The Krabby episode soon came to an end.
Misty and Serena had their fill of fun at the beach,
So the three of them packed up and began heading toward their next destination—Bill Lighthouse.
It was said that there was a direct communication line to Professor Oak's Laboratory there.
For a world filled with high-tech devices like teleportation and Poké Ball transfers,
It was strange that no one had invented mobile phones yet.
Every time Ash thought about that, he couldn't help but twitch the corners of his mouth.
Were all the world's technology points spent on Poké Balls instead of phones?
When they arrived at Bill Lighthouse,
Professor Bill personally greeted them.
Thanks to Ash and Professor Oak's well-known names, Bill invited the three of them inside without hesitation.
Once inside, Ash quickly contacted Professor Oak through the communication console.
He once again discussed feeding schedules and training plans for the Squirtles and Pidgeotto.
He also asked Professor Oak to take special care of Krabby.
Before evolving into Kingler, Krabby didn't need intense training.
Right now, a calm and healthy growth phase was enough.
Only after evolution would it be time for real battles and strength development.
Professor Oak, however, was far more interested in another matter—Pidgeotto.
He asked question after question.
Why could Pidgeotto learn impossible moves like Ice Beam and Thunderbolt?
Why was its learning speed abnormally fast?
Ash only smiled helplessly.
"Oh, you're asking me? You should be asking Pidgeotto!"
In truth, the reason was simple.
Entries were themselves a special kind of hidden talent.
In Ash's care, his Pokémon could fully awaken their potential.
So the real answer was still the same—talent.
After finishing the call, Bill turned to Ash with a mysterious smile.
"You can stay here tonight," he said. "You might witness something incredible."
Ash tilted his head in confusion but accepted.
After all, a soft bed was much better than sleeping outdoors again.
The lighthouse had two guest rooms. Misty and Serena stayed together in one,
While Ash took the other.
There was no question of him sharing a room with either of them—no matter how young they were, that would've been awkward.
The night arrived.
Under the starlit sky, the three followed Professor Bill to the balcony at the top of the lighthouse.
Bill explained that for several nights, he had heard a deep, sorrowful sound coming from the sea.
He suspected it belonged to a mysterious and massive Pokémon.
To communicate, he had created a sonar transmitter tuned to the same frequency as the cry.
Just earlier that day, he'd completed it.
And tonight, they were going to test it.
Not long after sunset, the sound returned—
A distant, echoing wail that rolled through the misty sea breeze.
Bill activated the sonar device.
The mysterious Pokémon responded almost immediately.
Its voice grew louder and clearer as it approached the lighthouse.
When it finally emerged through the dense fog,
The sight made everyone freeze.
It was enormous—its towering figure was even larger than the lighthouse itself!
"W-wow… that thing is huge! Is that really a Pokémon?!"
Serena gasped, covering her mouth in disbelief.
If Ash hadn't been standing nearby, she might have collapsed from shock.
Even after traveling for days, she was still just a ten-year-old girl.
Misty, standing close behind, instinctively hid behind Ash's back.
The Pokémon's call was strangely gentle, but its immense size made her heart pound in fear.
Ash narrowed his eyes, letting the familiar blue aura of wave energy flow into them.
Lines of data appeared before him.
[Name: Dragonite (Super Ancient)]
[Gender: Female]
Trainer: None
[Attributes: Dragon, Flying]
[Level: Elite Peak]
[Ability: Multiscale]
[Moves: Hyper Beam, Outrage, Dragon Rush, Dragon Claw, Dragon Tail, Air Slash, Dragon Dance...]
[Talent: Champion]
Special Move: None
[Entries: Ultra-Ancient Body (Red), Longevity (Red), Indomitable (Orange), Ancient Dragon (Orange), Soaring (Purple)]
[Ultra-Ancient Body (Red): This ancient Pokémon possesses a body twice as durable as modern Dragonite, granting double defense and endurance.]
[Longevity (Red): This Dragonite's lifespan exceeds that of any normal Dragonite, having lived from ancient times to the present and still retaining vitality.]
[Indomitable (Orange): A will forged through solitude. Even after centuries alone, its spirit remains unbroken.]
[Ancient Dragon (Orange): As a super-ancient Dragonite, its physique rivals that of a Gigantamax Pokémon. It can freely control its body size. Size does not affect power, only stamina consumption.]
[Soaring (Purple): Enhances aerial combat ability by 20%.]
The mysterious giant Pokémon was revealed—an ancient Dragonite!
Ash stared in awe. He had seen many Dragonite in Pokédex records,
But nothing like this.
Its shadow loomed over the ocean like a living mountain.
Its wings alone could blot out the moonlight.
He couldn't imagine this gentle species being so colossal and terrifying.
The entries were extraordinary, especially the Ancient Dragon trait.
Yet, despite such strength, there was sadness in its aura.
Through the faint whispers of wave energy, Ash could sense its thoughts.
It was calling out—searching for companions.
But in this age, all other super-ancient Pokémon had long gone extinct.
This Dragonite was the last of its kind,
A survivor from a forgotten era who could no longer control its size.
Unable to blend in with modern Dragonite, it was treated as a monster.
Lonely and misunderstood, it roamed the sea, longing for connection.
Ash's heart softened.
He clenched his fists, determination blazing in his eyes.
If this Dragonite couldn't find anyone to stand beside it—
Then he would become that person.
He knew that if he could subdue it, he could help it awaken its dormant power.
After all, under Ash's bond, even the most ancient entries could shine their brightest.
But deep down, he also knew one thing—
This wouldn't be easy.
Even if they communicated well, a Pokémon of this level wouldn't submit without testing his strength.
Ash slowly raised his gaze toward the massive Dragonite spreading its wings above the waves.
The stormy sea roared beneath it, reflecting the moonlight like shards of silver.
His heartbeat quickened.
His first true elite-level battle since his journey began…
Was about to start.
(End of Chapter 39)