The bamboo forest is vast, with the ground covered in scattered bamboo leaves.
Small bamboo shoots also peek out from the earth here and there.
Just after Cain entered the bamboo forest accompanied by his Honchkrow and Slowking, they were attacked.
And who attacked them? A panda!
A black-and-white panda!
The first attack was blocked by Honchkrow.
"Is that... a Pangoro? A Pokémon from the Kalos region, here too?" Cain looked at the panda in front of him, its fierce expression accented by a bamboo stalk hanging from its mouth, with two bamboo leaves trembling slightly at the tip.
Its black eyes were fixed on Cain, Honchkrow, and Slowking.
Cain was slightly surprised; he hadn't expected to encounter a Pokémon from the Kalos region here.
But after thinking for a moment, it made sense.
After all, this isn't Kanto—they're on Mythical Island, and with Mew's mischievous personality, bringing Pokémon from any region to the island wouldn't be surprising, right?
Pokémon: Pangoro (Green)
Gender: Male
Level: 39
Type: Fighting + Dark
Ability: Iron Fist
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Me First, Foul Play, Storm Throw
Basic Moves: Bullet Punch, Hammer Arm, Low Sweep, Entrainment, Tackle, Leer, Arm Thrust, Work Up, Karate Chop, Comet Punch, Slash, Circle Throw, Vital Throw, Body Slam
Learned Moves: Ice Punch, Snatch, Drain Punch, Knock Off
TM Moves: None
This Pangoro is level 39, relatively high among wild Pokémon.
But as the first wild Pokémon Cain has encountered, is he lucky to have found such a strong one, or are all wild Pokémon in this area at such high levels?
After Honchkrow drove it back, Cain noticed three Pancham hiding behind some bamboo stalks, timidly peeking their heads out to observe him.
It seems Cain had intruded on their territory, and this Pangoro believed him to be a threat to the three Pancham.
If this is the only Pangoro in the bamboo forest, Cain has nothing to worry about. The concern lies in whether more Pangoro are hiding here.
Cain threw a Luxury Ball and called out his Skorupi.
At level 38, Skorupi should have no trouble facing Pangoro. Plus, it would be good training.
However, when Pangoro saw Skorupi appear, then looked at the Honchkrow that had driven it back earlier, and the imposing Slowking, its expression grew more serious.
Even though it had never seen these Pokémon, their threat was evident.
"Roar!" Pangoro roared into the sky, causing a flurry of bamboo leaves to fall from the trees and scaring many birds out of the bamboo forest.
Cain's face changed slightly.
This Pangoro was summoning its allies!
There's more than one Pangoro of this strength here!
It's time for a quick battle!
"Skorupi, use Agility and Hone Claws!" Cain commanded immediately.
Following the order, Skorupi began darting quickly on its four legs while sharpening its front pincers.
Pangoro took a defensive stance, waiting for its allies to arrive, confident they could easily defeat these intruders together.
"Skorupi, close in and use Poison Fang and Venoshock!"
Moving at high speed, Skorupi shifted directions and charged straight toward Pangoro.
As it approached, Pangoro braced itself to counter the attack.
Skorupi's venomous fangs sank into Pangoro's body.
Bang!
The Poison Fang move struck Pangoro square in the abdomen, pushing it back two or three meters.
Pangoro's expression turned to one of surprise.
Had it been pushed back?
It's worth noting that Pangoro stands over two meters tall, and as a Fighting-type Pokémon, it's naturally strong.
But upon regaining its balance, it hadn't completely stopped Skorupi's charge.
The Poison Fang had landed!
However, just as Skorupi was about to use Venoshock, Pangoro reacted and grabbed its pincers.
Vital Throw!
But as Pangoro tried to lift Skorupi, something incredible happened.
It couldn't lift it.
Skorupi's four legs were firmly anchored to the ground, and it stared at Pangoro with unyielding determination.
Both Pokémon, renowned for their strength, were locked in a stalemate.
With clenched jaws, Skorupi resisted Pangoro's move with all its might.
Pangoro, red from the strain, exerted all its energy as well.
Neither Pokémon could afford to relax, knowing that letting up would result in being overpowered—the loser would be thrown down, and the victor could strike.
Cain observed the power struggle between the two Pokémon, impressed by Skorupi's strength.
He knew Skorupi was powerful, but he hadn't expected it to hold its own like this against a level 39 Pangoro.
But unlike Pangoro, Skorupi had more than just pincers.
"Skorupi, use Poison Tail!"
Right before Pangoro's eyes, Skorupi's tail struck directly into its chest.
Struck once more, Pangoro faltered, and Skorupi broke free from its Vital Throw attempt.
Weakened by poison, Pangoro could no longer resist, and Skorupi rammed it again with Venoshock.
With the earlier poison still coursing through its body, the Venoshock attack proved devastating.
The white fur on its chest showed signs of corrosion.
Bang!
Pangoro collapsed to the ground, unable to fight any longer.
The three Pancham who had been watching from behind panicked and began tumbling across the ground in an attempt to flee.
Their clumsy retreat made Cain chuckle.
Pancham are some of the most adorable Pokémon.
But as Cain laughed, the ground began to tremble slightly, and the thicker bamboo stalks in the forest started shaking.
One by one, more Pangoro appeared, joined by the three little ones.
Leading the group was a scarred Pangoro, biting down on a piece of bamboo as it glared furiously at Cain and Skorupi, who had defeated its companion.
Cain grew serious and said, "Skorupi, absorb the poison from its body."
(End of Chapter)