"Machamp, Army Breaker!"
Lily's command rang out, and Machamp's massive body seemed to grow even larger, its muscles bulging with immense power.
The combination of Focus Punch and Superpower was proof of Lily's growth since the Indigo League.
With a powerful stomp on the ground, Machamp propelled itself forward like an unstoppable force, charging toward Dumas' poaching syndicate.
True to the name of its technique, Machamp surged forward like a legendary warrior from ancient times, capable of breaking through enemy lines single-handedly!
Unfortunately, against the Golduck of a quasi-Elite Four, Machamp's strength still had its limits.
"Golduck, show her what a quasi-Elite Four can do! Tidal Strike!"
Facing Machamp's overwhelming momentum, Dumas casually issued his command to Golduck, his confidence mirroring how Lily had alerted the other Pokémon hunters earlier.
Having recently broken through to the quasi-Elite Four level, Dumas' inflated sense of superiority made him dismiss the High Elite trainers before him. He had long ceased to worry about the numbers stacked against him.
With a fusion of Surf, Waterfall, and Water Pulse, Golduck surged forward, carrying the force of a massive tidal wave as it clashed with Machamp.
Thankfully, the sheer force of Machamp's charge had scattered the other poachers, allowing Dumas to attack freely without concern for collateral damage.
Engulfed by the impact of the towering wave, even Machamp's formidable figure appeared dwarfed in comparison.
Golduck, riding the momentum of the wave, collided directly with Machamp. In the next instant, the wave came crashing down, hurling Machamp into the air.
"Golduck, Ice Beam!"
Having already unleashed the powerful Focus Punch-Superpower combination, Machamp's stiffened body was in no position to react.
If nothing changed, the water-drenched Machamp would be frozen solid by Golduck's Ice Beam, completely incapacitated.
"Primeape, Flare Blitz!"
Lily's voice rang out once more. A flaming figure burst forth from behind Machamp—her Primeape, wreathed in flames, intercepting Golduck's Ice Beam just in time.
With a flash of white light, Lily released all of her Pokémon, prepared to fight to the bitter end.
Meanwhile, the other rangers had engaged in battle against Dumas' poachers. Lily could not predict how many would make it out alive, herself included.
Gripping the dagger concealed in her sleeve, Lily refused to let these criminals have the chance to disgrace her.
"Golduck, Blizzard!"
A bone-chilling gale rose, swiftly enveloping both Primeape and Machamp, leaving them no room to escape.
"Hitmonlee, Hyper Beam for support!"
"Primeape, Flare Blitz!"
"Machamp, charge in with Army Breaker!"
A blazing orange beam shot out, significantly weakening Blizzard's power.
Scorching flames erupted, completely dissipating Golduck's Blizzard.
Seizing the moment, Machamp charged out from behind Infernape, once again executing Army Breaker as it charged fearlessly toward Golduck.
"Golduck, Freezing Wind!"
Once more, Ice-type energy surged forth. A combination of Blizzard and Icy Wind created an even more potent technique.
"Machamp, use Protect!"
"Primeape, Hyper Beam for backup!"
Forcing itself to dispel the residual power of its last attack, Machamp hastily activated Protect.
The moment the emerald-green barrier appeared, Golduck's combined Ice-type assault descended, rapidly consuming Machamp's defense.
Infernape's Hyper Beam roared forward, barely managing to suppress Icy Wind's force.
Before Lily could breathe a sigh of relief, Golduck suddenly lunged forward, slamming into Machamp with Zen Headbutt and sending it flying.
Hitmonlee had just recovered from Hyper Beam's recoil, but the distance prevented it from providing any immediate support—let alone the still-exhausted Infernape and the other Pokémon beside Lily.
Leaping into the air, Golduck conjured a Surf attack, sending Machamp crashing down from above.
The moment Machamp hit the ground, Golduck's Water Pulse landed directly on it, rendering it completely unconscious.
To Dumas, Machamp was already a valuable asset for sale, so he had no intention of letting Golduck land a fatal blow.
With the strongest Pokémon neutralized, Dumas ordered Golduck to strike once more. A massive wave rose, surging toward Infernape and Hitmonlee with crushing force.
Though she still had some fight left in her, Lily knew she might not make it out of this battle alive.
Even so, she refused to give up. She would stall until the other rangers arrived—until Dumas and Waul's poaching syndicates were brought down for good.
"Golduck, use Icy Wind!"
A chilling gust swept through the battlefield, freezing the damp ground along with Primeape and Hitmonlee in its icy grasp.
As her other Pokémon launched their final desperate attacks, Lily reached for the dagger at her waist, ready to end things herself.
The other rangers were also overwhelmed, struggling against the Dumas Poaching Syndicate's forces—some had already fallen.
The Primeape troop suffered the same fate, steadily losing ground against the poachers led by Waul.
Only the troop's leader and a handful of High Elite Primeape still resisted, buying time for the others to escape.
But Lily had no reinforcements left. Gritting her teeth, she drove the dagger toward her own heart.
Before the blade could pierce her chest, a strong hand gripped her wrist.
"Just in time."
A familiar voice echoed in her ears. In the next moment, dark figures dashed forward, their movements swift and lethal.
Golduck, who had dominated the battlefield moments ago, was sent flying.
A flurry of claw strikes sliced through the air. By the time Golduck crashed to the ground, it lay motionless, blood pooling beneath its lifeless body.
"You're… Ron?!"
Dumas' shocked cry froze the battlefield for a heartbeat, as if someone had pressed pause on the chaos.
Only the Primeape remained unfazed, continuing their assault. The unexpected turn of events gave them a brief window to regain lost ground.
"Rest for now. Leave the rest to me."
"Nidoking, Lightning Release—False Darkness, free to attack."
"Bellossom, lock onto your targets."
"Persian, Finger Pistol: Blink Slash!"
"Machamp, Finger Pistol: Morning Peacock!"
Ron gently released Lily's wrist and issued commands to his Pokémon.
Bolts of concentrated electricity shot through the battlefield, striking true with deadly precision.
Blades of light danced through the air, slicing enemies apart—some fell instantly, others were cleaved in half.
Claws flashed in the chaos, each strike from Persian leaving a trail of blood in its wake. This kind of close-quarters slaughter was second nature to it.
From above, Machamp launched a devastating assault, swinging its fists rapidly. The friction ignited the air itself, sending a storm of blazing shockwaves crashing down like a meteor shower.
"Retreat!"
Dumas and Waul shouted in unison as the attacks rained upon them.
For trainers at the Mid Elite and quasi-Elite Four level, Ron was a nightmare they couldn't afford to face—especially now that their last line of defense, Golduck, lay dead.
Lily watched in stunned silence as the battlefield, once on the brink of collapse, turned completely in Ron's favor.
At that moment, she truly understood the vast gap between them.
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