After watching the sunrise on the Rock Mountain summit, Aomori recalled Absol and Pidgeotto. Darkrai, wanting to spend a little more time with him, refused to enter its Poké Ball and slipped into Aomori's shadow first.
Since it wouldn't cause nightmares during the day, Aomori allowed Darkrai to stay.
Facing the morning sun, he imitated Bruno, leaping off the cliff. Using the 13 Totem Pole to adjust his direction, he zipped down the sheer rock face and landed safely.
Rubbing his sore knees, Aomori considered where to go next.
Having captured Darkrai, he felt he no longer needed to go to Lavender Town for a Ghost-type Pokémon. Darkrai possessed the ability to hide itself, similar to a Ghost-type, and also knew Hypnosis, which satisfied Aomori's requirements.
He decided to go directly to Sabrina. With Darkrai on his side, he likely wouldn't be turned into a doll.
With a definite plan in mind, Aomori nevertheless rode his Motorcycle toward Pewter City, intrigued by a particular location there.
Half an hour later, Aomori arrived in front of the Pewter Science Museum, located in the northwest of Pewter City. In his memory, this was a place where one could potentially summon the Legendary Pokémon Latias and Latios, using the mysterious crystal and the Soul Dew held by Steven Stone.
He wasn't sure if it would work in this world, but the probability was probably low.
Aomori shook his head, bought a ticket, and walked inside.
The number of visitors inside was not small; after all, it was the most famous science museum in the Kanto region.
The first floor of the Pewter Science Museum mainly displayed Pokémon fossils. Among the revived ancient Pokémon fossils, the fierce Aerodactyl stood out in his memory.
In terms of battle power, it could chase down ten Pidgeot of the same level, but its speed wasn't as great as Pidgeot's.
Therefore, Aomori had no intention of catching an Aerodactyl.
While looking at various concept drawings of ancient Pokémon with great interest, Aomori suddenly heard someone calling his name. He turned around to see a youthful, beautiful girl with orange hair standing shyly beside him, greeting him.
"Long time no see, Aomori-san, we meet again~"
"Hey, Misty, why did you run so fast? Ah, it's Aomori-san!" A boy wearing a red-and-white hat now stood next to Aomori.
"Misty, Ash, what a coincidence. Hello to you both, and hello, Pikachu."
"Pika Pika!" Pikachu finished greeting him and ran behind Aomori, looking at the shadow on the ground with a puzzled expression.
They were, of course, Misty and Ash. After Aomori politely greeted them, his gaze shifted to a mature young man in a green jacket standing behind them.
"And this is?"
"That's Brock, the Pewter Gym Leader," Ash introduced.
"I was the former Gym Leader. I've decided to travel with Ash and the others. Hello, I'm Brock." When he wasn't around a beautiful older woman, Brock was surprisingly reliable.
"I'm Aomori. By the way, Brock, do you have some kind of issue with me?"
"Ah, no, no, not at all! Why would you think that? I believe this is our first time meeting."
"It is our first time meeting. Then why aren't you looking at me with open eyes when you talk? That's quite rude," Aomori said seriously.
"Really?" Ash asked with a question mark face.
"Yeah, it is. I've actually always wanted to ask that too," Misty added.
"My eyes are open! They're just a little small, that's all!" Brock, genuinely worried that Aomori might misunderstand, hurriedly explained.
"Is that true?"
"It is true!"
"I see." Having successfully teased Brock, Aomori was satisfied and turned the topic back to Ash. "Judging by how you look, Ash, I assume you've already earned the Boulder Badge from Brock."
"Of course I have!" Ash excitedly pulled open his jacket, revealing the Boulder Badge pinned to his undershirt. "Brock is strong, but I was a little bit better, hehehe."
"Oh?" It looked like Ash had genuinely defeated Brock and didn't receive the Badge as a gift of friendship.
"You've grown quite a bit in just a few days."
"Heheh, Aomori-san, I want to challenge you. You're going to be very surprised," Ash said proudly, tugging at his nose.
"Sure, I have some free time." Aomori agreed.
Thus, Aomori and the trio left the museum and found an open space nearby to serve as the battle arena.
"Then I'll be the referee. How many-on-how many Pokémon do you want the match to be?" Brock stepped into the center, looking from side to side as he asked.
"Three-on-three!" Ash was full of fighting spirit. "I've caught a lot of powerful partners!"
"Sounds good." Aomori also had three Pokémon.
"Alright," Brock raised his hand. "This is a battle between Aomori and Ash. Both sides will use three Pokémon. One Pokémon will be sent out at a time, and the battle will continue until one side's three Pokémon are all unable to battle. If everyone understands, then, let the battle begin! Challenger Ash, send out your first Pokémon."
"Right!" Ash pulled the visor of his cap back and threw a Poké Ball. "I choose you, Poliwag!"
A small, blue, tadpole-like Pokémon was summoned. It was short, had no arms, and a counter-clockwise spiral pattern on its belly, looking physically unimpressive.
"Poliwag?" Aomori was surprised. Is this Ash actually Red?
Seeing Aomori's look of surprise, Ash felt greatly satisfied. He reminded him, "Don't underestimate it just because it's small! It's actually very strong. I beat Brock entirely thanks to it."
"That's only because you heard that all of Brock's Pokémon were Rock-types, so you specifically caught a Water-type Poliwag," Misty chimed in, professionally tearing down his boast.
"Stay out of this, you busybody!"
"Hmph, good luck, Aomori-san! Defeat that conceited brat!"
"Pika Pika!"
Ash actually wasn't the Master of Type Disadvantage this time! My youth is over.
Aomori calmed his mind and sent out Absol.
"Absol first?" Ash showed a serious expression. "Poliwag, use Water Gun."
The tiny Poliwag puffed out its cheeks and spat a column of water at Absol, a jet that was wider than its own body.
The battle-hardened Absol didn't wait for Aomori's command and expertly dodged the Water Gun, countering with Razor Wind.
"Dodge quickly! Then keep using Water Gun!"
Poliwag spewed out Water Gun attacks as if they cost nothing, but Absol evaded every one. The area on Aomori's side of the field, however, was washed over by the water, turning into slick, muddy ground.
'So that's his strategy. This Ash has a bit of a brain.' Aomori saw through the plan but didn't say anything, allowing the battle to continue.
After dodging yet another Water Gun, one of Absol's hind legs accidentally sank into the soaking wet ground, getting stuck momentarily.
At this point, Brock and Misty, watching from the sidelines, also understood Ash's intent. "I see! He used Water Gun to wet the ground, limiting the speed of the quick-dodging Absol. Well done, Ash!"
"Now's the time!" Ash couldn't help but smile, shouting, "Poliwag, use Double Slap on Absol!"
Poliwag leaped in front of Absol and swung its tail, but Absol, though restricted by the wet ground, showed no sign of panic.
"Absol, use Thunderbolt!" Aomori issued his first command.
"What?!" Ash and the others were all shocked. "That Absol knows Thunderbolt?"
"Sol!" A powerful current of electricity released from Absol's body, striking Poliwag mid-air. When it landed, Poliwag, unsurprisingly, lost consciousness.
"Poliwag!" Ash rushed over, scooping up Poliwag and comforting it. "You did very well. Rest for now."
Recalling Poliwag to its Poké Ball, Ash's fighting spirit remained undiminished. "Aomori-san is so strong! It looks like winning against you won't be easy. But I won't give up so easily!"
"Good, that's what makes this interesting, Ash," Aomori said, his own spirit ignited.
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You can read the ahead chapter on Patr if you're interested: p-atre-on.c-om/Overgod [Just remove the hyphen to access normally]