"I challenge... the first place, Cain!" After making a firm decision, Xander didn't hesitate any longer and walked decisively toward the challenge area, bringing his Ekans with him.
Upon hearing Xander's words and seeing his actions, all eyes in the venue instantly focused on him. This feeling of being the center of everyone's attention gave Xander more confidence, and his expression became even more determined and haughty.
Watching Xander walk toward the battlefield, the Team Rocket examiner frowned and looked toward Viper in the stands.
Xander's identity was no longer a secret at Team Rocket's base. If anything happened to him, even Viper would struggle to face the wrath of Xander's brother, so the examiner could only wait for Viper's decision.
Viper displayed a serious expression; though he understood Xander's decision, he also knew that with everything in Cain's favor, Xander couldn't accept being increasingly outdone by him. Xander's pride wouldn't allow him to be pushed aside without taking action.
Viper gave a slight nod, indicating to the examiner that the challenge could proceed.
With Viper's approval, the Team Rocket examiner sighed slightly. If the conditions permitted, he wouldn't want to be involved in this fight, but now, as the examiner, he had no other choice.
Xander stopped on one side of the battlefield and laughed loudly, "Cain! What are you waiting for? Let me see how strong you really are! I hope you're not just all show!"
Cain stretched lazily, twisting his neck as he smiled silently.
Xander's challenge wasn't a surprise to Cain. In fact, when he had fixed his gaze on Xander earlier, he had partly done it to provoke him and ensure that he would decide to challenge him.
If everything went well, Cain would soon leave the island, and as the leader of the faction he had just consolidated, he needed to leave a strong enough impression.
"ID number 234, Cain, number two, Xander with ID number 99, has challenged you. Do you accept the challenge?" asked the Team Rocket examiner from his position as judge.
Cain's smile grew wider, and his Murkrow, standing by his side, also locked eyes with his trainer.
As Cain's Pokémon, Murkrow had long been eager to teach Xander a lesson for his arrogant attitude. It had also wanted to face Xander's Ekans for quite some time.
"I accept!" Cain said calmly as he advanced to the other side of the battlefield under everyone's watchful eyes.
Finally, the expected outcome arrived. The examiner sighed, resigned to seeing the two people he least wanted to see face each other standing on the battlefield.
He knew Xander's identity well, and he had also heard from Viper about what had happened with Cain and Umbra. Cain was someone chosen by a very powerful superior, and compared to him, Xander's brother was nothing more than a joke!
"This challenge is a death match. Each participant may only use one Pokémon, and there are no additional battle rules. The challenge ends when one side surrenders or dies! Now, let the challenge begin!"
At the examiner's words, the first challenge of the test finally began.
Instantly, a tense atmosphere filled the place.
"Ekans, use Glare!" Xander shouted, initiating the battle.
Ekans' move, Glare, used the patterns on its belly to intimidate its opponent, serving as its first attack.
"Murkrow! Take flight, use Tailwind, and avoid looking at it!" Cain quickly issued a precise order as well.
"Caw!" Murkrow soared into the air, surrounded by a faint white current that minimized air resistance. In the blink of an eye, it became a black shadow disappearing into the sky.
"Screech! Ekans!" Frustrated by the failure of his first strategy, Xander frowned and ordered a second attack.
"We'll use Screech too, Murkrow!" Cain countered.
Both Pokémon turned into sound generators, one on the ground and one in the air. The formless sound waves spread, causing discomfort to everyone present, both humans and Pokémon.
Ekans, unable to fly, was at a disadvantage against the sky-soaring Murkrow. Although both attacks lowered the opponent's defense, Cain still controlled the flow of battle.
"Cain! Are you going to keep your Pokémon in the air the whole time? If you do, I'll truly despise you!" Xander shouted, frustrated by the situation.
Cain sneered in disdain. "Idiot, your taunt is pathetic."
"But you've convinced me. Murkrow, get close and use Wing Attack!"
Xander's comment had achieved its purpose: making Cain go on the offensive. Though it seemed like Cain was letting himself be influenced, in reality, Cain had merely decided it was time to attack.
Xander smiled grimly. Although he'd been insulted by Cain, he had achieved his goal: getting Murkrow close enough for Ekans to strike.
"Ekans, don't dodge! Use Wrap and then Bite!"
The greatest advantage of snakes lies in their venomous fangs and muscular body. These moves would maximize Ekans' potential.
Murkrow, dark as night, shot toward Ekans like a black lightning bolt, its wings glowing with a white radiance.
Ekans, patiently waiting, braced for impact.
"Boom!"
The impact was explosive, raising a cloud of dust. Murkrow's wings, charged with Flying-type energy, struck Ekans hard.
"Chaa!" Even though it was prepared to endure the hit and counterattack, Ekans hadn't anticipated the strength of Murkrow's attack. It let out a cry of pain.
Ekans' defensive reflex, in response to the pain, prevented it from immediately counterattacking. Murkrow, following Cain's training, didn't hesitate to quickly retreat.
Ekans' attempts to use Wrap and Bite met only empty air.
Xander couldn't believe it; his face darkened. "Quick, use Acid!"
Fortunately, Xander reacted in time, and Ekans' eyes widened with fury as it shot a ball of purple acid, striking Murkrow as it retreated.
"Hissss!"
The acid began to corrode Murkrow's feathers, reducing its defense.
After the first exchange, both Pokémon separated, observing each other from a distance.
With just one encounter, they had each gained a sense of the other's power, which only fueled their fighting spirit even more.
Both of them shared a warrior's nature!
(End of chapter)