Tetsuya walked alone in the forest, heading toward the other side of the island, the shaded mountain.
It had been nearly a month since he left Golett and Houndoom. Over time, it would inevitably cause emotional fluctuations in the two Pokémon, so along the way, he did not actively provoke trouble. After three days, he arrived at the shaded mountain.
It was just around dusk.
He saw Houndoom struggling to move forward in front, with Golett following closely behind. Houndoom took one step, and Golett took one step.
This scene was unexpectedly somewhat beautiful…
'Uh…
That definitely wasn't me just now!'
Clearly, it was Golett using Gravity to pressure Houndoom for physical training.
Tetsuya checked the time. It was just past six, and in another hour and a half, Houndoom would need to rest.
At this moment, Tetsuya rushed over. Haunter, Golett, and Piloswine followed closely behind.
"Let's stop today's training here. You can rest now."
After Tetsuya spoke, Houndoom and Golett turned around. It was indeed Tetsuya, and of course, also Haunter, whom Houndoom was seeing for the first time. Although Golett had not spent much time with Haunter, as fellow Ghost-type, they naturally got along well. After half a year without seeing each other, it jumped up excitedly and ran toward Haunter.
Tetsuya felt greatly relieved. At least Haunter was still in everyone's memory…
'Huh... something's not right!'
Golett can jump now? And it can run?
After the two Pokémon finished catching up, Tetsuya said to Golett, "Golett, let me see how your energy spread is progressing?"
After speaking, Tetsuya took out glasses from his backpack. After all, staring at Golett would easily blind his 24K titanium alloy bright eyes because of the Bright Powder on its body…
Golett flickered its energy.
Sure enough!
It had already spread below its knees. No wonder it could run and jump. For Golett, this was already a leap forward.
It would soon be able to battle.
"Keep it up, Golett!"
"…"
---◓---
That night, all the Pokémon lined up on both sides of Tetsuya, looking at the star-filled sky.
Tetsuya told them about the future training direction and plans, as well as some stories from another planet.
The next day, it was finally time to see Haunter's level.
Simply using moves was already too basic for Haunter. Only battle mattered, straightforward.
Haunter excelled in Speed and Special Attack, and as a Ghost-type, it was unpredictable. Its speed even surpassed Beedrill. It also had the unique "defensive Night Shade". Beedrill was definitely not its opponent.
As a Dark-type, Houndoom already had an advantage in type. Combined with its keen nose, it would certainly pose a sufficient challenge to Haunter.
Piloswine, since the time at Mahogany Gym, had already been sparring with Haunter. At that time, Piloswine was not Haunter's opponent. Now that Piloswine had learned and dominated more move combinations, it was still uncertain who would win.
"Haunter, Houndoom, you two spar first today. Use all your strength."
On the first day of meeting, they were already fighting…
What kind of Trainer is this!
Haunter's figure was elusive. Its Speed was different from Beedrill. Through hearing, one could still track Beedrill's wing vibrations, but Haunter was like a… well, ghost, impossible to grasp.
Houndoom was just about to use the newly trained "[Blazing Howl]."
Once this move was used, Houndoom could gain an absolute advantage. Howl could increase its Attack, Snarl could deal double effectiveness damage to Haunter, and most importantly, Sunny Day. Under the blazing sun, ghosts would have nowhere to hide, and Haunter would naturally be very uncomfortable in such weather.
However, Haunter was not a Pokémon that would sit and wait for death, especially with its speed, as well as the speed at which Tetsuya had trained its move compression and release over a long period of time.
These were the strongest among all his Pokémon.
"Shadow Ball."
Although this move would not cause much damage to Houndoom, its key point was its extreme speed.
Just as Houndoom opened its mouth, five shuttle-shaped Shadow Balls had already reached in front of it.
What a terrifying speed!
How could Houndoom dare to use [Blazing Howl] now? It let out a dry roar and quickly leaped backward, barely avoiding Haunter's attack.
It was still in shock.
Haunter's follow-up attack had already arrived.
Sludge Bomb, Shadow Ball, the same shape, similar colors, impossible to distinguish.
Houndoom now felt increasingly stifled. When fighting Piloswine, it had at least been evenly matched. Now facing Haunter, it was actually being beaten without any ability to fight back.
It increasingly admired Tetsuya's training ability…
Beedrill felt even more inferior. Haunter's unpredictable speed was above its own, and its proficiency with moves far surpassed it. The sense of superiority it once had in the forest was becoming weaker and weaker.
Piloswine did not excel in speed, but Haunter's progress truly amazed it.
Sure enough!
Tetsuya nodded.
The Ghost-type manual of the Matsuba family had mentioned that Haunter that feed on vitality would have their strength grow subtly over time. Haunter's current strength was mainly due to that Ninetales.
Such move release speed and continuity would be impossible without strong psychic power. Now Haunter's control over its psychic power had completely integrated into the use of various moves. This was the truly terrifying aspect.
That Ninetales was truly a treasure~
With Ninetales' psychic power as a base, training psychic power was like receiving legendary assistance, progressing by leaps and bounds.
Otherwise, with Haunter's own aptitude, it would take two hundred years to reach such psychic power, and its rate of improvement was also getting faster and faster.
Shadow Ball and Sludge Bomb struck one after another.
Although Houndoom was unwilling, it could only retreat step by step.
However, this time…
Haunter's hands suddenly extended, transforming into two black shadows that shot out instantly and grabbed Houndoom's forelimbs.
"Ho~ho? Hex."
Haunter's level had already increased to the point of learning Hex. Hex could be used in various ways and had the effect of aggravating wounds, dealing even greater damage to Pokémon in abnormal conditions.
Since it had learned Hex, it had also learned Destiny Bond. After establishing the [Shadow Contract], such a move could no longer be used. Although in normal battles this was a very practical move, he did not intend to rely on it.
Under the control of psychic power, Hex firmly restrained Houndoom's forelimbs.
The sudden shock caught Houndoom off guard. Now it was too late to use a move to defend against Haunter's attack.
Crackling…
Five or six consecutive Shadow Balls and Sludge Bomb all struck Houndoom's body.
As Haunter's Hex ended its restraint, Houndoom was blasted away, kicking up layers of dust.
Haunter focused its eyes, staring at Houndoom.