"Could it be an iron deposit?"
A doubtful expression appeared on Ethan Black's face as he carefully approached.
Immediately, he saw a rolled-up sheet of metal, resting quietly at the bottom of the crater.
"Could this be a Metal Coat?"
Ethan Black's eyes suddenly lit up. He carefully jumped down to the bottom of the hole and picked up the metal sheet. When he rolled it into a cylindrical shape, he noticed it looked quite similar to the item Metal Coat.
"Magneton, come here for a moment!"
Ethan Black hesitated a bit, but then called Magneton.
Magneton obediently flew over to him and took a look at the sheet of metal in his hands.
Suddenly, a flash of excitement showed in the Pokémon's eyes, and it quickly flew toward the item, rubbing against it affectionately.
"Seems like this really is the Metal Coat item."
As he recalled, the Metal Coat was a rare item that increased the power of Steel-type moves. It was no surprise that Magneton felt drawn to it.
"Excellent."
Ethan Black murmured with satisfaction and carefully stored the Metal Coat item in his backpack.
This time he hadn't just captured an Aggron, but that Pokémon had also brought along a Metal Coat, a rare item. He had been extremely lucky!
Magneton: ????
"All right, everyone's rested, right? Let's move on!"
Ethan Black ignored Magneton's pitiful look and called the other Pokémon.
After a brief rest, Ethan Black continued exploring the cave with his five Pokémon. Thanks to the addition of Alex Baxter's three Pokémon, he now felt more confident and picked up his pace.
"Magneton, use Flash!"
During the exploration, Ethan Black encountered several Aron, which he captured using Poké Balls.
Since he had decided to sell all the Aron he caught in this Secret Kingdom to the Devon Corporation, naturally, the more he captured, the better. After all, that was money!
"Hurry, don't let that Aron escape!"
Inside the cave, Ethan Black and his Pokémon chased after a fleeing Aron.
ZAP!
But just as Donphan turned around a corner, a burst of electricity shot out.
Fortunately, Donphan was a Ground-type Pokémon, and though surrounded by the electricity, it suffered no damage at all.
"An Electric attack!"
Ethan Black's eyes turned serious, and he glanced at his Pokémon.
"Golem and Donphan, go up front."
"Shellder, use Barrier to defend."
"Cacnea, just in case, use Ingrain now!"
After giving his commands, Ethan Black hid behind the Barrier move while cautiously peeking out.
ZAP!
Another burst of electricity shot forward.
Luckily, Golem reacted in time and blocked the discharge, protecting Ethan Black.
"Is that...?"
"Klink!"
When Ethan Black finally saw the enemy Pokémon, he was astonished.
Klink, as its name suggests, was made up of two gears. Each had six teeth, with a pattern resembling eyes and a mouth at its center. The left gear rotated clockwise and the right counterclockwise, moving slowly.
ZAP!
Just as Ethan Black was still marveling, Klink fired another electrical discharge.
"Donphan, Golem, attack!"
Recovering quickly, Ethan Black ordered the two Ground-type Pokémon to strike, ignoring the Electric damage completely. They immediately rushed at Klink.
Golem used the move Mega Punch, knocking Klink down with a single hit.
Seizing the opportunity, Ethan Black threw a Poké Ball and successfully captured the Klink.
"Who would've thought, this Secret Kingdom even has Pokémon like this!"
Holding the Poké Ball, Ethan Black reflected.
As he remembered, Klink didn't need to eat. It could survive simply by spinning itself. It was one of the easiest Pokémon to care for in this world!
Moreover, in the anime, Klink was one of Team Plasma leader Ghetsis Harmonia's Pokémon, and it had a triple evolution, becoming the powerful Klinklang. It was definitely worth training!
CLANK CLANK!
While Ethan Black was thinking, a metallic sound drew his attention from afar.
He immediately saw a dozen Klink, led by a Klang, floating down the passage toward his location.
"Looks like the earlier battle alerted them..."
Ethan Black's face changed. He looked behind him and realized several Klink were also blocking the exit they had come through.
"Golem, block the front entrance."
"Donphan, cover the rear exit."
"Magneton, use Thunder Wave!"
Ethan Black quickly gave orders to Alex Baxter's three Pokémon, having them take up strategic positions.
Just as they did, the Klink in both directions unleashed Electric attacks that lit up the entire tunnel.
Fortunately, Golem and Donphan were Ground-types and immune to Electric moves, redirecting the current into the ground.
However, the power of the attack shook the earth, causing both Pokémon to stagger.
Seizing the moment, all the Klink used the move Gear Grind, launching sharp steel-typed gears filled with energy toward Ethan Black.
"Shellder, use Barrier!"
Although Ethan Black didn't need to say it, Shellder had already erected a series of barriers in front of him.
CLASH!
The ten barriers were shattered one after another, breaking into glittering fragments.
"Cacnea, use the roots!"
Taking advantage of the moment, Cacnea finally finished spreading its root field. Several roots emerged from the ground and began wrapping around the Klink.
CLANK CLANK!
Once trapped, a sharp metallic screech was heard. The Klink sparked as their gears jammed, and a thin column of smoke began to rise.
"Absorb!"
Ethan Black's eyes gleamed. When he gave the command, a green light enveloped the Klink.
With the use of the move Absorb, the Klink stopped all resistance, and once released, they fell to the ground, knocked out.
(End of Chapter)