Houndoom's Smog spread under the high temperature of Flamethrower, instantly covering a large area.
Machoke and Hitmonchan, who were inside the poisonous mist, let out bursts of coughing.
Relying on their agile movements, the six Houndour gradually gained the advantage, and both sides had suffered considerable damage.
'Hmm, after a bit more fighting, I can make my move. If not for the fact that this team has too many people, and there are Shadow Team patrols, I would really want to wipe out this team… sigh, if I snatch from them, they will inevitably bear a grudge. I must come up with a foolproof plan, one that allows me to obtain Houndoom without being discovered…'
Tetsuya began to calculate in his mind.
"Have Poliwag use Rain Dance first, otherwise these ten people are going to lose."
Tetsuya said to Takuya beside him.
Takuya nodded and sent out Poliwag. After using Rain Dance, a light drizzle began to fall from the sky.
As the rain fell, the Smog dripped to the ground. Machoke and Hitmonchan felt slightly better, but due to inhaling too much toxic gas, they showed signs of Poisoning.
Under rain, the power of Fire-type moves was greatly reduced, and the Pokémon of the Cianwood team began to show signs of counterattacking.
Tetsuya continued observing the battle. That Houndoom was indeed exceptionally fierce. From the start of the battle until now, even while facing three Pokémon that had an advantage against it, it had not fallen into a disadvantage.
If he had not used Rain Dance just now to create trouble for them, it would have probably already taken down Machoke and Hitmonchan. If it were not needed to exchange back his Piloswine, he would really want to catch it for his own use.
In contrast, the potential of the six Houndour could only be considered average, with little value for raising.
Seeing that three Houndour had already fallen, Houndoom became anxious and let out a furious howl toward the sky.
The previously gathered dark clouds actually dispersed, and the rain was successfully dispelled.
A Flamethrower directly engulfed Hitmonchan who was trying to approach. Machoke seized the opportunity and grabbed Houndoom, using Submission. Houndoom did not sit still. It opened its mouth and used Flamethrower to burn Machoke, determined to go down with it.
A huge fireball could be seen rolling. Submission did not complete its final slam before stopping.
Houndoom panted heavily, its body swaying and unable to stand steadily, but Machoke had collapsed, its body covered in red burns.
At this point, the situation of the battle had already tilted toward Houndoom's side, but Houndoom and the Houndour had also suffered serious injuries.
The leader of the Cianwood City team looked at the still-standing Houndoom and wanted to take out a Poké Ball to forcibly catch it, but after being glared at by Houndoom's sharp gaze, he was immediately too frightened to act.
Houndoom used all of its remaining energy to help the three remaining Houndour finish off their opponents.
Now the entire Cianwood City team had been completely wiped out!
Houndoom's pack had also suffered heavy injuries and did not dare to stay here any longer.
Three Houndour carried the three that had lost the ability to battle, and under Houndoom's lead, they left.
Leaving behind the team staring blankly as Houndoom departed, an extremely desolate sight…
"Boss, are we just going to let these dogs go!?"
"Sigh… of course. We don't have a single Pokémon that can still battle. Being able to keep our lives is already good enough. Didn't you see that Houndoom's might!? It alone could bite all of us to death…
If it weren't for the fact that it was wary that we still had Pokémon capable of battling, we wouldn't have survived today.
Withdraw back to camp quickly! We can't let others know that all our Pokémon are injured. First properly treat our Pokémon's injuries."
After the leader of the Cianwood City team finished giving instructions, he also began to retreat.
With the limited medical conditions in the forest, it would take at least two days for all their Pokémon to recover.
---◓---
"Follow them."
Tetsuya called out and chased in the direction Houndoom had left.
Houndoom was already heavily injured, and the other three Houndour were not only injured but also had to carry one Houndour each, making it even more difficult. Their travelling speed was very slow.
Tetsuya and the other two could already see their figures from a distance, but they did not approach any closer. The main objective now was to find out their lair.
"What should we do now?" Takuya asked.
"They are definitely heading back to their hiding place. We must intercept them before they return to their lair. Do this, you maintain this distance and follow Houndoom. I will move ahead from the flank. If I can find their lair first, that would be even better."
After giving instructions, Tetsuya took Beedrill and quickly moved ahead from the side. Now he could almost determine Houndoom's direction of movement. Following that direction, Tetsuya did not dare to stop for even a moment.
---◓---
Sure enough, he discovered a cave deep within the forest.
At this moment, it could not yet be confirmed whether it was Houndoom's cave. Charging in recklessly could not guarantee safety.
"Beedrill, use Pin Missile into the cave."
Beedrill nodded, flew to the cave entrance, thrust its twin stingers forward, and shot streams of white light inside.
Only the sound of Pin Missile impacting rock could be heard. Even after a while of continuous firing, there was still no movement.
Tetsuya could almost confirm this cave. Since the sound of Pin Missile impacting rock could be heard, it meant the cave was within the range of Pin Missile. After such prolonged firing with no response, it indicated that there were no living creatures inside.
Now Tetsuya boldly entered the cave with Beedrill. The cave was small and could accommodate at most around ten Houndoom. Inside, there was also the corpse of a Stantler, which appeared to be Houndoom's food.
It could already be confirmed that this was Houndoom's lair!
Tetsuya quickly came to the cave entrance. Looking into the distance, he could already see the staggering figures of the Houndoom group.
"Beedrill, scatter Toxic Spikes at the entrance."
Tetsuya began his plan. Beedrill fired sharp Toxic Spikes from its tail, embedding them into the ground.
After setting up the first trap, Tetsuya and Beedrill hid inside the cave.
They only needed to wait for Houndoom to approach.
---◓---
Inside the cave, Tetsuya and Beedrill could only wait patiently.
Although they could not see Houndoom outside due to the darkness in the cave, once Houndoom entered, it would inevitably step on the Toxic Spikes at the entrance, and he would naturally know of its arrival.
With each heartbeat, time passed second by second…
Suddenly, a painful howl came from the cave entrance. Tetsuya knew that Houndoom had already stepped on the Toxic Spikes.
"Pin Missile, fire!"
The reason he was hiding in the cave was for this strike. Pin Missile shot out like streaks of white aurora!
Once again, cries of Houndoom and Houndour were heard.
At this moment, Houndoom had already realized the danger and prepared to retreat.
"Beedrill, Double Team, charge out."
Suddenly, more than a dozen Beedrill flew out from the cave, all thrusting their twin stingers forward with fierce momentum!
Following behind Beedrill was naturally Tetsuya.
Houndoom gritted its teeth tightly, its eyes fixed on Beedrill. The three Houndour also put down their unconscious companions and assumed a stance ready for combat!