NOVEL NEXT Chapter 159: Chapter 159: The End and the Beginning
"So, what do you think? You've figured out my plan, haven't you? Now, just watch closely as I take care of the two people you brought here."
After creating some distance between himself and Nasir's group, Ron kept his Kirlia on high alert while casually engaging in small talk with Dunn.
"Oh, and don't even think about begging for mercy. I wouldn't spare you even if you tried, so don't lower the impression I have of you in my mind."
"Next, I'll have to trouble you to contribute to the next phase of my plan."
Ron pulled out a dagger and began extracting blood from Dunn
....
"There are traces of blood, but no body. He should still be alive," Nasir observed.
"Mightyena, remember this scent and lead us to him," Huck commanded his Pokémon, urging it into action.
After discovering that Dunn had been abducted, neither Nasir nor Huck mentioned retreating even once. They both understood the consequences of returning empty-handed—there was no need for further discussion.
Until they discovered the outcome or faced mortal danger themselves, neither would give up. Even if they did, returning to Fuchsia City was out of the question. Instead, they would go into hiding, a silent agreement shared between the two.
The scattered bloodstains seemed to guide Nasir and Huck deeper into the forest. Growing suspicious, they instructed their Pokémon to fan out and keep watch on the surroundings.
Suddenly, floating leaves shimmered into view, drawing Nasir and Huck's attention. Just as Mightyena vanished from its spot, Kirlia appeared in its place.
Using Psychic, Kirlia unleashed an invisible wave of psychic energy, but it was intercepted by Azumarill's Protect, shielding its trainer just in time.
Kirlia activated Teleport and disappeared once again.
"Azumarill, listen carefully for any movements nearby!" Nasir commanded. Azumarill closed its eyes, focusing on its surroundings.
Meanwhile, Mightyena, used by Kirlia as a decoy for Teleport, had only just gotten its bearings when Machamp's Finger Pistol struck its throat.
To ensure Mightyena wouldn't survive, Machamp followed up with a second Finger Pistol to its heart before using Shave to retreat swiftly.
Elsewhere, Bellossom, which had previously used Magical Leaf, also disappeared using Shave, while Kirlia quickly returned to Ron's side with Teleport.
With Mightyena eliminated, Bellossom no longer needed to mask its scent with pollen, and Kirlia's Teleport was no longer hindered by Mightyena's Taunt.
The combination of Teleport and Ally Switch left Nasir and Huck deeply unsettled, even though they knew Ron likely wouldn't trade Kirlia in a one-for-one scenario. The oppressive feeling remained.
As Ron used Fighting Aura to restore Machamp and his team's stamina, ensuring they stayed in peak condition, he explained his plan to the bloodied Dunn.
Normally, Ron wouldn't waste time like this. He would have simply knocked Dunn unconscious, used his blood to lure Nasir and Huck, and killed him afterward to complete the final phase of his plan.
But now, Ron found himself under enormous pressure, not unlike Dunn.
The difference was that Dunn's worst-case scenario was abandonment, though his life would be spared.
Ron, on the other hand, faced a future under surveillance, confined to a small area at best. At worst, the League would eliminate him under any convenient pretext, knowing the risks of Ron exposing their secrets—even if the damage could be minimized, it would still create trouble.
Before his Pokémon, however, Ron had to mask his anxiety, unwilling to let them fall into despair alongside him.
Dunn and his team's appearance had provided Ron with an outlet for his frustration.
"W-why… Why are you telling me this?"
Weakened by blood loss, Dunn's voice trembled as he questioned Ron.
His question gave Ron pause. After a moment of silence, Ron finally responded.
"Sorry, but that's something I can't tell you. Let me ease your suffering now."
Ron approached Dunn, dagger in hand.
With Kirlia's Psychic restraining Dunn, he was unable to move, letting out only pained screams as Ron twisted the dagger into his heart.
Hot blood trickled down Ron's hands, and only when Dunn took his last breath did Ron retrieve the dagger.
Taking a deep breath, Ron used fresh water to clean the blood from his hands.
Hearing Dunn's screams, Nasir and Huck, who had been hesitant moments ago, hurried toward the sound.
Memories of how Mightyena had been slain were still fresh, prompting them to stay close to their Pokémon, hoping to restrict Ron's options.
By the time they arrived, Dunn's lifeless body lay before them, his face frozen in anguish.
The crimson blood around him painted a vivid picture of the horrors that had just unfolded.
As Nasir and Huck stood in stunned silence over Dunn's death, Kirlia reappeared with Teleport, accompanied by a Persian.
Before they could react, Hypnosis from Kirlia took hold.
At the same time, Machamp emerged from the forest using Shave. With a precise Finger Pistol, Machamp executed both Nasir and Huck, as if plucking the enemy's commanders from the chaos of battle.
Kirlia and Persian retreated with Teleport, while Machamp vanished using Shave, leaving behind the bodies of Nasir and Huck. Their Pokémon, overwhelmed with grief, prepared to avenge their fallen trainers.
Without their trainers' commands, however, their coordination was riddled with flaws.
Half an hour later, Ron had cleaned the forest of evidence, delaying any chance of discovery.
His next destination was the nearest port, where he planned to leave by sea, crucial for the next phase of his plan.
Late at night in Fuchsia City, Hudson Wade, unable to get any updates on Dunn, grew increasingly uneasy. He began mobilizing forces to search for Dunn and his companions.
Among them were high Elite level trainers tasked with a singular mission: if the worst had indeed happened, they would serve as the vanguard to hunt down Ron.
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