Chapter 103: Nidoking! Charizard!

The vast plains stretched out endlessly before them, stealth and ambush tactics were nearly impossible.

Unlike Beedrill, the Nido clan wasn't made up of weak individual Pokémon.

The evolved Nidorino and Nidorina were already formidable, and their troublesome Poison-type moves made this mission a tough challenge in Sato's eyes.

"If anyone has any ideas, feel free to share," Lance said, gathering the group in a circle.

"Nido Clan are aggressive and easily angered. A direct attack could provoke the entire clan, so we need to be cautious," Rose Joy suggested from a safety standpoint.

Clair eagerly added, "Close combat is risky, we might get badly poisoned. How about we use a hit-and-run strategy?"

"No, Nidoking and any one of the Nidoqueen could easily counter a kiting tactic," White immediately dismissed the idea without a second thought.

Clair, however, didn't seem upset, her attitude was more composed than Sato had expected.

"What if we try mass sleep or paralysis tactics?" Rose, with her medical expertise, naturally considered using status effects.

Everyone enthusiastically debated different strategies, each presenting their own perspective.

Throughout the discussion, Lance remained silent, listening intently and slowly forming his own plan.

Sato had an idea himself, though it was a bit unconventional.

"Sato, do you have any suggestions?"

"Hmm?" Sato snapped out of his thoughts, realizing that at some point, everyone had stopped talking and turned to him.

"I think Nidoking has the pride of a strong leader. If we challenge it directly, it might not refuse and may even restrain its clan to ensure a fair battle against us."

The group fell silent for a moment, reevaluating their own overcomplicated strategies.

However, they quickly identified the biggest flaw in Sato's plan, who could defeat a Pseudo-Elite Four Nidoking in a one-on-one battle? Lance?

"We can have our strongest fighter, Lance, take on Nidoking, while the rest of us focus on keeping the eight Nidoqueen and other Pokémon from interfering," Sato continued, since no one else spoke.

"If Lance can defeat the Nidoking, all we need to do is hold back its supporters for a short time."

Everyone unconsciously nodded. This was a direct and open strategy, exploiting Nidoking's pride, but the question remained.

Could Lance really defeat a Pseudo-Elite Four Nidoking?

"Leave it to me!" Lance said confidently, his voice unwavering.

"We could discuss it a bit more-" Sato hesitated. Wasn't this supposed to be a brainstorming session? How was this decision made so fast?

"Sato, you unintentionally brought up something the captain has always wanted to do. Since even you, his teammate, believe he can do it, there's no way he'd hesitate," White said with an all-knowing smirk.

Do I really think he can beat a Pseudo-Elite Four now? Sato pursed his lips. He knew Lance would one day succeed, he would even become Champion, but exactly when…?

Hopefully... maybe… probably… this won't be the moment I dig a hole and bury us all in it. Sato wiped away nonexistent sweat and decided to let this beautiful misunderstanding play out.

With their plan in place, the group quickly moved into action. Since they were going for a direct challenge, there was no need for secrecy!

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"Charizard! Let's go!"

Lance's powerful Charizard let out a resounding roar. With no attempt to conceal themselves, they were quickly noticed by the Nido clan.

"Thud! Thud! Thud…!"

Nidoking swung its massive tail as it stomped toward Charizard, its eyes filled with disdain.

"Nidoking, accept my challenge!" Lance declared loudly, radiating an over-the-top heroic aura.

"Nido~"

Nidoking shook its head and lazily waved a hand, sending one of its Peak Elite Nidoqueen forward in its place!

"That's no match for Charizard!"

"Nido!"

The Nidoqueen wasn't having it. They were both Peak Elite Pokémon, why should she back down? Without hesitation, she charged forward, her entire body glowing red as she used Superpower!

"Charizard, Over-the-Shoulder Throw!"

Instead of flying, Charizard extended its front claws, crouching slightly as it faced the incoming Superpower attack head-on!

As the two clashed, Charizard leaned back, using Nidoqueen's momentum against her.

Off-balance, Nidoqueen stumbled forward, about to crash down onto Charizard, Charizard flapped its massive wings forcefully, twisted its body, and hurled Nidoqueen away!

"Boom!"

With a single move, not even a proper technique, Charizard completely neutralized Nidoqueen's powerful attack, leaving her sprawled on the ground, dazed and unable to get up anytime soon.

Aside from the groaning Nidoqueen, the entire Nido clan fell silent, their eyes dazzled by Charizard's overwhelming display.

Nidoking stepped forward two more paces, its triangular eyes locked onto Charizard, finally taking its opponent seriously!

"Nido!"

With a furious roar, Nidoking's body flashed red as it charged directly at Charizard, using Superpower again!

"Charizard, take to the sky!" Lance commanded immediately.

This wasn't Nidoqueen, Nidoking's Superpower was on an entirely different level!

However, Charizard was fast, but Nidoking was faster. With a sudden burst of acceleration, Nidoking reached Charizard before it could fully take off!

"Bang!"

"Charizard!"

Though it narrowly avoided a direct hit, Nidoking's sharp horn grazed Charizard's thigh, leaving a deep gash.

A clear-cut wound appeared, rendering Charizard's right leg unusable, even landing properly became impossible!

Such a vicious and ruthless attack!

"Charizard, use Heat Wave!"

Lance's fighting spirit only grew stronger, and Charizard shared the same unyielding determination. Despite the pain radiating from its injured leg, its will to fight remained unshaken!

From the back, the others watched intently.

Among them, Sato felt it the most, the others might not recognize it, but he knew exactly what was happening.

He had experienced this firsthand; Lance and Charizard were in perfect sync, and their combined momentum was steadily rising.

This was the sign of a breakthrough! As long as this continued, Charizard would soon break through to the Pseudo-Elite Four level!

Nidoking also sensed something off about its opponent. It recognized this sensation; it had felt it before when battling its former leader.

Back then, it had been the one to triumph, taking over as the new ruler of the Nido clan!

It couldn't allow this to continue. With a powerful leap, Nidoking's body burst into a bright blue light.

On both sides of its head, sharp energy spikes formed, before it charged forward with full force!

Rock-type ultimate move: Head Smash!

Not backing down, Charizard's energy surged as if it was about to break past its limits.

It gathered an enormous fireball, so massive that it lit up half the sky in a crimson glow!

Fire-type starter Pokémon's ultimate move: Blast Burn!