If Poison-type Pokémon Didn't Use Poison, What Would They Use?

The drone kept flying through the forest near Sandgem Town. It was high above the ground, but the video it transmitted remained perfectly clear.

He had to admit, the stuff that rich guy bought was good.

Especially the drone.

It could stay airborne for a long time and fly a long way.

"Found it."

Chen Yan called out as he spotted a little short-legged Pokémon with half its black butt sticking out of a thicket.

Professor Rowan stood up, looked at the footage on the Rotom Phone, and nodded. "That's right. That's Tepig."

"All right, Professor. I'll mark this location first. Once we find the other two, we can bring them all back together."

"Mm."

Soon, Chen Yan found Snivy in a tree and Oshawott beside a stream.

"Professor, let's go."

Chen Yan stood and looked at Professor Rowan. The professor nodded, finished the tea in his cup, then got up and left the laboratory with him.

The two men and one ghost followed the directions on the Rotom Phone.

When they reached the thicket where Tepig was staying, Chen Yan stopped and eyed the half-exposed butt warily.

Gengar turned back to him curiously, and Chen Yan explained:

"Fire-type Pokémon tend to have really bad tempers. Tepig is one of the gentler Fire types, but it's also a big eater and really hates being interrupted during a meal."

Chen Yan paused before continuing. "Let's wait until it's finished. Once it's stuffed and has no energy left, we'll approach it."

Gengar nodded, floated back beside Chen Yan, and stared at that half-exposed black butt.

"Chen Yan, you're from Twinleaf Town, right?"

"Um... I guess you could say that?"

Professor Rowan looked at Chen Yan, intrigued and puzzled by his answer.

Chen Yan briefly explained his situation.

"Oh... I see. You're from the mysterious East? Do you have the Unova Region's starter Pokémon there too?"

How was Chen Yan supposed to know? He thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Probably... not? I've never seen them."

"But you know quite a lot about Tepig."

Chen Yan kept a straight face. "That's because I really like Pokémon, so I know a fair bit about them."

Just then, Tepig finally emerged from the thicket, Berry juice smeared around its mouth. After letting out a satisfied burp, it suddenly noticed two humans and a Gengar staring at it from nearby.

(Black butt)

With a full belly, Tepig grew bolder and puffed a few sparks from its nostrils.

"Pffss!"

Want a fight? I'll take you on!

Sparks kept spraying from Tepig's nose as it pawed the ground with its front hoof.

"Gengar, sorry for the trouble."

Gengar nodded solemnly, floated over to Tepig, and beckoned with one hand.

You... come at me!

Tepig flew into a rage!

How dare you look down on this old pig! Take this!

Tepig used Tackle.

Floating in midair, Gengar twisted its waist like a little boy and dodged.

Tepig missed and hit the ground, rolling several times before coming to a stop. When it turned back toward Gengar, it found that the ghost had somehow produced a red cloth and was waving it invitingly.

"Bullfighting... no, is Gengar pigfighting today? What a little kid."

Gengar spun gracefully in midair, letting the red cloth flutter gently as Tepig rushed past it.

"Wait... why does that red cloth look so familiar?" Chen Yan took a closer look and realized it was his bright red underwear.

"Gengar!" Chen Yan roared in fury.

Gengar spun gracefully once more, avoiding Tepig's charge.

As Tepig passed Gengar, it heard the ghost speak.

"Geng-"

Nighty-night.

Confused, Tepig turned its head and found a large tree directly in front of it. Its head slammed squarely into the trunk.

"Duang~"

The sound was quite crisp.

Tepig turned around, shook its head, and wondered why the Gengar in front of it had used Double Team.

Then its eyes rolled back, and it passed out.

Professor Rowan recalled Tepig into its Poké Ball and turned toward Chen Yan, only to find him engaged in a freestyle wrestling match with Gengar.

"Why did you pull out my underwear?!"

Because all your clothes are with me!

"Then why did you have to pick that one?!"

It's the only red thing!!!

Chen Yan and Gengar pinched each other's cheeks until Chen Yan remembered that Professor Rowan was still standing beside them and finally let go.

"I'll spare your miserable life this time!"

Then Chen Yan walked over to Professor Rowan and said sheepishly, "Sorry. I couldn't help getting into a fight with Gengar."

"Hahaha! You and Gengar really do get along well." Professor Rowan burst out laughing.

Chen Yan glared at Gengar, who immediately turned away guiltily.

When they reached the stream, Oshawott was sunbathing on a large rock in the middle of the water.

"Hey."

Chen Yan called out to the sunbathing Oshawott.

Oshawott stood, looked at Chen Yan, and took the shell from its chest into its hand.

"Time to head back," Chen Yan told Oshawott.

A blade of water formed around the shell in Oshawott's hand as it stared at Chen Yan.

(Master swordsman narrowly defeated by Gengar)

"Osha!"

Beat my swordsmanship, and I'll go back with you.

Gengar's eyes lit up at that.

Swordsmanship? You know swordsmanship too?!

Without waiting for Chen Yan to speak, Gengar floated out to face Oshawott.

A flash of red light appeared at Chen Yan's waist, and Weedle hopped out of its Poké Ball.

Seeing this, Gengar floated back beside Chen Yan, handed him its slender bamboo staff, then picked up Weedle and floated forward again.

Under Chen Yan's puzzled gaze, Gengar delivered a cool, aloof declaration.

"Geng!"

This is my sword!

Weedle stiffened its body. Gengar gripped its tail, pointing the horn on Weedle's head at Oshawott.

Chen Yan: ...

"Osha!"

Doesn't matter!

Oshawott attacked first.

Gengar used Weedle to parry Oshawott's attacks again and again.

As he watched the three Pokémon trading blows, the smile never left Professor Rowan's face.

"So Weedle can be used as a sword too? That's news to me," Professor Rowan said in surprise.

"That's just something Gengar cooked up..."

Chen Yan's voice was full of resignation.

He really shouldn't have told Gengar so many martial arts stories.

Gengar felt its hands growing heavier and heavier, but its expression remained unchanged. After sidestepping Oshawott's attack, it jabbed Oshawott in the neck with the horn.

Oshawott's face instantly turned purple, and its shell fell to the ground. It pointed at Gengar and Weedle.

"O... sha..."

You... used... poison...

At Oshawott's accusation, Gengar blinked, tilted its head, and set Weedle on the ground.

"Geng-"

Weedle and I are both Poison-type Pokémon. If we didn't use poison, what would we use?

Its tone was full of bewilderment.

"Weee-"

A true master wins with brains!

Oshawott pointed at Gengar and Weedle, foamed at the mouth, then rolled its eyes back and collapsed beside its shell.

It was hard to tell whether it had passed out from the poison or sheer anger.

Professor Rowan recalled Oshawott into its Poké Ball and burst out laughing.

"Hahaha! Chen Yan, you and your Pokémon really are entertaining! Hahahaha!"

Chen Yan covered his forehead, not wanting to say a word.