When it came to the "Giant Dragonite," Luo Yuan saw two possible explanations.
The first possibility was that this Giant Dragonite was an "Ancient Pokémon"—a species that had survived from ancient times to the present, evolving to a massive size.
Soon, Bill's repeated broadcasts of his recorded "Unknown Pokémon sound" had the desired effect.
In the dense mist over the distant sea, a colossal shadow began to appear.
As the waves parted around it, the massive figure moved closer and closer.
"It's here, it's here—it's coming!"
Bill's excitement made him shake, his voice repeating like a broken record.
Beside him, Ash and Brock stared at the approaching shadow, eyes wide with tension.
Brock muttered, "I've never seen a Pokémon this massive before…"
"Pikachu~!" Pikachu nodded in agreement.
Luo Yuan ignored them, his hand resting on a Poké Ball at his waist, and moved to the edge of the cliff in front of the lighthouse.
If his memory was right…
Peering down, Luo Yuan found himself face-to-face with six wide eyes.
Just below, Team Rocket's trio froze, their hands reaching for a bazooka as they locked eyes with Luo Yuan.
"We've been spotted!"
"We're done for, nya!" Meowth muttered in terror.
If Luo Yuan called out now, and Pikachu hit them with a Thunderbolt, they'd have nowhere to hide.
As they prepared to be found out, they were surprised to see that Luo Yuan didn't call for help.
"Shhh."
He placed a finger to his lips in a quieting gesture.
The trio looked at him in confusion as Luo Yuan activated his psychic power, immobilizing them where they stood.
"I can't have you messing up my plan."
And so, frozen in place, Team Rocket's trio could only watch helplessly as the colossal shadow loomed closer and closer.
"It's coming closer, it's almost here!"
Seeing the massive shadow draw near, Bill's years-long dream on the verge of realization, he couldn't help but call out, "Let me see you, please!"
The giant shadow paused.
It looked as if a person had finally shown up to meet an online date, only to realize the date was not at all what they expected.
It had been following what it thought was the call of a fellow Pokémon all this way.
But now, instead, it was faced with… a human?
The Giant Dragonite stopped.
Seeing it halt, Bill grew frantic. "Please, let me see you! I've waited so many years…"
The Giant Dragonite now realized the voice it had been following wasn't from one of its kind.
The enormous creature shook its head in the mist.
"Grooo~!"
Roughly translated, it meant something like:
"See me? Dream on! Trying to trick me like this—no chance!"
And with that, it turned, ready to head back to the depths of the ocean.
Bill was desperate, but as an academic with only a few Pokémon, he was powerless to stop the Dragonite from leaving.
At that moment, Luo Yuan spoke up.
"Professor Bill, let me handle this."
With a flick of his wrist, he released Gyarados on the tower's edge. "I'll go after it."
Without waiting for a response, he vaulted onto Gyarados's back, setting off in pursuit of the Giant Dragonite.
"Don't forget to take pictures for me!" Bill's voice called out from behind.
Luo Yuan waved back without turning around.
Left behind were Bill, Ash, and Brock—along with a very frustrated Team Rocket trio, finally free from their bonds at the cliff edge.
---
The Giant Dragonite moved much faster than its enormous size suggested, forcing Luo Yuan to recall Gyarados mid-chase and switch to Dragapult.
"Good thing I have psychic powers—tracking a Giant Dragonite in this fog would be a nightmare otherwise."
Gliding silently through the mist, Dragapult's ghostly nature let it maneuver effortlessly, keeping pace with Dragonite's trail.
After an indeterminate distance, the Dragonite finally stopped on an island.
Signaling Dragapult to approach, Luo Yuan soon had a clear view of the Giant Pokémon.
Its yellow skin, round belly, and twin antennae matched any ordinary Dragonite's features.
"It doesn't seem to be Gigantamaxed," Luo Yuan mused.
The traits of Gigantamax Pokémon were unmistakable. Their bodies emitted a red aura, with three red clouds floating around them—a look this Dragonite clearly lacked.
Satisfied with his curiosity, Luo Yuan snapped a few photos to bring back for Bill.
"Grooo?"
The Giant Dragonite sensed something nearby.
Turning around, it spotted Luo Yuan riding on Dragapult's back.
"Grooo~!"
The Dragonite let out a warning growl.
"So cautious, are we? Don't worry—I don't mean you any harm."
Luo Yuan wasn't lying; if it had been a Gigantamax Dragonite, he might've been more interested, but he held no particular fascination with this one.
Mostly because he didn't have a Poké Ball big enough to capture it.
Even a Wailord, which was mostly air, required a Heavy Ball to catch. This solidly built Dragonite, comparable to a Wailord in size, would probably burst a Heavy Ball.
As for a Master Ball…
If he had one, he'd have already gone to the Sevii Islands to hunt down Deoxys.
So, his main reason for coming, beyond indulging his curiosity, was to see the Giant Dragonite's habitat. If this place could sustain a Giant Dragonite, maybe it could help his Dratini evolve.
Unfortunately, whether because it ignored Luo Yuan's assurances or was simply in a foul mood after being "catfished" by the lighthouse broadcast, the Giant Dragonite wasn't having any of it.
Seeing that Luo Yuan had no intention of leaving, it let out a low growl and swatted at him with a massive paw.
"So, you're short-tempered too?"
Watching the paw sweep toward him, Luo Yuan patted Dragapult, who easily evaded the attack.
Luo Yuan was about to direct Dragapult to explore the island when Dragonite's paw came at them again.
"Tch, looks like a fight is unavoidable."
Seeing the Dragonite blocking his way with a fierce glare, Luo Yuan clicked his tongue in mild annoyance.
He didn't want to fight, but he wasn't afraid to, either.
"Dragapult, Shadow Ball!"
Dragapult opened its mouth, forming a massive Shadow Ball.
Given Dragonite's size, Dragapult condensed a Shadow Ball three times its usual size.
"GROOOO!"
Dragonite flapped its wings, sending twin whirlwinds toward Dragapult.
Dragapult, nimble as ever, slipped through the winds with ease.
The Shadow Ball shot forward, landing a direct hit on Dragonite's belly.
Boom!
The impact echoed like a hammer striking a massive drum, followed by an explosive blast.
Dark energy detonated, sinking deep into Dragonite's belly.
"Groooo!"
Letting out a pained roar, the Giant Dragonite staggered backward.
---
T/N: The bigger they are the uhhh....the bigger they fall