Pokémon World, Hoenn Region.
Deep within Petalburg Woods.
A seventeen-year-old boy named Alex was running for his life.
Hot on his heels, two Arbok—each over two meters long, their bodies marked with alternating bands of gold and white, and tails ending in anchor-shaped tips half a meter long—slithered after him with deadly intent.Their gaping maws revealed gleaming, needle-like fangs, spraying venom with every hiss. A single drop would strip flesh from bone—even if it didn't kill you outright.
An adult Arbok could grow over four meters long, boasting tremendous physical strength and venom so potent that no creature in Petalburg Woods dared to provoke it.
"All this over two discarded snake skins? Isn't that a little much?"
"Come on, they're useless to you after you've shed them! Why not just let me go?" Alex shouted in frustration as he ran.
"Hisssss!" The two Arbok—one male, one female—answered only with enraged screeches, pressing the chase.
"These two hides should fetch a nice price…"
If there had been any other way, Alex would never have risked provoking these venomous titans.
"But as long as I stick to the plan, there won't be any real trouble."
Catching sight of the trap set up ahead, Alex's lips curled into a confident smile.
Darting and weaving between trees, he kept just ahead of his pursuers. A few agile maneuvers widened the gap between him and the massive serpents.But the female Arbok suddenly let out a sharp, ear-splitting hiss—and its speed surged dramatically.
In a heartbeat, it was almost on him.
"Rocky, Luna—ready?" Alex called out silently.
"Ready!" Two voices echoed in his mind.
"Good. Stick to the plan," Alex replied.
"Now!" He burst from the trees into a small clearing, shouting the signal in his head.
The Arboks were less than ten meters away—close enough for Alex to smell the acrid stench of their breath.
Whoosh!
Alex suddenly leapt two meters into the air.From the ground below, two massive nets shot upward, snapping shut around the serpents.
"Rocky—Focus Punch, now!""Luna—Telekinesis!"
From the forest's edge, two figures emerged:
A Riolu, its fur a deep blue-black.And a Ralts, its small body pure white.
Riolu stepped forward, crimson eyes locked on the larger female Arbok. Planting one fist at its waist, it gathered energy before slamming forward with a devastating punch—wind howling in its wake.
Beside it, Ralts placed its tiny hands over its chest, sending out shimmering waves of psychic force.
Focus Punch was a Fighting-type move—not super-effective against Poison-types like Arbok, but with a base power of 150, it could still inflict massive damage.Telekinesis, a Psychic-type move, was especially deadly to Poison-types.
The combined assault smashed into the female Arbok, ending its rampage instantly.
The male, still thrashing in the other net, struck out with its anchor-shaped tail, shredding the mesh that Alex had bought—at great expense—from Devon Corporation.Its hiss rose into an alarmed roar.
"No problem—we've still got two-on-one!" Alex's initial worry faded. With one down, the fight was in their favor.
He fixed his gaze on the remaining Arbok."Rocky, take the front. Luna, hit it from behind with Telekinesis.Rocky, watch out for counterattacks—protect Luna at all costs.Luna, if Rocky can't hold it, use Teleport to evade."
Riolu and Ralts nodded without hesitation.They had rehearsed this scenario over thirty times. Against a single Arbok, they were confident.
The male Arbok saw its mate fall and flew into a frenzy, whipping its heavy tail forward.
"It's using Iron Tail—Rocky, block it!" Alex commanded.
"Riolu!" Rocky braced, crossing sturdy arms to absorb the blow, left leg forward, right leg anchored. The impact forced it back two steps.
"Luna—Telekinesis, now!"
Ralts flicked its hand, releasing a psychic ripple that slammed into the Arbok—super-effective damage against Poison.
The serpent screamed, reeling from the attack.Its eyes locked on Ralts, the true threat, and it lunged.
"Rocky—Bullet Punch to intercept!"
"Riolu!" Rocky dashed forward, fists flashing as it pummeled the Arbok, forcing it back.
"Luna—Telekinesis!"
This time, Ralts didn't flinch. It raised a small hand, and a surge of psychic energy crashed into the serpent.Two super-effective hits in quick succession left the already-weakened Arbok reeling.
It hissed, coiling defensively, then abruptly turned and fled into the forest—leaving its unconscious mate behind.
Alex didn't give chase. His goal wasn't to defeat them, only to claim their shed skins.
Once certain the danger had passed, he turned to his partners with a smile."Good work, Rocky, Luna. I'll make something delicious for you when we get home."
At that, both Pokémon lit up with excitement.
Ralts clung to Alex's leg, voice sweet and pleading."I want sweet-and-sour pink soup!"
"No problem. If Luna likes it, I'll make it," Alex said, kneeling to pat her head.
Riolu was quieter, but the eager gleam in its eyes was no less bright.
Alex took its paw."Rocky, I'm thinking of making Tomahawk steak later. You'll help me, right?"
"Riolu!" Rocky nodded—Tomahawk steak was his favorite.
"Alright, let's head home."With that, Alex set off through the forest, his two Pokémon at his side.