Bang, bang, bang!
Beedrill's long needle swung continuously, knocking down the incoming sharp rocks, its fierce scarlet compound eyes scanning the entrance.
Natsuhiko also shone the flashlight beam into the entrance.
He then saw numerous cocoon-like objects hanging densely from the upper rock wall, wrapped in thick and differently colored rock fragments, looking like suspended rocks at first glance.
The previous attack was launched by several "cocoons" closest to the entrance.
"Wormadam?"
Seeing their appearance, Natsuhiko recognized these densely packed hundreds of "cocoons". They were registered Pokémon from the Sinnoh Region—Wormadam.
More precisely, Wormadam in the Sand Cloak form.
At first glance, they looked like individual cocoons wrapped in thick sand.
Wormadam has three forms: Plant Cloak, Sand Cloak, and Trash Cloak.
Different forms give them different attributes and techniques they can learn.
Plant Cloak Wormadam are Insect-type and Grass-type Pokémon, while Sand Cloak Wormadam are Insect-type and Ground-type Pokémon. Trash Cloak Wormadam are Insect-type and Steel-type Pokémon.
Because of the different attribute combinations, their resistances vary. Plant Cloak Wormadam have the most weaknesses, followed by Sand Cloak form. Trash Cloak form is quite outstanding in attributes, combining Insect and Steel types, making them only have one major weakness: four times weakness to fire.
They are among the few Pokémon with multiple evolution forms.
The form they evolve into depends on the Burmy prior to evolution.
Burmies also have three forms, which change according to the cloak material they weave.
However, Burmy's attributes don't change with their cloak. The cloak is more like clothing to protect against cold weather, and a defense against predators.
But Wormadam's form depends on the cloak Burmy wears during evolution, and after evolution, they lose the ability to change their cloak, fixing their attributes.
This type of Pokémon is considered one of the more interesting creatures in the Pokémon Realm.
Sand Cloak Wormadam prefer places like caves and rock chambers.
The rock wall before Natsuhiko was actually their creation, a form of self-protection.
Beedrill destroyed the rock wall they had built, naturally considering them intruders, leading to the attack.
"So this is the Wormadam's territory," Natsuhiko remarked.
The mineral-rich rocks in this cave indeed provide a suitable survival environment for Wormadam.
Hundreds of Wormadam's eyes were fixed on Natsuhiko and his team, not too friendly.
"Ordinary people who reach this rock wall likely think it's the end. If it weren't for Sableye, they wouldn't find this place."
Natsuhiko signaled a strategic withdrawal.
"Yongji."
Yujira shouted, once again merging his psychic link with Natsuhiko's, presenting its discovery in Natsuhiko's mind.
It was a crack.
Behind the Wormadam, the rock wall had a crack similar to the one they passed when entering.
Natsuhiko squinted his eyes, understanding Yujira's meaning.
"Meaning, behind this Wormadam group, is another rock wall they've built. This cave isn't a dead end, but they succeeded in erecting two walls inside the cave to block both entrances?"
A possible unexplored or long-forgotten cave.
Even if someone discovered the Wormadam behind the rock wall like Natsuhiko, they likely wouldn't delve deeper, choosing not to disturb them or daring not to, thus missing the exploration.
Judging by the rock wall's color, there's hardly any difference, easily indicating it hasn't been visited for a long time.
What lies inside?
Sableye is likely already inside.
That suggests there might be space beyond.
After a brief hesitation, Natsuhiko decided to go in and take a look!
"Beedrill, clear the path."
With Natsuhiko's command, the Pokémon prepared for battle.
The Wormadam, although generally not strong in individual power, were vast in numbers, requiring careful protection.
Yujira guarded Natsuhiko's side while Beedrill and Honedge resisted and attacked. Togetic kept using Water Fluctuation and Divine Power, balancing between offensive output and control.
Progress was challenging but steady.
Natsuhiko wasn't aiming for complete cleaning here, just intended to go in and inspect.
"Woo!"
Until a formidable Wormadam, empowered by Butterfly Dance, launched an attack at Natsuhiko.
A Senior Level Wormadam, likely the leader of the group, skilled in Butterfly Dance, with increased strength.
Observing the Wormadam's faint glow under the flashlight's illumination, reflecting glimmers similar to Beedrill.
"Silver Powder?"
Wormadam is one of the few Insect-type Pokémon capable of producing "Silver Powder" items.
Few know how it is produced, but most "Silver Powder" circulating on the market is extracted from various Insect-type Pokémon.
In fact, many Pokémon items, like Silver Powder, Poison Needle, and Curved Spoon, are obtained from Pokémon.
"Wormadam can produce 'Silver Powder', Combee can produce 'Sweet Honey'..."
Natsuhiko suddenly had a bold idea.
If he was already preparing to gather the Combee colony to provide a steady supply of "Sweet Honey", then collecting one Pokémon colony is one thing, gathering two colonies wouldn't be much different. Could he possibly...
Also, Combee's food is nectar or the honey produced, while Wormadam's food consists of mineral-rich rocks or nutrient-rich leaves, requiring little resource investment.
In the Pokémon Realm, families rearing Pokémon for profit are common.
For instance, Johto Region's Manjin City houses the largest Miltank ranch, MooMoo Milk spreading wealth unknown amounts.
Lance's Dragon Taming Race provides most of the "Dragon Scale" and "Dragon's Fang" within the Pokémon realm.
Flint's Zfuchi family not only controls Devon Company but excels in producing Aggron from mining rocks, extracting minerals, and creating an item that strengthens Rock-type Pokémon: "Hard Stone".
Countless examples exist.
Natsuhiko's targets, compared to monopolistic rearing, are merely hundreds of Combee and nearly a hundred Wormadam—insignificant by comparison.
However, the prerequisite is having a place of his own to rear these Pokémon.
Presently, the task is defeating the Wormadam leader, achieving half the goal of gathering the Wormadam colony.
He lacks sufficient Pokeballs to catch them one by one.
It's too demanding in terms of Pokeballs.
Capturing this Wormadam and leaving it here would mean returning later to take them all.