After taking Tyranitar back to the valley.
Aoki's Tyranitar is not the strongest Tyranitar in the valley, but it is definitely the largest. Even the leader of the Tyranitar tribe has some gaps in size compared to him. However, Aoki's Tyranitar still respects the Tyranitar leader. From their perspective, the leader is an elder worthy of respect.
The reason why the Tyranitar chief and his tribe have survived in this harsh environment is likely due to their extensive battle experience—more battles than Tyranitar has eaten diamonds. Perhaps when Aoki's Tyranitar was still a Pupitar, he taught them some newer combat concepts and methods. However, the Tyranitar chief's battle experience and techniques are undoubtedly beyond what Aoki's Tyranitar can imagine.
Aoki had observed something during the previous battle with the Tyrantrum. If this Tyranitar leader had grown up under Aoki's training from an early age and evolved into a Tyranitar, he would likely be just as powerful as Aoki's Tyranitar. Both Pokémon started from the same point—it was just that Aoki's Tyranitar was luckier, having met a Trainer like him.
Tyranitar's return was met with great enthusiasm from the tribe. Aoki approached the Tyranitar leader and used Telepathy to connect with his mind.
"Chief, may I see the place where you stored the cores of those Tyrantrum?" Aoki stated his purpose directly.
The Tyranitar chief showed no hesitation. He simply waved his hand, gesturing for Aoki to go ahead. After all, during the battle against the Tyrantrum pack, if not for Aoki's help, the tribe might have suffered heavy losses. Additionally, Aoki's Tyranitar was one of their own.
Wild Pokémon like Tyranitar value strength and power above all else. Though Aoki's Tyranitar may not be the strongest in the tribe, his sheer size alone has earned the respect of many. Thus, the chief had no reason to refuse.
The thoughts of wild Pokémon are straightforward, without unnecessary complications. The fact that the Tyrantrum leader had devised a strategy to ambush them showed intelligence uncommon among wild Pokémon.
After receiving permission, Aoki motioned for Slowking and Gengar to follow him while the rest of his team remained in the valley, interacting with the other Tyranitar. Aoki also distributed several Pokéblocks to strengthen his bond with the tribe.
They arrived at a secluded corner of the valley, where Slowking used his Psychic abilities to carefully lift away layers of rock, revealing what lay beneath.
Two yellow cores—once belonging to the Tyrantrum—were encased in a thin layer of stone. These cores were the crystallized essence of the two fallen Tyrantrum. It was unclear how the Tyranitar had discovered this method of preservation, but the location itself was remarkable. Placing the cores here not only prevented their energy from dissipating but also replenished the surrounding rock-type energy.
After uncovering the stones, Aoki instructed Slowking to set them aside. Their surfaces were now fully sealed, so there was no risk of energy leakage—only time was needed for stabilization.
Beneath the cores was a layer of fine, granular sediment. Aoki scooped up a handful and examined it closely. It wasn't ordinary dirt but rather a dense, sticky gravel bound together by pure rock-type energy.
"I feel like I've seen something like this before," Aoki muttered, rubbing the grains between his fingers.
It reminded him of a place saturated with energy so thick it was almost tangible.
Then it struck him.
The Gastly Cave on Trial Island.
The cavern where Mismagius once dwelled, filled with Ghost energy so concentrated it felt solid. This place bore a striking resemblance.
"Slowking, use your psychic powers to sense what's below," Aoki instructed.
"Ah-dong—"
Slowking's eyes glowed as he extended his psychic awareness downward. Aoki placed a hand on Slowking's back, synchronizing their senses through Telepathy so he could perceive what Slowking detected.
Slowking's range of perception was vast, especially when focused in a single direction. Soon, they detected a hollow cavern roughly twenty meters underground, brimming with dense rock-type energy.
However, Aoki quickly noticed a difference.
This place wasn't quite like the Ghost energy cave on Trial Island.
The energy here was rich, but not as overwhelmingly potent. It was a treasure trove, but not as extraordinary as the one on the island.
BANG!!!
Just as Aoki and Slowking attempted to probe deeper, a violent shockwave reverberated through their minds. Aoki staggered, his vision swimming as the psychic connection shattered.
Slowking recoiled, his face paling. Though stronger than Aoki, he had still taken a heavy mental blow.
Something had detected their psychic intrusion—and forcefully expelled them.
Aoki's breath came fast. Whatever lay beneath was beyond their current ability to investigate.
They weren't strong enough.
Not yet.
But this place could still be useful.
"Slowking, Gengar—expand the passage leading downward. Not too much, just double its current size. But be careful—do not let your energy seep into that space," Aoki ordered.
The two Pokémon nodded, their energy pulsing as they began carefully excavating.
Then Aoki turned and signaled for Aggron and Carbink to join him.
Aggron might not benefit much from this, but for Carbink, the concentrated rock energy could be invaluable.
The two Pokémon approached, curious.