🎆 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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"The process of Slowking's evolution? Could it be that man in black was following me because of Shellder?"
Upon seeing the mural, Ethan Black finally understood. The reason that man dressed in black had sought him out was precisely because of his Shellder.
After all, his Shellder had earned the title of the strongest, making it a perfect candidate for Slowking's evolution.
"So you've already figured it out."
While Ethan Black was reflecting, a new figure dressed in black entered from outside.
From the voice, it was clear this was not the same one he had fought earlier; this one seemed younger, and somewhat shorter in stature.
At his side there wasn't a Gengar or a Nidoking, but rather a Slowpoke floating around him.
Slowpoke had a pink, somewhat plump body, curled ears, big eyes with tiny pupils, and a completely vacant expression. Its legs were short, each limb ending in a single claw, and it had a long pink tail. The first impression was one of adorable clumsiness.
"That Slowpoke..."
When Ethan Black looked more closely, his pupils contracted.
The creature's pink skin looked dull and faded, surrounded by a faint black mist. And the most terrifying thing: instead of the usual vacant, foolish eyes, what stood out was a pair of blood-red eyes. That sinister gaze made it impossible to connect it with the usual image of a Slowpoke.
"Well? This Slowpoke is the one I chose to evolve into Slowking. I'm certain he and your Shellder will make a perfect pair."
The young man in black chuckled softly. As he spoke, Slowpoke floated a little forward, and its red eyes fixed on Shellder.
"Hmph, you won't succeed!"
"I don't know what method you used to bring me here... but if you think you can snatch Shellder from me, it won't be that easy!"
"Besides, the League will surely find a way to track this place down. When that happens, you'll have nowhere to run!"
Ethan Black stepped back a few paces, shielding Shellder in his arms, his voice low but firm.
"Sha!"
"Cac!"
His Pokémon's voices rang out at once, expressing their determination to protect their companion.
"Hmph? Once you've arrived here, you no longer have a choice."
"Besides, this Slowpoke used Teleport to bring you into a secret space. The League... is nowhere near capable of locating this place and rescuing you."
The young man in black smiled as he replied. Suddenly, five black Poké Balls appeared in his hand. Pressing their buttons, they enlarged, and a dark glow seeped through his fingers, dyeing his hands black.
"Tch!"
Clenching his teeth against the pain, he threw all the Poké Balls at once.
A sinister glow filled the cavern, and from that light emerged five silhouettes: Alakazam, Hypno, Grumpig, Mr. Mime, and Xatu.
Just like Slowpoke, all five were shrouded in a dark aura. Their eyes gleamed red, while a malignant energy filled the atmosphere. Black waves spread from their bodies, creating an unsettling, suffocating pressure.
"They're all Psychic-types!"
Ethan Black's expression changed. Psychic-type Pokémon were among the rarest and hardest to capture; their intelligence sometimes even surpassed humans'. Earning their recognition was no simple feat.
"And those black Poké Balls... what are they?"
A bad premonition surged in his chest.
"Ah... what a fascinating power."
The man in black spoke with delight as he looked over his six Pokémon. Then he fixed his gaze on Ethan Black.
"It seems battle is inevitable. I wonder if the other man in black, the Poison-type expert, is also nearby..."
Ethan Black quickly glanced toward the cave's entrance, clutching Shellder tightly.
"Go! Bring me that Shellder!"
At the order, the six Pokémon roared in unison. Immediately, six beams of psychic energy crossed in the air and shot directly at Ethan Black.
"Hold on!"
Sandslash, Cacturne, Shellder, Meltan, Trapinch, and Absol responded with all their strength.
The moves: Sand Whirl, Magical Roots, Hydro Pump, Thunderbolt, Gust, and Dark Pulse collided with the downpour of psychic powers. The clash shook the entire cavern with a thunderous boom.
"Psychic!"
In the middle of the chaos, Ethan Black heard the enemy's voice. Suddenly, he felt his entire body crushed by an invisible force.
"Abbssss!"
At the last moment, Absol stepped in, blocking the strike with his own body.
"Thank you, Absol."
"Everyone, be careful... those six are Psychic-types."
Ethan Black peeked out from behind Absol, his face grim. Fortunately, Absol was a Dark-type, highly resistant to Psychic-type moves.
"Psychic-types tend to be frail... Cacturne, use the roots! Sandslash, prepare Sandstorm!"
Ethan Black's eyes gleamed. In this scenario, Sandstorm could inflict heavy wear on those frail-defensed Pokémon.
Cacturne nodded and stepped forward to shield Ethan Black. He was also a Dark-type, giving him the advantage against Psychic-types.
"Cac!"
Countless roots burst from the ground, lashing toward the six enemies.
But their reaction was almost immediate: a psychic flash coursed through their bodies, and they all vanished with Teleport, evading the vines.
(End of chapter)