"Gengar, Phantom Ambush!"
Within Gengar's domain, it unleashed a combination of Shadow Sneak as its primary attack, augmented by the unique energy of its spectral territory and the Shadow Punch technique.
In an instant, multiple dark shadows burst forth, converging from all directions toward the two Breloom.
Having spent a prolonged time within Gengar's spectral field, the two Breloom had been unknowingly drained of their stamina. The continuous intensity of battle had already pushed them to their limits, and as they attempted to counterattack, their movements faltered—an overwhelming sense of exhaustion washing over them.
Surrounded by the relentless phantoms, the two Breloom could no longer hold out. One after the other, they collapsed under Gengar's relentless assault.
With this victory, Gengar's level surged once more, reaching Level 39, just a step away from the Mid Elite threshold.
"Ron, three people are approaching. Their intentions are hostile."
Just as Ron was preparing to push Gengar toward breaking into the Mid Elite tier, Gardevoir's voice echoed in his mind.
Without hesitation, Ron recalled Gengar into his shadow and concealed himself.
Under normal circumstances, he would have simply avoided unnecessary confrontation. However, since Gardevoir had specifically noted their malicious intent, and remembering Drake's prior warnings, Ron decided to meet these three individuals head-on.
It was clear they had been tracking him, following his path with remarkable precision. Before long, they came into view.
As soon as they entered range, Gardevoir's abilities activated. While she couldn't yet discern their exact identities, she confirmed without a doubt—they were not the type of people one could trust.
Based on his Fighting Aura's sense of premonition, Ron estimated that the three weren't strong enough to pose a real threat to him.
Still, to ensure a swift resolution, he quietly released Machamp, ready to take them down efficiently.
Among the three, the youngest, Gerrin, suddenly felt a deep sense of unease.
"Hold up."
Before Gerrin could even finish speaking, an excruciating pain shot through his body.
The next second—darkness consumed him.
In his semi-conscious state, Gerrin felt like he had fallen into a dream—one where he had stumbled upon a legendary encounter with Kyogre, inheriting an immense power that ultimately led him to become the leader of Team Aqua.
In this vision, he commanded Team Aqua in an epic battle, successfully defeating their long-time rivals, Team Magma. Eventually, he went on to seize control of the Hoenn League, fully awakening and commanding Kyogre's primal power, setting the stage for world domination.
Just as he was about to achieve complete victory, the entire world around him collapsed into darkness and shattered apart.
The next moment, Gerrin snapped back to reality, awakening from his unconscious state.
A sharp, throbbing pain radiated from his neck. His hands and feet were bound tightly, and his mouth was gagged—leaving no doubt about his current predicament.
Scanning his surroundings, he quickly spotted his two companions—both similarly restrained. Nearby, a young man was making a phone call.
Unfortunately, Gerrin could only see the silhouette of his captor. The limited details provided little clue to the person's identity.
Judging from the environment, this still appeared to be the same forest he had been in before.
Piecing together his current situation, Gerrin immediately started formulating an escape plan.
"Understood. I'll wait for your arrival."
Ending the call, Ron turned his gaze toward Gerrin, who was deep in thought.
"Not bad, for the son of a Team Aqua executive. You're quick to analyze the situation. Too bad you won't get the chance to act on it."
Ron smirked as he looked down at Gerrin.
With just a single glance, Gerrin immediately recognized their target—Ron.
The complete annihilation of Panier's squad and Ron's intervention had already reached Team Aqua's ears.
Since Drake, the Dragon-type Elite Four, was too formidable for Team Aqua to deal with, they had shifted their attention toward Ron instead.
Unlike the regional Pokémon Leagues or criminal organizations like Team Rocket, Team Aqua had gathered information on Ron at a slower pace and lacked a true understanding of his capabilities.
As a result, they had underestimated him, assigning one of their executives to handle the situation—and Gerrin was that executive's son.
"There's no need to worry. I won't harm you. But don't even think about escaping. Just sit tight and wait for Elite Four Drake to arrive."
With that, Ron ignored Gerrin completely, instead focusing on his breathing exercises, refining his mastery of the technique while enhancing his body.
With Gardevoir standing watch, he wasn't the least bit concerned about Gerrin trying anything reckless.
In stark contrast, Gerrin's forehead was already drenched in cold sweat.
If Team Aqua feared any Elite Four member the most, it was undoubtedly Drake.
A seasoned sea captain, Drake had spent the majority of his life navigating the vast oceans, frequently clashing with Team Aqua.
From his pre-Elite Four days until now, Team Aqua had never once gained the upper hand against him.
And now, with Gerrin himself captured, about to be delivered straight into Drake's hands, he couldn't even begin to imagine the consequences for his father.
The thought alone was enough to make his mind spiral into panic.
Forcing himself to stay calm, Gerrin noticed a sharp rock on the ground and slowly inched his way toward it.
He had already made up his mind—he would lean back and slam himself against the rock as quickly as possible.
However, before he could get close, Gardevoir, having already guessed his plan, used its psychic powers to knock him unconscious.
It wasn't until around three or four in the afternoon that Elite Four Drake finally arrived in a hurry.
"Excellent, Ron! With Gerrin here, Team Aqua is bound to lose at least one Elite Four-level officer this time!"
Drake said excitedly as he glanced at Gerrin lying on the ground.
"I've already transferred the League credits to you, but after these past two incidents, you need to be even more careful.
"I suggest that from now on, you stick to the main roads in Hoenn and avoid traveling through the forests. Don't give Team Aqua any more chances."
Having already made a similar transaction before, Drake handled it smoothly this time, but he still took the opportunity to warn Ron.
Even though this kind of arrangement could affect the Hoenn League's reputation, Drake was more concerned about preventing Ron from falling victim to Team Aqua's schemes.
"Don't worry, I'll be careful. Besides, with Gardevoir by my side, it's not easy for just anyone to set a trap for me."
Ron replied confidently as he received his well-earned payment.
And he wasn't wrong—under the pressure of both the Hoenn League and Team Magma, Team Aqua would find it difficult to allocate too many resources to target Ron.
Not to mention, with Drake preparing for his next move, the odds were further stacked against them.
Furthermore, unless Ron was seen in a town, he always moved under a different identity, making it even harder for Team Aqua to pinpoint and ambush him.
"As long as you know what you're doing," Drake nodded. "I've got other matters to handle, so I'll be heading out first."
With that, Drake didn't linger any longer. He had Salamence carry Gerrin away, intending to use him as bait to set a trap for Team Aqua.
As Drake's silhouette faded into the distance, Ron signaled Gardevoir to use Teleport and leave the area.
Now far from their previous location, Ron assumed a different appearance once more and resumed his search for a suitable opponent for his Gengar.
One of Hoenn's defining features was its diverse natural landscapes. Before he knew it, Ron had arrived in a rocky terrain, and his Gengar had already surpassed Level 40, reaching Mid Elite strength.
Now, it was Riolu's turn to take the stage—his goal was to reach a sufficient level and evolve.
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