With Beedrill searching through the forest, training couldn't be put on hold. Houndoom was not an average target, it would be awkward if he found Houndoom but could not defeat it.
Beedrill had just learned Pin Missile, which was also based on the power of its twin stingers. After two days of practice, it had already become very proficient, and its coordination with Double Team was also very smooth.
At present, the main training task was still focused on the tail stinger and toxin. Most Poison-type moves were launched from the tail stinger. Now the attack power of the tail stinger was clearly inferior to the twin stingers. Although the toxicity was also increasing, it was too slow. Due to current conditions, Tetsuya had not yet adopted extreme methods.
If he had enough funds, Tetsuya could directly buy a swamp in the Orange Islands or Hoenn, plant poison dart trees, and raise Beedrill with the sap of those trees. The toxin would be astonishing, and with Victreebel's nectar to balance it, why worry about not breeding a "[Badly Poisonous Beedrill]". However, all of this was just a fantasy without sufficient funds.
Only some wealthy Families had such capability. How could ordinary working-class people possibly have the capacity to raise such Pokémon. In his previous life, Tetsuya had realized this problem too late, which caused him to fall far behind.
What he could do now was only to train Beedrill's Poison Glands. First strengthen these organs, and it would also serve as preparation for the future. Therefore, the contraction training of the abdomen and tail stinger was completed at all times every day.
---◓---
As time passed day by day, Tetsuya also encountered several teams in the forest and inquired about Houndoom's whereabouts, but did not obtain any useful information.
In the blink of an eye, another half month passed. This forest could be said to have been more than half traversed by him. It had already been three months since he arrived at Shadow Island!
Tetsuya had been separated from Haunter, Piloswine, and Golett for three months now…
The only thing that could comfort him was the wristband Ditto in his hand.
When no one was around, he would also let Ditto Transform into a dagger to reinforce the practice of "[Tetsuya Move: Shadow Dagger]". Such a life-saving move at critical moments must not be forgotten!
On this day, while Tetsuya was supervising the systematic training for Beedrill, he once again encountered those two "unlucky ones", Takuya and Haruto.
Now when these two people met Tetsuya, they could not help but feel somewhat awkward. However, the two of them had repeatedly suffered setbacks in the forest, and no team was willing to accept them.
Three months had passed. Takuya had a Poliwag, which he had caught by luring it with food by the riverside. Then, relying on Poliwag, he helped Haruto catch a Sandshrew. The abilities of these two Pokémon and Trainers were not bad. After all, the two of them had been among the top four in the Ecruteak Gym evaluation.
Their basic knowledge of Pokémon and simple Pokémon raising wasn't bad. If they had focused on Pokémon raising, with their faculties, surpassing most people would not have been a problem.
Unfortunately, these two fools willingly degenerated. Just like back at the Ecruteak Gym, they always thought about relying on others, not putting their energy into empowering themselves and training Pokémon, but instead focused on finding groups and teams, relying on others.
"Tetsuya, Aurora is… she's dead…"
Seeing Tetsuya, Takuya immediately told him this "news".
This girl had always been arrogant and never put others in her eyes. He had already expected such an ending, it was only a matter of time.
However, Tetsuya still asked symbolically, "Hm? What was the reason?"
"It seems she was defiled… Actually, it cannot really be considered defiled, but you know her personality. How could she possibly allow such a thing to happen!? She… she committed suicide…"
Tetsuya shook his head. Although people in this world mature faster than on Earth, Aurora was still just a girl at that age. The so-called "defilement" was impossible. Most likely she had just been seen naked and could not endure it. It was very likely the same group from last time.
"So, in Ecruteak City only the three of us are left. Mmm… Tetsuya, shouldn't we, you know… unite?" Takuya finally stated his main purpose.
"Alright." This time Tetsuya agreed immediately. He was currently facing a problem, and time was passing quickly. It had already been three months. If he did not catch Houndoom soon, Piloswine's body would become very difficult to recover. Having two more people to help search would definitely be much better.
"T-That's great! This way we are also a team now. With you, Tetsuya, even if we encounter a team of five, we won't panic!" Takuya said.
"Yeah! It would be best to defeat that team from Cianwood City. Last time we tried to join their team, they actually required an 'evaluation'. Ptuf! They really think too highly of themselves… Aren't they just relying on their numbers!?" Haruto said indignantly.
"The team from Cianwood City…? You encountered them? Where, and what kind of evaluation?" Tetsuya suddenly became more talkative, because there were also people in Cianwood City who needed Houndoom. From them, it was very likely possible to obtain clues about Houndoom. After all, they were among the earliest to enter the forest.
"We encountered the Cianwood City team in the dense forest to the southwest. To join their team, you must defeat the weakest among them," Haruto said helplessly.
"…So you lost?"
Takuya and Haruto lowered their heads, somewhat embarrassed.
"Have a battle with me. Let me see what your current level is." After Tetsuya spoke, Beedrill had already flown in front.
"Ok… I'll go first. Go, Sandshrew!"
After speaking, Haruto threw a Poké Ball, and a armadillo-like Pokémon with yellowish-brown skin on its back appeared in front of Tetsuya.
Judging from the luster of this Sandshrew's skin, it had been raised fairly well, but this only showed that Haruto had taken good care of it. As for combat power, it could not be judged from appearance alone. However, from this point, these two still had some basics in raising Pokémon, much better than many novice Trainers. Being his assistants would be… "acceptable".
"You attack first," Tetsuya said.
"Then I won't hold back. Go, Sandshrew, use Swift!"
Haruto chose a long-range move to probe. It was a fairly standard approach. However, what Tetsuya wanted now was to test their level. Since they would be his assistants, if their level was too low, not only would they be unable to help him, they would also drag him down.
"Pin Missile."
Sandshrew spat out rows of golden stars, shooting toward Beedrill. Beedrill thrust its twin stingers forward, and Pin Missile shot out rapidly.
Swift was completely pierced through by Pin Missile, almost causing no resistance to Beedrill's attack, and it continued straight toward Sandshrew.
"S-Sandshrew, quickly use Defense Curl!"
Haruto shouted in panic.