Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom

Honestly speaking, the Pokémon Cain can truly count on for a direct battle right now are just Murkrow, Slowpoke, Haunter, and Sneasel, whom he has personally trained.

Though Skorupi also counts, its current strength is still insufficient, and on Challenge Island, it cannot play a significant role.

Miltank, being a support Pokémon, doesn't fight often, and her current level has lagged a bit behind.

Then there's the newly captured Arbok, which seems to be in good condition. If it can recover its potential, it could also be a fairly useful Pokémon for immediate battles.

However, this clearly shows that Cain lacks a Pokémon that can ensure a decisive victory in a single move.

Slowpoke is the strongest, but without having evolved, it's still missing that extra edge.

Suddenly, Cain recalled the place where he captured Haunter—that cave full of Gastly—where he found the Intermediate-quality Dusk Stone he now possesses.

Could he find a better-quality Dusk Stone there?

If Murkrow could evolve, what would he have to fear from Vexor?

As Cain considered this possibility, Gyarados emerged from the water.

As soon as it appeared, Slowpoke communicated with it telepathically, relaying everything it had discovered.

"You're saying the riverbed is practically Shellder territory, and it's full of them? And also, there are three fairly strong Cloyster among them?" Cain confirmed.

Gyarados nodded immediately.

When it entered Shellder territory, it got quite a scare. Luckily, it escaped quickly; otherwise, they might have caught it.

However, being a Gyarados, other Water-type Pokémon have a certain fear of it. So, when it escaped, they didn't pursue it too insistently.

Seeing Gyarados nod again, Cain murmured, "At least a hundred Shellder... I hope there's one with good potential. Let's catch one as a backup option first, and if it doesn't work out, we'll buy one at a good price after leaving Challenge Island."

If Shellder has good potential and the trainer is patient enough, evolving it into Cloyster could also be quite useful.

The nickname "Cloyster the Dragon Slayer" isn't just for show.

The Ice type is very effective against Dragon-type Pokémon. If it can learn the move Shell Smash before evolving into Cloyster, then it has the potential to face Dragon-type Pokémon.

The move Shell Smash allows Shellder or Cloyster to break free of its shell, sacrificing physical and special defense to significantly boost attack, special attack, and speed. It's an all-around strengthening move, as long as defense isn't considered.

Cain remembers how Lance, the Dragon-type Elite Four of Kanto, couldn't become champion because Lorelei, the Ice-type Elite Four, used her Cloyster with Shell Smash to humiliate him.

It's precisely thanks to this Cloyster that Lorelei secured her position as the Ice-type Elite Four of Kanto.

However, the problem of how to teach Shellder the move Shell Smash has been a dilemma for many.

Everyone knows that Shellder needs a Water Stone to evolve into Cloyster, but also that only at level 56 does it have a chance to learn Shell Smash. And it's only a chance, not guaranteed.

So, how many people would train a Pokémon with just 305 base stats, of which 100 are allocated to physical defense, all the way to level 56?

One can only say that Lorelei has great perseverance and wisdom.

...

Since all the Shellder are at the bottom of the river, the task now is to lure them out of the water.

Shellder, as a Water-type Pokémon, is only weak to Grass and Electric types, and when it evolves into Cloyster, it adds weaknesses to Fighting and Rock types.

But as for those types...

Cain doesn't have any right now.

So, with no type advantages, the only option left is...

To fight head-on!

Cain took out four Poké Balls, summoning Sneasel, Skorupi, Miltank, and Arbok.

As a snake, though Arbok isn't great at fighting in water, swimming isn't an issue.

After some thought, Cain also summoned Ursaring.

If there are over a hundred Shellder, all available strength will be needed.

Cain slowly moved back with his Pokémon, retreating to the edge of the forest.

When fighting, it's likely the river's surface will experience strong currents, so it's better to move back a bit to avoid being swept away by the waves.

"Ursaring, dig a few large holes in the ground here. Skorupi, you're good at this too, help out," Cain ordered.

Following orders, Ursaring and Skorupi began digging holes by the shore.

Since the battle will be against Shellder, it would be best to lure them out of the water. This way, Cain's Pokémon would have a greater advantage. Otherwise, only two or three of his Pokémon could fight in the water, and they could be surrounded.

"Slowpoke, enter a Calm Mind state. Murkrow, use Tailwind. Sneasel, use Hone Claws and Agility. Arbok, use Stockpile." Cain gave commands to each Pokémon that would participate in the battle.

This isn't a battle against another trainer, so there's enough time for the Pokémon to prepare and use buffing moves.

The Pokémon began entering their power-up states.

"Murkrow, after Tailwind, use Snatch on Arbok and Sneasel," Cain continued.

Murkrow doesn't have moves to enhance its state, but with Snatch, it can steal its teammates' boosts and apply them to itself.

The Pokémon are used to this and allow it without issue.

When Ursaring and Skorupi finished digging a large pit, the power-up moves were almost done as well.

"All right, that should be enough. Let's start! Gyarados, go into the water and flush them out. Slowpoke, fill that pit with water so they think it's also part of their battleground."

Slowpoke acted immediately, but Gyarados looked a bit worried. So many Shellder and Cloyster were intimidating; it was afraid it might not make it back.

But seeing Cain's stern gaze, it shuddered slightly and quickly dove in.

When Gyarados submerged, it was greeted by an "enthusiastic" welcome from the Shellder before it even got close.

We let you go once, and you still dare to come back!

Do you really think we're afraid of you just because you're a Gyarados?

If you were a group, maybe, but you're alone!

You're asking for trouble!

And then the following happened: a Gyarados quickly burst out of the water, not stopping, flying toward the shore using its Flying-type abilities.

The Shellder that followed it fell into the pond that had formed by the shore.

"They're coming. Sneasel, use Icicle Crash to block their way back. Let's close the gate and strike the enemy!" Cain smiled.

(End of Chapter)