"Roggenrola, use Sand Tomb to restrict it! Pidgeot, create Double Team and harass it with Air Slash! Combusken, Flamethrower! Aim right below the pattern on its body attack hard!"
In a mountainous region covered with rocks, intense sounds of battle echoed across a wide, open field.
All around were massive boulders scattered in irregular formations.
At the center of this chaos stood Silas and his three Pokémon, locked in a fierce battle against a giant serpent-like Pokémon with a deep purple body.
This Pokémon was enormous just by visual estimate, its length easily exceeded six meters. In front of it, one person and three Pokémon looked no bigger than infants.
Its thick, muscular body paired with its deadly venom made it a near-invincible predator in the wild. It was an Arbok.
What stood out most about this Arbok was the pattern on its neck. According to the latest studies, this species of Pokémon had over twenty different possible patterns.
But the most common one was exactly like the one Silas was facing resembling an angry human face: black "eye sockets," red and yellow "eyeglasses," a black "mouth" curved upward into a sneer, and black arrow-shaped "eyebrows" pointing downward.
Silas had been observing this Arbok for some time before launching his attack. It had just finished feeding.
That was one of the reasons he chose this target. Even for Pokémon, serpents are at their weakest while digesting prey.
The pattern on its underbelly didn't grant it any special abilities, and its regenerative powers weren't particularly strong just your average Arbok.
According to research, a small number of Arbok possessed powerful regeneration, able to regrow severed parts as long as the head remained intact. This one didn't.
If it had, capturing it would have fetched a hefty price. As it stood, though this one had just reached Advance-level strength and was naturally vicious, its value was significantly lower.
Silas had taken on a long-term official mission—code number 19789170519—to collect fresh Arbok shed skins.
He had long wanted to take on such a mission, but back when Pidgeot wasn't strong enough and Combusken had only just hatched, he opted for more manageable clean-up tasks.
Now, with three Pokémon at his command, his chances of winning against a typical Arbok in the wild were quite decent. And the reward? Very promising.
Even older shed skins from an Arbok held decent medicinal value. The fresh ones weren't the only ones worth money.
But there was one problem.
Arbok had extremely tenacious personalities. Once they fixated on a target, they would pursue it relentlessly no matter where it ran.
So if you ended up provoking one of these behemoths, the best course of action was to take it out completely either defeat it or capture and sell it.
Otherwise, a wounded Arbok could track you down in the wild and land a sneak attack from behind.
They were patient predators.
Of course, if you encountered a rare Arbok capable of changing its pattern and possessing powerful regeneration, keeping it as a personal Pokémon would make for a formidable ally. One need only look at Granny Agatha Arbok for reference.
"Chaabakuuuu~" the Arbok hissed coldly, continuing to slither closer.
Roggenrola's Sand Tomb appeared beneath the Arbok, restricting its movement and slowing it down.
Although the restriction only lasted a moment before it broke free using its brute strength, another patch of quicksand formed beneath it.
Meanwhile, Pidgeot's illusory clones swooped down, harassing the Arbok. Real Air Slashes mixed in with the shadows struck its massive body.
Combusken also unleashed streams of Flamethrower to block its advance.
Arbok suddenly rose high, coiling upright to reveal the pattern on its belly. This was its infamous Glare the serpent's intimidating gaze meant to strike fear into its enemies.
But neither Pidgeot nor Combusken hesitated in their assault. Only Roggenrola's Sand Tomb started slowing down, even halting momentarily.
"Roggenrola, don't be afraid! Aim for its eyes and use Mud-Slap!"
Silas quickly commanded Roggenrola to disrupt Arbok's concentration.
This situation stemmed from a difference in levels and strength.
Pidgeot's level was far above Arbok's. Even Combusken was not inferior in power. In fact, both were likely stronger than this just-entered-Advance-level Arbok.
Thus, its Glare had no real effect on them.
Honestly, if it weren't for the risk posed by Arbok's deadly venom, Pidgeot alone could've taken it down.
The main concern was the poison getting poisoned out here would be troublesome. The antidote Silas carried could only slow down the effect, not cure it completely. Full recovery still required returning to a Pokémon Center and having Nurse Joy treat it.
Otherwise, the lingering toxins would harm the Pokémon's health and hinder its growth.
That's why he chose to send out three Pokémon together better to finish the fight thoroughly without any risks.
Even though Roggenrola was playing more of a support role, the sheer difference in level meant Arbok's glare terrified it into stopping its move.
Still, that was expected.
The main offensive force in this battle was Pidgeot and Combusken.
Arbok let out a screech and slithered at Combusken, its body weaving in a serpentine pattern to dodge incoming attacks.
It had no other choice during its recent hunt, it had already used up a portion of its venom, so for now it couldn't use Acid Spray.
Besides, Arbok's usual method of attack was to wait until its opponent faltered, then quickly coil around them and squeeze until their heartbeat stopped.
Its constricting power was frighteningly strong it could crush a metal drum with ease. Once it wrapped around something, there was no escape.
All it needed was to get close…
Silas glanced at Arbok's position. "Roggenrola," he called out.
"Roggen!" Roggenrola instantly understood.
Suddenly, a patch of earth along Arbok's charging path collapsed, revealing a deep pit underneath.
Arbok, unable to stop its momentum, plunged straight into the hole.
"Combusken, use Fire Blast! Pidgeot, use Hurricane!"
There was no time to celebrate Silas immediately ordered his Pokémon to intensify the assault.
"Roggenrola, use Gravity! Keep it pinned down so it can't climb out so fast!"
"Rogoro!"
As the Fire Blast and Hurricane surged into the pit, the fire fanned by the wind grew even stronger, completely overwhelming the Arbok, which had been trying to climb out despite the Gravity weighing it down.
By the time the dust settled, Arbok had lost the ability to fight.
Silas cautiously had Pidgeot use Whirlwind one more time to be safe. Once there was no more movement in the pit, he stepped forward and tossed a Poké Ball.
Arbok struggled for just a moment before being captured.
He immediately locked the Poké Ball to prevent it from breaking out again. Only then did Silas let out a breath of relief.
There was no helping it Arbok was a natural predator. No trainer wanted to run into one in the wild.
It held grudges, had extremely potent venom, and its offensive strength was nothing to scoff at. Any poisoned Pokémon would have to be taken back for immediate treatment.
Fortunately, humans had tools. While Arbok was hunting, Silas hadn't been idle he was observing it closely the entire time.