"Nidoking, Finger Pistol: False Darkness!"
A flash of blue electricity streaked across the battlefield. The Ursaring, unable to evade in time, took a direct hit.
Even though Nidoking had deliberately avoided striking a fatal point, False Darkness still pierced through Ursaring's chest, sending waves of searing pain through its body.
Its limbs trembled, unable to bear the weight of its own body, and Ursaring collapsed onto the ground, gasping heavily. Though unwilling to accept defeat, its body refused to obey its will.
"Nidoking, Earth Power!"
Following Ron's command, Nidoking summoned a surge of Earth Power that erupted from beneath Ursaring's chin. Like an ascending dragon, the force launched Ursaring high into the air.
By the time it crashed back onto the ground, Ursaring had lost the ability to fight.
As the battle concluded, Nidoking's already unstable aura grew increasingly chaotic. Closing its eyes, it focused on stabilizing the surge of energy within its body.
Gradually, Nidoking's aura began to settle.
Then, in an instant, a powerful burst of energy erupted from its body—it had successfully broken through to the quasi-Elite Four level.
"ROAR!"
A triumphant roar echoed through the forest. Feeling the newfound strength coursing through its body, Nidoking's eyes burned with battle fervor.
"Alright, alright, I get it—I'll find you a worthy opponent at the quasi-Elite Four level," Ron said in a resigned tone, unable to escape as Nidoking affectionately rubbed its massive face against him.
Satisfied with the response, Nidoking finally released Ron and turned its eager gaze toward Gardevoir.
Shaking its head with a sigh, Gardevoir used Teleport, whisking Ron and the others away in an instant.
As Ron's group ventured deeper into the forest, Gardevoir continuously scanned for strong Pokémon. However, one after another, they were dismissed as unworthy.
It had been a month since they last separated from Drake and Sidney of the Elite Four.
During this time, with the help of Nome, Drake had successfully destroyed two of Team Aqua's secret bases, dealing a significant blow to the organization. Coupled with Team Magma's relentless assaults, Team Aqua had gone completely silent, let alone made any further moves against Ron.
With this temporary period of peace, Ron seized the opportunity to focus on powering up his team.
The inland regions of Hoenn had relatively fewer traces of human activity, leading many Pokémon of the same species to form large groups. This abundance of wild Pokémon provided Ron with the perfect training ground.
Currently, Frogadier had reached Level 35, just one step away from evolving—the critical moment to awaken its Battle Bond ability.
Meanwhile, Lucario stood at Level 37, two levels ahead of Frogadier.
The most remarkable progress, however, belonged to Gengar. After a period of rapid growth, it had surged to Level 55, just one level behind Blaziken.
Next was Gardevoir and Nidoking—the former had reached Level 58, nearing the quasi-Elite Four threshold, while the latter had just successfully advanced.
At the same time, Persian had fully completed its training at the quasi-Elite Four stage. Once it obtained the right Attribute Plate, it would break through to Elite Four status.
Though Bellossom was still a ways from the quasi-Elite Four level, it was only a matter of a month or so before it caught up.
While the rest of the team was making significant progress, Machamp hadn't been left behind either. It had reached Level 62, explaining why Ron had dedicated an entire month to power leveling his Pokémon.
Beneath the shade of a tree, Manectric lay comfortably, enjoying the cool breeze. The rhythmic rustling of leaves lulled it into a drowsy state.
Suddenly, an intense wave of scorching heat rolled in. Without warning, a raging inferno surged toward Manectric.
"What the—?! I was just about to nap, and now the forest is on fire?!"
With no time to hesitate, Manectric enveloped itself in electricity and activated Wild Charge, combining it with Quick Attack to bolt out of the sea of flames.
Just as it managed to escape, Nidoking's Earth Power struck, sending Manectric flying.
"Nidoking, Poison Dragon!"
The venom coalesced into a draconic shape, its ferocious maw opening wide as it lunged toward Manectric.
Sparks crackled as Manectric landed, immediately countering with a surge of electricity to intercept the incoming toxic dragon.
"Nidoking, Earth Power!"
Focusing on the aerial threat left Manectric exposed from below. Taking advantage of this, Ron commanded Nidoking to strike.
Pillars of earth erupted beneath Manectric's feet, throwing it off balance and disrupting its coordinated counterattack.
Seizing the moment, the toxic dragon broke through Manectric's defenses, engulfing it entirely and slamming it into the jagged rock formation.
Shattered debris, oozing venom, and a struggling Manectric—still standing but visibly weakened.
Nidoking's Sheer Force ability, amplified by the Life Orb, prevented the poison from inducing a status condition, yet the corrosive nature of the venom still sapped Manectric's strength.
Just like how Fire Blast leaves a Pokémon fatigued or Blizzard can slow movements with its chilling effect, the venom gnawed away at Manectric's energy.
"Nidoking, unleash Poison Dragon—full power!"
Venom surged once more, a faint layer of toxic mist coating Nidoking's entire body.
Then, three venomous dragons burst forth, lunging from different directions, their silent roars heralding a deadly pincer attack on Manectric.
Gritting its teeth, Manectric forced itself to overcharge its Electric-type attacks.
Having already suffered a direct hit, Manectric lacked the strength to retaliate. All it could do was brace itself against Nidoking's relentless assault.
A shimmering electric barrier formed in front of Manectric, shielding it from harm.
Under Nidoking's control, the three toxic dragons seemed almost sentient as they lined up, ramming into the shield one after another.
The first strike cracked the barrier. The second sent electric sparks flying. The third—draining half its energy—finally shattered through, the venomous jaws closing in on Manectric.
As the toxic dragon loomed closer, Manectric found itself too exhausted to move, forced to watch as the attack consumed it once more.
The venom continued to eat away at its strength.
"Nidoking, one final strike—Poison Dragon!"
Taking a brief breath, Nidoking summoned another draconic wave.
Manectric had barely regained its footing when the venomous beast engulfed it again, dragging it into the still-burning battlefield.
Having ascended to the quasi-Elite Four level, Nidoking's attacks had grown significantly stronger.
The downside? If this continued, the Life Orb's energy would soon be depleted, leaving it as nothing more than an ordinary stone.
After extinguishing the flames, Ron treated Manectric's injuries before finally departing.
...
The next day, Ron sat cross-legged atop a boulder, surrounded by his ever-vigilant Machamp and the graceful yet distant Gardevoir.
Using the meditation techniques he had learned from Shadow, Ron repeatedly honed his psychic abilities.
For the past ten days, he had felt himself on the verge of breaking through—a thin, invisible barrier was all that remained.
Yet, prioritizing his Pokémon's growth, he had chosen to wait until now to attempt the final push.
As his Psychic energy surged, he sensed it again—that delicate yet stubborn barrier, standing between him and the next stage of his power.
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