🎆 Happy New Year! 🎆
Thank you all for the amazing support throughout this year. 💙To celebrate the arrival of the new year, here is a special New Year code:
🎁 Code:NewYear: F3B16
📅 Code validity:
Start: December 30, 2025 at 11:55 p.m.
End: January 2, 2026 at 11:00 p.m.
Enjoy it and let's start this new year strong. 🚀✨Here's to an amazing 2026! 🎉
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In the days that followed, Ethan Black and his Pokémon spent nearly all their time training.
During that period, both the ranking competition and the university team tournament took place. In the ranking, Ethan Black, thanks to the outstanding performance of his Cacturne, successfully defended his first-place title.
However, in the university team tournament, since his main Pokémon had already fought in previous battles and lacked enough backup, they ultimately lost against the veteran team.
Even so, in that match, his Shellder's performance astonished everyone, showing exceptional ability.
After receiving another large number of resource points, Ethan Black didn't redeem them immediately. Instead, he planned to save them and, once he had enough, exchange them for a Hidden Power move potion.
One month later, on the tenth day, the Strongest Shellder Tournament also began. Ethan Black, riding Absol, quickly left the Pokémon University of Ironvale City and headed toward the Slowpoke ranch.
With Absol's speed, they soon arrived at the ranch. Perhaps because of the temptation of that top-grade Water Stone, the ranch was already crowded with people.
After quickly registering at the sign-up point, Ethan Black obtained qualification to compete, along with free lodging provided by the organizers.
"Ethan Black? So this guy really came?" In a luxurious inn in the village, a young man sneered when he received the news.
"Mr. Adrian, what do you think of that Shellder?"
"Although that Shellder's shell is damaged, it seems that for that very reason, having lost part of its powerful physical defense, its psychic strength and long-range offensive ability have been greatly enhanced. You could say it was born with the effect of the move Shell Smash naturally."
"Also, that Shellder has learned the Psychic-type Hidden Power move, which is extremely rare. It's truly outstanding."
"The only thing I don't know is whether those cracks in its shell will affect the ritual."
"If we could somehow repair them, that would be perfect." His eyes gleamed with expectation.
...
Meanwhile, in the arena of the Strongest Shellder Tournament, numerous trainers waited for the competition to begin, with their Shellder at their sides.
To choose the strongest, the tournament was divided into three stages:
The first stage, a test of offensive power, meant to eliminate most Shellder with low performance.
The second stage, a test of defense, since the greatest strength of the species was its endurance; a Shellder without good defense couldn't be called the strongest.
The third stage, a test of stamina, consisting of a swimming race through turbulent waters.
"Three stages to test attack, defense, and stamina?" Ethan Black muttered thoughtfully as he read the rules.
For the first test, he had no concerns: the current Shellder, with his strong psychic power, had an outstanding special attack.
Defense, on the other hand, was uncertain. With a broken shell, his physical defense was very low.
But upon reviewing the rules, he saw that defense didn't mean standing still taking hits; dodging or blocking with moves was also allowed.
Reading this, Ethan Black let out a sigh of relief. If defensive moves could be used, he was confident his Shellder wouldn't fall behind any other.
As for the swimming race... Ethan Black smiled confidently, with no worry at all.
The result was exactly as expected: in the first attack test, Shellder took first place by using Hydro Pump just once.
In the second defense test, Ethan Black went out first. Many competitors, seeing the cracks in the shell, smirked, convinced he wouldn't pass that round.
But the result left everyone stunned. Simply by using the move Barrier, Shellder easily blocked the continuous test attacks, passing the evaluation without trouble.
Finally, in the swimming race, Shellder controlled the water with such mastery it practically seemed like cheating, riding the current forward to secure victory.
Thus, with absolute superiority, Shellder was crowned the strongest in the tournament, earning the title of "Most Powerful Shellder" and receiving a top-grade Water Stone.
"At last, the Water Stone is in my hands." Ethan Black smiled as he looked at it.
In his arms, Shellder, wearing a crown, overflowed with excitement, showing unusual pride.
Shellder: Don't meddle in my business.
...
In a corner of the arena, Adrian Walsh observed Ethan Black and his Shellder with great interest.
"The more I look at it, the more I like it. It's the perfect offering for my Slowpoke to evolve into a king."
His eyes narrowed as he spun a Poké Ball in his hand.
"Mr. Adrian, if you wish, I can capture that Shellder immediately," said a masked man in black who approached respectfully from behind.
"Good, I'll leave it to you," Adrian Walsh replied without hesitation. "But make sure to capture it before it evolves into Cloyster."
"Also, send people to capture the other Shellder that made it to the finals. With all of them, we can raise some exceptional Slowkings."
The masked man nodded, and his figure silently disappeared from the place.
"The strongest Shellder... this is getting more and more interesting," Adrian Walsh murmured with a smile.
(End of chapter)