In the eyes of many, Castform does not fit the definition of "strong".
Compared to those Pokémon with fierce appearances and strong physical build, Castform can only be described as "cute" and "small".
But appearance does not mean anything, and the average standard of a species does not represent anything either.
Humans, most ordinary people, cannot resist Pokémon attacks. If a Pidgey were to peck at a human's neck... it could potentially result in death.
Yet, some trained humans also have the capability to defeat some Pokémon barehanded. They surpass some Pokémon in terms of strength and speed, enabling them to directly confront Pokémon.
There are even some peculiar humans who possess unique powers, such as psychic powers, superhuman-abilities that do not fit into human identity.
The average standard of individuals cannot represent anything, because the natural world includes concepts like "chance" and "hard work".
Without the continuous "mutations", "evolutions", and "struggles" of Pokémon over millions of years, there wouldn't be as many "newborn" Pokémon today.
Were those Ancient Pokémon that have already become extinct not strong?
If they were strong, why were they replaced by current Pokémon and got extinct one after another?
The history of both humans and Pokémon development is constantly changing through succession.
A powerful Pokémon could very well have evolved from a weak Pokémon.
If one were to confine Pokémon, these "magical creatures" with rigid data, they would never truly understand their magic.
However!
Terrance is also an ordinary person. He couldn't forcibly believe that a Wurmple, even after training, could defeat a Dragonite.
If there's a chance... it must be established under unequal conditions. Wurmple evolves continuously, thus advancing its species, while the Dragonite has inherent defects.
Under equal conditions...it cannot be denied that there is a disparity between species.
But this disparity is by no means insurmountable. Approximately 1500 years ago, Magikarp were once a strong species, but due to an unknown mutation, became the weakest Pokémon.
These unknown external factors are what change Pokémon... in this Castform, Terrance could see traces of being altered by external factors.
That's why he feels this Castform is special, and feels attracted to it.
As for what makes it special...further battles are needed to verify.
"Castformmm~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"
"Castformmm~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"
Before the battle with Mismagius even began, the weather changed again at a surprising speed.
Rumble!
It was clearly just a simple Rain Dance, yet thunder and lightning were mixed in the dark clouds, surprising Terrance, as this was beyond logic.
Above the hill, dark clouds rolled and surged, flowing in from all directions, accumulating in thick layers, growing increasingly dense, as if thousands of troops were pressing down.
Terrance looked up, the low sky seemingly foretelling an impending storm.
"This aura..."
Seeing the tiny body of Castform, Terrance found it hard to believe that such a small body could actually contain so much energy, and was capable of communicating with nature and weather.
Meanwhile, under the changing weather, Castform's form also changed.
From the initial gray-white body, the body gradually changed into a blue droplet shape, with a dark cloud supporting the entire body under the droplet.
"In that case, Mismagius, I leave it to you."
Terrance was still confident in Mismagius's strength...Even though this Castform was special, it is still a wild Pokémon.
Unlike Altaria and Exploud, it had not grown up through continuous battles, which one could tell from its temperament.
"Attack first, Mismagius, Psybeam."
Mismagius immediately locked onto Castform, shooting a pink and purple ray towards Castform.
This was a display of strength; the first round of confrontation was just probing.
"Castformmm~~~~"
Facing the incoming colorful ray, Castform sensed the eerie energy within it, and without hesitation, it shook its tiny body and poof!!"
A single Hydro Pump quickly pierced through the Psybeam, not even causing an energy explosion, and directly pressed down on Mismagius!
This Hydro Pump was "thin", not as thick as a typical Hydro Pump, but it was also different from a Water Gun, not as dispersed.
The rapid current was condensed firmly, and under tremendous force, it sliced through Psybeam before continuing to move forward!
Following the Hydro Pump, clouds begin to drizzle, and standing on the level ground outside the cave, Terrance could clearly feel the sensation of raindrops hitting his body...
"It seems... with the amplification of Rain Dance, the power of this Hydro Pump has increased significantly."
"And in terms of shape, there's also a change..."
"Indeed, compared to the thick Hydro Pump, this more condensed Hydro Pump is more suitable for Castform's size."
Buzz~~~~
Intercepting the Hydro Pump were a bunch of Shadow Balls. These Shadow Balls were also small, with a diameter not much different from Hydro Pump.
The reason for giving this command was because he wanted to see how much the power of Hydro Pump had been amplified under Castform's mysterious Rain Dance.
And the result greatly surprised Terrance.
Under Mismagius's precise energy control, the energy was evenly distributed among ten Shadow Balls. The Shadow Balls were continuously launched, colliding with and neutralizing Hydro Pump one after another.
With the low muffled sound of "bang", "bang", "bang", one Shadow Ball after another dissipated, and the speed of Hydro Pump weakened. As time passed, until the seventh Shadow Ball, Hydro Pump completely dissipated.
This power...
Terrance's eyes lit up with keen interest. He didn't believe this Hydro Pump was something Castform had developed through its own training.
Even with the guidance and accumulated resources of a Trainer, achieving this level is still very difficult.
However, to most people, this wild Castform is merely a weak Pokémon pet. Yet, a single Hydro Pump showcased such power.
After breaking through "Psybeam," it shattered seven Shadow Balls in succession before dissipating completely.
"While it's possible that Castform has a high level of proficiency with Hydro Pump... undoubtedly...the rainy weather condition has provided Castform with an excellent opportunity to shine."
Meanwhile, three Shadow Balls flew towards Castform. Looking at them, Castform revealed a disdainful expression.
It could sense that the energy contained within the "Shadow Balls" was minimal, and this kind of energy would have little to no effect on it.
Just as the three Shadow Balls were about to descend, Castform suddenly transformed, reverting from its raindrop-like form to its gray-white body, and the raindrops in the sky ceased to fall.
[Author Note: In my setting, there is no such thing as absolute immunity.... Ground types have strong resistance against Electric types, but it's not zero effectiveness. If the disparity between them is too great, a Thunderbolt could potentially render a Ground type Pokémon unconscious.
This point... is similar to how Normal-type or Fighting-type moves cannot hit Ghost-type Pokémon, but under a "foresight" state, they can hit them, indicating that such immunity isn't absolute, but a combination of factors such as "inability to hit" and "weakened effect"...
We don't need to be too confined by the game. Most game settings are just for the diversification and rationalization of tactics. In novels, that would be more likely to produce bugs.]
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