"Steelix!"
Seeing that silhouette, Ethan Black couldn't help but be astonished.
He hadn't expected that, in the deepest level of this cave, a Steelix would be living.
It must be remembered that, although Steelix is the evolution of Onix, for Onix to evolve into Steelix, the item Metal Coat and a trade are required.
However, in this world, the spatial fluctuations caused by the intersection between the Secret Kingdoms and reality can also have a similar effect to that of a trade, allowing Pokémon like Graveler or Machoke, who normally require trading to evolve, to evolve naturally.
Even so, the fact that a Steelix appeared here was quite surprising. In theory, even if Onix obtained the Metal Coat, it shouldn't be so easy to evolve.
Moreover, this Steelix was abnormally large. Although normal Steelix already measure around 10 meters, this one was far more colossal than an ordinary one.
BOOM!
While Ethan Black was wondering why a Steelix was here, a sudden explosion rang out from the Pokémon's body, waking it from its deep sleep.
"I knew it was that Meltan!"
Ethan Black's heart skipped a beat. Looking over, he indeed saw that Meltan had attacked Steelix.
"ROAAR!"
With a furious roar, Steelix rose upon its gigantic body, its gaze fixed in the direction the attack had come from.
Faced with Steelix's piercing glare, Meltan stepped back. Suddenly, its golden nut began to concentrate energy, releasing the move Flash Cannon directly at Steelix's head.
"ROAAR!"
Steelix roared angrily and lunged toward Meltan with clearly destructive intent.
Meltan, facing the fierce attack, fled. Its body curled into a ball and began rolling quickly, heading straight toward Ethan Black.
"Damn it!"
Ethan Black panicked as he saw that Meltan wanted to drag Steelix's fury onto him. He was about to retreat down the passage when, from behind him, a strong vibration announced the arrival of a massive Golem walking slowly forward.
"I'm trapped between two fronts!"
Seeing Golem approaching, Ethan Black grew alarmed. Then, gritting his teeth, he fled to the other side of the cave with his Pokémon.
The sudden appearance of Ethan Black provoked another roar from Steelix. It opened its mouth and fired the move Flash Cannon directly at Ethan Black.
"This is bad!"
"Shellder, use Barrier!"
Ethan Black's face went pale. Although Shellder raised a defensive barrier, it was immediately destroyed by the attack.
"I'm finished!"
Ethan Black felt his soul turn cold.
But at that instant, a stone wall unexpectedly rose before him, completely blocking Steelix's Flash Cannon.
BOOM!
The wall was destroyed in the explosion, but the Flash Cannon also dissipated.
"That was Wide Guard!"
"Was it that Golem?"
Ethan Black looked toward the cave entrance and saw Golem planted firmly there, its gaze locked onto Steelix. Both Pokémon looked ready to clash.
"ROOAR!"
After a brief moment of tension, Steelix roared again and launched Flash Cannon once more, this time directly at Golem.
Golem was not intimidated. Gathering energy into its fist, it countered with a direct punch.
BOOM!
In terms of power, Steelix was clearly stronger. With just that attack, it managed to force Golem back several steps.
Just as Steelix was about to continue its offensive, Meltan rejoined the battle, firing Flash Cannon, which made Steelix's head turn from the impact.
"Is this Meltan cooperating with Golem to fight Steelix?"
Ethan Black frowned at the sight, suspecting that he had been deliberately lured into this trap.
"Chzzzz!"
While Ethan Black was thinking, Meltan leapt in front of him and began waving its tiny arms urgently.
"You want us to work together to defeat Steelix?"
Ethan Black pointed at Steelix, who was still fighting against Golem, and asked.
Meltan immediately nodded, pointing at Steelix while emitting electrical sounds from its mouth.
"I knew it! You used me as bait!"
Confirming his suspicions, Ethan Black looked resigned. He couldn't believe he had been manipulated by a mere Pokémon!
But then he thought: why should he help Meltan?
Both Steelix and Meltan were technically his enemies...
BOOM!
As he pondered, the cave walls shook violently.
Suddenly, an Onix burst out from the wall, quickly heading toward the battlefield.
But before it could arrive, the ground beneath it collapsed. A Graveler emerged and used Heavy Slam to ram it forcefully, sending it flying backward.
At the same time, another rumble came from the entrance. A colossal Aggron entered the scene.
Without delay, Aggron launched Flash Cannon directly at Steelix, causing it to stagger.
"This is turning into a gang assault!"
Seeing that several powerful Pokémon had joined to attack Steelix, Ethan Black's expression grew serious.
All those Pokémon were extremely strong, and even so, Steelix was still standing—and even managing to fight back!
"Chzzzz!"
Seeing that Steelix continued resisting, Meltan cried out several times impatiently at Ethan Black.
Since Ethan Black wasn't reacting, Meltan began talking to Golem, Magneton, and the rest of Ethan Black's team, gesturing enthusiastically.
After listening to Meltan, Golem and Donphan exchanged a glance, then looked at Ethan Black.
Not only them. Cacnea and Shellder also turned to him, with an expression that seemed to be asking him to make a decision.
(End of chapter)