As evening approached, several trainers began to return to the supply area to rest.
Just as the others were relaxing, Rachel Blake went to look for Ethan Black.
"I've found a place where there's a large number of Shellder."
"I can take you there and help you capture one that meets what you're looking for."
Upon hearing this, Ethan Black's eyes immediately lit up.
After all, they were still in a disaster zone, where dangers could appear at any moment. If he had the help of Rachel Blake, a professional Pokémon hunter, his safety would practically be guaranteed.
Moreover, the Shellder he wanted had to have the hidden ability Overcoat, and if possible, have inherited the move Barrier. Finding one like that wasn't easy! With Rachel Blake helping him, it would be much simpler.
"But there's one condition: you'll have to accept one of my conditions." Rachel Blake went straight to the point in front of Ethan Black.
"A condition?"
"What kind of condition?" Ethan Black asked, slightly frowning.
"Before I tell you, I want to test your strength."
"If you pass the test, then I'll tell you my condition," Rachel Blake replied with a slight smile.
As soon as she finished speaking, a young nurse appeared from behind.
"This is my younger sister, Hailey Blake, a Pokémon breeder. She was just assigned to this supply station to help," Rachel Blake said, looking affectionately at her sister.
"Pokémon breeder?" Ethan Black couldn't help but be surprised. In an era where Pokémon had only been present for a couple of decades, becoming a breeder was quite difficult.
"Fight me, okay?" said Hailey Blake, eagerly taking off her nurse uniform and looking at Ethan Black with expectation.
"Alright, I accept." Ethan Black nodded at her.
"Then, let's go! I choose you, partner!" Hailey Blake exclaimed as she threw her Poké Ball.
Out came a Marshtomp.
Marshtomp was the evolved form of Mudkip, one of Hoenn's starters. It had a body of intense sky blue, with black fins, gills, and orange eyes. It stood upright on its two legs, full of energy.
"Marshtomp, huh?" Ethan Black murmured thoughtfully.
"Then, let's go! Cacnea!" he said, throwing out his Poké Ball.
"This is the Pokémon I plan to use in my upcoming battles," Ethan Black explained, perhaps anticipating that his Cacnea had a type advantage over Marshtomp.
"No problem," Hailey Blake replied confidently. "As a ring leader in the Pokémon Club, fighting with a type disadvantage is part of the daily routine."
"Since I was the one who released my Pokémon first, I also get the first move, right?"
"Marshtomp, go with Ice Punch! Show your strength!"
With that command, Marshtomp propelled itself powerfully with its legs, using the terrain, and rushed forward at full speed. Its fist glowed with a cold light: a layer of frost covered it as it punched directly toward Cacnea.
"Ice Punch?! No wonder she was so confident..." Ethan Black couldn't help but be surprised. That attack had a type advantage over Cacnea. But he reacted quickly: "Cacnea, use Magical Leaf!"
"!!Cac cac cac!!"
Cacnea roared. Immediately, Plant-type energy concentrated in its body. Sharp leaves materialized out of nowhere, gathered like arrows, and shot directly toward Marshtomp.
At the same time, Cacnea, having grown up wild and specialized in long-range attacks, naturally applied a harassment tactic from a distance. Faced with Marshtomp, which sought close combat, it responded by keeping its distance and relentlessly attacking.
(End of chapter)