"Chief, we didn't find the Cocoon of Sleep!"
One of the younger brothers, who had checked several other rooms, reported back.
Chief frowned as he gazed at the empty altar, his eyes scanning the platform they called "Between the Stars."
According to ancient records, the comet civilization from a thousand years ago safeguarded the sacred object, the "Cocoon of Sleep," on this altar. It was said that when the comet returned, after a thousand years, the legendary Pokémon Jirachi would awaken and grant people's wishes.
The murals, the mechanism at the entrance, the inscriptions on the ruins—everything lined up.
So why wasn't the Cocoon of Sleep here?
Was the ancient text wrong?
Or had Jirachi woken up early and left?
But there was still time before the Millennium Comet was due to arrive.
"Leader, the authorities have noticed our activity. The brothers at the entrance to the Forest of Plenty reported seeing the Gym Leader from Forest City, heading this way!" the younger brother reminded urgently.
"Got it," The Chief nodded. "If the Cocoon of Sleep isn't here, let's retreat."
As he turned to leave, Xiaoxiao suddenly froze.
His eyes shifted sideways, landing on a set of damp footprints!
They were by the mural—a mix of human and Pokémon footprints.
Xiaoxiao and his team had entered from the stairs, but these footprints were alongside the mural, leading towards the altar.
The significance hit him immediately—someone had come to the altar from the side.
More importantly, neither he nor his team had been over there.
Xiaoxiao quickly moved closer to inspect the prints.
Not only did they lead to the altar, but there were also footprints returning from it. They headed straight for a wall beside the mural.
At first glance, Xiaoxiao thought the cracks in the wall were just from the ruins' age, which had been common along the way. But now...
"Excadrill, Dig!" Xiaoxiao commanded, tossing his Poké Ball toward the cracked wall.
Excadrill immediately transformed into a spinning drill, easily breaking through the outer rocks to reveal a pitch-black tunnel behind the wall.
"Someone's definitely been here first!" Xiaoxiao growled through clenched teeth.
They had gone to great lengths to eliminate the authorities, replace them with their own men, and even led this mission personally—all to secure the Cocoon of Sleep as quickly as possible.
Yet someone had beaten them to it!
Not only that, but the arriving Gym Leader would surely assume that Asuka had taken the Cocoon.
It was clear now—their group would soon be surrounded and hunted by the authorities!
And they had gained nothing but trouble in return.
"After them!" Xiaoxiao barked.
The footprints were still fresh, the water hadn't dried yet. Whoever had been here had likely just left!
Even if they were gone now, they had to track the path and see if any traces remained.
They had to find them!
In the Forest of Plenty, Chris had already embarked on the return journey.
Back at the picnic spot, Chris greeted Mia and then hurried back to Forest City, catching the latest flight to Dragon University.
For one main reason: Chris had unearthed the Enigma Berry tree.
The ruins where Jirachi was discovered had been located by members of the Archaeological Association, and it was only a matter of time before they discovered the passage he used to enter the ruins.
After all, no matter how much Gabite tried to cover up the broken wall, signs of tampering would be evident.
After leaving the ruins, Chris suddenly remembered that he had forgotten to erase his footprints.
Since this was his first time doing such a "first-timer" thing, he didn't have much experience.
The Archaeological Society could easily trace the path to the Enigma Berry tree.
Although the Enigma Berry tree looked like an ordinary tree, it was risky to assume no one would recognize its worth. So Chris had to act quickly.
To ensure the tree's survival, he dug up the roots along with a two-meter radius of soil around it.
This required his secret base to be large enough; otherwise, Chris wouldn't have been able to get it out.
However, keeping it in the secret base indefinitely wasn't feasible, and he couldn't support it on his own. So Chris needed to find a suitable buyer for the Enigma Berry tree before it withered.
The first person Chris thought of was Mia's father, a well-known authority on berries.
Quality items can only command the right price when presented to those who truly appreciate their value.
But since Chris had never worked with him before, he wasn't entirely sure.
So he turned his attention to "Theodore," whom he'd collaborated with previously.
Theodore was a master breeder, and no breeder could ignore a rare berry. Chris was sure he'd be intrigued.
"Professor Theodore! Happy holidays!"
"I'm in the middle of an experiment; just get to the point," Theodore replied. Chris knew him as a man who only left his lab for serious business.
"I'm selling a rare berry tree. Are you interested?"
"What kind of berry?"
"Enigma Berry!"
There was silence on the other end, and Chris could hear the faint sound of glass breaking, likely a fallen beaker. After a long pause, Theodore responded.
"What's your asking price?"
"Depends on your offer," Chris replied, though he wasn't sure of the market value and wanted to gauge Professor Theodore's reaction to set a baseline.
Theodore went quiet again before sighing. "I can't afford what it's worth, but I can introduce you to someone who can."
"Who?"
"Vladimir."
"Who?!" This time, Chris was genuinely shocked. If he remembered correctly, Vladimir was the president of Dragon University!
This was a legend!
His titles were more prestigious than Theodore's, each one surpassing the last.
Coordinator Master, Breeder Pioneer, Berry King, Former Elite Four, President of the China Breeding Association, Honorary President of the China Berry Association, Honorary President of the China Coordinator Association...
Several breeder awards in China were named after him!
Simply put, this was a man at the pinnacle of the breeding world!
Chris met the legendary figure half an hour after arriving at Dragon University.
But instead of meeting in the principal's office, the encounter took place in Chris's small dormitory, as it would've been impossible for Chris to carry such a large tree to the principal's office.
The kind old man took a sip of the chrysanthemum tea Chris had brewed and, while savoring it, closely inspected the Enigma Berry tree.
"This Enigma Berry tree is remarkable," he said. "It's the largest I've seen. The soil here is full of nutrients left from decayed Enigma Berries, meaning it must have been growing wild for many years, unnoticed. When its fruit falls to the ground and sprouts, it draws in nutrients freely, without competition. This cycle of rotting and nourishing the soil has allowed it to thrive and produce more fruit." Vladimir's expertise in breeding was clear, and Chris was left speechless.
"Not bad!" Vladimir praised again, then turned to Chris. "Are you interested in selling it to me? If you were a Breeder, this tree could be a valuable asset, perhaps enough to support you all the way to becoming a Gym Leader or even an Elite. Isn't that worth considering?"
"Uh, Principal, I'm not really interested in cultivating it. Instead of letting it go to waste in my care, I'd rather give it to someone who knows how to raise it properly. That way, it'll reach its full potential, and I can still benefit from it," Chris replied simply.
Honestly, he just wasn't that interested.
Theodore had already explained the basics of the Enigma Berry tree to Chris. The fruiting cycle was incredibly long: one year for flowers, one year for fruit, and another for maturity. It would take three years for each harvest.
Compared to his handheld device, this tree was of little use to him.
Rather than keep it, Chris thought it was better to strike a deal with someone experienced.
He felt confident in working with powerful individuals like Theodore or Vladimir.
"Then… what if the school helps you raise it?" Vladimir proposed. "The school could take care of the Enigma Berry tree on your behalf. When it bears fruit, you'd get half of the harvest as payment. How does that sound?"
"Thank you, Principal, but with my current abilities, I doubt I'd still have ownership of the tree by the time it bears fruit," Chris chuckled, shaking his head. He appreciated Principal Vladimir's generous offer.
The principal truly seemed interested in supporting him.
The school would handle the tree's care, and Chris would only need to share half of the Enigma Berries. Once he was strong enough to manage it independently, he could reclaim full ownership.
But there was one major issue.
Though Vladimir was the head of Dragon University, he didn't own it outright.
During the tree's cultivation, others would likely try to lay claim to it. The Enigma Berries allocated to the school would be distributed internally, but Chris himself would be an easy target for those who didn't receive any.
With his handheld computer, it was only a matter of time before he became a top-tier Trainer. Rather than face such complications and distractions, he thought it best to make a private, one-time deal with Vladimir.
After considering Chris's reasoning, Vladimir agreed. "Alright, then. Is there anything you'd like in return?"
It was finally time for Chris to make his request.
He had already decided what he wanted on the way back.
"I want a chance to go to the Dragon's Nest in the East China Sea to capture a Pokémon!" Chris said eagerly. He'd been eyeing that rare Flash Axew for ages, and this would be the perfect opportunity. If he could secure this chance, it would save him from having to compete in the school tournaments for such a reward.
"Don't you already have a Gabite?" Vladimir asked.
"With quasi-legendary Pokémon, there's no such thing as having too many," Chris replied confidently.
Vladimir nodded but gave a word of advice. "Don't rely too heavily on the power of so-called quasi-legendary Pokémon. Ordinary Pokémon, when raised with care, can be just as strong."
"And apart from that, anything else?" Vladimir inquired.
Chris continued, "What can you give?" High-level Pokémon items weren't in short supply for him; even if he didn't have one on hand, he could buy one from the treasure app. Plus, he wasn't sure how much further he could negotiate reasonably.
Vladimir considered this briefly, then extended his hand. In an instant, a Gengar appeared beside him, opening its huge mouth, allowing Vladimir to reach inside to retrieve the items.
This…is this how experienced Trainers store their items?
Gengar's stomach seemed to contain a pocket dimension—a perfect vault for prized items.
If I don't already have a Gengar, I have to get one!
From Gengar's stomach, Vladimir carefully pulled out three items: a green seed, a metal box, and a crimson stone glowing as brightly as the sun.
"These three are part of my personal collection. You may choose one," he offered.
Chris's eyes widened. Secret treasures!
These items were on another level, far beyond ordinary high-tier Pokémon items.
Not only did they provide stronger boosts than standard items, but once a Pokémon fully absorbed them, they could gain a unique special ability. However, no one could predict the exact ability each secret treasure would provide until it was completely absorbed.
Textbooks only mentioned the concept of "Secret Treasures" without detailing them, as most Trainers would never even see one.
Chris examined the items closely. The first was the Miracle Seed, which boosted the power of Grass-type moves.
Since he didn't have a Grass-type Pokémon, that one was an easy pass.
The second item was a Metal Coat, ideal for enhancing the power of Steel-type moves.
Perfect! He already had a Lairon, and once his Onix evolved into Steelix, it would also be Steel-type. He'd initially planned to use a top-tier Metal Coat, which increased Steel-type moves by 30%, to evolve his Onix, but this secret treasure-level Metal Coat was a much better choice.
Nothing could evolve Onix more powerfully than this Metal Coat.
Glancing at the third item, he saw the Sun Stone.
But since he didn't have a Pokémon that evolved with a Sun Stone, it was an easy decision.
There was only one option that truly suited him.
"I'll take the Metal Coat."
**Dragon News Express:** Dragon University students recently donated an Enigma Berry tree to the school, and Principal Vladimir accepted it as part of the university's resources.
Chris was stunned when he read the news, hardly expecting Principal Vladimir to make such an announcement.
This message seemed intended to quell the recent stir after Chris brought the Enigma Berry tree to campus, signaling to interested parties that the tree was now property of Dragon University and directly under Principal Vladimir's care. The intent was clear: those with an eye on the Enigma Berry should step back.
As for the talk of Chris becoming a disciple...
Chris hadn't received any word about such an arrangement from the school, and Principal Vladimir hadn't spoken to him about it. In truth, Vladimir had stopped taking apprentices years ago, with his last student taken on twenty years back, practically twice Chris's age. The "acceptance" of Chris as a disciple was purely symbolic—a sign that Vladimir was officially supporting and protecting him.
This move could save Chris a lot of trouble down the road.
Anyone planning to meddle with Chris would now have to consider whether they were up to the challenge of facing Principal Vladimir.
"I'm truly honored," Chris thought, his admiration for Principal Vladimir rising to a new level.
Only such a wise principal could lead Dragon University so well, nurturing so many talents and inspiring graduates to return to their alma mater. This reminded Chris of Theodore, who had been offered better treatment elsewhere but chose to return to the university.
Since it was still the holiday break, and his counselor, Olivia, was also on vacation, Chris couldn't visit the Dragon Nest in the East China Sea alone. He'd have to wait until she returned before taking Axew there.
The Enigma Berry tree situation was finally settled.
Chris took the Metal Coat Principal Vladimir had given him to prepare for Onix's evolution into Steelix.
He used his handheld device to inspect the attributes of the treasure-level Metal Coat.
**Flame Pattern Metal Coat:** Increases the power of Steel-type moves by 40%, with a fire-type burn effect added to Steel-type moves.
The handheld also displayed the Metal Coat's hidden abilities, undetectable by ordinary machines.
Steel-type moves with a fire burn effect...
"Tsk tsk," Chris thought, amused, knowing that Steel-type moves usually don't cause burns. If his opponent were to suffer a burn from a Steel-type attack, their reaction would be priceless!
With the campus quiet, Chris planned to head to a secluded spot by the island's beach, release Onix, and apply the Flame Pattern Metal Coat as a full-body massage.
In games, Onix evolves into Steelix through a "link trade" with a Metal Coat (a process that can be limiting for single-player trainers). But in reality, it was easier: simply coating Onix's body with the Metal Coat would initiate evolution. (The Arceus version used a similar method.)
If his level 40 Onix evolved into Steelix, it would gain powerful abilities, instantly becoming a Ace Pokémon.
Just as Chris stepped out of his dormitory to begin, he remembered something and paused.
He decided he should first challenge the Fire-type gym with Onix before evolving it.
There was a simple reason for this: Rock-type Onix resisted Fire, while Steel-type Steelix would be vulnerable to it.
Back in his room, Chris turned on his handheld, guiding his character to Lavaridge Town to re-challenge the Gym Leader "Flannery" in the Lavaridge Gym.
A flash of light filled his view, and suddenly, Chris was inside the virtual gym. The temperature around him seemed to jump by seven or eight degrees, and the unique scent of hot springs filled his senses.
He had arrived at Lavaridge Gym.
Standing opposite him was a girl with bright red hair styled like iron tree branches, dressed in a cropped top and long pants.
"Welcome… Oh, no, insignificant challenger, nice to see you again!" she smirked.
"It seems the one who lost to me last time hasn't lost the courage to be a Trainer!"
"Not that I'm underestimating you," Flannery continued, "but if you haven't made serious progress since last time, you'd better leave now—the result will be the same."
"Because…the gap between you and me is just too wide!" Flannery crossed her arms over her chest, tilting her chin up with a hint of childish pride, making it hard for Chris to be offended.
Chris held up his Poké Ball, responding, "Enough talk. Today, you're the one who's going to lose!"
"You think so?" Flannery shot back, unfazed. "Just like last time, I'll show you the fiery moves I've honed with Laser Focus right here on this land!"
The referee had taken his position and, once both trainers were ready, announced the rules.
"The battle now begins as the Lavaridge Gym Challenge. Trainer Chris is challenging Lavaridge Gym Leader Flannery. Both trainers may use up to three Pokémon. No switching is allowed. The battle ends when one side has no available Pokémon."
"The Gym Leader will send out her Pokémon first."
Flannery confidently tossed her Poké Ball.
It landed on the field, and with a flash, her Torkoal appeared, now at level 38—two levels higher than their last encounter.
"Torkoal!" it roared in its usual breathy voice, exhaling fiery white smoke from its nose.
As it entered the field, the atmosphere instantly brightened. Torkoal's **Drought** Ability activated, summoning **Sunny Day** weather conditions!
Chris threw his Poké Ball, releasing his Onix onto the field.
Onix's body glinted like diamond, stretching an impressive 30 meters in length. As soon as it appeared, its massive form dominated half the battlefield, and its snake-like head glared down at Torkoal from above.
"It's so huge!" Flannery exclaimed, momentarily taken aback.
Most Onix are around twenty meters, but Chris's Onix was visibly larger, its size alone a testament to its power.
The referee checked both sides, then brought down the flag, declaring, "The battle begins!"
Chris quickly called out, "Sandstorm!"
The surging wind swept up flying sand, cloaking the entire battlefield in a dusty haze. The fierce sunlight had been obscured by the storm, and the sound of the horn echoed through the air.
Chris's first command was for Onix to use Sandstorm.
The summoned Sandstorm naturally replaced the Sunny Day effect brought on by Torkoal's Drought Ability. In Sandstorm conditions, non-Ground, Rock, and Steel-type Pokémon would suffer continuous damage.
Chris wasn't particularly concerned about the specific boosts from Sandstorm—his main goal was to keep the battlefield out of Sunny Day's control. With Sunny Day off the table, the duel was already looking easier for him!
"Torkoal, use Sunny Day!" Flannery called out, determined to reclaim the weather advantage.
In Sunny Day conditions, Fire-type Pokémon like Torkoal experience a significant power boost. For Flannery, this wasn't just about Torkoal; she was also mindful of Chris's Greninja, a Water type. Controlling the weather meant seizing the upper hand!
Since Sandstorm could replace Sunny Day, Sunny Day could naturally replace Sandstorm as well. It all came down to which Pokémon could command the weather more strongly.
Flannery felt confident in her Torkoal's strength, having trained it specifically as a top weather specialist. She didn't believe that Chris could have found a weather counter in the short time since their last battle.
"Sand Tomb!" Chris interrupted Flannery's attempt, launching an attack before she could reset the weather.
"Roar!"
With a thunderous cry, Onix slammed its tail into the ground, sending tremors across the battlefield. The ground around Torkoal cracked and shifted, the soil twisting into a vortex until it transformed into quicksand beneath Torkoal's feet.
"Torkoal!" Torkoal didn't flinch, shouting as it launched a glowing orb into the sky. The ball of light burst into a fierce, hot radiance, as though the sun had suddenly intensified its power, pushing back against the Sandstorm.
But the clash of weather effects was short-lived. In mere seconds, the bright Sunny Day attempt was swallowed up by the swirling sand.
"Sunny Day didn't activate? How is that possible?" Flannery gasped, shocked by the outcome. "Could this Onix really have more control over the weather than Torkoal?"
Flannery found it hard to believe. Torkoal's natural Drought Ability made it a born Sunny Day user, and it had a higher special attack than Onix. Why couldn't it win the weather battle?
But Chris had anticipated Sunny Day's failure.
While weather moves and abilities offer their own advantages, those boosts alone aren't always enough. As he commanded Onix to use Sandstorm, Chris had also brought out a special Rock horn and blown a signal, providing Onix with a 25% increase in all stats, along with a 50% boost to Rock-type moves. Additionally, Onix held a Smooth Rock, extending the Sandstorm's duration.
With a level advantage over Torkoal as well, Onix was a force not easily overpowered, even if Torkoal managed to initiate Sunny Day.
"Rock Slide!" Chris gave the next command.
Already trapped in Sand Tomb, Torkoal could only brace as countless rocks, each the size of a basketball, rained down from above, quickly burying it beneath the avalanche.
"Torkoal is incapacitated, Onix wins!" the referee announced.
Chris watched Torkoal's defeat and couldn't help but think, Should I consider catching a Tyranitar?
It seemed his lineup was starting to shape up well for a Sandstorm team.
With Garchomp's ability, Sand Veil, and Mega Garchomp's ability, Sand Force, he already had strong synergy. Mega Steelix also had Sand Force. Even his Aggron, though it didn't have a Sandstorm-specific ability, was a Steel/Rock type, perfect for the environment. Adding a powerhouse like Tyranitar would create a solid six-member team with four prime choices to dominate the field.
Plus, he still had his Rock horn. The Ground type's affinity with Rock-type moves meant that even without STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), Pokémon like Garchomp and Steelix could benefit from the Rock-type move boost.
The only problem was that Tyranitar's evolutionary line didn't inhabit Hoenn, making it a bit of a challenge to acquire.
Maybe I should head to Slateport City to ask the old captain about when my ship will be ready, Chris thought. I can't wait to explore other regions.
"Good job," Flannery said, forcing a smile as she returned Torkoal to its Poké Ball. She was clearly frustrated. Without control of the weather and her stalwart Torkoal, this was a completely different battle than the last time she faced Chris.
"Alright, try this on for size!" she said, throwing her second Poké Ball.
This time, instead of Arcanine, Blaziken appeared.
Blaziken, Level 44.
"Her Ace is Blaziken?" Chris mused, slightly surprised.
However, this was actually a good opportunity—if he defeated Flannery, he could gain valuable insights from her experience raising Blaziken, which would be useful for his own team.
"Blaziken, use Close Combat!" Flannery commanded.
"Onix, Rock Slide!" Chris countered.
It was clear Flannery was determined to take Onix down quickly.
Blaziken charged forward, its strong legs swiftly covering ground even through the swirling sand. But before it could close the distance, Onix's roar reverberated across the battlefield.
A dark portal seemed to open in the sky, as if connected to another dimension. Rocks, each the size of a basketball, poured down like rain onto the battlefield, creating a massive Rock Slide.
Rock Slide, power 75, and it hits all targets within range—a formidable Rock-type AOE move!
Blaziken, however, had no choice but to press forward. Close Combat was a high-stakes move that sacrificed its own defenses for a powerful offensive strike.
Chris didn't bother with evasive maneuvers; Onix's size and defenses were formidable, and he felt confident that his Rock Snake Pokémon could withstand any retaliation.
Soon, Blaziken closed the distance and launched its assault, a series of heavy blows landing against Onix.
A steady thud, thud, thud echoed across the battlefield.
But… something felt off to Chris. It was almost as if Blaziken's attacks lacked the usual power, leaving him to wonder just how much longer Flannery's efforts could hold up.
Blaziken was four levels higher than Onix and launched Close Combat with twice the restraint and 120 power (reduced to 100 in the Arceus version).
Any Pokémon, even a legendary, struck by this blow in a defenseless Contest Condition would be, at the very least, seriously injured.
Yet, Chris's Diamond Onix was unscathed. A faint white mark was the only evidence left on its gem-like surface.
What incredible defense!
Everyone, including flannery, was stunned.
"Why is a Fighting-type move ineffective against Rock-type Onix?" she wondered aloud.
In her mind, it was easier to believe that Chris's Onix had used some technique that nullified the impact rather than accept that her Blaziken hadn't even scratched it.
"Because your Blaziken's attack power is too weak," Chris mocked, pulling out a Rock Horn and directing Onix to use Rock Slide.
Close Combat is a powerful attack in the game, but in real battles, it's a series of intense punches. Onix's Broken Armor Ability was triggered repeatedly. Though the hits looked harmless now, Onix would likely start showing wear soon enough.
How resilient could Onix be? It seemed unbreakable, but it wouldn't last forever.
Rocks hurtled down from above like a storm.
Against a Fighting-type like Blaziken, a Ground-type move would actually be more effective, delivering double damage. But the Ground-type moves Onix knew, Sand Tomb and Dig, were far too slow to catch the swift Blaziken.
Rock Slide was the only viable option.
And thanks to the Rock Horn, the rocks Onix called weren't basketball-sized—they were as big as wagon wheels!
Blaziken, in the "defensive drop" Condition after using Close Combat, was now taking 1.5 times the usual attack damage.
This 1.5x damage plus the 50% boost from the Rock Horn meant Rock Slide's unrestrained power was now a massive force!
The actual damage effect went beyond doubling. Combining these multipliers, the final blow packed about 2.25 times the strength.
Several rocks struck Blaziken simultaneously, smashing it to the ground.
Blaziken was defeated!
flannery had hoped to take Onix out instantly, but the situation had flipped: Onix had taken down Blaziken in an instant.
flannery's mouth fell open. "Are you sure that's an Onix? Or is it actually Regirock?"
Onix seemed to have the same thought. Blaziken made the first move—why blame me? Without Close Combat, I wouldn't have been able to knock it out so quickly.
"It's just an ordinary Onix," Chris replied, not expecting the battle to go this smoothly. Based on Blaziken's performance, he wondered if flannery needed to rethink her training strategy.
flannery rolled her eyes.
This diamond-armored Onix… ordinary? Really?
She sighed and returned Blaziken to its Poké Ball before sending out her last Pokémon.
Arcanine, Level 42.
"Arrroo~~!" Arcanine let out a powerful howl, radiating a fierce energy as it entered the field, triggering its Intimidate Ability.
Although Onix wasn't scared, its attack power was still reduced by Arcanine's presence.
Chris couldn't help but admire Arcanine. With its excellent base stats, Intimidate Ability, and imposing appearance, it would make a perfect addition to any team—not to mention its suitability as a mount. Who wouldn't want a strong, majestic big dog? If possible, Chris would happily take two: a classic Arcanine and an Arcanine from the Hisui region.
Unfortunately, the standard Emerald region didn't have habitats for Growlithe or Arcanine, and in the real world, Growlithe were almost exclusively used by police forces. With government-controlled nurseries and only rare instances of Growlithe available to the public, wild Growlithe sightings were even scarcer.
"Arcanine! Use Play Rough!" flannery commanded, her voice filled with determination, though the situation was getting tense.
Arcanine's moves weren't effective against Onix, and if even Blaziken's powerful attacks barely left a scratch, Chris's words about Arcanine's own moves being resisted might just hold true. Still, Play Rough was Arcanine's best shot.
Arcanine charged at Onix with powerful strides.
"Onix, use Rock Slide!" Chris called.
Rocks began raining down from above like a torrent.
The outcome was clear: Arcanine, a pure Fire-type, was weak against Rock moves, and Rock Slide's area damage sealed the deal. Without needing the boost from the Rock Horn, Chris's Rock Slide quickly took down Arcanine.
flannery had considered using the Fighting-type move Reversal, hoping it would cause some damage. But even that wasn't enough.
As the battle concluded, Chris returned to his room, feeling both satisfaction and a touch of surprise. His Shiny Onix was indeed something special. Had flannery known about its Broken Armor Ability, a few repeated hits from something like Double Slap might have done the trick, chipping away at Onix's defenses. But Blaziken's Close Combat had only enhanced Onix's durability.
With a base defense stat of 160, plus the added effect of the Rock Horn, Onix's effective defense had reached a formidable level, bolstered by its diamond-like body.
Chris could already envision future battles where Onix's nearly unbreakable defense would make opponents lose hope.
Wait, why did this feel so familiar?
The last time he'd seen such resilience was with a certain Wobbuffet! Back then, he'd recreated the legend of the "Mirror Coat" master; now, he was seeing the glory of Onix.
Well, perhaps this was Onix's last win, as it was almost ready to evolve into Steelix.