"Alright, alright, hothead, enough with the chirpin'," Ben grumbled, his voice a low growl. "My turn. And I'm getting something better than a glorified monkey. Watch and learn, wiseguy."
Ben reached out, his massive, rock-covered hand slapping down onto the lottery tablet with a definite thud. The screen shimmered under his touch, ready to reveal its next secret. The final image settled, resolving into a large, thickly armored creature with a prominent, drill-like horn.
Ben squinted at the screen, a grumble still rumbling in his chest. "So, uh, what is this thing, Orion? Is it any good? Can it, ya know, clobber Johnny's little fire-ape?"
He wasn't really interested in the creature's life story or its favorite berries. He just wanted the simple truth: could it win a fight? That was the core of his concern, after all. He needed something solid, something that could take a hit and give one back even harder.
Orion offered a gentle smile, his gaze shifting between the determined Ben and the glowing screen. "Ah, Ben, you have drawn a Rhyhorn, a Ground and Rock-type Pokémon."
He paused, letting the information settle. "Rhyhorn possesses a formidable defense and attacks with considerable force. Its Rock and Ground typing grants it a significant advantage against Fire-type Pokémon like Johnny's Chimchar. Rock-type moves are super effective against Fire."
Johnny's jaw dropped. "Wait, what? Super effective? That's not fair!"
"Fair's got nothing to do with it, hotshot," Ben shot back, a triumphant grin beginning to crack across his rocky face. "Sounds like I got the winner here. So, this Rhyhorn, it's tough, right? Like me."
Orion nodded. "Indeed, Rhyhorn is known for its incredible resilience and strength, capable of breaking through solid rock. However, the outcome of a battle is never solely determined by type advantage alone. A Trainer's strategy and the bond they share with their Pokémon also play significant roles."
Ben waved a dismissive hand, the concept of nuanced strategy flying right over his head. All he heard was "super effective" and "tough." That was enough for him.
"Yeah, yeah, strategy, I got it," Ben mumbled, already picturing Chimchar getting tossed around. "Just get this Rhyhorn out here, Orion. I wanna see this rock-solid pal of mine."
"To see Rhyhorn, Ben, we will need to venture into the Sanctuary," Orion announced, his voice gentle but firm. "It lives freely there."
Reed raised an eyebrow, a slight furrow appearing between his brows. "The Sanctuary? I assumed these Pokémon were kept in, well, more conventional containment, given the nature of your establishment."
"A valid assumption, Reed," Orion replied, a hint of dry amusement in his tone. "However, the Sanctuary is designed for freedom and natural connection. A Pokémon chooses its Trainer, not the other way around."
He gestured toward a metallic door at the far end of the lobby, the same one Valeria had used before. "This way, if you please."
The Fantastic Four exchanged glances, a mix of confusion and curiosity on their faces. Johnny, ever the impatient one, was already halfway to the door. "Alright, alright, let's go see this rock-rhino thing. Hope it's got some flair, not just... well, rock."
As they stepped through the portal, the sterile hum of Pokémon Home faded, replaced by the soft rustle of leaves and the distant chirp of unseen creatures. The air shifted, now thick with the scent of damp earth and verdant growth, far different from the city air they were used to. They found themselves in a vast, sprawling landscape of untamed beauty, a mosaic of ecological zones under an impossibly bright sky.
This was the Sanctuary, a miraculous interdimensional habitat, meticulously crafted to mimic the diverse natural environments of countless Pokémon species. It was a place where they could live as they would in their home dimensions, free to roam and follow their instincts. Unlike the contained specimens in a laboratory or the transactional lottery system, the Sanctuary offered a chance for genuine connection, where Pokémon might choose their partners through shared experiences and mutual respect, rather than simply being bought and sold. It was a testament to Orion's belief in harmonious coexistence, a living, breathing ecosystem designed for more than just display.
"Whoa," Franklin whispered, his eyes wide.
"This is... unexpected," Sue admitted, looking around with a hint of wonder. The sheer scale and vibrancy of the place were breathtaking.
"See? I told ya," Johnny crowed, already spotting a Pidgey soaring overhead. "This place is way cooler than a lab."
They walked for a short while, the ground shifting from soft grass to firmer, rockier terrain. The air grew warmer, carrying a faint scent of sulfur and minerals. Orion pointed into the distance.
"There he is," Orion said softly, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "Your Rhyhorn."
They followed Orion deeper into the craggy, sun-baked landscape. Johnny spotted it first.
"Woah, hold up a minute!" he exclaimed, pointing. "Is that the Rhyhorn? The lottery thing? Because that ain't no little pocket monster!"
A creature stood amidst a scattering of large rocks, its hide a deep, stony gray, segmented like ancient armor. It stood on four thick legs, its head heavy and low, dominated by a formidable, spiraled horn that looked capable of boring through solid concrete. This Rhyhorn was not merely large; it was massive, easily dwarfing Johnny's Chimchar by several orders of magnitude. It was the size of a small rhino, perhaps, with an undeniable sense of brute strength in its posture.
Reed pulled out a small, retractable scanner, his eyes already calculating. "Remarkable. Based on visible mass and assumed density, that specimen likely weighs in excess of two hundred and fifty pounds. The biophysical implications are quite fascinating."
Sue, ever the pragmatic one, placed a hand on Reed's arm. "Reed, my love, the 'biophysical implications' are going to be living in the Baxter Building. We need to consider the logistical implications." She cast a worried glance at the imposing creature. "It's certainly... substantial."
"Told ya I was gettin' somethin' tough!" Ben grumbled, a wide, pleased grin spreading across his face. He looked at the Rhyhorn with genuine appreciation, seeing a kindred spirit in its rocky exterior.
Orion nodded, a quiet amusement in his eyes. "Indeed, this Rhyhorn is a formidable Pokémon. And as a juvenile, it still has considerable growth ahead. Fully matured Rhyhorn can exceed a thousand pounds, David."
"A thousand pounds?!" Johnny spluttered, looking between the colossal Pokémon and Ben, whose own rocky form suddenly seemed a little less unique. "Ben, you got a walking tank! How am I supposed to prank that?"
"You don't, hothead," Ben shot back, puffing out his chest. "This ain't for pranks. This is for clobberin'!"
The Rhyhorn, meanwhile, observed the group with small, dark eyes. It snorted, a plume of dust puffing from its nostrils. It was not overtly aggressive, simply direct, a creature of pure, unadulterated instinct. Its attention settled on Ben, the largest and most rock-like of the humans. It seemed to recognize a certain raw power there, a challenge perhaps, or a potential connection.
Orion extended an open hand toward Ben, his voice calm. "This is Ben, Rhyhorn. He might be your new partner."
The Rhyhorn dipped its head, its heavy horn pointing directly at Ben. It took a single, ponderous step, then another. The ground thrummed faintly with each impact. Then, without a sound or further warning, it lowered its head completely and charged.
WHOOSH
It moved with surprising speed for its bulk, a living battering ram barreling straight for Ben Grimm. It intended to test his strength, not out of malice, but from a simple, instinctual need to gauge its potential ally. Ben, for a split second, was caught off guard, a flash of surprise in his blue eyes. Then, his years of combat experience kicked in. His feet dug into the hard earth, wide and deep, bracing for the impact. He lowered his own head, a guttural roar escaping his chest as he prepared to meet the charge head-on.
The collision was immense, a sound of rock against rock that echoed through the craggy landscape. Ben grunted with effort, his powerful form holding its ground, stopping Rhyhorn's momentum cold. Instead of anger, a hearty laugh rumbled from his chest.
"Now that's a hello!" he bellowed, a wide, genuine grin spreading across his face. "Ya got some spunk, pal, I like that."
Rhyhorn, having tested Ben's strength and found it satisfactory, let out a soft snort. It nudged Ben gently with its massive head, an unspoken approval in the gesture.
Ben felt a surge of pure joy. This Rhyhorn was a kindred spirit, a tough, no-nonsense creature that didn't mess around. The physical challenge had been the perfect icebreaker. He recognized a fellow brawler, a reliable ally who spoke the same language of brute force and unbreakable will.
"You're comin' with me, pal," Ben declared, extending a large hand to pat Rhyhorn's stony hide. "We're gonna be a real clobberin' team."
Rhyhorn's simple mind was also satisfied; this partner was strong enough.
***
Give power stones to support this book.
Advance chapters in P@T0n Najicablitz.