"System! Scan!"
Pokémon: Aggron, Lv68, the Iron Armor Pokémon. He can easily destroy hard rocks with his two horns. His diet consists of minerals and steel products. Gender: Male Type: Steel + Rock Nature: Lonely Ability: Rock Head: Prevents recoil damage from his own moves. Moves: Tackle (proficient), Harden (mastered), Metal Claw (controlled), Rock Tomb (mastered), Roar (mastered), Headbutt (proficient), Rock Slide (mastered), Protect (proficient), Iron Head (mastered), Metal Sound (proficient), Iron Defense (mastered), Iron Tail (mastered), Mega Punch (mastered) Egg Moves: Dragon Rush (proficient), Head Smash (mastered) TMs: None
What could he even say? Almost every move was mastered, and that level-68!
This Aggron was on the verge of reaching Elite Four level!
It was incredibly difficult for a wild Pokémon to reach Elite Four level. Not only did it require talent and potential, but the Pokémon also had to survive harsh environments and territorial battles.
Only by living long enough could one have a chance of reaching Elite Four level-and even then, it was only a chance!
The Aggron facing Yong had already reached that threshold. Just one more step, and he could cross it and stand at the summit!
How was he supposed to fight this?
He couldn't break through that defense or take even a single hit!
Yong smiled bitterly. Perhaps only a Gym Leader like Roxanne would stand a chance?
"Don't worry. Aggron won't initiate an attack. As long as you can break through his defenses, you'll earn his approval!"
Perhaps sensing Yong's concerns, Lunatone spoke up at just the right moment to explain.
"Aggron has lived a very long time. He knows how difficult it is to take that step without human help. That's why he lets humans approach and allows you to become partners with his children. Otherwise, I had already sensed your presence when you first entered the cavern."
So that was it?
Understanding dawned on Yong. No wonder Aggron hadn't attacked him outright.
"I understand! Thank you for giving me this chance, Aggron!"
"Hey-oh!"
Aggron roared again, signaling for them to attack without holding back.
Yong no longer hesitated.
"Steelix! Let's show Aggron what we can do! Harden! Then use Dig to attack him directly!"
Ground-type moves were the most effective attacks against Aggron, dealing a full four times the damage! Even with such a huge level gap, they should still have some effect.
"Roar!"
At his command, a silver gleam flashed across Steelix's body. Along with boosting defense, it hardened the body itself. Then Steelix's enormous head slammed into the ground, instantly boring a tunnel and disappearing inside!
Aggron showed no reaction to any of this. He remained where he was, waiting quietly.
Boom!
Bam!
A violent rumble and crash erupted as Steelix burst out beside him. With unstoppable momentum and Ground-type energy swirling around that enormous body, Steelix slammed hard into Aggron. Metal rang against metal, and amid the flying dust, tiny sparks seemed to scatter in every direction.
"Did it work?"
Yong watched the clash between the two giants expectantly.
But the recoil from the impact shoved Steelix away. Dig had left only a faint scuff on Aggron's body, without dealing any damage at all!
"Hey-oh!"
"He says the attack was decent, but its proficiency is still lacking. Your control over Ground-type energy is far too weak!"
Acting as both referee and interpreter, Lunatone carefully observed the battle. Its Telepathy sounded in Yong's mind again.
"So that's it!"
During their past training and battles, ever since Steelix had been an Onix, they had focused exclusively on Steel-type and Rock-type moves. They had indeed neglected the powerful Ground type. As a result, Steelix's development was now somewhat lopsided: all "steel," with no attention paid to the other powerful typing.
For Yong, who intended to specialize in Ground and Rock types, that felt like failing to live up to his own goals.
By now, he had completely calmed down, without a trace of impatience. Those were matters for later. Right now, what mattered most was showing their strongest side!
"Steelix, build up your power! Use our strongest move! Iron Tail!"
"Roar!"
Clearly sensing the gap between them and their opponent, Steelix answered earnestly, mobilizing the powerful Steel-type energy within and gathering all of it in the tail. Intense white light enveloped it!
As the energy flowed, those mysterious patterns seemed to come alive as well, twisting irregularly and giving off a crystalline shimmer.
"Hey-oh?"
As though sensing something, Aggron gave Steelix a puzzled look. His gaze shifted slightly, taking on a hint of sharpness!
"Go! Use Iron Tail at full power!"
Seeing that the moment was right, Yong decisively gave the command, missing those tiny details.
"Roar!"
With an furious roar, Steelix twisted that massive body and swung the enormous tail. White Steel-type energy mingled with an unknown color as it smashed toward the unmoving opponent!
A control-level Iron Tail!
Clang!!
Once again, metal crashed against metal! Once again, sparks flew!
But this time was different. Aggron felt pain, and his right leg stepped backward!
"Hey-oh!"
"We did it!"
At the sight, Yong couldn't help shouting!
Steelix withdrew the tail as well and returned to his side, panting slightly while awaiting the verdict.
"Hey-oh!"
With a low rumble, Aggron looked at Steelix approvingly.
"He says, 'Congratulations, human boy and Steelix. That was a very powerful attack!'"
Lunatone's voice sounded in his mind again.
"'I acknowledge your strength. I hope you will take good care of my child!'"
"Really?"
Yong was delighted.
"Can I become an Aron's Trainer?"
"Hey-oh!"
Calling to the watching Aron, Aggron returned to the platform and lay down. At his call, all the Aron gathered before the platform. Looking at the human before them, they knew that one of their siblings would become his partner.
Ding! Special battle result: Steelix wins! Reward: 100 Training Points! Ding! A small amount of experience gained. Dig and Iron Tail proficiency increased!
The system notifications appeared in his mind!
"That's great! Did he acknowledge your strength, Yong?"
At that moment, Chengjie came over and asked in delighted surprise.
Yong shook his head. Smiling at the Aron before him, he said,
"No. Aggron only acknowledged my courage, not my strength..."
Chengjie didn't understand, but he didn't ask any further. Instead, he changed the subject.
"There are seven Aron altogether. Which one should you choose?"
Yong didn't answer. He was currently taking advantage of the system to examine the little ones one by one.
Every one of them had great potential. With such a powerful father, their aptitude couldn't be poor.
To his delight, two of the little ones had inherited Head Smash, and one of those had also inherited Dragon Rush, perfectly inheriting Aggron's talents!
Pokémon: Aron, Lv20. He eats iron to build his steel body. A troublesome fellow who sometimes comes down from the mountains to chew on bridges or railway tracks. Gender: Male Type: Steel + Rock Nature: Brave Ability: Rock Head: Prevents recoil damage from his own moves. Affected by Ability suppression. Moves: Tackle (proficient), Harden (proficient), Headbutt (beginner), Protect (beginner), Roar (proficient) Metal Claw (proficient) Egg Moves: Dragon Rush (beginner), Head Smash (beginner) TMs: None Pokémon: Aron, Lv21 Gender: Male Type: Steel + Rock Nature: Happy-go-lucky Ability: Sturdy: Unaffected by one-hit knockout moves. Moves: Tackle (beginner), Harden (proficient), Rock Tomb (beginner), Protect (beginner), Roar (proficient), Metal Claw (proficient) Egg Moves: Head Smash (beginner) TMs: None
Finally, after looking at the two little ones and thinking for a long time, Yong made his choice.