To be honest, when Theo saw Larvesta absorb that stone which seemed to be connected to Groudon, and then watched its body suddenly swell in size while a Q shaped symbol resembling Groudon's mark appeared on its forehead, he was genuinely worried.
He had been afraid that something unexpected might happen, which was precisely why he had come up with that wager in the first place.
However, upon thinking about it more carefully, Theo had not actually deceived Larvesta.
The terms of the bet had been stated very clearly. It was to withstand one move. From beginning to end, Tyrantrum had indeed used only a single offensive move, Stone Edge.
Theo had won with a completely clear conscience.
At that moment, Theo stepped forward and crouched down, carefully examining Larvesta lying on the ground.
The little chubby bug had its eyes tightly shut. The once flamboyant flames covering its body had already faded away.
The Omega symbol on its forehead had also lost its red glow. With its body curled up, the arrogance it had displayed earlier had disappeared, replaced instead by a somewhat silly and innocent appearance.
"This little guy is actually quite cute when it is not acting so proud."
Theo could not help but extend a finger and gently pinch Larvesta's soft little cheek, taking the opportunity to stroke its plump body thoroughly.
Larvesta's body felt warm and comfortable to the touch, carrying the unique warmth characteristic of Fire type Pokémon.
Seeing this, Tyrantrum also leaned in.
Its enormous head lowered cautiously, and it gently nudged Larvesta's body with the tip of its nose. A soft rumbling sound came from its throat, as though it were expressing goodwill.
Theo became somewhat curious at the sight. "What is it? You like it too?"
Tyrantrum nodded vigorously, its head bobbing like a rattle drum, growling repeatedly at Theo with excitement shining in its amber eyes.
Metang immediately translated through telepathy. "It says the shape of this little bug's head looks very much like the mane on its own neck. It feels especially familiar and likes it a lot."
Theo burst into laughter at once and patted Tyrantrum's head. "You cannot say that in front of it. It is one thing to like it, but saying it looks like your mane is not appropriate. You absolutely cannot say that. That is really too much."
The smile on Theo's face simply would not fade. He continued laughing while reminding Tyrantrum that it must never say such a thing to Larvesta.
Comparing someone to your own fur was hardly a compliment. If Larvesta heard that, it would probably fight Tyrantrum on the spot.
Tyrantrum tilted its head and let out two low growls, clearly not understanding. The mane on its neck was obviously majestic and impressive. Was it not praise to say someone resembled its mane?
Yet seeing Theo's serious expression, it obediently closed its mouth, though its tail continued to sweep lightly across the ground, clearly showing how much it favored Larvesta.
Theo did not pursue the topic further. Instead, he turned to Metang, Milotic, and Tyrantrum. "The three of you stand around it, just a little farther out. Do not let it wake up and act dishonorably by taking the chance to run away."
The three Pokémon immediately understood. Milotic glided to the left side, Metang hovered to the right, and Tyrantrum guarded the front, forming a loose encirclement.
It was enough to prevent Larvesta from escaping easily, yet not so oppressive as to make it feel overly pressured.
After arranging everything, Theo nodded toward Milotic. "Milotic, use Life Dew to help it recover some strength."
Life Dew sprayed out mystical water that restored health to itself and its allies.
Milotic responded gently, a faint blue glow radiating from its body.
Countless crystal clear droplets tinged with green vitality appeared out of thin air, falling like spring rain and seeping precisely into Larvesta's body.
As the life energy flowed in, the flames on Larvesta's body gradually regained a bit of vitality, and its previously tense form relaxed slightly.
Not long afterward, Larvesta's blue eyes slowly opened. It blinked in confusion, clearly not yet fully recovered from unconsciousness.
When its gaze focused on Theo in front of it, it instantly sobered up.
Its body shrank back abruptly, and its three pairs of tiny legs rubbed rapidly against the ground as it tried to flee.
It still remembered the sharp pain of being struck by those massive rocks, and it wanted nothing more than to escape this human who had set a trap.
But the moment it moved, it realized it was surrounded by three Pokémon.
To its left stood Milotic, shrouded in misty water vapor. To its right hovered Metang, its red eyes locked firmly onto it.
Directly ahead was Tyrantrum, the one that had defeated it with a single strike. With attacks possible from three sides, there was simply no gap through which it could escape.
Larvesta immediately deflated, its mouth drooping. Yet it still stubbornly lifted its head and let out an indignant cry toward Theo.
Seeing its stubborn expression, Theo smiled. "Well? A bet is a bet. You should accept the outcome."
Larvesta shook its head forcefully, the flames on its antennae flaring and flickering rapidly, clearly trying to argue.
Theo was not in a hurry. He patiently reasoned with it. "The wager we agreed on was whether you could withstand one move from Tyrantrum, correct?"
Larvesta hesitated, then nodded.
"And from start to finish, did Tyrantrum use anything other than Stone Edge as an attacking move?"
Theo continued.
Larvesta recalled the battle. Tyrantrum had only used sandstorm to obscure itself and had not attacked during that time.
It truly had used only Stone Edge, and the only things that struck it were those massive rocks.
Reluctantly, Larvesta nodded again.
"In that case, since you failed to withstand that move, should you not honor the bet?"
Theo spread his hands. "There is really nothing more to say, is there?"
Larvesta's two blue eyes nearly crossed as its little head became a chaotic mess.
It felt that something was wrong, as though it had been schemed against.
Yet every word Theo said was logically sound.
The bet had indeed been to withstand one move. The opponent had indeed used only one move. And it had indeed failed to withstand it.
For a moment, it could find no argument to refute him. It could only shake its head angrily, as though wrestling with itself.
Seeing this, Theo did not press further. Instead, he took out four Advanced Energy Orb from his system space.
Earlier, Larvesta had interrupted them before Milotic and the others had a chance to absorb their energy clusters. Now was the perfect opportunity to distribute them.
Theo handed three of the energy orbs to Milotic, Metang, and Tyrantrum respectively.
The three Pokémon immediately accepted them happily and absorbed the orbs into their bodies.
The pure flow of energy made them narrow their eyes in comfort.
Milotic let out a pleasant hum. Metang spun once in midair. Tyrantrum snorted contentedly, the muscles across its body relaxing.
Larvesta's gaze was instantly glued to the one remaining advanced energy orb in Theo's hand, its blue eyes filled with longing.
Sensing the pure and alluring energy of an advanced energy orb from such close proximity made its body lean forward involuntarily.
Theo gently waved the energy cluster in his hand, his tone carrying a hint of temptation. "Do you admit defeat? If you acknowledge the wager from earlier, this one is yours."
(End of Chapter)