Chapter 57: The Ultra Iron Tyrannosaurus

Chapter 57: Super Iron Tyrannosaurus

Brilliant clouds scattered across the sky like brocade silk, while the gentle dusk light slanted down, illuminating the tranquil forest in a warm glow.

Beneath the dense canopy, a figure could be glimpsed darting swiftly through the shadows.

Matt moved with practiced ease, his breath light, as though the uneven terrain beneath his feet posed no obstacle. He wove through the trees, nimble and sure.

Suddenly, his gaze sharpened. He halted, every muscle taut, then pushed off with force, hurling himself to the side.

A hissing sound split the air.

A jet of dark purple liquid shot from the shadow beneath the nearby trees, accompanied by the sharp sizzle of corrosion and wisps of white smoke. The once-tender grass blackened instantly.

A surge of intense danger rose in Matt’s heart. Without hesitation, he snatched the Poké Ball from his belt and hurled it forward.

A crack echoed.

A burst of red light erupted, releasing a massive figure from the Poké Ball.

With a heavy thud, it landed, shaking the earth.

Its skin was a rough, dark gray, reminiscent of rock, wrapped in an orange shell like armor. Muscular arms bore three thick, powerful fingers each. Its reptilian head was crowned by a spiraled white horn, and behind it, a hammer-like tail swept the ground, stirring gusts of wind.

This was Matt’s ace Pokémon, raised from childhood: the Super Iron Tyrannosaurus.

Meanwhile, from the shadows beneath the trees, the wild Pokémon that had attacked Matt began to reveal itself.

It resembled a gigantic cobra, its long purple body coiled around the branches. A pink tongue flicked from its wide mouth, which emitted wisps of black vapor. Its eyes gleamed with ravenous greed for prey. On its neck, sinister patterns formed a human-like face, cold and terrifying, flashing with a mesmerizing glow.

A sibilant hiss.

Arbok reared up, spreading its patterned neck, swaying slightly as if to hypnotize its opponent.

“Don’t look at its neck pattern!” Matt called.

“Super Iron Tyrannosaurus, use Hammer Arm!”

The trainer’s command rang out from behind. Super Iron Tyrannosaurus narrowed its eyes, muscles swelling in its right arm, doubling in size. Brilliant white light gleamed across its rough skin.

Its short, thick legs, like tree stumps, pushed off with sudden force.

Super Iron Tyrannosaurus burst forth with astonishing speed, far beyond what its bulk should allow. The white light on its right arm trailed a streak through the air, driving straight towards Arbok.

Arbok’s greedy snake eyes widened in surprise; its hypnotic neck pattern failed to take effect, leaving it stunned.

In that instant of confusion, the raging form of Super Iron Tyrannosaurus swept forth like a storm.

Boom—

Muscles bulged, blood surged.

The massive fist, bathed in dazzling white light, crashed down onto Arbok’s small head.

Blood sprayed. The immense force hurled Arbok and the branch it had coiled around straight out.

But Super Iron Tyrannosaurus did not relent.

Matt knew that wild Pokémon like Arbok possessed extraordinary vitality; even with overwhelming strength, a single strike rarely finished them.

Heavy, deep yellow energy gathered at its feet. Super Iron Tyrannosaurus stepped forward and stomped fiercely onto Arbok’s head.

“Heavy Slam!”

The long purple snake tail spasmed violently in the air, then, after a moment, collapsed limply onto the ground.

Matt nodded, then recalled Super Iron Tyrannosaurus into the Poké Ball.

Though he had dealt with the obstacle, his expression remained somber.

“In the end, I still miscalculated.”

This was already Matt’s second week deep in the forest. Though the towering mountains ahead seemed closer, Matt knew he was still a long way from truly reaching the Clara Mountains.

And the food he carried was nearly depleted.

His original plan had been to bring enough non-perishable supplies for more than half a month, relying on his hunting skills in the woods to supplement his food, and avoid eating from his pack until he reached the Clara Mountains.

Yet reality had struck him hard.

In this forest—at least, according to Matt’s experience over the past two weeks—there were no ordinary animals at all. Only powerful wild Pokémon inhabited these woods.

And most, like the Arbok before him, were riddled with toxins, wholly unsuitable for human consumption.

Wiping sweat from his brow with his sleeve, Matt glanced up at the sky.

He realized it was already late, so he found a slightly open spot in the woods and lit a campfire.

...

...

The pale yellow flames danced in the dark forest, asserting their presence.

Matt sat nearby, cradling a bowl of hot soup. He took a sip, then looked up.

The vast night sky above was studded with stars.

In the city, veiled by industrial fumes, such a magnificent starry sky was never visible. Now, it unfolded before Matt’s eyes, easing the weight of his worries and slowly relaxing his furrowed brow.

A soft meow broke the silence of the woods.

A chill ran down his spine; goosebumps prickled across his skin.

Matt stood up swiftly. He tossed a Poké Ball skyward, and Super Iron Tyrannosaurus appeared at his side.

Years of adventuring had taught Matt that in the wild, the stranger and more unnatural a phenomenon, the more dangerous it was.

A deep sense of threat welled up inside him; Matt tensed, alert to his surroundings.

The eerie cat cry, sudden in the quiet night, nearly scared him out of his wits.

Leaves rustled in the forest.

Closer and closer.

Closer and closer.

“It’s coming!”

Matt’s heart pounded wildly, almost leaping into his throat. His eyes locked onto the direction of the sound.

Another gentle meow.

The owner of the voice stepped from the dense, dark woods.

Its small body was covered in fluffy white fur. Around its neck, indigo fur formed a scarf-like collar. Its bright orange eyes sparkled in the firelight. Large, slender ears drooped, framing its face, making it appear adorably innocent.

Matt recognized the Psychic Meow, the feline Pokémon from the Kalos region.

But he dared not let down his guard, knowing full well the terrifying psychic power hidden within that tiny frame.

Psychic Meow stepped lightly, pacing with elegance toward Matt.

“Stop!”

“Leave! Or I’ll attack!”

Matt barked sternly.

Seeing the trainer unmoved, Psychic Meow’s crystalline eyes flashed with a hint of human-like disdain.

It paused, a mocking smile curling at its mouth. Its two white ears suddenly stood upright, and a surge of pure, immense psychic energy—visible as a faint pink aura—swept toward Matt.