Angie threw out a Poké Ball, and once it hit the Veluza, it immediately turned into a beam of red light and entering the Poké ball.
The Poké Ball shook a few times and made a "ping" sound, signaling a successful capture.
The Poké Ball was purchased from the system shop for 500 happiness points each. It was just a regular red-and-white ball, a bit pricey.
But Angie had no choice. He hadn't brought any Poké Balls with him, so he had to buy one on the spot.
"Yes! Veluza GET DA☆ZE!"
Picking up the Poké Ball, Angie raised it dramatically, shouting with glee. This was his first time officially capturing a Pokémon, and he couldn't help but feel excited.
"Oinkologne!"
"Oinkologne!"
The two Oinkologne hopped around, celebrating this milestone.
"Let's keep going!" Angie said, his enthusiasm renewed.
"Oinkologne!"
"Oinkologne!"
The two Oinkologne nodded, dipping their tails back into the water.
After about two or three minutes, both Oinkologne suddenly squealed with excitement and simultaneously flicked their tails. Two Veluza were flung into the air.
These two weren't pushovers. The moment they were airborne, they launched an attack at Angie and his Komala. Two sharp blades of water shot toward them—Aqua Cutter!
"Arven, stay back!"
Angie shouted as he rolled on the grass, dodging the attack.
Meanwhile, Komala deftly sidestepped the oncoming blade.
The two Veluza, as Psychic-type Pokémon, used their mental strength to hover briefly in mid-air. They wasted no time launching a second wave of attacks— Aqua Cutter again.
These Veluza has Sharpness ability, which increases the power of cutting moves like Aqua Cutter.
Angie dodged the attack while sprinting across the grass. Then, with a leap, he delivered a powerful punch to the nearest Veluza.
Boom!
The Veluza was struck down and crashing onto the ground, it twitching twice before fainting.
"Phew."
Angie landed on the ground smoothly.
He then smugly blew on his fist and said, "It's a piece of cake!"
At the same time, Komala defeated the other Veluza.
"Well done, Komala!" Angie gave him a thumbs-up.
Komala who is unbothered, hugged its wooden log and rocked back and forth.
Angie took out two Poké Balls and successfully captured the Veluza. These two hadn't dropped any meat, so Angie guessed they were likely the same ones Oinkologne had first attracted before.
Once a Veluza sheds its meat, it won't drop more for a while.
Without overthinking it, Angie turned around to the Oinkologne. "Let's keep going."
For the next round, Angie and the team reeled in various Pokémon: Clampearl, Veluza, Veluza, Goldeen, Magikarp, Magikarp, Slowpoke...
Angie released all the non-Veluza Pokémon back into the river.
By noon, Angie had successfully captured 20 Veluza, double the system's mission requirement.
The Veluza here weren't particularly high-level, so capturing them was a breeze.
As the Oinkologne prepared to lower their tails again, Angie chuckled, "This is the last round. Whether we catch anything or not, we're heading back after this."
The mission was already complete.
"Oinkologne!"
"Oinkologne!"
The two Oinkologne nodded vigorously.
About three minutes later, the male Oinkologne let out a loud cry. It tried to flick its tail upward but couldn't. At the same time, a massive whirlpool appeared in the water near the shore.
"Oinkologne!"
The male Oinkologne was being pulled hard toward the water, on the verge of being dragged in. The female Oinkologne quickly abandoned her fishing and rushed to grab her partner with her hooves.
In this critical moment, Komala lifted its wooden log and smashed it against the ground with great force. The earth trembled, and the water by the shore shook violently.
Komala had used Earthquake.
The two Oinkologne were saved, and a massive Veluza burst out of the whirlpool, staring coldly at Angie and his team.
The ordinary Veluza typically measures around 2 meters in length, but the one before Angie was estimated to be at least 3 meters.
...
[ Veluza ]
Type: Water, Psychic
Ability: Sharpness
Gender: Female
Level: 50
Moves: Tackle, Aqua Jet, Peck, Water Pulse, Slash, Aqua Cutter, Meat Shed, Sucker Punch, Psycho Cut, Aqua Break, Crunch, Psychic Fangs, Recover.
...
[ Individual Values (IVs) ]
HP: 13
Attack: 30
Defense: 11
Sp. Atk: 21
Sp. Def: 28
Speed: 29
...
After examining the data, Angie exclaimed, "Whoa! What a powerful Veluza! Such a high level!"
Previously, the Veluza they encountered were only at levels ranging from level 10 to level 20.
Could this be the leader of the Veluza?
Sensing the overwhelming presence emanating from the Veluza, the two Oinkologne bolted, only stopping once they were safely hiding behind Arven. From there, they cautiously poked their heads out to peer at the riverbank.
Sorry, Angie, but battling isn't our thing.
Angie also quietly stepped back, leaving the fight to Komala.
The Veluza struck first, slashing at Komala with a massive water blade.
Unfazed, Komala raised its cherished log and smashed the incoming blade. The water froze upon impact, shattering instantly.
Komala had used Ice Spinner.
After neutralizing the Aqua Cutter, Komala charged forward, it claws glowing darkly as it swiped at the Veluza with Shadow Claw. The Veluza tried to evade but wasn't quick enough, so it getting slammed into the river.
Once in the water, the Veluza manipulated the currents and unleashed Liquidation, sending two massive water blades hurtling toward Komala.
But Komala fearlessly spun at high speed, shattering the water blades into harmless spray.
Fwoosh, fwoosh, fwoosh!
Komala then spat out a flurry of Seed Bombs, which homed in on the Veluza. Though it sped through the water, the bombs relentlessly pursued it. Left with no choice, the Veluza trembled and used its signature move, Filler Away.
Fillet Away is an exclusive skill of the Veluza, it involves shedding excess body fat, greatly boosting its Attack, Special Attack, and Speed.
Chunks of pristine white fish meat were flung onto the riverbank, and the Veluza's swimming speed surged dramatically.
Jackpot! Jackpot!
Angie nearly jumped for joy and quickly ran over to collect the discarded meat into his bag.
Even after shedding its fat, the Veluza couldn't escape defeat. It was knocked out by Komala's relentless Seed Bombs.
Angie tossed a Poké Ball, capturing the Veluza with ease.
Afterward, Angie approached the riverbank and released all 21 Veluza he had captured. Taking out some berries, he fed them until they were fully revived.
Veluza are relatively large Pokémon, each averaging over 2 meters in length. Seeing all 21 of them gathered together was quite the sight. They swam around their leader in a swirling formation.
Angie's guess was right—this was their leader.
From his system inventory, Angie took out some vegetables and tossed them into the river. The Veluza immediately swarmed, devouring everything in moments.
So Angie threw in another batch. Luckily, his bag was overflowing with all kinds of vegetables.
After a while, all 21 Veluza were full and began showing signs of trust toward Angie.
Food equals family!
For wild Pokémon, survival and reproduction are their top priorities.
Angie proposed, "From now on, you give me the fat you shed while training, and I'll provide you with food. How about it?"
The Veluza all nodded their heads enthusiastically.
A deal like this? Why not!
Their excess fat was of no use to them anyway.
(Note: Veluza don't eat their own shed meat.)
"By the way, do you have any other companions? If so, you can ask them to come with me," Angie suddenly suggested.
Without their leader, the remaining Veluza would undoubtedly face bullying from other Pokémon groups.
However, the Veluza leader shook her head. It was precisely because her underlings had all been captured by Angie that she had lashed out in desperation earlier.
This river wasn't very large, and accommodating 21 Veluza was already a challenge.
"Alright," Angie said, not too disappointed. "In that case, let's head back."
After recalling the Veluza into their Poké Balls, Angie carried Komala, leading Arven and the Oinkologne back to Research Station No. 1.
Research Station No. 1 had a large pool, which the professor and researchers usually used to house Water-type Pokémon. It was currently unoccupied, so with the professor's permission, Angie temporarily placed the Veluza there.
Staying in Poké Balls all the time must be uncomfortable for them.
At noon, Angie planned to show off his cooking skills and let the professors taste his dishes. However, he was shocked to find there was no kitchen here.
Arven said, "It seems like someone brings in food from outside for everyone, from the Treasure Eatery."
Angie: ...
There wasn't just a lack of a kitchen—there was no fire source at all. Even though Angie had brought cooking utensils and ingredients, he couldn't cook without a fire.
Arven was very disappointed, as he really wanted to taste Angie's cooking. The two Oinkologne felt the same; their ears drooped dejectedly.
Suddenly, Arven had a bright idea. "We could go and catch a Fire-type Pokémon!"
"That's right!" Angie smacked his forehead. "Why didn't I think of that?"
"Let's go, let's go!"
With that, Angie and Arven set out again, the two Oinkologne eagerly running ahead.
After wandering for a while, they didn't find any Fire-type Pokémon. Angie asked, "Arven, do you know where Fire-types are?"
Arven shook his head. "I don't know. I don't come here often."
"Oinkologne~ Oinkologne~"
"Oinkologne~ Oinkologne~"
At that moment, the two Oinkologne raised their heads, bouncing excitedly as they looked at Angie.
"You know something?" Angie asked.
The two Oinkologne twitched their noses and sniffed the grass, leading the way step by step.
Angie sighed. "Can you guys really smell fire?"
Believe it or not—they could!
Following the Oinkologne, Angie came across a herd of Ponyta.
"Uh…" Angie felt conflicted. "While Ponyta are indeed Fire-types, their flames are too unstable to use for cooking."
Cooking with unstable flames would either leave the food raw or burn it to a crisp.
The best partners for assisting with meals would be Pokémon like Slugma, Magcargo, or Torkoal, but they mostly lived near volcanoes, and there weren't any volcanoes in the upper levels of Area Zero.
"Oinkologne~ Oinkologne~"
"Oinkologne~ Oinkologne~"
Seeing Angie's dissatisfaction, the Oinkologne twitched their noses again, continuing to search.
About ten minutes later, a small humanoid Pokémon appeared before Angie, its body fiery red and surrounded by flames.
Angie's eyes lit up at the sight.
It was a Charcadet!
Charcadet, a Fire-type Pokémon known as the Fire Child Pokémon, was said to be born from a soul residing in burning charcoal. One of its evolutions was the Ceruledge that Diancie had faced at the Treasure Eatery, and the other was Armarouge.
This was the perfect source of stable fire!
"Komala..." Angie was about to send out Komala to battle, but seeing that the Charcadet was only at a low level in its teens, he felt it would be unfair. He handed Komala to Arven and shouted at the Charcadet, "Charcadet, let's go! I'm going to catch you!" Striking a battle-ready pose, he prepared for a direct confrontation.
Wait, seriously? Arven's jaw dropped in disbelief.
Charcadet had been watching Angie with a wary expression, but the moment Angie declared he wanted to catch it, it immediately struck a battle pose, its eyes blazing with determination as if to say, Bring it on!
"Here I come!"
Angie pushed off with his legs, accelerating toward Charcadet.
Charcadet, of course, wasn't one to back down. It thrust its arms forward, hurling small flames at Angie.
Dodging the ember attacks, Angie weaved and turned as he ran, nimbly avoiding the sparks. In a flash, he darted behind Charcadet.
"Take this!"
Charcadet was startled and had just turned around when Angie's fist met it head-on.
"Charcadet!"
Charcadet let out a cry as it rolled several times across the grass. When it stood up again, its head was spinning.
Angie leaped forward, landing right in front of Charcadet. Taking the chance, he delivered another punch, sending Charcadet collapsing to the ground, unable to get back up.
Angie threw a Poké Ball, hitting Charcadet. It turned into a beam of red light and was sucked into the ball.
"Done!"
Arven was completely stunned. It was the first time he'd ever seen someone personally step in to fight a Pokémon in order to capture them.
Angie picked up the Poké Ball and released Charcadet again. Taking out a berry, he handed it to the little Pokémon.
Not long after that, Charcadet quickly recovered fully.
Angie extended a hand toward it. "Let's work well together from now on, Charcadet."
Charcadet, impressed by the "stronger opponent" who had defeated it, bumped Angie's fist with its own.
"Charcadet!"
Let's do our best!
Just as Angie was about to take Charcadet and the others back, another Charcadet suddenly jumped out of the grass. It rushed over and hugged the Charcadet that Angie had just caught, bursting into loud sobs.
The Charcadet Angie caught was male, while the new one was female.
"Charcadet~ Charcadet~"
Where are you going? Are you leaving me behind? Waaaah!
The newly arrived Charcadet cried so pitifully.
Angie's Charcadet patted the other Charcadet on the back, trying to comfort her.
Angie asked, "Is she your friend?"
"Charcadet~"
Charcadet nodded.
"What do I do now?"
Looking at the heartbroken Charcadet, Angie scratched his head.
"How about… you both come with me?"
Hearing this, the crying Charcadet finally stopped wailing. She wriggled out of Angie's Charcadet's arms and looked at Angie with a serious expression.
"Charcadet~ Charcadet~"
"You want to battle me too?" Angie asked.
"Charcadet~ Charcadet~"
The tearful Charcadet nodded its head earnestly.
"Alright," Angie agreed.
The tearful Charcadet was even weaker than the first one. Angie knocked her down with a single punch. Sitting on the grass, tears immediately welled up in her eyes again, spilling over uncontrollably.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa—don't cry!" Angie panicked. "Didn't you want to battle? Besides, I wasn't even that rough!"
Angie's Charcadet quickly ran over and picked up the tearful Charcadet, he gently patting her until she managed to hold back her tears.
Alright, from now on, one would be called Crybaby Charcadet, and the other would be Goodboy Charcadet.
Angie crouched down and placing a Poké Ball in front of Crybaby Charcadet.
"Are you ready to come with me now?"
Crybaby Charcadet wiped her tears and tapped the Poké Ball with her hand. She turned into a beam of red light and entered the Poké ball.
Angie released her again and said, "Alright, let's we head back!"