In the deepest part of the cave, the light remained as dim as ever, with only the area around Charizard illuminated brightly.
Yet in this dim place, there was a bright spot, a prismatic glow that appeared incredibly mystical.
At the moment he saw the light, Ash's mind reached the peak of its guide.
Without a doubt, that was an item related to MEGA Evolution. Although he wasn't sure if it was a Key Stone or an Evolution Stone, it definitely had to be one of the two.
Ash's expression brightened, and he was about to move forward to take it, but after taking a step, he immediately halted.
In the Aura detection he subconsciously released, around that glowing stone, there was an extremely formidable presence of Aura.
Unlike the weak and frail Fossil Pokemon outside, this Aura, though slightly weakened, was still relatively strong overall.
Ash waved his hand to signal Charizard to follow him, and with the light cast by Charizard, Ash finally saw the Pokemon hidden in the shadows.
It had a gray body, a face akin to a dinosaur's, and wide wings growing on both sides, with hands on the wings, sharp fingertips visible. Its enormous, sharp tail hung gently to the side.
Ash had seen this Pokemon in pictures shared by the big shots in the group—a Pokemon surviving from ancient times, nearly extinct in the modern world—Aerodactyl!
As Ash approached, Aerodactyl's body twitched slightly, and it slowly opened its eyes, gray pupils revealing a hint of confusion, as if it had just woken up.
A few seconds later, Aerodactyl was fully awake. It opened its massive mouth and let out a big yawn, then shook its head for a moment, eyes glancing around, finally fixing its gaze on Ash.
A moment ago, Aerodactyl's eyes, which held a hint of confusion, suddenly became sharp and fierce, carrying bloodlust and desire when looking at Ash, as if it had already regarded him as its food.
"So that thing is being guarded by Aerodactyl? Could it be Aerodactyl's Evolution Stone... But can Aerodactyl even MEGA Evolve? Probably not, isn't it an ancient Pokemon?" Ash muttered to himself, pondering how to get the Evolution Stone from Aerodactyl's grasp.
Aerodactyl, the ancient sovereign of the sky, with a highly bloodthirsty nature, a carnivore.
In the modern world, it is almost extinct, though the Dragon Envoy Lance of Kanto's Elite has an Aerodactyl, at Champion Level no less.
However, according to Lance, his Aerodactyl was revived from amber, while the one before Ash, like the group of Aerodactyl outside, has survived from ancient times by staying dormant till now. Its life is truly long!
[Species: Aerodactyl]
[Gender: Male]
[Attribute: Flying, Rock]
[Level: Gym Peak]
[Ability: Rock Head.]
[Skills: Bite, Ancient Power, Wing Attack, Supersonic, Stone Edge...]
[Six-dimensional Ability: Physical Attack A (S) Special Attack A (A) Defense A (A) Special Defense A (A) Physical Strength S (S) Speed A (A)]
Aerodactyl's data appeared in Ash's mind, making him gasp in amazement at its impressive talent.
Double S, Four A; even in ancient times, this Aerodactyl should have been the most talented among its kind, right?
Regarding the time it has lived, this Aerodactyl might have lived longer than the millennia-old Gengar, though in terms of actual living time, it likely hasn't been around as long as Gengar.
After all, most of its time was spent dormant, whereas Gengar has been actively living for over two thousand years.
Yet in terms of talent, it is similar to Gengar, with Physical Strength at S. Could it be that higher talent in Physical Strength means a longer lifespan?
"Roar!!"
Just as Ash was pondering Aerodactyl's talent, Aerodactyl let out a roar towards him.
Ash understood Aerodactyl's meaning—obediently let me eat you!
"Hey, you want to eat me? Do you have what it takes!" Ash scoffed with a hint of disdain for Aerodactyl's statement.
If it were a Champion Level Aerodactyl saying this, Ash might have raised his guard a bit, but for a Gym Level half-weakened Aerodactyl to say such a thing, isn't it laughable?
"Roar!" This is the first time I've seen such an arrogant human.
"This is the first time I've seen such an arrogant but weak Aerodactyl," Ash retorted. When it comes to verbal sparring, Ash feared no one.
Aerodactyl's expression froze, then turned incredibly furious, flapping its wings wildly, bringing a storm within the cave, then it lunged forward, its massive mouth aiming a fierce bite at Ash.
Charizard's eyes glinted with ferocity, holding a flame in its mouth, ready to blast down this disrespectful old dragon. But Ash patted Charizard's shoulder, hinting it not to get agitated.
"Leave it to me. It's said that these ancient Pokemon have survival of the fittest ingrained in their bones. If defeated by a Pokemon, they might not acknowledge it quickly." Ash, of course, referred to all the Fossil Pokemon in this underground cave.
However, Misty and the others didn't have the capability for a real-life PK. Even if they could not gain acknowledgment from the Fossil Pokemon immediately, they would have to choose Pokemon battles, then slowly nurture relations afterward.