"No matter how you look at it, this is a rather remarkable ability."
Aven sat down on the grass, pulling out some healing potions to help the two little ones who had just gone through a battle recover their strength.
It was clear that after successfully defeating the Arbok, both Nidoran♂ and Nidoran♀ were brimming with excitement—so much so that they seemed to have completely forgotten the aches and pains on their bodies.
"Ralts Ralts~"
Sensing the strength radiating from the two little ones, Ralts stepped forward and began to interact with them enthusiastically.
"Emotional energy…"
Watching the exchange between Nidoran♂, Nidoran♀, and Ralts, Aven took out two notebooks, recording down the information for both Nidoran♂ and Nidoran♀ in detail.
This trip into the Black Coast Forest, aside from the task of clearing unexplored areas, had another very important purpose—deepening his understanding of Nidoran♂ and Nidoran♀ so that he could tailor a targeted training plan for them.
Now it was apparent that both of them had a natural talent for exercising emotional energy. Perhaps they could be trained to learn moves related to emotions—such as Frustration, Return, Attract, Flatter—each of which would be an excellent choice.
Aside from that, Nidoran♂'s close-combat ability was far stronger than that of Nidoran♀, while Nidoran♀'s talent in Poison-type capabilities seemed more prominent. Those were points he could specifically focus on.
Given their special abilities, it was obvious that double battles with close cooperation were the most suitable fighting style for them—they could unleash a "one plus one greater than two" effect through synergy.
Moreover, Ralts could also cooperate in battles alongside them. Ralts was an expert in the realm of emotional energy and might even gain inspiration in its own use of emotional energy by observing the two little ones.
"Nido, nido, nido!"
Before long, the two little ones had fully recovered and were already urging Aven to keep moving.
"Hold on a moment. The forest rangers for this area should be arriving shortly."
"Let's wait until they take this Arbok away, and then we'll continue."
Aven's gaze shifted toward the large purple snake lying unconscious on the grass. Judging from the earlier battle, this Arbok was not a gentle or harmless Pokémon.
If it were allowed to remain in this area, it would pose a huge threat to passing Pokémon and rangers alike. It had to be strictly contained.
"Odd!"
He didn't have to wait long before an Oddish came running quickly toward them.
Trailing behind the Oddish were two rangers in green uniforms, each accompanied by either a Gloom or a Stunky.
Because this area was home to many Poison-type wild Pokémon, most of the rangers here carried Poison-type Pokémon as their partners. Gloom and Stunky were both excellent choices for the job.
"Lord Aven!" the rangers greeted respectfully upon seeing him.
"Mm. This Arbok is in your hands now—take it back to Stonefall Village for confinement until judgment is decided."
After giving the two rangers his instructions, Aven continued deeper into the forest with his Pokémon, heading toward the marshlands marked on the map.
Along the way, Nidoran♂ and Nidoran♀ were full of energy—almost every wild Pokémon they encountered was dealt with by the two of them.
Through constant battles, their teamwork grew more and more polished. Thanks to their emotional energy link, they had even developed something akin to telepathy, able to instantly grasp each other's intentions.
"Nido! Nido! Nido~"
But just as they pressed on, the two leading the group suddenly halted in unison.
They sniffed the air, their expressions growing serious. As Poison-type Pokémon, they could clearly sense an intense wave of Poison-type energy ahead!
"Lil! Lil!"
Petilil also issued a warning—there was indeed a very dense life energy source up ahead.
"Looks like we've arrived. Everyone, be careful." Aven's face grew solemn. He knew they must be close to the marshland now.
"Nido, nido~"
Exchanging a glance, the two Nidoran continued forward cautiously.
As they drew closer, a faint foul stench began to drift toward them—like the stench of rotting sludge rising from a sewer—wafting in the form of a tangible, purple-tinged mist.
"Petilil, Aromatherapy!"
Aven sniffed once and immediately felt a wave of dizziness.
It was now clear—the ranger captain they had encountered earlier must have fallen unconscious from inhaling this very toxin, which was laced with a potent poison.
Fortunately, Petilil's Aromatherapy, infused with life energy, was the perfect counter to this poisonous gas. With ease, it dispelled the toxic mist, replacing it with a faint and refreshing fragrance that spread through the air.
"Let's move." With his right hand tucked into his pocket, Aven led the group onward toward the marsh.
"Nido, nido, nido!"
The Nidoran♂ and Nidoran♀ advanced swiftly.
In fact, this poisonous environment seemed to invigorate them, making their movements even faster.
Before long, they reached the marsh—a vast expanse filled entirely with purple sludge, where large bubbles occasionally rose to the surface and popped.
"As expected, a poisonous swamp…" Aven's eyes narrowed as he scanned the area intently.
Then, without warning, the swamp began to churn violently. The sludge surged upward like a wave, crashing toward the shore where the Nidoran stood!
"Nido!"
The two Nidoran crouched low, emotional energy surging over their bodies, and fired off Poison Sting in unison.
Swish, swish, swish!
The sound of projectiles slicing through the air echoed as their combined attack shot into the oncoming sludge wave.
Yet, like stones thrown into a lake, the poison needles vanished into the sludge without creating so much as a ripple.
"Nidoran♂, Nidoran♀, fall back!"
Just as the wave was about to engulf them, two beams of red light shot out, enveloping the little ones and pulling them safely back into their Poké Balls.
The swamp water rushed over the spot they had just vacated, hissing with corrosive force as bubbles erupted across the surface.
"Rest for now. Leave the rest to your teammates." Aven slipped the Poké Balls into his pocket, then turned to Petilil. "Force out the thing hiding in that poisonous swamp."
"Lil!"
Petilil nodded and began gathering energy.
A ball of concentrated grass energy formed in its grasp before shooting toward the source of the life force it had detected earlier.
Boom!
A huge column of sludge erupted into the air, leaving a gaping hole in the swamp.
"MUUUKK!"
A deep, guttural roar echoed out.
The swamp surged again, sending waves of sludge crashing outward in every direction.
But before the waves could settle, Petilil fired another Energy Ball, packed with potent grass energy, detonating with even greater force.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Repeated explosions tore the swamp apart, leaving it pitted and uneven. From one of the churning spots, a shadowy figure slowly rose into view—
A creature entirely made of rotting sludge, its massive mouth stretched wide, its beady eyes gleaming with malice.
"Lil!"
"Lass!"
"Ralts Ralts!"
Seeing the sludge monster baring its fangs, Petilil, Froslass, and Ralts all tensed in unease.
They had yet to gauge its true strength, but its vicious aura alone was enough to make any creature hesitate to face it head-on.
"So it really is a Muk…"
Aven's eyes narrowed further.
Muk—just like its name—was a special Pokémon formed entirely from foul sludge.
Born from filth, its body contained over a hundred different toxins, with the chemical reactions between those toxins serving as the source of its life.
"MUKKK!"
The Muk let out a furious bellow at the intruders who had stepped into its territory, then slammed its massive sludge-coated hands into the swamp, sending another wave surging forward!
"Lil!"
Petilil responded with another Energy Ball, but this time, the sludge wave was suffused with intense Poison-type energy, which blocked the attack head-on.
The blast sent chunks of sludge flying in all directions, yet the poisonous tide did not relent. Instead, it surged forward even faster.
A sinister purple light flickered through the sludge—it was no ordinary move.
"That's Sludge Wave! Froslass, Blizzard!" Aven barked an order.
A howling wind swept through, carrying a flurry of snow toward the incoming sludge.
Crack, crack, crack!
In moments, the wave froze solid in midair.
"MUKKK!"
Seeing its attack halted, the Muk opened its mouth and launched several sludge projectiles wrapped in poisonous energy—Sludge Bomb!
"Lil!"
Petilil quickly conjured several Energy Balls to intercept them midair.
"That's Sludge Bomb… this Muk's power is on the level of an advanced-tier Pokémon!"
Aven's expression grew grim. And in this sludge-filled terrain, Muk's strength was only amplified.
"Froslass, this battle is yours."
(End of Chapter)