Chapter 192: Growlithe, The Hidden Move!

Gaining its freedom, the Clauncher assumed the Dragonite had run out of strength to hold it down and thus fled in a sorry state.

Just as the Clauncher was about to rise and unleash another massive attack on the Dragonite, the Growlithe leaped before it with great spirit and issued a challenge!

"Wang Wang!" (Your humble servant arrives!)

The Clauncher's response to the Growlithe was a strike filled with fury.

A Water Pulse, rapidly condensed, was launched by the Clauncher with the momentum of a Hydro Pump; fortunately, the Growlithe's reaction speed, honed through daily training, was fast enough, and with an instinctive sideways dodge, the Water Pulse slammed into a sandcastle built by some unknown Pokémon nearby.

That power startled the Growlithe; was it really going to fight this fellow?!

If it took a hit from that Water Pulse just now, wouldn't it lose half its life?

The power of the Clauncher's move even surprised Luo Mu; it seemed the Mega Launcher ability combined with the Terastal Water enhancement allowed the Clauncher to exert attacking power surpassing its own inherent strength.

Luo Mu narrowed his eyes and said, "Rock Tomb."

The Growlithe gathered its spirits to condense rock energy, and several sandcastle-sized rocks formed out of thin air, flying out from four angles—up, down, left, and right—to attack the Clauncher and seal off its retreat.

The Clauncher was not afraid in the least; wrapping itself in a stream of water, it increased its speed accordingly, breaking through the encirclement of the Rock Tomb at the critical moment, while energy condensed once more in its massive crab claw, revealing a jet-black hue.

This time, it was Dark Pulse!

Realizing the opportunity had arrived, Luo Mu decided immediately: "Flamethrower!"

Taking the battle seriously after nearly suffering a debacle at the start, the Growlithe chose to disrupt the Clauncher's aim by dashing at high speed, then leaped high into the air and spat a scorching line of fire from the Clauncher's blind spot.

The Clauncher's reflexes were quite good; in haste, it shifted its attack direction, launching a profound Dark Pulse.

Flamethrower and Dark Pulse collided, instantly stirring up a fierce wind; the clash of energy against energy triggered an explosion, causing both sides to lose sight of each other for a moment.

Compared to the flustered Clauncher, the Growlithe did not stop moving, running across the beach once more, and furthermore, the Growlithe possessed the keen sense of smell unique to canine Pokémon!

Not letting this excellent opportunity slip away, the Growlithe quickly identified the Clauncher's scent mixed within the slightly turbid air.

A trace of determination flashed in Emperor Yan Di's eyes as dense rock energy gathered above the Growlithe's head; boosted by its Ability, the Double-Edge with no side effects exploded upon the Clauncher's surface, instantly smashing it into the sandy ground!

Hearing the Clauncher's involuntary cry of pain, the Growlithe's face lit up with joy; the attack had worked!

As the smoke dispersed and the dancing sand grains fell to the ground, the disheveled Clauncher gradually revealed its form.

The corners of Luo Mu's mouth turned upward; this move by the Growlithe was quite effective, and after several rounds of combat, he had also discerned the Clauncher's weakness.

Although the dual boost of Terastallization and its Ability granted it extremely strong firepower, in terms of other attributes, the well-trained Growlithe was superior.

Whether in agility, speed, or battle intelligence, the Growlithe held an overwhelming advantage.

After all, the Growlithe had not only received Rock-type instruction from Kukui's Lycanroc but had also consistently undergone fire cultivation alongside Moltres, plus received guidance in various aspects from the main team's Pokémon.

Under his command, such an advantage was sufficient to expand into a condition for victory in the battle situation.

The injured Clauncher was even more helpless against the Growlithe.

Although its moves were powerful, under the deliberate vigilance of the Growlithe and Luo Mu, they could not exert any effect, making the Clauncher feel increasingly frustrated as it took several more hits from the Growlithe, its breath growing ever weaker.

The Clauncher knew it could not continue like this; hardening its heart, it resolved to go all out, and after forcibly enduring a "Crunch" from the Growlithe, a light suddenly ignited in the Clauncher's eyes as it mobilized all the Water-type energy within its body.

Since the nearby area was already the ocean, Water-type energy was unusually active, and coupled with the power brought by that strange crystal, the Clauncher's entire body momentarily shimmered as if plated with the luster of crystals; water pillars gushed forth from its arm claws, and the powerful impact instantly sent the Clauncher flying into mid-air.

Immediately after, as if making a last-ditch effort, the Clauncher paid no heed to energy consumption and began swinging its arm claws while airborne, causing fierce water pillars to dance wildly in all directions.

To be honest, the Clauncher was quite clever.

Since it couldn't lock onto the Growlithe, it opted for an area-of-effect attack from mid-air; no matter how fast the Growlithe was, it couldn't outrun the rapidly surging, wildly dancing water pillars.

The range of the attack even reached Luo Mu in the rear, but the Dragonite blocked in front of him, deploying a faint green shield; the "Protect" move easily caught the Clauncher's furious strike.

Luo Mu had intended to have the Growlithe also use Protect like the Dragonite to endure the Clauncher's final dance, waiting until its energy was exhausted so the Growlithe could deliver the final blow.

However, the Growlithe, struggling to dodge the all-around sweeping water pillars, sent a determined look to Luo Mu.

It wanted to defeat the Clauncher head-on with this final strike!

Luo Mu was stunned, myriad thoughts swirling in his heart before finally turning into a long sigh; glancing at the Dragonite blocking before him, Luo Mu's mood was strange, as he once again experienced that instant when a child grows up.

"Do as you wish; I support you."

This single sentence stated Luo Mu's stance.

This was the Growlithe's "coming of age" trial, its final step on the path to evolution, and it had the right to make its own choice.

Feeling the support from its "father," the Growlithe's fighting spirit soared to unprecedented heights; it had secretly learned this move for a long time, wishing to give Luo Mu a surprise and show him its growth.

Now was the moment for the accumulation of the past two months to blossom and bear fruit!

The Growlithe dodged the water pillars once more, then chose to stand still and no longer evade; this was not suicide, for just as the next water pillar was about to sweep across, a muffled thunderclap exploded in the sky.

Luo Mu and the Dragonite were stunned; could it be...

In the next instant, the Growlithe was clad in Lei Guang; stimulated by the electric current, its muscles became fully activated, and its physical capabilities crossed another stage. Turning into a dazzling luminous body, it broke through the water pillars and charged toward the Clauncher, which was hovering in mid-air aided by thrust.

For a moment, Lei Guang filled the sky.

Luo Mu's fingers twitched slightly as he murmured, "Wild Charge?"

Where had the Growlithe learned this move? Perhaps one didn't need to think to find the answer.

The silhouette of a Luxray floated up in the minds of Luo Mu and the Dragonite.

Bang!!

The Clauncher fell, emitting black smoke from its entire body; after a crisp shattering sound, the energy-depleted Terastal crystal, along with the Clauncher's Terastallization, shattered and scattered into shards of light.

Luo Mu could no longer suppress the rising corners of his mouth and said proudly, "This is truly a... big surprise!"

(End of Chapter)