Pokémon: The Cheating Life

Chapter 28: The Battle at Grampa Canyon

"Mega Beedrill, use Pin Missile!" Ron commanded.

The Mega-Evolved Beedrill swiftly launched countless Pin Missiles from its four sharp stingers. Its overwhelming speed left the opposing Machoke no time to react—Machoke was instantly knocked out.

"Damn it, I lost! Just you wait!" The thug-looking trainer recalled his defeated Machoke, muttering in frustration before storming off.

Lillie walked over, looking puzzled. "Why are people in this city so rude?"

"This is Neon Town, a city that never sleeps. With so little rest, people are bound to have short tempers," Ron explained. "Alright, let's stock up on supplies and head for Grampa Canyon—there are Pokémon fossils there."

After buying what they needed, Ron and Lillie left the small town, deciding to let Ash handle whatever trouble was brewing—just like in Dark City.

---

A week had passed since they left the Eevee Brothers' town. During that time, Ron had used his abundant diamonds to make purchases—including Mega Evolution stones. He had swapped Greninja for Beedrill and started training with Mega Evolution.

Ron's Recent Purchases:

Beedrill Mega Evolution Stone Set (3,000 diamonds)

Technical Machines (TMs): Dig, Earthquake, Thunderbolt, Flamethrower, Solar Beam, Surf, Fly, Toxic, Rock Slide, Ice Beam, Dragon Claw, Shadow Claw (12,000 diamonds)

Attribute Points: 100 diamonds per point (spent 5,000 diamonds on upgrades)

Updated Personal Stats:

Name: Ron

Gender: Male

Age: 13

Height: 162.5 cm

Weight: 46 kg

Strength: 10 (+10)

Endurance: 11 (+10)

Intelligence: 12 (+10)

Spirit: 26 (+20)

(Note: The average adult in this world has a base stat of 10 for most attributes.)

After days of travel, Ron's strength and endurance had naturally increased. His training with Bonded Power had also enhanced his intelligence and spirit—especially spirit, which extended the duration of Bonded Evolution.

---

After another full day of walking, Ron and Lillie finally reached Grampa Canyon.

How did Ron know?

Because of the massive crowd of fossil diggers swarming the valley.

Lillie, seeing the deep excavation pit filled with people digging for fossils, couldn't contain her excitement. "Ron, let's try digging too! Maybe we can find a fossil!"

Ron grabbed Lillie's wrist before she could rush off. "Fossils? What's so great about them? I'll take you to see actual fossil Pokémon instead."

Lillie raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Instead of answering, Ron released Mewtwo and Sylveon and gave his instructions. "Mewtwo, use your psychic powers to scan underground for any hollow spaces. Once you find one, teleport us there. Sylveon, you'll use Dig to open a tunnel."

Mewtwo nodded and began its scan. Sylveon, meanwhile, stared at Ron in frustration, finally realizing why he had made it learn Dig.

"MMP, I swear I have to say something about this later!" Sylveon grumbled internally.

Before long, Mewtwo mentally signaled Ron and Lillie that it had found a large underground cavern. Using telekinesis, Mewtwo transported them to a hidden valley and informed them via telepathy:

"There's a massive underground space below us, with signs of life. The rock layer here is the thinnest—allow me."

Mewtwo clasped its hands, forming a pulsing energy sphere, and hurled it toward the ground. The impact split the earth apart, revealing a large underground chamber.

Ron smirked, thinking, "Mewtwo's strength keeps increasing—it even learned Aura Sphere."

Lillie, on the other hand, stood frozen in shock, "So this is the power of a Legendary Pokémon? It's way too strong!"

Sylveon, watching from the side, let out a sigh of relief—"At least I don't have to dig tunnels now…"

Mewtwo levitated them all into the underground chamber. As they descended, sunlight streamed in through the crack, illuminating the cavern.

Ron finally got a clear look at the place.

It was a massive stalactite cave, likely carved out over millennia by underground water. The stable environment provided an undisturbed sanctuary for ancient Pokémon—until today.

The presence of Ron, Lillie, and Mewtwo had shattered their peaceful existence.

One by one, the fossil Pokémon stirred awake, their red eyes locking onto the intruders.

Ron took a deep breath. "Damn, these fossil Pokémon really are relics—they're all around level 80."

However, they were all Omastar, Omanyte, Kabutops, and Kabuto.

No sign of Aerodactyl.

Still, they were worth catching. Not only were they high-level, but most were top-tier in potential, though none were perfect-tier.

Lillie nervously clutched Ron's sleeve. "Ron, maybe we should leave… I think we disturbed them."

Ron patted her hand reassuringly. "It's fine. I can handle this. There are only about 20 of them—I've got it covered."

He released his Pokémon. "Everyone, come out! Nidoking, Dratini, use Thunderbolt! Sylveon, use Yawn! Charizard, Dragon Claw! Beedrill, Toxic! Mewtwo, use Protect to cover everyone!"

Ron had deliberately purchased Thunderbolt and Ice Beam TMs to counter Water/Rock-type Pokémon like these.

Although the fossil Pokémon were high-level, their prolonged isolation had dulled their battle instincts.

Ron's team launched a relentless assault, catching them off guard. It took several seconds before they even reacted and began counterattacking.

Their attacks were weak and uncoordinated—mostly Water Guns, Rollouts, and Kabutops' weak Slash attacks. It was a mess.

Meanwhile, Lillie—having calmed down—sent out her own Pokémon to help.

"Snowy, use Powder Snow! Pikachu, Thunderbolt! Nidorina, Double Kick! Clefairy, Heal Pulse! Horsea, Twister! Vulpix, Hypnosis!"

With combined efforts, they defeated all 27 fossil Pokémon.

Ron, realizing he was low on Poké Balls, quickly bought more with gold coins, capturing all of them.

(TL note: gold coins or poké dollars are the same.)

The Poké Balls were instantly transferred to Professor Oak's lab.

Turning to Lillie, Ron said, "Thanks for helping. Do you like any of these Pokémon? You helped defeat some, so feel free to take one."

Lillie thought for a moment. "I think I'll take an Omanyte—it feels like a good trophy."

Since all the Pokémon had been sent to Oak's lab, she decided to claim it later.

---

Meanwhile, at Professor Oak's Lab…

Professor Oak looked at the Poké Balls on his desk and grinned widely.

"Ron always sends me the rarest Pokémon! Fossil Pokémon, no less! I have so much research to do!"

Wasting no time, he eagerly began collecting data.

Some of the newly caught Pokémon tried to resist, but a massive Dragonite stepped forward—instantly intimidating them into submission.