The first reason why Aoki was drawn to this Whiscash wasn't because of its level or moves but because of its typing.
The combination of Water and Ground gives Whiscash a significant advantage.
Aside from a quadruple weakness to Grass-type moves, all other types can only deal neutral damage against it.
It is completely immune to Electric-type attacks and resists Poison, Rock, Steel, and Fire-type moves by half.
This makes it a very solid defensive typing—comparable to the final evolution of the Mudkip line, Swampert, which Aoki had also considered.
This particular Whiscash had clearly lived for a long time. Normally, this species has relatively long whiskers, but the ones on this Whiscash were over twice its body length, a testament to its age.
Though its potential was only rated as light green, its years of survival had allowed it to reach level 40—an Elite-level Pokémon.
Aoki considered it a highly practical addition, fitting perfectly with his current needs.
Its immediate usefulness far outweighed its long-term training potential.
It would serve well as the ace Pokémon for his Gym, at least temporarily.
However, capturing this Whiscash wouldn't be easy.
After all, he had no type advantage.
Still, with Skorupi, Sneasel, and Slowking working together, he managed to subdue it quickly.
Meanwhile, Honchkrow and Haunter focused on keeping the smaller wild Pokémon at bay.
The appearance of Whiscash signaled that the sweet aroma from Vileplume had penetrated deep into the lake.
Whiscash, having lived in the lakebed mud for years, had remained isolated from the world, feeding on whatever was available.
This survival instinct was likely what had allowed it to live for so long.
After a bit of struggle, Aoki sealed Whiscash inside a Pokéball.
With that, the primary goal of his visit was complete.
After all, Aoki already had Slowking and Gyarados as Water-type powerhouses.
Although his Gyarados was still relatively weak, it would suffice as a Pokémon for a newly established Gym.
Eventually, with a fully grown Swampert and Poliwrath joining his roster, his six Water-type Pokémon lineup would be solid enough to run his Gym, whether for standard or multi-battles.
"Stop, Vileplume." Aoki commanded.
As the wild Water-types continued swarming in, he ordered Vileplume to cease its Sweet Scent ability.
Even with the aid of Ingrain and Synthesis, Vileplume was reaching its limit.
Fortunately, Aoki acted in time.
After returning Vileplume to its Pokéball, Aoki turned his attention to selecting suitable Water-type Pokémon to populate the pond in his Gym's backyard.
Magikarp and Goldeen with poor potential weren't worth considering.
However, he wasn't picky about Seel, Corphish, and other rarer species—he caught them all and relocated them to his backyard.
With controlled breeding and training, he could improve their offspring over time.
By the time he was done, he had captured nearly fifty Pokémon, almost doubling the number in his Gym's pond.
Just as Aoki was about to leave, something unusual caught his eye.
A strange, yellow, armor-like object was floating on the water's surface.
At first, it looked like a rock, but then he noticed two round, red, bead-like shapes peeking out from underneath it.
If his guess was correct, those red beads were the Pokémon's eyes.
Before he could get a better look, the creature jerked back beneath the surface, vanishing.
But Aoki had already seen enough.
One name immediately came to mind.
Kabuto.
What was the secret of this lake?
How was it possible for a living Kabuto to be here?
Then again, considering the presence of Relicanth in these waters, it wasn't entirely out of the question.
His mind raced with possibilities, but his actions were swift.
He retrieved several Pokéballs, recalling Murkrow and the others.
Then, he linked his mind with Slowking through telepathy.
"Slowking, did you see that yellow-shelled Pokémon just now? Follow it!"
Slowking's eyes glowed red.
With a Teleport, Aoki was instantly transported to the spot where Kabuto had disappeared.
Then, using its Psychic abilities, Slowking formed a protective barrier around them both.
One person and one Pokémon dove into the lake once more.
Aoki hadn't planned on entering the water again, but the chance to investigate a living fossil Pokémon like Kabuto was too rare to pass up.
As they submerged, the lake—chaotic from the day's events—gradually calmed.
But below the surface, things were shifting.
Slowking and Aoki trailed Kabuto from a distance as it descended deeper.
The lake wasn't particularly deep at first, but as they followed, they encountered numerous cracks in the rock, some large enough for Pokémon to pass through.
Kabuto slipped into one of the larger fissures.
Slowking looked to Aoki for instructions.
After a moment of hesitation, Aoki said, "Let's follow, but be cautious. Keep your psychic perception fully active."
"Yadon~" Slowking nodded in response.
The crack wasn't wide, so Slowking had to shrink the psychic barrier to fit through.
Cautiously, they made their way through a narrow underwater canyon.
As they descended further, the light faded.
Soon, they were in near-total darkness.
It was like being in a pitch-black night with no moon or stars.
Fortunately, both Aoki and Slowking had Psychic abilities. With Slowking's mental perception, Aoki could at least sense their surroundings.
After passing through the canyon, the space suddenly opened up.
Then—
A burst of bright light pierced the darkness.
It was like a lone star shining in the night sky, dazzling and unmistakable.
Approaching carefully, Aoki soon realized the source.
A Lanturn.
That explained the bright glow in the depths.
Using his system's scan, Aoki quickly checked its stats.
A Lanturn with light green potential at level 30.
Without hesitation, Aoki ordered Slowking to defeat and capture it.
Then, using telepathy, he negotiated with Lanturn.
He promised it food in the form of Pokeblocks and assured it freedom later.
Reluctantly, Lanturn agreed to help light their way.
Being a resident of this deepwater cavern, Lanturn was familiar with the area.
After Aoki described the appearance of Kabuto, Lanturn immediately led them toward its habitat.