Just as Yong was about to say something more, heavy footsteps suddenly rang out from the right side of the cave. Clang, clang, clang!
Swampert turned toward the sound. In the dim light, some Pokémon were approaching...
"Vee!"
Vaporeon's expression changed. Suddenly, Vaporeon sprang onto the open ground to the right, crouched slightly, and assumed a defensive stance with a low growl.
"What...?"
The sudden tension left Yong puzzled, and he swung his searchlight toward them.
The darkness receded.
Three Pokémon of different shapes emerged from a branching passage on the right.
The one in front was enormous! A huge, flat shell covered its back, making it look more like an ankylosaurus.
An oak-like tree and three gray, triangular rocks grew on its shell. Its upper body and lower jaw were green, and two cones protruded from either side of its head.
Its scarlet eyes fixed on Vaporeon as it let out a deep roar.
"Torr!"
"The cannon-fodder tortoise!?"
No!
Yong shook his head as he stared at the enormous creature before him.
"Why is there a Torterra here!?"
There was no mistake. The Pokémon leading the group was Torterra, the final evolution of Turtwig, one of Sinnoh's starter Pokémon!
Torterra!
Looking at the crisscrossing scars on Torterra's body, its overwhelming presence, and its scarlet gaze, Yong could tell it would be a tough opponent...
Ash's and Paul's Torterra hardly represented the entire species!
In the wild, Torterra were formidable competitors. They possessed immense strength, lived in groups deep in the forest, and roamed the mountains in search of clean water.
But Torterra usually lived deep in forests and were very gentle Pokémon. Why would one deliberately provoke other Pokémon?
Behind Torterra, he spotted a Heracross and a Magnezone!
Holding Larvesta in his arms, Yong watched warily.
"A level 60