Tetsuya judged Beedrill's food intake and the rate at which Gloom produced nectar. He needed to catch six Gloom.
Of course, Tetsuya could not let Beedrill absorb Gloom's nectar without restraint like before. It could only be allowed to absorb from one each day.
Gloom, this type of purely plant-based Pokémon, was relatively easy to raise. As long as there was water and sunlight, they could survive. Of course, they would also eat some pollen and petals and could be completely self-sufficient. However, this type of Pokémon generally had a docile temperament, feared battle, and was not suitable to be raised as a battle Pokémon.
Catching six Gloom had already exceeded the Shadow Team's limit of five Pokémon. Before the centralized competition held every six months, these extra Pokémon had to be exchanged away, otherwise they would be confiscated, and even his main battle Pokémon might be taken. So even if he caught six Gloom, they would have to be rotated every six months.
---◓---
Arriving in front of the flower field, Tetsuya first put on a gas mask. It would be troublesome if the pollen drifting in the air affected him.
Now Beedrill's resistance to Stun Spore was already very high. After consuming Gloom's nectar for a relatively long time, this kind of immunity had naturally formed within its body.
"Catch six Gloom. Choose them yourself and see which ones produce more… fragrant, nectar. This will be your personal rations for the next six months."
A foodie's nose was naturally extremely sensitive. Beedrill flew above the flower field, and more than a dozen Beedrill clones appeared.
Many of the Grass-type Pokémon had already curled up their bodies. This was not Beedrill's first time coming to collect nectar. In order to avoid being beaten, these Pokémon would proactively allow Beedrill to absorb their nectar.
However, this time Beedrill was not here for simple plundering…
Very quickly, one Gloom was knocked out by Beedrill, and Tetsuya threw a Poké Ball to catch it in one motion.
They were all Mareep waiting to be slaughtered. Without much effort, six Gloom were captured.
Tetsuya put away the six Poké Balls and casually said, "Heh, Grass-types really have no combat power. They don't even have value as sparring partners."
…Deep within the flower field, there was a weak Grass-type Pokémon, Shroomish. Due to its small size, Beedrill had not noticed its existence for several days. But Tetsuya's "casual" remark had touched its self-respect, and also the dignity of the Grass-types!
One day, it would defeat him… defeat this Beedrill, and restore the reputation of the Grass-types!
---◓---
Leaving that flower field, Tetsuya had Beedrill fly into the air to scout the terrain, mainly to determine the direction of the mountains.
Rhydon was most likely to appear in mountainous terrain. This was currently his only direction. Although Houndoom was in the forest, it was elusive and difficult to track, so he could only start with Rhydon first.
Of course, he also needed to quickly get two Pokémon with good potential. According to the Shadow Team's rules, a person could have at most five official Pokémon. Now he had one Beedrill, plus Piloswine and Golett, making three. He still lacked two. Only by quickly obtaining and training them into qualified combat power could he ensure his final victory.
Under Beedrill's lead, Tetsuya began heading toward the mountains…
"Wait!"
A somewhat unfriendly voice called out to Tetsuya.
Tetsuya turned around. It was a small group of five people. Aside from Aurora, he did not recognize the other four at all.
Judging by height, the boy leading them was about twelve or thirteen years old, considered relatively older among the hundred kids. However, Aurora was no longer with Takuya and Haruto, but had instead joined this team.
"Speak, what do you want?" Tetsuya said coldly.
The leading boy said to Aurora, "Is it this person…?"
Aurora pointed at Tetsuya and said, "Mm! It's him. Back in Ecruteak City he bullied me, and after coming here he caused me to be abandoned by my friends. All my misery is because of him, boohoo… you must help me take revenge, okay, Sanctis!? As long as we leave this island, I will definitely… s-satisfy you!"
Tetsuya let out a cold laugh. In such an environment where survival was uncertain, anyone who could still fall for such a "beauty" scheme was destined to be eliminated. Standing on the edge of death without realizing it, yet still daring to think about "romance", it was truly laughable.
This Aurora embodied vanity, jealousy, and pettiness. Back then, if she had not stolen her father's Drapion to battle him and show off, how would the Shadow Team have taken notice of her? Her current situation was entirely self-inflicted.
"…Alright, alright, I'll definitely avenge you. But after I help you… don't forget our agreement." The boy named Sanctis revealed a depraved expression. Even the three minions beside him found it hard to watch. 'At this age, what could he even do…' It was truly speechless!
"You, kid! Pokémon battle, are you in? If you lose, you have to kneel on the ground and give Aurora a… finger, sahaha!" Sanctis spoke with full confidence.
"Oh… then what if you lose?" Tetsuya glanced at his Beedrill, completely ignoring him.
"Ptooey! Don't joke. How could your single Beedrill possibly beat me!?" Sanctis looked down on both Tetsuya and Beedrill.
"Ugh, I really don't know where your confidence comes from… Let's fight." In Tetsuya's eyes, this was just a Youngster¹[1]-type Trainer delivering experience.
After speaking, Beedrill had already flown in front of Tetsuya.
"Come out, Pidgeotto!"
A Pidgeotto spread its wings, revealing its sharp talons. Its gaze was sharp, staring directly at Beedrill.
'Ohh, so it was a Pidgeotto, type advantage. No wonder he was so confident. But if I lose to you, a chuunibyou, then half my life would have been in vain.' Tetsuya glanced at this Pidgeotto. It had likely just evolved, but even such a Pidgeotto already surpassed many people's strength.
"Pidgeotto, go, use Quick Attack!"
Pidgeotto spread its wings and turned into a streak of white light as it charged toward Beedrill.
"Use Double Team."
Tetsuya shook his head. This kind of speed was simply too poor, clearly lacking systematic -IV training- training.
Beedrill instantly split into more than a dozen clones. Pidgeotto immediately lost its sense of direction and kept turning its head around.
This Trainer was also at a loss and shouted in panic, "G-gust, use Gust!"
"Hn. Focus Energy, [Twin Fury]."
The battle was practically over.
Pidgeotto had just prepared to flap its wings when more than a dozen Beedrill rushed toward it like shooting stars!
Only Pidgeotto's cries could be heard, yet Beedrill's true body could not be seen. What could be seen were only afterimages darting in from all directions. Each piercing strike carried the power of [Twin Fury], leaving Pidgeotto completely unable to fight back.
In terms of sustained flight and distance, Beedrill was far inferior to Pidgeotto, but in terms of instantaneous burst and short-distance sprinting, Beedrill could completely overwhelm Pidgeotto.
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¹. Youngster is the Trainer-class in the Games. If you're curious, just in the search section on bulbapedia, type "Trainer classes".
[1] Youngster is the Trainer-class in the Games.