Chapter 198: VS Prehistoric Pokémon!
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander
"One, two... eight Fossil Pokémon?"
On one side was an Omastar leading three Omanyte, and on the other, a Kabutops leading three Kabuto.
Fossil Pokémon are divided into three categories, and these eight all belong to the third!
The rarest, and also the most powerful.
True Prehistoric Pokémon!
Just from the primeval, desolate aura washing over them, ancient and vast, the two immediately reached a conclusion.
"Ash, I'm taking a wild guess that these Pokémon managed to evade their natural lifespans by hibernating Underground for thousands, even tens of thousands of years. It seems our arrival has disturbed their slumber."
Gary analyzed with a serious expression.
Despite his arrogant and domineering exterior, his inner self... was actually just as arrogant and domineering.
But as Professor Oak's grandson, his Theoretical Knowledge and strategic thinking were far beyond those of his peers.
"Your nonsense makes a lot of sense," Ash said with a nod.
He didn't even need to analyze it. The scarlet glow from before was clearly from the bloodshot eyes of these Prehistoric Pokémon as they were awakened.
Whether it was the "clang clang clang" and "ding ding ding" from the rock layer above, or the commotion the two of them made after entering the deep pit, it all served to awaken these ancient witnesses of a prehistoric era.
"Jie!!"
"Cha!!"
The Kabutops and Omanyte were furious, brandishing their sharp claws and spikes, ready to tear these intruders to shreds!
The cruel, bloody prehistoric world knew nothing of modern rules, like using False Swipe or stopping a fight once an opponent could no longer battle.
Both of them were eager to throw their Poké Balls and perform a Complete Capture on all these Pokémon with Prehistoric Bloodlines, but they simultaneously thought of something, forcing them to pause and weigh their options.
One had to understand, every Pokémon with a Prehistoric Bloodline was exceptionally powerful—an immense temptation for any Trainer!
But, awakened prehistoric Fossil Pokémon... their Capture is Prohibited!
This was a law stipulated by the Pokémon League. These Pokémon were already Living Fossils with immense research value. Every single one had to be protected, and could not be privately caught.
At least on the surface, the two of them couldn't Catch them for their own use.
As righteous Trainers, Ash and Gary had always abided by their inner principles.
"But this place is no longer suitable for these Prehistoric Pokémon to live. It's only a matter of time before the Deep Pit is discovered. We have to move them somewhere else," Gary said suddenly.
Ash's brow furrowed. Surprisingly, he didn't argue, but went along with it:
"Yeah... with that greedy bunch of Hikers up there, these Prehistoric Pokémon might end up suffering needlessly. We have to find them a new, quiet, undisturbed place... This is definitely not a Capture. We're doing it for their own good."
"So, Ash, where might this place be?"
"As a Neutral Bystander, just stating the facts, Pallet Town—Professor Oak's Backyard—seems pretty good..."
"Indeed."
The two went back and forth, picking a suitable new location on the spot and conveniently finding a perfect excuse for their Capture.
That's right. They were just moving the Prehistoric Pokémon to a safe place, not catching them for their own use.
If they were to turn around and leave now, this place would be discovered by the Hikers in less than a day. Then, countless Trainers would swarm in, digging three feet deep, and hunt these slumbering Prehistoric Pokémon to their hearts' content before The Officials could arrive.
Just the discovery of Fossils attracted so many people. What if Fossil Pokémon appeared? It was unimaginable.
By the time the Pokémon League reacted, the ecosystem here would have already been destroyed.
The Fuchsia City Safari Zone from several years ago was a prime example of this.
They couldn't Catch them, but that didn't mean they couldn't be clever. If they were placed in the Pallet Town Backyard, Professor Oak had enough seniority to be qualified to adopt them.
Not only would the Prehistoric Pokémon be undisturbed, but the two of them, on their occasional visits home, might get familiar enough to have one or two Pokémon willingly join them on their journey.
They couldn't be caught privately, but if the Pokémon came along willingly, then there was no problem.
A fine plan.
Instantly, both of their eyes lit up. Across from them, the Pokémon stared with the eyes of hunters, while their own eyes sized up these shellfish... this Seafood.
"It looks like they've just woken up. Their bodies haven't fully loosened up yet. I estimate their Strength is at less than half of its usual level," Gary reminded him cautiously.
"Definitely. The way they're shaking their hips is exactly how you look when your back is sore. You're getting old."
Gary: "..."
He then waved his hand sharply, pointing to the four on the left.
"Cut the crap. I'll take these four."
"Then I'll take the four over here."
The two of them divvied up their targets on the spot.
A Battle was unavoidable. Judging by the look in their opponents' eyes, which screamed a desire to flay them alive, there was no other way out than to defeat and subdue them.
Gary sized them up for a moment, then tossed out a Poké Ball without hesitation.
A flash of red Light revealed a Pokémon that looked like a brown tree, taller than a person. Its base grew into two thick legs, and lush palm leaves sprouted from its head, with three coconuts bearing goofy expressions nestled where they forked.
Ash quickly pulled out his Pokedex to scan it.
"Pokedex Beep. Exeggutor, a Psychic and Grass-type. Its movements are sluggish and it doesn't seem very bright, but its neck still has room to grow longer."
Gary was someone who strictly followed Type Effectiveness, always playing to the meta. To deal with dual Rock and Water Type Pokémon, he decisively sent out his Exeggutor.
"Exeggutor, use Magical Leaf to divide the battlefield!"
"Exegg~~"
Exeggutor shook its leaves, flinging out several emerald energy leaves. The fierce Move instantly split the eight Pokémon into two separate battlefields.
"Hmph. Don't let me see you get completely thrashed."
"Tch. You'd better not come crying to me for help either."
The two snorted, turned their heads away from each other, and faced their respective opponents.
"Kabuto and Kabutops, huh..."
This time, Ash didn't go against Type Effectiveness either, immediately sending out his signature powerhouse.
002, Ivysaur!
"Ivysaur, huh..."
Gary peeked over, thinking to himself that Ash had actually caught another one of the Starter Pokémon Trio.
He had seen an Ivysaur before—Blue had one that he'd messed with to learn Quick Draw Slash—but this one looked a bit strange. The petals on its back looked like they were about to bloom...?
Hmph. That muscle-for-brains Ash probably had some reckless idea one day and tried to force them open, right?
More haste, less speed. After hanging around me for so long, does he still not understand that principle?
Gary snorted again, turning back to his own opponents: three Omanyte and one Omastar.
"Exeggutor, use Grass Knot!"
"Exegg!"
A strange green light shone in Exeggutor's eyes. The ground around the Omanyte suddenly burst open as several tough vines shot out, binding them tightly.
"Jie!!" "Jie!!"
The Omanyte, entangled by the vines, all raised their mouths and spat blue jets of water at Exeggutor.
*Splash...*
The water splashed against Exeggutor. It was Not Very Effective.
"Just as I thought. Their Strength has been significantly weakened."
Gary's eyes lit up. Prehistoric Pokémon needed a certain amount of time to recover their Power after reawakening in the modern era. Despite their violent tempers, they were undoubtedly at their weakest right now.
"Now! Use Seed Bomb on them!" he commanded.
"Exegg!"
A white orb shot out from the leaves on Exeggutor's head. It landed among the Omanyte constrained by Grass Knot and instantly burst on contact, creating a sizable Explosion that overflowed with Grass-type Energy.
*BOOM...*
Even the surrounding walls of the Deep Pit Cave trembled slightly, looking none too stable.
"Can't use wide-area attacks, huh..." Gary frowned. The Smoke and Dust in front of him quickly dissipated. That Seed Bomb had been quite effective.
Although the Omanyte tied up by Grass Knot now bore numerous Wounds, their gazes remained unshaken. Their bloodshot eyes stared death-glare at Exeggutor, as if they wanted nothing more than to pounce and tear it to shreds.
"It seems their physical recovery is average, but their Willpower is very high?"
Gary continued to analyze every aspect of his opponent.
The limits of a Pokémon's future Achievements were determined by factors like its Aptitude, physical condition, type control, and Willpower. If it excelled in even one of these areas, it had great Future Potential.
'It seems Prehistoric Pokémon are truly no ordinary beings, just as the data says...'
Gary couldn't help but lick his lips, his voice tinged with the excitement of a hunter who has found worthy prey as he commanded:
"Exeggutor, use Hypnosis!"
(end of chapter)