Aoki had finally arrived at his destination, but there was no need to rush. After his exhausting journey, the most pressing task was to have lunch and allow Murkrow and Slowpoke to rest and recover their strength.
He found a large, flat rock and began unpacking his tools. Although the stone forest was dominated by stones, there was also an abundance of hay and dried straw scattered across the ground, far more than in the regular forest.
After gathering some of the dry straw, he started a fire. Using stones from the area, he constructed a simple makeshift stove. Placing a small pot on top, Aoki carefully poured in lake water he had collected earlier.
In the wild, drinking raw water was always a risk. Even if it appeared clean, it could still be riddled with harmful bacteria. For Pokémon like Murkrow and Slowpoke, their robust physiques and strong immune systems made them resistant to such dangers, but Aoki couldn't afford to take that chance. Illness from something as avoidable as unclean water could prove fatal in the wilderness, where medical supplies were limited.
While waiting for the water to boil, Aoki prepared food for his companions. In addition to their usual energy blocks, Murkrow had a pre-caught hare, and Slowpoke was treated to its favorite—fresh fish.
Slowpoke had taken a liking to Aoki's cooking. Though it used to eat raw fish without complaint, Slowpoke now showed a clear preference for grilled food. Murkrow was no different; while energy blocks provided adequate nutrition, it always demanded a serving of meat to satisfy its appetite.
With Slowpoke's assistance, they quickly cleaned the hare and five thick fish, discarding the internal organs and covering any blood with mud to avoid attracting other wild Pokémon.
Once the water boiled, Aoki filled a bottle for later and began cooking. With practiced hands, he brushed oil over the meat, carefully turned it over the fire, and sprinkled on some seasoning. Soon, the delicious aroma of roasted meat filled the air.
For himself, Aoki only needed a rabbit leg and half a fish to feel full. The rest was left for Murkrow and Slowpoke, who devoured their meals enthusiastically. As they ate, Aoki quickly finished his own lunch, took a short break, and prepared to continue his journey.
The stone forest was much easier to traverse than the dense forest he had come from. Though towering stone pillars surrounded him, the ground was relatively smooth and free of the dense weeds and hidden pitfalls that plagued the forest trails.
The wild Pokémon in the stone forest were primarily Geodude. While abundant, they were easy to spot and generally docile, as long as you didn't step on them. The Geodude would often sit motionless among the rocks, blending in with their surroundings.
The Geodude in this area were low-level, none exceeding Level 20, and Aoki hadn't encountered any Graveler along the way. He deduced that the lack of rich minerals in the rocks here had limited their growth and evolution.
The smooth terrain allowed Aoki to move quickly, and in just half an hour, he had already crossed half of the stone forest. If he kept up this pace, he would reach the mission site in no time.
However, things rarely went as planned. His path was suddenly blocked by a massive Pokémon—a formidable Onix.
Pokémon: Onix (Dark Yellow)
Basic Moves: Bind, Harden, Mud Sport, Rock Throw, Rage, Stealth Rock, Rock Tomb, Dragon Breath, Smack Down
Learned Moves: Iron Head
The Onix was sunbathing, its enormous body sprawled across the path. Its sheer size left no room for Aoki to pass without climbing over it, which would undoubtedly provoke the creature.
Taking a detour wasn't an option either. The steep stone walls flanking the path made it impossible to find an alternate route.
Aoki sighed, muttering to himself, "A Level 30 Onix… this is going to be tricky."
After observing the Onix for a moment, Aoki noticed something peculiar. The Onix seemed unusually comfortable, as if it had been sunbathing in this spot for years. Aoki realized it would be difficult to move such a content and stubborn Pokémon by conventional means.
Then, an idea struck him. Turning to Slowpoke, Aoki commanded, "Use Rain Dance on the Onix's position!" Updates are released by NoveIＦire.net
Slowpoke nodded and began chanting softly. Its voice carried a strange melody, and soon, dark clouds began gathering above the Onix.
The Onix, which had been enjoying the warmth of the sun, suddenly noticed the drop in temperature and the disappearance of sunlight. It opened its eyes, confused by the dark clouds overhead.
Raindrops began to fall, and the Onix let out a low, irritated rumble. Though it couldn't see anyone nearby, it knew the rain was unnatural. Being a Rock/Ground-type Pokémon with a four-times weakness to water, Onix had no choice but to abandon its spot.
With a reluctant groan, the Onix slithered away, disappearing into the distance.
Aoki waited a few minutes to ensure the Onix wouldn't return. Once the coast was clear, he and his Pokémon continued down the now-unblocked path.
The trail narrowed into a corridor flanked by towering cliffs. The sun's warmth faded, replaced by a cool, dry chill. As they ventured deeper, the surrounding area grew more desolate, with not even moss surviving in the harsh environment.
Finally, they came upon a large opening in the rock wall. The entrance was over two meters high and wide enough for three people to walk side by side. Darkness loomed beyond the opening, marking the start of the next challenge in Aoki's journey.