Capturing Onix

"So cocky. Something big must have changed. Let me take a look."

Liu Xin pulled up the system's stat panel and aimed it at Shiny Cubone. Its information came into clear view.

Shiny Cubone

Level: 17 (evolves into Marowak at level 30)

Attack: 258

Special Attack: 210

Defense: 190

Special Defense: 167

Speed: 121

Abilities: Rock Head, Lightning Rod, Perfect Fire Resistance (No Fire-type move can harm Shiny Cubone. Instead, it can absorb the attack and convert it into its own Special Attack.)

Shiny Ability: Battle Armor

Moves: Boomerang, Endure, Ground Spike, Tackle, Perfect Evasion

Liu Xin saw that its Special Attack had risen considerably, and its fire resistance had received a direct upgrade.

Perfect Fire Resistance was an absurdly powerful Ability, a complete counter to Fire-type Pokémon.

Now Shiny Cubone could face any Fire-type Pokémon without fear. Even Charizard would have a headache dealing with it.

Shiny Cubone hadn't gained the Fire Type, but streaks of fiery red had appeared across its gray-green surface, making it look even cooler.

That, too, was a sign of its fire resistance.

"Cubone, Cubone."

It was feeling rather pleased with itself, and the bone club in its hand began swinging everywhere again.

Liu Xin dodged with practiced ease and said bitterly, "Buddy, I told you not to celebrate with me like that anymore."

"One hit from that bone club would probably kill me."

As they chatted, the clear sound of hoofbeats rang out.

Ito Hei arrived on his Rapidash as fast as he could, looking anxious and worried.

When he saw Liu Xin, he hurried over. "Are you okay? You scared me to death back there. It looked like a volcano erupting. It was terrifying."

"It's a miracle you survived."

Ito Hei checked Liu Xin over and let out a long breath once he was sure he was all right.

His clothes were a little tattered, but he really wasn't hurt.

"Now I'm actually curious. How did you survive a fire that huge?"

"It looked terrifying even from where I was. If I'd gone in, I'd definitely be dead."

Liu Xin mentioned just a few details, and Ito Hei was nearly stunned speechless.

If Mutant Phanpy hadn't used Ground Spike, things could have ended badly. When everyone else arrived, they all looked at Liu Xin strangely.

This guy was impossibly lucky.

Because of the Extraterrestrial Meteorite and Team Rocket's appearance, Officer Jenny, who had rushed to the scene, also called Liu Xin over to give a statement.

Only after giving his statement was Liu Xin finally free to go.

"Phew. What a hassle."

"Officer Jenny didn't quite believe me, though. In the end, I had to bring out three Fire Stones to settle it."

At the Pokémon Center, a nurse smiled as she handed Mutant Phanpy back to Liu Xin. "This Mutant Phanpy is very healthy, and in excellent physical condition."

"It's just a little lively. It's not the quiet sort."

"So, Trainer, you'll need to keep a close eye on it."

After the battle, both Mutant Phanpy and Shiny Cubone had been sent in for treatment.

Now they were bursting with energy and looked ready for a fight at any moment.

Had I really caught Pokémon, or just recruited two fighting maniacs?

In the vast mountain range between Pallet Town and Viridian City, the sun blazed overhead, baking the ground with sweltering heat.

Liu Xin was directing Shiny Cubone and Mutant Phanpy as they prepared a trap.

He intended to catch his third Pokémon here: Onix.

Among the Pokémon in this vast mountain range, Onix was one of the strongest and most iconic.

And because Ground Type energy was so abundant here, the local Onix were larger and stronger in battle than ordinary ones.

Whenever the ground shook, it meant an Onix was moving.

Watching one on television had never conveyed its size. Seeing it up close was frightening. Its body was made of enormous gray rocks and shaped like a snake, with the rocks growing smaller from the middle to the tail.

A long rocky horn rose from its head, with two black eyes below it.

Most strikingly, it was over eight meters long. Its weight was hard to imagine, and it looked tremendously heavy.

Even from a distance, its presence was intimidating.

Liu Xin took a deep breath and carefully examined the Onix before him with the system.

He would have been lying if he said he wasn't awestruck.

"Let's see which Onix looks easier to bully—no, easier to catch."

The Onix here varied wildly in level. Some were level 10, some were level 20, and a few were nearing level 30 and about to evolve into Steelix.

Liu Xin ruled out any Onix above level 20. He might not be able to beat one himself, and a Pokémon caught at too high a level had limited room to grow through training. Starting with a lower-level one was best.

Then a level 13 Onix caught his eye.

Its sheer size drew him in at once. It was bigger than every other Onix there, noticeably broader and more than ten meters long. It even looked sturdier than the ones nearing evolution.

"I choose you!"

Who could turn down a Pokémon that big?

Just looking at it made him feel safe.

It was rock-solid.

It could surely keep fighting for ages!

Shiny Cubone headed out, its bone club already in motion.

Boomerang!

Clang!

A hard, ringing impact sounded, and the Onix, which had been ambling along, stopped.

It slowly turned and locked eyes with the tiny Shiny Cubone below.

"Cubone, Cubone."

Shiny Cubone rapped its bone club, delivering a taunt in its own distinctive way.

The Onix, which hadn't cared about it at all, grew annoyed. You dare taunt me?

I'll crush you!

Smack Down!

Its tail whipped in from afar, blotting out the sky above Shiny Cubone.

"Stick to the plan!"

Shiny Cubone might not have matched Onix in strength, but speed was another matter.

Boom!

The move missed completely, making Onix even angrier.

It glared at the fleeing Shiny Cubone, then began hauling its body after it.

"Onix!"

It roared as it moved, shaking the entire mountainside like a Mini Earthquake.

Liu Xin looked at the trail it had carved and said with lingering fear, "That size is terrifying."

Shiny Cubone and Mutant Phanpy waited for Onix, both taunting it with gestures and cries.

"Cubone, Cubone."

"Phanpy."

How could Onix put up with that?

With a furious roar, it surged forward.

Thud!

Before Onix knew what had happened, it fell into a deep pit and landed hard, leaving it dazed.

This was the trap Liu Xin had prepared.

Digging holes was his specialty. Even so, it had taken him and his two Pokémon an entire afternoon to make this pit more than twenty meters deep, all to trap Onix.

"Now we've got it cornered. Attack!"

"Hit it with everything you've got. Don't give it time to react. Onix can use Dig, so it could easily escape from the pit."

Shiny Cubone and Mutant Phanpy sprang into action.

Their rapid attacks were taking a real toll on Onix.

Wounds gradually covered its body, but its eyes burned with Rage and Spite.

The rocks on its body grew more densely packed. It had clearly been using Harden to defend itself.

Rock Slide!

The moment Shiny Cubone and Mutant Phanpy let their guard down, the entire area began to shake. Onix unleashed its most devastating move in every direction!