass."

"Just stick to the promise that you won't put yourself at serious risk like you did in the Dusty Bowl again, got it?" I said. "Well, actually, there is another thing. Why don't we have a battle tomorrow? In Hammerlocke. My Lombre evolved into Ludicolo yesterday and I want to give it a try. Does that sound alright?"

"I'd be happy to," Allister replied.

"What are we waiting for?!" Hop said. "Let's head into Hammerlocke!"

Location: Hammerlocke

The city was almost defined by the large castle in the centre, as the great walls around towered above us.

"Look at this place," Allister said. "It's remained almost untouched for at least 800 years!"

"You know your history," I said. We looked up at the massive castle. The "wings" were stretched out and there was a massive crown on the top. "That place is also the Hammerlocke Stadium, where Raihan is the Gym Leader. We won't take on him yet; he's a bit strong."

Hop patted me on the back. "But you promised we would stay for a bit, didn't you? I want to meet Sonia!"

"And I need a break," I replied. "Plus, we're having a battle tomorrow Allister!"

"You better watch out," he said.