Chapter 528 - Giant Rat Totem

Not a battle?

Terrance felt helpless. In his view, battles were the simplest and most straightforward trial. As for other types of trials, just thinking about them seemed troublesome.

"I won't battle you. Instead... you must defeat a Pokémon!"

Hala said.

"Totem?!" Terrance blurted out instinctively.

"Oh... you know about them? That's right, a Totem," Hala said, putting his arms behind his back. "As long as you can defeat it, I will grant you the Island Challenge Amulet."

Terrance's expression remained blank, but he felt relieved inside. His goal in challenging the Island Challenge was to learn the locations of the various Totem Pokémon across the Alola region.

This trial was essentially an early opportunity for him to understand Totem Aura.

Hala observed Terrance. While he didn't know the extent of the boy's strength, the fact that both Principal Oak and Kukui had introduced him suggested that no matter what his true purpose for taking the Island Challenge was, he must have some skills.

"Compared to battling me, defeating a Totem Pokémon will be much harder," Hala thought to himself with a smile.

"Of course, there's a condition—you may only use one Pokémon."

"Just one? No problem," Terrance replied.

He understood exactly what Island Kahuna Hala was planning. Totem Pokémon had the ability to command their underlings, so facing one wasn't just a one-on-one battle—it was essentially fighting multiple Pokémon, possibly even an entire small colony!

Battling multiple Pokémon with just one was far more complex than a traditional one-on-one fight.

Hala had likely set this as the trial for that very reason.

However, he was destined to be disappointed. When it came to one-versus-many battles, Terrance was no rookie. At Crown Academy's Tower of Confusion, every one of his Pokémon had undergone rigorous training and accumulated extensive experience. This had also been evident during his Gym Leader assessment, where he survived on a deserted island and faced large groups of Pokémon.

"In the end, the only truly strong one is the Totem Pokémon itself..." Terrance mused.

"Besides, even so, Totem Pokémon are still just wild Pokémon. From what I know so far, while most Totem Pokémon are powerful, they are by no means outrageously powerful or unbeatable."

They are not even close to being as strong as the Altaria from Mt. Chimney.

Otherwise, the Island Challenge in Alola would be way too terrifying.

Terrance didn't believe for a second that, with his current strength, he would be defeated by a single Totem Pokémon. If that were the case, he might as well give up researching altogether and go back to Fallarbor Town to farm.

...

...

Deep in a lush valley, the three of them had taken who knew how many twists and turns before finally arriving at this remote location.

Gulp...

Although Terrance had seen how massive are Totem Pokémon in videos before, seeing one in real life for the first time still gave him a shock.

Whoa... this giant rat...

An Alolan Totem Raticate as big as my Arcanine?!

"Haha... it really is huge," Ilima said with a wry smile.

"What do you think?" Hala patted Terrance on the shoulder. At this moment, the Totem Raticate was gnawing on a Berry, and around the cliffs, a massive number of Rattata had gathered. From the looks of it, if an enemy Pokémon charged in, they would definitely be swarmed and attacked from all sides.

Seeing the valley filled with countless Pokémon, Terrance couldn't help but smile.

This number... is just perfect.

So far, aside from daily Macho Brace training, Arcanine hadn't had a particularly specialized training method. Or rather, it had returned to a more primal approach.

When it came to Arcanine's training and how to rapidly improve its strength... given its simple and straightforward style, the most effective way was actually real combat experience.

"Arcanine will do it."

Terrance closed his eyes and thought for a moment.

If he used Gallade, he could execute a decapitation strategy with Teleport, completely ignoring Totem Raticate's army of underlings.

If he used Altaria, it could take advantage of flight, making the battle significantly easier.

As for Castform, most of its moves were area attacks, so whether it was facing one opponent or a whole group, it hardly made a difference.

With that in mind, only Beautifly would have a harder time in this battle. After considering his options, Terrance decided to have Arcanine take on the challenge head-on.

Scaring the entire group of Raticate into submission using the most brutal style!

"Mr. Hala, defeating that Totem Raticate is all that's required, right?" Terrance asked with a slight smile, already holding Arcanine's Poké Ball in hand.

"Of course," Hala replied.

He was curious to see how Terrance planned to use his intelligence to defeat such a powerful Totem Raticate while surrounded by so many Pokémon.

Not far away, the pitch-black Totem Raticate lounged against a rock. Its belly, adorned with a brown sunflower-like pattern, quivered slightly as it munched on its food. While chewing, its cheeks puffed into two large spheres, and it occasionally lifted its slightly swollen nose to sniff the aroma of the Berry. One glance at its round belly was enough to tell that this Totem Pokémon was living a very comfortable life.

Just as the Totem Raticate was happily enjoying its meal, basking in the worship of its underlings, a roaring column of fire suddenly surged toward it!

Startled, Raticate instantly dropped its Berry and conjured a massive set of gray energy fangs to neutralize the Flamethrower.

Boom!!

As Arcanine swaggered forward, Totem Raticate froze. The surrounding Rattata also froze. Even Hala and Ilima were momentarily stunned.

Swish!

Totem Raticate's fluffy fur bristled instantly. The two rows of whiskers above its cheeks trembled, while the four whiskers on its chin fluttered like lightning. Having its meal rudely interrupted, Totem Raticate was absolutely furious!

"Rooooar!!!!"

Arcanine opened its jaws wide and unleashed its intimidating presence, causing the Rattata to take a step back in fear. Seeing its frightened underlings, Totem Raticate's eyes grew even fiercer. Its massive body, nearly as large as Arcanine's, began to move forward. Due to its excessive weight, Alolan Raticate didn't run on its all four limbs; instead, it relied on its powerful, muscular hind legs to support its movement.

Thud! Thump!

Faced with Arcanine's intimidation, Totem Raticate let out a furious screech. A mysterious energy surged through its body, instantly exuding an aura even more powerful than Arcanine's, completely overriding the aura from the Intimidate Ability. The Rattata, previously cowering, snapped back to full alertness.

"So this is... Totem Aura?"

Hiding in the rear, Terrance realized in an instant that Totem Raticate's aura hadn't just increased slightly. This transformation was almost magical.

Rustle, rustle...

"Raticate, Arcanine and I challenge you," Terrance stepped out from the grass and declared. "Call your allies. Come at us together."

The next moment, dozens to hundreds of Rattata glared at Arcanine with reddened eyes, their gazes fixed intently. Under the mysterious aura, Totem Raticate's expression grew even more savage, baring its two large front teeth as it stared menacingly at Arcanine.

A fierce battle was about to erupt!

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay