"Careful."
Dante emerged from Typhlosion's shadow, his Shadow Claws hitting the Pokemon behind the head and knocking it out.
"Thank you."
Dugtrio nodded at Dante before disappearing underground. Feeling the hot floor beneath, Dante wondered how Dugtrio could endure moving through such extreme temperatures. The heat was so intense lava had formed on the surface, surely there must be more underground?
Dante shook the errant thought out of his head and refocused on the fight.
At this moment, their team was surrounded by a group of Golem, Ninetales, Aggron, Medicham, Typhlosion, and Camerupt. Based on their stats that almost reached 100, it is estimated that this dungeon is already at the 3-star level.
If it weren't for Dante boosting his attack by 20% using Swords Dance, then even if his attacks hit their critical spot, he wouldn't be able to take these Pokemon down in a single hit.
Even Pikachu was facing a similar problem. On the lower floors, Pikachu's Discharge can knock down all the Pokemon not immune or resistant to Electric-type attacks. But as they ascended, he had to rely on moves with a type advantage, such as Grass Knot, Brick Break, and Dig, to maintain the same one-hit efficiency.
Azumarill, on the other hand, relied on the boosts from Power-Up Punch to achieve the same. However, with a Speed stat of only 81, he had to be extra cautious when engaging the much faster Pokemon in close combat.
With this dungeon, Dante finally got to see the limits of their team. While they may be able to take on a 4-star dungeon, it would probably be the case where a careless mistake will lead them to their doom.
'On the other hand…'
Dante turned his gaze, staring at their Guildmaster in amazement. He was now beginning to understand Chatot's worship towards Wigglytuff as if he were God.
Based on what he saw during their exploration, he can confirm that Wigglytuff's speed is only about 70, lower than even Azumarill's.
Even so, facing Typhlosion, Ninetales, and Medicham all by himself, he was able to dodge most of their attacks using minimal body movement. Those he can't dodge, he redirected with his paws. And whenever an opening presented itself, he swiftly took them down in a single strike.
And all of these he did with a smile on his face.
Watching Wigglytuff's battle, Dante had a clearer vision of the path he and his team needed to take to grow stronger.
Before long, they had defeated all the Pokemon in the room. With their backs against the rough, hard walls of the dungeon, the group decided to take a break after more than five hours of exploration.
"It's already the 17th floor. This is the deepest dungeon we've ever explored yet."
Pikachu commented as he munched on an Apple. Beside him, Azumarill, Dante, and Teddiursa nodded in agreement while eating the same food.
Yes, Teddiursa. At this time, Dante had released him from the Pokeball to take a bite of food since, according to the time, it was already 7 PM.
'It's a pity. I thought he would gain experience while inside the Pokeball.'
Dante shook his head in disappointment as he looked at Teddiursa's stats in the Team Menu. Right next to the level, although the 'Infancy Stage' label had disappeared, Teddiursa was indicated to still be at level 1.
"Hmm, the deepest dungeon we've ever gone through has 25 floors. However, we've heard that some dungeons can reach up to a hundred."
Dugtrio joined in on the conversation. Hearing this, Dante thought of something and turned to Wigglytuff.
"Guildmaster, have you ever explored a dungeon like that?"
Wigglytuff didn't respond to Dante's question. He just kept humming while eating his Perfect Apple.
"Ehem. I have read of those dungeons in some exploration records. In the Exploration Federation, these are called the Impossible Dungeons- Mystery Dungeons so challenging that even after centuries, no Explorers reached its end."
Chatot answered in Wigglytuff's stead. Seeing the curiosity in everyone's eyes, Chatot smiled proudly and continued.
"After reaching a certain rank and gaining enough merit, the Exploration Federation will allow you to learn about the location and all known information about those dungeons. For now, however, it would be best for the four of you to stick to ordinary dungeons."
"Awww. You can't say something like an unbeatable dungeon and then not tell us about it!"
"Yeah. That's just cruel, Chatot."
"Come on, pleasseeee. Just a tiny hint will do."
"Now, now, don't be impatient. You'll learn more about it at the appropriate time."
Pikachu continued to pester Chatot. But even after their rest time ended, the bird refused to give in. Seeing everyone standing up, Pikachu had to temporarily give up.
The 18th floor featured the same kind of Pokemon as in the 17th. After easily making their way through, the group was surprised to have reached the peak after climbing the stairs to the next floor.
"So, it's only 18 floors? I thought we stumbled upon a 100-floor dungeon."
"Shush! Don't relax your vigilance."
Chatot glared at the pouting Pikachu. It seems telling them about the ultimate goal of the Exploration Federation now was a mistake.
Dante looked at the interaction between the two, shaking his head in amusement. He breathed in the fresh and cool air, thankful for finally escaping the sweltering heat of the dungeon.
Soon, however, his eyes narrowed as he readied himself for combat. He was thankful they had a chance to rest before reaching the peak. Because now, they must face one of the most powerful Pokemon in the whole world.
He took in his surroundings, noting that the dungeon's exit led them somewhere in the middle of the plateau.
In front of them, there was a rocky path enclosed by two large cliffs. At the end of the path, there was a large, dark cave from which a faint sound of trickling water could be heard.
"...should we head th-"
Dugtrio's question went unfinished as everyone felt the ground beneath them tremble. At the same time, a pressure that was very familiar to Dante, Pikachu, and Azumarill fell on the team.
From the cave, two yellow pupils opened. As the shaking began to intensify, the owner of the yellow pupils slowly revealed itself.
Standing in front of the cave, was a massive, bipedal, dinosaur-like Pokemon covered in red, segmented plates of thick skin. It has a gray underside and large white spikes along the sides of its head, body, and tail.
"T-t-t-that's, Groudon!?"
"GRROOOOHHH!! YOU! HAVE YOU COME TO DESECRATE THIS PLACE?"
"N-no, sir. Yes, we are only trying to get to Fogbound Lake."
Chatot stepped forward, his body trembling as he tried to defuse the situation. Even with his worship of the Guildmaster, he knew that Legendary Pokemon were on a different level from the rest of them, especially one as ancient as this.
"WHAT!? FOGBOUND LAKE? I AM THE GUARDIAN OF FOGBOUND LAKE! INTRUDERS, DEPART NOW OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES!"
"Yessir! Hahaha, come every one, let's go."
Chatot nervously laughed with tears in the corner of his eyes. He hurriedly backtracked to the dungeon where they just came from. However, as he reached the entrance, he noticed something off. Turning around, he saw that only Dugtrio was following him.
"G-guildmaster?"
Chatot turned a pleading look at Wigglytuff. However, he shook his head to signal Chatot to calm down before turning to look at Groudon.
"Hello, friend. Can you let us enter the cave behind you?"
"NO! MY PATIENCE HAS REACHED ITS LIMITS. INTRUDERS, PREPARE FOR MY WRATH! GROOOHHHH!!"
With a deafening roar, the dark sky began to turn white as a massive yellow ball of light rose from Groudon's mouth.
…
From below the forest, Bidoof and the other apprentices who had just started a campfire looked in surprise at the appearance of another sun in the sky.
"Golly! What is that?"
"...that seems to be a Pokemon using Sunny Day."
"Hey, hey, Sunny Day can reach the whole forest!? The heat is so strong I can feel my shell drying!"
"Is it caused by the Legendary Pokemon from the legend? Did Guildmaster and the others reach the Fogbound Lake?"
"Oh my! I hope Azumarill and the others will be alright."
They looked in concern at the top of the plateau, silently praying for the safety of their fellow Guild members.
—
"Now then, it would be very boring if you chose to run away now. Show me whether you have what it takes to defeat my strongest version of Groudon."
Uxie smiled as he looked at the six Pokemon in front of 'Groudon'. As one of his closest friends, Uxie had many chances to observe and replicate Groudon. Especially the time when said Pokemon used his power over earth to help create this plateau.
Although the strongest copy he could make couldn't even reach 50% of the original's strength, it was already strong enough to match some of the weaker Legendary Pokemon.
Under Uxie's control, Groudon let out a loud roar and rushed towards the trial-takers.