BOOM!
Just as Professor Harris had said, this desert really was home to a great number of small wild Pokémon.
As Onix advanced through a sandy area, it was attacked by the owner of that territory.
The sea of sand stirred, and a wild Golem with a sturdy body appeared on the field, staring fixedly at the passing Onix.
"A wild Golem! Looks like it managed to evolve by sheer luck when passing through a dimensional rift zone," said Professor Harris in surprise upon seeing the wild Pokémon blocking the path.
As Rock-types, Onix, Geodude, and the like were common in the desert, but a Golem, with its special evolution, was not something often seen in the wild.
"Professor Harris, leave this one to me! For this field exploration, I prepared a bunch of Pokéballs," said Alex Baxter excitedly, as he opened his backpack and pulled out a string of empty Pokéballs.
"Very well, take care of it. Do it quickly. I'll cover your rear," nodded Professor Harris, signaling Onix to retreat while carefully protecting the three of them.
This world is not like in the anime, where Ash can endure Pikachu's Thunder Shock as if it were nothing. Here, the human body is extremely fragile.
Even a simple Caterpie could kill a person if it used Tackle. That's why, in a wild environment, trainers must prioritize their safety. If the trainer dies, no matter how strong your Pokémon is, it won't matter.
"Go, Magneton!" exclaimed Alex Baxter, throwing his Pokéball. Magneton, an Electric and Steel-type, appeared in the air.
Upon seeing it, Golem narrowed its eyes and immediately used Rock Throw, lifting several rocks and hurling them forcefully at Magneton.
"Use Thunder!" shouted Alex Baxter.
Electric-type moves are characterized by their speed, so before the rocks could hit, Magneton had already unleashed a powerful lightning bolt that exploded in the air, dispersing a huge cloud of dust.
"Keep attacking! Use Magnet Bomb!" ordered Alex Baxter, knowing that Electric-type moves wouldn't work on a Ground-type like Golem. That's why he chose a Steel-type move, which had the advantage.
ZAP!
Magneton was surrounded by bluish sparks, and from its magnets it launched several energy spheres that shone with a blue light, chasing after Golem as if they were magnets drawn to its body.
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
A series of explosions shook the field, and Golem was sent flying after taking the hits.
"Well done! Use Gyro Ball to finish it off!" Alex Baxter shouted excitedly. Magneton began spinning rapidly, turning into a silver flash that slammed into Golem, embedding it into the ground.
CHIRRR!
A metallic screech sounded as Magneton, still spinning, pressed Golem forcefully into the sand.
"Go, Pokéball!" exclaimed Alex Baxter, throwing a Pokéball that struck Golem directly, turning it into a red light and sealing it inside.
The Pokéball began to shake violently on the sand. Under Alex Baxter's tense gaze, the sphere finally stopped with a click.
"Oh yeah! I caught Golem!" Alex Baxter shouted, running excitedly to pick up the Pokéball and raising his fist in victory.
"Congratulations, Alex," said Ethan Black, approaching to congratulate his friend.
It was the first time Ethan Black had witnessed the capture of a Pokémon, and his heart beat with excitement, recalling scenes from the anime.
Without a doubt, each capture was a tense and thrilling moment that stirred the desire to experience it firsthand.
Though for now he could only imagine it, since unlike Alex Baxter, he didn't have the money to be capturing Pokémon left and right. Raising his gluttonous Sandshrew was already difficult enough, and if he added another, he probably wouldn't be able to maintain it.
Besides, training a Pokémon is another huge challenge. To help Sandshrew grow, he had already spent thousands of brain cells.
"Although... if I find one that isn't too costly to maintain, I might consider it," he murmured to himself.
After all, if he wanted to become a Pokémon Hunter, a single Pokémon would not be enough. He would need an attacker, a defender, a supporter, a healer... All would be key in the field.
Especially a good defender, someone who could provide protection in the wild, where any wild Pokémon could kill you in seconds.
While thinking this, Ethan Black considered that with his Sandstorm-based team, he needed a defensive Pokémon that could function within that strategy.
"What are you thinking about, Ethan?" asked Alex Baxter, returning with the Pokéball.
"Ah, nothing... I was just thinking what Pokémon I'd choose if I were to form a full team," Ethan Black replied with a bit of doubt on his face.
"Then choose whatever you want! Take this. If you see one you like, capture it," said Alex Baxter with a laugh, tossing a Pokéball to Ethan Black.
"Not all of us have as much money as you. If I catch one more, I have to think very carefully about it," snorted Ethan Black as he carefully stored the Pokéball in his backpack.
But Alex Baxter was right. Encountering wild Pokémon wasn't something that happened every day. If he had the chance, he definitely would want to catch one. Who knew when the opportunity would come again?
(End of chapter)