"Hello, everyone. From now on, we're going to be partners."
Extending his hand, Gu Yuan smiled as he greeted Hatenna and Rolycoly.
The naturally cheerful Hatenna, sensing the psychic power within Gu Yuan, smiled and extended her sideburns to greet him. Rolycoly, on the other hand, was somewhat introverted; since it lacked hands, Gu Yuan simply stroked its head to show his friendliness.
Pulling out some pre-prepared Pokéblocks, Gu Yuan began using delicious food to bridge the gap in their relationship.
Hatenna's final evolution is the Psychic and Fairy-type Hatterene. Gu Yuan intended for her to be the medic of his team; furthermore, her psychic nature would allow her to assist Gu Yuan in commanding battles.
Rolycoly's evolution is the Rock and Fire-type Coalossal. It would be Gu Yuan's future tank, boasting excellent physical defense. Although it was slightly lacking in special defense, Hatterene's Aromatic Mist could help compensate for that weakness. Its disadvantage in speed could be mitigated by the Steam Engine ability, while its signature move, Tar Shot, could lower the opponent's speed and add a weakness to Fire, helping Charizard and the others deal more damage.
Under Gu Yuan's introductions, Hatenna and Rolycoly soon became acquainted with Axew and Dreepy, who then pulled the two newcomers over to meet Charizard and the rest of the team.
Taking this opportunity, Gu Yuan checked the data for the new arrivals, including Dreepy.
Pokémon: Dreepy
Gender: Male
Ability: Clear Body
Strength: Newborn Rank
Type: Dragon, Ghost
Level-up Moves: Bite, Quick Attack, Astonish, Infestation
TM Moves: None
Egg Moves: Disable, Curse
Pokémon: Hatenna
Gender: Female
Ability: Healer
Strength: Newborn Rank
Type: Psychic
Level-up Moves: Confusion, Play Nice, Life Dew
TM Moves: None
Egg Moves: After You, Mystical Fire, Quash
Pokémon: Rolycoly
Gender: Male
Ability: Steam Engine
Strength: Newborn Rank
Type: Rock
Level-up Moves: Tackle, Smokescreen, Rapid Spin
TM Moves: None
Egg Moves: Explosion, Mud-Slap, Block
Looking at the info for these three little ones, Gu Yuan felt like he had returned to being a nanny. It seemed like he had just finished raising Ceruledge and the others only to immediately take on a new batch of clients.
He shook his head to disperse the strange thought and held a formal welcoming ceremony in the training room for Dreepy, Hatenna, and Rolycoly.
Afterward, Gu Yuan didn't rush to leave, opting instead to purchase supplies in Viridian City. To avoid attracting too much attention and being mobbed because of Hatenna and the others, he decided to return them all to their Poké Balls first.
At this moment, Gu Yuan regretted once again that he hadn't chosen a "cold and aloof" persona from the start, which would have made moving around much more convenient.
After wandering around, the hour grew late. Gu Yuan stayed the night in Viridian City. The next morning, he headed toward the Viridian Forest with the three little ones. As for Dreepy, it hid in Gu Yuan's shadow alongside Ceruledge and the others.
Once they entered the forest, Alakazam appeared by his side.
"I'll have to trouble you, Alakazam. This three-month special training won't be very peaceful."
After he won the championship, Agatha had contacted Gu Yuan in secret to warn him about those families and corporations. Given the talent Gu Yuan had displayed, those people certainly wouldn't sit idly by and watch him grow.
After some discussion, Gu Yuan and Agatha were in complete agreement: kill! Rather than hiding and constantly being on guard—which would only fuel their arrogance—it was better to resolve it in the most direct way.
He would kill whoever dared to come. He would kill until they were terrified, until they never dared to raise a hand against him again.
Agatha's side was prepared. Should Gu Yuan be attacked, people would move to deal with those responsible for tying up the energy of the reinforcements. Whatever excuse they used to explain Gu Yuan's death, Agatha would use the same logic to shut their mouths.
Professor Oak had invited Gu Yuan to his lab precisely to protect him and convince him to abandon this dangerous plan, but Gu Yuan remained firm. Furthermore, he had chosen the Viridian Forest specifically to find new "outside help" to solve his problems once and for all.
"Let's go. First, I'll show you three what a real battle looks like."
Using Teleport to travel, they quickly arrived at an area inhabited by Senior Rank Pokémon. Gu Yuan then called out Ceruledge and the others from his shadow. While still in Viridian City, Gu Yuan had helped Haunter complete its final evolution. Now, Gengar's data had changed.
Pokémon: Gengar
Gender: Male
Type: Ghost, Poison
Ability: Levitate
Strength: Senior Rank
Level-up Moves: Confuse Ray, Lick, Hypnosis, Mean Look, Shadow Punch, Mirror Type, Payback, Spite, Curse, Hex, Night Shade, Sucker Punch, Dark Pulse
TM Moves: Scary Face, Acid Spray, Foul Play, Taunt, Toxic Spikes, Phantom Force, Sludge Bomb, Shadow Ball, Protect
Egg Moves: Haze, Perish Song
"Gengar, you go first. Next will be Skeledirge, and finally Ceruledge. After all, Ceruledge, you already saw action during the Indigo League."
The Pokémon were satisfied with this arrangement. However, while Gu Yuan was discussing things with his team, the Arbok across from them grew impatient.
As an elite predator, every trainer it usually encountered stood on high alert, fearing its strike. Yet here was this human, casually discussing who should deal with it as if it were made of clay.
Unable to contain its rage, the Arbok launched a direct charge.
"Go, Gengar! Dark Pulse!"
Facing Gengar's attack, Arbok immediately retaliated with Sludge Bomb, only to have its move crushed instantly by the Dark Pulse. In terms of Special Attack, Gengar was a top-tier existence.
"Gengar, use Taunt to disrupt Arbok's rhythm, then bombard it with Shadow Ball!"
A crimson light radiated from Gengar's eyes, making the already furious Arbok lose all control. It thought of nothing but tearing Gengar apart. Facing the rampaging Arbok, Gengar followed Gu Yuan's command, using a Shadow Ball to stop the charge before slamming another one directly into Arbok's body.
The moment the Shadow Ball exploded, the scales on Arbok's body were shattered, revealing a bloody wound. Taking advantage of Arbok's scream of pain, Gengar used Phantom Force to close the distance and blasted the wound with Dark Pulse.
The intense pain surged through its body, and Arbok fell into a hopeless disadvantage. The final outcome was obvious.
Meanwhile, a group of people quietly entered the Viridian Forest.