At the bottom of the lake, countless Magikarp swam about, along with Goldeen, and from time to time, the shadow of a Seaking could also be seen.
After about half an hour of exploring and sightseeing, Theo had Milotic and Metang bring them back to the shore.
With the fun over, it was time to focus on more serious matters.
Theo quietly discussed a few things with Tyrantrum and Larvesta. Although the two Pokémon still looked somewhat reluctant to leave the fun behind, they obediently nodded their heads, indicating they understood.
Theo took out their Poké Balls and pressed the buttons. Gentle red light enveloped them, drawing them back inside.
He then turned his gaze toward Metang and Milotic beside him.
"I'll be counting on you two next."
His eyes passed over the two Pokémon in front of him and settled on a winding path not far away.
The path stretched upward, hidden among dense vegetation. Vines and bushes nearly covered it completely. Without careful observation, one would not even realize it was a traversable trail. Clearly, it was rarely used.
"We'll go up from here, step by step, and carefully explore every corner of this mountain range."
Theo spoke to Metang and Milotic, his tone carrying an unmistakable sense of anticipation.
The terrain of the Meteor Falls mountains was uneven due to the impact of meteor fragments, and years of water flow from the summit waterfalls had further eroded and reshaped the landscape, making it increasingly complex.
As a result, countless lakes and caves of varying sizes were scattered throughout the mountains.
Theo's goal was very clear.
Starting from the foot of the mountain, he intended to thoroughly explore the entire Meteor mountain range inch by inch.
He still remembered how, back at Mt. Chimney, Larvesta had been drawn out by the aura of the advanced level energy orb.
Now, he held onto a similar hope.
He wanted to see if he could use the same method to attract Shelgon that might be hiding somewhere, silently accumulating energy in preparation for evolution.
After all, Shelgon required an enormous amount of energy to successfully break out of its shell and evolve.
If Shelgon truly existed in this mountain range, then perhaps it could be attracted by the advanced level energy orbs he carried.
Back then, Larvesta had been able to sense the advanced energy orbs because the stone marked with Groudon's symbol had enhanced its perception.
Shelgon, however, did not possess such an item, so Theo could only rely on proximity.
If he got close enough, perhaps Shelgon would sense the energy orbs and be drawn toward it.
With that thought in mind, Theo took out an advanced level energy orb from his system storage. It emitted a faint glow.
He carefully placed it into the pocket over his chest, ensuring it could steadily release its energy fluctuations.
The mountain path was rugged and difficult to traverse. Sharp gravel and tangled tree roots covered the ground, and a moment of carelessness could easily cause a stumble.
Theo had no choice but to slow his pace, concentrating fully to avoid these obstacles.
The ground, damp from years of moisture, was extremely slippery, occasionally causing him to lose his footing.
Fortunately, Metang was there to assist. It used its psychic power to gently move aside fallen branches and loose stones, clearing a relatively smooth path ahead.
At the same time, it subtly supported Theo's body with its psychic force, easing the burden on his steps and making the journey far less exhausting. Without its help, navigating such terrain would have been significantly more difficult.
Milotic stayed close beside Theo, maintaining a high level of vigilance.
After all, the Meteor mountain range was unlike ordinary places. The terrain was complicated, and unknown dangers could be lurking anywhere. If anything unexpected happened, Milotic's strength would be crucial.
After traveling for about half an hour, they came upon a fork in the path.
One route led deeper into the dense forest. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, and faintly, a shimmering body of water could be seen within the woods, suggesting the presence of a small lake.
After a moment of thought, Theo turned to Milotic and said,
"Milotic, go take a look underwater. See if there are any unusual Pokémon, especially ones that look similar to you. Also check if there are any passages underwater that lead into caves. If you find anything unusual, come back and tell me immediately."
When Milotic heard "Pokémon that look similar to you," a hint of confusion appeared in its clear eyes.
It tilted its head slightly, as if pondering what kind of Pokémon could resemble itself.
But it did not hesitate for long. Obediently following Theo's instructions, it gracefully flicked its tail and leapt lightly into the lake ahead.
Its figure quickly disappeared beneath the rippling surface.
Theo and Metang walked to the shore and waited patiently.
Metang hovered in the air, its red eyes scanning the surroundings vigilantly, guarding against any potential danger.
Theo found a relatively flat rock and sat down, his gaze fixed on the surface of the lake, quietly hoping for some kind of discovery.
Before long, ripples spread across the water, and Milotic's figure emerged.
It swam to the shore, gently nudged Theo's arm with its head, and then shook its head, as if silently saying there was nothing unusual.
Although Theo felt a trace of disappointment, he was not discouraged.
Over the following period, he continued to explore the mountain forest with his Pokémon. They did not come across any caves, but they did discover several hidden lakes.
At each one, he would send Milotic into the water to investigate, while he and Metang waited on the shore, observing carefully and refusing to overlook even the smallest clue.
However, after all that exploration, the results were minimal.
According to Milotic, the Pokémon it encountered in the lakes were mostly common water types such as Magikarp, Goldeen, and Barboach.
Even when it encountered less common ones, they were only Seaking or Whiscash. None matched the description Theo had given, of Pokémon that resembled Milotic.
Moreover, there were no signs of any underwater passages leading into caves within the mountains.
Before long, the calm exploration was suddenly disrupted by an unexpected situation.
At the edge of a relatively large lake, just as Milotic was about to enter the water, a powerful undercurrent surged beneath the previously calm surface.
A massive figure rapidly swam toward the shore where Theo and his team stood. With a fierce roar, water splashed violently into the air.
Metang and Milotic reacted instantly, stepping in front of Theo and taking defensive stances.
Theo's heart tightened as he focused on the enormous figure. The system interface in his vision immediately displayed its information.
[Pokémon: Gyarados]
Type: Water / Flying
Category: Atrocious Pokémon
Ability: Intimidate (Frightens opponents upon entering battle and lowers their physical attack.)
Moves: Bite, Ice Fang, Waterfall, Crunch, Rain Dance, Aqua Tail, Dragon Dance, Hydro Pump, Hurricane...
(End of Chapter)