NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Setting Out to Explore
After capturing Meowth, Ron didn't return to the cave. Instead, he set out immediately.
The jerky and wild fruits he had gathered over the past few days were enough to sustain him for a while. Coupled with Machop's increased level and Meowth's addition to the team, Ron now had the strength to explore the area more thoroughly.
Meeting other trial participants would be ideal—Ron wanted to measure how much his own strength had improved by comparing it to theirs.
During the exploration, Machop led the way, clearing obstacles ahead, while Meowth stayed close to Ron for protection.
Given Meowth's superior speed and reflexes compared to Machop, it was perfectly suited to handle sudden threats near Ron.
Not long after venturing beyond the area where Meowth had been living, Ron sensed a hidden hostility lurking in the shadows. However, the presence of Machop and Meowth, along with their numbers, clearly deterred the opponent from showing itself.
"Meowth, let's see how our first battle together feels. Remember to follow my instructions."
Meowth nodded enthusiastically before darting forward.
Thanks to its keen hearing, Meowth quickly located the wild Pokémon hiding in the shadows—or rather, the wild Pokémon was so poorly hidden that it would've been hard for Meowth not to find it.
With a Fake Out, Meowth vanished from its original position, while Machop silently returned to Ron's side, taking on the role of a bodyguard.
Leaping deftly into a tree, Meowth confronted its opponent: a wild Mankey.
Mankey, known for its short temper, had initially refrained from attacking due to the combined presence of Machop and Meowth. But after Meowth's provocation, the flames of fury in Mankey's heart were fully ignited.
With an enraged screech, Mankey charged at Meowth, unleashing Karate Chop.
"Meowth, dodge and counter with Iron Tail!" Ron commanded.
Meowth didn't act immediately. Instead, it waited until Mankey was right in front of it before gracefully sidestepping the attack and whipping its metallically glowing tail into Mankey's side.
The sheer force sent Mankey flying. Despite the pain, it forced itself to stand, its eyes now burning with rage, its body temperature rising visibly.
Ignoring its earlier mistake, Mankey launched another Karate Chop, charging recklessly at Meowth.
"What a pity," Ron sighed, losing interest. "I didn't expect our first opponent to be this dim-witted. Meowth, finish it off however you like."
Meowth nodded in mild disappointment, ready to end the fight quickly and move on to a more challenging adversary. It, too, had little enthusiasm for battling an irrational opponent.
With another Fake Out, Mankey froze in confusion for a moment, just enough time for Meowth to rake its claws across Mankey's back, leaving three deep gashes.
Before Mankey could react, Meowth followed up with a heavy Iron Tail, striking directly on the wounds it had just inflicted.
As Mankey tried to swing a counterattack, Meowth deftly darted away, activating Foul Play. The dark energy coiled around Meowth's claws struck Mankey's back once more.
The repeated blows and accumulating injuries proved too much. Overwhelmed by pain, Mankey collapsed, unable to continue the fight.
With the battle cleanly resolved, Meowth returned to Ron's side, recharging its energy. Observing Ron's approach, it began to understand why Machop had grown so strong—having such a "walking fountain of strength" as a trainer made progress almost inevitable.
Realizing this, Meowth felt it might be tied to Ron for life. Yet, surprisingly, it didn't mind at all.
Before Ron could tend to the injured Mankey, Meowth suddenly tensed, adopting a defensive stance and staring into the forest ahead.
"Hide!" Ron ordered quickly.
Leaving the unconscious Mankey where it lay, Ron climbed swiftly into a tree, while Machop and Meowth guarded his position.
Minutes later, faint rustling came from the nearby bushes. Ron, alert, caught the sound immediately.
A moment later, three figures emerged: a fellow trial participant named Carson, accompanied by a Geodude and a Bellsprout.
Carson, though appearing calm, could barely contain his excitement. His joyful eyes and trembling hands betrayed his emotions.
Like Ron, Carson had little prior experience with Pokémon. Fortunately, he had encountered a friendly Geodude early on, giving him a chance to participate in the trial. With Geodude's strength and his cautious nature, Carson had managed to survive and even capture a Bellsprout.
Now, seeing a defenseless Mankey lying before him, Carson believed his luck had finally turned. He didn't stop to wonder why the Mankey was there or notice the traces of a recent battle nearby.
As Carson tossed a Poké Ball, Ron signaled Meowth to act.
The moment Carson's Poké Ball left his hand, Meowth unleashed Hypnosis, enveloping Carson, Geodude, and Bellsprout in a wave of psychic energy.
Simultaneously, Machop, having been building up its strength with Focus Energy since sensing Carson's approach, leapt from the tree and delivered a devastating Close Combat to Geodude and Bellsprout, knocking them out instantly.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Meowth moved behind Carson, claws poised.
When Carson awoke from the hallucination induced by Hypnosis, he found himself in a nightmare. A sharp claw hovered over his throat, his Pokémon lay unconscious on the ground, and a menacing Machop stood before him, ready to strike.
"You've got an 11-level Geodude and a 10-level Bellsprout?" Ron's mocking voice came from Carson's left. "Looks like I've found another waste of space."
Carson didn't dare turn his head, fearing the claw at his neck. Before he could beg for mercy, Meowth, following Ron's signal, slashed decisively.
As Carson fell to the ground, clutching his bleeding wound, he could do nothing to stop his life from slipping away. Even at the end, he never saw Ron's face.
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