"Can't I call you a Dodo?" Carl suddenly asked, breaking the silence.
Lance's expression froze instantly.
"Guess not," Carl chuckled. "You'd better switch your team to all Dragon-types to avoid the teasing."
Lance nearly rolled his eyes. It wasn't that he didn't want to; capturing just any Dragon-type for vanity's sake was foolish. It had to be a pseudo-legendary.
As he pondered, Lance's eyes lit up, fixing intently on Carl.
"What's with the look?" Carl felt a shiver. Did this guy have some weird hobby?
"Um..." Lance hesitated, "If you know where to find a pseudo-legendary Dragon, let me know. I'm willing to pay for the info."
Noticing Carl's knack for information, Lance hoped he might know something. Hearing this, Ethan and Bruno perked up. After all, who wouldn't want to capture a powerful Pokémon?
"You're dreaming," Carl laughed, relieved he didn't need to worry about being ambushed. "Even if I knew, why would I tell you?"
Lance was undeterred. "You might not use all the Dragons you find. Maybe we could trade? What if you had two Gible and traded me for a Dratini?"
A true Dragon trainer, starting negotiations with rare Pokémon.
Carl considered it. He wouldn't part with Pokémon he'd bonded with, but new captures or information exchanges were on the table. High-level intel was valuable and could expand his network.
"Let's put the Dragon talk aside," Carl said, "I do know of an Ice-Steel Onix. Miss Lorelei might find that interesting."
"What? An Ice-Steel Onix?!"
Ethan, Lorelei, and Professor Oak became animated.
Bruno, though a Fighting-type master, valued technique and power. An Ice-type could counter Flying-types, shoring up his weaknesses, and even give Lance a run for his money.
Lorelei considered how an Ice-Steel Onix could add a heavy hitter to her strategic Ice team, enhancing its versatility and power.
Professor Oak's excitement was purely academic. An Ice-Steel Onix? How intriguing! Could it have regional differences like Alolan Pokémon? He questioned eagerly.
Carl explained, "It's actually an environmental adaptation. Such phenomena are common, like Alolan Ninetales being Ice-type, differing from the Fire-type in other regions. Though this concept was formally introduced later, it's been happening in the world for ages. Places like the Midwest often see these variations."
"Where exactly is this Pokémon?" Lorelei pushed forward eagerly, her desire for the unique Onix evident.
Bruno chimed in, "Carl, we're close. You don't necessarily have to give the info to Lorelei, right?"
Lorelei narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean? Fair competition, Bruno."
"You started the negotiation," she said coldly. "Highest bidder wins."
Tension crackled as they prepared for a showdown, Lorelei already reaching for her Poké Ball. "Ready to battle?" she challenged. "I rank higher."
Nearby, Ethan and Lance could only watch in exasperation. Ethan felt it was unseemly for team members to argue publicly, while Lance regretted not acting faster on the idea.
Professor Oak attempted to mediate, "Let me study it first—" but was cut off by a chorus of "No!" from the group. He turned to Carl, "Carl, for the sake of our friendship..."
His plea made Lorelei and Bruno tense up.
Carl found the scene amusing. It was like a golden opportunity had fallen into his lap.
"Professor Oak, how about a trade for that special Onix?"
Regular Onix weren't particularly worth training, having decent defense but lacking in other areas, and too many weaknesses. But Steelix was entirely different, with stronger resistances and Mega Evolution potential, rivaling pseudo-legendary status.
Carl's interest lay in the massive Onix atop Mount Silver, three times larger than ordinary ones, over eighty feet long, nearly half the size of a Dynamax Pokémon. Bruno eventually captured it, making it a star of his team. Carl had always yearned for that colossal Onix. If it could Dynamax, the spectacle would be incredible. Evolving into Steelix would make it even larger, and with Mega Evolution, it would be like a moving fortress—a strategic weapon.
Initially, the distance and ocean separating Kanto from Mount Silver deterred Carl. But after Professor Oak contacted him regarding the XY devices, Carl devised a plan—have Professor Oak capture the massive Onix, study it, then transfer it to him. Knowing Oak's love for research, Carl was confident he'd be tempted by the chance to study something so unique.
The plan went smoothly. They confirmed details over video: Carl provided the location, and Oak captured the Onix with a cross mark over its right eye. After research, it was to be sent to Carl.
But Professor Oak had grown attached, enjoying the feeling of riding the giant Onix like a tank.
"Um..." Professor Oak hesitated. He had captured a smaller replacement, but it wasn't the same. Realizing it was Carl's Pokémon, and with other research subjects waiting, he decided.
"I'll return your Pokémon, Carl."
"Alright, just tell me where the Ice Onix is, and I'll send the giant Onix your way."
Professor Oak agreed readily, but Carl warned, "Don't try to pull a fast one on me, Professor. No tricks."
"Trust between us, Carl?" the professor protested.
Carl's intel had never failed before; he didn't want to miss this chance.