The place where Slowpoke was captured.
The levels of the wild Pokémon here aren't very high, as Team Rocket has been systematically clearing the area.
If the Pokémon around Team Rocket's bases were high-level, how could participants carry out their trials?
After allowing Murkrow and Slowpoke to blow off some steam, Cain asked, "Slowpoke, have you recovered enough? Can you use Teleport again?"
Slowpoke nodded. For short distances, Teleport would no longer be a problem, but to use Teleport for a long distance like before, it would need to rest all night.
"Then let's go take a look at the Gastly cave; I think Haunter would also like to go back home," Cain said, smiling.
Haunter, who was hiding in Cain's shadow as a guard, heard Cain's words and slowly began to appear, showing a nostalgic expression.
Soon, under Slowpoke's Teleport power, Cain and his Pokémon vanished from the spot.
With a Slowpoke capable of using Teleport, moving around areas where it had left its mark felt like being at home. They could go anywhere with ease.
In the blink of an eye, when Cain opened his eyes again, they were already at the entrance of the Gastly cave.
This time, however, Cain was surprised, as he wasn't the first to arrive.
In the distance, at the cave entrance, three people were directing their Pokémon in an attack on the cave.
A seemingly endless stream of Gastly flowed out from within, blocking the entrance and preventing the three intruders from entering.
But despite their efforts, the Gastly were no match for the three trainers due to their low level.
Cain didn't act immediately. Haunter seemed somewhat restless, but Cain calmed him.
From Cain's perspective, it was clear these three were trial participants, but entering right away wouldn't be wise, as it seemed the three were testing the waters, not yet going all out.
Cain paused because he felt the points device in his pocket start vibrating, pointing directly toward the interior of the Gastly cave.
It was no wonder those three hadn't retreated, even after being held at the entrance for so long.
Cain didn't recognize any of the three, which increased the likelihood they were part of Xander's team or independent participants.
Having assessed the situation, Cain decided to act.
"Haunter, it's time for you to return home with honor. Take care of those three's Pokémon; they're nothing but trash, no match for you. Slowpoke, control those three with your psychic powers," Cain ordered.
"Murkrow, go with Haunter and make sure they don't escape."
The three Pokémon didn't hesitate for a second. With the help of Slowpoke's Teleport, they appeared in the middle of the battle between the Gastly and the intruders' Pokémon.
Sneasel remained by Cain's side, temporarily taking on the role of guard in place of Haunter.
In the wild, it's always safer to have a Pokémon watching closely.
In a flash, the intruders' Pokémon were completely defeated. They were no match for Haunter and Murkrow, who were on a totally different level.
Although the Gastly recognized Haunter as their evolved form, they didn't recognize him immediately and maintained their defensive stance.
But noticing that Haunter and Murkrow weren't attacking them, they remained in their positions, watching cautiously.
Slowpoke, on the other hand, was more direct. It used its psychic powers to control the three intruders, leaving them unable to move or make a sound, allowing Haunter and Murkrow to quickly defeat their Pokémon.
Without their trainers' guidance, Pokémon lose at least half of their combat capacity.
"Elder Gastly, Cain has brought Haunter back. Could you come out to see him?" Cain said as he calmly walked toward the entrance of the Gastly cave.
The three intruders, seeing Cain, tried to shout, but Slowpoke's control kept them completely immobilized, except for blinking.
Cain ignored them and approached the crowd of Gastly.
"Kekeke!" Haunter also called out toward the cave.
Gradually, the Gastly opened a path. An elder Gastly slowly floated out. Although all Gastly looked the same, Cain couldn't help but feel this one had an aura of old age.
Cain smiled and said, "Elder Gastly, it's been almost three months. I've brought Haunter back to see you. Now he's evolved from Gastly to Haunter."
The elder Gastly instantly recognized Cain. For him, three months was an extremely short time.
Had Haunter evolved in just three months?
When Haunter left, he could barely be considered a useful Pokémon in battle.
But now, the elder Gastly could feel the powerful energy within Haunter. He himself was no longer a match for Haunter.
Although the elder Gastly recognized Haunter, he couldn't help but be surprised by the great changes—in appearance, level, power, and even capacity.
Could a Pokémon truly grow so much under a trainer's guidance?
The elder Gastly felt a slight doubt in his heart.
"In just three months, in such a short period, he has reached this level. Cain, you are... impressive," said the elder Gastly through telepathy, unable to find the words to describe such progress and opting simply to say "impressive."
"Haha, Haunter has worked hard. I've only given him a bit of direction and some help. All his progress is due to his own efforts," Cain replied.
The elder Gastly nodded, clearly pleased with Haunter's progress under Cain's care.
"I wonder, Cain, what brings you here this time? There have been many humans in the area lately, and today, those three have been attacking our cave entrance all day," the elder Gastly said in his aged voice.
"Don't worry; I'll deal with those three. However, there's something in the cave that may be causing these disturbances. It would be best to remove it, or more humans will keep coming. These three aren't very strong, but if someone more powerful shows up, your home could be in danger," Cain explained.
Haunter also confirmed that he knew what Cain was talking about.
"Oh? In that case, come with me, Cain. We've been friends for some time, and we trust you," replied the elder Gastly without showing suspicion, especially with Haunter backing Cain.
"Alright, let me deal with those three, and then I'll follow you," Cain said.
"Slowpoke, finish those three off and make sure there's no trace left. I'm sure the Gastly clan would prefer not to be disturbed."
After ordering the elimination of the intruders, Cain followed the elder Gastly into the cave, with Haunter and Murkrow at his side. Slowpoke, once it finished disposing of the bodies, would Teleport back to join Cain.