After entering the dense woods on the hillside of Mount Chimney, Aoki recalled Flygon. The surrounding area teemed with wild Pokémon at decent levels, making it an ideal training ground for Larvitar and Aron.
Aoki released his Larvitar and Aron from their Pokéballs. Since Larvitar still needed four more levels before evolution, and Aron's talent-enhancing potion were already prepared, this presented the perfect opportunity for growth. The local wild Pokémon, averaging around level 30, provided suitable challenges for the two young Pokémon.
"Larvi~~"
"Aron~~"
The moment they emerged, both Larvitar and Aron buzzed with excitement. Having felt their strength gradually improving through recent training, they recognized this unfamiliar terrain as a new battlefield for gaining experience. Their energetic cries echoed through the forest.
"Larvitar, Aron, focus and give it your all. If you slack off, I'll recall you and send out Combusken instead," Aoki warned with an amused smile as he observed their antics.
"Larvi!!" Larvitar immediately froze upon hearing this threat, attempting to salute by placing a stubby hand atop its head—though its short limbs only allowed the gesture to reach its snout.
Aron watched Larvitar's attempt, then glanced down at its own quadrupedal stance in confusion. How could it possibly salute with such limited mobility? The metallic Pokémon shifted awkwardly, its tiny legs offering no solution.
Aoki burst into laughter at their expressions. These two Pokémon, destined to become fearsome powerhouses upon full evolution, remained utterly adorable in their juvenile forms.
Tyranitar, Larvitar's final evolution, stood as a pseudo-legendary Pokémon with a Godzilla-like presence. Meanwhile, Aron's ultimate form, Aggron, matched Tyranitar's imposing stature. Currently, Aoki possessed only one Mega Stone—Aggronite—making Aron's future potential even more promising. Given its already exceptional talent, Aggron's Mega Evolution could reach staggering heights.
But for now, they remained simply Larvitar and Aron, still learning the fundamentals of combat.
"Let's move. We're heading uphill to search for our targets," Aoki instructed, leading the two Pokémon deeper into the wooded slopes.
Due to their small size, Larvitar and Aron drew little attention as they trailed behind Aoki. Most wild Pokémon perceived humans as non-threatening, so after the initial disturbance caused by Flygon's presence faded, the local fauna resumed their activities—some even eyeing Aoki as potential prey.
The first attacker learned this lesson the hard way.
A Carnivine—a Sinnoh-native Pokémon—lunged from the canopy, its massive jaws gaping wide as it descended upon Aoki. At level 32, its light-green vines whipped through the air, its bulbous head comprising a third of its body mass.
Carnivine's Levitate ability allowed it to drift among trees, ambushing prey either through stealth or sudden strikes. Once ensnared by its tangled roots, escape became nearly impossible.
Today, however, it had chosen the wrong target.
"Larvitar, Rock Slide! Aron, Headbutt!"
Aoki remained calm as the Carnivine hurtled toward him.
Having trained extensively together, Larvitar and Aron had developed strong synergy. They reacted instantly to Aoki's commands.
"Larvi!"
Larvitar raised its arms, summoning jagged stones that materialized midair directly in Carnivine's path.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The Rock Slide barrage hammered the airborne Carnivine, leaving it no room to dodge. Before it could crash-land, Aron was already positioned beneath it.
Timing their combo flawlessly, Aron's skull gleamed metallic as it executed a devastating Headbutt.
Crunch!
The steel-type impact sent Carnivine spinning backward.
Aron's headbutt packed extraordinary force—its genetic inheritance included the move Double-Edge, its Ability was Rock Head, and its diet included mineral-enriched Diamonds. Consequently, its skull had become its most formidable weapon.
"Aron, Rock Tomb! Larvitar, trap it with Sand Tomb!"
After scanning Carnivine's stats, Aoki opted not to KO it immediately—it still served a purpose.
"Aron!"
Aron stomped the ground, causing surrounding rocks to levitate and encase Carnivine in a crushing prison. Simultaneously, Larvitar channeled ground energy, conjuring whirling sands that coiled around Carnivine like serpents, burying it until only its head remained exposed.
This combination—perfected through daily drills—left Carnivine immobilized, its panicked eyes darting wildly.
Aoki smirked as he approached, Larvitar and Aron flanking him. The predator had become the prey.
Desperate, Carnivine unleashed Sweet Scent—a fragrant pink mist designed to lure nearby Pokémon. This was precisely why Aoki had spared it.
The aroma would attract more wild Pokémon, saving him the effort of tracking them individually.
"Larvitar, Aron—prepare for battle!" Aoki commanded, cracking his knuckles as rustling foliage signaled approaching foes.
"Larvi!"
"Aron!"
The two young Pokémon squared up, ready to prove their worth.