Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom-Chapter 571 - 570: Turning the Mantis into Bait

With this, Cain, who was about to act, slowly lowered the Poké Ball in his hand.

If someone else wanted to play the "mantis," he had no problem being the "sparrow" to catch the prey. So, he decided to exercise patience and wait.

Cain still had a list of Team Rocket members' information that he had obtained from Regi. Although he wasn't sure if the other person also had something similar, Cain estimated they probably didn't. Even if they did, it wouldn't be as detailed as what Regi had compiled.

He decided to wait for the other person to make the first move. Once he confirmed their identity and skills, Cain would have an even greater advantage.

He waited in silence for another half hour. During that time, the Krookodile had already been pushed to the edge of the sunken zone by the Bastiodon. However, that was as far as the Bastiodon could manage.

After all, their advantage lay in their incredible defense, but they lacked offensive power.

The reason the Krookodile had been pushed back was simply a strategic retreat, not fear.

Now that they were at the edge, retreating further would mean leaving the sunken zone, and clearly, that wasn't what the Krookodile wanted. So, they launched a fierce counterattack, and the two sides became deadlocked once again.

It was at that moment that Cain, who had been watching the Team Rocket member on the other side, noticed them start to move.

Amidst the vast yellow desert, a cloth appeared, and from beneath it emerged a Team Rocket member dressed in a form-fitting black suit.

The disguise they had used earlier was that yellow cloth that had covered their body. In the desert, the black suit was quite visible, but once inside the sunken zone, it became harder to detect due to the shadows created by the sunlight.

Cain carefully observed their movements, frowning. This individual clearly possessed strong camouflage and survival skills in the wild—essential traits for a Team Rocket Officer.

Cain still didn't move. Until he confirmed the opponent's identity, he decided not to act hastily.

The Team Rocket member moved swiftly across the sandy terrain, as if experienced in desert living.

"Those boots? Is that why they move so well on the sand? Clearly, no one on this expedition to Mythical Island is a novice," Cain thought, following their every movement.

Three minutes later, the man reached the area of exposed minerals without the Bastiodon or Krookodile noticing.

"It's time," Cain said calmly. "Drapion, alert the Bastiodon and Krookodile. Use Shadow Ball to attack the mineral area."

Following Cain's orders, Drapion extended a pincer and began forming a ball of dark energy.

While Gengar was the most skilled at using Shadow Ball, Drapion had learned a few tricks from it. Although not yet at Gengar's level, attacking an immobile target like a rock was not a significant challenge.

Two dark balls were launched: one aimed at the mineral area and the other at the Team Rocket member.

After firing the attacks, Drapion concealed itself again.

The Team Rocket member, who had just smiled upon reaching the mineral area, sensed danger behind them. Quickly rolling to the side, they avoided Drapion's Shadow Ball.

Boom!

Boom!

The two Shadow Balls exploded in the mineral area and on the sand, missing the Team Rocket member. However, hitting them wasn't necessary—the desired effect had been achieved.

The Krookodile and Bastiodon heard the explosions. Both groups, which had been fiercely fighting, stopped their combat. After all, the entire confrontation was over those precious minerals.

Someone had tried to take advantage of their distraction to steal them.

That was unacceptable!

The Bastiodon turned and rushed toward the mineral area, fixing their gaze on the Team Rocket member. The Krookodile, on the other hand, took advantage of their greater speed.

Without the Bastiodon's barrier, they moved nimbly through the sand, outpacing the Bastiodon on their way to the minerals.

Cain couldn't see the man's expression, but his face was surely as dark as his form-fitting suit.

Despite everything, the speed with which this individual reacted impressed Cain. Knowing the situation was slipping out of their hands, they released two Poké Balls.

Finally, Cain saw what Pokémon the enemy was using: an Excadrill and an Onix.

Upon seeing them, Cain confirmed the man's identity. However, now wasn't the time to dwell on that. If he wanted to be the sparrow, he needed the "mantis" to put in a bit more effort.

The man jumped onto the Onix, while Excadrill quickly burrowed into the sand.

Onix moved swiftly through the sunken zone, and although it was usually slow, in this sandy environment, its speed was surprising.

But the Krookodile were even faster, especially their leader, who was quickly closing in on the Onix. Just when it seemed they would catch it, Excadrill emerged from the ground, launching attacks that slowed the Krookodile.

Onix also sought areas filled with rocks to pass through. Due to its massive size, the rocks posed no obstacle, but the Krookodile had to go around them, increasing the distance between them.

Now that the time was right, Cain also prepared to act.

But first, he had something else to do.

"Honchkrow, follow him from the air. Stay high and avoid being attacked. Make sure the Krookodile and Bastiodon don't lose track of the man," Cain ordered.

Honchkrow nodded and flew toward the Team Rocket member, occasionally launching attacks to prevent Onix from fully escaping and to guide the Krookodile and Bastiodon in their pursuit.

"Slowking, teleport us to the mineral area," Cain said, releasing a Poké Ball.

"Yadon!" Slowking activated its psychic power, distorting space. In an instant, they appeared in the mineral area.

The Krookodile and Bastiodon had already gone after the man, leaving them alone.

"Drapion, Slowking, quickly! Dig up everything you can before they come back!" Cain ordered.

Drapion began using its pincers to frantically excavate the minerals, while Slowking transported them with its psychic power to Cain.

Cain pulled out a massive backpack he had prepared for this occasion. Regardless of the minerals' quality, the important thing was to take as much as possible!

(End of Chapter)