Chapter 122: The Witch's Trial

Faced with Marnie's straightforward response, Summer felt a strong sense of guilt. Sorry, Marnie, but this is the only way I can explain it to you.

"Then let's go in quickly, Summer. I also want to see what's different here compared to the Glimwood Tangle," Marnie said.

Marnie's ability to accept the situation was surprising. Summer took a step forward and said, "Hmm, it will probably appear once we enter this forest."

"So, is it a Psychic-type Pokémon?" Marnie asked.

Summer's description indicated that this Pokémon could sense nearby life, a skill typically associated with Psychic-type Pokémon.

Based on this, Marnie made her judgment. Summer nodded and added, "Its other type is Fairy."

As Summer had said, they hadn't walked far into the Dream Forest when a mysterious and elegant Pokémon suddenly appeared in front of them. Marnie immediately called out its name, "Hatterene?"

"Hatt?"

Hatterene was also scrutinizing Marnie, the black-haired girl before it, with a surprised expression despite its typically emotionless face. How could someone appear so stoic yet feel so deeply?

"Summer, is this Hatterene your Pokémon?" Marnie asked.

Summer usually let his Pokémon roam in suitable environments instead of keeping them in Poké Balls. This tranquil forest was perfect for Hatterene.

Marnie's analysis was correct. Not only Hatterene, but also Hattrem and Hattena had discovered this forest and happily moved to the Dream Forest.

Hatterene welcomed their arrival and had already made friends with them.

"No, it's my friend," Summer replied.

"I see, that's a pity," Marnie's blue eyes flashed with a hint of disappointment.

In Galar, Hatterene was considered the counterpart to Grimmsnarl, often appearing together in stories.

Yes, it was a pity. Hatterene swayed its witch's hat, but Summer calling it a friend made it less sad.

"Since Hatterene is a Fairy-type Pokémon, it shares the same type as the next Gym Leader I'll be challenging. Is that why you said it's a better opponent?" Marnie asked, her usual expression returning.

"Yes, and it's also very strong."

"Hatt?"

Hatterene's curiosity was piqued. It asked the Pokémon beside Summer who the original opponent for the black-haired girl was supposed to be.

"Tropius!"

Tropius quickly answered, "It's Milotic!"

"Hatt!"

Milotic. Yes, it's indeed wise to change the opponent because that wouldn't be training, it would be suicide.

"Hatterene, can I ask you to help train Marnie's Pokémon?" Summer asked.

Hatterene immediately agreed, as it was a request from a friend.

Marnie's lips curved slightly, "Great, come on out, Pawniard."

Marnie threw a Poké Ball, and a Pawniard wielding dual blades appeared in front of her.

Then Marnie closed her legs, squatted beside Pawniard, and pointed at Hatterene, "Pawniard, this is your training opponent. Do your best."

"Cha!"

Facing the tall Hatterene, Pawniard showed no signs of fear. It believed that challenging strong opponents would help it grow. The stronger the opponent, the more excited it felt.

Seeing the Pawniard charging towards it, Hatterene extended its blue-green claws, conjuring a mystical flame that it then threw at Pawniard with an expressionless face.

Under the scorching flame, Pawniard turned completely black and immediately lost its fighting capability, collapsing to the ground.

"Mystical Fire," Summer murmured, naming Hatterene's move. The training for the Fairy Gym challenge had turned into fire resistance training.

"Hmm, Marnie, the Gym Leader will have specific Pokémon prepared for the challenge, but won't the Gym Leader also prepare moves against their disadvantageous types?" Marnie was instead inspired by this.

She carefully sprayed a healing potion on Pawniard. Soon, Pawniard stood up again, ready for another attack.

"Indeed, just as Marnie said, it doesn't give up easily," Summer observed.

"Of course, Marnie's judgment is never wrong." Marnie then instructed Pawniard, "Alright, Pawniard, try to dodge this move or withstand it!"

Rillaboom was now convinced that Marnie's training method was indeed Spartan.

"Cha!"

For Pawniard, the choice was naturally to withstand the move. Facing its weakness head-on was the only way to become stronger!

Once, twice, three times, Pawniard fell repeatedly, but its determination burned as fiercely as the flames scorching it. Finally, it managed to withstand Hatterene's Mystical Fire.

The mystical flames tormented its spirit, lowering its Special Attack, but Pawniard's ability, Defiant, turned this weakness into strength!

Its blades became incredibly sharp, glowing with intense metal light. It leaped towards Hatterene, aiming to demonstrate its true power.

"It indeed has strong willpower, but it overlooked a crucial factor," Summer concluded.

Speed. Hatterene calmly gathered new flames in its claws and flung them at the oncoming Pawniard, which couldn't adjust its direction in mid-air and flew straight into the flames.

Pawniard lost the battle, but it also won. Even as it lost consciousness, it thought of striking Hatterene. Any blade would do!

Its success was also due to Hatterene's carelessness. A faint cut appeared on Hatterene's tentacle, left by the blade on Pawniard's head.

"Hatt?!"

Hatterene was somewhat surprised. Honestly, it had never taken Pawniard seriously. It hadn't expected Pawniard to stretch its neck and leave a wound with its unexpected blade.

After Marnie treated Pawniard, it slowly stood up. Hatterene showed Pawniard the wound, indicating that its efforts weren't in vain and that it was improving.

Honestly, such a small wound would heal in no time for Hatterene, but it deliberately waited until Pawniard regained consciousness. Now, it finally took this persistent little fellow seriously.

"Cha!" Pawniard cried excitedly, then looked at Marnie, proud of leaving a mark on Hatterene.

Marnie originally intended for it to learn to retreat when faced with difficulties, to use its advantages to win. Its stubbornness led to multiple failures, but also to growth.

"I see your progress," Marnie said, her eyes filled with recognition.

"Different Pokémon have different traits. Even Pokémon of the same species have different personalities. This training method might be just right for Pawniard, Marnie," Summer suggested.

"So take it seriously, Hatterene. I think you can feel its determination now."

Hatterene nodded silently. As expected of my friend, we think alike.

Pawniard was filled with energy after being praised. Despite the intense training, it was ready for more challenges!

Then it understood what hell truly was. A serious Hatterene was on a completely different level. In a daze, Pawniard even saw a ghostly dragon!

(End of Chapter)