After leaving Pewter City, Ange led Pawmo into Mt. Moon.
If they crossed Mt. Moon and continued heading north, they would be able to see Rota, the city Ash had mentioned.
The area north of Mt. Moon remained a series of endless mountain ranges, and Rota was hidden deep within them.
The terrain of Mt. Moon was steep and difficult to climb directly. Furthermore, many tunnels existed within its interior. As long as one passed through these tunnels, they could successfully cross the mountain.
Despite this, crossing Mt. Moon was not without its difficulties. A large number of wild Pokémon resided within the tunnels, and they would certainly attack if someone accidentally disturbed them.
Ange and Pawmo strolled along the mountain path. Pawmo hopped and skipped along the way, humming an indistinguishable tune with a very happy expression.
It felt wonderful to be out on a trip with Ange.
Along the way, they encountered Pokémon such as Geodude, Paras, and Butterfree. Pawmo would smile and wave its paws to greet them.
Conversely, most wild Pokémon did not respond. Instead, they chose to flee the moment they saw Ange.
Occasionally, one or two silly Pokémon would respond to it. This made Pawmo happy for a long time, and it would chatter excitedly to Ange about its joy.
Seeing Pawmo so happy caused Ange's own mood to brighten.
Soon, the first tunnel appeared before Ange and Pawmo.
The interior of the tunnel was pitch black, making it impossible to see the conditions inside.
Pawmo ran into the tunnel quickly and then rushed back out even faster, patting its chest with a fearful expression.
Paw paw~ So dark, so dark!
"What are you afraid of? Let's go in," Ange said with a smile.
According to what he had learned online, it was best not to use lighting tools in the tunnels of Mt. Moon because a large number of Zubat lived there.
Zubat disliked bright lights. They were sleeping soundly inside, so if someone used a lamp to disturb them, they would naturally attack.
After all, everyone has a bit of a temper when woken up!
Pawmo nervously tugged at Ange's pant leg as they walked into the tunnel, looking around in all directions.
The tunnel was not only dark but also very quiet. Occasionally, rustling movements could be heard, sometimes the sound of rolling pebbles, and sometimes the flapping of wings.
Whenever there was the slightest movement, Pawmo would jump in surprise and then hug Ange's leg tightly.
Ange said, caught between laughter and tears, "How are you going to become a master acting like this?"
Paw paw~ I don't have to be one today.
Pawmo spoke with total confidence.
"You always have an excuse," Ange said, shaking his head helplessly.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, a glimmer of light appeared ahead of them.
Paw paw~ It's the exit!
Pawmo cried out excitedly and immediately prepared to dash toward the exit.
However, a violent vibration suddenly occurred at that moment. Subsequently, the tunnel shook, and gravel and dust fell from the ceiling.
Zhi zhi zhi~~
Sharp cries followed as countless Zubat flew out from the depths of the tunnel in a panic.
Clearly, the vibration just now had startled them.
Because they mistook Ange and Pawmo for the source of the vibration, the Zubat launched an attack while flying outward.
Waves of Supersonic made Ange and Pawmo's heads ache.
Paw paw~~
Pawmo let out an angry cry as its body erupted with golden light. Bolts of electricity spread out from it as the center, hitting the Zubat.
The levels of these Zubat were very low, and they were electrocuted one by one, falling to the ground.
The mountain's vibrations continued, and Zubat were still flying out from the depths of the tunnel.
Seeing this, Ange picked up Pawmo and ran outside.
Only after exiting the cave did they escape the Zubat's attacks. Simultaneously, Ange finally discovered the source of the vibration in the tunnel.
Outside the tunnel, a Rhyperior was crazily slamming its head against the mountainside. Rocks on the mountain were smashed piece by piece by its impact, which caused the tunnel to vibrate.
It was simply a disaster out of nowhere. Ange's head was still ringing!
If the Rhyperior continued to hit it like that, wouldn't the tunnel collapse?
Ange was very angry. He took out a Poké Ball and released Metagross. "Metagross, give that Rhyperior a lesson!"
Meta~
Metagross nodded, its four arms glowing with a metallic luster. It used Meteor Mash to rush toward the Rhyperior at high speed.
After noticing Metagross, the Rhyperior let out a roar toward the sky. The single horn on its head rotated rapidly, and it met Metagross with heavy steps.
It was using the Ground-type move, Drill Run.
Boom!!!
Following a loud crash, the two Pokémon collided.
Although that Rhyperior was not weak, it was no match for Metagross. It was sent flying by Metagross's Meteor Mash in just one encounter.
The earth shook as the Rhyperior's massive and heavy body smashed a large pit into the ground.
Despite the gap in strength, the Rhyperior did not back down. It quickly scrambled up from the ground, let out another roar, and controlled a pile of rocks to smash toward Metagross.
That was the Rock-type move, Rock Tomb.
At this point, Ange finally noticed something wrong with the Rhyperior. It seemed to have fallen into a state of confusion.
In this situation, the only choice was to knock it down.
"Metagross, defeat the Rhyperior," Ange shouted.
Meta~
Metagross nodded and used Agility. Its body flickered as it dodged the falling rocks created by the Rhyperior while gradually approaching it.
Once in front of the Rhyperior, Metagross's four arms moved like a blur, delivering one Meteor Mash after another.
Finally, the Rhyperior could not hold on and collapsed.
Just as Ange was about to step forward to check the situation, a cry of surprise suddenly rang out.
"Rhyperior!"
A young man accompanied by a Steelix ran toward the Rhyperior, his face full of worry.
So this Rhyperior had an owner! Ange realized. He had wondered why there would be a Rhyperior in the wild!
Ange spoke up at the right time to the young man. "It just fainted; there is no serious harm."
The young man looked at Ange upon hearing this. "Thank you for stopping Rhyperior," he said gratefully.
Ange shook his head. "No need for thanks." As he spoke, he took out some Potion and a Persim Berry and handed them to the young man.
"Treat Rhyperior's injuries with this. Also, this Persim Berry can clear Rhyperior's confusion."
"Thank you." The young man gratefully accepted the Potion and berry. He chatted with Ange while treating the Rhyperior's wounds.
Through the conversation, Ange was surprised to learn that the young man's name was Forrest, and he was actually the acting Gym Leader of the Pewter Gym.
His older brother, Brock, was the official Gym Leader. Because Brock was currently away training to become a Pokémon Doctor, he had asked his younger brother, Forrest, to serve as the acting Gym Leader.
The Steelix beside Forrest was Brock's Pokémon, while the Rhyperior was his own.
He often brought Steelix and Rhyperior to Mt. Moon to train.
Today, while Rhyperior was battling a wild Crobat, it was hit by the opponent's Supersonic, causing it to fall into a state of confusion.
After Rhyperior became confused, the Crobat took the opportunity to flee. Consequently, Rhyperior began to run around wildly, and Forrest had almost lost track of it.
Fortunately, Ange appeared in time to stop it.
The Rhyperior's injuries were not heavy. After using the Potion and the Persim Berry, it soon woke up. It expressed its apologies to Ange for the rampage earlier.
Since it wasn't intentional, Ange naturally forgave it generously.
To express his gratitude toward Ange, Forrest asked, "Mr. Ange, do you need any Moon Stones?"
Ange remembered the rumors online that Moon Stones could be dug up in Mt. Moon. "Do you know where they are?" he asked.
Forrest nodded. "I accidentally discovered a cave that contains Moon Stones. If you want some, I can take you there to dig."
Ange thought about how Skitty needed a Moon Stone to evolve into Delcatty. "Then I will trouble you," he said, nodding.
"It's no trouble," Forrest said, shaking his head. "Mr. Ange, follow me."
Forrest was very familiar with the conditions of Mt. Moon. Under his guidance, Ange arrived at a hidden cave entrance.
The cave was located beneath a cliff and was covered by layers of vines. If Forrest hadn't led the way, Ange would never have discovered it.
"Mr. Ange, this is the place. Let's go in!" Forrest said as he pushed aside the vines.
"Alright." Ange nodded and followed Forrest inside with Pawmo and Metagross.
There were no Zubat living in this cave, only some Geodude and Graveler. They did not approach Ange's group recklessly but chose to stay far away.
Upon reaching the depths of the cave, Forrest took a set of mining equipment from his backpack and handed it to Ange.
"Mr. Ange, use this."
Ange said in surprise, "You even brought this for training?"
Forrest scratched his head in embarrassment. "Sometimes I dig up some minerals to take back as food for Rhyperior and my big brother's Steelix."
"So that's how it is," Ange said with a smile as he accepted Forrest's tools.
"Let's begin," Forrest said.
Ange nodded. This was his first time mining and he had no experience, so he simply copied however Forrest dug.
Steelix, Rhyperior, Pawmo, and Metagross all stepped in to help.
After digging for a while, Forrest suddenly cried out, "Mr. Ange, look!"
Ange looked over and saw Forrest holding up a blue-black stone. What else could it be but a Moon Stone!
"You found it already?" He looked surprised.
"It's not so easy to find elsewhere, but only I know about this place." Forrest ran to Ange's side and handed him the Moon Stone.
Ange hesitated. "For me?"
Forrest nodded. "Yes! This is a thank you gift. Besides, I have no use for it."
He was a trainer who specialized in Rock-type Pokémon, and no Rock-type Pokémon required a Moon Stone.
Ange thought to himself: Even if you can't use it, you can exchange it for money!
However, he still accepted Forrest's kindness.
As time passed, Steelix, Rhyperior, Metagross, and Pawmo all dug up Moon Stones one after another. Only Ange, the unlucky one, remained empty-handed.
They all gave their Moon Stones to Ange.
Seeing that it was getting late, Ange looked at the five or six Moon Stones in his backpack. "We've had a great harvest today. Let's stop here, otherwise it will get dark."
Even though he hadn't dug up a single one himself.
"Alright!" Forrest nodded in agreement. "I should head home too." Otherwise, his younger brothers and sisters would worry.
Just as Ange was about to take one last swing, a strangely shaped rock suddenly fell at his feet.
"This is..." Ange bent down to pick up the rock.
Seeing this, Forrest leaned in and then said in surprise, "Mr. Ange, you are so lucky! This is a fossil of an ancient Pokémon. If you send it to our Pewter Museum of Science, they can revive a Fossil Pokémon!"
The technology to revive ancient Fossil Pokémon was now widely used, and Devon Corporation was one of the developers.
"Is that so?"
Although Ange had played the games, he couldn't distinguish which Pokémon the fossil belonged to for a moment. He simply stuffed it into Forrest's arms.
"Mr. Ange?" Forrest looked confused.
"It's a gift for you," Ange said.
"Huh?" Forrest's eyes widened. "Fossil Pokémon are very precious."
Ange shook his head. "I don't really need it."
"But..." Forrest looked hesitant.
Ange said with a smile, "You and Steelix and Rhyperior gave me all the Moon Stones you dug up, and I didn't refuse. So you shouldn't refuse either."
Hearing this, Forrest could only nod. "Then... I will accept it. Thank you, Mr. Ange."
Fossil Pokémon possess the Rock type after being revived, which suited him quite well.
Afterward, the two packed their things and left the cave with their Pokémon.
Once out of the cave, Forrest bid Ange farewell.
Forrest: "Mr. Ange, goodbye!"
Ange waved to Forrest. "Goodbye!"
Before long, Forrest disappeared from Ange's sight with Steelix and Rhyperior.
Withdrawing his gaze from the distance, Ange spoke to Pawmo and Metagross. "Let's go as well. We should try to leave Mt. Moon before dark."
Meta~
Paw paw~
Metagross and Pawmo responded.
However, before Ange could take a step, he saw Pawmo pushing a round, spherical object forward.
Ange was stunned. "Pawmo, what is that? Where did it come from?"
Paw paw~ I picked it up in the cave!
As it spoke, Pawmo carried the object to Ange's side.
Ange took it and looked. This wasn't a ball at all; it was clearly a Pokémon Egg. Judging by the Aura it emitted, the egg's vitality was very strong.
The egg was pink with purple markings in the middle and smoke-like patterns on both ends. Ange thought for a long time but couldn't figure out which Pokémon it belonged to.
Because he was afraid Pawmo might break it, Ange said, "I'll take care of this egg."
As he spoke, he bought an incubator from the System Store and placed the egg inside.
Pawmo didn't mind; it wasn't particularly interested in playing with the egg anyway. Therefore, after Ange took the egg, it hopped along in front.
Ange packed the incubator in a cloth bag, slung it onto his back, and followed Pawmo and Metagross out of Mt. Moon.
Finally, before dark, the person and two Pokémon walked out of Mt. Moon.
After finding a valley suitable for camping, Ange said, "Let's rest here for the night!"
Meta~
Paw paw~
Metagross and Pawmo nodded and then began to set up the tent with Ange.