Although in the end, due to the circumstances, Natsuhiko didn't dare to try capturing the Scyther, especially since there were so many of them around and some of them didn't look weak.
If there were only two or three, he might have tried, but with so many, he really wasn't sure if Beedrill could protect him.
He only detoxified Scyther as a way to earn its favor.
He didn't expect an unexpected reward.
The two Pokémon seemed to have developed a bond while battling.
Scyther taught Beedrill the Cross Scissors move, and it wasn't just a superficial lesson; it was a genuine teaching.
Plus, Beedrill itself had a good understanding of the move, and through several contacts during the battle, it gained some comprehension of the Cross Scissors move.
Naturally, it really did learn it.
Although it's not proficient yet, he believes with some training and practice in battles, it will gradually become adept at using it.
"It's like receiving a warmth from others when I was trying to figure out how to get you to learn these moves."
Natsuhiko smiled and patted Beedrill's head.
"Buzz buzz."
Beedrill nodded, seemingly still reminiscing about the earlier battle.
"Abra~~"
Abra popped out from the collar, waving its small hands to cheer for Beedrill.
Great job!
"It's time to leave. We don't know which Pokémon we'll encounter later, so let's try to finish battles quickly. I feel wilds are becoming increasingly unsafe."
Natsuhiko gathered his smile, led Beedrill, and once again plunged into the dense forest.
...
...
Johto Region, Yanmo City.
Dragon's Den.
Lance, looking a bit disheveled, leaned against Charizard, using the flame on its tail to bring some warmth to himself.
He didn't know why the temperature in the third cave of Dragon's Den was extremely low, even though Dragon-type Pokémon detest Ice-type and cold weather, yet Dragon's Den had this kind of environment.
Perhaps, it was a form of training for the Dragon-type Pokémon themselves.
Enhancing resistance to Ice-type.
Although Ice-type restraint on Dragon-type can't be avoided, increasing one's toughness still has its benefits.
If Natsuhiko were here, he would surely say...
If these Dragon-type Pokémon knew that a more severe restraining Fairy-type would appear in the future, what would they think?
They would probably... curse.
Especially when a Fairy-type even appeared among the Dragon-type Pokémon.
Lance reached out and warmed his hands by Charizard's tail flame. They were now in a secluded part of the third cave.
After entering the third cave for a month, both Lance and his Pokémon had made significant progress in strength.
"It's still not enough. This strength is far from sufficient."
Lance rubbed his hands while muttering to himself.
Originally, he wanted to become stronger purely for his own desire to be strong, but now there was an urgent voice pushing him to continue growing stronger, a resolve he'd never felt this intense before.
Charizard turned its head to look at its trainer without saying anything, but it felt Lance's determination.
As a Pokémon, its role was to fulfill its trainer's objectives, giving its all for that purpose.
Hiss—
Two dense white smoke jets spewed from its nostrils. It moved slightly, curling its tail, wrapping Lance more tightly.
Wings gently fluttered, covering Lance's back.
Because it realized that somehow, Lance had fallen asleep, faint snores echoed in the small cave.
Charizard's gaze gradually softened.
It knew very well how hard Lance had been working during this time.
He was too exhausted.
The flame at the end of its tail slowly grew larger, and the flame's warmth gradually softened Lance's frowning expression, turning it gentle in his sleep.
But Charizard didn't notice.
As the flame on its tail grew, the crystalline ice crystals on the cave ceiling began to melt slowly.
And beneath this ice crystal, something seemed to be hidden.
An existence sealed for who knows how many years was gradually revealing its true form.
This might be the biggest challenge Lance was about to face in Dragon's Den...
...
...
Three days flew by.
The level of difficulty of this journey far exceeded Natsuhiko's expectations, with countless battles along the way.
If it weren't for Beedrill's successful evolution and its significant strength, Natsuhiko doubted he would have made it this far.
However, in merely a few days' time, why did the difference between before and after seem so pronounced?
The only fortunate thing is that the club task of capturing an Excellence Level Pidgeotto was successfully completed, and now he just needed to get the Dragonfire Fruit to head back.
"Good thing I said a week, initially I planned to say three days. Being conservative has its advantages."
Natsuhiko wiped the sweat off his forehead with his right hand, while holding the MooMoo Milk for Abra with his left hand.
During this period, the most carefree one has been Abra, who hangs on him sleeping most of the time, waking up just to eat and drink milk.
How blissful.
"I remember it's somewhere around here, but when I was hurrying, I didn't precisely remember the position."
Beedrill helped survey the surroundings, recalling the past situation.
"It seemed it was because a group of fairly strong Fearow and Spearow targeted us, forcing us to flee without much care. There are indeed traces of Fearow activities around here."
Natsuhiko bent down and picked up a feather from the bushes.
Not glossy, but identifiable as a feather of a Fearow.
In the wild, the most dangerous Pokémon aren't necessarily those with great individual strength, but those that are group-oriented and aggressive, with the likes of Beedrill and Fearow being the most notable.
He glanced up at the sky, where Pidgeotto was still circling high above.
Its demeanor was calm, which meant it hadn't seen any Fearow or Spearow for the moment; otherwise, with the "feud" between Pidgeotto and Fearow, it would alert them at the first sign.
"Has the Fearow group moved? Or is it that..."
After crossing a small hill, Natsuhiko finally saw the Dragonfire Fruit he was looking for.
Not far away by a small pond, a few fruit trees sparsely surrounded the area.
As the breeze blew, the fire-red fruits revealed between the leaves, were his current goal.
Dragonfire Fruit!
These fruits were favored in spots with water, open surroundings, and minimal plant competition for nutrients.
However, upon seeing the target, both he and Beedrill hesitated to approach.
Only because under those fruit trees lay a large purple Pokémon dozing with eyes closed.
Natsuhiko was certain that even a slight approach by him or Beedrill could wake this Pokémon even with tiny noises.
And the reason this Pokémon made them so cautious...
Was because it was the Pokémon Natsuhiko had frequently used Ditto to transform into for Beedrill's reference, Nidoking!
"Why is there a Nidoking here?"
It's not that Nidoking's habitat is particularly unique.
But for Nidorino to evolve into Nidoking, one thing is indispensable.
Evolution Stone!
More accurately, the Moon Stone!
So Nidoking is relatively rare in the wild and is mostly clustered around Moon Viewing Mountain.
But now Nidoking became an obstacle Natsuhiko couldn't bypass for the Dragonfire Fruit.
"It's still too far to gauge this Nidoking's condition and strength."
Natsuhiko knew quite a bit about Nidoking, though mostly from games.
Forcefully using a Jewel Nido King with combinations of Ice, Fire, Electric, and Ground, that coverage and strength were formidable.
Being called the First Generation War God is not unearned.
Of course, that's in the game.
After a brief hesitation, Natsuhiko decided to get a bit closer.
If this Nidoking was too powerful, he might have to consider giving up the quest.
But if it's within Beedrill's capability range...
——————
Ah, so you guys want everything... chatted with a group, and somehow got more pages added, couldn't stop it... still, thanks for the rewards, everyone!