POKEMON : STARTING WITH FLASH METAGROSS

"Cubone, Curse, continuously!"

"Cubone!"

Cubone nodded, understanding Rax Chand's intent. It closed its eyes and began channeling its inner strength.

Once... twice...

After three consecutive uses of Curse, a faint red aura enveloped Cubone. This was its limit; any more would strain its body.

'If only it knew some Fighting-type moves…' Rax thought. But now, all he could rely on was Cubone's strongest move.

"Bone Boomerang! Throw it!"

The cave's darkness became an ally as Cubone hurled its bone club with precision. It struck the sleeping Whismur squarely on its forehead, leaving a noticeable bump.

The Whismur awoke with a start, only to be struck again by the returning bone, this time on the back of its head. The force sent it sprawling to the ground.

"Stomp, now!" Rax commanded.

Cubone charged forward without hesitation, leaping onto the stunned Whismur and stomping relentlessly. The Ground-type energy surged through its tiny body, amplifying its power and slowing Whismur's movements.

The Whismur, unable to resist, collapsed unconscious. Cubone stepped back, panting heavily, its eyes wide in disbelief.

"Did I… really do that?"

Rax was equally stunned by Cubone's performance. "That second hit with the Bone Boomerang—right to the back of its head—was the game-changer," he explained.

Cubone's eyes lit up with pride as it glanced between its bone club and the fallen Whismur. It seemed deep in thought, perhaps plotting even stronger tactics.

Although Whismur wasn't particularly rare, Rax tossed a Poké Ball at it, capturing it to avoid future trouble.

"Let's take a break, eat something, and then keep going," Rax said, handing Cubone an energy cube. He himself gnawed on some dry bread, regaining strength.

Cubone, still feeling the emptiness after the power boost from Curse, devoured the cube eagerly.

The cool breeze brushing Rax's face brought renewed hope. After a short rest, the pair continued their journey.

Light began to filter faintly into the tunnel. Cubone perked up, its excitement contagious.

Suddenly, a silver flash zipped past them, vanishing around a bend.

"What was that?" Rax froze, gripping his flashlight tighter.

Cubone instinctively raised its bone club, ready to attack. But after a moment of silence, nothing else stirred.

"Move slowly, Cubone. Stay alert."

"Cubone…"

With the promise of escape so close, Rax pushed forward cautiously. As they approached the bend, a sharp gust of wind tore through the air.

They retreated instinctively.

From the shadows, a metallic figure rocketed toward them, its movements swift and unrelenting.

When Rax finally got a good look, his fear transformed into exhilaration.

A sleek, steel body gleamed in the dim light. Its round head bore a single black-and-red eye, while three golden claws extended from its rear like jet boosters.

"A shiny Beldum!" Rax whispered, his voice trembling with excitement.

The steel Pokémon's rarity was staggering, and Rax knew its evolutionary potential. Years later, this shiny Beldum could become the fearsome Metagross that trainers around the world dreamed of encountering.

There was no way Rax could let it escape.

"Cubone, Bone Boomerang!"

The bone flew through the air, aiming for the shiny Beldum.

But the Beldum wasn't intimidated. With a burst of energy, it collided head-on with the spinning bone, deflecting it easily. Undeterred, the Beldum continued its charge.

"Curse, then Screech!"

Cubone fortified itself again, its defense growing stronger. As the Beldum closed in, Cubone unleashed a piercing Screech, its harsh sound waves shaking the cave.

The distraction was enough for the returning bone to strike Beldum from behind, causing it to falter.

The impact stirred up a cloud of dust, obscuring the scene. When the dust settled, Cubone had managed to grapple the Beldum, holding its round head tightly.

The Beldum, though resilient, was clearly slowing. Its jet-like propulsion sputtered, weakened by Cubone's persistence.

"Now, Heavy Stomp!" Rax shouted.

"Cubone!"

Cubone slammed the ground with all its might, sending tremors through the cave. The shockwaves immobilized the Beldum, leaving it vulnerable.

Rax seized the moment and threw a Poké Ball.

The ball encapsulated the shiny Beldum, falling to the ground and shaking violently.

One shake.

Two shakes.

The Poké Ball burst open, and the Beldum emerged, determined to fight.

"You're stubborn, huh?" Rax smirked. "Cubone, Bone Club, go!"

Cubone dashed forward, its bone glowing with determination. The two clashed again, and this time, the Beldum was knocked back, colliding with the cave wall.

Rax hurled another Poké Ball.

It shook once.

Twice.

Three times.

Ding!

The Poké Ball stilled, and a soft chime echoed through the cave.

For a moment, Rax stood frozen in disbelief. Cubone, grinning ear to ear, retrieved the ball and brought it to him.

"We did it…" Rax whispered. "We actually caught a shiny Beldum!"

Releasing the newly captured Pokémon, Rax carefully handed it a steel-type energy cube. "Here, eat this. You'll feel better soon."

The shiny Beldum stared at him, its black-and-red eye gleaming with defiance. But it accepted the cube, its energy gradually restoring.

With renewed vigor, Rax, Cubone, and their latest companion pressed onward, the faint light of the cave's exit guiding their way.