NOVEL NEXT Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Preparations Before Evolution
Struggling to rise from the ground despite the searing pain, the Beedrill leader's eyes burned with rage, though an undercurrent of fear was undeniable.
Only through direct confrontation could one grasp the raw strength of a Machop who had mastered Soru (Shave).
The Beedrill leader, already one level below Machop, had no chance of overpowering its might. Without reinforcements, fear took hold, and it sought to escape as quickly as possible.
But Machop wasn't about to let that happen. Utilizing Soru to close the gap, the Beedrill leader's flight speed was negligible by comparison.
The remaining Beedrill buzzed their wings in an attempt to assist their leader, but they were intercepted. Gloom's Secret Power and Meowth's alternating Fake Out strikes kept the swarm at bay.
Even a mere ten seconds was enough for Machop.
Rushing in, Machop knocked the Beedrill leader from the air with a powerful Close Combat. It followed up with consecutive Karate Chops, mercilessly targeting the wings and crushing any hope of escape.
Despite the excruciating pain, the Beedrill leader found the courage for a desperate counterattack.
Staggering to its feet, it launched Venoshock, forcing Machop to dodge, then lunged forward with a frenzied Fury Attack.
Dodging to the left using Soru, Machop braked mid-movement and launched another assault. The Beedrill leader, overwhelmed by pain and the lingering effects of Gloom's Sweet Scent, couldn't react in time. A decisive Close Combat struck, sending the Beedrill leader flying.
Before it hit the ground, it had already lost the ability to fight.
Turning his focus back to the chaotic skirmish, Machop immediately used Soru to strike down two Beedrill attempting to intercept Meowth. Seizing the moment, Meowth slipped out of the swarm's center and began using its agility to support Machop in the ongoing battle.
Gloom had stopped emitting Sweet Scent by this time and instead focused on spamming Secret Power, which in the thick underbrush carried a Poison effect. Those Beedrill who managed to remain standing after being hit were inevitably poisoned, significantly weakening their combat effectiveness.
Using the high mobility granted by Soru, along with the interference from Meowth and Gloom, Machop moved like a ghost among the Beedrill swarm. One by one, the Beedrill fell to Machop's or Meowth's attacks.
Despite facing an unwinnable battle against such a foe, the Beedrill swarm fought with unyielding determination. They refused to retreat—not because they sought victory, but because their hive housed countless young Weedle, Kakuna, and unhatched larvae.
Their tenacity, born from a desire to protect their offspring, moved Ron deeply. For this reason, he instructed Machop to avoid inflicting fatal injuries. Each Beedrill was merely incapacitated.
Amid the fray, Machop struck down another Beedrill from behind. Soon, only one remained—a lone Beedrill that glared unwaveringly at Machop, attacking with reckless abandon.
A final Close Combat effortlessly brought the last opponent down.
Even as it trembled in pain, its gaze held a mix of defiance and fear. Machop refrained from delivering a finishing blow.
"Don't worry. We won't kill you, and your young will be safe," Machop reassured the Beedrill leader in the Pokémon language.
Though they were of different species, Pokémon shared a common tongue. Hearing this, the female Beedrill sighed in relief and collapsed, panting heavily. It had fought past its limits to protect the hive.
Ron, observing the exchange, couldn't understand Machop's words but discerned their meaning from the interaction. He silently treated the fallen Beedrill, even refraining from collecting the honey he could have easily claimed.
Once everything was in order, Ron and his team made a hasty retreat. The female Beedrill might have relented, but the rest of the swarm might not have been so forgiving.
After distancing themselves from the hive, Ron reflected on the battle.
Progress Report:
Machop: Level 27 (+1)
Meowth: Level 23 (+1)
Gloom: Level 20 (unchanged)
Machop was now just one level away from evolving into Machoke. Upon evolution, it would have the potential to evolve further into Machamp. However, such a transformation would require trading, something Ron planned to defer until Machoke reached level 40. Rapid or consecutive evolutions could strain a Pokémon, so timing was critical.
Of course, Bug-type Pokémon were exceptions, known for their fast evolution—a beneficial trait.
Ron also took the opportunity to review the battle performances of his team. Even though Gloom would be released after the trial, he provided feedback to help it thrive in the wild.
By the time he finished, it was lunchtime. Despite lacking honey for dessert, the team enjoyed their rations of preserved meat.
In the afternoon, Ron focused on finding a suitable location for Gloom to continue fishing while carefully managing Machop's experience gains. The goal was to prepare for evolution by timing a controlled encounter with a lone wild Pokémon.
Balancing efficiency and safety, Ron allowed himself a short nap to sharpen his focus.
Under his guidance, Machop and the team became exceptionally cautious, strictly following his commands.
Ron understood that he was treading a fine line. If Machop evolved mid-battle, wild Pokémon wouldn't wait for the process to finish—they would continue attacking. An interrupted evolution could lead to failure or, worse, permanent harm to Machop.
Still, with Machop's consent, Ron took the risk.
The sweet aroma of Sweet Scent spread through the air, drawing wild Pokémon closer. Though these encounters would be easier than the morning's Beedrill swarm, the team treated them with heightened caution.
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