"I didn't think its strength would increase this much!"
Seeing the imposing presence of the lead Arbok, Ethan Black's face grew much more serious.
"Ssshhh!"
On the battlefield, the lead Arbok, seeing the figure that had previously severely injured it now sent flying by its attack, let out an excited roar.
However, just as it moved to pursue and finish the attack, two sand whirlwinds suddenly formed in front of it, spinning around and completely blocking its path.
Boom!
Taking advantage of the opening, Shellder's Hydro Pump shot through the space between the two whirlwinds, hitting the lead Arbok directly.
"Aghhh!"
A scream echoed as the unexpected impact made it stagger.
At the same time, Trapinch seized the opportunity: both whirlwinds surged forward at once, sweeping directly across the lead Arbok's body.
But its strength had increased too much; with a single tail swipe, it broke both whirlwinds, sending a cloud of sand into the air.
Zas!
Zas!
Zas!
At that moment, Cacturne's combined Magical Roots move surged through the sandstorm, following its path to entangle firmly around the lead Arbok's body.
"Ssshhh!"
As the sand cleared, the bright green tendrils wrapping the lead Arbok could be seen.
At that moment, it looked like a dragon ensnared in a wizard's enchanted chains, completely immobilized and unable to free itself.
"Well done! Meltan, seal its mouth!"
As soon as Ethan Black gave the order, Meltan was already in front of him.
Leaping, it opened in the air like a cloth and completely covered the lead Arbok's head.
"Harden!"
Seeing this, Ethan Black clenched his fist with excitement.
With a silver flash, Meltan quickly used Harden, solidifying its liquid body like mercury into an iron block that fully enclosed the lead Arbok's head.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
With its head trapped, the lead Arbok began thrashing violently, striking the ground in an attempt to free itself from Meltan.
"That's not enough yet!"
"Sandslash, use Metal Claw to increase your attack."
Ethan Black gave the command, and Sandslash charged forward.
Metal Claw cuts the opponent with steel claws, and sometimes boosts attack power.
Although the chance to increase attack is low, repeating the move several times naturally raises that probability.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
While the lead Arbok struggled to free itself from Meltan, all the other Pokémon attacked simultaneously. The field was filled with bursts of energy.
After several rounds, Cacturne was finally forced to release it.
Then, the lead Arbok's tail glowed purple and it struck its own head.
"Meltan, move!"
Although Ethan Black shouted, Meltan had already noticed the attack thanks to its visible eye, and jumped just as the tail rose.
Boom!
The lead Arbok's poisonous tail hit its own head with full force.
Stunned and seeing stars, its body began twisting and spinning uncontrollably.
"Now's the time!"
"Sandslash, use Rapid Spin and Fury Swipes!"
With a roar, Sandslash unleashed all its energy. The Normal-type power of Rapid Spin enveloped its body as it began spinning at high speed.
Boom!
With the spin, the energy concentrated and formed a storm of pure Normal-type force around it.
When the storm reached the lead Arbok, its scales began sparking as if thousands of blades were endlessly cutting through them.
Those "blades" were Sandslash's claws: using Fury Swipes while spinning created countless shadowed claws, rotating together to form a terrifying storm of energy.
Zasshh!
In an instant, Sandslash pierced through the lead Arbok's body, leaving a trail of blood behind.
Drip... drip...
Amid the crimson rain, the figure of the lead Arbok vanished from the battlefield.
Sandslash slowed, falling exhausted to the ground.
"Sandslash!"
Ethan Black ran to it, protected by Shellder's Barrier.
Examining it, he confirmed it was only exhausted and let out a relieved sigh.
"You did it, Sandslash... our Energy Storm."
Sandslash let out a faint squeak; it had spent all its strength.
"Here, have some nutritious juice and rest in your Poké Ball."
After giving it the juice, Ethan Black returned it to its Poké Ball.
Then he tended to the rest of his team, giving them healing items and words of praise.
"And you, Absol, want some juice? It's really good."
With a slight smile, Ethan Black looked at the Absol watching him nearby.
(End of chapter)