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After bidding farewell to Gary, Ash and the others continued their journey to Cinnabar Island. Along the way, Ash tallied his gains from this trip.
A Key Stone, a MEGA Evolution Stone, a Pokémon Egg, and an Aerodactyl.
Both the Pokémon Egg and Aerodactyl had S-rank potential. If they encountered an opportunity to raise them to triple S, then they would possess the threshold to advance to the God-Tier.
At the same time, Ash also discovered something: there seemed to be an invisible threshold between double S and triple S.
Whether it was Bulbasaur, Aerodactyl, or the Togepi Pokémon Egg, they were all just a hair's breadth away from triple S-rank. Ash didn't believe this was a coincidence.
However, Ash had no concrete evidence for this, and even if there really was a threshold, wouldn't crossing it solve everything?
As for the method of crossing it, he hadn't found it yet, so for now, he would maintain the status quo.
Anyway, the God-Tier was still very, very far away for him. Forget the God-Tier; he didn't even have a single Gym Grade Pokémon yet.
The closest to Gym Grade was Pikachu.
Furthermore, the MEGA Evolution Stone had been identified with the help of the experts in the group. It was an Aerodactyl's MEGA Evolution Stone.
This was not unexpected. If Aerodactyl was also capable of MEGA Evolution, then it was normal for the Stone to belong to Aerodactyl.
However, Ash still felt a bit of regret about this. After all, there was no bond between Aerodactyl and him yet. How could there be a bond with a newly caught Pokémon?
While in the cave, Ash had Teleport Pidgeot back and kept Aerodactyl with him.
But Ash didn't plan to keep Aerodactyl in his team long-term, because its level was too high.
Its Gym peak level far exceeded the levels of all of Ash's current Pokémon, second only to Gengar at Oak's Laboratory.
Ash had no experience training Pokémon of this level. All of his Pokémon were slowly trained from scratch. At the beginning of each level, Ash would customize a training plan for them, specific to that level.
Only by nurturing Pokémon little by little in this way could Ash fully grasp their various stats and build sufficient rapport with them.
For a high-level Pokémon like Aerodactyl, Ash not only lacked training experience for that level, but also, because its level was too far above the rest of the team, it was difficult for Ash to find training partners and battle targets.
Even if his current Pokémon couldn't find external opponents to battle, they could still engage in internal battles to improve themselves, but Aerodactyl couldn't. If he stayed in the team, he could at most serve as a sparring partner.
In that case, it would be better to send him back to Oak's Laboratory and let Gengar train him.
As for cooperation, intimacy, and other issues, they could be discussed later.
He wouldn't keep Aerodactyl at Oak's Laboratory forever. Occasionally, he would rotate him back to foster their relationship. As for training... there wasn't much to train.
Training by his side was not as good as training with Gengar at Oak's Laboratory.
In fact, it wasn't just Gengar. Later, as Charizard and the others' levels slowly increased, Ash would also Teleport them back to Oak's Laboratory.
After all, if their strength continued to improve, it would become increasingly difficult to find suitable opponents. In that case, it would be better for him to customize a training plan for them and send them back to Oak's Laboratory for Gengar to drill.
By then, besides Gengar, there should also be Aerodactyl as a sparring partner at Oak's Laboratory.
Hmm, two sparring partners should be enough.
Far away at Oak's Laboratory, Gengar suddenly sneezed several times. He was still drilling Grimer and other Pokémon, but an ominous premonition rose in his heart, as if he was being targeted by someone... By evening, Ash and his two companions finally found a roadside Pokémon Center. Ash took Aerodactyl there for recovery.
Nurse Joy was slightly shocked when she saw Aerodactyl. Currently, Lance was the only person publicly known to own an Aerodactyl. Ash could be said to be the second person in the entire world to own an Aerodactyl.
At this time, Ash also didn't hide his appearance, and Nurse Joy immediately recognized this famous person who was quite well-known throughout Kanto.
However, Nurse Joy naturally wouldn't ask for autographs or photos like those fanatical fans. If it came to being famous, the Joy Family was more famous, right?
But she still chatted with Ash for a while. She was quite curious about the Ash who was rumored to be so miraculous in the outside world.
Misty watched them talking and laughing beside them, and Brock did the same.
The two of them, one clenching her small fists, the other biting an unknown handkerchief and shedding tears, could be said to be quite comical.
It wasn't until quite late that Nurse Joy let Ash go back to rest. Aerodactyl's recovery would have to wait until the next morning. According to the Pokémon Center's examination, Aerodactyl's head seemed to have suffered a relatively severe blow, requiring a longer recovery time.
Ash gave an awkward laugh in response.
Speaking of which, both times his fists had aimed for Aerodactyl's head, but theoretically, Aerodactyl's Sturdy Head ability should make his head very hard. These two small punches shouldn't have left him with any sequelae...
Time flew by, and it was already morning of the second day. Ash woke up early and went to the Pokémon Center front desk, where he received Aerodactyl's Poké Ball from a sleepy-eyed Nurse Joy.
He then used Gardevoir's Teleport to reach a desolate plain and released Aerodactyl.
As soon as Aerodactyl emerged, he instinctively glared menacingly at Ash, but upon seeing Ash, the ferocity in his eyes instantly receded, replaced by a fawning gaze.
Aerodactyl's current appearance bore no resemblance to an ancient sky overlord; instead, he looked like a husky.
"Roar?" What are my master's orders for calling me out?
Ash was visibly stunned when he heard Aerodactyl's words: "Have you already figured out your place so quickly? Haven't you thought about fighting me again?"
Aerodactyl shook his head vigorously like a rattle-drum.
What kind of international joke is that? Fight you again? Although my ability is Sturdy Head, I'm not thick-headed, okay?
If he couldn't see the disparity in strength from the previous battle, then he would have lived in ancient times in vain. As the saying goes, a wise dragon knows when to submit, and he was very clear about the current situation.
Although this master put him into that strange thing, the environment inside was not bad, and the new master also healed his injuries and showed no malice after releasing him.
Most importantly, he wasn't as hungry as before. Without hunger controlling his brain, he could feel the affinity and attraction emanating from the human in front of him.
This was the effect of Viridian Power.
The 'passive effect' of Viridian Power allowed Ash to have a good initial impression when first encountering any Pokémon.
The reason it did not affect Aerodactyl was entirely because Aerodactyl had just woken up and was almost starving to death!
Moreover, the ferocity inherent in his bones also prevented him from developing a good impression of Ash at first.
Now, after being subdued by Ash, not only had his hunger diminished considerably, but his injuries had also recovered. Coupled with Ash's clear display of power, it completely suppressed the ferocity in his bones, causing him to directly submit to Ash.
If not now, when would be the time to admit defeat?
Ash scratched his head. The set of words he had prepared was directly rendered unutterable by Aerodactyl's appearance.
Didn't they say Aerodactyl was an ancient overlord, very arrogant? Why did he give up so quickly?
"Ahem, don't call me master. I'm your Trainer... which means partner. Our status is equal."
"The times have changed. Humans and Pokémon can now coexist peacefully and grow stronger together. Our goals are actually the same: to stand at the very top of the world. Please take care of me from now on."
Ash extended his palm, a brilliant smile on his face.
Aerodactyl froze, a very complex expression on its face. If he had submitted before because of Ash's strength, then with Ash's words, he had a completely new feeling for Ash.
This guy who called himself a Trainer... perhaps he wasn't so bad?
Aerodactyl thought, and also extended his claw to place it on Ash's hand, which represented his initial acceptance of Ash.
"Then from now on, we're partners, Aerodactyl. In a little while, I'll teleport you back to Oak's Laboratory... which will be your future home. There, you don't have to stay inside the laboratory, but there will be a strange old man who might be very interested in you. You absolutely must not lay a hand on him; otherwise, if he suppresses you, I won't be able to speak up for you."
Ash gave Aerodactyl a warning shot in advance.
He was afraid that after Aerodactyl was teleported back to Oak's Laboratory, he might suddenly act out and attack Professor Oak.
Ash wasn't actually worried about Professor Oak. He was a former Champion, and even if he was a bit older, a Gym-level Pokémon could never threaten him.
The problem was Aerodactyl. If he really attacked Professor Oak, wouldn't Professor Oak's old cronies just tear him apart?!
So Ash gave Aerodactyl an advanced warning. If Aerodactyl insisted on not listening to advice and courting death, Ash couldn't do anything about it.
Anyway, he wouldn't actually die.
Aerodactyl nodded, not understanding. If it made his Trainer so serious, then it must indeed be someone not to be trifled with. Hmm, it's better to be low-key.
"Do you know where these two things came from?" After resolving the potential trouble of Aerodactyl returning to Oak's Laboratory, Ash took out the MEGA Evolution Stone and Key Stone from his backpack.
Aerodactyl was holding the Key Stone when it was asleep, and the MEGA Evolution Stone was also placed in the deepest part of the cave, so Aerodactyl was very likely to know where these two things came from.
If he could find the origin, then he would really hit the jackpot!
Aerodactyl, upon seeing the two items in Ash's hand, showed a thoughtful expression, then let out a roar.
...These things were originally in the Great Canyon. Did you choose to sleep in the Great Canyon because of these two stones?
You said you felt a power from these two stones that could elevate you, but no matter what you tried, you couldn't extract the power from them?
"Hey, that's normal. This requires the Trainer and Pokémon to use it together to extract the power. We will have the opportunity to use this power in the future."
Ash comforted Aerodactyl while also feeling a little disappointed.
It seemed that the dream of piles of Key Stones and Stones could only exist in dreams, but the MEGA guidance in his mind hadn't completely disappeared, which meant he still had to activate and obtain a MEGA Evolution Stone.
This should be a pleasant surprise. He didn't expect that this one-time ability, which guided him to obtain a Key Stone and an Evolution Stone, would still have an effect.
It was called a one-time ability, but if he had to say, it should be considered a one-time consumable that would continue to exist until it was completely used up.
But no matter what, this one-time ability had already made him extremely rich, and Ash was content...
Upon returning to the Pokémon Center, Ash called Professor Oak. Although it was still early, Professor Oak was already awake.
Upon learning that Ash had actually caught an Aerodactyl and was going to Teleport it back, Professor Oak's entire face pressed against the computer screen: "You actually caught an Aerodactyl!? Quick! Teleport him back! I was wondering why Pidgeot was Teleported back, and I was thinking about what Pokémon you had caught, but I didn't expect it to be Aerodactyl! Well done, Ash!"
Professor Oak's face pressed against the computer like a ghoul, making Ash show an expression of disgust: "You're so disgusting, Professor Oak... Aerodactyl is a Pokémon that has lived from ancient times, and its temper isn't very good. Don't mess with him."
"Don't worry, don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Professor Oak said, pulling his head back and looking composed.
"Also, Professor Oak, could you please keep an eye out for these two things for me?" Ash said, taking out the MEGA Evolution Stone and Key Stone and placing them in front of the webcam.
Professor Oak once again pressed his face close to examine them carefully, then stroked his chin and asked thoughtfully: "Where did these two gems come from? Some kind of Stone? I think I've seen them somewhere..."
"You've seen them?!" Professor Oak's words instantly made Ash's face light up with surprise: "Where?"
"Hmm... I don't quite remember. I don't have much memory of these kinds of gems, but Steven seems to like collecting these stones. I'll ask him for you when I have time."
Hoenn Champion Steven, a famous miner, was rumored to be preparing to resign his Champion position recently to exclusively mine. If it were him, he might indeed collect MEGA Evolution Stones and Key Stones.