"So strong..."
Hiding in the shadows, Ron couldn't help but marvel.
To be honest, ever since he'd ridden Drake's Salamence, the idea of becoming a Dragon Rider had taken root in his mind.
Of course, he couldn't be like a certain dragon rider from a movie, but having a dragon of his own still carried an undeniable air of dominance.
What disappointed Ron, though, was just how overwhelmingly powerful this Salamence was.
If it had just recently broken into Mid Elite Four tier—even if it was a pseudo-legendary from Hoenn—Ron would've had the confidence to make a move and possibly claim it.
Unfortunately, this Salamence was sitting at a staggering Level 79, just one step shy of advancing to High Elite Four class.
That kind of strength… even if Ron summoned Persian, and had his Machamp and two other top fighters join the assault, they still wouldn't be a match.
Even after laying waste to its enemies, the Salamence's fury showed no signs of cooling.
With a thunderous roar, it beat its wings and rose into the air, eyes scanning for the next Trainer or Pokémon foolish enough to provoke it.
The earlier chaos had drawn out a number of Pokémon Hunters, who were lurking in the forest nearby. Unfortunately for them, they arrived just in time to run straight into a raging beast.
The sound of a dragon's cry echoed across the forest as Salamence let out a torrent of Flamethrower, charging headfirst into the hunters.
When the dragon had flown a little farther away, Gardevoir used Teleport to zip away from Ron's side, arriving next to the bodies and quickly stripping them of any useful gear or resources.
"Well done, Gardevoir. Let's keep following it," Ron said, stroking her head in praise.
She nodded and immediately Teleported them again, closing the gap behind Salamence.
Ron didn't have the strength to capture the beast, but staying in its shadow and scavenging its wake? That was a different story entirely.
No need to lift a finger, and he still got to harvest rich spoils—there was no better job for profit with such little risk.
Up ahead, Dragon Energy gathered. Dragon Dive was ready again, this time paired with Steel Wing to crash down from the sky.
The explosion spread wide. Once again, the Pokémon Hunters within Salamence's line of sight were wiped out.
Two strikes in, and not only did Salamence show no signs of fatigue—it actually seemed more invigorated than ever. Power surged through its body, and it could feel the barrier to the next level start to crack.
At first, it had merely been enraged by the trespassers.
But now... now Salamence saw humans as nothing more than stepping stones on the path to power.
Scorching flames swept the forest. The massive inferno was more than just destruction—it was a tactic. It forced more humans out into the open.
Anyone reckless enough to stay in this hellish forest had at least quasi-Elite Four strength. At best, some had Elite Four level skill.
But truth be told, even among the regional Leagues, Mid Elite Four Trainers were rare. High Elite Four? Practically legends.
As for Champion-tier Trainers, they were considered critical military assets and almost never deployed casually.
So now, faced with a Mid Elite Four Salamence, those Hunters who had come hoping to test their luck found themselves trembling like prey, helpless before the fury of a true apex predator.
Ron, meanwhile, kept at a careful, safe distance, quietly scavenging the aftermath of Salamence's rampage.
Flames roared through the forest, growing more intense with each passing moment.
"Gardevoir, go back and check on Dwight," Ron instructed after they cleaned out the last Hunter's resources.
He wanted to relocate Dwight farther out—Salamence's rampage was escalating, and he didn't want their base of operations to be caught in the fallout.
With every kill—Hunter or Pokémon alike—Salamence's accumulated experience brought it closer to a breakthrough.
Just one more step, and it would ascend to High Elite Four rank.
Once there, only Champions would be worthy opponents.
"Dwight, change of plans. We're leaving. Now."
"Okay."
Dwight didn't ask why. He quickly packed up his bag and waited silently for Ron's next command.
"Good. Let's go, Gardevoir."
As Ron's voice rang out, Gardevoir shimmered with psychic light. A second later, she vanished—taking both Ron and Dwight with her.
The flames still burned, searing hot. In the middle of the inferno, Salamence looked like a wrathful dragon risen from the depths of hell, unleashing chaotic destruction on everything around it.
Such massive disturbance naturally couldn't escape the notice of the Hoenn League's Forest Rangers.
Unfortunately, the first two recon squads dispatched to investigate hadn't even figured out what was happening before Salamence tore through them. A few well-coordinated Flamethrowers mixed with Dragon Breath, and they were wiped out.
The incident was soon reported to Ranger HQ, which began calling in Forest Hunters for backup.
"These rangers are dirt poor, huh? Right, Dwight?"
Ron complained as he organized the resources he had looted.
"Mm."
Without looking up, Dwight calmly sorted through the gathered supplies.
"Let's wait a bit. Once a quasi-Elite Four Forest Hunter arrives, then we decide whether to fight… or vanish."
"Okay."
Ron knew Dwight wouldn't question his strategy—but still, he wanted to share his thoughts with him.
Despite Salamence being Mid Elite Four tier, the rangers had no choice but to step up. The wildfire had to be stopped.
Watching the scene unfold before him, Ron couldn't help but feel something stir inside.
The six-month mark was drawing close. More and more memories rose to the surface of his mind.
Before he left Kanto, he had only just broken through into Elite Four level.
Even though that already placed him above the majority of Trainers, he had still been nothing in the eyes of the Five Great Families.
But now… now he was only a step away from Mid Elite himself. Maybe it was time to do something that would make even the Five Families bleed.
That thought alone made the killing intent inside him boil over.
Gardevoir could sense it—she knew Ron too well. But instead of speaking, she gently took his hand, silently reminding him: You're not alone. She was here. Machamp and the others were here, too.
Dwight didn't know what Ron had gone through in the past. But that didn't stop hin from feeling it—deeply.
"I'm fine now, Gardevoir. I'll be relying on you again."
"Of course."
Her voice, soft and sweet, echoed in Ron's mind. Then, releasing his hand, she teleported away again.
"Sorry you had to see that, Dwight. One day, I'll tell you everything. And when I deal with them… I'll need your help."
"Okay."
Only one word, but Ron heard the resolve behind it—unshakable and fierce. Dwight was ready to fight, even at the cost of his own life.
Ron didn't try to talk him out of it.
He wasn't Zabuza. He wouldn't let tragedy repeat itself—not for Dwight.
Back in the forest, thanks to the rangers' efforts, the blaze was slowly coming under control.
Within the charred, ashen woods, Salamence stood motionless—its eyes burning with hostility—as it waited for the next prey to come to it.
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