Deep within such a forest, and after even crossing a barren mountain, it was practically impossible for anyone to reach this place.
Therefore, Tetsuya could now boldly let Ditto Transform into Rapidash, greatly improving the efficiency of exploration. Even if exposed, he was completely unafraid. Then the only thing to blame was your bad luck for seeing something you should not have seen.
Every day, he explored only a short distance while still needing to make it back to the tent area. His exploration speed was really too slow, but he did not want to waste such excellent resources. Only he and Ditto would have to work a little harder. Fortunately, the Pokémon groups and clans along the way had all been driven away by him, so the journey became increasingly smooth.
The further he explored, the more he could already hear the crashing sounds of water, which meant he was getting closer and closer to the seaside.
As time passed, the weather also became increasingly cool. Many hibernating Pokémon within the forest could no longer be seen, while the leaves of broad-leaved trees had already completely fallen away.
Winter… had already arrived!
This island should be located relatively far south. Judging by the time, there was only one month left before the new year. Although the weather was cool, it could not be considered cold.
Tetsuya had already explored alone for three months, and now only one month remained in this year. His time was running short…
---◓---
On this day, he and Ditto dragged their exhausted bodies back to the tent area, only to see Beedrill and Koffing both flying out in advance.
"You two?"
Tetsuya looked toward the forest. All the arrow trees had already completely withered, and not even the slightest irritating poisonous gas smell could be detected anymore.
"…You absorbed all the sap? And all the poisonous gas too!?" Tetsuya asked.
Both Beedrill and Koffing nodded.
"Hm… then this is the perfect chance to test your toxins."
After Tetsuya finished speaking, both Koffing and Beedrill flew above the arrow trees. Poison liquid rained above, and the trees touched by the poison rapidly corroded. Very quickly, a forty-meter-tall tree completely vanished into nothingness. Even the roots and soil were corroded away.
The entire forest was flattened to the ground within half an hour!
Even Tetsuya clicked his tongue in amazement. It seemed his choice had been correct. Not to mention how much their combat power had improved, at the very least, their toxins had intensified.
For Koffing, whose moves mainly relied upon poison, this was offensive capital. For Beedrill, which mainly relied upon attack power and attack speed, it would naturally also gain greater confidence in battle. It might even become the key to victory in a fight.
Mission… accomplished★!
This time, he could completely leave this place behind. After recalling all of his Pokémon, he mounted RaDittash.
---◓---
Galloping through the areas he had already explored, the journey remained completely unobstructed. After three days, he could finally see the vast ocean.
After getting closer, Tetsuya discovered something unusual…
The surroundings of this island were all packed with whirlpools, but one area happened to be due to a special shape of the island itself. This side of the island had no beach at all, consisting entirely of rocky cliffs. One section of rock was deeply, eh… recessed inward(?), and the seawater there surprisingly had no whirlpools.
Tetsuya stood upon the cliff observing the sea conditions in this area when he suddenly saw a Gyarados group passing through, precisely through the area without whirlpools. Suddenly, the seawater seemed to reverse flow, and more than ten Gyarados were all sucked.
Gone…
More than ten Gyarados had been sucked beneath the island!
What exactly was beneath this island that could produce such terrifying suction? Moreover, the whirlpools surrounding the island were also extremely abnormal. Even the whirlpools around Johto Region's Whirl Islands were not this densely packed…
---◓---
Tetsuya retreated to an absolutely safe area. After eating lunch, he prepared to inspect the results of Mamoswine, Golurk, and Houndoom's training over the past three months.
Houndoom had already reached a point with no further progress, and its improvements were also negligible. However, Tetsuya still gave it the highest praise, because Houndoom was the most diligent.
It was just that Tetsuya's understanding of raising Dark- and Fire-type Pokémon was also only superficial. His Houndoom definitely still had room for improvement, but his own knowledge was limited, and currently he had no particularly good methods.
Golurk's work as a "transporter" had also been very exhausting. Over the past three months, the sixth layer of energy had already covered half of its chest, and the increase in strength could still clearly be seen.
'Mamoswine…'
Right now, the focus was on Mamoswine. After using Curse four times and Amnesia twice, Mamoswine could now walk normally. This was already considered constructive progress. Originally, it could not even move a single step…
"Try the Fissure move."
Such an ultimate Ground-type move, once the opponent was trapped within the fissure, the opponent would certainly have no way to survive.
They saw Mamoswine concentrate all the energy in its body into one front limb, violently stomping into the ground. The ground truly split apart accordingly, and the crack continued all the way to the mouth of the mountain hollow.
Tetsuya was feeling excited that Mamoswine could use such a powerful move, when suddenly a Swampert used Dig and emerged from the fissure…
Tetsuya was also surprised by such an uninvited guest.
Moreover, after Swampert emerged, it entered a Rampaging status, continuously waving its arms. Its eyes were red, and he could sense the fear and helplessness deep within its heart.
There was definitely something wrong with this Swampert. He wanted to know what Swampert feared, what had made it so terrified, and exactly what this Swampert had experienced…
"Hypnosis."
Tetsuya recited silently to himself as the shadows had already stretched out, while waves of hypnotic light spread outward.
Swampert's eyes were influenced by the hypnotic waves and gradually became vacant, while its mind also slowly calmed down. Later, it only felt its eyelids becoming heavier and heavier, until finally it could no longer resist it and collapsed onto the ground.
"Dream Eater."
A trace of red light appeared within Tetsuya's eyes, shooting into the sleeping Swampert's mind.
Scene after scene from Swampert's dreams unfolded within Tetsuya's mind…
Swampert had originally been the leader of a Clan. On this day, it brought more than ten Marshtomp and Mudkip swimming across the sea surface. Seeing that the water surface within the island's recessed area had no whirlpools, they happened to be able to go onto the island and rest for a while.
The moment they entered the recessed area, they were suddenly trapped by a massive suction force. Swampert sensed danger and immediately swam in the opposite direction. All the Marshtomp each bit onto the tail of the one ahead of them, forming one long chain as they desperately swam and swam!
However, the suction force was simply too powerful, and Swampert's kin was still sucked…Swampert felt extreme terror!
During the process of being sucked in, Swampert used Iron Tail and stabbed it into the soil beneath the island. The speed at which it was being sucked in finally slowed somewhat.
Swampert's legs also began scraping against the bottom of the island, relying upon its own strength alone to struggle against this powerful suction force, until it could finally resist it.
It thought of Dig.
Since above the rocks and soil there should definitely be land, Swampert began digging upward.
Before beginning, it glanced once at its kin, frightening Swampert so badly that it immediately dug upward and fled for its life.
Not right…
What did Swampert see…?
---◓---
A monster like an aircraft carrier tightly shut its eyes, while the enormous fins on both sides gave people the feeling that it could take flight at any moment.
Its gigantic mouth opened slightly, and the Marshtomp was swallowed inside.
'Kyogre…
So this Pokémon had been hiding here all along…'
The Water-type Legendary Pokémon, the creator of the seas, its ability to control the ocean was unmatched. Right now, it was clearly in a dormant state, but the fact that it could devour these Pokémon proved that it already possessed consciousness. Once its condition recovered, it would perhaps awaken.
Once Kyogre awakened, this island would be destroyed. No wonder Catherine had said back then that all those who tried escaping using Water-type Pokémon failed to get away. With such a deep-sea overlord here, getting into the ocean was a dead end.
The sky was the only escape route!
When he first came here, Tetsuya had already felt that it seemed somewhat familiar. The Hoenn Region had once experienced two major battles between Kyogre and Groudon. Every time Kyogre appeared, it was accompanied by gigantic whirlpools.
Within Swampert's dream, it saw Kyogre trying to devour both itself and its companions. It had also been hanging by a thread itself, desperately using Dig to escape. When its strength was exhausted, Mamoswine's Fissure happened to help Swampert.
---◓---
Tetsuya stopped Dream Eater.
Now he had already figured everything out. His time was running short. His current plan was very clear… join forces with Catherine and kill everyone!
Only if nobody knew he had escaped would he truly be safe after reaching mainland.
As for Yamamoto, sooner or later he would also die by Giovanni's hand. Perhaps he could even serve as a catalyst.
Tetsuya once again set out on the road, heading toward the direction of the forest entrance. Most people should be there, because he had not seen a single person during all this time in the depths.
Sure enough, life was far more important than any sort of "training experience".
Tetsuya continued advancing through the forest, riding RaDittash without restraint. His speed increased by quite a lot.
Crossing over the barren mountain…
Experiencing the first snowfall after the start of winter…
Suddenly, he heard endless sounds of Round echoing without cease.
It was Catherine's Chatot!
Tetsuya followed the sound and found Catherine's Chatot battling against seven Pokémon.
On the opposite side were his "teammates" from Johto, led by Jacky and Ben, besieging Catherine.
Jacky and Ben were both quite powerful. These people from Johto had all received one year of intense training under Raven, and their combat power surpassed average Trainers. Now that the seven of them had joined forces, even Tetsuya himself had no confidence in winning, much less Catherine. 'At least while I hold back as I have been doing in the elimination rounds.'
Very quickly, Chatot was already in grave danger, forcing Catherine to send out Skarmory to join the battle.
At this moment, Jacky also sent out his now Dragonair, while Ben's Machamp appeared as well. Immediately afterward, several more Pokémon joined the battle too.
It seemed Catherine only had these two Pokémon remaining. She couldn't hold out much longer, and Tetsuya was also thinking of a countermeasure.
Skarmory and Jacky's Dragonair, Pidgeot, Pikachu, along with several Flying-type Pokémon, circled through the air in battle.
Suddenly, among the Pokémon besieging Chatot, Ben's Machamp used consecutive Karate Chop attacks. Its four arms danced so tightly that not even water could pass through!
Chatot still had to deal with the attacks from several Pokémon at once, and was instantly entangled by Machamp, suffering several Karate Chop strikes in succession before falling to the ground with a "thud".
When Skarmory saw Chatot collapse after being besieged, it instantly swooped down. The steel-like beak unleashed a Drill Peck with astonishing power, directly piercing into Machamp's head.
Ben was instantly dumbfounded. This was his strongest Pokémon, and just like that...
Skarmory's sudden sneak attack also caught Jacky off guard.
"Dragonair, Iron Tail!"
The other Flying-type Pokémon also unleashed their moves one after another. Skarmory soared straight into the sky, completely disregarding these attacks.
Dragonair's Iron Tail struck directly onto Skarmory's wings. Skarmory lost its balance for a moment and had no choice but to alter its flight trajectory.
The Pikachu on Pidgeot's back had already summoned Thunder once again, completing its [Thunder Armor]. Under the cover of the other Pokémon, it charged toward Skarmory.
"…Brave Bird."
Catherine gritted her teeth. Right now, she was already fighting with her back against the wall. She could only blame herself for being careless and killing two members of the Johto team…
Just as Catherine was about to deal with the aftermath, that person named Jacky discovered her. Moreover, this person was quite powerful, and she could not escape quickly, which then drew over the entire Johto team. Among them was also the quite powerful Ben.
She fought while retreating, and now only Skarmory remained.
It had to be said that Jacky truly possessed strong "organizational" capacities. Aside from the missing Tetsuya, he had gathered together all the Trainers from Johto, allowing them to spar and train together. Even Ben had been conquered by his abilities and willingly accepted his command.
"Dragonair, Twister!"
Jacky also clearly understood Skarmory's might. Even a tactic like Pidgeot's [Thunder Armor] might not necessarily be able to contend against it.
One tornado after another from Dragonair wrapped around Skarmory's body, exhausting Skarmory's stamina.
Even so…
Following a loud "bang". Pidgeot and Pikachu both crashed to the ground, while Skarmory still stood firm with its powerful body.
The current Skarmory made everyone feel somewhat fearful. Even the other Pokémon in the sky could not help but feel intimidated.
Relying on its remaining vitality, Skarmory used Aerial Ace to defeat all the Flying-type Pokémon.
Fortunately, Jacky reacted quickly enough, and Dragonair once again smashed downward with Iron Tail.
With both wings completely damaged, Skarmory finally could no longer endure the massive damage and crashed down!
Catherine faced seven people alone. Although she was filled with unwillingness, she could only hate her own lack of strength. If it had been Tetsuya, he absolutely would not have ended up in such a miserable state…
"Kill her!"
Ben glared furiously.
Jacky nodded and said, "Do it."
At this moment, a figure appeared within the darkness, slowly approaching. The only sound that could be heard was the "creak creak" of footsteps stepping through the snow.
Jacky, cautious by nature, could not help but make everyone retreat two steps.
"Who is it!?"
Ben shouted.
"Me…"
Tetsuya said in a low voice.
"Ugh…?" Ben scratched his head.
At this moment, Tetsuya had already appeared within everyone's line of sight.
"Tehaha, I'm Tetsuya."
"…"
Looking at everyone's astonished expressions, Ben wondered whether he had said something wrong.
"Jacky, you really are impressive, huh, bringing so many Johto members to gang up on a single girl…"
After Tetsuya finished speaking, Jacky's face turned red.
"How is she just a girl? She's practically a monster! She killed two of our companions!" one of them said fiercely.
"That's right! She must be killed."
Only then did Jacky's expression ease slightly as he coldly asked, "…Tetsuya, we're all from Johto. This person killed our companions… so do you think she should be killed?"
Catherine looked toward Tetsuya with a strange expression. Right now, her eyes appeared pitiful, followed by despair and complexity.
Would he kill her!?