🎆 Happy New Year! 🎆
Thank you all for the amazing support throughout this year. 💙To celebrate the arrival of the new year, here is a special New Year code:
🎁 Code:NewYear: F3B16
📅 Code validity:
Start: December 30, 2025 at 11:55 p.m.
End: January 2, 2026 at 11:00 p.m.
Enjoy it and let's start this new year strong. 🚀✨Here's to an amazing 2026! 🎉
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"Sandslash, finish him off!"
Seeing the Golbat falling from the sky, Ethan Black's eyes lit up. He recalled the three earlier wind blades that had gone directly for his life, and his expression turned cold.
This was the difference between the real world and anime: reality, without a doubt, was much more cruel.
"Sha!"
Sandslash, upon hearing this, gave a slight nod and his figure shot forward like lightning.
Without looking further at Golbat, Ethan Black turned his attention to Absol, who at that moment was locked in a brutal hand-to-hand battle with a similarly sized Pokémon.
"Shellder, use your psychic power on Persian!"
Ethan Black's eyes narrowed. This was a battle of life or death; there were no fair duels or anything of the sort here.
Upon hearing the order, Shellder's eyes glowed. He immediately released a powerful psychic field that enveloped Persian, forcing it to sink under its own weight.
Absol didn't let that chance slip away. His mouth filled with sinister energy, and he unleashed the move Bite, sinking his fangs into Persian's shoulder.
"Miauss!"
The pain made Persian let out a low roar and counterattack with Scratch, forcing Absol to dodge and retreat somewhat clumsily.
"Eh? That strike should have gone straight for the neck. Absol is still too soft."
Seeing that Absol's attack hadn't been decisive, Ethan Black frowned.
Whoosh!
At that moment of reflection, a whistling sound cut through the air. A silhouette suddenly appeared at his side, gleaming claws descending toward his head.
Crack!
Shellder, who was concentrating on keeping Persian restrained with psychic power, couldn't react in time. The barrier shattered into pieces, and the enemy's claws slashed directly at Ethan Black's neck.
"Sha!"
At the last instant, Sandslash, who had been on alert for possible hidden attackers, appeared just in time. With Metal Claw, he blocked the strike midair, stopping the assault.
Boom!
A loud crash resounded. Sandslash stood firm, unmoving, while the enemy silhouette was sent flying backward violently.
Huff!
In mid-retreat, that figure raised its hand and suddenly generated an icy blast that swirled toward Ethan Black.
Shellder reacted immediately, using Aqua Ring which, under his psychic control, transformed into a rotating water shield.
Crack!
The icy blast froze it instantly, and the resulting ice block crashed heavily to the ground.
"Tch!"
Ethan Black took a deep breath, a chill running through his whole body.
The fight had been far too dangerous. If not for Sandslash, he would likely already be dead.
And although Shellder managed to block the final attack, the seeping cold had left him trembling.
"Compared to Pokémon, humans are really far too fragile."
He straightened his clothes with a shiver and looked up.
"So it was a Sneasel?"
Now that he could clearly see the enemy's form, Ethan Black understood.
Sneasel's body was primarily black, with a red tail, silver claws, golden markings on its forehead and chest, and a red left ear.
Realizing its ambush had failed, Sneasel cast one last hostile glance at Sandslash before vanishing once more into the forest trees.
Sandslash watched with bright eyes, hesitated for a moment, but in the end did not pursue: protecting Ethan Black was the most important thing.
"This is bad... that attacker came straight for my life."
Ethan Black's face reflected irritation. After having been one step away from death, it was impossible to be in a good mood.
"We need to end this quickly. Sandslash, help Absol finish Persian!"
"Meltan, Trapinch, you two go with Cacturne and take out those three Arbok leaders!"
"Shellder, you stay on lookout, we can't allow that Sneasel to succeed again!"
Ethan Black, now on full alert, had decided to wrap up the battle as soon as possible and return to the university, where he would be protected by the guardians who always remained hidden.
"Sha!"
Sandslash nodded and immediately charged Persian.
Still irritated by Sneasel's ambush, he unleashed all his fury on Persian.
Blood splattered; his sharp claws tore into Persian's flesh, leaving deep, bleeding wounds.
"Abbssss!"
Absol, seeing Sandslash attack so violently and Persian staggering, unable to resist, let out a soft sigh. He turned around and returned to Ethan Black's side without looking back at his opponent.
"Good job, Absol."
Ethan Black didn't reproach him. He stroked his silky fur and praised him.
"Abbssss..."
Absol lowered his head apologetically. He knew he had hesitated.
Because of his compassion, Shellder had to use psychic power to assist him with Persian, thus weakening Ethan Black's defenses and almost allowing the enemy to strike. Absol felt guilty.
Boom!
Meanwhile, the battle between Sandslash and Persian continued.
Sandslash's combinations were brutal, and Persian was already at his limit, clearly with no strength left to endure much longer.
On another front, Trapinch and Meltan were working with Cacturne against the three Arbok. Meltan had immobilized one by using his hardened body with Harden.
"Ssshh!"
The trapped Arbok struggled fiercely, biting with Poison Fang, but Meltan, being a true Steel-type Pokémon, was immune to poison. Moreover, he carried a Toxic Orb within him, nullifying any advantage from the enemy.
Trapinch, though still not very strong, used Dig to keep another Arbok occupied. Though he couldn't defeat it quickly, at least he held it down.
Cacturne, on the other hand, had it easier. Within his field of roots, he bound the third Arbok as if it were a mummy.
And ever since learning the move Toxic, Cacturne's roots had overcome their weakness to poison. Now they glowed with a green aura as they drained the enemy's life energy with Absorb.
"Only that Sneasel remains..."
"But with things like this, I doubt it'll dare to show itself again."
Ethan Black swept his gaze across the surrounding forest, fear still lingering in his eyes.
(End of chapter)