🎄 Christmas Special Discount 🎄
From December 23 to December 25, there will be a public 50% discount on the following tiers:
Intermediate Trainers, Advanced Trainers, Elite Trainers, Elite Four Trainers, Champion Trainers, and Legendary Trainers.
🎆 New Year Discount 🎆
There will also be a 50% discount, but it won't be public. On December 31, the discount code will be published inside the chapters, so stay tuned 👀✨
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"Cacturne, in this battle, we're counting on you," said Ethan Black seriously.
Cacturne nodded with the same grave expression and immediately used Ingrain in place.
"Onix, Golem, Lairon, you three hold the defense outside. Nosepass, Magcargo, and Corsola, use ranged attacks," ordered Jasper Reid, reacting quickly and positioning his Pokémon strategically, silently waiting for the forest enemy to make its appearance.
They didn't have to wait long. In the faint moonlight, dozens of Ekans began sliding out from the trees, instantly filling the entire field in front of them.
Behind them stood several Arbok, their eyes glowing with a cold light.
"There are so many Ekans and Arbok... must be over a hundred," Jasper Reid said, his face grim.
"Doesn't matter. As long as we unleash the full power of Sandstorm, numbers won't be a problem," replied Ethan Black, taking a deep breath.
His eyes met Sandslash's; they both nodded, and in one leap, the Pokémon left the cave.
"Sandslash, Sandstorm!"
Even while in formation, the Ekans were met by the combined attack. Within seconds, a sandstorm swept across the field.
"Good. Under this weather, my rock army will fear nothing," said Jasper Reid, sending Onix, Golem, and Lairon to the front.
The three Rock-types gained a significant boost in special defense under the sandstorm, becoming true walls. Especially Lairon, which, thanks to its Steel type, was completely immune to Poison, becoming a key piece of the battle.
"Ssshhh!"
The Ekans, irritated by the sand hitting their bodies, flailed in fury. On the order of a lead Arbok, the horde charged toward the cave.
"Roots!" ordered Ethan Black.
Cacturne's roots erupted from the ground, entangling several Ekans and forming tangled lumps that the other Pokémon used to smash them to the ground.
"Everyone, back! Magcargo, Flamethrower!"
Flames shot from Magcargo's mouth, igniting the roots and enveloping the snakes in a sea of fire. Several snakes retreated, but some, their bodies blackened by burns, crawled forward—Ekans were tough and still able to fight.
The storm continued blowing, extinguishing some of the flames but constantly wearing down the attackers.
"Ssshh!"
The three largest Arbok roared and led another charge, followed by a large number of Ekans.
"Again, Roots!" ordered Ethan Black.
But this time, the Arbok responded by shooting Acid, instantly dissolving the roots. The other Ekans copied the tactic, biting and poisoning the vines.
"Damn, the roots are too vulnerable to poison," muttered Ethan Black.
He had tried to train Cacturne to resist poison but had no success.
"Cacturne, no holding back! Use Magical Roots!"
The vines were enveloped in Plant energy, gaining strength and resistance to Poison, but their number was drastically reduced to about ten.
The battle entered close combat. From the rear, Shellder, Meltan, and Trapinch fired ranged attacks, and the roars and explosions filled the area. Ekans fell, crushed, torn apart, or struck down by projectiles.
Over time, Sandslash, Onix, Golem, and Lairon began showing injuries. Onix and Golem, without poison immunity, were turning a worrying shade of purple.
Lairon, on the other hand, maintained control, blocking two Arbok at the same time. Sandslash, spinning relentlessly with Gyro Ball, hurled anyone who came near into the air, unaffected by poison thanks to its steel coverage.
"This is the final stretch; we can't let them through," warned Ethan Black.
"Cacturne, use Rototiller to block their path!"
The roots began turning the soil, creating uneven, soft terrain that drastically slowed the snakes' advance, preventing them from reaching the cave... for now.
(End of chapter)