Chapter 360: The Eternal Law

"It's just like your medical report, Ron," Drake said gravely. "The fact that this Salamence is still alive is already a miracle. For it to still possess this level of strength—another miracle. But returning to its peak form? That's a nearly impossible task."

When it came to Dragon-type Pokémon, Drake's insight was considered exceptional.

And if even Drake—an Elite Four—said this, there was little more that Steven could add.

"It's okay, Dwight," Ron said gently. "Just like you said: as long as we're alive, there's always hope."

Upon hearing that, Ron reached out and patted Dwight's small head in reassurance.

But judging from Dwight's expression, Ron's comfort might not have made much of a difference.

"Yeah, Dwight," Steven added with a soft smile. "This world is vast and full of wonders. Your Salamence will reach its peak again one day."

Drake nodded in agreement, echoing Steven's words. But deep down, both he and Steven knew just how slim those odds really were—so slim, in fact, that it was unlikely Dwight would ever witness that miracle in his lifetime.

Only Ron and Dwight truly believed that something extraordinary could still happen with Salamence.

Two days later, at the port…

Ron and Dwight boarded the ship together.

Compared to other passengers who had friends and family there to see them off, Ron and Dwight looked undeniably alone.

And yet, the two seemed to enjoy this quiet solitude. After bidding farewell to Steven and Drake, Ron had specifically asked them not to come see him off—to avoid the awkwardness of parting.

Dwight trailed beside Ron, staring curiously at the ocean.

For someone who was born and raised inland, this was Dwight's first time seeing the sea.

As Dwight stared in wonder, Ron leaned silently against the deck railing, letting the sea breeze wash over him, inwardly praying for a peaceful journey this time.

He wasn't asking for much—just for once, could a voyage go smoothly?

After all, every time he traveled by sea, it somehow ended in an attack. It had practically become routine.

The Machamp inside his Poké Ball had already prepped for battle before they even set foot on the ship—ready in case of trouble.

What could Ron say about that? All he could do was pray that this trip would be uneventful for once—maybe he could finally shed the title of "Shipwreck Magnet."

"Training?" Dwight asked after watching the sea for nearly two hours.

The ocean was pretty, sure—but after a while, the endless blue lost its charm. Training sounded more exciting.

"Alright," Ron nodded, setting his worries aside.

He took Dwight to rent one of the ship's training rooms.

Typically, cruise passengers preferred to relax and take in the ocean view rather than train. But this wasn't a typical trip.

For several days, the ship sailed smoothly, leaving Hoenn waters and steadily approaching Kanto's coast.

Another evening. One day left.

By tomorrow, they'd make landfall.

But Ron never got that far.

"Ron," came a telepathic voice in his mind. It was Gardevoir—calm, but firm. "Someone is approaching the ship. Hostile intent detected."

"Damn it. Can't we just have one peaceful voyage?"

With a frustrated growl, Ron stood up, ready to strike first.

"Bellossom, stay here and protect Dwight."

"Gardevoir, use Teleport. Take me to them!"

With a brief nod, Gardevoir teleported Ron away, leaving Dwight slightly dazed on deck.

Since reaching the quasi–Elite Four level, Gardevoir had not yet made another major leap in power.

Even so, her psychic abilities had only grown stronger—especially thanks to the Lotus Seed she absorbed, which further enhanced the talent awakened by her affinity with Fighting Aura.

Had this been any other situation, Ron might've used these pirates—or whoever they were—as test subjects for Gardevoir's new capabilities.

"Faster, boys! The fat sheep's right ahead!" a coarse, arrogant voice bellowed from the pirate ship now slicing through the dusk like a bloodthirsty shark.

"This is it, Gardevoir. What's the strongest combatant onboard?"

Hovering in the air via Moonwalk, Ron asked calmly.

"Approximately base-level Elite Four," Gardevoir replied.

"Perfect. Machamp—it's your stage now. Armament Technique: Evening Elephant!"

On cue, Ron released Machamp into battle.

A wave of black and crimson energy descended from the sky, imbued with an ancient, almost timeless pressure—like it had seen the rise and fall of ages.

"What is that?!"

"Is it divine punishment?!"

Some of the pirates shouted, trembling in fear as they saw the looming foot of the Evening Elephant crashing down. As if shouting could shield them from what was coming.

"Snap out of it! We're under attack! Get your Pokémon and counter now!" shouted the first mate, stepping up to lead a defense.

But it was futile.

Even with a quasi–Elite Four-level Pokémon, their resistance didn't even make a ripple.

The moment the elephant's foot slammed down, it was as though some unknown leviathan had taken a massive bite out of the pirate ship—nearly a third of the vessel vanished in an instant.

Screams, explosions, and furious roars erupted like a storm, one after another.

They were supposed to be the hunters. They were the ones who should've been listening to the cries of others. And yet, fate had flipped the script.

"Free slaughter. Eliminate everyone on this ship as quickly as possible."

Landing steadily on one of the few sections not yet swallowed by the sea, Ron gave the command to his Pokémon.

Intent on erasing all traces, even Gengar joined the fray.

Take the bodies that had fallen into the water, for instance—Greninja would be the one to scavenge any remaining resources from them.

Pulling out a dagger, Ron activated Shave and charged into the crowd.

What had come before was just an appetizer. Only by striking personally could Ron truly vent the fury boiling inside him.

Just a little more. Just a little more and he could've shed the accursed title of "Shipwreck Magnet." And now, this band of pirates had cruelly ruined everything.

With that thought, the dagger in Ron's hand came alive—like a silver serpent, it danced between the panicked crew and their Pokémon, stealing lives with every slash.

Gardevoir stayed by Ron's side, ready to support him the moment danger approached.

Back in Ron's cabin aboard the ship, Dwight—communicating via written notes—learned from Bellossom why Ron had reacted with such fierce rage to news of the pirate attack.

In his notebook, Dwight added one more line:

"When sailing with Ron, always remain on high alert. An attack is inevitable."

About half an hour later, there wasn't a single living soul left aboard the pirate ship—aside from Ron and his Pokémon.

A short distance from Ron lay the corpse of the pirate captain.

Even with a Dewgong at the level of an Elite Four Initiate, the man had stood no chance. Before the awakened power of Machamp's Heaven Punisher, a single punch was enough to break him. Ron had used the opportunity to close in with Shave, driving his dagger into the captain and ending his life.

"Machamp, use Armament Technique: Evening Elephant!"

In midair, Ron called out to his Pokémon.

Once more, the black-and-red manifestation of the Evening Elephant formed—driving the already crumbling pirate ship deeper into the ocean's depths.

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