Chapter 46: Another Battle with Ron
After much deliberation, Ryan decided to activate all his system bonuses and create a modified moveset for Charizard first. He still remembered Charizard being attacked by Tapu Koko when it was still a Charmeleon. After this tournament, he'd return to Alola, determined to challenge Tapu Koko. It just so happened that after completing the main quest, he'd receive a Master Ball, a complete Charizardite X mega evolution set, and a random Legendary Pokémon location map.
With the Master Ball, Ryan decided to take on Legendary Pokémon. With Charizardite X and his modified battle techniques, Ryan's first target would be Tapu Koko—he was determined to defeat it.
While lost in thought, everyone went downstairs to check the tournament bracket. As expected, they ran into Ash's rival, Richie. Then the elevator power went out, and Richie managed to fix the problem.
After getting acquainted, Team Rocket's voices echoed through the building, announcing they needed to conduct mandatory Pokémon health inspections. Ryan rolled his eyes, wondering how so many people hadn't recognized Jessie and James's obvious disguises. He initially didn't want to intervene, but then he realized—if he stopped them now, it would resolve everything instantly. Then Ash's Pidgeotto would still be able to battle at full strength. Besides, if Ash entered his next match fully prepared instead of rushing in, the outcome would be much harder to predict.
Thinking of this, Ryan smiled and followed Team Rocket's vehicle to the tournament venue. Jessie then threatened the contestants with confiscated Poké Balls, claiming she'd prevent them from participating.
Ryan couldn't stand it any longer. Beedrill suddenly appeared before the duo and said calmly, "By the way, you're the same two who tried to steal the Sacred Flame earlier. Your disguises are terrible."
Beedrill pressed its needle-like stingers against Jessie and James's necks, its compound eyes radiating a cold intensity. If they dared to move, Beedrill wouldn't mind drawing some blood.
After having Ash call Officer Jenny to take the Team Rocket trio away, Ryan yawned and prepared to catch up on some sleep. After all, he hadn't gotten much rest the previous day, worried about Nidoqueen's injuries.
The next morning, Ryan and the others arrived at the bracket announcement venue. Ryan drew a Pokémon card with a "G-1" marking on it. He checked the tournament computer for his assignment. It was someone he knew: Ron, a skilled trainer from Fuchsia City who specialized in Poison-types and had competed in several regional tournaments.
He checked Ash's bracket position, and just as expected from the original timeline, it would be Ash versus Richie. It was unclear who would win this time.
Ryan went back to rest. Tomorrow's first match would be his. After much deliberation, he decided to field Beedrill, Sylveon, and keep Mewtwo as his third option.
The next day, Ryan took the field at the tournament arena. This was already the Round of 16. Winning this match would advance him to the quarterfinals, where he'd face the final battles at the main stadium.
Ron also stepped out from the opposite tunnel. Seeing Ryan, Ron smiled and said, "Hey, Ryan. I finally get to face you. I've put considerable effort into preparing strategies to defeat you."
"We'll see how you do," Ryan replied.
The bell rang, and with the referee's announcement, the match officially began.
Two flashes of white light appeared, and on the field materialized Weezing and Beedrill. Ryan chuckled. Beedrill had Poison typing. Not only were poison-based attacks reduced to half damage against it, but it was also immune to being poisoned.
Ron clicked his tongue and said, "Did you really need to counter me so directly?"
"I don't like taking unnecessary risks," Ryan said with a smile. "Beedrill, Twineedle!"
Beedrill quickly flew toward Weezing, repeatedly striking with its twin stingers. The critical hit boost from its Scope Lens made it easy for Beedrill to land critical hits. Combined with its Sniper ability, the damage was explosive, instantly reducing Weezing to a sliver of health.
"That's brutal. Weezing, Sludge Bomb!" Ron shouted.
"Ignore it and finish this—Fell Stinger!" Ryan commanded.
"You're forcing my hand! Self-Destruct!" Ron yelled desperately. "Let's go down together!"
"Sorry, but I anticipated this. Beedrill, Protect!"
The two Pokémon's moves clashed, but Ryan's tactical foresight proved superior as he successfully baited the Self-Destruct from Weezing. After all, Ryan was always wary of Pokémon capable of explosive moves, so he had Protect ready.
Weezing exploded with a thunderous bang, but Beedrill had already blocked the blast with its protective barrier, emerging completely unscathed.
Ron sighed and said, "Ryan, you've truly gotten stronger. But I won't give up. Go, Golbat!"
A Golbat appeared before Beedrill and, without hesitation, charged forward with Quick Attack. Beedrill was instantly sent tumbling through the air, clearly agitated.
Ryan said, "Since you're not using a purely Poison-type team, I'll use some of your favorite tactics. Beedrill, Toxic Spikes!"
Purple venom erupted from Beedrill's stingers, scattering across the battlefield. The toxic spikes would poison any Pokémon that Ron switched in.
Ron shouted, "Let's end this quickly! Golbat, Brave Bird!"
Golbat flew toward its opponent at maximum speed, slamming its body into Beedrill with tremendous force, leaving a trail of energy behind it.
Ryan frowned and said, "Protect, then Fell Stinger!"
A protective shield surrounded Beedrill, blocking the attack. Golbat took recoil damage from the failed assault. Then Beedrill's twin stingers glowed brilliantly, piercing deeply into Golbat's wings with a critical hit, severely damaging its flight capability and significantly reducing its speed.
Ryan smiled and said, "Finish it—Fell Stinger!"
"All or nothing! One more Brave Bird!" Ron called out.
The two clashed in a final exchange. Golbat crashed helplessly to the ground, and Beedrill followed suit, breathing heavily. Fell Stinger had defeated Golbat, instantly boosting Beedrill's attack by three stages. But Ryan recalled Beedrill anyway. There was no point in keeping it out—it was barely conscious and wouldn't stand a chance against Ron's final Pokémon.
"Golbat is unable to battle," the referee declared.
"My final partner!" Ron called out.
A Crobat appeared in the air, looking exceptionally well-trained. Ryan sent out Sylveon. Although Flying-types resisted Fairy-type moves, Sylveon shouldn't be underestimated.
"Crobat, Supersonic!" Ron commanded.
"Sylveon, Misty Terrain!" Ryan instantly countered Ron's status condition strategy.
"Crobat, Poison Fang!" Ron called out.
Since the Fairy-type's discovery, many trainers had studied it, and its weaknesses were well-documented. Ron didn't hesitate to use his most familiar Poison-type techniques.
"Double Team, then Psyshock!" Ryan commanded.
Knowing that Fairy-types are vulnerable to Poison and Steel moves, how could Ryan not have a countermeasure? Double Team made Crobat's Poison Fang miss completely, and Sylveon then created a sphere of materialized psychic energy and launched it at Crobat.
After successfully knocking Crobat down from the air, Ryan seized the opportunity and said, "Sylveon, Last Resort!"
Sylveon leaped high above the fallen Crobat, and as it descended, it slammed down with tremendous force. With a thunderous impact that cracked the battlefield, Crobat was no longer able to fight.
"Crobat is unable to battle! The winner is Ryan from Pallet Town!" the referee announced.
Ron sighed, recalled Crobat, walked over to shake Ryan's hand, and said, "I lost, but I'll keep training. I won't lose to you next time!"
"Keep pushing forward," Ryan encouraged.
The two smiled at each other—a bond of mutual respect between rival trainers!
(End of Chapter)
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