Pokémon: When the World Changed

Chapter 603 598: First Public Appearance

"Go ahead, give us a good start."

Lucas smiled slightly while displaying Ethan's opponent's information on the screen.

Ethan's opponent was named Jhon Smith, a trainer specialized in Fighting-type Pokémon.

"So I'm the first."

Ethan looked around, observing the spectators who kept cheering nonstop.

There was no doubt that the opening match would receive extremely high attention.

In such a situation, Ethan's mind began to work quickly.

Without hesitation, he walked straight onto the field and, amid the applause of the audience, stepped onto the battle platform.

Across from him, Jhon had also stepped onto the stage. From the way he constantly waved to the audience, he seemed very pleased that his match was the first.

"Looks like he also likes to draw attention. What a pity... this time I'm afraid you won't be able to shine."

Ethan smiled slightly as a Poké Ball appeared on the field.

"The very first match of the entire tournament. And against a Fighting-type Pokémon. Without a doubt, this is the best moment for you to come out."

At that moment, the screen spun to determine who would attack first.

Soon it was confirmed: the first turn would belong to Jhon.

"Come out, Hitmonchan!"

Seeing that he had the initiative, Jhon immediately threw his Poké Ball.

Hitmonchan quickly appeared on the stage, dressed in its fighting attire and wearing boxing gloves.

"So it's Hitmonchan... Then my Pokémon will be this one."

With a mysterious smile, Ethan opened his Poké Ball.

Accompanied by a deafening roar, Rhyperior's figure appeared on the battlefield.

"Wh... what Pokémon is that?"

The moment Rhyperior appeared, the entire stadium was stunned.

"It looks a bit like Rhydon..."

"But as far as I remember, Rhydon doesn't have an evolution!"

After a brief silence, murmurs began spreading.

"Wait... Ethan Black..."

"Doesn't this scene feel familiar?" a spectator frowned thoughtfully.

"Ah, now I remember!"

"Isn't Ethan Black that great Pokémon evolution researcher?"

Suddenly, someone shouted after recognizing his identity.

"That's right! I remember it too!"

"At the Cross Cup, he also brought out Magmortar like this."

Another spectator spoke up, suddenly staring intently at the mysterious Pokémon on the field.

"Wait... could it really be Rhydon's evolution?"

That single thought caused the entire stadium to fall silent.

Rhydon was one of the most popular Pokémon in the real world.

If it could truly evolve, the meaning for trainers who owned one would be enormous.

Even in the participants' area, several trainers were looking at Ethan, waiting for his answer.

"Ah, this Pokémon is called Rhyperior. It is indeed the evolution of Rhydon."

Ethan admitted it completely naturally.

After a moment of absolute silence, the stadium erupted into an uproar.

"It really is Ethan..."

Among the audience, those who knew him could not help but shake their heads.

In the real world, Ethan had already become an authority in Pokémon evolution.

In his hands, it seemed that any Pokémon could evolve once more.

While countless researchers were still struggling with their investigations, new evolutions kept appearing thanks to him as if it were something simple.

"Now then, can we start the battle?"

Ignoring the murmurs of the audience, Ethan looked at the referee.

"Ah... yes, the battle begins!"

The referee reacted quickly.

"By the way, the first turn is mine."

Jhon also came back to his senses, though his face showed annoyance.

The opening match was a perfect opportunity to stand out. But now, all the attention had been taken by Rhyperior.

"Rhydon's evolution... Then it should still be Rock and Ground-type. In terms of typing, Hitmonchan still has the advantage. If I defeat it, the spotlight will still be mine."

With a glint in his eyes, he ordered:

"Hitmonchan, use Close Combat!"

"Rhyperior, Rock Wrecker!"

Rhyperior raised both arms.

Its arms began to swell as they accumulated energy.

It aimed toward Hitmonchan and, from the rocky holes in its hands, a massive boulder shot out with a thunderous roar.

Hitmonchan, confident, raised its fist to punch it without attempting to dodge.

But in the very next moment, it regretted it.

The instant its fist collided with the rock, a terrifying force struck it. Its advance stopped abruptly and its body was sent flying backward.

It couldn't withstand the move Rock Wrecker!

Before it could react, Rhyperior fired the Rock Wrecker move a second time from its other hand.

Before everyone's astonished eyes, the rock slammed directly into Hitmonchan, violently launching it against the protective barrier and shaking the entire stadium.

"What move was that?"

"The power of that rock is terrifying!"

"That's comparable to Hyper Beam or Giga Impact!"

The spectators could hardly believe it.

Ethan smiled.

In terms of power in the games, the move Rock Wrecker had a base power of 150, similar to the move Hyper Beam and the move Giga Impact.

And with Rhyperior's special body structure, its power was even greater.

It was a Rock-type move that fired massive boulders, but it left the user unable to move for a short time.

In the early generations, it was an exclusive move of Rhyperior.

That was why it was appearing for the first time in the real world.

Hitmonchan had underestimated it, thinking it was just a simple rock attack.

If it had treated it like the move Hyper Beam, it would have dodged from the start.

But there were no "ifs".

Under the terrifying move Rock Wrecker, Hitmonchan was knocked out.

After a moment of silence, the stadium exploded with cheers.

An unknown Pokémon, an unknown move, and an instant defeat.

The atmosphere reached its peak.

"Damn it... how can it be that strong?"

Jhon clenched his fists and recalled Hitmonchan with frustration.

Then he threw another Poké Ball.

A Machamp appeared roaring with an imposing presence.

Since the battle was 2 vs 2, after losing Hitmonchan he immediately sent out his ace.

"Machamp, attack directly! And watch out for that Rock Wrecker!"

Machamp nodded and charged forward at high speed.

In the blink of an eye, it was already in front of Rhyperior.

But what was surprising was that Rhyperior remained completely motionless, receiving the energy-filled Fighting-type punches.

"What is it doing? Why isn't it counterattacking?"

Everyone was confused.

"I see... it's a move similar to Hyper Beam. It must be suffering the side effect."

Lucas analyzed while focusing with the camera.

"A move invented by Ethan?"

Marcus Foster began to suspect, remembering other strange moves created by him.

Suddenly, the audience's shouts pulled him from his thoughts.

When he looked at the field, his pupils shrank.

After receiving a full series of attacks from Machamp, Rhyperior still hadn't moved.

And judging from its expression, it seemed as if it hadn't even taken damage.

"What terrifying defense!"

"Fighting-type moves have an advantage against it!"

"Is it possible that its defense actually surpasses steel?"

A spectator exclaimed.

Even Lucas and Marcus sighed.

"It's definitely at the professional level."

Very little time had passed since the Pokémon Universities Tournament.

The increase in Rhydon's power after evolving was simply enormous.

(End of Chapter)