Three days later...
Ethan Black, along with Alex Baxter and Jasper Reid, left the Secret Kingdom.
Alex Baxter and Jasper Reid decided to go home to collect the Pokémon they had left behind. After three days, they had also reviewed numerous books at the university team headquarters on how to form a Pokémon team and had already come up with some ideas.
As for Ethan Black, he planned to find a Shellder with the hidden ability Overcoat, to confirm his theory about that ability.
After saying their goodbyes in Ironvale City, Alex Baxter and Jasper Reid took separate transportation, while Ethan Black headed to a Pokémon breeding center he had heard about.
Due to the power that Pokémon possess, their trade is strictly regulated by the League. Especially when it comes to buying and selling, it is only allowed if authorized by the League. Any illegal sale is punished with the same severity as weapon trafficking.
With his course clear, Ethan Black walked toward the busiest neighborhood in Ironvale City.
Since this was a world of Pokémon, there were signs related to them everywhere in the streets of Ironvale City. Even in many advertisements, the faces of former celebrities had been replaced by Pokémon as brand images.
As he walked through these streets filled with Pokémon, none of them looking out of place, Ethan Black scanned the signs of the shops until he finally found the breeding center.
Upon entering, the first thing he saw was a large number of Pokémon eggs placed in nutrition capsules. Compared to fully developed Pokémon, those born from eggs were undoubtedly better as initial Pokémon for novice trainers.
"Are you looking to buy a Pokémon, young man?" asked an employee with a smile as she approached.
"Yes, I want to buy a Pokémon," Ethan Black nodded as he browsed the shelves.
"Perfect. Would you like an egg or a newborn Pokémon?"
"Our newborn Pokémon are incubated with professional methods, and we guarantee their health. In addition, they are carefully raised by our caretakers, ensuring better development than others of their species."
The employee spoke enthusiastically.
"Show me the newborns," Ethan Black replied after thinking for a moment.
"Very well, this way," said the employee, leading him to the back yard.
Shortly after, they arrived at a large yard where dozens of small Pokémon were playing happily.
At first glance, their development was truly excellent.
Ethan Black scanned the area when he spotted a few small Sandshrew playing in the sand. The sight reminded him of his first encounter with his own.
At the same time, the PokéBall in his pocket vibrated slightly; evidently, Sandslash had also sensed the presence of its kind.
"Do you have Shellder?" asked Ethan Black, gently touching the PokéBall containing Sandslash while smiling.
"Yes, we have some," replied the employee, leading him to a pool.
Peering into the water, he saw several water-type Pokémon like Goldeen and Magikarp swimming. In the back, he could make out a few Shellder.
With the help of another employee, they brought out a total of thirteen Shellder and placed them on a sandy area for Ethan Black to choose from.
Ethan Black nodded and released Sandslash to accompany him as he approached.
Once near the Shellder, Ethan Black reached into his pocket, took out some colorless powder, and discreetly sprinkled it under the cover of Sandslash.
As soon as the powder touched the Shellder, they narrowed their eyes with an obvious expression of pleasure.
"None of them have the Overcoat ability?" Ethan Black murmured, shaking his head slightly.
The Overcoat ability is a hidden ability that protects against weather damage and powder-based attacks. It is quite rare.
"Looks like these Shellder haven't woken up yet," joked Ethan Black, laughing as he returned them to the water.
Once submerged, the Shellder regained energy and began swimming happily.
The employee looked at Ethan Black with some doubt.
"Did any of them catch your attention?"
"Not for now. Show me other Pokémon," Ethan Black replied, disappointed.
Under the employee's guidance, he toured the entire breeding center.
"As I imagined, a Shellder with the Overcoat ability won't be easy to find," sighed Ethan Black as he took out the jar with the colorless powder from his pocket.
Though it was made from Sleep Powder, this powder was actually a substance called "Calming Dust." Like incense, when lit, it releases a calming aroma that clears the mind.
Ethan Black had put a lot of effort into obtaining this jar. In fact, it was Alex Baxter who had helped him get it.
This powder had no significant side effects, so Ethan Black wasn't worried about the breeding center noticing or causing any problems.
"There are very few Shellder at breeding centers... If I want one with the Overcoat ability, I'll have to go to a specialized farm," Ethan Black concluded, sighing as he checked his cellphone for farms.
Suddenly, a breaking news story about a typhoon caught his attention.
He narrowed his eyes, opened the news, and saw images of the devastation caused by the typhoon.
As he scrolled through the screen, he found a picture of many Pokémon being swept by the waves onto land. Some amphibious Pokémon had even begun to invade urban areas.
"The world is vast... How many places have yet to be explored by humans?"
"The ocean and the desert... every day new Secret Kingdoms are opening up in those territories, beyond our control."
"And with Pokémon emerging from those places, they've become off-limits areas for humanity," Ethan Black remembered Professor Harris's words.
Oceans, deserts, unexplored places... all of them have become refuges for Pokémon.
And just one typhoon was enough to release so many Pokémon!
Imagining the amount that lives in the deep seas is beyond human comprehension!
(End of chapter)