Was this... a cheat ability?
Yong immediately thought of the standard perk for transmigrators and silently asked,
"System, what functions do you have?"
Ding! System activated! 1. Appraisal: view a Pokémon's types, level, Ability, and moves. 2. Training points: earn training points through training and battles. These can improve a Pokémon's move proficiency and speed up move mastery!
He nodded in understanding.
"Appraisal is easy enough to understand-a Pokédex! As for training points, that sounds pretty good!"
Yong was quietly pleased.
Watching his happy son, Shiyan Toru smiled and nodded, then looked at his two Onix, as though recalling the day he had first set out.
"All right, you've caught your Onix. Make sure you take good care of it from now on!"
"Don't worry, Dad. I'll raise Onix well!"
Yong spoke earnestly to his dad and Onix's parents, then glanced at the companions around him.
"Well, I'm off!"
"Go on. A man should get out there and see the world."
Shiyan Toru smiled at his son, encouraging him.
"Remember, your mom and dad are always behind you. Go on, and remember to visit Professor Birch in Littleroot Town first."
"I will. Goodbye, everyone!"
Yong waved goodbye and followed the eastern path toward Dewford Town. He needed to catch a boat at the harbor and head to Petalburg City.
According to legend, the Hoenn Region had been created after Groudon and Kyogre appeared.
Groudon raised the continents to create the land, while Kyogre filled the seas, forming the Hoenn Region.
The Hoenn Region had a wide variety of natural environments, from tropical rainforests to deserts, but its most striking feature was its vast expanse of water.
That expanse was almost equal in size to the mainland, a stark contrast to other regions. Islands of all sizes dotted the waters around the continent and could only be reached by sea. Some areas could even be explored underwater. Hoenn's vegetation and climate showed that it was far warmer than the other continents.
Mountains and forests covered the continent's interior, while its major cities lay along the coast. Living conditions in inland towns and villages were much harsher; the people of Fortree City even had to live in tree houses.
Littleroot Town lay in southwestern Hoenn. In the games Yong had played in his previous life, it was where the protagonist began their journey. As the starting town of the Hoenn Region, Littleroot Town's only exit was Route 101 to the north, leading to Gumei Town.
The building in the southern part of town was Professor Birch's laboratory. Pokémon Trainers about to embark on their journeys could choose Treecko, Torchic, or Mudkip there as their first Pokémon.
To reach Littleroot Town from Dewford Town, he had to take a boat from Dewford's harbor to the landing southwest of Petalburg City, pass through the city, then follow the road south.
At that moment, Yong was sitting aboard a passenger boat bound for Petalburg City. Leaving home for the first time and truly traveling through this wondrous world, he found everything fascinating.
Although Onix was not fully grown yet, it was already six meters long and weighed 160 kilograms! Most adult Onix were around 8.8 meters long, so letting it out aboard the boat would be inconvenient.
"System, scan!"
Pokémon: Onix, Lv. 18. Rock Snake Pokémon. When it burrows through earth and stone underground, it produces rumbling that shakes the ground. It moves underground at eighty kilometers per hour! Types: Rock + Ground Nature: Adamant (in reality, nature does not affect a Pokémon's stats) Ability: Rock Head. Prevents recoil damage from its own moves. Subject to Ability suppression. Friendship: 100 Moves: Tackle (beginner), Screech (beginner), Bind (beginner), Dig (proficient), Return (beginner), Harden (beginner), Rock Slide (beginner) Egg Moves: Dragon Tail (beginner), Iron Tail (beginner), Head Smash (beginner) TMs: None
"Not bad. I didn't expect it to inherit Iron Tail and Dragon Tail, too. Its proficiency is a little low, though. At least it's got a good grasp of Dig."
Studying Onix's information, Yong considered how to train it.
"Onix's physical defense comes first. I'll make it tougher, then supplement that with physical attack. Hmm... it should soak in water occasionally, too, to improve its resistance. At the very least, it can't get knocked out by a single Water Gun."
"Its move coverage is too limited. Improving that needs to be a priority, too. It can learn Hidden Power, and Protect is a must. Earthquake is standard, too... apparently, it can also learn Dragon Pulse, then upgrading that to Dragon Breath would be good. It needs to learn Rock Smash as well!"
He scratched his head helplessly. Although his goal was to become a master of Rock- and Ground-type Pokémon, Onix was four times weak to Water and Grass, and twice weak to Ground, Fighting, Ice, and Steel...
It would be difficult! But difficulty was what made it a challenge. He would take it one step at a time.
Relaxing, Yong leaned against the side of the boat and gazed at the boundless sea, the Mantine occasionally leaping from the water, and the schools of Magikarp and Staryu...
I absolutely have to improve Onix's resistance to water!
After a long journey, the passenger boat stopped beside Petalburg City's beach. The moment his feet touched the ground, Yong felt much more secure. Solid ground was still best.
After finally squeezing out of the crowd, he got his bearings and headed toward Petalburg City, following the signs.
With its extensive greenery and Hoenn's finest forest resource, Petalburg Woods, Petalburg City was known as "the city where people commune with nature"! It also bordered the sea, its outskirts stretching to the coast, where gentle sea breezes drifted through.
As one of the Hoenn Region's major cities, it housed a Normal-type Gym. Its Gym Leader, Norman, was a man who sought great power and specialized in Normal-type Pokémon. His ace, Slaking, was practically synonymous with brute force.
Norman's family had originally lived in Johto. To fulfill his duties as a Gym Leader, he had moved to Hoenn with his family. People often described Norman as "a man born for Pokémon."
He had been a famous Gym Leader in the anime from Yong's previous life and had even become a reserve member of Hoenn's Elite Four, which spoke volumes about his strength. His daughter, May, had also been one of Ash's potential romantic pairings.
Of course, Yong knew his limits and was not so full of himself that he would challenge the Petalburg Gym. He would definitely get thrashed!
After glancing at the imposing Petalburg Gym, Yong headed straight for the department store.
"Hello, welcome! What can I help you with?"
Faced with the enthusiastic clerk, Yong felt a little out of his element. Dewford Town had no department store; all its supplies were purchased in Slateport City and transported by sea.
"Hello, I'd like some Pokémon food and Pokéblocks for Rock- and Ground-type Pokémon. Oh, and some tents, Antidotes, Potions..."
"Certainly. That comes to 300,000 Pokémon dollars. Thank you for shopping with us!"
He paid with a pang. Although his mom had given him plenty of money, spending 300,000 in one go-one-third of it-still hurt. It seemed he would have to cut back on his own expenses and spend the money on his Pokémon instead. Silently consoling himself, Yong left the department store.
Not far away, a red building stood prominently beside the road. It was a Pokémon Center!
But Yong was not yet a League-registered Trainer. He first needed to find Professor Birch in Littleroot Town, obtain his certification as a new Trainer, and receive a Pokédex. Only then could he enjoy League benefits at Pokémon Centers and register for this year's Hoenn League Ever Grande Conference.
Unlike in the anime, every region's starting town had a League professor. Each professor was not only a researcher but also a powerful Trainer, ranking above Gym Leaders and below the Elite Four, with some even possessing Elite Four-level strength!
Pallet Town, which Pokémon fans in his previous life had dubbed "the town of champions," was home to the famous Professor Oak's Laboratory. Professor Oak himself was rumored to possess Champion-level strength!
Kanto, huh... I'll go there.
Yong thought about the plot of the anime from his previous life. He did not know where he was in the timeline, but that did not matter. Now that he had come to this world, he would forge his own path. As for Ash, they would meet if fate allowed it!
Continuing east along Route 102, he gradually left Petalburg City behind.
"All right, come on out, Onix!"
He released Onix, which had spent a long time in its Poké Ball.
"Roar!"
Onix lowered its head and nuzzled Yong.
"All right! You've been in your Poké Ball for so long. Stretch out and get moving, Onix!"
Patting Onix's body, Yong looked at the grass and bushes ahead.
"Be ready to battle at any moment!"
"Roar!"
"Good. Let's go!"
Just as he had as a child, Yong climbed onto Onix's neck and settled securely into place, then clapped his hands in satisfaction.
"Forward, Onix!"
"Roar!"
Onix obediently moved in the direction Yong indicated. It was not fast, but it was much faster than walking himself.
Onix was only level 18, but its enormous body was still intimidating. Along the way, no weak Pokémon foolish enough to get in their way suddenly appeared.
This won't get us any battles!
Yong scratched his head helplessly and had no choice but to recall Onix for now.
Sure enough, after he walked alone for a short while, a Pokémon came looking for him.
"Finally showing yourself?"
Yong looked at the kappa-like Pokémon blocking his path and nodded.
"Its Water and Grass types both have the advantage. This is a tough opponent! System, scan!"
Pokémon: Lombre, Lv. 17. Jolly Pokémon. The evolved form of Lotad. Seen from a distance, it is often mistaken for a human child. Types: Water + Grass Nature: Rash Ability: Rain Dish. Restores 1/16 of its HP at the end of each turn during rain. Friendship: 0 Moves: Water Gun (beginner), Mist (beginner), Growl (beginner), Absorb (beginner), Growth (beginner) Egg Moves: None TMs: None
Lombre
Level 17, huh? Looks like it evolved a while ago. Yong thought for a moment, then took out his Poké Ball.
"Go, Onix! Time for your first battle! This one's a tough opponent!"
He threw the Poké Ball, and amid a flash of white light, Onix landed with a crash.
"Roar!"
Onix stared excitedly at the opponent before it, its serpentine body coiled on the ground. Steady as it was, it had been waiting a long time, too.