Secret Power can unleash different types of attack techniques in battle according to the terrain changes, and comes with different additional effects.
However, if used on some trees, bushes, or rocks, it can produce other effects, such as creating a temporary secret base.
It can be said to be a move very suitable for both battle and survival.
At this moment, Natsuhiko is in a tunnel that Togepi created with Secret Power, and he doesn't know where it leads.
But he was sure that they were sliding downwards, and the speed was getting faster and faster.
Reluctantly, Natsuhiko could only let Beedrill help slow down their speed. Otherwise, with such a long slide, they might end up with a broken bone or something when they hit the ground.
As for Togepi, which had retreated into its egg, it was nowhere to be seen in the passage.
Finally.
A faint glow appeared at the lower end of the tunnel.
Glowing moss added some visibility to this underground cave.
Whoosh—
Natsuhiko and Beedrill slid out from the tunnel.
Fortunately, Togepi was quite reliable. Upon exiting, they were not suspended tens of meters above the ground, and Natsuhiko landed steadily after releasing the Pokeball holding Pidgeotto.
He lifted his eyes.
The scene around him gave Natsuhiko quite a shock.
The dense glow of the moss hazily presented the appearance of this place in front of Natsuhiko.
Unlike the narrow tunnel before, this was an incredibly large underground space, with the ceiling at least twenty to thirty meters high, roughly estimated. It was a gigantic dome-shaped ceiling; on the rock walls within his visual range, there were numerous tunnels, large and small.
Also scattered in the space, were a few groups of Rock-type Pokémon.
A world in itself.
This was probably the only expression Natsuhiko could think of at the moment.
"Ssssbee."
Beedrill, frequently scanning the surroundings, noticed Togepi's petite figure and pointed with its long needle while calling out.
In the spacious and quiet environment, Beedrill's voice seemed particularly abrupt.
The gazes of many wild Pokémon involuntarily fell on Natsuhiko and Beedrill; not far away, Togepi's footsteps even came to a halt, somewhat stiffening.
Natsuhiko frowned.
For some reason, an uneasy feeling crept up inside him.
It was too quiet here.
But with Togepi right in front, Natsuhiko didn't have much time to ponder, and he took Beedrill as he chased after it.
Togepi revealed a face that looked worse than crying.
It lifted its foot, uncertain if it should place it down or keep it raised.
Until Natsuhiko and Beedrill appeared in front of it.
Seeing Togepi's appearance, the uneasiness in Natsuhiko's heart became even more prominent.
"Toka-ii..." a soft sigh.
Togepi was quite helpless regarding the relentless pursuit of Natsuhiko and Beedrill, hanging its head low with a look of resignation.
But having suffered losses before, Beedrill was no longer fooled. Its eyes locked tightly on Togepi, prepared to jab it with its needle if it dared to move.
Togepi helplessly waved its hand, slowly pushing away the long needle of Beedrill, turned to Natsuhiko, and made a "shush" gesture.
Natsuhiko was taken aback.
Immediately afterward, he felt a faint breeze caress his cheeks, stirring his hair.
Wind?
How could there be wind in such an underground cave?
But quickly, the wind grew stronger, becoming distinctly perceptible.
Upon seeing this, Togepi's head shrank back, turning into an egg, playing dead on the spot.
Peeking through a crack, a little eye looked at Natsuhiko and Beedrill with resignation.
This is your own doing, nothing to do with me.
The next second.
The howling fierce wind rushed in front of Natsuhiko.
Beedrill finally noticed the anomaly, flapping its wings in front of Natsuhiko, its scarlet compound eyes twinkling, ready for battle.
With its Pokémon instincts, Beedrill could sense more clearly than Natsuhiko that a very terrifying presence was approaching rapidly.
Just the intangible aura emitted by the opponent put great pressure on Beedrill.
And this was without even seeing the opponent's figure.
Simultaneously, the once lively Rock-type Pokémon around them closed their eyes and stopped moving, turning into pieces of stone.
Soon.
In Natsuhiko's eyes, a massive, shadowy silhouette with wings spread was flying toward their location.
Huge wings.
Each flap accompanied by a howling gale.
"That is...."
Upon seeing this figure, Natsuhiko's pupils constricted sharply.
Right at that moment.
"Sssst—" Suddenly, from a small cave behind Natsuhiko, came a sound.
Soon after, a shiny head reflecting light emerged from a cave opening barely enough for one person to pass through, extending a hand, gesturing him over.
Upon seeing this head, Natsuhiko was briefly stunned, but soon realized.
The time for inaction had passed, and he hurriedly told Beedrill, "Beedrill, over here!"
Saying this, he ran toward the small cave entrance where the shiny head retreated.
Beedrill also reacted, following closely behind Natsuhiko.
With a slide, they smoothly entered the somewhat cramped, inconspicuous cave. Beedrill also hid inside.
Inside, there was... a little monk.
It was the very same little monk Natsuhiko had encountered before, who, holding several strings of Buddha beads, traveled selling them to raise money for buying wine, a wine-and-meat monk.
However, at this moment, his appearance was quite disheveled, his gray-white robe filled with holes and stains, and he himself looked a bit haggard.
Without time to ask why he was here, Natsuhiko looked outside.
"No need to look, it's an Aerodactyl, a very terrifying Aerodactyl." The little monk leaned weakly against the rock wall, whispering.
"Aerodactyl."
Indeed.
Natsuhiko's speculation was correct. Upon seeing that silhouette just now, he had some guesses, but he didn't expect it to really be an Aerodactyl, and a tremendously powerful one at that.
"In the ancient records of the Bell Tower, I have seen mentions of it. It's a Pokémon surviving from the Super Ancient Era; likely very few can recognize it today." The little monk continued, but his tone was somewhat fragmented.
BOOM!!
As he finished, a gray-purple Pokémon landed heavily on the ground, resembling the dragon-like creatures in Natsuhiko's memory, with a pair of massive wings, sharp claws, and saw-like teeth. Its sharp gaze swept across the surroundings, seemingly searching for the source of the recent noise—Natsuhiko and Beedrill.
But the cave they were hiding in was concealed enough that it wasn't discovered.
However, the Aerodactyl, unable to find its targets, fixed its vicious gaze on the curled-up Togepi not far away.
Feeling the Aerodactyl's gaze, Togepi's body involuntarily trembled.
Peeking through a crack, its little eyes glanced at the Aerodactyl, only to meet its eyes directly.
It immediately recoiled, its tiny body shaking.
Togepi felt despair inside.
It never imagined it would end up involving itself like this.
Aerodactyl's breath drew nearer, and for the first time, Togepi felt the proximity of death.
Suddenly.
A sticky thread traversed a considerable distance, adhering precisely to Togepi's eggshell.
With a swift pull.
Togepi felt a jolt through its body.
Then, it fell into a warm embrace.
An embrace warmer than it had ever felt before.