NOVEL NEXT Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Battle for the Final Four
Half an hour later, the battles resumed.
The venue remained the same—Ron's previous battle room. The Team Rocket member overseeing the match was also unchanged, with the only difference being Ron's opponent: a trial participant named Marl.
As a flash of white light illuminated the room, Ron once again sent out his Persian. Meanwhile, Marl chose to battle with a Mothim.
Although Mothim is also a Bug-type Pokémon, it's one of the few that evolves slowly, requiring a Burmy to reach level 31 before evolving. As such, Ron had encountered numerous Burmy during the trial, but this was his first time seeing its evolved form, Mothim, and certainly not in battle.
"Mothim, Spider Web, then Signal Beam!" Marl commanded decisively, taking the initiative.
Spider Web wasn't just a move to immobilize a Pokémon's movements; it also blocked them from switching out. However, instead of targeting Persian, Mothim's Signal Beam was aimed directly at Ron!
Marl had seen Persian in action at the safe zone and understood its prowess. He developed a clear strategy: slightly hinder Persian's movements while launching a fatal attack on its trainer.
Ron clenched his jaw in anger but also chastised himself for letting his guard down. He had been aware that Team Rocket allowed trainers to attack each other directly during battles, yet he had mistakenly assumed it could only occur after one Pokémon was defeated, using the window of opportunity to strike. This oversight stemmed from the false sense of security he had developed since arriving at the safe zone, forgetting that Team Rocket's battlefield had no rules against bloodshed.
Gripping the Poké Ball containing Machoke tightly, Ron reviewed Team Rocket's rules in his mind. As long as Machoke didn't interfere directly with an opponent's Pokémon's actions or attacks, summoning it was still within the rules. However, Ron chose not to release it immediately, deciding to rely on Persian for now.
Shaking off the effects of Mothim's Spider Web, Persian darted forward with Soru (Shave), using its incredible speed to deflect Mothim's Signal Beam with Iron Tail.
"Mothim, Sleep Powder!" Marl yelled, adjusting his tactics.
"Persian, Hypnosis!" Ron countered without hesitation.
The shimmering powder was no match for the speed of Hypnosis. Before Mothim could fully execute its move, the sleep-inducing powder scattered harmlessly to the ground, and Mothim itself began to sink into a deep slumber.
Ron gave Persian a quick glance, signaling his next move. In an instant, Persian vanished with Soru, reappearing right in front of Marl. Without hesitation, it struck Marl's throat and swiftly broke all four of his limbs. Marl collapsed in agony, unable to make a sound, left writhing helplessly on the ground.
"Persian, use Hypnosis again, then finish Mothim," Ron ordered coldly.
While Ron advanced toward Marl, dagger in hand, Persian carried out its task. Mothim, still reeling from the first Hypnosis, succumbed again, falling into an even deeper sleep. With a powerful leap, Persian executed Iron Tail, knocking the sleeping Mothim out of the air. The sudden attack woke Mothim momentarily, but the brutal pain that followed left it incapable of resisting. Persian delivered a calculated finishing blow, deliberately avoiding vital areas to prolong its suffering.
As blood pooled beneath Marl, Ron spoke with chilling calm. "Thank you for teaching me the invaluable lesson to always remain vigilant. As repayment, let me show you my gratitude."
He immobilized Marl with a precise strike and plunged the dagger into his left arm, pinning it to the floor. Crimson blood spread quickly, staining Marl's clothes and pooling on the ground. Ron methodically repeated the process on Marl's other arm, then both legs, until Marl was drenched in his own blood.
Ron didn't finish him off immediately, choosing instead to watch Marl struggle helplessly. On the other side of the battlefield, Mothim lay motionless, its body marred by scars, lifeless.
According to the rules, Ron could have ended the battle then, allowing Marl to receive medical treatment. But Ron's pause wasn't out of mercy; he intended for Marl to die slowly and painfully. Marl's attempts to beg for mercy were futile, as he could barely make a sound. His life ebbed away, second by agonizing second, until he finally succumbed, his lifeless eyes filled with venomous hatred and desperation.
Ron stepped off the stage. The Team Rocket member overseeing the battle approached, asking if Persian required healing. Receiving a negative response, they escorted Ron back to his room.
The Rocket member admired both Marl's and Ron's resolve. In Team Rocket, abandoning morality and using every means necessary to kill was the only path forward. The difference was simple: Ron won; Marl lost.
With Marl's lesson in mind, Ron and Persian grew more cautious, preparing for future opponents who might employ similar underhanded tactics. Though Persian's combination of Soru and Hypnosis was well-suited for taking down trainers directly, Ron aimed to use these battles to strengthen Persian's abilities.
At level 31, Persian was on the brink of advancing further. This trial battle offered the perfect opportunity for growth. Ron decided he would fight his remaining opponents head-on unless they resorted to treachery.
After dispatching his next opponent's two Pokémon with brutal efficiency, Ron secured his third victory and advanced to the top eight.
The remaining participants were strong, but in Ron's eyes, only two posed any real threat: a red-haired youth and a cold, expressionless boy. Against the others, he was confident of victory.
In the confined battle arenas, Persian excelled. Its mastery of Soru allowed it to strike swiftly and repeatedly, leaving opponents in despair. Despite being only an elite-tier Pokémon, Persian could easily outmatch opponents several levels higher, a feat Ron attributed to their grueling three-month trial.
Ron's strategy was clear: strike swiftly and decisively. Any hesitation could lead to disaster, and he had no intention of giving his opponents the same opportunity they would exploit against him.
As he advanced to the final four, Ron entered a new training room to face his next opponent—the red-haired youth he had observed earlier.
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