NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: Chapter 4: Battle for Food
"Machop, use Leer, then Karate Chop!"
The wild rabbit froze in place, trembling uncontrollably as Machop's Leer took effect. Immobilized by fear, it could only stand still as Machop delivered a decisive Karate Chop, ending its life.
In this world, ordinary animals had it rough. Beyond humans, countless Pokémon could hunt them with ease.
With the rabbit dealt with, Ron decided to wrap things up for the day.
After spending half the day exploring, Ron had gained a better understanding of the surrounding environment while taking care of particularly dangerous wild Pokémon in the area.
Now, he and Machop could look forward to a brief period of stability, using the resources and wild Pokémon nearby to prepare for the next phase of exploration.
Just as Machop moved to pick up the rabbit, a yellow blur darted out of nowhere.
"Machop, watch out!"
Unlike the Ekans they had encountered earlier, this new Pokémon showed no hostility before attacking, catching Ron completely off guard. He could only shout his warning after the ambush had begun.
Facing away from the attacker, Machop didn't immediately counter but instead rolled to the side to escape the strike zone.
The failed attack revealed the assailant—a Meowth, a Pokémon rarely seen in the wild.
"Machop, use Leer!"
After a brief moment of surprise, Ron realized that Meowth wasn't targeting him or Machop—it was after the rabbit.
This bold act of stealing from under their noses called for a harsh lesson.
Machop activated Leer, but Meowth, sensing danger, quickly countered with Hypnosis. Both moves hit their marks. Despite Ron's attempts to wake Machop with urgent shouts, it took a few moments for Machop to shake off the effects of Hypnosis. By then, Meowth had already broken free from Leer's intimidation.
"Focus Energy, Machop. This one's a tough opponent—stay sharp!"
From Meowth's quick reactions and skillful responses, Ron could tell this Pokémon was far more cunning than the average wild Pokémon he had encountered.
Instead of bothering with the rabbit, which would only slow it down, Meowth immediately disrupted Machop's Focus Energy with a Fake Out, then began an intense hit-and-run style of battle, relying on its agility.
"Machop, don't let its attacks throw you off balance. Stay defensive!"
Ron's voice rang out from a distance.
Although Ron could track Meowth's movements with ease, the crafty Pokémon was adept at cutting its losses. The moment it sensed trouble, it would abandon its attack and use Iron Tail to defend itself. Like Hypnosis, Iron Tail was a move Meowth had inherited.
Meowth's strategy of wearing Machop down through repeated, high-speed attacks would quickly drain its stamina, but if it could disrupt Machop's rhythm or provoke it into making rash decisions, the battle could end swiftly in Meowth's favor.
This was a hallmark strategy of speed-oriented Pokémon: a high-risk, high-reward approach akin to walking a tightrope. One misstep could spell disaster, but success could lead to a quick victory.
Without additional crowd-control moves, even Leer struggled to pin down such a nimble opponent. Ron instructed Machop to remain on the defensive, waiting for Meowth to tire and expose a weakness.
After using Iron Tail to create some distance, Meowth accelerated again, this time activating another inherited move—Charm.
Locking eyes with Machop, Meowth's endearing expression momentarily distracted its opponent, simultaneously reducing Machop's Attack stat by two stages.
"Machop, use Bulk Up! Don't let Meowth's tricks get to you!"
Ron's sharp command snapped Machop out of its daze. Responding immediately, Machop used Bulk Up to recover some of its lost offensive power and refocus its mind.
While Machop regained its composure, Meowth leaped high into the air, twisting its body mid-flight to amplify the force of its Iron Tail with centrifugal motion.
"Machop, engage in close combat!"
The raw power of Machop's counterattack neutralized Meowth's Iron Tail, forcing the agile feline to retreat once again. This time, however, Meowth didn't linger. It bolted from the battlefield at top speed, giving Machop no chance to pursue.
"So close… If we'd been just a little faster, we could've caught it," Ron muttered, watching Meowth disappear into the distance.
Meowth's outstanding performance had already impressed Ron, but its tactical retreat sealed the deal. It wasn't just skillful—it was pragmatic, a quality Ron admired.
With Machop as his warrior, Ron was beginning to think it might be worth adding an assassin-like Pokémon like Meowth to his team.
However, Meowth were notoriously difficult to tame. They often pretended to accept capture, only to escape at the first opportunity.
After considering his options, Ron decided it wasn't the right time to pursue this Meowth. He needed to solidify his and Machop's position in this area first. Machop would also need to grow stronger before they could attempt another encounter.
Back at their cave, Ron inspected the surroundings to ensure no other creatures had entered before preparing the rabbit for dinner.
With no seasonings, Ron could only roast the rabbit over a fire, sharing most of it with Machop while saving the rest as dried meat for future expeditions.
Once their hunger was satisfied, Machop resumed its rigorous training outside the cave. With Ron's healing and support abilities acting as a safety net, Machop could push itself to the limit, following Ron's exacting training regimen.
This intense training would lay the foundation for Machop to one day master techniques like the Six Powers, paving the way for their continued survival and growth in this harsh new world.
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