Chapter 162: Cocona vs Houndour

"Huo La, have you gathered enough firewood!" Xiaogang Ge's voice came from afar; he shouldered a bundle of dry firewood, hurried to the creek, with Nidoqueen behind him clutching more firewood.

Seeing Cocona circling Huo La's Muk, he couldn't help but laugh, "This little guy isn't afraid of strangers; just hatched and already daring to play with a big Pokemon."

Huo La withdrew his gaze, stood up and helped Xiaogang Ge build the campfire: "Your Vulpix and Cocona both have great potential; if you train their skills more, their battle power could rise significantly."

Xiaogang Ge was stunned for a moment, then smiled and shook his head: "No need. Vulpix follows me; as long as we stay happy each day, that's enough; Cocona is still young, let it adapt to the environment first, and when it wants to train on its own, we'll do it. I raise Pokemon not to win contests, but to live with them."

He didn't continue the topic, merely stood up to take the firewood from Xiaogang Ge's hands and began constructing the campfire stack.

The campfire gradually rose, its orange‑red flames illuminating the surrounding area and dispelling the night's chill.

Cocona nestled at Xiaogang Ge's feet, Vulpix also nestled in Xiaogang Ge's arms, and a Zubat hung upside down from a branch.

"Ah, this kind of life is truly pleasant," Huo La said, leaning against the tree trunk, looking up at the round moon; moonlight fell on his face, and he rarely showed a relaxed expression, letting out a sigh of contentment.

The campfire crackled, the nearby creek babbled, and such a night indeed made one feel at ease.

"Indeed, life shouldn't be constantly hectic, and travel is no different," Xiaogang Ge said, sitting beside the campfire, cradling a warm cup of tea, taking a gentle sip, his tone full of ease, "Occasionally pausing to enjoy the scenery and staying with Pokemon is what travel should be like."

Huo La turned his head toward Xiaogang Ge, hesitated briefly, then spoke: "Xiaogang Ge Ge, I have an idea I want to tell you."

"Hmm? What idea?" Xiaogang Ge set down his teacup, looking at him curiously, not knowing what new plan Huo La had.

"The Kanto League Conference is still more than half a year away; after we defeat Shuangye Town's Gym and obtain the dual‑color Badge, I want to go to the Orange Archipelago," Huo La said, outlining his plan.

"Go to the Orange Archipelago? Why so sudden?" Xiaogang Ge was taken aback; he had assumed Huo La would continue challenging Kanto's Gyms to collect the eight Badges as quickly as possible.

"I feel I'm not strong enough yet," Huo La said honestly, "Since the League Conference is still far off, why not train in a farther place, see different regions' Pokemon and battle styles; maybe I can learn more."

Xiaogang Ge thought for a moment, then nodded: "You make sense. Moreover, the Orange Archipelago, nestled among mountains and water, is a paradise for Water-type Pokemon; its ecology and breeding methods must differ from Kanto's, definitely worth a visit. By the way, you haven't completed your Badges yet, have you?"

"I've already got six," Huo La said confidently, "Next, the dual‑color Badge from Shuangye Town is a must‑have; the final target is the green Badge from Viridian City. After returning from the Orange Archipelago, I'll challenge the Viridian Gym."

"Alright, you have my support," Xiaogang Ge said with a smile, nodding without any hesitation.

Warmth rose in Huo La's heart; throughout the journey, Xiaogang Ge had always unconditionally supported his decisions and cared for him meticulously. Without Xiaogang Ge, traveling alone would certainly not be so easy.

He looked at Cocona beside the campfire and suddenly had an idea: "Xiaogang Ge Ge, how about we have a battle?"

"Hmm? A battle this late at night?" Xiaogang Ge was a bit surprised, glancing at the sky; the moon had already risen halfway.

"Yes, just a simple match—let Houndour and Cocona battle," Huo La explained, "Houndour just joined me recently; I want it to get used to combat. My other Pokemon are far stronger, not suitable for sparring, whereas the newly hatched Cocona has comparable strength, making it perfect."

Xiaogang Ge lowered his gaze to the Cocona at his feet; the little creature was staring with round eyes, curiously watching them, seeming to understand the word "battle," its paws lightly scratching the ground.

Xiaogang Ge pondered briefly, set down his teacup, and asked softly, "Cocona, do you want to try a battle?"

"Coco!" Cocona immediately nodded vigorously, its little head wobbling like a rattle, and it let out an excited cry, clearly curious about the "battle."

"Alright, then let's have a match." Xiaogang Ge stood up, brushed dust off himself, "Although Cocona just hatched, it's Rock‑Steel type, which can counter Houndour's Fire Type; the type difference can offset some level gap, giving it a chance to practice."

Huo La's eyes lit up, and he instantly pulled out a Pokeball: "Then I won't be polite! Houndour!"

Houndour swiftly descended from the large tree behind Huo La, flicking its tail, a flash of excitement crossing its eyes—this was its first official battle.

Xiaogang Ge also gently lifted Cocona, placing it opposite Houndour: "Cocona, don't be nervous; treat it as practice, just use the moves you know."

"Coco!" Cocona nodded firmly, its short legs steadying its body, ready for combat.

"Xiaogang Ge Ge, then I'll go first! Houndour, use Poison Gas!" Huo La said, and as soon as the words left his mouth, Houndour squinted its tiny eyes, opened its mouth, and a dense purple Poison Gas burst out, spreading across the campsite clearing.

The Pokemon that had been watching from the side immediately scattered to avoid it.

"Huo La... you released that Poison Gas to drive us away!" Xiaogang Ge covered his mouth and nose, laughing helplessly, then quickly composed himself and seriously ordered Cocona, "Cocona, don't be afraid! We're Rock‑Steel type; fire and poison can't hurt us, just charge through and use Metal Claw!"

"Coco!" Cocona instantly responded, its short legs kicking the ground, its hard shell leading, charging straight into the Poison Gas toward Houndour.

"Heh, type advantage is indeed strong, but battle isn't just about type!" Huo La said with a grin, waving his hand, "Houndour, we charge forward, using Ember to strike up close!"

Houndour immediately gathered its strength, its tiny body exploding with astonishing speed, dashing straight into the Poison Gas and colliding head‑on with the approaching Cocona.

A "boom—boom" collision echoed within the Poison Gas, accompanied by a metallic "sizzle" as metal scraped, making it impossible to see inside; only the sounds indicated how fierce the fight was.

Xiaogang Ge kept his eyes on the direction of the Poison Gas, his fingers involuntarily clenching—though he knew the type advantage, Cocona was still newly hatched and lacked combat experience, so he remained somewhat worried.

Huo La also set aside his smile, his gaze focused on the sounds inside, silently calculating.