Chapter 127:

"Slowpoke, keep using Water Gun. Combine it with your Confusion!" Cain commanded.

Another jet of water erupted from Slowpoke's mouth. This time, it was cloaked in a shimmering psychic aura. The water's speed and power were significantly amplified.

The enhanced Water Gun could now adjust its trajectory. Although it couldn't make sharp turns, the force of the attack wouldn't diminish after changing direction.

Swinub stared at the incoming jet of water, sensing the potent water energy and instinctively resisting. As an Ice and Ground type, it wasn't fond of water energy.

Swinub's small tail quivered, and its fur bristled. A chilling gust carrying fine snow erupted from its mouth.

Icy Wind!

As the Water Gun approached, Icy Wind collided with it.

The ice cave's frigid temperatures already amplified the power of Ice-type moves by at least 30%.

Slowpoke's Water Gun froze at the front. Swinub believed the attack's power would be significantly reduced when it reached him or at least that the water energy's effect would be lessened.

However, things didn't go as planned. Slowpoke's eyes glowed blue, and the psychic aura enveloping the Water Gun solidified further, accelerating the jet once more.

Swinub was stunned. The Water Gun struck it squarely, the frozen tip resembling a sharp arrow that dug into its flesh painfully.

It had been hoisted by its own petard.

"Ahhh!"

Swinub cried out in anguish.

Seizing the opportunity, Slowpoke, without needing Cain's reminder, used Confusion to launch several more water jets.

Swinub, already slow and with average defenses, was unable to mount an effective counterattack under the barrage of Water Guns, losing its ability to fight.

Slowpoke's water moves were doubly effective against Swinub's ground-typing. With the added psychic boost, Swinub had no chance of fighting back.

The battle was one-sided. Swinub wasn't a social Pokémon, so Cain and his team didn't feel the slightest urgency or pressure when facing one of such aptitude and level.

Cain subdued it with a standard Poké Ball, then applied medicine to ensure the Swinub wouldn't perish from its injuries.

Sneasel observed Cain's actions, contrasting his treatment of other Pokémon with how he treated him. He couldn't explain why, but he felt a tinge of happiness.

Perhaps comparisons weren't always harmful.

After successfully catching the Swinub, Cain decided against venturing deeper into the ice cave.

The deeper they went, the more unbearable the cold became. Even wearing a down jacket, Cain couldn't tolerate it.

Moreover, aside from Miltank, who was insulated by fat, and Sneasel, who was accustomed to such environments, the other Pokémon couldn't withstand the biting cold. Murkrow, in particular, felt as if it couldn't even flap its wings.

Cain saw this as an opportunity for a unique training method.

Although the ice cave's cold sapped energy quickly, the training proved effective, bolstering Murkrows' resistance to Ice-type moves.

As they retreated from the cave's depths, Cain asked Sneasel if he knew Onix's whereabouts, but this time, he wasn't certain.

Sneasel knew the ice cave well, but beyond the forest near his home, he had limited knowledge of the surroundings.

The area was vast, and he couldn't waste his time exploring it all day.

Since Sneasel couldn't pinpoint Onix's location, Cain abandoned the search in the ice cave. He believed that the Onix wouldn't be found in such a frigid place.

Emerging from the ice cave, Cain savored the comparatively warmer air outside and allowed his hands and feet to regain feeling. He then returned Miltank to its Poké Ball and prepared to search for possible Onix activity in the mountainous region.

The rocky terrain near the mountainside seemed like a likely habitat for an Onix.

Cain planned to spend the afternoon and the following morning searching for Onix. If he couldn't find it, he'd have to temporarily give up.

Umbra's mission had been delayed long enough, and Cain was growing concerned about the Pokémon Association's imminent attack on Team Rocket's base. He didn't know the exact time, but he sensed it would happen soon.

He couldn't afford to waste more time.

Navigating the mountain path, they traversed the rugged rocks, each step requiring caution. One misstep could lead to a dangerous fall.

Murkrow and Slowpoke had little to worry about; one could fly, while the other utilized Confusion to glide over the uneven terrain. Sneasel, familiar with such environments and possessing a strong physique, was the fastest among the Pokémon.

Along the way, they encountered many Geodudes and Golems. They were docile, merely observing Cain and his team before returning to their meals of rock.

Besides Geodudes and Golems, they also met Digletts and Sandshrews. While the Digletts didn't bother Cain and his Pokémon, the Sandshrews were more mischievous. They launched group attacks on the team, only to be fended off by Slowpoke's Water Gun. Those who couldn't escape swiftly met their demise.

The mountain was vast, but Onix's trail remained elusive.

Cain sent Murkrow to scout from the sky, but even after several rounds, they found nothing.

Logically, Onix, being a massive Pokémon, should have been easy to spot among the rocks. But their search yielded no results. Cain was helpless and could only hope to find Onix in areas where Murkrow couldn't see.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting its final ray of light, darkness enveloped the sky.

Cain led his Pokémon to a relatively clean rock cave. After a quick tidying, it became their makeshift camp for the night.