Chapter 196: Prehistoric Bloodline, Prehistoric Pumelo Berry!
Author: Samsung Charmander
(Okay.)
"By the way, what does this 'Prehistoric Bloodline' mean?" Ash asked, having found a blind spot.
Before Hikawa could speak, Brock, who was beside them, narrowed his eyes and began to explain.
As a man who possessed a Rock-Solid Will and was also a Three-Star Hiker, he had some understanding of fossil research.
"Generally speaking, Fossil Pokémon are divided into three types. The first type is restored through the incubation of a fossil. This type isn't actually that different from our normal Pokémon. At most, they're just rare in appearance and few in number."
"The second type is similar. These are Fossil Pokémon that still live and thrive in the wild, in deep mountains or in the ocean. For example... ahem."
Brock blinked, hinting that he himself had two such Fossil Pokémon, which he had fished out of the sea, alive and kicking.
Although these two types of Fossil Pokémon were still defined as Prehistoric Pokémon, they no longer had any real connection to the word 'prehistoric'.
The most special thing about a Prehistoric Pokémon was the Prehistoric Bloodline it carried.
Rampant, cold-blooded, murderous...
With blood-red eyes, just a single glare or even a breath could strike fear into one's heart and make their body tremble.
"That," Brock said, his voice now grim, "would be the third type of Fossil Pokémon. They were born in the prehistoric era and, through millennia or even tens of thousands of years of slumber, broke through the limits of their own lifespan to survive to this day."
Speaking of this, even Brock couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.
Such a Fossil Pokémon, possessing a bloodthirsty and violent nature, with a wild Prehistoric Bloodline flowing through its veins—not a single one of them could be matched by modern Pokémon!
"Whoa..."
Ash was so stunned by these words that he almost dropped his Skull Fossil.
"Is this catalyst really that powerful?" he asked, looking at the vial in his hand with disbelief.
If it could really stimulate the Prehistoric Bloodline during the incubation and restoration process, he could raise a team of rampant Prehistoric Pokémon in no time and one day even take down Champion Lance...
"Haha... The effect can probably only activate about one-tenth of it. Our Hikawa family's black technology isn't that exaggerated yet," Hikawa said with an embarrassed smile.
If it were really that powerful, the Pokémon League would be named after the Hikawa family by now! Hikawa Lance, Hikawa Bruno, Hikawa Lorelei...
"That's awesome."
Ash said gratefully. Even if it was only one-tenth, it was still remarkable.
"Haha, since our business is concluded, you can continue digging. I need to go appraise fossils for the other Hikers."
Before leaving, Hikawa couldn't help but add a reminder:
"If you dig up the most precious Mysterious Amber Fossil, I'm willing to trade my three fossils for it!"
"Deal!"
Instantly, the three of them had their eyes light up, and they once again shouldered their iron pickaxes and began striking the ground wildly.
"This is a poop fossil. Constipated for four days."
"This is also a poop fossil. But this one's impressive—constipated for half a month. This Pokémon probably didn't have an easy life."
"Oh, this is just poop. Probably from a passing Growlithe. The smell isn't strong, so it must be about three months old."
Hikawa continued to appraise the amber rocks handed over by the surrounding Hikers. Strangely enough, almost all of them were poop fossils.
The only two genuine finds were two Helix Fossils, but both were incomplete. The gene sequence was severely lacking, greatly diminishing their value for collection or practical use.
"Brother Hikawa, look at this new fossil I just dug up! I'm confident it's definitely not poop!"
Just then, Ash came over, holding an amber rock in his hands.
Poop fossils were easy to recognize, but this amber rock of his was special. Its surface was exceptionally smooth, looking quite extraordinary.
"Let me see... Hmm, yours is indeed not a poop fossil. It's a Prehistoric Pumelo Berry Fossil."
Ash: "?"
A Pumelo Berry is a fruit?
"You're actually right. It's recorded in historical records that the Prehistoric Pumelo Berry was a type of fern, not a fruit."
Ash: "..."
"Ahahaha! That's hilarious! Someone's treating a Pumelo Berry like a treasure? Hahaha!!"
A sharp, taunting voice came from nearby. Ash subconsciously looked over and saw his rival, Gary, shouldering a gleaming gold pickaxe with one hand and holding an oval-shaped amber rock in the other.
"Appraise this for me. I've got a feeling this is a Dome Fossil!"
Gary arrogantly tossed the fossil to Hikawa. After all, holding a gold pickaxe made one the King of the Hikers.
And a King had to be a little arrogant.
Hikawa examined it for a moment before explaining, "Oh, let's see... Yours is a Prehistoric Fig Fossil. It's also not a fruit; it's a type of moss."
Gary: "?"
"You're a real comedian, hahaha!!"
This time, it was Ash's turn to throw his head back and laugh.
The laughter made Gary's expression darken instantly. Then, as if he'd realized something, he violently flung the gold pickaxe in his hands away.
That's right! It wasn't his bad luck; it must be this gold pickaxe that was causing trouble!
With the supreme privilege of being able to cut in line anywhere, he must also bear some other burden. Heaven must have cursed him with bad luck!
Now that he was rid of this cursed gold pickaxe, with his own luck, he would surely dig up endless fossils!
At this thought, Gary's confidence was instantly restored. A handsome, elegant smile returned to the corner of his mouth as he picked up a random iron pickaxe and hurried off toward the depths of the canyon.
"I, Gary, am destined to be a dragon among men, born extraordinary!"
As the gold pickaxe left his hand, the eyes of all the Hikers suddenly shone with unprecedented brilliance. One must remember, the owner of the gold pickaxe was the King among Hikers!
"I'll take it!"
"I am the King!!"
"Today, I shall be crowned King!"
The Hikers all dove for the gold pickaxe. The great voyage of the Hiker King had just begun!
"There's something strange about this fossil excavation site... Is it a toilet and a restaurant?"
Although Ash was envious of the gold pickaxe, he couldn't be bothered with the scramble for it now. He did the opposite, turning and running toward the depths of the Grand Canyon.
The gold pickaxe had drawn all the Hikers from inside to the outside, giving him a good opportunity to occupy a good spot and take advantage of the situation.
"Let's go, Brock, Misty!"
He turned his head as he ran, only to find that his two companions had long since disappeared.
With no other choice, Ash could only head into the depths of the Grand Canyon alone.
*Clang!*
*Clang!*
Deep in the Grand Canyon, two miners were digging. The vast Rock Arena seemed somewhat empty with only two people, and from time to time, the sounds of angry shouts and arguments could be heard from outside. Clearly, that gold pickaxe was causing a bloody storm.
"Gary, my friend, don't use so much force. Your back has always been weak; be careful you don't throw it out."
"Hmph, a fodder who can't even leave on a journey on time. Don't disgust me."
The two Trainers from Pallet Town were engrossed in digging for fossils, occasionally looking up to wipe away their sweat and casually throw a taunt at each other.
But it had to be said, his back was a little sore, and Gary really couldn't refute that.
Suddenly, a vibration came from both of their waists, and their faces immediately flushed slightly.
Then, the mechanical voices of their Pokédexes sounded at the same time.
"Beep. An unknown lifeform's energy fluctuations have been detected 10 meters below this rock layer. However, it is most likely a common Pokémon. Digging is optional." This was the notification from Ash's Pokédex.
"There's something moving under your feet. No way you didn't hear that, right? Right? Right? Hehe." This was the notification from Gary's Pokédex.
The two subconsciously looked at each other, both seeing a similar emotion in the other's eyes.
There's something alive down there!
(end of chapter)