It's a new day.
Ever since eating the Storm Buns made by Naoki, Dragonite felt like it had become the most powerful Pokémon on the ranch. This realization filled it with excitement, and even its walk seemed lighter like the wind itself was carrying it.
After delivering fresh milk to Mrs. Dantes, Dragonite began to set its sights on the strongest Pokémon on the ranch: Koraidon, known as the strongest around here.
Seeing Koraidon lying lazily on the grass, Dragonite trotted up and stood, staring at it intently.
Sensing the intense gaze, Koraidon raised one eyelid and gave Dragonite a puzzled look, asking, "Raao?" (What's up?)
Dragonite, full of anticipation, chirped, "Awoo?" (Wanna have a sparring match?)
Koraidon blinked, surprised. 'Early in the morning? Was it hearing this correctly?'
It looked at Dragonite with suspicion, wondering if it had misunderstood. But Dragonite nodded enthusiastically: "Awoo!"
Koraidon sighed. It didn't really want to get into any trouble, but since yesterday, it had noticed Dragonite acting like it was about to float into the sky from Pride.
Dragonite thought it was now the most powerful Pokémon on the ranch.
How did Koraidon know? Well, last night, when Dragonite was gazing at the moon with Cyclizar, it boasted about its newfound strength.
At first, Koraidon didn't think much of it, just feeling a little envious. But now…
This couldn't stand! It was still the strongest Pokémon on Naoki's ranch!
With its pride suddenly ignited, Koraidon became serious and accepted Dragonite's challenge. There could only be one most powerful partner for Naoki!
So, just as Naoki was stepping out of the greenhouse, Cyclizar raced towards him, frantically trying to explain that Koraidon and Dragonite were about to fight.
Naoki was stunned for a moment. He quickly tossed aside the Psyduck-themed watering can he was holding and followed Cyclizar over to the goat's pen.
Next to the pen was the battlefield Naoki had set up for challengers taking part in the Green Grass Trial.
At that moment, both Dragonite and Koraidon were already in place at opposite ends of the field, following all the rules of a proper match.
"What are you two doing?" Naoki asked, slightly worried.
"Ouch!" Dragonite answered happily, ready for the match.
"Raao!" Koraidon responded calmly, showing no signs of concern as if this was just a routine practice.
Naoki felt his initial concern ease. Seeing the two Pokémon so composed, he realized this wasn't a serious fight, just a friendly sparring session.
After all, during their journeys, other trainers often let their Pokémon battle each other for practice.
"Alright, I'll be your referee!" Naoki said with a smile.
He was actually curious to see how this would turn out. Though Koraidon was legendary, it wasn't as overwhelmingly strong as other legendaries from previous games. And now, Dragonite had been boosted by the effects of the Storm Bun.
'Would Dragonite be able to challenge Koraidon?'
Seeing that both Pokémon were ready, Naoki blew his whistle and declared, "The battle begins!"
However, the two Pokémon didn't attack right away.
Dragonite looked at Koraidon across from him, filled with fighting spirit, and shouted, "Awooo!" (I'm going to attack!)
Koraidon blinked and sighed, "Raao."
With determination, Dragonite sprang into action.
It folded its wings together, gathering energy to create an air vortex in front of it. But just as Dragonite began to move, Koraidon reacted instantly.
In a flash of scarlet, Koraidon's speed was blinding, crossing the battlefield in the blink of an eye. It gave up guarding and launched a direct attack on Dragonite, catching it off guard.
"What incredible speed!" Naoki gasped. 'Is this Koraidon's full power?'
Koraidon's powerful punch, capable of cracking the very earth, struck Dragonite hard, interrupting its move. Before Dragonite could process what had happened, Koraidon followed up with a wide-area destruction move, sweeping Dragonite aside effortlessly.
Dragonite's vision blurred as it was knocked out in one swift exchange. Its eyes turned into spiraling swirls, and small stars circled above its head as it lay on the ground, completely dazed.
"Is it… over already?" Naoki's voice was full of disbelief.
Koraidon, standing victorious, turned its back on the fallen Dragonite, exuding an aura of absolute dominance.
'I am,' Koraidon seemed to declare, 'the strongest Pokémon around Naoki!'
Koraidon glanced at Naoki, and as their eyes met, it returned to its usual calm, almost shy demeanor.
"Raao~"
"Wow, that was incredible!" Naoki exclaimed, still stunned by the display of power.
Koraidon scratched its head bashfully, feeling a little embarrassed by the praise.
'This is nothing compared to the real battles I've seen,' Koraidon thought, its mind wandering back to the time in Area Zero.
Back then, Koraidon was still a Cyclizar, standing on the dazzling crystalline land, gazing up in awe at a mighty Koraidon locked in combat with four other dragons—and holding its ground without breaking a sweat.
At that time, Cyclizar made a wish in its heart.
If possible, it wanted to become a powerful Koraidon, protect Naoki, and stay by his side forever.
Now, it had done just that.
It had become the most powerful Pokémon around Naoki.
Naoki stepped forward to help Dragonite recover, gently treating its injuries.
Dragonite slowly opened its eyes, still a bit groggy from the knockout. Covered in dust and looking quite pitiful, it blinked as it regained consciousness.
Naoki coughed lightly, then asked, "So, how do you feel?"
Dragonite touched the back of its head, looking embarrassed: "Ouch…"
It realized that it had been too proud and overconfident.
Seeing Dragonite's reaction, Naoki began to piece things together.
It wasn't like Koraidon to challenge Dragonite out of nowhere. Knowing both of them well, Naoki guessed that this battle was most likely Dragonite's doing. It had probably thought it had become too strong after eating the Storm Buns, and so it had challenged Koraidon to prove its strength.
With a smile, Naoki rubbed Dragonite's head. "Don't be upset. You did really well."
As Naoki considered how Dragonite must've felt after becoming stronger, he couldn't help but offer some advice:
"Also, as dragons, we need to learn to be humble. Stay calm. Koraidon is family. Just because you lost, it doesn't think any less of you. It's not like some wild Pokémon out there that might laugh at you."
Naoki gave Dragonite an example, describing a scenario where it might show off to a wild Dragonite, only to be beaten and hear the wild Dragonite say, "That's it? I thought you were stronger!"
Dragonite blushed, imagining the scene, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed.
"So, what would you do in that situation?" Naoki asked as he casually popped a translation seed into his mouth.
Without hesitation, Dragonite replied, "Ouch!" (Challenge them to another battle!)
Naoki smiled. "But what if you still can't beat them?"
Dragonite thought hard about this, struggling to come up with an answer. "Ouch…"
It really didn't know.
"So! Do you see what I'm saying? It's always better to stay humble." Naoki said with a playful grin.
Dragonite nodded in understanding.
Naoki continued, "It's not your fault. It comes from your past experiences. I just want you to remember one thing."
Dragonite looked up attentively.
Naoki met its gaze, his tone gentle but firm. "Strength is meant to protect yourself and those you care about, not to show off."
Dragonite blinked, taking in Naoki's words. It glanced over at Koraidon, as if something clicked, then nodded firmly, its expression serious.
"Ouch!"
Naoki smiled warmly and reached out to pat Dragonite's head.
"You're already strong. In fact, I'll need your help with something soon, but it might take a little time."
Naoki had his sights set on the Ghost and Ice-type horses from the Galar region—Spectrier and Glastrier.
He planned to take Dragonite with him to Galar. If it was like in the games and he had to face them in battle, maybe Dragonite could test its strength against those legendary horses before Calyrex mounted them.
Naoki chuckled to himself, wondering if the horses with a base stat of 580 could match his Dragonite, with its impressive base stat of 600.
...
"Here it is! Your well-earned extra chapter!
Now, let's not stop the fun here—next bonus chapter unlocks at 1000 Power Stones! 💎 So c'mon, hit me with those stones