Chapter 30: Time for a Switch, Bro!
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"Ahem, although I don't know how you got this information, what you're talking about is actually a new research topic I plan to tackle in the future."
Once the discussion turned to academics, Bill's expression grew serious.
One had to remember, he was the super-genius who had developed the Pokemon storage system several years ago.
Strictly speaking, the Computer storage system and the Pokemon Transfer Device currently used in the Kanto Region still required royalty payments to him.
"But this Human Soul Transfer Technology, which moves a human's consciousness into a Pokemon's brain, is merely a conceptual model of mine. It's impossible for it to be practically realized so quickly."
"Besides, I have a very important matter keeping me here, so I don't have the time to research anything else for now."
Bill was a scientist, not a philosopher.
He wasn't staying in this lonely, dilapidated Lighthouse, which lacked any other scientific equipment, just to contemplate philosophy.
"I'm waiting for a certain Pokemon."
Seeing the trio's questioning gazes, Bill's eyes glinted as he slowly explained.
"The truth is, a massive Pokemon lives deep in this Seaport. Its Physique is probably much larger than this entire Lighthouse."
Hearing this, the three of them looked incredulous. They had never heard of such a gigantic Pokemon.
It would have to be the size of a small mountain.
"It's true! Although I've only seen it once, I truly and clearly saw its figure in that thick fog!" Bill said with absolute certainty.
It wasn't a machine, not a projection, but a real, living Pokemon!
"As for what specific Pokemon it is, I don't know. But I do know that its appearance here means it's longing for something. My purpose in staying here is to meet it and understand what's on its mind."
"Keep talking, we're almost convinced," the three said.
Bill suddenly looked at them, his eyes half-lidded, his expression profound and cool, as he said in a low voice:
"Hmph, you all must have noticed it too. Tonight is very special..."
An inexplicable, cold wind blew past. This all-seeing gaze made the three of them shudder.
Misty was the first to react, tentatively replying:
"Indeed, the fog tonight is exceptionally thick. Could it be..."
"I mean that the Crab Roe is especially rich right now, which is also when that Pokemon is most likely to appear. I've conducted eyewitness surveys; that Pokemon might use Krabby as Food."
Bill suddenly let out a light laugh and explained.
The three of them: "?"
After dinner, the trio went out to the Beach Cliff.
Bill lagged half a step behind, saying he needed to bring out a machine to assist.
Ash gazed out from the Cliff into the distance. It was pitch black.
The boundless Ocean was churning mercilessly, and the smell of the sea, combined with the fierce sea breeze, splattered across his face.
"The fog really is thick today..." Ash couldn't help but remark.
When they arrived in the evening, the fog hadn't been this heavy.
But now, the fog had reached a ridiculous level of density. About twenty meters out, there was nothing but a stretch of gray.
"Right! I choose you!"
A flash of inspiration struck Ash, and he threw out a Poké Ball.
It was the Krabby he had just caught that evening!
If that giant Pokemon truly liked to eat plump, tasty Krabby, then what Krabby could be plumper and tastier than his own?
He remembered that when he used to have a poor appetite, he would listen to a few of Professor Oak's lectures to help him eat his Rice.
One time, Professor Oak introduced a wondrous Move that could release one's own plump and sweet aroma to attract Wild Pokémon.
That One Move seemed to be called...
Thinking of this, Ash pointed a commanding finger and shouted, "Krabby, use Sweet Scent!"
Krabby: "?"
*I'd like to give you a Metaphorical Lesson.*
Just then, Bill arrived, dragging a machine that was half his height.
He walked right up to the trio, and the first thing he noticed was the Krabby by Ash's leg, which was struggling to break through its own species' Limit to release the scent of its Crab Roe.
Bill blurted out subconsciously:
"A Krabby? Let me see, let me see... The shell is ruddy and glossy, the grey belly protrudes with rich, beautiful roe, the brown hairs and white claws indicate it's plump and mature... the meat quality is truly top-grade."
"But it's not even three months old, and its Physique is visually estimated at four taels and three qian... tsk tsk, it's still a bit lacking. In another three months, even the creator Deity would be... no, wait. Hehe, I've said too much."
He hurriedly stopped himself.
Krabby: "?"
The three of them: "..."
A fellow foodie.
Ash quickly returned Krabby to its Poké Ball.
He had no intention of actually using his Krabby as Rations for something else; he just brought it out to release its fragrance.
"By the way, what kind of machine is this?"
After speaking, Ash, still worried, added another sentence:
"Mr. Bill, you should wipe your mouth first."
"Ahem."
Bill wiped his mouth abruptly and faked a cough, bringing his thoughts back to the matter at hand.
"This is the Special Pokemon Sound Wave Simulation Device I invented. By sampling, quantifying, and encoding, it achieves the effect of real-time communication with Pokemon."
The three of them immediately started clapping, so as not to reveal the fact that they didn't understand a single word.
They just stared with wide eyes, watching blankly as Bill went through a series of skillful operations.
"I've already sampled that Pokemon's special frequency in this Sea Area several times. Now, as long as I start this machine, I can emit a similar Sound Wave to attract that Pokemon over and meet it."
"NICE!"
The three applauded again, impressed despite not understanding a thing.
"BZZZZZZ—"
Sure enough, after Bill pressed the start button and the machine shuddered for a moment...
A special Sound Wave began to spread from the Cliff towards the depths of the Ocean.
"Pika?"
Ash and the others couldn't sense it, but Pikachu's ears twitched, and it hopped down from his shoulder.
"BZZZZZZ—"
The machine's vibrations intensified, and the range of the Sound Wave continuously expanded...
100 meters...
500 meters...
1000 meters...
"ROAR—WOOO!!"
Finally, the sound of a tremendous Dragon Roar echoed from the depths of the Ocean.
For a moment, it was as if the surrounding Air had frozen solid.
Its presence was heard before it was seen.
Following that, an intense draconic chill enveloped the entire area, as if some Ancient Fierce Beast had been unleashed upon the world.
It sent a shiver down the spines of the few people on the Cliff, and even their breathing became difficult.
The Ocean Waves also began to churn even more violently!
"It's here!"
Following Bill's low shout, a colossal figure suddenly broke through the endless, dense fog.
It was a full forty or fifty meters tall, even a head taller than the Lighthouse behind them. The towering Pressure was more intense than anything they had ever felt!
This was a bipedal Pokemon.
Proportionally, it was even chubbier than a Pikachu, but it had a pair of small wings on its back.
But the pitch-black Sea Surface and the gray fog made it impossible for them to even make out the giant beast's face.
"Hiss... is this that giant Pokemon?!"
Facing a beast that seemed to have emerged from the ancient world, even someone as bold as Ash found it somewhat difficult to breathe, a chill spreading in his chest.
Clearly, a being of this level had far surpassed his current Realm.
"So you're finally willing to come out and see me?"
Beside them, Bill bit his lip hard, forcing himself to calm down.
He walked to the very front of the group, to the edge of the Cliff.
"Tell me! What is the meaning of your existence here?!"
He yelled towards the Ocean, almost roaring.
He could understand that this was something akin to a Bond, letting him know that this giant beast was yearning for something. This was his purpose for staying here all this time.
"AOO~~ROAR!"
The beast threw its head back again and let out a world-shaking draconic cry that echoed between heaven and earth.
Even the clouds above were torn open, creating a giant hole, as endless waves and mist churned and boiled.
"What are you yearning for!!? Answer me!!" Bill shrieked.
"AOO~~ROAR!"
"Answer me!!!"
"AOO~~ROAR!!!"
"?"
Witnessing this scene, the three of them slowly formed a question mark in their minds.
*Mr. Bill, can you understand the Dragon Language, or are you expecting it to speak Human?*
*Are you trying to have a conversation with The Void over there?*
Seeing that if nothing was done, this one person and one beast would probably spend the whole night roaring at each other across the void...
A voice suddenly rang out in Ash's mind.
"!"
His confidence suddenly surged. A corner of his mouth lifted, and he acted decisively.
"Mr. Bill, you said that after understanding this giant beast's desire, you would start your research on the Human Soul Transfer Technology, right?"
Bill: "?"
He had already been roaring for several rounds. His voice was hoarse, his brain was deprived of oxygen, and his head was spinning. He didn't understand what Ash was trying to say.
"Then how about I Catch this giant beast for you? You can take it home and have a nice, long talk with it. No objections, right?"
Ash's words were stunning.
Bill: "???"
*This kid, has he been frightened stupid by the giant beast?!*
But he saw Ash completely ignore his expression and push past everyone.
Mustering his courage, he came to the edge of the Cliff, his tiny figure facing the small-mountain-sized giant Pokemon from afar.
Then, he slowly closed his eyes and whispered a soft command in his heart.
"Time for a switch, bro."
The next second, Ash opened his eyes again.
Lifting his head, his clear, bright eyes were long gone, replaced by a pair of cold, stern pupils.
He no longer felt any fear of this giant beast... not even the slightest emotional fluctuation.
All that remained was the look of one sizing up lesser prey, awaiting Capture.
The him of now was the strongest Trainer from Another World!
Red!!
——
(This time for sure.)