Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom (200 - 398)

Chapter 302: Defeat and Containment

Observing this Arbok, nearly twice the size of its peers, Cain narrowed his eyes slightly.

The owner of this cave turned out to be a bit weaker than he had imagined, but considering its size, this Arbok seemed to have an innate gift for physical strength, which probably allowed it to claim this spot.

Pokémon: Arbok (Green)

Gender: Male

Level: 33

Type: Poison

Ability: Intimidate

Held Item: None

Egg Moves: Poison Fang, Poison Tail

Basic Moves: Crunch, Ice Fang, Thunder Fang, Fire Fang, Wrap, Leer, Poison Sting, Bite, Glare, Screech, Acid, Stockpile, Swallow, Spit Up, Acid Spray

Learned Moves: Aqua Tail, Bind, Gunk Shot

TM Moves: None

These are the details the system scanned from this Arbok. Although its potential was considerable, its level didn't offer a significant advantage over other Pokémon Cain had encountered. The fact that it could maintain such a territory was quite impressive.

"Slowpoke, use Calm Mind! Murkrow, you can rest now. Sneasel, use Hone Claws and Agility!" Cain ordered.

In the next instant, Slowpoke closed its eyes and entered a meditative state. Sneasel, who had been eagerly waiting in its Pokéball, shot out, running at high speed thanks to Agility.

As it ran, Sneasel sharpened its claws, perfectly combining both moves.

"Shaaaahhh!" Arbok roared in fury upon seeing the Pokémon that interrupted its rest now attacking it.

A flash of anger crossed its eyes, followed by a deep sadness. This was the fifth time it had been attacked recently. If it weren't for its mother, who once ruled this territory but was defeated, it wouldn't be in this situation.

With its power level, it shouldn't have been able to claim such a good cave, but since this area belonged to its mother, who didn't care for it but whose reputation was well known, powerful Pokémon who understood the situation left it alone, allowing it to stay here.

However, a few days ago, its mother, also an Arbok, was killed by another Pokémon seeking to steal her territory. Although the attacker was left severely injured and couldn't directly attack this Arbok, the Pokémon previously under its mother's command started attacking it to curry favor with the new leader.

First, they tested it cautiously, then launched attack after attack.

That's why, despite not having slept well, its eyes were bloodshot, a result of repeated ambushes that left it exhausted.

And now, Cain was seen as just another attacker.

Of course, Cain knew nothing of this; he was simply a bit surprised that this Arbok could maintain such fertile territory at its power level.

Arbok roared and spat a dark green liquid with a foul stench, aimed at Sneasel, who was moving at high speed.

"Sneasel, use Metal Claw!"

Sneasel, already prepared, used Metal Claw to split the Acid move in half, avoiding contact and letting the acid dissolve the vegetation and dry leaves on the ground with a hissing sound.

Seeing its attack fail, Arbok glared at Sneasel with furious eyes and launched toward it like an arrow, its mouth full of dark energy.

"Sneasel, use Ice Punch! Slowpoke, use Psyshock!"

Sneasel's right claw stopped glowing with a metallic shine and began to glow with icy energy, forming a large ice fist aimed directly at Arbok's head.

At that moment, Slowpoke, having just emerged from its meditation, launched a powerful psychic wave at the airborne Arbok.

Boom!

Sneasel's claws and Arbok's head collided.

Sneasel was pushed back three meters by the impact.

Arbok was thrown backward, hitting the ground hard.

Although both attacks clashed, just before Arbok could bite Sneasel, its head was struck by Slowpoke's Psyshock, preventing its bite from being fully effective.

Sneasel's ability to withstand the hit was thanks to Arbok's considerable mass, but it couldn't avoid being knocked down.

Upon landing, Arbok shook its head, feeling dizzy.

Before it had been struck, it felt it could win despite its opponent's strength, but in the final second, its mind was hit with a sharp pain, leaving it completely disoriented.

"Let's finish this quickly! Slowpoke, continue with Psyshock! Sneasel, get close and attack with Metal Claw and Ice Punch in succession!" Cain didn't let his opponent recover.

With the additional speed from Agility, Sneasel appeared instantly in front of Arbok.

Its left hand glowed with a metallic shine, while its right hand was enveloped in ice.

With both claws, it mercilessly attacked Arbok's head as it was just trying to stand.

The blow snapped Arbok out of its daze, only to find a sharp pain coursing through its body.

Arbok desperately tried to wrap Sneasel in its body, using its constriction technique to stop the onslaught of attacks.

This was Arbok's specialty: once it caught its prey with its strong, muscular body, even a higher-level Pokémon would struggle to break free, let alone a smaller one like Sneasel.

But Sneasel ignored Arbok's attempts to trap it.

Just as Arbok was about to fully wrap around Sneasel and feel victorious, it was struck again in the head by Slowpoke's powerful Psyshock.

A thin line of blood began to flow from Arbok's eye.

This time, Slowpoke didn't hold back, using Psyshock's full power.

Despite its sturdy body, Arbok started bleeding from both eyes and nose.

Sneasel continued its relentless assault, while Arbok, now unable to resist, began to slowly collapse.

Cain slightly frowned and, after a moment's thought, ordered, "Stop!"

At Cain's words, Slowpoke ceased the psychic energy flowing within, and Sneasel stopped striking, holding onto Arbok's head while awaiting Cain's next order.

(End of Chapter)