The Poké Ball flashed just once before falling still.
This Rhydon, capable of surviving even in the depths of water, had been successfully captured by Ash.
Its strength was formidable, and its compatibility with Ash was surprisingly high, reaching 200 immediately upon capture. Ash knew that with proper training, by the time it reached its final evolution, its compatibility would undoubtedly hit the peak.
During their battle, the Rhydon had fully acknowledged Ash's power. Even though they hadn't spent much time together, its bond level had already reached 120.
Ash had Rhydon help Priscilla clear the tunnel, and then the group headed directly to the next town.
With the addition of Rhydon, Ash's team was once again at full capacity. He visited the local Pokémon Center, intending to send Noctowl back to the lab. However, when Professor Oak heard about a Rhydon that could thrive in water,
he became incredibly intrigued. He insisted that Ash send it over for observation and research, eager to understand the physiological changes that allowed a Rock type to adapt to such an environment.
Left with no choice, Ash proposed a trade and swapped Raikou back into his team. Now traveling with Pikachu, Meganium, Typhlosion, Wartortle, Lapras, and Raikou, he boarded a ferry. Their route would take them through a vast, sprawling forest to reach their next destination: Olivine City.
"Ash, look! Lapras looks so happy swimming!"
Standing at the deck's railing, the three companions stood side-by-side, watching Lapras glide through the water alongside the ferry, looking exceptionally joyful.
Molly, true to her reputation as the "daughter of Entei," was quite the daring little girl. she sat right on Lapras's back, enjoying the rush of speed and the wind in her hair. She wasn't afraid of falling into the water at all; she knew Ash was watching her and would use Confusion to save her the moment any danger arose.
"Ash, your dream is to become a Pokémon Master, right?"
Standing near them was a man named White. They had been chatting quite amiably.
Ash kept part of his attention on Molly as he replied, "That's right! I'm the man who's going to become a Pokémon Master!"
White smiled and said, "Upstream of this river, in the forest near my village, there are many Pokémon to see!"
Hearing that, Ash knew he couldn't pass up the opportunity as a trainer. "Mr. White, please, you must take us to see that forest!"
As if he had expected that response, White agreed immediately. "No problem! But we'll have to switch to my own boat a bit further ahead."
As they discussed the details of the detour, Pikachu suddenly perked up. "Pika!"
Ash felt something as well. He quickly turned his head toward the riverbank. There, he saw a familiar silhouette.
Suicune. It seemed to have been following Ash all along, hidden within the mountain mists, appearing and disappearing like a ghost.
"Suicune!" Ash called out. "Next time we meet, let's not part ways!"
On the bank, Suicune seemed to give a slight nod before vanishing once again. Ash couldn't help but grin.
Unbeknownst to the group, on the outskirts of that very forest, a masked brute kicked open the door to a dilapidated shack. He reached out and seized a frail, elderly man by the throat.
"Tell me the location of the forest where you let Celebi escape forty years ago! Speak now!"
As it turned out, the old man was a Pokémon hunter. A hunting rifle hung on the wall of the shack. In an old photograph, a younger version of the man could be seen riding a motorcycle, accompanied by a fierce-looking Houndoom.
Forty years ago, he had been hunting the legendary Voice of the ForestCelebi, a Pokémon with the power to travel through time. He had managed to wound it severely, but it had still slipped through his fingers. For all these years, he had never given up the chase.
"It is my prey. I won't tell anyone else," the old man wheezed, stubborn despite the grip on his neck.
The brute laughed cruelly. "Hmph, stubborn indeed!"
Outside the hut, several iron cages were lined up. Inside were a Nidoking, Piloswine, Fearow, Sandshrew, and Graveler. Despite his frail appearance, the old man was clearly a prolific hunter of rare Pokémon.
The most precious among them, however, was a Tyranitar.
This was the Pseudo-Legendary of the Johto region, a Pokémon whose status was equal to that of Lance's ace, Dragonite. Tyranitar was a dual Rock and Dark type, and its very presence radiated an aura of raw, savage power.
Covered in green rock armor, its body was a fortress that could remain unmoved by almost any attack. It possessed the devastating power to single-handedly alter the surrounding environment. When a Tyranitar went on a rampage, it would level mountains and topple buildings in its pathit was truly a living natural disaster.
This Tyranitar was exceptionally well-developed, clearly at a very high level. The old man must have drugged it, otherwise, no iron cage could have possibly held it. The brute tossed the old man to the ground and sent out his Sneasel to slice through the cage bars, freeing the Tyranitar.
The Tyranitar was too weak to even stand, and it could only watch as the brute threw a black Poké Ball at it.
A Dark Ball. This specialized ball could force a capture and corrupt the Pokémon, pushing its power to the absolute limit. A surge of dark energy washed over the Tyranitar, strengthening its body and flushing out the drugs, but it also twisted its mind, making it completely subservient to the masked man.
"Come forth, Dark Tyranitar!"
Released once more, the Tyranitar stood nearly three meters tall, its eyes glowing with a crimson, malevolent light.
"Destroy everything!"
Tyranitar let out a Hyper Beam, obliterating all the cages in the vicinity. The captured Pokémon were sent flying, instantly losing their ability to battle.
The old man watched in agony as his shack and everything he owned vanished into a sea of fire. His resolve finally broke. He threw himself at the brute's feet, begging, "Stop! Stop! I'll tell you where the forest is!"
Hearing this, the brute let out a boisterous, triumphant laugh.
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