"So that's how it is… While living in the ancient seas, Anorith's eight legs gradually evolved into eight fin-like appendages, which it used like paddles to swim. No wonder it was known for its speed."
Silas silently read the information in the document.
It also explained why the Pokémon possessed the Hidden Ability Swift Swim.
In ancient times, it had indeed lived in the sea.
Of course, modern Anorith was now a Rock/Bug-type Pokémon.
Researchers believed that changes in the environment over millions of years forced it to adapt to land, causing it to lose its Water affinity.
Furthermore, because it had been sealed inside stone for millions of years, it eventually became a fossil Pokémon, which might explain why revived fossil Pokémon all possessed the Rock type.
Of course, these were merely scientific hypotheses.
No one could truly confirm what Pokémon from 100 million years ago were like.
Still, Silas privately agreed with the theory.
After all, thanks to his memories from another world, he knew that almost all revived fossil Pokémon in the future would have the Rock type.
....
His eyes then fell on the impressive list of egg moves recorded for Steven's Anorith.
Silas couldn't help sighing inwardly.
Steven's luck really was incredible.
Not only did this Anorith possess outstanding stats among its species, it had also inherited four powerful egg moves:
Rapid Spin
Iron Defense
Cross Poison
Aqua Jet
"Silas, how about having a battle with my Anorith?"
Steven suddenly suggested, his eyes shining with excitement.
Silas was momentarily surprised, but quickly smiled.
"Sure. It'll be good training for my newly hatched Pokémon as well."
Opportunities to battle the future Champion of Hoenn weren't something that came around often.
Besides, he had never fought against a fossil Pokémon like this before.
...
Selene quietly leaned closer and whispered,
"Brother Silas… be careful. Cousin Steven is very strong."
"Oh? You've battled him before?"
Selene nodded solemnly.
"I fought him once. Even when I used all three of my Pokémon, I still lost to his Metang."
"Our Pokémon were around the same level, but the difference in command and training was huge."
Just remembering that humiliating battle made Selene tearful.
Growing up in luxury, most opponents either held back against her or were quickly defeated by her carefully trained Pokémon.
But Steven's battle had completely crushed her confidence.
Fortunately, with her parents' encouragement, she had gradually recovered.
Silas laughed and gently patted her head.
"Don't worry. It's not like we're fighting his main team."
"It's just a friendly spar."
After saying that, he walked toward the battlefield.
He completely missed Selene's blushing face behind him.
"Ahhh… Brother Silas touched my head…"
....
The battlefield was simply the manor lawn.
It was flat and regularly maintained by servants, making it perfect for casual battles.
Steven released his Pokémon first.
"Come out, Anorith!"
Silas responded immediately.
"Sandile, battle ready!"
Both Pokémon were still young, roughly around level ten.
Even so, Silas remained cautious.
After all, Bug-type moves are super effective against Dark-types.
Fortunately, at this level Anorith didn't know any particularly strong Bug-type moves yet.
The most it could use were Fury Cutter or String Shot.
Steven looked curious.
"Silas, did you catch that Sandile in the desert of the Route 111 sandstorm area?"
When they had first met, Silas hadn't possessed Sandile yet.
Considering Sandile only lived in desert environments, Steven immediately guessed where it came from.
Silas nodded honestly.
"Yeah. I ran into it just a few hours before leaving the desert."
A hint of envy flashed across Steven's eyes.
Sandile had once been one of the Pokémon he had considered capturing.
"But my Anorith isn't bad either."
"It's practically unique in the world right now."
Steven smiled confidently.
.....
The battle began.
"Anorith, Water Gun!"
"Sandile, use Sand Tomb to block it, then counterattack!"
Anorith fired a stream of water from its mouth.
Even though it wasn't Water-type, the move was executed skillfully.
Perhaps it was an instinct preserved from ancient times.
Meanwhile, Sandile had consumed a potion made from earth-element minerals, greatly enhancing its affinity with Ground-type techniques.
Soon, a swirling sand vortex formed below of it.
While soon the sand first formed a wall that blocked the Water Gun.
Then countless grains of sand rushed toward Anorith.
"Anorith, take to the air!"
Using the power of its fin-like appendages, Anorith suddenly leapt into the air, barely escaping the swirling sand below.
But that was exactly what Silas wanted.
Targets in the air were often easier to hit.
"Sandile, Rock Tomb!"
Sandile slammed its claws into the ground.
Rocks shot upward like bullets.
The airborne Anorith was struck by multiple stones.
The damage wasn't severe, but its wings were slightly injured, forcing it back to the ground.
"Anorith, Fury Cutter!"
Steven remained calm as he issued the command.
However, he also realized a major difficulty.
Because fossil Pokémon had only recently been revived, there was no historical battle data to reference.
He would have to develop strategies entirely from scratch.
...
"Sandile, don't back down!"
"Use Bite and fight head-on!"
Silas showed no fear of close combat.
After all, Sandile had been fighting since the day it was born.
Its battle instincts were far stronger than a Pokémon that had slept in a fossil for millions of years.
The two Pokémon clashed violently.
Sandile roared as it bit down fiercely.
Anorith endured the attack while slashing with Fury Cutter.
A shallow scratch appeared on Sandile's armored scales.
"Sandile, Torment!"
Taking advantage of the moment, Silas used a clever tactic.
Torment prevented the opponent from using the same move consecutively.
That meant Fury Cutter could no longer be chained.
Against a Bug-type opponent, Silas refused to take risks.
"Anorith, Aqua Jet!"
Steven immediately changed tactics.
Despite its injuries, Anorith surrounded itself with water and shot forward like a bullet.
Water-type attacks were perfect for countering Ground-types.
But Silas remained calm.
Because he already knew the outcome.
"Sandile… Protect."
A green barrier appeared.
Aqua Jet struck the shield and was completely blocked.
Steven immediately waved his hands with a laugh.
"Alright, alright stop! I give up"
<><><><><><>
(End of chapter)