Chapter 133: Professor Proctor's Request

"Honestly, Max is always like this. He likes to run off at the drop of a hat, making us search for him everywhere."

May said somewhat embarrassedly to Rex and the others.

Though May often complained about her younger brother, she was genuinely worried about him. She felt bad that Max's actions disrupted their training plans.

"It's fine. Let's just hurry up and find him. Who knows what dangers he might encounter in the forest?"

Ash said generously.

Rex and Brock both nodded in agreement with Ash.

As they searched for Max and chatted, they suddenly heard some rustling in the grass behind them. They quickly turned around to check, only to find a Cradily emerging from the undergrowth.

"Is that a Cradily?"

May said in surprise.

"I can't believe it really exists!"

Brock was equally astonished to see a Cradily on the island.

"Cradily, there you are. I know you're curious about the outside world, but don't wander off!"

At that moment, a young woman in a researcher's outfit emerged from the grass, walked over to Cradily, hugged it affectionately, and patted its head.

Through talking with the young woman, they learned her name was Annie. She and her husband had built a research institute in the forest at the center of the island.

They followed Annie to her research institute, as she guessed that Max might have headed there. She invited them to check the institute first.

Upon arriving, they were introduced to Annie's husband, Professor Proctor. Despite his youth, he had already earned the title of Pokémon Professor, a remarkable achievement.

They found Max outside a small plantation, so focused on observing something that he didn't notice their arrival.

"Max, stop running off and making us search everywhere for you!"

May exclaimed angrily upon seeing Max.

"That's not important. Come look at this!"

Max dismissed his sister's scolding, eager to show them something in the plantation.

"These are Lileep! There are so many of them!"

The group was surprised to see so many Lileep in the plantation. They hadn't expected to find such rare fossil Pokémon there.

"Professor Proctor, did you revive all these Lileep with a fossil resurrection machine?"

Rex asked.

"Oh, you know about the fossil resurrection machine? This technology isn't widely known yet."

Professor Proctor was surprised that Rex knew about it.

"Yes, I have a Lileep that Professor Birch helped me revive."

Rex answered straightforwardly.

"Ah, Professor Birch! I've discussed fossil revival topics with him before."

Professor Proctor realized.

These professors often engaged in academic exchanges, especially when they hit research bottlenecks, hoping to gain insights from each other.

"Could I see your Lileep? I'd like to compare it with the Cradily I revived."

Professor Proctor requested.

Although they used the same machine, professors often added their own ideas to make the revival process as perfect as possible, aiming to recreate Pokémon close to their ancient counterparts. Comparing different revival methods could greatly benefit his research.

"I don't mind, but my Lileep is at home."

Rex said, somewhat troubled.

"We have a Pokémon transfer device here. Could you ask your family to send Lileep over?"

Professor Proctor was keen to seize this opportunity.

"Alright, I'll contact them. It should be here soon."

Rex admired Professor Proctor's dedication and wanted him to check Lileep's condition, so he agreed readily.

Rex called Yuli, asking her to send Lileep and offering to send Poliwhirl back to the farm in return. Yuli agreed and promised to send Lileep over soon.

The journey had been long, and Rex wanted to ensure his rare berries were well cared for, so he used this opportunity to send Poliwhirl back to assist Yuli.

"While waiting for Lileep, I have an evolution experiment you might find interesting."

Professor Proctor took out a remote, pressed a few buttons, and a hole appeared in the plantation floor. A small glass-encased Anorith was brought up.

Anorith is a flat, long fossil Pokémon with claws and four pairs of wings.

As May checked the unfamiliar Pokémon with her Pokédex, Anorith started glowing white, indicating evolution.

"It's evolving!"

Ash said excitedly.

Anorith's body expanded rapidly, eventually turning into a 1.5-meter-tall Armaldo, its hardened shell and sharp claws indicating it was a formidable predator in ancient times.

Armaldo seemed disoriented, looking around as if searching for something. Suddenly, a net flew in from outside, ensnaring it.

"Team Rocket, you thieves!"

Ash yelled angrily.

"Who are you calling thieves? We're just taking what belongs to others."

Jessie retorted.

"What else would you call that?"

May said indignantly.

"Call it what you like!"

James said, pulling the net.

"Let's catch Armaldo first, Meowth!"

Meowth added.

They underestimated Armaldo, who quickly tore the net apart with its claws and blasted Team Rocket with a powerful Water Gun, sending them flying through a wall.

"Great job, Armaldo!"

Ash praised.

But Armaldo responded with another Water Gun, forcing Ash to dodge. The powerful attack damaged some equipment before Armaldo ran out through the hole it had created.

The group decided to find and retrieve Armaldo, following its trail out of the institute.