So the Hammer Is the True Core?! (BONUS)

A Gigantamax Corviknight!

The concept of Gigantamax was introduced in the eighth generation of Pokémon and is unique to the Galar region.

Gigantamax essentially unleashes a special energy field from within the Pokémon, distorting the surrounding space and making the Pokémon appear much larger than it truly is.

Upon Gigantamaxing, a Pokémon's size grows exponentially, its HP increases, and all its moves transform into Max Moves.

Some Pokémon, like Corviknight, also have Gigantamax Forms, distinct from normal Dynamax, featuring unique appearances and exclusive moves.

In essence, however, Gigantamax is just a more specialized form of Dynamax.

Thanks to its highly marketable nature, Dynamaxing became a central feature of Galar's commercial Pokémon leagues, spurring the region's development into a hub of spectacular Pokémon battles.

Under the joint promotion of Macro Cosmos and the Galar League, this effort proved to be a huge success.

And Corviknight is one such Pokémon with a Gigantamax Form.

"Screeeech—!!"

The massive Gigantamax Corviknight hovered in the sky, its immense body gleaming with dark red highlights. Above its head, three swirling gray-and-red vortexes of energy orbited ominously—a telltale sign of its Gigantamax state.

Whoosh!

The colossal bird flapped its wings, generating terrifying gusts that swept across the land.

"Chu~ Chu~!"

Tinkatuff showed no fear at the sight of the now-enormous Corviknight. On the contrary, its excitement was palpable.

Such a big bird… Just imagine how glorious its feathers must be!

"Ka-kah" (*It's so big*)

Gengar and the others stared in awe at the towering Gigantamax Corviknight.

For most of them, this was their first time witnessing a Gigantamax Pokémon.

Kubfu, however, had seen something similar before and remained relatively composed.

But while they marveled, the Gigantamax Corviknight wasn't idle.

"Screeeeeech—!!"

The massive bird let out another piercing cry, flapping its enormous wings as an oppressive energy rippled outward.

Suddenly, with a forceful swing of its wings, a massive white tornado shot forth at incredible speed.

Gigantamax Windstorm Vortex!

This was the Gigantamax Corviknight's signature move.

[Max Windstorm Vortex: Inflicts damage while nullifying effects like Reflect, Light Screen, Spikes, and terrain-based conditions (Big, Big, BIG Tornado!).]

Johan, however, remained unfazed.

At its core, Gigantamax merely enlarges the Pokémon, amplifies its moves, and improves its accuracy and secondary effects. It doesn't fundamentally alter the Pokémon's inherent strength.

This particular Corviknight, even in its Gigantamax state, was still just that—a Corviknight.

"Vulpix, set up Aurora Veil!" Johan ordered calmly.

Amid the raging winds, flakes of snow began to fall, forming layers of shimmering auroral light.

Gigantamax Windstorm Vortex might have been able to clear Reflect and Light Screen, but it couldn't dispel weather-based barriers like Aurora Veil.

Meanwhile, Tinkatuff climbed onto Dragonair's back, gripping its hammer tightly.

Dragonair's white wing-like fins expanded as it began to ascend toward the sky.

"Ka-kah?" (Can I grow that big too?)

Gengar tilted its head in wonder.

If I could grow that big… just imagine how much I could eat!

"Gengar, Shadow Ball!" Johan's voice cut through Gengar's musings.

"Ka-kah!"

Snapping back to reality, Gengar grinned mischievously.

Raising its hands high, it conjured a massive sphere of darkness in mere moments and hurled it at the colossal Corviknight.

With such a massive target, missing was nearly impossible.

For the first time, Johan realized that Dynamax battles might actually suit him.

"Mom won't have to worry about my moves missing anymore!"

BOOM!

The enormous Shadow Ball struck the Gigantamax Corviknight squarely, eliciting a pained screech.

Simultaneously, Dragonair and Tinkatuff reached the sky.

Tinkatuff leapt high off Dragonair's back.

"Draaa~~!"

Dragonair unleashed a thunderous bolt of lightning from its horn, striking the Gigantamax Corviknight with pinpoint accuracy.

"Kubfu, Coaching!" Johan called out.

Kubfu nodded solemnly, cupping its hands around its mouth as it shouted toward Tinkatuff:

"Ku~~!"

Tinkatuff felt a surge of power course through its body.

But more importantly, Kubfu's shout conveyed strategic advice—combat tips honed through its own training.

One strike… decisive and lethal?

"Chu!!"

Tinkatuff's eyes gleamed as it gripped its hammer.

Let's try it!

Frost began to enshroud the hammer as it swung through the air, growing layer by layer until the hammer itself expanded dramatically.

Just as the Gigantamax Corviknight began to recover from the Shadow Ball and Thunderbolt, it found its vision dominated by an enormous hammer, rapidly descending toward it.

"Scree—scree?!"

The Gigantamax Corviknight's mind reeled.

Wait a second. I'm the one who's Gigantamaxed!

Why are your moves more overpowered than mine?! Are they even legal?!

But it didn't have time to think.

BOOM!

The massive ice-coated hammer struck its head with devastating force, like a freight train slamming into it.

The colossal bird flipped backward, its eyes rolling into its head as its consciousness faded.

As it plummeted to the ground, its body began to shrink.

Thud.

Tinkatuff landed gracefully, caught mid-air by Dragonair, before they both descended toward the fainted Corviknight.

Tinkatuff, however, bit its lip nervously as it stared at the shrinking bird.

"Chu! Chu~ Chu~!!"

Stop shrinking! Don't shrink anymore!

Meanwhile, Gengar floated toward the falling Corviknight, grinning deviously.

Its eyes glinted with a faint light as it activated Trick, temporarily gaining Tinkatuff's Pickpocket ability.

"Ka-kah~~"

A sly smirk spread across Gengar's face as shadowy duplicates emerged beside it.

With multiple clones working in unison, Gengar began rummaging through the fainted Corviknight's feathers and metallic body.

Johan, watching from below, stood slack-jawed.

So that's how Gengar exploits Tinkatuff's Pickpocket ability!

Normally, Pickpocket has only a 30% chance of stealing items.

But with sheer numbers and repetition, Gengar effectively bypassed this limitation.

"Gengar… you never cease to amaze me," Johan muttered.

Moments later, Gengar's eyes sparkled as it extracted a dark red orb from the Corviknight's body.

"Ka-kah?" (What's this?)

It inspected the glowing object curiously before stuffing it into its mouth.

Before Johan could even question Gengar, his attention was drawn to Tinkatuff.

The little hammer-wielding Pokémon had landed on the ground and closed its eyes, adopting an unusually serious expression.

Johan's heart skipped a beat.

Could it be…

Tinkatuff opened its eyes moments later, a look of realization dawning on its face.

Relieved, Johan sighed.

It seemed Tinkatuff had simply learned a new combat technique, likely inspired by Kubfu's coaching.

"Chu~ Chu~"

Tinkatuff waddled toward the fainted Corviknight, puffing its cheeks indignantly.

The once-massive bird was now far too small to be worth its time.

Johan couldn't help but comment:

"You've already collected so many feathers. Does your hammer even have room for more?"

Tinkatuff blinked.

That… makes sense!

Just as Johan began to relax, Gengar pointed at Tinkatuff with a wide-eyed expression.

Before Johan could ask why, he noticed a bright white light enveloping Tinkatuff.

It was evolving!

Tinkatuff's body grew slightly, its single ponytail splitting into twin tails.

But the real change was its hammer, which swelled to an enormous size—several times its previous dimensions!

When the light faded, the newly evolved Tinkaton stood proudly, hammer in hand.

"Cha~~!"

It ran toward the Corviknight, swinging its now-massive hammer like a child with a new toy.

Johan buried his face in his hands.

Evolution was just an excuse to upgrade its hammer… How much metal will it take to fill that thing?!