~Johto Region, Blackthorn City~
Caleb Chase and Lance set out from the Alola and Kanto regions respectively, arriving at this city (home to the Dragon Holy Land) by noon the next day.
As soon as Caleb stepped out of the airport, he spotted that iconic head of red hair.
Lance had his hands in his pockets and glanced around before asking, "Where's the little girl who was with you?"
Caleb replied, "She stayed in Alola."
Lance let out an "Oh," then suddenly said, "Based on the information you left behind, the Kanto League conducted a major internal purge. Quite a few people were exposed, but unfortunately, Giovanni got away. The Viridian Gym has now been officially taken over by Agatha."
The plot had finally aligned with what Caleb knew. He nodded but didn't offer any further comment.
Lance paused for a moment before speaking again, this time in a formal tone, "On behalf of the Kanto League, I'd like to express our gratitude to you."
Caleb raised an eyebrow, "I'm more interested in practical rewards. So, can you tell me now what's so special about this Dragonite?"
Lance chuckled, "I knew you'd say that. Alright, let's get in the car. You'll find out soon enough."
The two of them drove to the Dragon Holy Land, which was located on the outskirts of Blackthorn City.
From a distance, Caleb could hear a powerful draconic roar echoing through the valley.
Lance, who was driving, raised an eyebrow at the sound and glanced back at Caleb, "Where's your Mimikyu?"
"In its Poké Ball," Caleb answered.
"Good. Be ready for a battle. If you can't beat that guy, it'll never agree to go with you," Lance warned.
Caleb nodded and pulled up Mimikyu's stats.
«Mimikyu»
- Level: 38
- Gender: Female
- Type: Ghost/Fairy
- Ability: Disguise
- Egg Move: Destiny Bond
- Known Moves: Scratch, Astonish, Copycat, Double Team, Wood Hammer... Shadow Sneak, Mimic, Feint Attack... Slash, Shadow Claw...
"How strong is that Dragonite?" Caleb asked.
Lance thought for a moment before answering carefully, "Hard to say. But it definitely won't be weaker than your Mimikyu."
Caleb: "…"
As they spoke, the car arrived at the entrance of the Dragon Holy Land.
Following Lance, Caleb passed through a narrow passageway and officially stepped into the sacred grounds...
"Look, perfect timing, it's right over there!" Lance pointed toward a grassy area to the east.
Caleb turned his head and saw a Dragonite with a vibrant green body pinning a Haxorus to the ground, thoroughly dominating it.
The Haxorus struggled desperately, but the Dragonite's sheer weight made escape impossible.
The Dragonite, seeing this, wore an excited expression. It raised a claw wreathed in flames and delivered a powerful Fire Punch straight into the Haxorus.
After taking the hit, the Haxorus's eyes rolled back, and it fainted.
Only then did the Dragonite finally get off, flying into the air and exhaling two streams of dragon breath from its nostrils. It then turned its head arrogantly toward a trembling Tyrunt nearby.
Its unruly expression was exactly like that of a high school delinquent.
Lance sighed helplessly, "It has beaten up almost every Pokémon in the Dragon Holy Land. Everyone has to tiptoe around it. So, still want to give it a shot?"
A spark of intense interest lit up in Caleb's eyes, "Absolutely!"
As they spoke, the Dragonite had already knocked out the Tyrunt. It raised its head and scanned for its next target... when it spotted the two humans standing not far away...
"Why is it flying over on its own (unprovoked)?" Caleb asked, watching as the massive green Dragonite approached.
Lance, clearly familiar with this scenario, explained patiently, "It probably thinks you're another trainer here to catch it. You know, since it's so strong, plenty of people are interested."
Caleb: "Well…I am here to catch it..."
Lance smacked his forehead, "Ah, right, I almost forgot. What I meant was... every trainer who's tried to capture it has ended up getting wrecked."
Before Lance could finish his sentence, the Dragonite had already positioned itself directly above Caleb.
Hovering in the air, it looked down at him with a domineering gaze.
Caleb raised his head, meeting its eyes.
The Dragonite narrowed its eyes slightly, curling its lips into a taunting smirk.
Then, right in front of Caleb, it slowly raised a claw mimicking a human gesture, and beckoned him forward with a provocative hook of its finger.
Seeing this, Lance wisely took a dozen steps back.
Caleb almost laughed. He really wanted to know why this shiny Dragonite had to be this ridiculous shade of green.
It looked adorably dumb...
"Wuuu~"
The Dragonite let out a melodious cry before landing on the ground, its entire body radiating an intimidating aura.
Caleb instantly understood. Without a single word exchanged, the two took their positions, ready for battle.
The system promptly displayed a notification:
[A wild Shiny Dragonite has appeared!]
"Mimikyu, use Double Team!" Caleb commanded.
Mimikyu swiftly created over a dozen identical clones, charging at the Dragonite in a straight line.
The Dragonite snorted disdainfully, then opened its mouth to unleash a powerful Twister that swept toward Mimikyu.
One after another, the clones burst like bubbles, leaving only the real Mimikyu standing.
The Twister struck it head-on, causing the Pikachu disguise it wore to slump lifelessly to the side.
Seeing Mimikyu's Disguise broken in an instant, Caleb immediately ordered, "Use Destiny Bond!"
But the Dragonite seemed to sense the threat. It flapped its wings and lifted off the ground as an incredibly violent Hurricane began to swirl around it.
Mimikyu's small body was sent flying like a kite with its string cut, then slammed harshly into the ground.
As the Hurricane dissipated, the Dragonite's mouth was already gathering purple draconic energy.
Caleb's eyes flashed, "Mimikyu, use Mimic!" he shouted.
- Mimic: Copies the last move used by the opponent. Fails if the opponent hasn't used a move yet...
A fierce gale instantly erupted around Mimikyu.
Sharp wind blades, as tangible as steel, surged toward the Dragonite like a tidal wave.
At the same time, the Dragonite's Twister had finished charging.
Two different elemental attacks collided midair.
One second. Two seconds. Three seconds…
The opposing forces clashed violently, neither giving ground, until they triggered a massive explosion.
*Booom!*
A fiery red mushroom cloud bloomed in the sky. The Dragonite's emerald-green eyes reflected the dazzling spectacle, its expression faltering as it froze for a brief moment.
Caleb seized the opportunity and instructed, "Use Mimic again!"
This time, it was Mimikyu's turn to gather purple draconic energy in its mouth.
Hearing the command, the Dragonite snapped back to attention. With a powerful flap of its wings, it soared higher, its body radiating an intimidating purple aura as it dove straight at Mimikyu in a devastating Dragon Rush.
Caleb didn't panic in the slightest.
What he really wanted to say was... 'Does this Dragonite not know that Dragon-type moves don't affect Fairy-types?'