Professor Turo looked at Ange and said, "If we adopt this method, Ange, you will need to go and catch a Pokémon to assist us in modifying your Robert 1."
"Catch what Pokémon?" Ange asked in confusion.
Professor Sada thought for a moment before answering, "Metagross! Metagross would be best."
Metagross has four brains linked together to form a complex neural network. It is a Pokémon even smarter than a supercomputer. When its four brains operate simultaneously, it can complete any complex calculation in an instant.
It would be the perfect choice to serve as the robot's Artificial Intelligence.
"Metagross? But isn't Metagross a very rare Pokémon? Are there actually any in Area Zero?" Ange asked. He didn't recall seeing any signs of Metagross in Area Zero.
"Yes!" Professor Sada replied firmly. "Although they are rare, there are indeed some in Area Zero."
Professor Turo nodded. "Sada and I encountered one while we were on an expedition. I just don't know if it's still there."
Ange's eyes lit up. "Please tell me the location, Professors. I'll go catch it!"
Professor Sada warned, "That Metagross is very powerful. When we encountered it, we kept our distance and didn't dare to face it!"
Ange pondered for a moment but ultimately decided to try. "Please tell me the location. I'll go check the situation. If I really can't handle it, I'll give up immediately."
"Alright," Professor Sada said helplessly. "Take out the Pokémon distribution map I gave you earlier."
"Here you go," Ange nodded, taking out the map and handing it to the professor.
Professor Sada took the map, pulled a pen from her lab coat pocket, and circled a spot. "This is where we met the Metagross. However, that was over a year ago, so I don't know if it's still there."
Ange looked at the map and saw that the location marked by the professor was in the lower cavern zone.
Professor Turo added, "After lunch, hand your robot over to us. We'll start the preliminary modifications. That way, once you catch the Metagross, we can directly help you complete the final modification."
"Okay, I'll trouble you then, Professors," Ange replied.
Professor Sada waved her hand. "It's no trouble. We have time for this much."
After lunch, Ange had Diancie send Robert 1 over, then handed it over to the two professors.
After sending Diancie back home, Ange turned to Arven. "Arven, I'm going to catch a Metagross this afternoon. According to your parents, it's very powerful, so it might be dangerous for you to follow. Why don't you stay at the observation station this afternoon?"
Arven understood the weight of the situation. Although he was a bit disappointed, he nodded obediently.
"Okay, I'll wait here for you to come back."
As if sensing Arven's disappointment, Mabosstiff gently licked Arven's palm.
Ange rubbed Arven's head to comfort him. "I'll make you something delicious when I get back tonight, something you've never had before."
Arven's spirits immediately lifted. "Mhm, it's a promise!"
Upon hearing the words "delicious food," Pawmi instantly got excited. It zipped over to Ange's side, hugged his right leg with both hands, and looked up high.
After saying goodbye to Arven, Ange held Pawmi and Komala, preparing to mount Espathra's back. Just then, the two Oinkologne hurriedly followed. Ange thought for a moment and said to them:
"Oinkologne, could I trouble you to stay and keep Arven company?"
Hearing this, the two Oinkologne immediately drooped their ears in disappointment.
Seeing this, Ange took out a bag of meat jerky and gave it to them. "I'm counting on you. Take this jerky to pass the time."
Honk honk~
Honk honk~
Seeing the delicious food, the two Oinkologne agreed without hesitation.
The male Oinkologne took the bag in its mouth and ran happily toward Arven with his girlfriend.
Seeing that the two Oinkologne were already playing with Arven, Ange climbed onto Espathra's back while holding Komala and Pawmi.
Espa~
Espathra let out a cry and started sprinting with its long legs. It was very fast, and before long, Ange and the others successfully reached the lower level and arrived at a cave entrance.
According to the professors' markings, the depths of this cave were where the Metagross resided.
Ange stared at the cave entrance for a while, then took a deep breath. "Let's go in."
I hope everything goes smoothly.
Espa~
Paw~
Espathra and Pawmi responded simultaneously.
At this time, Komala was held in Ange's arms, while Pawmi nestled in the hood behind Ange's back. It was a tiny ball, with only its head peeking out.
Just as they entered the cave, they encountered a Lycanroc (Midnight Form) at a corner. Its eyes were blood-red, and it looked very unfriendly.
Ange whispered to Espathra, "Avoid it. Don't let it see us."
Espathra nodded, stepped across, and bypassed a stone wall in the blink of an eye, leaving the Lycanroc's line of sight.
However, not long after they moved away from the Lycanroc, they encountered a group of Sneasel in another corner. They were gathered in a circle, chattering about something unknown.
Ange originally wanted to avoid the Sneasel just as they had avoided the Lycanroc, but before he could instruct Espathra, the group of Sneasel noticed them.
The Sneasel bared their sharp claws and approached Ange's group in unison, wearing malicious grins.
Hearing the commotion, Pawmi climbed from the hood onto Ange's shoulder to check the situation. When it met the Sneasel's sinister gazes, it couldn't help but shiver.
"Run!"
Ange whispered into Espathra's ear.
Espathra didn't want to face a pack of Sneasel either, so it turned and bolted down another passage.
Seeing their "prey" escape, the Sneasel swarmed after them. They were agile, not only sprinting along the walls but also cooperating with one another, specializing in surrounding and intercepting. It was usually very difficult for prey to escape their hunt.
However, their speed was still much slower than Espathra's, and they were eventually left far behind.
Unknowingly, Ange and the others arrived at a dim cavern. Just as Ange was about to take out his phone for light, a golden ring of light lit up in the darkness ahead.
As the ring illuminated the cave, a fox-like Pokémon walked out with elegant steps. Its gaze was disdainful, its posture proud, and its entire body exuded a charming aura.
Um~
It was Umbreon!
Umbreon did not attack Ange's group rashly like the Sneasel. Instead, it scrutinized them with a wary gaze.
Ange quickly explained, "We mean no harm. We are just passing through."
Umbreon remained motionless, its crimson eyes staring at Ange without blinking, creating a heavy sense of pressure.
Ange took out a plate of meat jerky and signaled to Espathra. Espathra understood and used its psychic powers to float the plate in front of Umbreon.
"This is for you. It's very tasty; you can try it," Ange said.
Umbreon glanced at the plate and twitched its nose. The rich, powerful aroma forced its way into its nostrils. However, it did not rashly eat the food Ange gave; its eyes remained fixed on him.
Ange tried to use the Eye of Observation to check Umbreon's data, but the eye gave no reaction. This meant that the Umbreon in front of him had a level higher than Diancie's.
Because Ange wore the Experience Charm, Diancie's current level was quite high.
Diancie Type: Rock, Fairy Ability: Clear Body Gender: None Level: 63 Moves: Tackle, Harden, Diamond Storm, Guard Split, Smack Down, Flail, Ancient Power, Rock Polish, Light Screen, Rock Slide, Reflect, Dazzling Gleam, Power Gem, Play Rough, Amnesia, Psych Up Individual Values HP: 31 Attack: 31 Defense: 31 Special Attack: 31 Special Defense: 31 Speed: 31
In this way, Ange stared at Umbreon and Umbreon stared at Ange for nearly ten minutes.
Perhaps the aroma of the jerky was too intense, as Umbreon finally couldn't resist the temptation. It lowered its head, sniffed the plate, and licked it with its tongue.
The moment it tasted the jerky, Umbreon suddenly felt that all the food it had eaten before was trash. It finished the jerky in a few bites.
It's too delicious! What is this?
Um~
After finishing, it cried out to Ange again.
Ange understood its meaning—it hadn't had enough! So he took out another plate and had Espathra send it to Umbreon.
After eating three plates of jerky in a row, Umbreon finally licked its lips with satisfaction.
Um~
It sat on the ground, raised its head proudly, and looked at Ange sideways as if saying: The Emperor is satisfied. Tell me, what reward do you want?
Ange thought for a moment and asked, "Umbreon, we are looking for a Metagross. Do you know where it is?"
Um~
You've asked the right Pokémon! Umbreon slowly stood up, bypassed Ange's group, and walked straight out. Seeing this, Ange quickly had Espathra follow.
However, just as they reached a corner, the group of Sneasel surrounded them again.
Seeing this, Umbreon's eyes narrowed, and it let out a roar: Um~
As soon as the Sneasel saw it was Umbreon, they scattered and fled, wishing they had two more legs.
"Umbreon, you're so powerful!" Ange exclaimed in admiration.
Of course!
Umbreon raised its head even higher and continued walking with elegant, light steps.
Following behind Umbreon, Ange and the others passed through passage after passage, having long since left the area circled by the professors.
Along the way, they encountered Lycanroc, Weavile, Gabite, Dugtrio, and Zweilous, but these Pokémon vanished the moment they saw Umbreon.
Clearly, Umbreon was a big boss in this cavern.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, Umbreon suddenly stopped at a cave entrance.
Um~
It turned around and cried out to Ange.
"Umbreon, do you mean Metagross is inside here?" Ange asked.
Um~
Umbreon nodded.
Seeing this, Ange thanked Umbreon. "Thank you for leading the way." He took out a bag of meat jerky, intending to give it to Umbreon as a thank-you gift.
However, at that moment, Umbreon suddenly crouched down, letting out a threatening growl.
Woo~ woo~
"What's wrong, Umbreon?"
Just as Ange finished speaking, a Pokémon with four steel claws and a body made of iron floated slowly out of the cave. The shadows of the cave cast over it, adding a sense of pressure.
This was exactly the Metagross Ange was looking for.
Seeing Umbreon, Metagross stopped immediately and let out a threatening roar.
Meta~
Ange opened the Eye of Observation. As expected, he couldn't see the data of a Pokémon that made even Umbreon feel threatened.
Ange whispered to the Komala in his arms, "Komala, can you handle this? If not, we'll run right now."
Komala's answer was to squirm out of his arms, jump steadily onto the ground, and roll over to face Metagross.
It seems it's full of confidence!
Seeing this, Ange said to Umbreon, "Umbreon, can you leave the battlefield to Komala?"
Umbreon glanced at Komala and then silently retreated to the back.
Then Ange said to Metagross, "Metagross, I want to catch you. I hope you'll accept my challenge!"
Meta~
Upon hearing this, the look in Metagross's eyes changed instantly. Flames burned in its eyes; Ange knew it had accepted the challenge.
"In that case, let the battle begin!"
Meta~
As Ange's voice fell, Metagross roared and took the initiative to attack. It used Agility, reaching Komala's side in an instant, and raised its fist to strike.
It used the Fighting-type move Brick Break, which was super effective against the Normal-type Komala.
Komala remained calm in the face of danger. It rolled slightly while clutching its log, narrowly dodging the attack. Then it raised its paw, and pitch-black claws appeared as it lunged straight at Metagross.
Komala was using Shadow Claw, a Ghost-type move that was super effective against Metagross.
Clang~ The sound of metal clashing rang out. Komala's attack was blocked by Metagross using Meteor Mash.
However, to Ange's surprise, even though it was a pseudo-legendary Pokémon, Metagross actually fell into a disadvantage during the collision and was pushed back quite a distance.
It seems Komala's strength far exceeds my imagination!
Ange hadn't expected the Pokémon he picked up by chance to be this powerful. It was truly a stroke of luck.
Immediately following were clanging sounds of impact. Komala's Shadow Claw and Metagross's Meteor Mash moved so fast they became afterimages. Ange thought he saw sparks flying in the air.
Boom~
With a loud bang, the two Pokémon simultaneous recoiled after a heavy collision. Komala only moved back a little, but Metagross slammed directly into the wall behind it, causing cracks to spiderweb across the stone.
Komala pressed the advantage and let out a yawn.
Metagross flew up again, using Zen Headbutt. It charged at Komala while glowing with purple light.
Komala wasn't about to sit and wait. It raised its log and slammed it into the ground. The earth surged as a terrifying shockwave erupted from the ground and struck Metagross. Metagross let out a cry of pain as it was sent flying.
Komala used Earthquake, a Ground-type move that was super effective against it. Metagross suffered heavy damage. It wobbled as it floated back up, wanting to continue the fight, but then the Yawn Komala used earlier took effect. Metagross's eyes closed, and it fell into a deep sleep.
Komala rolled over to Metagross, raised its log, and used Bulldoze. The log smashed onto Metagross's forehead, and Metagross completely lost its ability to battle.