Roy looked at the "Champion Rank" potential label on the panel, and a wave of emotion washed over him.
No wonder.
No wonder this guy could go toe-to-toe with Charizard, despite being many levels behind and Charizard having consumed a speed potion and activated its Thunder Force aura.
Charizard had a Gym-level foundation, plus two forty-percent speed boosts.
Its speed had reached an absurd level.
Yet this Aerodactyl, relying solely on its pure physical prowess, had managed to keep up with Charizard in the sky for so long.
This is the true value of Champion potential.
The ancient overlord of the sky is worthy of its reputation.
If they were to fight at the same level...
Charizard might not necessarily be able to secure a stable victory.
Who would win and who would lose, it would be hard to say.
Roy scanned the panel twice.
Suddenly.
A thought popped into his mind.
A very good idea.
He happened to have a good item on hand.
The super ancient resonance crystal — it could allow a Pokemon with ancient genes to activate its super ancient genes, granting a massive increase in size and ability.
And Aerodactyl...
Roy quickly went through the Pokemon knowledge in his head.
Aerodactyl has a Mega Evolution form.
This form is very interesting.
Its Mega Evolution is actually atavism.
It restores it to its true ancient form.
In ancient fossil murals, that is how Aerodactyl was originally supposed to look.
Covered in spikes, with an astonishing wingspan, fierce like a living fighter jet.
It was just that later fossil revival technology couldn't fully restore its ancient genes, which is why it became the relatively "normal" form it has now.
So the question arises.
If he used the super ancient resonance crystal to repair Aerodactyl's genes...
Wouldn't it be able to maintain that ancient form forever?
Permanently maintain a powerful state equivalent to Mega Evolution?
Plus, the super ancient resonance crystal clearly states that it can enhance size and ability.
This wouldn't just lock in the Mega Evolution form.
It could elevate it even further on that foundation.
The more Roy thought about it, the faster his heart beat.
If this idea could work, he would really hit the jackpot.
An Aerodactyl that doesn't need a Mega Stone, doesn't need bond evolution, and permanently maintains its super ancient form.
And it would be larger and stronger.
If he took this into a battle, how could the opponent possibly win?
Roy took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
He first took the super ancient resonance crystal out of the system space.
A crystal appeared in his palm.
An amber halo flowed across the surface of the crystal, and it felt warm to the touch, as if something was slowly pulsing inside it.
A primitive, wild aura radiated from the crystal.
Charizard stood nearby, and upon sensing this aura, its slit pupils contracted slightly.
It instinctively sensed that this stone was not simple.
Roy did not hesitate.
He crouched down and pressed the super ancient resonance crystal against Aerodactyl's poké ball.
The poké ball popped open automatically.
Aerodactyl was still lying on the ground, dizzy, its eyes spinning in circles.
Roy placed the resonance crystal directly onto Aerodactyl's forehead.
In an instant.
The resonance crystal erupted with a blinding light.
The entire valley floor was illuminated.
Aerodactyl's body was completely enveloped by the light, turning into a huge cocoon of light.
From inside the cocoon, dense, crisp sounds of bones shifting could be heard.
Crack, crack, crack.
It was as if something was being reorganized.
Or as if something that had been sealed for a long time was breaking out of its shell.
Roy took two steps back and raised his hand to shield his eyes.
Charizard also subconsciously spread its wings, blocking in front of Roy, staring at the cocoon of light with vigilance.
The light lasted for about a dozen seconds.
Then it suddenly retracted.
The amber-gold light receded like a tide, all of it shrinking back into Aerodactyl's body.
The cocoon of light disappeared.
The valley floor returned to darkness.
But standing there was no longer the Aerodactyl from just a moment ago.
Its size had nearly doubled.
Its wingspan was significantly wider than before, and a row of jagged bone spurs had grown along the edges of its wings.
Its entire body was covered in black rock spikes, extending from the top of its head all the way to the tip of its tail.
A sharp protrusion had appeared on its chin, resembling an inverted dagger.
Its entire body was more robust, with muscle definition as sharp as if carved by a knife and axe.
Its eyes were no longer the dull grey color from before, but a deep amber-gold, with vertical pupils, revealing a fierce glint.
This was the true appearance of Aerodactyl.
The super ancient overlord of the sky.
Aerodactyl in its ancient form.
It stood in place and slowly spread its pair of giant, spike-covered wings.
The wingspan blotted out the sky.
It was stunned for a moment.
It looked down at its body.
Then it turned its head to look at its wings.
Then it flicked its tail, which had become thick, powerful, and covered in bone spurs.
A trace of disbelief flashed in its vertical pupils.
Then, that disbelief quickly turned into wild joy.
This is the feeling.
This is the power.
Before it fell into a deep sleep, this is how it was.
This is the posture it was meant to have.
The ancient Aerodactyl suddenly threw its head back, and a heaven-shaking dragon Roar erupted from its chest.
This Roar was even more domineering than the one Charizard had let out earlier.
The sound hit the cliff walls, bounced back, and hit them again, making the entire valley hum.
Its wings flapped violently, each stroke stirring up a gale, sending gravel on the valley floor flying everywhere.
Aerodactyl became excited.
It felt that its whole body was full of strength, surging out endlessly from deep within.
Then it abruptly turned its head, and those amber-gold vertical pupils locked onto Charizard.
The meaning in its eyes was clear — "Come on, let's fight again."
"I'm not lacking anything anymore."
"I want to fight you again right now."
The ancient Aerodactyl let out a low Roar at Charizard, with fierce, threatening sounds rumbling in its throat.
Charizard didn't tolerate it either.
The flame on its tail flared to its maximum height, turning from orange-red to white-hot, the high heat distorting the surrounding air.
It also let out a Roar in response.
"Bring it on."
"I could beat you once, I can beat you twice."
The gazes of the two giant dragons collided in the air, almost sparking fire.
Seeing that they were about to fight again.
Roy hurriedly stepped forward and stood between the two giant dragons.
He raised his hand and waved it.
"Alright, alright, settle down."
Roy's voice wasn't loud, but with the support of Aura, it could clearly convey his meaning.
He first looked at the ancient Aerodactyl.
"We can't be fighting anymore now."
"You two are both important combat forces for me now, you're on the same side."
"What kind of sense does it make for allies to fight each other?"
Roy patted the thick neck of Aerodactyl and pointed at Charizard.
"But don't worry."
"In future team training, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to spar."
"If you want to compete, you can do it anytime."
"But usually, you must cooperate with each other and train hard."
"No one is allowed to Slack Off, did you hear me?"
Aerodactyl lowered its head, looking at Roy with those amber-gold eyes.
Its gaze had less of the previous ferocity and more of a sense of appraisal.
The human in front of it had given it its ancient power.
Being able to raise such a powerful opponent as Charizard, and being able to casually bestow upon it the ancient form it had lost and regained.
These two points combined were enough to make this proud ancient dragon lower its head.
Aerodactyl retracted the spikes on its wings and let out a low, submissive Roar.
The meaning was clear — "I'll listen to you."
Charizard snorted from the side, puffing a wisp of black smoke from its nose, and also reined in its flames.
The two giant dragons gave each other a proud glare.
Aerodactyl spread its wings, showing off the sharp rock spikes on its body, and let out a low Roar.
The flame on Charizard's tail burned brighter, it raised its neck, clenched its Dragon Claw in the air, and let out a low Roar in return.
They each declared to the other in their own way — "I am stronger."
"Next time we train, I will definitely have the upper hand."
"You just wait."
Roy stood between the two giant dragons, watching their "neither is willing to submit to the other" stance, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.
Satisfied.
Very satisfied.
This was the effect he wanted.
Only with competition within the team can there be progress.
As long as they don't fight until both are badly injured, this atmosphere of mutual rivalry is actually the best catalyst.
With two dragons of Champion potential stimulating each other to push forward, how fast would their rate of improvement be?
Just thinking about it made Roy feel expectant.
"Not bad."
He nodded.
"Keep up this spirit, maintain it."
"In the future, on the competition field, you two will definitely shine."
Having captured Aerodactyl and incidentally transformed it into its permanent ancient form, Roy was in a very good mood.
He took out Charizard's poké ball.
"Thanks for your hard work, come back in and rest for a while."
Charizard tilted its chin at Aerodactyl, the meaning roughly being "I'll teach you a lesson next time," and then turned into a red light and dove into the poké ball.
Aerodactyl snorted in dissatisfaction, but just flicked its tail without acting out.
Roy put away Charizard's poké ball, then turned around, his gaze falling on the ancient Aerodactyl.
Roy walked to the side of Aerodactyl, used Psychic to float up, mounted its back, and after settling in, patted its neck.
"Let's go, take me for a flight."
"Fly up to that cliff above."
Aerodactyl let out an excited Roar.
It flapped its wings violently.
The huge wings stirred up a violent airflow, and the gravel on the valley floor shot out in all directions like shrapnel.
Aerodactyl carried Roy and shot up from the ground like a cannonball, rushing straight toward the top of the valley entrance.
Roy rode on its back, feeling the gale rushing towards his face.
The ancient form Aerodactyl's speed had gone up a notch compared to before.
With every flap of its wings, its body would surge forward a great distance.
The wind whistled in his ears, and Roy's clothes snapped loudly in the wind.
This feeling was completely different from riding Charizard.
Charizard flew steadily, with a sense of power, like a heavy fighter jet.
Aerodactyl flew sharper and more fiercely, like a missile piercing through the sky.
Each had its own kind of thrill.
Roy narrowed his eyes, unable to suppress the smile on his lips.
He had acquired another useful mount.
In the future, when he goes out, he will alternate between riding Charizard and Aerodactyl.
One for heavy cruising, one for high-speed assault.
...
Above the cliff.
Delia and Misty were still crouching at the edge of the slope, the two of them whispering about something around a cluster of rock crevices.
Misty was pointing and gesturing nearby, and the expressions on both their faces were very excited.
Just then.
A violent gust of wind surged up from the valley floor.
Delia and Misty both looked up at the same time.
Then their pupils contracted simultaneously.
A huge, terrifying monster covered in black spikes was slowly rising from the valley floor.
Its wingspan was terrifyingly wide, blotting out a large part of the sky above.
What on earth is that?
Why is there another monster?
This one is even scarier than the Aerodactyl from just now!
Delia's face turned pale instantly.
Misty reacted faster; she grabbed Delia's hand and pulled her back repeatedly.
"Sister Delia, retreat quickly!"
"Why is there another monster!"
Misty complained while retreating.
"We didn't find the treasure today, but monsters are coming one after another!"
Delia was dragged back several steps by her, but her gaze never left that huge monster.
The monster hovered at the edge of the cliff, its huge wings flapping slowly, the wind pressure it created causing small stones on the ground to roll.
It didn't rush over.
It didn't launch an attack.
It just hovered there.
Then a scene that left the two of them dumbfounded appeared.
A figure jumped down from the back of that huge monster.
It was Roy.
Delia and Misty were stunned at the same time.
Their mouths were slightly open, their eyes wide, and they were frozen in place.
The ancient Aerodactyl slowly folded its wings behind Roy and landed quietly on the open ground.
Those amber-gold eyes glanced at Delia and Misty, then turned away nonchalantly.
Roy walked up to the two girls, and seeing their dazed expressions, he couldn't help but laugh.
He reached out both hands and pinched the cheeks of both Delia and Misty at the same time.
He gave them a gentle tug.
"What's wrong?"
"Were you two petrified by some Pokemon's petrification move?"
Delia and Misty shook their heads in unison.
Their movements were as synchronized as if they had rehearsed.
Misty was the first to snap out of it; she slapped away Roy's hand that was pinching her cheek and pointed at the huge monster in the distance.
"Hey, Roy!"
"Where did you capture this monster from?"
"What about the Aerodactyl from earlier?"
Delia nodded frantically beside her, her eyes filled with the same question.
Roy looked back at the ancient Aerodactyl, then turned back, with an expression of taking it for granted.
"This is Aerodactyl."
Delia and Misty's pupils dilated again.
They both turned their heads at the same time, scrutinizing the huge creature lying quietly in the distance.
Its size was a whole circle larger than the Aerodactyl from before.
The spikes all over its body.
The amber-gold eyes.
The dagger-like protrusion on its chin.
The bone spurs on the edges of its wings.
Delia and Misty looked carefully several times.
It's completely not the same species as the Aerodactyl from just now!
Although the one from earlier was fierce, at least it still looked like a normal Aerodactyl.
This one now...
It's basically a prehistoric monster that flew out of a horror movie.
Misty swallowed hard, moved closer to Roy, and lowered her voice.
"Hey."
"Last time at Bill's place, I learned a lot of information about fossil Pokemon."
"I even specifically looked it up."
"I've never heard of Aerodactyl having any other evolution form?"
There was a bit of confusion and a bit of appraisal in Misty's eyes.
Delia also nodded.
Although she hadn't been exposed to Pokemon knowledge for long, she had still heard of the famous Aerodactyl.
There has never been any record of Aerodactyl having a second form.
Roy looked at the two girls' curious-baby-like gazes, and his brain spun rapidly.
The matter of the super ancient resonance crystal was not easy to explain.
Explaining the item would be even more troublesome.
He had to come up with an explanation they could accept.