"But... I don't remember a Trapinch knowing any Flying-type move that strong..."
After a brief moment of astonishment, Ethan Black began reviewing in his mind the information he remembered about Trapinch. According to what he recalled, an unevolved Trapinch really couldn't learn Flying-type moves.
"Wait... could it be the move Gust?"
"If it's by inheritance, Trapinch can indeed learn the move Gust..."
"But... to actually create a tornado of that size just with Gust? That's far too terrifying."
Ethan Black's eyes sparkled with surprise. If his assumption was correct, then that Trapinch's ability to control wind was truly fearsome.
"It really is an exceptional Trapinch."
With a flash of excitement in his eyes, Ethan Black quickly pulled an empty Poké Ball from his backpack.
"Wait a second... this place is the Secret Kingdom of the Sky. The Pokémon in this desert were released here by the researchers..."
Suddenly, Ethan Black realized this, and his hand holding the Poké Ball in midair froze.
After a few seconds, he sighed and put the Poké Ball away, showing an expression of resignation.
He had finally found a Trapinch he was so interested in, and it turned out not to be wild. That feeling of "just looking but not touching" was truly frustrating.
While Ethan Black hesitated, the Trapinch lifted its head to look at him and, without showing the slightest fear, lay down in the sand, closed its eyes, and began taking a nap, as if wanting to rest after exercising.
"Wow... definitely a bred one."
Ethan Black sighed and bravely approached with his other Pokémon.
"Huh? Number 7?"
"Seems it was destined to cross paths with me..."
As he got closer, Ethan Black saw that the Trapinch had a small tag hanging around its neck, with a large number "7" written in Arabic numerals.
"Trapinch number 7..."
Murmuring those words, Ethan Black continued on his way with his Pokémon.
The rest of the journey went smoothly. After a long walk, Ethan Black and his five Pokémon arrived at the Cactus Oasis.
Cacti, for the most part, grow in arid environments.
They have a special ability: in dry seasons, they can enter a resting state, consuming almost no nutrients or water, minimizing their internal expenditure.
When the rainy season comes, they "wake up" quickly, their roots immediately activate and absorb large amounts of water, allowing them to grow and bloom in a short time.
Some species develop carrot-shaped roots capable of storing 15 to 20 liters of water. It is said that someone once kept a round cactus wrapped in dry paper for over two years; though it was somewhat shriveled, when planted in a pot and watered, it soon sprouted new roots and resumed growing.
Because of their unique structure, incredible drought resistance, and tenacious vitality, cacti can survive even in the heart of the desert.
Before Ethan Black's eyes rose cacti over ten meters tall, imposing and majestic.
As soon as it stood before that oasis, Cacnea, being a Pokémon born and raised in the desert, instantly felt a resonance with those green giants.
The next moment, Cacnea slowly walked among the huge cacti and, without moving from its spot, used the move Ingrain.
Boom!
Immediately, a dazzling radiance burst from its body.
With the start of Cacnea's evolution, the grass beneath its feet suddenly began to wither, and in an instant, the fertile soil turned into pure desert.
Even the towering cacti began to wilt; their vivid green turned yellow, and within seconds, the oasis had become a withered and gloomy forest.
At the same time, beneath Cacnea shone blue, green, and brown lights: the energies of Water, Grass, and Ground types.
The three lights intertwined, flowing into its body. Little by little, the light of evolution was dyed with those three colors, so intense it was impossible to look at directly.
"What... what powerful energy!"
"Cacnea truly is a real child of the desert. This is a gift from the desert itself."
Watching how Cacnea absorbed energy through the move Ingrain, Ethan Black went from surprise to sheer joy.
There, in the middle of its evolution, Cacnea seemed like the prince of the desert, endlessly receiving the desert's blessings, while its figure grew taller.
Half a minute later, the light began to fade, revealing a green Pokémon, with a spiky hat shaped like an upside-down triangle on its head, darker green thorns on its arms, legs, and neck, resembling a scarecrow made of cactus.
"Congratulations, Cacturne."
Ethan Black smiled broadly upon seeing it.
"Cac cac cac!"
Cacturne narrowed its eyes and cried out happily to Ethan Black.
Then, it turned its gaze toward the desert ground and the withered cacti, with a thoughtful expression.
In the next moment, it used Ingrain again, causing roots to extend from its feet.
The blue, green, and brown lights intertwined and surged from underground, and in an instant, the oasis was reborn.
Under the combined influence of Water, Grass, and Ground types, the dry sand turned fertile, grass sprouted again, and the cacti regained their green splendor and imposing stature.
"From nature... and back to nature."
Ethan Black, seeing an oasis even lusher than before, smiled in satisfaction.
"Cac cac cac!"
Cacturne, happy to have restored what it had damaged, let out a cheerful laugh.
Suddenly, a brown Ground-type aura emanated from its body, and its roots extended through the soil like dolphins swimming in the sea.
Wherever they passed, the earth became loose and fertile, as if freshly tilled.
At the same time, the Grass-type energy in the oasis grew even denser; the grass grew so rapidly it reached half the height of a human body, leaving Ethan Black astonished.
"This move..."
"Is it... Rototiller?"
Surprised at what he saw, Ethan Black couldn't help but exclaim.
"Cac cac cac!"
Cacturne, with a smile, used Rototiller again, cultivating the land and making the Grass-type energy in the area rise even higher.
(End of chapter)