"Cubone, use Curse repeatedly!"
"Cuba~"
Cubone understood Ethan command and nodded firmly before silently powering itself up.
Once… twice…
After three consecutive uses of Curse, Cubone's whole body seemed to glow faintly red. This was the maximum it could endure — any more, and its body wouldn't hold up.
If only it knew a Fighting-type move… Ethan thought, but for now he could only rely on Cubone's strongest move.
"Bone Boomerang — throw it!"
The cave's darkness was the perfect cover. The thick bone spun through the air and struck Exploud squarely on the forehead, leaving a massive lump.
The Exploud was jolted awake — but before it could unleash its fury, the bone came around and smashed into the back of its head, knocking it to the ground.
"Keep Stomping Tantrum it!"
Take advantage while it's down!
Cubone didn't hesitate. It charged forward and delivered a barrage of brutal Stomps.
Ground-type energy surged with each strike, slowing Exploud's movements and preventing it from even opening its mouth properly.
By the time Exploud stopped moving altogether, Cubone staggered back, stunned.
I… did that?
"Cough—cough!"
Even Ethan hadn't expected Cubone's explosive assault to be this devastating.
Thinking it through, he realized the key must have been that second Bone Boomerang hit to the back of the head, which left Exploud unable to resist.
When Ethan explained this, Cubone's small eyes lit up.
It looked down at its bone club, then at the unconscious Exploud — clearly thinking of less-than-innocent possibilities.
Exploud might not be especially valuable, but Ethan still threw a Poké Ball and captured it — ensuring it wouldn't come back to cause more trouble.
"Rest for a bit. Let's eat before moving on."
Ethan handed Cubone a Pokéblock, then bit into some dry bread himself to recover stamina.
With its Curse boosts faded, Cubone felt drained, but the Pokéblock helped restore its energy.
Trainer and partner sat in the dim cave, eating quietly. Even their chewing echoed clearly.
After a short break, Ethan led Cubone onward.
A cool draft brushed against their faces, lifting Ethan's spirits.
The light ahead gradually grew brighter, and even Cubone couldn't help but get excited.
Then, as they turned a corner—
A streak of silver darted past!
"What was that?"
Ethan froze, alert.
Cubone gripped its bone tightly, ready to throw.
But after waiting a long moment, nothing else happened.
"Move slowly. Be ready."
"Cuba~"
With light so close, Ethan wasn't about to turn back.
Carefully, they advanced to the bend where the silver shape had vanished.
Suddenly, a powerful gust howled through the tunnel, forcing Ethan and Cubone to step back.
Then — a silver figure shot out like a missile, circled the rock wall, and lunged at them again!
But this time Ethan got a good look. His fear transformed instantly into elation.
Its body was like a massive steel claw, its round head dominated by a single large black-and-red eye.
From its rear jutted three golden spikes like thrusters.
That color! That shape! That gaze!
A Shiny Beldum!
Years from now, this very Pokémon would evolve into a tyrannical Metagross, feared across the mountain, defeating countless Trainers who sought to capture it.
Ethan had no doubt — the one before him was destined for that future!
And the odds of both a Shiny Beldum and a Shiny Metagross appearing in the same mountain? Not even someone named Zvolski could pull that off.
Since arriving in this world, Ethan had finally, finally glimpsed a way to carve out his fortune, just like in the original story.
And it all began here — with this Shiny Beldum!
"Cubone, Bone Boomerang!"
Ethan didn't hesitate. With treasure in front of him, there was no chance he'd let it escape.
Beldum, with no arms or legs, had only its iron head — but it charged fearlessly to meet the attack head-on.
Tackle vs. Bone Boomerang!
Clang!
The thick bone was knocked aside, but Beldum pressed forward, unphased, driving straight at Cubone.
"Use Curse! Then Screech!"
As Curse empowered it, Cubone's defenses rose. Its eyes hardened with determination, vowing to stop Beldum in its tracks.
The moment they clashed, Cubone lowered its head and scraped its skull against Beldum's iron body, unleashing a piercing Screech.
At the same time, the spinning Bone Boomerang returned, slamming into Beldum's back!
Boom!
The impact of Beldum's Tackle stirred up a cloud of dust.
Ethan shielded his mouth and nose, stepping back as the dust quickly cleared, revealing the two Pokémon locked in a test of strength.
Cubone was clinging tightly to Beldum's round head.
Beldum, like a thruster at full burn, kept driving forward, though its momentum sputtered. The second strike of Bone Boomerang had clearly dealt it heavy damage.
"Cubone, don't back down! Use Stomping Tantrum!"
"Cuba—!"
Clutching onto Beldum, Cubone let out a cry before slamming its short legs down hard on the ground. A surge of Ground-type energy pulsed out, washing over Beldum and breaking its push.
Beldum was blasted backward. Ethan seized the moment and hurled a Poké Ball.
A flash of red light swallowed Beldum and drew it inside.
But before the Poké Ball even hit the ground, it burst open, releasing the iron will of the Steel-type.
"You really are stubborn. Cubone, Bone Club!"
With a shout, Cubone raised its bone weapon and rushed forward.
Even heavily injured, Beldum charged again with another relentless Tackle — determined to fight head-on until the end.
Crash!
Bone Club and Tackle collided once more.
This time, Beldum was knocked back by the crushing blow, and as it reeled, Ethan's second Poké Ball struck.
The capsule shook violently, but unlike the first attempt, it didn't burst open immediately.
Ethan and Cubone watched without blinking, ready with another Poké Ball if necessary.
Shake… shake… shake…
Click!
The ball stilled.
For a heartbeat, Ethan was stunned. Then, when Cubone happily picked up the Poké Ball and offered it to him, he finally accepted the truth.
He had really done it.
He had captured a Shiny Beldum!
Ethan immediately released it. Even though its single crimson eye still glared with hostility, Ethan chuckled softly and pulled out a case of Steel-type Pokéblocks.
"You're hurt. Here, eat this — you'll feel better fast."
Beldum floated silently, but did not turn away.
And so began Ethan Bright's bond with his rarest partner yet.
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