Boom!!
Dragonite's fist was met with Dragonair's tail in a powerful clash, echoing a dull thud.
"Draaa~~"
Dragonite's eyes flashed with surprise, sensing the strength transmitted through Dragonair's tail.
Not bad at all.
"Draaa~~"
Dragonair let out a low cry, showing no surprise at Dragonite's sudden attack.
In fact, within that moment of collision, it became clear just how much it had grown.
Back when it was a Dratini, it had grown carefree in the Dragon's Den, idolizing Dragonite—its father.
Every time Dragonite battled, no matter the opponent, it would dominate without question.
Dragonite was the undisputed protector of the Dragon's Den.
Naturally, young Dratini wanted to become like Dragonite.
But no matter how hard it tried back then, Dragonite would only pat its head gently in response.
It was as if, in Dragonite's eyes, Dratini would always be the little kid, not yet worthy of a proper challenge.
But now.
Returning to the Dragon's Den, it was greeted not with a head pat, but with a fist.
For Dragonair, this meant it had finally earned the right to battle Dragonite.
"Draaa~~!"
Dragonair roared with determination.
Johan, watching this unfold, couldn't help but ask, "What's going on here?"
"It's a tradition," answered Clair curtly.
The dragons of the Dragon's Den were strong because they fought their way to strength.
Johan blinked, puzzled.
A tradition?
Fathers sparring with their kids?
So Lance beating you up regularly is also part of the family tradition, huh?
To Johan, this was more like a father testing his child after they'd been away to see how much they'd grown.
"Well, if that's the case, I guess it makes sense..."
Johan could feel the fiery determination in Dragonair.
"Draaa!!"
Suddenly, Dragonite roared, its gaze sharp and intense. The small wings on its back beat furiously, whipping up waves of white currents.
At the same time, its energy surged dramatically.
Dragon Dance!
It was serious now!
Johan tensed, but before he could react, Clair interrupted sharply, "Don't get involved! Stay out of it!"
In the air, the short white wings near Dragonair's head quickly grew larger, beating to create its own swirling winds. With a sleek and graceful movement, it chased after Dragonite.
It was using Dragon Dance too!
The two dragons ascended in spirals, their silhouettes outlined by the bright sunlight and casting huge shadows onto the ground below.
The commotion drew the attention of the den's smaller Pokémon, who paused to watch.
"Draaa!!"
Dragonair roared again, its body glowing with a dazzling white light as it streaked toward Dragonite like a speeding arrow.
Extreme Speed!
Dragonite's gaze was stern but carried a hint of mockery.
With a flap of its wings, it too was wrapped in a layer of white light, pausing briefly mid-air before charging straight at Dragonair.
It also used Extreme Speed!
Boom!!
The two dragons collided in mid-air, creating a deafening explosion that rippled out in waves of white energy.
The shockwaves shook the trees of the den, rustling leaves and scattering petals. Grass and flowers flattened in ripples across the ground.
"Draaa!!"
Dragonair cried out in pain as it was flung backward, tumbling uncontrollably through the air.
Dragonite hovered where it was, watching Dragonair spin away. With a slight nod of approval, it suddenly moved again.
"Raaa!!"
Dragonite roared and covered itself in a cloak of deep blue and purple energy before diving straight at the falling Dragonair.
Dragon Rush!
Dragonair, still disoriented, felt Dragonite closing in fast. It flapped its wings desperately, managing to stabilize itself just enough.
Then it too summoned a cloak of energy, refusing to back down as it turned to meet Dragonite's charge head-on.
Seeing this, Johan couldn't remain silent.
"Dragonair, dodge with Extreme Speed!" he shouted.
Without hesitation, Dragonair's energy coat disappeared, and it turned into a streak of white light, narrowly dodging Dragonite's Dragon Rush.
Boom!!
Dragonite crashed into the ground with a thunderous impact.
Dragonair returned to Johan's side, panting slightly.
Thud!
Johan gave Dragonair a light knock on the head.
"I've been teaching you for ages, and you've forgotten everything, huh? Why are you trying to go head-to-head with Dragonite? You know it has the Multiscale ability."
"Draaa~~"
Dragonair winced, letting out a sheepish laugh.
Got a little carried away, okay?
Johan: "..."
Dragonite climbed out of the crater, its calm gaze sweeping between Johan and Dragonair.
It nodded slightly.
Alright.
You two can come at me together.
"You—"
Clair opened her mouth to object, but the elder of the Dragon Clan appeared silently beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder with a smile.
"Elder?"
The elder gestured for her to keep watching.
Johan and Dragonair exchanged a glance.
No words were needed.
Johan then turned to Dragonite and locked eyes with it.
The unspoken message in Dragonite's gaze was clear: Show me your progress.
"Raaa!!"
Dragonite roared and unleashed a stream of blazing Dragon Breath at them.
So, you want to see progress?
Johan clenched his fist and shouted, "DRAGON DANCE!"
"Draaa!!"
Dragonair soared into the sky, twisting gracefully to dodge the incoming Dragon Breath by mere inches.
Dragonite's eyes flickered with surprise but flapped its wings again, chasing after Dragonair relentlessly.
"Use Agility and climb higher!"
Wind currents surrounded Dragonair as its speed increased with each beat of its wings.
From a distance, Dragonair looked like a sleek white arrow cutting through the sky.
Dragonite, realizing it was falling behind, prepared to use Agility as well.
But just then—
"Extreme Speed! Strike it back!"
Dragonair pivoted sharply, turning mid-flight. Its body shimmered with white light as it streaked past Dragonite.
Boom!!
With two boosts from Dragon Dance, enhanced Agility, and the speed from Extreme Speed, the sheer momentum converted directly into raw power.
Dragonite faltered mid-air, thrown slightly off-balance.
Interesting.
Dragonite smirked faintly before its expression hardened.
"Raaa!!"
Dark red energy surged around it, veins bulging as its eyes grew bloodshot.
Outrage activated!
This wasn't just any Outrage—it was controlled.
"Draaa..."
Dragonair shuddered as Dragonite closed in at blinding speed.
"Use Protect!" Johan shouted.
Boom!!
The protective green barrier shattered instantly, and Dragonair was sent hurtling to the ground like a cannonball.
"Draaa..."
Dragonair landed heavily, stirring up clouds of dust.
Tap, tap—
Dragonite landed as well, the red energy of Outrage still coursing around it.
It looked down at Johan and Dragonair, nodding again.
Alright.
This progress will do.
"Draaa!!"
But Dragonair wasn't satisfied. It let out a defiant roar, glaring at Dragonite with determination.
Johan sighed.
Fine.
At least block its full-strength attack once, and you'll feel better.
Faced with this situation, there was only one solution.
"Dragonair!" Johan called.
"Draaa!"
Dragonair turned to look at him.
Their eyes met, and understanding passed between them.
Johan gave a small nod.
"Draaa!"
Dragonair grinned.
Ever since it left the Dragon's Den to follow Johan, it had never faced anything alone.
HUMMMM—
Suddenly, Dragonair began to glow.
"What's this..."
Clair gasped. "An evolution?!"
The Pokéballs on Johan's belt burst open, releasing his team.
One by one, his Pokémon appeared, watching as Dragonair was enveloped in light.
"Ka-kaah!!"
They cheered. Let's go, Dragonair! This year, the title of Dragon King is ours!
Boom!!
The glow vanished, leaving a magnificent orange Dragonite in its place, its form brimming with overwhelming strength and determination.
Dragonair had evolved into Dragonite.
The Dragon King had been reborn!
Dragonite spread its arms and wings wide, unleashing a mighty roar that shook the den.
Opposite it, the other Dragonite stared in stunned silence before its own battle spirit reignited.
Good! Excellent!
Let's finish this!
Dark red energy surged once more.
Johan smirked.
"Dragonite!"
He called out sharply, "Outrage!"
And so, the two Dragonite clashed in a storm of power.
The Dragon King's crown was back where it belonged.
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Powerstones?
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