"That Ariados... its level couldn't be that high, right?" Alice whispered, her eyes fixed on the sharp, venomous stingers bristling from the creature's back.
"Unlikely," Jiade Tianchen shook his head. "The ruins have their own logic. This place was built to test the Star People. If the guardians were truly invincible, it wouldn't be an evaluation; it would just be an execution."
Feng Che activated his system.
Pokémon: Ariados Gender: Male Potential: Outstanding (Yellow) Ability: Sniper Level: 31 Type: Poison + Bug Moves: Swords Dance, Absorb, Infestation, Scary Face, Night Shade, Shadow Sneak, Fury Swipes, Sucker Punch, Spider Web, Pin Missile, Agility, Poison Jab. Status: Enraged. Evaluation: An Ariados evolved from a Spinarak that wandered into the ruins. Long-term consumption of Ekans has mutated its venom to be lethal within seconds.
A Yellow-potential Ariados is rare, Feng Che noted. Usually, Bug-types have lower potential due to their high reproductive rates. The unique environment of these ruins must have optimized its genetics.
"Linoone, I'm counting on you for this one," Feng Che said, patting the sleek creature. Linoone nodded, ready to earn its keep. Feng Che didn't plan on taking Linoone off the island—the creature had its pack to look after—but for now, it was his most reliable shield.
"Look at those cocoons," Alice pointed to the side. One of them had fallen, revealing the dried-out husk of an Ekans.
"It's efficient," Feng Che explained. "Ariados wraps them in silk and injects a digestive toxin that liquifies everything but the skin and bones. Then it just... drinks."
The Ariados hissed, scuttling across the ceiling webs. It launched a volley of purple Pin Missiles while simultaneously spraying a Spider Web to restrict movement.
"Linoone, dodge and use Fake Out!"
Linoone leaped backward, the needles sizzling as they hit the stone floor. It then lunged forward with a burst of dark energy. The Fake Out slammed into the Ariados's abdomen, flinching it and interrupting its attempt at a Poison Jab.
"Now, Fury Swipes!"
Linoone's claws became a white blur, tearing into the spider's soft underside. Ariados shrieked and attempted to use Agility to retreat into the safety of the high webs, its body beginning to glow with the light of a Swords Dance.
"Stop it! Headbutt!"
Feng Che's experience told him exactly when the buff would trigger. Linoone used Agility to match the speed, its forehead turning silver-white as it smashed into the Ariados like a cannonball. The spider was knocked clean off its web, crashing to the ground.
"Finish it! Slash the webs!"
Linoone's claws extended, shredding the support structures above. The remaining webbing collapsed like a falling net, pinning the disoriented Ariados.
"Go, Poké Ball!"
Feng Che hurled a Rocket Ball. Red light... wiggle... click. "That was... surprisingly fast," Alice remarked.
"I neutralized its greatest weapons," Feng Che said. "Linoone was already treated with my best antidotes, so the venom couldn't scare it. We avoided the webs, and we broke its rhythm. A predator without its fangs is just a bug."
They retrieved the Red Gem from the guardian's pedestal. On the way back through the Ekans halls, Feng Che decided to test a new system feature.
System, batch scan. Filter for 'Outstanding' potential or higher.
The screen in his mind flickered as it processed thousands of snakes in seconds. Ekans: Level 8 (Common)Ekans: Level 9 (Common)Ekans: Level 8 (Elite-Orange) ... Scan Complete. 0 results matching 'Outstanding' or higher.
Feng Che sighed. Quantity doesn't mean quality.
They reached a long corridor lined with stone statues of Baltoy. As they stepped forward, the statues' eyes snapped open. The clay-like Pokémon began to hum and hover.
"Wait, I can't batch-scan again?" Feng Che realized with frustration. It seemed the feature had a cooldown. I shouldn't have wasted it on the snakes!
The Baltoy began to spin like tops, launching themselves at the intruders.
"Dodge! Back out of the hall!" Feng Che shouted.
The Baltoy crashed into the floor where they had been standing, shattering into pieces. However, blue psychic energy immediately pulled the fragments back together, and the Baltoy reformed, ready for another pass.
"Kongjian, give me the Red Gem!" Tianchen called out.
Feng Che tossed it. Holding the gem, Tianchen unleashed a massive pulse of psychic energy. Sensing the "authorized" aura of the guardian gem, the Baltoy immediately stopped their rotation and returned to their pedestals, turning back into silent statues.
"The Red Gem acts as a pass," Tianchen explained. "Now the ruins recognize us as 'candidates' rather than intruders. By the way, Kongjian, I'm going to catch one of these Baltoy for myself later. If you want one, I can help you pick the best of the bunch."
He turned to Alice. "You too, Alice. If you awaken your power during the alignment, a Baltoy would be an excellent starter for a new Psychic-type path."
Alice looked at the statues, her expression complicated. "Stolen power or not... I'm taking back what's mine."
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