"Larvitar, use Sandstorm!"
Hearing Ron's command, Larvitar's adorable face turned serious. It focused its Rock-type energy, and a small-scale sandstorm began to form.
Due to Larvitar's current strength, the sandstorm wasn't large, but it was enough to affect the opposing Pinsir.
As it felt its stamina gradually draining in the sandstorm, Pinsir launched an attack toward Larvitar, the source of its distress.
"Wait for the right moment, Larvitar."
At first, Ron considered having Larvitar take the initiative, but without its Sand Veil ability, Larvitar couldn't gain the speed boost from the storm.
The mere thought of Larvitar earnestly pumping its tiny legs, trying its hardest to charge at the opponent, almost made Ron break into laughter. Instead, he decided to stick to a defensive strategy—if the enemy didn't move, neither would they.
With Sandstorm in play, if Pinsir didn't attack proactively, it would continue to lose stamina until it was unable to fight.
After swiftly closing the distance, Pinsir attempted to use Vice Grip.
To ensure a fair fight, Ron had gone through great lengths to find this particular Pinsir, whose strength was only at level ten, just two levels above Larvitar's.
Based on how wild Pokémon grow, this Pinsir was likely still a juvenile. Its parents had either gone hunting or deemed it mature enough to live independently.
Though Ron wasn't entirely certain, it didn't change his goal—defeating Pinsir to sharpen Larvitar's battle skills. Since he had no intention of harming it, he saw this as beneficial training for both Pokémon.
Pinsir aimed its large horns toward Larvitar, mimicking the moves it had likely seen from its elders.
"Larvitar, dodge to the left and counter with Bite!"
With the sandstorm reducing Pinsir's accuracy and its own lack of battle experience, Larvitar easily dodged the attack.
Dark energy surged as Larvitar clamped its jaws down on Pinsir's arm.
Reeling from the pain, Pinsir forgot to retaliate with a move and instead flailed its free arm wildly, trying to shake Larvitar off.
However, with its tough armor protecting it, Larvitar barely felt the blows.
"Larvitar, throw it!"
Following Ron's command, Larvitar twisted its body and flung Pinsir away with a burst of strength.
Staggering back onto its feet, Pinsir clutched its injured arm, its stamina continuing to drain due to the sandstorm. With both pain and exhaustion weighing it down, fear crept into Pinsir's eyes.
"Larvitar, close in slowly and stay alert for a counterattack."
Step by step, Larvitar approached, despite being much smaller than Pinsir. Yet, the bug-type Pokémon couldn't help but feel intimidated.
With a roar to psych itself up, Pinsir charged at Larvitar, making a last-ditch effort to fight back.
"Larvitar, dodge to the right and use Bite again!"
Weakened by its injuries and drained by the storm, Pinsir's attack was sloppier than before.
Once again, Larvitar's Bite found its mark, this time injuring Pinsir's remaining healthy arm.
"Larvitar, finish it with Iron Head!"
Tossing Pinsir in front of it, Larvitar lunged forward, its head flashing with a metallic sheen as it crashed into Pinsir's skull.
The impact was devastating. Pinsir let out a low groan before collapsing, completely knocked out.
As Larvitar controlled its power, the sandstorm gradually subsided, leaving only scattered sand and gravel as evidence of the battle.
"Great job, Larvitar. Keep working hard, okay?"
Ron gently stroked Larvitar's rough little head, his voice filled with warmth.
Having just won its first battle, Larvitar's serious expression crumbled into an adorably shy look. Its face even turned red—something Ron found amusing considering its armored exterior.
Next, Ron instructed Gardevoir to release its psychic energy, scanning the surroundings for Larvitar's next opponent.
...
"Alakazam, anything?"
"No targets in range."
Closing its eyes, Alakazam focused its psychic abilities to probe the area before giving its response.
"Let's keep moving. According to the intel, our target is likely within this region."
"Understood."
No sooner had Alakazam finished speaking than it activated Teleport, vanishing alongside its trainer.
Strangely, throughout their entire conversation, neither trainer nor Pokémon had spoken aloud.
...
Panting lightly, Ron surveyed the battlefield. His eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Soon, his hand landed gently on Larvitar's head. As his words of encouragement echoed, Fighting Aura surged from him, helping Larvitar recover from its exertion.
Who would have thought that Tyranitar—renowned as a walking natural disaster—could be this cute in its infancy?
After another victorious battle, Larvitar successfully reached level nine, achieving Ron's goal.
Just as Ron prepared a well-deserved feast for Gastly and Larvitar, an ominous feeling gripped him, sending chills down his spine. Even Gardevoir, safe within its Poké Ball, reacted with unease.
Acting on instinct, Ron swiftly recalled Larvitar and Gastly into their Poké Balls to ensure their safety.
He then released both Machamp and Gardevoir, preparing for a quick retreat via Teleport.
Suddenly, Gardevoir sensed an unfamiliar psychic presence locking onto them, brimming with hostility.
Without hesitation, Gardevoir activated Teleport, whisking Ron and Machamp away just as danger closed in.
Ten seconds later, Nakar and his Alakazam appeared at their previous location.
"Looks like we found our target. Alakazam, pursue them."
"Yes, sir."
Once again, Alakazam used Teleport, taking Nakar along as they continued their pursuit.
Nakar hadn't been certain whether they had the right person, but now, by sheer luck, they had stumbled upon their true target. This made his mission significantly easier.
"Gardevoir, find a location with rough terrain to escape!"
During the brief moments between Teleports, Gardevoir explained the situation to Ron—two unknown psychics had appeared within its detection range. One of them possessed overwhelming power, far surpassing Gardevoir's own, which was the source of Ron's uneasy feeling.
According to Gardevoir's assessment, their pursuers were likely a powerful Psychic-type Pokémon paired with a Psychic-type trainer, and their target was none other than Ron himself!
Fearing the danger, Gardevoir had no choice but to keep teleporting them away.
Even so, the pursuers were gradually closing the gap.
Had they wanted to, they could have caught up long ago. The fact that they were toying with them only made things worse.
From Gardevoir's readings, the enemy was at least at the Elite Four level—far stronger than Machamp and the others. Ron had no choice but to keep running.
With Gardevoir's analysis and knowledge of high-tier trainers, Ron quickly realized that their enemy's Alakazam had been honing its strength at this level for a long time. It was leagues above the one from the Indigo Plateau Conference.
Understanding this, Ron instructed Gardevoir to seek out a rugged terrain, hoping to use the landscape to evade their pursuers.
Thus, a high-stakes chase unfolded amidst the vast, unending forest.
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