"Poké Ball, go!"
Ange threw a Poké Ball, and Veluza turned into a streak of red light as it was sucked inside.
The Poké Ball shook a few times before letting out a "pop" sound, signaling a successful capture.
Ange had bought the Poké Ball from the System Store for 500p. It was just a standard red-and-white ball, which felt a bit expensive.
However, he had no choice. Since he had not brought any Poké Balls with him, he had to buy them on the fly.
"Yeah, Veluza GET DA☆ZE!"
Picking up the Poké Ball, Ange held it high and shouted chuunibyou-style. This was his first official Pokémon capture, and he could not help but feel a little excited.
"Honk honk~"
"Honk honk~"
Seeing this, the two Oinkologne also started jumping and dancing, celebrating the first successful capture.
"Come on, let's keep going!" Ange said, full of energy.
"Honk honk~"
"Honk honk~"
The two Oinkologne nodded and continued extending their tails into the water.
About two or three minutes later, the little couple cried out at the same time and flicked their tails. Two Veluza "flew" into the air.
These two Veluza were no pushovers. The moment they were airborne, they immediately launched an attack on Ange and his group. Two blades of water shot out from them, slashing toward Ange and Komala.
It was Aqua Cutter!
"Arven, stay back!"
Ange shouted as he rolled across the grass to dodge the attack.
At the same time, Komala also used its agile positioning to avoid the strike.
As Psychic Pokémon, the two Veluza actually used their mental power to achieve brief levitation and immediately launched a second wave of attacks.
It was Aqua Cutter again.
Veluza has an ability called Sharpness. Its effect is that when they use slicing moves, the move's power increases, and Aqua Cutter happens to be a slicing move.
Ange ran to dodge the attack, then leaped into the air, raising his fist to smash the Veluza closest to him.
Thud!
The Veluza was smashed to the ground by the punch, twitching twice before losing consciousness.
"Phew," Ange landed steadily and cockily blew on his fist. "A piece of cake!"
Meanwhile, Komala had also defeated the other Veluza.
"Good job, Komala!" Ange gave it a thumbs up.
Komala calmly hugged its log and swayed back and forth.
Ange pulled out his Poké Balls and successfully captured the two Veluza. These two did not drop any meat. Ange guessed they must have been the same two fished up by the Oinkologne the first time.
Since they had already shed their meat, they would not do so again in a short period.
Without thinking much more, Ange said to the Oinkologne, "Let's continue."
Following that, Ange and the others successively fished up Shellder, Veluza, Veluza, Goldeen, Magikarp, Magikarp, Slowpoke...
Ange released any non-Veluza Pokémon back into the river.
By noon, Ange had captured 20 Veluza, which was exactly double the amount required by the system mission.
The levels of the Veluza here were not high, so Ange found it very easy to capture them.
Seeing the Oinkologne stick their tails into the water again, Ange said with a smile, "Last one. Regardless of whether we catch anything, let's head back."
The mission was already complete anyway.
"Honk honk~"
"Honk honk~"
The two Oinkologne nodded repeatedly.
About three minutes later, the male Oinkologne let out a howl. It tried to flick its tail but failed. Simultaneously, a huge whirlpool appeared in the river water near the bank.
"Honk honk~"
The male Oinkologne was being dragged toward the water by a massive force. Seeing that it was about to be pulled in, the female Oinkologne quickly gave up her fishing and ran over to grab her boyfriend with her hooves.
At this critical moment, Komala raised its log and slammed it hard against the ground. The earth trembled violently, and the water surface by the shore shook along with it.
Komala used Earthquake.
The two Oinkologne were finally saved. At the same time, a giant Veluza leaped out from the whirlpool, staring at Ange and the others with cold eyes.
Ordinary Veluza are usually around 2 meters in length, but the one before Ange's eyes was at least 3 meters long.
Veluza
Type: Water, Psychic
Ability: Sharpness
Gender: Female
Level: 50
Moves: Tackle, Aqua Jet, Pluck, Water Pulse, Slash, Aqua Cutter, Fillet Away, Night Slash, Psycho Cut, Liquidation, Crunch, Psychic Fangs, Recover.
Individual Values
HP: 13
Attack: 30
Defense: 11
Special Attack: 21
Special Defense: 28
Speed: 29
After reading the Veluza's data, Ange exclaimed, "Holy crap, what a strong Veluza! Its level is so high."
The previous Veluza were all between levels ten and twenty.
Could this be the Veluza leader?
Feeling the aura radiating from the Veluza, the two Oinkologne turned tail and ran, only daring to peek their heads out from behind Arven once they were hidden.
Sorry, Ange, fighting isn't our specialty.
Ange also silently retreated, leaving the stage to Komala.
The Veluza launched the first attack, a massive water blade slashing toward Komala.
Komala did not dodge at all. It raised the log in its arms and smashed it forward. The moment the water blade was hit, it froze inch by inch and then abruptly shattered.
Komala used Ice Spinner.
After smashing the Aqua Cutter, Komala continued to advance, using the Ghost-type move Shadow Claw to strike at the Veluza. The Veluza tried to dodge, but it was too late and was slapped directly into the river by Komala.
After falling into the water, the Veluza controlled the current and used Liquidation, sending two water blades toward Komala.
However, Komala was completely fearless. It spun its body at high speed to pulverize the water blades.
Whiz whiz whiz~~~
Komala opened its mouth and spat out a series of green seeds toward the Veluza. The Veluza sped through the water, but the Seed Bombs were hot on its trail. Thus, its whole body trembled as it used the move Fillet Away.
Fillet Away is Veluza's signature move. It sheds its excess flesh to sharply increase its Attack, Special Attack, and Speed.
Large chunks of snow-white fish meat were thrown onto the shore, and the Veluza's swimming speed suddenly increased.
A harvest! A total harvest!
Ange was so happy he almost jumped for joy. He immediately ran over to collect the meat into his backpack.
But even though the Veluza had shed its excess flesh, it ultimately could not escape the fate of being defeated. It lost consciousness under Komala's Seed Bombs.
Ange threw a Poké Ball and pulled the Veluza inside.
Afterward, Ange walked to the riverbank and released all 21 Veluza. He took out Berries to feed them, and before long, they had all woken up.
Veluza is a relatively large fish Pokémon, with an average length exceeding 2 meters. Seeing 21 of them gathered together was quite a spectacle as they circled around the largest one.
Ange had guessed correctly; it was indeed the leader of the Veluza.
Ange took out vegetables from the System Backpack and threw them into the river. The Veluza immediately swarmed forward, devouring every bit of the food in an instant.
Seeing this, Ange took out another pile and threw it in. His backpack was full of various vegetables.
Soon, the 21 Veluza were all full, and they expressed their acceptance of Ange.
If you give them food, you're the boss!
The needs of wild Pokémon are simple: survival and reproduction.
Ange said, "In the future, give me the excess flesh you shed during your training, and I will give you food in return. How about it?"
The Veluza all nodded.
There was such a good deal? The excess flesh was something they did not need anyway. (Note: Veluza do not eat the meat they shed themselves.)
"By the way, do you have any other companions? If so, come with me," Ange suddenly said.
Since the leader was gone, any remaining Veluza would inevitably be bullied by other Pokémon groups if they stayed here.
However, the Veluza leader shook its head. It had only attacked out of desperation because its subordinates had all been caught by Ange.
This river was not large. Accommodating 21 Veluza was already not easy.
"Alright then," Ange did not feel disappointed. "In that case, let's head back."
After returning the Veluza to their Poké Balls, Ange carried Komala and led Arven and the Oinkologne back to Research Station No. 1.
Research Station No. 1 had a very large pool that the professors and researchers usually used to house Water-type Pokémon. It was currently empty. After getting the professor's permission, Ange temporarily settled the Veluza inside.
They probably would not be used to staying in Poké Balls all the time.
At noon, Ange planned to show off his skills and let the professors taste his cooking. However, he was surprised to find that there was no kitchen here.
Arven said, "It seems everyone's food is specially brought in from the outside. It's from the Treasure Eatery."
Ange was speechless.
Not only was there no kitchen, but there was also no fire. Even though Ange had brought his own cookware and ingredients, he had no way to start cooking.
Arven was very disappointed as he really wanted to taste Ange's cooking. The two Oinkologne felt the same, their ears drooping in dejection.
Suddenly, Arven had a bright idea. "We can go capture a Fire-type Pokémon!"
"That's right!" Ange slapped his forehead. "Why didn't I think of that!"
"Let's go, let's go!"
With that, Ange took Arven out again, the two Oinkologne running excitedly in front.
After circling around, they did not find any Fire-type Pokémon. Ange asked, "Arven, do you know where there are any Fire-type Pokémon?"
Arven shook his head. "I don't know." He did not come here often.
"Honk honk~"
"Honk honk~"
At this time, the two Oinkologne looked up at Ange and started jumping.
"You know?" Ange asked.
The two Oinkologne twitched their noses, sniffing around the grass and moving forward step by step.
Ange felt helpless. "Can you actually smell fire?"
As it turned out, they really could!
Under the guidance of the two Oinkologne, a herd of Ponyta appeared before Ange.
"Uh..." Ange fell into a dilemma. "While Ponyta are indeed Fire-type Pokémon, their flames are unstable. They can't be used for cooking."
Using unstable flames for cooking would result in food being either raw or burnt.
The best Fire-type partners for helping with lunch would be Slugma, Magcargo, or Torkoal. However, they mostly seemed to live near volcanoes, and there were no volcanoes in the Upper layer of Area Zero.
"Honk honk~"
"Honk honk~"
Seeing that Ange was not satisfied, the two Oinkologne sniffed around again and continued their search.
About ten minutes later, a small, humanoid Pokémon appeared before Ange. Its body was fiery red and surrounded by flames.
Seeing it, Ange's eyes lit up.
It was Charcadet!
Charcadet, a Fire-type Fire Child Pokémon. It is said to be a Pokémon born from a soul inhabiting burning charcoal. The Ceruledge that Diancie had fought at the Treasure Eatery was one of its evolved forms; its other evolution is Armarouge.
Wasn't this the most stable fire source?
"Komala..." Ange was about to send Komala out to fight, but seeing that the Charcadet was only around level ten, he felt it would be bullying. So, he handed Komala to Arven and then shouted to the Charcadet, "Charcadet, come on! I'm going to capture you!" He took a combat stance as he spoke.
That's right, he was going to fight the Charcadet himself.
That works too? Arven's mouth hung open in disbelief.
Charcadet had been looking at Ange warily. When Ange said he was going to capture it, it immediately took a combat stance, its eyes burning with high fighting spirit as if saying: Bring it on!
"Here I come!"
Ange kicked off with both feet and suddenly accelerated toward Charcadet.
Charcadet was naturally not to be outdone. It stretched its hands forward and threw clumps of Embers at Ange.
Ange ran and turned, flexibly dodging the Ember attacks, and dodged behind Charcadet in a flash.
"Take this!"
Charcadet was startled. Just as it turned around, it was met with Ange's fist.
"Cha, Chaka~"
Charcadet cried out as it was knocked rolling across the grass several times. When it stood up, its head was spinning.
Ange leaped forward again, landing in front of Charcadet and taking the opportunity to give it another punch. This time, Charcadet fell to the ground and stayed there.
Ange threw a Poké Ball, hitting the Charcadet. It turned into red light and was sucked inside.
"Done!"
Arven was stunned. It was the first time he had ever seen someone capture a Pokémon by joining the fight personally.
Ange picked up the Poké Ball and released the Charcadet again. He took out a Berry and fed it, and the Charcadet soon fully recovered.
Ange reached out a hand and said, "I'll be in your care from now on, Charcadet."
Charcadet was very convinced by this "strong person" who had defeated it. It reached out its fist and bumped Ange's.
"Chaka~" I'll be in your care.
Just as Ange was about to take Charcadet and the others back, another Charcadet suddenly jumped out of the grass. It grabbed the Charcadet Ange had just caught and began to wail.
The Charcadet Ange had just captured was male, while the one that just appeared was female.
"Chaka Chaka~" Where are you going? Don't you want me anymore? Waaaah~~
The newcomer Charcadet was crying very sadly.
Ange's Charcadet patted the other's back, trying to comfort her.
"Is this your friend?" Ange asked.
"Chaka~" Charcadet nodded.
"Now what do I do?"
Looking at the crying Charcadet, Ange had a headache.
"How about... you both come with me?"
Hearing this, the crying Charcadet finally stopped. It broke free from the other Charcadet's embrace and looked at Ange with a serious face.
"Chaka Kacha~"
"You want to fight me too?" Ange asked.
"Chaka, Chaka~" The Crybaby Charcadet nodded very seriously.
"Alright," Ange agreed.
The Crybaby Charcadet was even weaker than the previous one. Ange knocked it down with a single punch. It sat on the grass, tears uncontrollably filling its eyes.
"Hey, hey, hey~~ don't cry!" Ange was in a flurry. "Didn't you want to fight? Besides, I didn't even hit you that hard."
The Charcadet Ange caught first quickly ran over to pick up the Crybaby Charcadet and patted it gently. Only then did she hold back her tears.
Fine. From now on, one would be called Crybaby Charcadet and the other would be Good Boy Charcadet.
Ange knelt down and placed a Poké Ball in front of the Crybaby Charcadet.
"Now, are you willing to let me capture you?"
The Crybaby Charcadet wiped the corners of its eyes and slapped its hand on the Poké Ball, turning into red light as it was sucked in.
Ange released it again and said, "Alright, let's head back!"