NOVEL NEXT Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Nidorino
"Nidoran, aim for Rhyhorn's eyes and use Poison Sting!"
As a dual Ground- and Rock-type Pokémon, Rhyhorn had strong resistance to Poison-type moves. Ron's strategy was to target Rhyhorn's eyes, disrupting its attacks.
Sure enough, no matter how high Rhyhorn's defenses were, its eyes remained a vulnerable point.
Facing Nidoran's Poison Sting and unable to dodge, Rhyhorn decisively closed its eyes.
With its vision affected, Rhyhorn's Horn Attack was interrupted, giving Nidoran a chance to counterattack.
"Now, Nidoran! Suppress it with Poison Sting and follow up with Double Kick!"
Sensing danger, Rhyhorn turned its body to shield itself from Nidoran's Poison Sting, preparing to retaliate with Fury Attack once Nidoran approached.
However, Nidoran, having undergone rigorous training for a while, was much faster than Rhyhorn.
Before Rhyhorn could react, Nidoran landed a powerful kick.
As a Fighting-type move, Double Kick exploited Rhyhorn's weakness, causing it severe pain despite its tough hide.
Rather than trying to headbutt the larger Rhyhorn, Nidoran obediently followed Ron's command, delivering another Double Kick that forced Rhyhorn back, and then quickly widened the distance between them.
"Nidoran, use Confusion to wear it down and keep it from closing in!"
After enduring two consecutive Double Kicks, the intense pain continually tormented Rhyhorn, fueling its anger.
Seeing Nidoran retreat, Rhyhorn charged forward.
Using its inherited move Confusion, Nidoran unleashed an invisible psychic force that not only halted Rhyhorn's advance but also pushed it back.
Knocked away, Rhyhorn glanced around to ensure no other Pokémon were interfering, then shook its head and resumed its assault on Nidoran.
Focused, Nidoran used Confusion again.
Even with the increased momentum from its Horn Attack, Rhyhorn failed to reach Nidoran.
The unseen force enraged Rhyhorn further, making it charge with even greater ferocity, using Horn Attack repeatedly.
Playfully, Nidoran continued disrupting Rhyhorn with Confusion, even without Ron issuing orders.
Mid-charge, noticing Nidoran's skill activation, Rhyhorn abruptly lifted its upper body and slammed it heavily onto the ground.
The Magnitude move unleashed shockwaves across the area, and Nidoran was caught within its expanding radius.
"Quick, retreat! Use Poison Sting to defend!"
At Ron's command, Nidoran swiftly retreated, dodging Magnitude's effects while using Poison Sting to weaken Rhyhorn's momentum.
Even so, the distance between them narrowed considerably.
Seeing an opportunity, Rhyhorn launched another charge, using Horn Attack to lead its offensive, followed by Magnitude to force Nidoran back and close the gap.
From Rhyhorn's perspective, as long as it could get close, victory was assured.
"Let it come, Nidoran. Prepare to end this battle."
Charging forward with Horn Attack, Rhyhorn noticed Nidoran refrained from using its psychic power to interfere. Seizing this chance, Rhyhorn prepared its strongest move.
Rhyhorn's tail gleamed with a metallic sheen as it used its inherited move Iron Tail.
"Nidoran, use Iron Tail too!"
During their trials, Nidoran's father had specially passed down Iron Tail.
By now, Nidoran had mastered the move and could use it effectively in battle.
When the two Iron Tail attacks clashed, Rhyhorn's larger size appeared to give it an advantage.
In truth, however, Rhyhorn's injuries from earlier attacks had already diminished its strength.
With a powerful push, Nidoran forced Rhyhorn back.
"Chase it down and use Iron Tail again!"
Not giving Rhyhorn a chance to recover, Nidoran rushed forward, delivering another Iron Tail.
Exploiting its type advantage and Rhyhorn's accumulated injuries, Nidoran prevailed, leaving Rhyhorn unable to battle in its confusion and frustration.
Rhyhorn couldn't comprehend how a timid Nidoran could possess such overwhelming strength.
Defeating Rhyhorn granted Nidoran enough experience to level up to 16, triggering its evolution. A white glow soon enveloped Nidoran.
As usual, Ron's fighting aura began circulating, merging with the glow of Nidoran's evolution.
A golden hue radiated and gradually faded, revealing Nidorino in its evolved form.
Compared to before, the evolved Nidorino resembled a rhino, much like the Rhyhorn it had just defeated.
The difference lay in Nidorino's row of sharp spines along its back and its prominent ears.
Its purple skin, dark purple spots, and gentle demeanor remained unchanged as it lay quietly, enjoying Ron's pats.
The serene moment was short-lived as an intimidating presence of an elite-level Pokémon emerged from the forest.
A massive Rhyhorn appeared in Ron's line of sight, and with Ron's fighting aura, he could discern that this Rhyhorn was at level 38, just four levels shy of evolving into Rhydon.
Upon seeing its fallen comrade, the newly arrived Rhyhorn glared at Ron with rage-filled eyes.
"Looks like the big one's here for revenge. Who's up next?" Ron asked his Machoke and the others.
A rookie trainer might panic at the sight of another Rhyhorn after just defeating one, but Ron remained composed.
With Rhyhorn's dual Ground and Rock typing, either Machoke or the relatively weaker Bellossom could handle it.
As usual, Bellossom chose not to compete and left the battle to Machoke and Persian.
After exchanging glances, Persian stepped forward.
At level 34, Persian wanted to test its strength against an opponent four levels higher. Machoke, realizing this, didn't object.
"Alright, go for it, Persian! Use Screech!"
Initially wary of the intimidating aura of Machoke and the others, Rhyhorn charged without hesitation after Persian initiated the attack.
Rhyhorn was met with Persian's Screech, which lowered its Defense sharply, setting the stage for Persian's next assault.
Unaware it had fallen into Ron's trap, Rhyhorn charged again, sealing its fate in the battle.
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