It could not continue any longer.
Watching Houndoom spin like a dead body within the [Blizzard Vortex], if this continued, its life would likely be in danger… right?
However, Piloswine was currently in a Rest state and could not be woken up casually.
Tetsuya took out Piloswine's Poké Ball and forcibly recalled Piloswine.
Without Piloswine's control, the Hail and Blizzard gradually dissipated, and Houndoom fell to the ground unconscious.
Tetsuya took out a Poké Ball and caught Houndoom.
This Houndoom was one he was very fond of. Judging from its performance just now, the moves it could use included Flamethrower, Crunch -had to-, Snatch, Howl, Nasty Plot, and Fire Blast. All were quite practical moves, and there were certainly more moves it had not used.
The most crucial point was the "poison".
Houndoom had long been studied. The flames it spewed from its mouth when enraged would mix with toxins¹[1]. If burned, the pain would not cease.
From the poison dripping from Houndoom's fangs just now that could corrode rocks, and Flamethrower being able to poison Piloswine, it could be seen that this Houndoom could produce toxins itself.
In his previous life, Tetsuya had not had time to conduct "deeper" research on Houndoom before being reborn. He knew that Houndoom's Poison Gland was located in its gums, but it did not have a poison "sac", so it did not belong to the Poison-type. The toxins it used were produced and consumed instantly.
Moreover, no one had ever researched Houndoom's poison, nor had anyone used Houndoom's toxins for offense. However, aside from naturally being able to use Smog, Houndoom could also learn the signature Poison-type moves Toxic and Sludge Bomb.
His superficial research in his previous life found that Houndoom's poison was very similar to the fire-poison traits of Salazzle. It might be because Houndoom also had the Fire type. The most crucial point was that it could, like Salazzle, poison Steel-type Pokémon.
The unfortunate thing was that Houndoom did not have a poison "sac" and could not grant toxins in every move, so the chance of poisoning the opponent was relatively low.
How to improve Houndoom's toxins production efficiency would require deeper research. The most basic way was to enhance Houndoom's biting force. By training its gums, the Poison Gland would naturally be activated, and toxin production efficiency would increase accordingly.
---◓---
After the battle ended, Tetsuya treated Beedrill and Piloswine.
Now what he needed was Takuya's Houndour. As long as it told Houndoom that the enemy was the Cianwood City team, the hatred could naturally be redirected, and taming it would become much easier.
At the very least, this time Tetsuya had caught it with his own strength. Unlike before when he wanted to catch Golem or Ninetales, he had relied on Pryce's Swinub, so taming them would had been very difficult.
Now Houndoom was unconscious and could not do anything even if taken out.
"Tetsuya… I want to go check on Haruto and my Pokémon." After speaking, Takuya began walking toward the mountainous area.
Takuya could already predict the outcome. For Houndoom to have successfully come over, his Poliwag and Geodude must have been killed…
No, why had they not used Houndour?
If those two had used Houndour, at the very least it would have been familiar with Houndoom, and such a tragedy might have been avoided.
"Hey Takuya. You still had Houndour, right?" Tetsuya asked.
Takuya wiped his tears and said, "…Haruto and I took Houndour to scout a cave. We did not expect to anger the Rock-types inside. Those Pokémon used Earthquake and Rock Slide, causing the cave to collapse…
In order to hold off those Pokémon, Houndour was buried in the cave. Now I only have Houndour's Poké Ball, as a memento of it…"
Tetsuya: … (ꐦ •̀-•́) !
If you do not go and do stupid things, you will not die!
Tetsuya himself did not even dare to casually enter any cave or overly dark forest; he did not know where they got such courage.
Watching Takuya's departing figure, Tetsuya gritted his teeth, a cruel light appearing in his eyes…
Since Houndour was already dead, he could not explain things clearly anymore; he could only "apologize".
Tetsuya released Houndoom, which was still unconscious, and used a Potion on it.
Now Tetsuya could only wait patiently. With Piloswine and Beedrill by his side and Ditto in hand, he was not afraid of what Houndoom could do to him.
---◓---
After about an hour, Houndoom finally woke up. What appeared before its eyes were naturally Tetsuya, Piloswine, and Beedrill.
Houndoom leaped up and glared fiercely at Tetsuya.
"Heh~ Even if you 'glare', you cannot defeat Piloswine. What right does a loser have to show such an expression?"
Every word Tetsuya said pierced the heart. As the leader of a pack, Houndoom had always been high above others. Now suddenly being belittled to nothing, it was naturally unwilling to accept it. However, it had already witnessed Piloswine's final Blizzard, and at present, it simply could not withstand it.
"Hmm… do you not want revenge anymore? I only just found out that your pack was ambushed by those two just now. They are probably already dead! Now you are already my Pokémon. Only I can give you this opportunity for revenge!"
Tetsuya's words had already touched Houndoom's bottom line. With a soul-stirring howl, it lowered its head before Tetsuya…
Hatred forced it to bow its head.
Tetsuya smiled and said, "Excellent! Now I will take you to get your revenge. Follow me and accept my guidence. Only then can your level and power keep up with Piloswine. Otherwise, you will forever be bound within this small forest."
After speaking, Tetsuya walked toward Takuya.
Houndoom did not hesitate at all and followed. Revenge was certain, but more importantly was the heart of a king~. To step out of this small forest and stand at a higher peak was Houndoom's wish.
Following Tetsuya, Houndoom had already made its decision. How many times had it stood by the coast, gazing at the vast ocean, imagining what kind of world lay beyond it!
Now, although it did not have much goodwill toward Tetsuya, the Pokémon in this human's hands were indeed powerful. Perhaps he could take it away from this island…
---◓---
Tetsuya and Houndoom arrived at a higher point in the mountains and saw Takuya.
"Ahhhhh!"
In front of Takuya lay Haruto's corpse, along with the corpses of Sandshrew, Poliwag, and Geodude. He was crying loudly.
Tetsuya looked coldly at the grief-stricken Takuya.
'No need to be sad. With your personality, you were destined not to survive. It is better to be freed sooner.'
Houndoom gritted its teeth, ready to strike at any moment.
"Houndoom, your enemy is right there. Make your move," Tetsuya said with a frosty expression.
Houndoom let out a howl and shot forward with a whoosh.
The deafening howl naturally startled Takuya. Looking up, he was terrified out of his wits.
Houndoom had already opened its bloody maw and was charging straight at him!
The miserable scene of Haruto's death was still before his eyes. Now that this beast had appeared again, Takuya was so frightened that he could barely move…
•.
•.
¹. Bulbapedia: Its gut is full of toxins, which are used to create unique fire mixed with poison. This gives Houndoom's fire a foul odor and the burns it inflicts will never heal.
[1] Bulbapedia: Its gut is full of toxins, which are used to create unique fire mixed with poison. This gives Houndoom's fire a foul odor and the burns it inflicts will never heal.