"Nidoran's first Ability is Poison Point. Then for its second Ability… can I add Poison Point again?"
The thought stirred in Yozora's heart, and he immediately decided to try it out.
After all, even if it failed, there wouldn't be any real loss, right?
And yet—
This time, Yozora's attempt succeeded in one go!
Nidoran successfully gained two Abilities, and both of them were Poison Point!
Excited, Yozora quickly opened Nidoran's status panel—
[Pokémon]: Nidoran♂
[Type]: Poison
[First Ability]: Poison Point
[Second Ability]: Poison Point
[Level]: Junior
[Potential]: Champion
[Moves]: Tackle, Taunt, Poison Sting, Focus Energy, Fury Attack
[Description]: A gifted Nidoran with extraordinary venom.
Champion-level potential!
Yozora's breath caught in his throat.
He knew well the vast difference between an Elite Four and a Champion. Many trainers never bridged that gap in their lifetime.
The same applied to Levels and Potential. Without potential, Levels meant nothing.
Never could Yozora have imagined that a single thought—stacking Abilities—would suddenly raise Nidoran's potential so drastically, granting it the chance to ascend to the highest peak in the future!
"So, Abilities can be stacked…"
"At least, an additional Ability can overlap with the original once!"
He muttered under his breath, though in his heart, he was already thinking of Charmander.
Currently, Yozora had five Pokémon on hand: Beedrill, Charmander, Psyduck, Pidgeotto, and Nidoran.
Beedrill (Sniper + Huge Power): Elite-level peak, Champion potential.
Charmander (Blaze + Water Absorb): Advanced, Elite-level potential.
Psyduck (Swift Swim + Volt Absorb): Senior beginner, Champion potential.
Pidgeotto (Keen Eye + Volt Absorb): Senior beginner, Elite Four potential.
Nidoran♂ (Poison Point + Poison Point): Junior, Champion potential.
Among them—
Beedrill, Psyduck, and Nidoran all carried Champion potential.
If he had to pick the most frightening one, without a doubt it was Psyduck, for it was a natural-born Champion!
As for Pidgeotto, though its aptitude was slightly lower, it still held Elite Four potential.
But then there was Charmander.
Though Yozora valued it deeply, its potential was only Elite-level…
In truth, Elite potential was far from weak—strong, even. Outside, trainers would fight tooth and nail for such a partner.
But within Yozora's team, Elite potential was the lowest tier of all.
"No problem."
"I used to worry about Charmander's potential, but now, not at all. For its third Ability, I'll directly stack Blaze again!"
"I want to see what heights a double-Blaze Charmander can reach!"
Holding Nidoran's Poké Ball in hand, Yozora drifted into sleep with hopes and dreams of Charmander's future in his heart.
The night before, it had been too late.
By the time Yozora captured Nidoran, the hour was already late, so he hadn't introduced it to the others.
This morning, the moment he released Nidoran from its Poké Ball, he was stunned.
Was this really the same Nidoran?
In just one night, its body had grown noticeably larger. Its poisonous spines were longer, denser, sharper.
Most striking of all—the horn on its forehead had grown several times bigger, its tip gleaming with deadly light. The sharpness and toughness it radiated carried immense destructive force.
Venom coated the horn, its mere presence enough to make one's skin crawl.
"Tsk tsk… This horn is something even Nidorino couldn't compare with…"
Yozora couldn't help but marvel.
So this was Champion potential—extraordinary indeed.
"Everyone, this is our new companion, Nidoran. Get to know each other."
Under Yozora's introduction, Nidoran quickly bonded with the group.
Especially with Charmander.
To Nidoran, the others all seemed too strong. Only when it was beside Charmander did the pressure ease.
From the day Yozora captured Nidoran, more than a week passed.
At first, he still had some sense of direction in the forest. By now, he was completely lost.
Every tree looked the same, towering with thick branches and dense leaves. Sunlight barely pierced through, leaving the forest dim and directionless.
"This must be the depths of Viridian Forest…"
"I've long heard the innermost part of Viridian Forest is like a maze, where countless trainers lost their way. Now that I see it myself, the reputation is well deserved."
Though lost, Yozora felt no anxiety—rather, a thrill of anticipation.
Here, food and water were plentiful; there was no crisis of survival.
Legends even claimed that rare Pokémon roamed the heart of the forest. Since he was already here, why not make the most of it?
Even if he truly wanted to leave, it wouldn't be difficult. Pidgeotto, who had grown up here, could easily guide the way.
"No rush, no rush."
"Let's see for ourselves what rare Pokémon dwell in this so-called legendary heart of Viridian Forest."
At last, the telescope he'd bought back in Viridian City proved its worth.
Peering through it, Yozora scanned the surroundings carefully.
And sure enough—he spotted something.
From the shadows of a tree ahead, a Scyther slowly stepped out.
"A Scyther!"
Yozora's heart leapt.
Scyther was not only a rare Pokémon, but also a powerful one.
Now that he had encountered one, how could he let it go?
"Catch it! Charmander, use Flamethrower!" Yozora lowered his telescope and commanded with a sweeping gesture.
"Rooaaar!"
Charmander roared, dashing forward. A fiery jet erupted from its mouth like a serpent of flame, surging straight at the Scyther.
Before the flames could land, a human voice rang out from the shadows of the trees ahead:
"Scyther, dodge the attack!"
At once, a figure stepped into the light.
It was a young man, perhaps in his twenties, with a stern face and tall, upright frame—clearly no ordinary trainer.
As his words fell, Scyther shifted with effortless grace, slipping past Charmander's Flamethrower as if it were nothing.
Yozora froze in awkward surprise.
So this Scyther wasn't wild after all!
"Sorry, I thought it was a wild Pokémon," Yozora said apologetically.
The tall youth gave a faint smile. "No problem. But since the battle has already begun… let's finish it."
"If you win, I'll tell you where to find wild Scyther."
(End of Chapter)