As leaves sprouted vigorously from the top of Thwackey's head, its muscles rapidly swelled, becoming robust and imposing. Its strong arms supported it on the ground, and the wooden stick in its hand transformed into drumsticks. The wooden drum before it evolved into a larger wooden stump drum.
Rillaboom fiercely struck the stump drum with its drumsticks, and the powerful sound waves left the Salandit below the summit in a daze, afraid to advance.
The light dissipated, revealing Thwackey's deep brown skin and resolute orange-red eyes. No, it should now be called Rillaboom, having broken through its limits and completed its evolution.
"Thwackey... no, Rillaboom, you did it. I'm so happy for you," Summer said, looking at Rillaboom's back. "Now, accept this power."
The TM in Summer's hand dissolved, and new techniques surged into Rillaboom's mind. It could now skillfully use the move High Horsepower.
"Rilla!"
Rillaboom responded to Summer, then vigorously beat its drum. Roots erupted from the ground around the stump drum, instantly swatting the stunned Salandit.
"So this is Drum Beating? It's stronger than I imagined," Summer nodded silently. He had thought Drum Beating could only manipulate one or two roots, but Rillaboom's mastery allowed it to control many, a testament to its high-level drumming skill.
The sight of their companions being sent flying jolted the Salandit awake and filled them with fear. They faced an opponent unbeatable by teamwork, especially with a powerful Corviknight and a group of Marowak aiding them.
"Hiss-ha!"
Salazzle, furious, kicked away the Salandit beside it. Worthless creatures! It had to resort to its trump card.
Inhaling deeply, Salazzle exhaled a thick pink toxic gas infused with its unique pheromones. This gas would not only renew the loyalty of the retreating Salandit but also cause dizziness among those at the summit.
"Using chemical attacks? But it's useless. Corviknight, it's your turn now," Summer said, patting Corviknight's wing. "Whip up a strong wind."
"Caw-caw!"
Got it. I won't let Rillaboom hog all the glory. I'll blow away this despicable gas!
Corviknight soared into the sky, flapping its wings furiously. Blades of air sliced toward Salazzle, dispersing its carefully prepared gas. Seeing a sharp air blade approaching, Salazzle grabbed a nearby Salandit as a shield.
"Hiss-ha?!"
The now useless Salandit was tossed aside. Salazzle, enraged, prepared to charge up the mountain with purple flames in its mouth, believing it had to handle this personally.
But Salazzle wasn't reckless. It used a strategy of moving and releasing pheromones, making the chemically induced Salandit its shields and cannon fodder.
"As expected of the dominant creature here, it knows how to use its advantages. Marowak, can you use Bonemerang to attack Salazzle? We need a decisive strike," Summer asked.
"Marowak!"
The lead Marowak agreed, determined to go all out for its benefactor and friend. It hurled its bone club infused with the earth's essence at Salazzle. As Salazzle tried to dodge, it saw bones flying in all directions.
No, except behind, every direction was filled with flying Bonemerangs. The other Salandit couldn't block these ground-type moves.
In this situation, Salazzle made a quick decision to take the hit head-on, believing victory was within reach as it neared the summit.
The Bonemerang struck its chest, but Salazzle endured the pain and took a step forward, seeing Rillaboom looking down at it from the summit.
"Now, Rillaboom, catch the bone and throw it back!"
Rillaboom stepped forward, caught the returning Bonemerang, and hurled it fiercely.
Again?! Salazzle was furious, wanting to lash out at the Salandit, but none were around. Without the pheromones' control, they had scattered.
"Follow up with High Horsepower!"
Rillaboom struck the ground, its body enveloped in an orange aura. It charged at Salazzle with unstoppable force.
Just a mere grass Pokémon! Salazzle bent backward, dodging the Bonemerang, then straightened up, spewing toxic flames. Its purple eyes mocked Rillaboom's approach.
"Caw-caw!"
Annoying bird! Salazzle's eyes widened as a fierce wind blew away its flames. Corviknight's mocking expression seemed to say, "You failed because you forgot about me!"
Rillaboom's massive fist hammered into Salazzle's face, sending it flying. But it wasn't over; the returning Bonemerang struck its back, and Salazzle collapsed, unconscious. The remaining Salandit scattered, unwilling to risk their lives.
However, one Salandit couldn't escape Rillaboom's grasp. Summer needed it to find the Z-Crystal in their lair.
"Rillaboom, great job," Summer said, approaching Rillaboom and the captured Salandit. Now, finding the Z-Crystal wouldn't be a problem.
"Caw-caw!"
"Of course, I didn't forget you, Corviknight. Well done."
Corviknight nodded in satisfaction.
"Marowak, would you join us? I suspect there's something special in Salazzle's lair."
The Marowak didn't fully understand Summer's words, but they trusted him.
"Salandit, you know your situation. Lead us to Salazzle's lair," Summer said, staring at it.
Salandit sighed. It had no bargaining power. Fine, I'll take you.
In the hidden cave midway up Wela Volcano, the lair of the dominant Salazzle, a pungent odor filled the air. Summer covered his nose as he entered.
The cave was spacious, with a crimson throne in the center, surrounded by various berries.
Summer was astonished to find the throne made of Fire Z-Crystals. How did Salazzle gather so many berries in this desolate volcano? It seemed Salazzle had been exploiting the Salandit.
"Alright, let's collect these," Summer said.
With so many Z-Crystals, Summer had to empty his supply bag. He gave the supplies to the Marowak who had helped them.
As he pried up the Z-Crystals at the base, he discovered a glowing crack filled with sparkling crystals.
"Could this be the source of the dominant Pokémon's power?"
(End of Chapter)