After Ariados successfully defeated one of the Peak Elite Golduck, the battle on Sato's side finally stabilized.

  More than half an hour ter, dozens of Golduck had all beeed, their bodies piled up he keshore.

  From time to time, a few Psyduck peeked their heads out of Dripping Lake, but they quickly ducked ba, filled with fear.

  Rose quickly restored the stamina of the Water-type Pokémon.

  The two Gyarados, Seadra, Dragonair, and Sato's Carvanha formed a team and dove uer to explore.

  Unfortunately, they found nothing.

  The group wasn't disced—treasure hunting had always been about luck, while battle training was their true objective.

  Without lingering, they left Dripping Lake shortly after.

  Just minutes after they departed, the fallen Golduck began tain sciousness.

  At that moment, a hunched-back, elderly Golduck emerged from the ke, apanied by a Slowpoke.

  Slowpoke looked as if it was daydreaming, taking a long moment before realizing what it o do. Then, it slowly began using Heal Pulse, helping the Golduck recover.

  "Gooold…"

  The old Golduck let out a quiet cry, gazing in the dire where the Brave Fights the Evil Dragon Team had left, as if deep in thought.

  -----

  Sato and the others had a vish meal as usual. He couldn't help but wonder if White's ste (spatial) backpack was ade, since every meal was different, meaning he must have stored an incredible amount of ingredients.

  After lunch, they had an hour of free time to handle personal matters.

  White tinued handling logistics work without pints.

  The others joked that if he ever failed as a Breeder, he'd just go bae as a rich sed-geion heir.

  Rose roamed the area with Wigglytuff and Blissey, occasionally gathering herbs and crafting emergency potions.

  Cir had already fallen asleep on Lance's p, a small trail of drool glistening at the er of her mouth—she was pletely out cold.

  Lance, leaning against a tree with his eyes closed, remained motionless despite Cir sleeping on his leg. Although he didn't say anything, it was clear he cared about her.

  Will and Sato used the break to train.

  Siheir mission location was the nearby mountain, there was no need for additional pnning.

  Sato also let Pupitar out, si needed sunlight to absorb calcium and aid its growth.

  -----------------------------------

  "Zoroark, Night Ssh! Gengar, dodge at full speed!"

  Sato moved away from the others, leading his twest Pokémon to battle.

  Sihe overall team strength was high, Sato and his Pokémon had to push themselves harder to keep up.

  As a result, Zoroark and Gengar spent the most time in battle. Sato had a strong feeling that Zoroark was close to a breakthrough—the thought excited him.

  After their midday break, the group set off again. This time, their target was the mountain, where they would battle Magcargo.

  The mission was to capture ten Peak Elite Magcargo—not too difficult, but not easy either.

  Magcargo were scattered across this barren mountain, a pce that was said to be ainct volo.

  Although it haded ihere were still magma flows beh the surface, which was why Magcargo gathered there.

  However, despite occupying the volagcargo were not social Pokémon, so they would o track them down one by one.

  Following their agreed strategy, the six split into three teams: Lance & Cir, Will & White, Sato & Rose. Each team would search separately fcargo and regroup at 5 PM.

  All six started from the southern base of the mountain, with Sato and Rose choosing the rightmost path.

  As they walked, Sato remained silent, and Rose was also quiet, simply fog on keeping up with his pace.

  When Sato casually gnced back, he saw Rose struggling, biting her lip as she kept moving forward.

  It made him feel a bit awkward.

  "Let's take a break."

  "Huh? Oh—okay."

  Rose responded betweehs, then sat on a half-meter-high rock, wiping sweat from her forehead.

  "Houndoom, scout the area."

  Houndoom immediately ran ahead, enjoying the fire-type energy radiating from the volo. This kind of enviro suited it perfectly.

  "Sorry… I'm slowing you down," Rose muttered, thinking Sato had sent Houndoom because he was impatient.

  "That's not it. Houndoom is just better suited for finding Magcargo," Sato replied stiffly. Then, after a brief pause, he added, "They're all Fire-types, so… yeah."

  Rose nodded, still wiping away sweat, unsure how to tihe versation.

  The atmosphere became awkward again.

  "Pfft—!"

  Sato turo see Rose suddenly ughing.

  "What's so funny?"

  "You're just so adorable, Sato!"

  …Meow, meow, meow?

  "Arf!"

  "Houndoom found something!"

  Sato immediately stood up, and Rose quickly stifled her ughter, standing up as well and following behind him.

  "Boom! Boom boom!"

  Following the sound of battle, Sato and Rose quickly rushed forward, soon spotting Houndoom locked in bat with a Magcargo.

  Overall, Houndoom was at a disadvahe Magcargo eak Elite level!

  "Protect!"

  Hearing Sato's and, Houndoom instantly activated Protect. The sed, massive boulders rained down, burying Houndoom pletely. Move: A Power!

  "Houndoom, Nasty Plot!"

  Though Houndoom was trapped ihe rocks, thanks to Protect, the inside was left hollow.

  As Protect faded, Houndoom immediately used Nasty Plot, the surrounding rocks ag as a natural shield!

  "Mag!"

  Magcargo looked visibly frustrated. Even though the pile of rocks showed no movement, its instincts screamed that something was off. So—it unleashed Fmethrower!

  "Houndoom, Dark Pulse!"

  Fmethrower and Dark Pulse collided with the rock pile—one from inside, one from outside!

  The explosio rock fragments flying, lightly injuring Houndoom.

  "Again, Dark Pulse!"

  A bergy wave shot toward Magcargo.

  With Nasty Plot's boost, the damage output skyrocketed! Magcargo, whose Special Defense wasn't as high as its Physical Defense, was blown away!

  "Maaaaghhh!"

  Sent flying, Magediately withdrew into its rocky shell, redug the impact damage.

  After nding, it stuck its head back out, staring at Houndoom in a daze—it seemed pletely disoriented.

  No—it was Amnesia!

  "Houndoom, Roar!"

  Sato anded loudly, and Houndoom let out a ferocious roar, startling Magcargo.

  Its Amnesia was interrupted!

  "One more time—Dark Pulse!"

  With its slow movement speed, Magcargo had no ce to dodge—it was bsted into the air once again!

  Sato quickly pulled out ay Poké Ball and threw it forward! The Poké Ball shook violently for a few seds—then fell still.

  Magcargo—captured!

  ---------------------

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