"Lifelike" usually describes inanimate objects that appear alive, and the Onix before us is truly a living crystal sculpture.
No wonder Ah Gong said that just seeing this Onix would inspire artists. Indeed, any artist witnessing this Onix would find inspiration!
Moreover, this Onix emerged from the lake, meaning it's not afraid of water!
Isn't this entirely different from common Onix except for the similar appearance?
"Roar!!" The Onix let out a loud roar at Ash, the unexpected intruder. Having lived here in peace for many years, the disturbance left the Onix feeling far from pleased.
If not for the calming aura Ash exudes that instinctively puts Pokemon at ease, the Crystal Onix might have attacked him the moment it emerged.
Even so, the first impression the Crystal Onix has of Ash and his friends is not great; it merely doesn't see them as a threat to attack right away.
"Is this the Crystal Onix? It really looks like a different species compared to regular Onix! Truly, books remain books, while the actual shapes of Pokemon in reality are ever-changing!" Serena murmured in awe.
Books never mentioned an Onix like this—unafraid of water, yet its whole body is an ice crystal-like color.
Without stepping into the outside world, she might never have seen this crystalline form of Onix in her lifetime.
"Okay, now we just need to capture it and take it back to show Ah Gong!" Ash, with determination, looked at the Onix, and Pikachu had already jumped off his shoulder, cheeks sparking with electricity, ready for action.
Onix's data appeared in Ash's mind.
[Species: Crystal Onix]
[Gender: Male]
[Attribute: Ice, Steel]
[Level: Advanced Junior Level]
[Ability: Ice Body]
[Moves: Ice Beam, Blizzard, Ice Shard, Snowfall, Water Pulse, Iron Tail, Heavy Slam, Gyro Ball…]
[Six-dimensional Ability: Physical Attack B (A) Special Attack B (A) Defense A (A) Special Defense A (A) Physical Strength A (A) Speed C (B)]
Although it doesn't have S-Class potential, it's still at a high five A-Level average. Despite lacking a standout feature, all abilities except speed are A-level. This should not be called mediocre; instead, its superiority in all fields classifies it as an all-rounder.
Besides, its ability and attributes are entirely absent in the original Onix. Even its skills are strikingly different from the original Onix; apart from its shape, it's essentially a different kind.
Transformed from a quadruple water weakness to quadruple fire weakness, plus a quadruple fighting weakness, such attributes make its defense capability exceptionally poor. Having one quadruple restraint makes it susceptible enough, but two ensure opponents everywhere have a skill to counteract.
Even if not relying on innate type moves, quadruple restraint ensures an impact that could make you crumble!
However, the Crystal Onix is not at the end of its evolution path yet; it can evolve into Steelix, although the evolution conditions and post-evolution attributes will certainly differ from regular Steelix.
Of course, Ash cannot predict its future evolution now, but he knows one thing—it will definitely differ from ordinary Steelix.
"Here goes, capture battle!"
"Pika Pika!!"
The Crystal Onix was momentarily stunned before its expression turned fierce, its gaze suddenly darkening. Taking a deep breath, icy blue energy rapidly gathered in its mouth, and in the next second, a chilling ice-blue beam burst forth!
Move—Ice Beam!
"No way, can Onix use Ice Beam?" Misty exclaimed in disbelief. Such a revelation would shock those familiar with Pokemon information the most.
If Brock were here, he would probably be so stunned by this scene that he would sit down abruptly.
After all, this defies common logic of an Onix—not fearing water and using Ice-type moves, it's almost unbelievable!
"Ash, be careful!" Serena instinctively warned, but when she focused her gaze, she realized Pikachu had already disappeared from Ash's side!
The Ice Beam, lowering the ambient temperature significantly, missed its target, hitting the ground in front of Ash and freezing it into a block of ice.
The Crystal Onix was momentarily bewildered, its icy blue head swiveling to locate Pikachu's whereabouts. In the next second, a dangerous aura came from above.
"Pikachu, Iron Tail!!"
"Chuu—Pika!!" Pikachu struck downward fiercely, landing a heavy blow on the head of the Crystal Onix!
To the Crystal Onix, Steel Type only has normal damage, but Pikachu's strength far surpasses that of Onix. Although Iron Tail isn't Pikachu's inherent type move, as one of its most frequently used other type moves, its power almost equals that of an innate skill.
This strike, even with Pikachu holding back a large portion of its strength, still managed to cut a crack into the Crystal Onix's head!
The force of the blow sent waves crashing across the pond where the Crystal Onix resided, spraying water several feet high.