Chapter 295: Tinkatuff vs. Orthworm

Great Britain - Lake Island.

"Celebi~"

Celebi sat on Natsume's shoulder, curiously looking around.

"We're here."

Natsume took out Tinkatuff's Poké Ball.

"Come on out, Tinkatuff."

"Tinkatuff~"

As soon as Tinkatuff emerged from the Poké Ball, it realized it was back in the same place it had been before.

"Tinkatuff!"

Tinkatuff immediately gripped its hammer tightly, putting on a fierce expression.

Tinkatuff was ready for revenge.

It called out to Natsume and then ran ahead.

Tinkatuff knew the area where that Orthworm roamed.

"Let's follow Tinkatuff."

Natsume, along with Gardevoir, Zacian, and Celebi, followed behind Tinkatuff.

There weren’t any particularly interesting Pokémon in this area that caught Natsume’s attention.

So, Natsume planned to help Tinkatuff capture the Orthworm that had once eaten its hammer, and then head straight to Ireland Island.

"Zacian, can you sense Zamazenta's presence?"

Zacian walked leisurely.

"Zacian~"

Zacian wasn’t sure when Zamazenta had last awakened.

If Zamazenta, like itself, had gone into hiding, finding it wouldn’t be easy.

"Understood."

Natsume nodded slightly. "It’s not urgent anyway. At least today, we can activate the teleportation array over there and deal with Tinkatuff’s business first."

"Tinkatuff!"

At that moment, Tinkatuff suddenly noticed something up ahead.

Tinkatuff pointed at a hole in the ground and excitedly looked back at Natsume.

"Found it already?"

"Tinkatuff!"

Tinkatuff nodded, then swung its hammer and smashed the ground near the hole.

Natsume extended his psychic senses downward.

Underground, the sleeping Orthworm looked up in confusion.

Thud~

The ground shook slightly.

Orthworm was quickly making its way to the surface.

Natsume floated steadily in the air, while Zacian stepped aside to watch Tinkatuff’s battle.

"Tinkatuff, jump forward."

Natsume suddenly instructed as Tinkatuff gripped its hammer tightly.

"Tinkatuff!"

Tinkatuff responded and immediately leaped forward.

Bang~

The ground exploded as dirt flew in all directions.

Right where Tinkatuff had been standing, an Orthworm about two and a half meters long burst out.

Orthworm, a Steel-type Pokémon.

This Orthworm was level 30, with the Ability Earth Eater.

"Level 30... That’s quite a challenge for Tinkatuff."

As soon as Orthworm emerged from the ground, its eyes locked onto Tinkatuff’s hammer.

"Tinkatuff!"

Tinkatuff glared angrily at Orthworm, waving its hammer as if ready to attack immediately.

"Don’t rush, Tinkatuff. Stand in front of the tree first."

Although Tinkatuff was eager for revenge, it obediently stood in front of a large tree upon hearing Natsume’s command.

"Orthworm."

Orthworm glanced at Natsume, let out a warning growl, and then lunged at Tinkatuff with its mouth wide open.

Tackle!

"Tinkatuff, jump!"

"Tinkatuff!"

Tinkatuff immediately leaped into the air.

Thud~

Orthworm crashed headfirst into the tree behind Tinkatuff.

Tinkatuff, meanwhile, landed on Orthworm’s back.

"Orthworm."

Orthworm shook its body, and the six tentacle-like appendages near its head extended outward.

"Tinkatuff, Rock Smash!"

"Tinkatuff!"

Tinkatuff swung its hammer with all its might, slamming it down onto Orthworm’s head with a loud bang.

Orthworm let out a pained cry and immediately used Dig, burrowing back underground.

"Tinkatuff."

Tinkatuff cautiously scanned the ground, wary of Orthworm’s sudden reappearance.

Natsume said, "Get ready, it’s coming."

"Tinkatuff."

"Now, jump back and swing forward with all your strength!"

"Tinkatuff!"

Tinkatuff immediately leaped backward, gripping its hammer tightly with both hands and swinging it forward with full force.

Thud!

As the dirt exploded, Orthworm’s head emerged just in time for Tinkatuff’s hammer to come crashing down.

The blow left Orthworm dazed, and it instinctively tried to retreat underground.

"Tinkatuff!"

Tinkatuff jumped straight into the hole after it.

Brutal Swing!

Thud~ Thud~ Bang!

The sound of heavy hammering echoed continuously.

After a while, Orthworm, now unable to battle, was dragged out of the ground by a satisfied Tinkatuff.

Natsume looked at Tinkatuff and chuckled. "You’ve got quite the vengeful streak, huh?"

"Tinkatuff~"

Natsume took out a Poké Ball and tossed it at Orthworm.

Shake~ Ding.

Orthworm was successfully caught.

"Come on out, Orthworm."

Natsume released Orthworm and quickly restored its stamina.

"Tinkatuff."

Natsume looked at Orthworm. "Orthworm, you’re coming with me from now on."

"I’ll provide you with food, so don’t go stealing from other Pokémon."

Tinkatuff threateningly waved its hammer in front of Orthworm.

"Tinkatuff."

Orthworm shrank back nervously.

Natsume thought Sandslash would definitely like Orthworm, as its Ability made it perfect for tilling the soil.

"Let’s get you back into the Poké Ball for now."

"We’ve got more to do, and I’ll let you out once we’re back."

"Tinkatuff."

Orthworm nodded obediently.

"Tinkatuff, you come back in too."

"Tinkatuff~"

Natsume returned both Orthworm and Tinkatuff to their Poké Balls.

With that matter settled, Natsume turned to Zacian. "Zacian, can I ride you across the sea?"

"Zacian?"

Zacian gave Natsume a sidelong glance and then retreated into its Poké Ball.

"Ah, so stingy."

Natsume shrugged, then looked at Gardevoir and Celebi. "Looks like we’ll have to fly over ourselves."

"Celebi~"

Celebi seemed excited.

Celebi was looking forward to the journey ahead.

"Alright, let’s go."

By the coast, a Pelipper circled overhead.

Natsume, flying through the air, landed on the Pelipper’s back.

The Pelipper glanced at Natsume on its back and sped up.

The power granted by the Sea Temple gave Natsume a natural affinity for Water-type Pokémon.

Ahead, a group of Wailmer and Wailord swam through the sea.

"Let’s go down."

Natsume, Gardevoir, and Celebi appeared on the back of a Wailord.

Splash~

The afternoon sun shone down on the humans and Pokémon.

The sparkling sea stretched out before them as the waves carried them forward...