NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Exploration
"Well done, Machop!"
Ron placed a hand on Machop's shoulder, his praise unreserved. As he spoke, he swiftly helped Machop recover its stamina.
Earlier, Ron had tried to discern whether his newfound ability was akin to the fabled "Viridian Power." His experiments revealed that, while his power could rapidly restore a Pokémon's stamina and heal its injuries, it wasn't exactly Viridian Power—it was something entirely new.
Adding to the mystery were Ron's now-purple eyes. He was certain this ability was his "golden finger," a gift unique to him. In both his previous life and this one, his eyes had always been black—until the lightning strike that changed everything.
To make things easier, Ron named this special ability "Fighting Aura," signifying its role as a combat aid.
After restoring Machop, Ron turned to tend to the injured Rattata.
It wasn't that Rattata had shown any extraordinary potential or that Ron wanted to recruit it, but rather, it was a matter of practicality.
Facing this unfamiliar forest, Ron considered the likelihood of encountering Pokémon that Machop alone couldn't handle. At Machop's current strength, that scenario was a real possibility.
To ensure Machop could face suitable opponents to gain experience and to locate food sources, Ron decided to make the cave his base of operations. From there, he would systematically challenge all the wild Pokémon in the vicinity.
This method would increase his safety in the forest. It was cautious—some might say overly so—but undeniably practical.
Wandering aimlessly from the start could lead to encounters with overwhelmingly strong wild Pokémon or struggles with food scarcity, any of which could spell disaster.
Moreover, the final elimination test for Team Rocket required two Pokémon. Ron estimated that, while raising Machop, he could only manage to train one additional Pokémon effectively. His current experience and resources simply couldn't support more than that.
As such, Ron was selective about capturing Pokémon. That said, he was willing to temporarily recruit a Pokémon under special circumstances, though he wouldn't invest significant effort in raising it.
Once satisfied that Rattata was out of immediate danger and unlikely to wake up soon, Ron ended the treatment and moved on with Machop, continuing his exploration. His plan was to quickly familiarize himself with the surrounding wild Pokémon while gathering food and water.
He wasn't concerned about Rattata fleeing once it woke up. Unless significant changes occurred, wild Pokémon rarely abandoned their established territories.
As Ron resumed his journey, he adopted a cautious demeanor, watching every rustling bush with sharp focus.
In the Pokémon world, apart from Pokémon, other animals existed too. These animals were often the prey of carnivorous Pokémon, forming a delicate balance in the ecosystem.
This dynamic led to territorial boundaries among wild Pokémon, reducing conflicts over food. Even a minor injury could prove fatal if left untreated, making survival in this environment incredibly challenging.
For Ron, however, detecting the movements of wild Pokémon became much simpler thanks to his heightened perception.
"Machop, to the left—use Leer!"
Having gained trust in Ron's commands during previous battles, Machop immediately turned and unleashed a Leer attack.
Almost simultaneously, a purple figure darted out from the bushes.
The faint breeze carried a foul stench—an unmistakable sign of poison.
Affected by the Leer, an Ekans poised to ambush them froze momentarily, exposing itself to Ron and Machop.
"Focus Energy—and watch out for its Poison Fang!"
Ron had only tested his power's effectiveness on stamina and injuries, not poison. Until he could confirm whether his ability could neutralize toxins, he chose to err on the side of caution.
Machop clenched its fists, its focus intensifying as it used Focus Energy.
Recovering from the Leer, the Ekans assessed its distance from Machop. The space between them provided a safety buffer, prompting Ron to hold off on ordering an attack.
For now, it was a standoff, dependent on Ekans' next move.
After a brief hesitation, the Ekans decided not to give up its potential prey.
Both Pokémon were at level 11, and Ekans saw no reason to fear Machop.
Its lithe body coiled and swayed before launching Poison Sting—a volley of purple needles enveloping Machop. At the same time, Ekans lunged at Ron, aiming to eliminate the trainer swiftly.
"Machop, Leer again!"
As Ron's command rang out, Ekans opened its maw, unleashing Acid—a hereditary move—straight at Ron's face.
Relying on his enhanced reflexes, Ron dodged the attack with ease, retreating toward Machop for safety.
Machop's Leer hit its mark once more, reducing Ekans' defense further. The shimmering scales on Ekans' body dulled visibly.
Frustrated by the interruptions, Ekans shifted its focus entirely to Machop.
It unleashed another Acid attack, this time followed by Leer.
Machop evaded the Acid with practiced ease but couldn't escape the effects of Leer, freezing in place.
Seizing the opportunity, Ekans charged, its venomous fangs bared.
"Stay put and use Focus Energy—then strike with Close Combat!"
Feigning paralysis, Machop continued to charge its strength.
Ekans approached cautiously, testing the waters with another Acid attack before committing to its assault.
The toxic spray missed as Machop deftly dodged. In the next instant, Machop closed the gap with a powerful dash, launching into Close Combat.
The energy from two Focus Energy boosts amplified Machop's assault, striking Ekans' weak points repeatedly.
With its defense lowered by two Leer attacks, Ekans' once-resilient scales crumbled under Machop's onslaught, leaving it battered and broken on the ground.
Unlike Rattata, Ron didn't spare Ekans.
Without antidotes on hand, Ron couldn't risk letting a highly aggressive and venomous Pokémon roam nearby.
Ekans, known for holding grudges, could endanger Ron's safety in the coming days. To ensure peace of mind, Ron chose to eliminate the threat entirely.
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