Kabutops and Omastar paused when they saw the canned meat. As Fossil Pokémon, they couldn't comprehend what these strange containers were. However, after catching the aroma of cooked meat, both ancient creatures revealed joyful smiles.
Such childlike expressions seemed utterly out of place on beings that had once been apex predators in the ancient food chain, but hunger had a way of humbling even the mightiest.
Driven by their ravenous appetites, Kabutops and Omastar devoured the canned meat before them. While it couldn't compare to the fresh blood and flesh of their era, their hearts were satisfied. After sleeping for millennia, they would have grudgingly swallowed even vegetarian food.
To Red and Hitmonchan's astonishment, the ancient Pokémon consumed the cans themselves, comfortably swallowing the metal containers whole.
Kabutops, lacking Omastar's razor-sharp teeth, first used its scythes to chop the can into manageable pieces before slowly chewing and swallowing them.
A moment passed.
Seeing that both Fossil Pokémon were ready for battle, Hitmonchan bounced lightly from side to side, completing his instinctive warm-up.
"Hitmonchan, use Bullet Punch!" Red commanded.
Hitmonchan vanished from his position, throwing a lightning-fast punch that accurately struck Omastar's vital spot. He had expected to at least temporarily incapacitate the ancient creature, but the effect was far less than anticipated.
"It seems this Omastar has the Shell Armor ability," Red analyzed.
Shell Armor prevented critical hits, even from moves guaranteed to land them. Still, Hitmonchan's Bullet Punch, boosted by his Iron Fist ability, was incredibly powerful, especially since Omastar was doubly weak to Fighting-type moves.
Seeing Omastar suppressed by Hitmonchan, Kabutops swiftly launched a counterattack. Sharp stone projectiles floated around it as it unleashed Stone Edge at the Fighting-type.
Countless rocky spears assailed Hitmonchan. Seeing that Red had no intention of giving orders, Hitmonchan decisively used Mach Punch, shattering all the incoming projectiles into harmless pebbles.
But Kabutops's assault didn't end there. Its entire body became cloaked in water as it appeared before Hitmonchan, using Aqua Jet to strike with tremendous force.
Seeing Kabutops gain the upper hand, Omastar immediately retreated into its shell, using Rollout to barrel toward Hitmonchan.
"Use Bulk Up!" Red commanded.
Hearing the order, Hitmonchan immediately struck a power-building pose, his muscles expanding as his Attack and Defense increased.
"Ice Punch!"
Hitmonchan's chilling right fist connected directly with Omastar's body, switching from defense to offense. He endured the sharp spikes on Omastar's shell, transforming the pain into strength, and followed up with a double Ice Punch using both fists.
Cold air gradually spread over Omastar's body. Its tentacles were covered in frost, and then its entire form was frozen into an ice sculpture.
Though it couldn't deal super-effective damage to Omastar, the control effect triggered by Ice Punch was enough for Hitmonchan to set up his next attack.
Just as Hitmonchan was about to press his advantage, Kabutops silently appeared behind him, its raised scythes glowing white as it prepared to use Brick Break on his back.
"Low Kick!"
Hitmonchan ducked to avoid Kabutops's sweeping attack, powerfully kicking the ancient Pokémon's legs. Immediately, Kabutops's shell cracked and fell away in pieces.
The shattering of its shell didn't harm Kabutops; instead, it seemed reborn. The creature moved its body experimentally, and its speed suddenly increased. What had been a slight advantage over Hitmonchan now became overwhelming dominance.
"One with Shell Armor, one with Weak Armor," Red observed with interest. "What an intriguing combination."
Weak Armor decreased Defense when hit by physical moves but increased Speed by two stages with each hit.
A cracking sound echoed as the frozen Omastar struggled free. Water gathered at the center of its tentacles, preparing to use Water Pulse.
Kabutops charged toward Hitmonchan with blinding speed, almost too fast for the Fighting-type to track. Its twin scythes glowed with white energy.
To help Kabutops achieve victory, Omastar's Water Pulse surged toward Hitmonchan's position.
Rather than dodge, Hitmonchan chose to guard against Kabutops's attack, cleanly using Fire Punch to evaporate the Water Pulse. The resulting steam obscured Kabutops's vision.
Suddenly, cries of agony came from behind. The startled Kabutops turned to see its companion already fallen at Hitmonchan's feet.
While Kabutops had been searching through the steam, Hitmonchan had used his boxer's intuition to move behind Omastar and launch a series of Rock Smash attacks.
Though Rock Smash wasn't particularly powerful, it had a 50% chance to lower the target's Defense. With Omastar's defenses rapidly crumbling, it fell to Hitmonchan's final Brick Break, its eyes swirling as it lost the ability to battle.
Seeing its teammate defeated, Kabutops hung its head in regret. Then, the flames of vengeance burned in its eyes, and a purple light attached to its scythes, forming a materialized psychic blade on its weapons.
Hitmonchan showed a cautious expression, not expecting the Kabutops to possess Psycho Cut, a move that could counter him.
"Focus Energy, then Focus Punch!"
Hitmonchan closed his eyes and concentrated, no longer paying attention to Kabutops's relentless advance.
Though angered by Hitmonchan's apparent disregard, Kabutops, as a hunter, keenly sensed the surge in his opponent's aura.
Realizing the danger, Kabutops anxiously rushed forward. It was clear that if it didn't attack first, it would be defeated by Hitmonchan's move—and it would be a spectacular, crushing defeat.
Just as Kabutops's Psycho Cut was about to connect, Hitmonchan suddenly opened his eyes. His clenched right fist, like a beast unleashed, accurately struck Kabutops's abdomen.
Feeling that the impact wasn't quite right, Hitmonchan looked at his fist in confusion. Had he not used enough strength?
"I interfered with your battle, Hitmonchan," Red explained. "If I hadn't used my psychic power to diminish some of Focus Punch's force, Kabutops might have been buried before it could become our companion."
"Hitmon~"
Seeing this, Hitmonchan scratched his head awkwardly. He certainly didn't want to 'make his future companion disappear.'
With both Kabutops and Omastar defeated, Red threw two Poké Balls, perfectly capturing them both.
He then took out his Pokédex and transmitted the Poké Balls back to Professor Oak's lab, requesting the Professor's help with the treatment process to help the Fossil Pokémon adapt to modern food as quickly as possible.
"You worked hard, Hitmonchan," Red said, patting his partner's shoulder in praise.
After hearing the compliment, Hitmonchan waved his hand with an indifferent expression, but inside, he was so happy he could barely contain himself.
"Go back into your Poké Ball and rest," Red continued. "Next is Charizard's task."
He recalled Hitmonchan and sent out Charizard. The flame on the dragon's tail illuminated the dark surroundings, allowing Red to put away his flashlight.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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