After passing through the Onix Tunnel, Ash and his friends continued their journey toward Goldenrod City.
One noteworthy event was that they ran into Jigglypuff again while traveling through the tunnel. Thanks to Jigglypuff's singing, all the Onix inside fell asleep, allowing the group to pass through safely.
After leaving the tunnel, they continued toward Goldenrod City.
When they reached a dense forest, they decided to stop and rest for a while.
Ash released both Cyndaquils and Ponyta, planning to help the Cyndaquils learn more Fire-type moves through special training.
He had Ponyta serve as a sparring partner, constantly battling them to stimulate the flames fueled by their fighting spirit. Naturally, the other Cyndaquil was also participating in the training.
After several training sessions, one of the Cyndaquil finally became capable of reliably activating its Blaze-fueled flames. Ponyta also learned several new moves, including Double Team, Stomp, and Flame Wheel. As for the other Cyndaquil, its higher level allowed it to already master the powerful moves Eruption and Flame Charge.
On the surface, Ash appeared to be supervising their training.
In reality, part of his attention was focused on browsing the System interface.
The dazzling variety of items nearly overwhelmed him, but he ultimately decided to prioritize practicality.
Considering his current team composition, he spent some World Points to exchange for a King's Rock.
After all, when his Slowpoke eventually evolved, Ash fully intended for it to become Slowking.
Even after the purchase, he still had plenty of World Points remaining, so he decided to save them until he actually needed something.
"Ash, dinner's ready!"
Misty's voice pulled him back to reality.
"Coming!"
Ash responded before recalling the two Cyndaquils and Ponyta.
"Come back and get some rest first."
Returning to the campsite, Ash said apologetically,
"Sorry for making you wait."
"How did the training go?" Misty asked with concern.
"Very smoothly. The Cyndaquils made great progress, and Ponyta learned quite a few new moves."
Ash nodded and walked toward the spot where their backpacks had been placed.
To his surprise, the backpacks were gone.
"Huh? Where did the backpacks go?"
"We've been here the whole time. We didn't see anyone pass by," Misty and Brock said, equally confused.
Ash didn't say anything immediately. Instead, he quietly activated his Aura and scanned the surrounding area.
A series of clear footprints could be seen on the ground.
Judging from their shape, they belonged to some kind of canine Pokémon.
Although Ash instantly recognized them as Houndour tracks, he didn't want to appear suspiciously knowledgeable, so he simply said,
"There are some footprints on the ground."
"Could a Pokémon have stolen our backpacks because it wanted food?" Misty guessed.
Ash and Brock both found the theory reasonable.
After all, Ash always carried his Gym Badges, Poké Balls, and Pokédex with him. The backpacks mainly contained food and supplies.
"The tracks head deeper into the forest. Let's follow them."
Without even finishing their meal, the three immediately set off along the trail.
By the time they reached the deeper parts of the forest, the footprints had suddenly disappeared.
At this point, their stomachs were growling from hunger.
"Ash, I'm starving..." Misty said weakly.
An idea suddenly struck Ash.
Turning to Brock, he asked,
"We still have some ingredients left, right? Let's make something to eat first."
"That's right. We still have ham. We can make grilled ham sandwiches."
The three quickly set up camp again and started a fire.
Soon, the aroma of roasting ham spread through the forest.
Before they realized it, night had fallen, and a full moon hung high in the sky.
After patiently waiting, Ash's target finally appeared.
A dark shadow flashed past like lightning.
The ham vanished instantly.
By the time Ash reacted, the figure had already disappeared without a trace.
"Ash, what was that just now?" Misty asked nervously.
"If I'm not mistaken, it was a Houndour."
Ash finally revealed the Pokémon's identity.
"Houndour?"
"Yeah. Let's follow it and take a look."
The three packed up their things and headed in the direction where the Houndour had disappeared.
When they reached their destination, they found countless glowing eyes staring at them from the darkness.
Every single one belonged to a Houndour.
"Looks like we've wandered into their territory," Ash said quietly.
"What do we do now?"
"It's simple. Capture the leader first."
Ash activated his Aura and communicated directly with the pack.
"I want a one-on-one battle with your leader."
Several Houndour threw back their heads and howled. Moments later, three larger and far more imposing Houndour stepped forward from the pack.
One of them was clearly the leader.
Its face and the bone-like plates on its forehead were covered in scars left behind by countless battles, proof of its extensive combat experience.
Through his Aura, Ash gained a deeper understanding of the Houndour leader. It was a seasoned warrior who would sacrifice anything to protect its companions. If he could recruit it, it would undoubtedly become a reliable partner.
"Alright, Cyndaquil, I choose you!"
Ash sent out a Cyndaquil to battle. This wasn't the one he had obtained at the swap meet.
"Cyndaquil, show me your fighting spirit!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, blazing flames erupted from Cyndaquil's back.
The Houndour leader made the first move, launching a Flamethrower straight at Cyndaquil.
Unwilling to back down, Cyndaquil responded with its own Flamethrower.
The two streams of fire collided in midair and exploded.
Immediately afterward, Cyndaquil used Quick Attack to close the distance, preparing to follow up with Tackle.
However, the Houndour leader had already locked onto Cyndaquil's position with Odor Sleuth and easily dodged the attack.
Cyndaquil's charge missed completely.
Before it could relocate its opponent, Houndour suddenly appeared beside it and struck.
"That's Feint Attack!"
Ash instantly recognized the move.
Just as the battle continued, a miserable cry suddenly echoed from the distance.
The Houndour leader immediately sprinted toward the source of the sound, with the rest of the pack following close behind.
"Let's go too!"
Ash recalled Cyndaquil and took off after them, with Misty and Brock right behind him.
Following the pack, they arrived at a cave.
There, they found Ash's backpack torn open, with food wrappers scattered all over the ground.
The one that had cried out was an injured Houndour.
It was facing off against a Golem.
The injured Houndour's Flamethrower was doing almost nothing to the Rock-type Pokémon.
Just as Golem was about to attack, a Flamethrower descended from above and intercepted it.
The attack came from the Houndour leader.
The other Houndour immediately formed a protective circle around their injured companion.
When Misty and Brock arrived, they quickly understood what had happened.
"The food was stolen to feed their injured companion."
Ash stepped forward beside the Houndour leader.
"Brock, please check this Houndour's injuries first."
"Bayleef, I choose you! Use Razor Leaf!"
Ash threw Bayleef's Poké Ball.
"Bay!"
With a flick of the leaf on its head, countless Razor Leaves shot toward Golem.
The move was four times effective.
Unable to withstand the attack, Golem immediately fled.
Meanwhile, Brock finished examining the injured Houndour and his expression turned serious.
"This is urgent. It needs to be taken to a Pokémon Center immediately."
Hearing that, Ash instantly recalled Bayleef and lifted the injured Houndour onto his back.
"Ash!"
"There isn't any other choice. Brock, Misty, pack everything up and catch up later."
With that, he sprinted toward the Pokémon Center carrying the injured Houndour.
Along the way, Ash and five Houndour took turns carrying their injured companion, racing toward the Pokémon Center as quickly as possible.
By the time Misty and Brock arrived, the injured Houndour had already been declared out of danger.
After resting for a day, Ash said to the Houndour pack,
"Come with me. I'll give all of you a better life. At the very least, you won't have to struggle to survive like before. What do you think?"
The Houndour exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
The Houndour leader then walked up to Ash and stared at him with unwavering determination.
It was clear that it wanted to follow him.
"Then let's work together from now on, Houndour."
Ash took out an empty Poké Ball.
Without the slightest hesitation, the Houndour leader touched the button with its head and was drawn inside.
The Poké Ball shook a few times before emitting a crisp chime.
"Alright! I caught Houndour!"
"Pikaaa Chu!"
Pikachu cheered happily as well.
Ash then transferred the remaining Houndour to Professor Oak's Laboratory, confident that they would become excellent guardians there.
Under the glow of the setting sun, Ash clipped Houndour's Poké Ball to his belt and smiled at his companions.
"Let's go. Goldenrod City is still waiting for us."
Houndour has officially joined the team! Everyone, give it a warm welcome!
...
RedX43's Note:
➤ Want More? Get up to +25 Extra Chapters on Patreon!
➤ [email protected]/RedX43
➤ +200 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter Drop!
➤ Consider giving a review or leave some comments, it help boost the story!
➤ Thanks for reading! 🙌