Hiss, hiss~ In the narrow Underground Path, there was not only the crackling sound of electric-type energy pulsating, but also the occasional warning cries from Galvantula.
Zhang Heng and Zhu Zi both stopped, looking ahead.
Zhang Heng looked at the densely packed army of Galvantula ahead, his scalp tingling, but then he calmly observed his surroundings and said, "There's no other way; this is the only path to the deeper areas."
Zhu Zi's gaze was fixed on the front; he didn't listen to Zhang Heng but spoke to himself, "Behind the Galvantula group, there's also a leading Pokémon."
Hearing this, Zhang Heng continued to look into the dense group of Galvantula, where a humanoid Pokémon stood at the very back of the group, with thick arms and two tail-like appendages resembling detonators on its back.
Although Zhang Heng couldn't clearly see the exact appearance of this Pokémon, he could use the system's ability to check its panel.
Pokémon Name: Electivire
Attribute: Electric
Level: 48 (Gym level combat power)
Zhang Heng's gaze was solemn, not because this Pokémon's combat power was particularly strong, but because of its uniqueness.
He said, "That's Electivire; it should belong to a trainer. Why is it underground in the prison? Is it official?"
Electivire is the evolved form of Electabuzz, and its evolution method is very peculiar, requiring it to be traded while holding an Electirizer. Therefore, it's almost impossible for wild Electivire to exist; it must be a Pokémon that evolved through human intervention.
Zhu Zi nodded upon hearing this and said, "You have good eyesight. My view was blocked by that group of Galvantula, and I couldn't distinguish its species. If it's Electivire, it should be a Pokémon placed underground by the officials to assist with power generation."
Zhu Zi continued, "Electivire's power generation is among the highest level for Electric-type Pokémon. The Pokedex states that just one Electivire can provide all the electricity needed for a large city's buildings for one year. It can release over 20,000 volts of electricity from the tips of its two tails to attack."
Zhang Heng responded, "There's no other way; to move forward, we can only force our way through. But what if we make too much noise down here and the officials notice?"
Zhu Zi didn't mind, saying, "Most Electric-type Pokémon are violent. With so many Electric-type Pokémon gathered beneath the prison, they naturally often fight among themselves, creating a lot of noise. The officials won't pay attention, nor will they come down to stop it."
"But besides guarding the prison, is there any other use for raising so many Electric-type Pokémon beneath the prison?"
Zhu Zi clarified, saying, "The Electric-type Pokémon underground don't distinguish between friend and foe. They will not only attack official personnel but also anyone who tries to escape or attack the prison from underground, becoming targets."
Zhang Heng nodded and responded, "I see. It's like a natural barrier, and with a guardian beast suppressing them underground, it won't cause a riot among the Electric-type Pokémon. So what Pokémon guards the prison?"
Zhang Heng asked the question he most wanted to know.
Zhu Zi turned his head, thought for a moment, and said, "It should be an Electric-type Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution."
Zhang Heng thought to himself, "There are only two Electric-type Pokémon that can undergo Mega Evolution. Excluding Ampharos, then..."
Zhu Zi interrupted Zhang Heng's thoughts, saying, "Don't think about it. You'll know when you see it. First, clear out the Electric-type Pokémon in front of us."
He threw a Poké Ball forward from his waist. Bang! A flash of white light.
A slender figure appeared. It had two long arms, more than two-thirds of its body length, a protruding part on its head, two white dots on its nose, and its neck was wrapped in foam, looking like a white scarf.
"This is my ace, specially prepared for exploring underground and facing Electric-type Pokémon."
Pokémon Name: Frogadier
Attribute: Water
Level: 35 (Lord-level combat power)
Potential: Elite Four
Tera Type: Water Attribute
Ability: Protean (Hidden Ability)
Held Item: C-rank Item - Life Orb
Learned Moves: Water Gun, Quick Attack, Lick, Water Pulse
TM Moves: Icy Wind, Mud Shot
That's right, the ace Zhu Zi brought out to deal with Electric-type Pokémon was this Water-type starter from the sixth generation - Frogadier. With its Protean ability, it should achieve good results.
Zhang Heng was a bit envious, rarely seeing a Water-type Pokémon with such perfect aptitude and ability. Unfortunately, it was a trainer's Pokémon.
However, looking at the TM setup and the item's level, Zhang Heng could tell that although Zhu Zi was a Champion's descendant, their family's life might not be easy.
Training Pokémon, just buying high-grade items and configuring TMs, requires a lot of money, not to mention that Pokémon with Elite Four-level aptitude or higher are rare and hard to come by.
Zhu Zi commanded, "Frogadier, Mud Shot."
Frogadier changed from a crouching position to standing on the ground, forming hand seals like a ninja, concentrating Ground-type energy.
Outwardly, nothing seemed to happen, but inside Frogadier's body, there was a drastic change: its attribute transformed from a single Water Attribute to a Ground-type.
This was all thanks to its hidden ability—Protean. Its effect is that before using a move, its own attribute changes to the attribute of the move being used.
Not only does this provide the Pokémon with this ability with excellent defensive synergy, but it also grants a Same-Type Attack Bonus to its moves.
For example, now that Frogadier used Mud Shot, its attribute became Ground-type, not only making it immune to electric-type moves but also allowing it to enjoy the Same-Type Attack Bonus for Ground-type moves.
Puff, puff, puff~ Several mud balls, the size of shot puts, shot out from Frogadier's mouth, arcing in a parabola towards the location where the Galvantula were gathered.
The speed of Mud Shot was still too slow and did not cause any damage to the group of Galvantula; instead, they cleverly used their webs and terrain advantages to dodge.
Zhang Heng also immediately commanded, "Cutting Rotom, use Electric Net."
Cutting Rotom instantly floated forward, its body surrounded by electric light coalescing into an Electric Net, which it forcefully pushed towards the Galvantula swarm. With a crackling sound, several Galvantula were hit by the current, their bodies retreating a few steps.
But the Galvantula were numerous, and the remaining ones quickly dispersed, shooting out tiny Electric Nets from all directions, attempting to trap the two and their Pokémon.
Zhu Zi reacted extremely quickly, directing Bisharp to use "Metal Claw," its sharp claws tearing through the Electric Net, creating dazzling sparks.
Zhang Heng was not to be outdone, shouting, "Cutting Rotom, use Will-O-Wisp!"
The Fire-type energy swirling around Rotom transformed into a bulldozer carrying a ball of fire, weaving through the Galvantula group. Wherever it went, Galvantula were sent flying, emitting a scorched smell.