The pitch-black flames rushed toward his face.
Feeling the terrifying heat and faint scorching aura the flames carried, Natsuhiko's Pokémon reacted immediately.
Yujira wielded its spoon, setting up a Superpower Barrier while counting down, a blue-white Spirit Blade slicing straight onto the flames.
Togetic waved its small hands, a rounded Water Fluctuation crashing onto the flames, immediately producing a "hiss" sound and a rising white mist.
Beedrill flapped its wings, stirring up a gust of wind, and began spinning at high speed around itself, forming a Shield of Retribution that instantly isolated the flames outside the airflow.
Doublade held its two swords horizontally in front of Natsuhiko, bearing the final responsibility for defense.
The spewing flames were intercepted by the combined efforts of the four Pokémon.
Within the hazy white mist, a pitch-black Pokémon darted out, baring its sharp fangs and swaying its tail from behind, vigilantly eyeing Natsuhiko and his Pokémon, the "unwelcome guests".
The emerging Pokémon was covered in short black fur, its four limbs touching the ground with its body leaning forward, sporting a pair of large white horns on its head, an orange muzzle protruding with a black nose at the tip and two sharp, gleaming teeth under the curled lips, its neck and back were lined with light gray bony structures, a gray-white skull-like round protrusion at the center of the neck, and a long, inverted triangular tail on its back.
Dark and Fire-type Pokémon.
Houndoom!
This Pokémon is quite distinctive, as its flames carry toxins that, if struck and burned, cause relentless pain, and without professional equipment and medication, such burns persist as long as the wound is present.
Judging by the power and heat of the flames it exhaled just now, this Houndoom's strength has reached Gym Leader Level!
However, that's not the focal point.
Houndoom is a pack Pokémon!
Following its appearance, four more Houndoom emerged from the gradually dissipating mist, crouching low and baring their fangs.
Natsuhiko didn't expect to encounter Houndoom of Dark and Fire-type before encountering the Red Flame Roaring Tiger of Fire and Dark-type.
This Houndoom strongly resembles some Hellhound from movies and is considered a fairly decent Fire-type Pokémon.
Just looking at the species value and distribution, it's on par with the previous Pyroar, but Houndoom has a higher growth potential than Pyroar.
Because.
Houndoom can also undergo Mega Evolution!
And the trait of Mega-Evolved Super Houndoom becomes "Power of the Sun."
Power of the Sun: In sunny weather, special attack power is greatly enhanced, but it will scorch itself with prolonged sun exposure, reducing its stamina.
It's safe to say that the Super Houndoom after Mega Evolution can definitely take on the role of Special Attacker in a "Sunny Team," with no distinct weaknesses in all defensive capabilities, and its speed, being its strength, would perform well in a "Sunny Team."
If the choice for Fire-type Pokémon fell on Houndoom, Natsuhiko would accept it much more than Pyroar.
Houndoom could be an alternative for Fire-type Pokémon, and if no better choice is available, it can also fill the lack of Dark-type power in Natsuhiko's Pokémon.
If the corresponding Super Evolution Stone for Houndoom can be found, it wouldn't be impossible to continue developing it into a cornerstone Pokémon.
Of course.
All of this depends on finding a pretty decent Houndour.
With the resources Natsuhiko currently possesses, he doesn't urgently need Pokémon to enhance his combat power; he's more interested in covering the weaknesses on his attribute strike surface. A mature Houndoom is too inflexible; he wouldn't consider it.
But if he had a pretty good Houndour, it would be a good alternative.
And since Houndoom is a pack Pokémon, with five Houndoom appearing now, it's not exactly a large pack, but there must be Houndour present.
A decision was made at once.
How to take down this small Houndoom pack became the key consideration.
His eyes scanned the five Houndoom in front of him. The leader was Gym Leader Level, the other four either Elite Level or Senior Level. Caution was required in battling Houndoom due to their flames, so these four couldn't be underestimated either.
Natsuhiko calculated the power disparity between both sides and considered reasonable and feasible tactics.
In terms of attributes, the combination of Dark and Fire is a clear disadvantage for Natsuhiko's four Pokémon.
Beedrill is doubly weak to fire, Yujira's superpowers are immune to Dark-type, Doublade, of Steel and Ghost-type, is restrained by both Fire-type and Dark Attribute, leaving only Togetic's Fairy Type, which can restrain the Dark Type.
This highlights how much Natsuhiko needs to compensate for the deficiencies in his Pokémon's attributes.
Due to limited resources early on, his Pokémon training followed a "less but refined" approach, preferring quality over quantity.
This resulted in serious shortcomings in his attack surface.
This is also why he wanted to capture a Fire-type Pokémon.
What?
Why not choose a Water Type to restrain Fire Type?
Do you know how hard it is to find a Water-type Pokémon in Groudon's Alternate Space?
Everywhere is desert and rocky areas, and water sources in the forests are always scarce resources. Without water, where would Water-type Pokémon come from?
Ever since entering this Alternate Space, Natsuhiko has rarely seen Water-type Pokémon.
Rather than looking for Water-types, it's more practical to look for Ground-types.
However, he still hasn't encountered a Ground-type Pokémon that appeals to him.
After comparing both sides' strengths and attributes, Natsuhiko concluded that...
A fight was possible!
Although Beedrill is restrained by the Fire Type, its specialty in Insect-type Techniques isn't resisted by Fire Type. Fire Type counters Bug, Dark Type is weak to Fire, neutralizing each other, Beedrill can deal normal damage to Houndoom.
And normal damage is sufficient for Beedrill's attack.
Moreover, although Yujira is restrained and its superpower techniques are immune to the Dark Type, it recently acquired "Eye of Miracles," allowing superpower techniques to inflict some damage and influence.
Doublade is even better off; recently coated, it may not fully resist Fire-type Techniques' damage, but its tolerance to Fire Type has greatly improved, and its Fighting Type "Sword of Universal Equality" has an attribute restraint against Dark-type Pokémon.
The most crucial point!
Natsuhiko slowly clenched his fist.
"Beedrill."
Upon hearing his call, Beedrill turned around.
The understanding between a person and a Pokémon didn't require excessive words.
"Mega Evolution!"
The Keystone in his hand emitted Super Evolution energy, mentally connecting with Beedrill, unlocking the Super Evolution Stone it carried, covering it in a cocoon of rich, colorful super evolution energy.
Mega Evolution relies to some extent on affinity, and the affinity between Natsuhiko and Beedrill was just shy of full!
"Buzz!"
A sharp Long Needle pierced through the cocoon formed by Super Evolution Energy, and Super Great Needle Bee made its dazzling appearance.
And the strength of the Mega-Evolved Super Great Needle Bee...
Gym Leader Level!
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No more two-in-one, consider this the third chapter~~ Asking for a monthly ticket~~