Since Aiden had already decided to bring a population of Giant Rhydon into his System World to reproduce and thrive, he naturally wasn't planning to stop after capturing only a few.
Fortunately, this island wasn't classified as a protected Pokémon reserve.
Even if it had been, as the Champion of the Hoenn Pokémon League—and with Lorelei, Kanto's former Elite Four member and current Vice Champion standing beside him—he still possessed the authority to legally capture Pokémon.
"These Rhydon really are unbelievable."
Aiden looked at the giant he had just captured.
"What exactly are they eating to grow this large?"
"Ten meters tall..."
"That's practically a three- or four-story building."
In the original anime, Pikachu and Meowth were around half a meter tall.
Yet when they encountered the giant Rhydon of Big Pong Island, even the length of its horn exceeded their entire height.
That alone showed just how absurdly massive these creatures were.
After storing the newly captured Giant Rhydon away, Aiden expanded his psychic senses and began scanning the island.
Almost immediately, he discovered three more giant Rhydon resting together in the eastern region.
Lorelei smiled.
"This is one mystery Pokémon researchers still haven't solved."
"Perhaps it's because of the Orange Archipelago's unusual climate."
"Or perhaps these Rhydon simply possess different genetic traits."
As a native of the Orange Archipelago, Lorelei was naturally proud of her homeland.
Seeing Aiden so interested in the local Pokémon made her happy.
The only thing she still couldn't understand was—
Why did Aiden always capture so many Pokémon?
When she asked, Aiden simply laughed.
"I'm planning to retire one day."
"Then I'll build the world's biggest ranch."
"And spend my days raising Pokémon."
...
Heading east, they soon found the three giant Rhydon.
Each stood around ten meters tall.
The capture operation continued.
This time, Aiden released three Pokémon.
Machamp.
Shiny Lucario.
Electivire.
Three versus three.
Perfect.
"Machamp!"
"Dynamic Punch!"
"Electivire!"
"Brick Break!"
"Lucario!"
"Aura Sphere!"
The battle erupted instantly.
Machamp roared and charged forward.
Its four muscular arms unleashed a devastating Dynamic Punch directly into a Giant Rhydon's chest.
Boom!
The enormous Pokémon let out a thunderous cry.
At the same time—
Lucario's Aura Sphere exploded directly against another Rhydon's face.
Electivire wasn't willing to fall behind either.
Its powerful physical attacks struck continuously until the third Rhydon crashed to the ground.
"Ding!"
"Lucario defeated Giant Rhydon."
"Experience gained: 4,700."
"Level increased."
"Current Level: 65."
"Ding!"
"Current Status: Shiny Lucario."
Pokémon: Shiny Lucario (Special)
Level: 65
Type: Fighting / Steel
Ability: Inner Focus
Potential: Red
Skills: Metal Claw, Quick Attack, Vacuum Wave, Swords Dance, Bullet Punch, Aura Sphere, Close Combat, Extreme Speed, Dragon Pulse, Heal Pulse...
Description: A rare shiny Pokémon abandoned by its parents and forced to survive alone in Lakeside Forest. Distrustful of outsiders, obsessed with becoming stronger. After being captured by the Host and evolving, its strength underwent a complete transformation.
Likes: Becoming stronger, having a family.
Looking at Lucario's updated status screen, Aiden couldn't help smiling.
A red-potential Pokémon.
Even among all his Pokémon, there weren't many of those.
At present, only:
Infernape.
Shiny Aggron.
Metagross.
Salamence.
Dragonite.
Shiny Lucario.
Six in total.
If Gible's future evolution line was included, then seven.
No more.
No less.
After praising his Pokémon for their efforts, Aiden threw three Luxury Balls.
Flash!
Flash!
Flash!
Three more Giant Rhydon were successfully captured.
Thus—
The collecting expedition continued.
Over the following hours, various members of Aiden's team took turns battling.
Snorlax.
Drapion.
Vaporeon.
Flareon.
Jolteon.
Espeon.
Leafeon.
Magmortar.
Nidoking.
Nidoqueen.
Scizor.
One after another.
By the time the sun began lowering toward the horizon, Aiden had already captured roughly thirty Giant Rhydon.
Only then did he stop.
After all, the island only contained around a hundred members of the species.
Capturing too many would damage the local ecological balance.
However—
Just as Aiden decided to end the operation—
The ground suddenly began shaking.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
A gigantic figure appeared in the distance.
Fifteen meters tall.
Nearly the height of a six- or seven-story building.
It marched forward with an unstoppable stride.
Every step caused tremors throughout the island.
The King of the Giant Rhydon Clan had arrived.
Naturally—
The king had already noticed that dozens of its clan members had mysteriously disappeared in a single day.
Now it had finally found the culprit.
"ROOOOOOOAR!"
The colossal king released an earth-shaking roar.
Behind it—
Dozens of Giant Rhydon followed.
An entire army.
Aiden immediately checked its status.
Pokémon: King Rhydon (Special)
Level: 66
Type: Ground / Rock
Ability: Lightning Rod
Potential: Gold
Skills: Dragon Rush, Guard Split, Counter, Metal Burst, Earthquake, Drill Run, Rock Blast, Iron Tail, Stomp, Megahorn, Horn Drill...
Description: The king and leader of the Giant Rhydon tribe inhabiting the Orange Archipelago. Due to environmental mutations, its species evolved enormous bodies. Possesses tremendous power and strongly dislikes outsiders.
Likes: Fighting.
Looking at the gigantic king, Aiden's eyes lit up.
Although it was only Level 66—
Its body alone changed everything.
Fifteen meters tall.
At that size, it practically belonged to an entirely different species.
A normal Champion-level Pokémon might not even be able to defeat it.
The title "King" was completely justified.
Aiden smiled.
Then he pulled out a Poké Ball.
A burst of light appeared.
A divine presence descended.
"Regirock."
The Rock Titan appeared.
"Regirock."
"Increase your size."
"Match its height."
"Then use Rock Smash."
"ÜN ÜN ÜN!"
Regirock immediately expanded.
Five meters.
Ten meters.
Fifteen meters.
Soon—
The ancient titan stood eye-to-eye with the King Rhydon.
The island fell silent.
The Giant Rhydon clan stared in disbelief.
Their king had finally met an opponent equal in size.
Regirock raised its massive stone fist.
King Rhydon charged forward fearlessly.
Rock Smash.
Mega Impact.
The two attacks collided head-on.
BOOOOOOM!
The earth shattered.
A shockwave swept across the entire island.
And the battle between kings officially began.
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