Very soon, under the orders of Grand President Beckett, Trapinch number seven was sent by the staff to the headquarters of the Pokémon Researchers Guild.
"No mistake, it's this one," said Ethan Black when he saw the Trapinch he so greatly desired, showing a joyful smile.
Meanwhile, Grand President Beckett was leafing through the research information on said Trapinch.
According to the data, this Trapinch was a descendant of a Flying-type Pokémon and a Flygon. Although this Trapinch did not possess the Flying attribute, it did have a Flying-type move, making it quite a special specimen.
"Indeed, it's a Pokémon with outstanding talent," commented Grand President Beckett after reviewing the documents, nodding slightly, while Ethan Black watched him nervously.
"Don't be nervous," said Grand President Beckett. "This Trapinch will be in your care from now on. Take good care of it."
The following words made Ethan Black unable to contain an expression of joy.
It was evident that, although a Trapinch with such strong talent for Flying-type moves was very special, a wild Onix that had evolved was also special. Adding other considerations, Grand President Beckett ultimately decided to trade Trapinch for Steelix.
"Thank you very much, President Beckett," Ethan Black replied happily, immediately looking at the Trapinch in front of him.
At that moment, Trapinch, after hearing Grand President Beckett, raised its head to look at Ethan Black, and its eyes suddenly turned serious.
Then, it crouched down, taking on a battle stance, and, looking at Ethan Black, let out two calls.
"You mean that, to become your trainer, I must defeat you first?" asked Ethan Black, understanding its intention.
"Alright, then let's get ready to fight!"
After receiving its affirmative response, Ethan Black thought for a moment and took out Sandslash's Poké Ball.
Sandslash, just like Trapinch, was a Ground-type, so they were evenly matched in terms of attributes. Moreover, Ethan Black wanted to show it his full power to earn its recognition.
Seeing that Ethan Black was preparing to battle with Trapinch, all those present stepped back, leaving the battlefield free.
"Alright, let's go, Sandslash!" exclaimed Ethan Black as he threw the Poké Ball.
On the field appeared Sandslash, with red spines on its back and yellow-green skin, giving a fierce impression.
Trapinch contracted its pupils upon seeing it. Then it lifted both legs and stomped hard; a gust of wind surged from its legs and rushed toward Sandslash.
"Again with the move Gust?"
"Sandslash, use Sand Attack!"
Facing the gust, Sandslash counterattacked by lifting its arm and releasing a storm filled with sand.
Boom!
Both currents of wind collided in the air, violently stirring up the surroundings.
Taking advantage of the sand cover, Sandslash lunged forward through the dusty cloud. Its claw emitted a white gleam: Crush Claw!
Trapinch reacted quickly, propelling itself with its short legs, leaping toward it with jaws open and charged with sinister energy to bite down.
Boom!
The impact was brutal. After a brief struggle, Trapinch was sent flying by the blow of Sandslash's claw.
Although it had great talent, Trapinch had not received proper training and the difference with Sandslash was evident.
"Alright, the battle is decided. Trapinch, do you want to become my Pokémon?" asked Ethan Black, smiling as he approached with a bottle of nutritional juice.
Trapinch raised its head with effort, looked off at Sandslash in the distance and then at Ethan Black. It nodded, took the juice, and drank it eagerly.
"Congratulations, Ethan," said Alex Baxter as he came over. "I didn't expect this Trapinch to also know how to use the move Gust."
"I was just thinking of what gift to give you. I think you'll really like this Whirlwind move manual," he added, taking a book out of his backpack and handing it to him.
"The Whirlwind move manual?" Ethan Black was delighted.
He remembered that Alex Baxter's father had obtained that manual with great effort. Besides the training methods, it included numerous applications of the move.
According to Alex Baxter's description, if mastered to the fullest, it could even deflect the opponent's attacks!
Although Trapinch couldn't learn the move Whirlwind, it could use the move Gust, and since both were Flying-type moves, the manual would be very useful as a reference.
"Thanks," said Ethan Black, putting the book into his backpack.
"It's already late, you'd better head back," commented Alex Baxter, patting him on the shoulder.
"From what you're saying, you're not planning to leave?" asked Ethan Black in surprise.
"Exactly," replied Alex Baxter, nodding. "This is the main headquarters of the Pokémon Researchers Guild, a place dreamed of by countless researchers from our country. I don't plan on leaving so easily."
Ethan Black nodded. For someone who aspired to be a top-level researcher, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"Ethan, go get ready. In a moment I'll accompany you out of the Secret Kingdom," said President Hamilton, also patting him on the shoulder.
"Understood."
Ethan Black greeted Professors Harris and Reynolds, who, just like Alex Baxter, had decided to stay in the Secret Kingdom, as here they had all the necessary conditions for their research.
After saying goodbye, Ethan Black quickly returned to his room.
The first thing he did was take his old backpack and put inside it the space backpack he had in his hands.
The size fit perfectly.
Nodding in satisfaction, he stored all his belongings inside the space backpack.
It was truly practical: those three square meters of space were more than enough to store everything.
By closing the normal backpack, no one could guess that inside was a space backpack, whose value was no less than that of any rare item for a Pokémon. He hid it like this to avoid covetous looks.
"It's so light... it's like I'm not carrying anything at all," commented Ethan Black, trying it on and moving comfortably.
(End of chapter)