Dragonite roared to the skies. Energy surged around it—chaotic, primal, uncontrollable. Its pupils narrowed to slits. The power of the Dragon-type filled its body to bursting.
Eyes glowing red, it charged forward like a berserker, ignoring its wounds.
Naoki narrowed his eyes.
Outrage was a very special move—imnsely powerful, but dangerous.
When a Pokémon uses it, it enters a berserk state, attacking furiously while ignoring its own injuries. In this state, their strength and speed surge, but they lose all sense of reason, and won't even obey their Trainer's commands.
Because of that, most Trainers avoid using it unless they have no other choice.
In the blink of an eye, Clair's Dragonite lunged at Koraidon, raising its claws high and slashing down with wild, unrestrained force.
"Close Combat," Naoki commanded calmly.
Without flinching, Koraidon reached out with his right hand and caught Dragonite's wrist mid-swing, stopping the attack cold.
Then, with his left arm, Koraidon drove his elbow into Dragonite's chest with imnse force.
The impact sent Dragonite flying across the battlefield.
It crashed to the ground with a heavy thud, its eyes swirling—completely knocked out.
Indeedee stepped in to check on Dragonite, then turned to the Trainers and blew the whistle.
"Ai ah!" 'Dragonite is unable to battle. Koraidon wins this match!'
"I lost after all…" Clair let out a breath, her expression a mix of awe and acceptance. She retrieved her Poké Ball and returned Dragonite. "Thank you for everything, Dragonite. Take a well-deserved rest."
She looked up and smiled at her opponent.
"As expected of you, Senior. With strength like yours, I wouldn't be surprised if even my cousin couldn't defeat you."
Naoki raised an eyebrow. "Your cousin?"
"His na is Lance," Clair explained. "Like , he's part of the Dragon Clan. He's always been serious and responsible."
A wry smile crossed her face. "I think you've t before, haven't you? He said you battled each other during a League event in Unova a few years back."
Naoki blinked. "He told you about that?"
Clair nodded. "He's very interested in you. But his work keeps him busy—he hasn't had the ti to visit."
Naoki nodded slowly, his thoughts drifting.
Lance's job… must be his role as a Pokémon G-Man with the Kanto League.
Pokémon G-n were essentially Pokémon Investigators—agents tasked with uncovering and stopping the illegal use of Pokémon across the regions. They worked like international police, tracking down criminal organizations like Team Rocket.
Naoki chuckled inwardly. If the Champion himself is an undercover agent, doesn't anyone recognize him?
He rembered how, even at the end of Ash's journey in the ani, Team Rocket was still lurking in the shadows. Giovanni had even sent Jessie, Jas, and owth to scout out other regions like the Paldea region.
But Paldea was simply too far from Kanto. In the end, Team Rocket hadn't been able to extend their reach here.
Which ant Lance wouldn't be dropping by anyti soon.
Naoki glanced at Clair. "So, what will you do now?"
Clair thought for a mont, then smiled. "I'll return to Blackthorn City and stay there for a while. After that, I might travel to other regions and see what I can learn."
Naoki gave her an approving nod. "Then I wish you safe travels. And when we et again, be ready for a rematch. I'll be looking forward to seeing how much stronger you've beco."
"Alright!" Clair agreed firmly.
The next ti they t, she was determined to leave a strong impression on Naoki.
With that, Clair left Naoki's ranch.
Her journey through the Paldea region had co to a perfect close—she'd earned all eight Gym Badges, passed the Champion Assessnt, and even t the legendary trainer herself.
There was no reason to linger in Paldea any longer. Clair made plans to return ho to Johto.
While waiting for her flight at the airport, she pulled out her Rotom Phone and called Lance.
The call connected quickly.
When Lance saw her face on screen, he imdiately suspected she had battled that trainer.
"How did it go?" he asked.
Clair sighed. "Just like you… I lost."
Lance: "…"
"He really is that strong," she admitted. "But to be honest, there's sothing else that stuck with even more."
Lance raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"
"It's the number of Dragon-type Pokémon Naoki-senpai owns," Clair said. "I did a rough count—he's got dozens of Dragonite alone. And that's not even including the other Dragon-types. Honestly, compared to him, it feels like he's the one who cos from the real Dragon Master lineage."
Lance: "…"
The two cousins from the Dragon Clan fell silent.
Lance thought of the Pokémon in his own Dragon's Den—and grew even quieter.
After a mont, Clair suddenly rembered sothing funny that she had previously brushed off.
"You know, people online have started joking about you."
"Hm?" Lance sounded wary.
"They're saying you're not really the Dragon Master… more like the 'Flying King.'"
Because, before becoming Champion, Lance always introduced himself as the Dragon Master.
But his team… was notoriously lacking in actual Dragon-types. Gyarados. Charizard. Aerodactyl. All Flying-types, none originally Dragon-type.
In fact, to make his team truly dragon-thed, Lance had to fill it with three Dragonite.
Lance: "…"
That silence… was his only farewell to dignity.
Looking at Clair on the screen, he muttered, "Aren't you the sa as ?"
Clair went quiet too.
The cousins exchanged a look and silently agreed to drop the subject.
But in their hearts, they both made the sa decision: once their current responsibilities were handled, they would venture out to find new Dragon-type Pokémon.
They would expand their legacy properly—no more Flying impostors.
...
April 15, Alliance Calendar 201. Early Sumr.
The swirling rumors about the "Cyclizar Mask" incident in the Alola region had finally begun to fade. Things across the islands slowly returned to normal.
With peace restored, Naoki made a new plan.
Starting tomorrow, he would officially set off on a new adventure—to explore the Alola region, collect Z-Crystals, and master the unique Z-Moves that his Pokémon could use.
Before heading to Alola, Naoki had one important thing left to do: visit Levincia City to see Iono.
It was honestly a little embarrassing. Ever since they started dating, Iono had been the one constantly traveling back and forth to see him. Naoki had never once visited her hotown. But it wasn't intentional. Between flying between Alola and Paldea, managing his ranch, and caring for dozens of Dragonite, Naoki had been overwheld. Still, it felt unfair to keep letting Iono shoulder all the effort.
So today, he planned to pay her a surprise visit.
Early in the morning, after finishing his chores at the ranch, Naoki climbed onto Koraidon and set off for Levincia.
After a thirty-minute flight, they touched down on the bridge leading into the city.
It was 9:30 a.m. According to the schedule, Iono should be at the Levincia Gym receiving challengers. Perfect.
"Let's head straight to the Gym, Koraidon!"
"Gah!"
Following the directions on his map, Naoki and Koraidon passed through the bustling city streets and arrived at a tall, high-tech skyscraper: the Levincia Gym.
As soon as they stepped inside, the automatic sensor doors slid open with a soft whoosh. On the first floor, a cheerful receptionist greeted him.
"Welco! If you're here to challenge the Gym, please register your trainer info."
Naoki smiled. "Is the Gym Leader in right now?"
The receptionist, thinking he was a trainer who had co earlier when the Gym was closed, nodded politely.
"Yes! She's currently waiting for challengers on the battlefield. If you want to et her, you'll need to register first."
Naoki: "..."
Guess that's just how it worked here. He could play along for now—it might even make the surprise better.
He submitted his trainer details, and since he hadn't challenged any Gyms in Paldea before, the receptionist assud he was a newcor from another region.
"Great! Just head through this hall to the battlefield," she instructed with a bright smile.
Naoki followed the staff down a corridor that led to the central city square—an open-air battlefield.
That's when he rembered one important detail: the Levincia Gym battles were broadcast live on Iono livestream!
The square was packed. Trainers, fans, and passersby crowded around the giant screen. Cheers and excited chatter filled the air.
Iono stood confidently in the middle of the field, microphone in hand, her voice full of enthusiasm:
"Okay everyone~! It's ti for another electrifying livestream with your favorite influencer, Iono! Today's challenger is... huh?!"
She looked down at the challenger's info on her screen and froze.
Naoki?
No way. Was it Naoki?
Just then, Naoki was escorted to the edge of the battlefield by the receptionist.
"Just head through this tunnel and you'll be on the field. Good luck, Trainer!"
Naoki stood frozen for a mont.
So many people. Would this cause trouble for Iono?
He caught her gaze from across the stadium and subtly nodded. Let's just play it cool.
Taking a deep breath, Naoki stepped into the spotlight.
Iono's eyes widened when she saw him. Her expression lit up.
Naoki's here? For her?!
In a heartbeat, she dropped the act.
Under the stunned gazes of the crowd and the livestream audience, Iono ran across the battlefield and threw her arms around him.
The audience: "?!?!?!"
Naoki froze. "Uh, your fans are watching..."
The central plaza of Levincia City, normally buzzing with excitent, had suddenly fallen into an eerie silence.
The crowd gathered to watch the Gym battle stared, dumbfounded, at the battlefield before them.
"What is even happening right now?!"
"Dude, I didn't sign up for this drama! I want a refund!"
"I don't think you can refund free entry. Levincia Gym battles have always been free to watch…"
While the male audience mbers grumbled in confusion, the female fans lit up with interest, their eyes sparkling like they'd just spotted a juicy slice of waterlon.
"Wait, who is that guy? Is he Iono's boyfriend?!"
"Oh my Arceus, this is HUGE! The livestream queen has a boyfriend?!"
"Well, he does look pretty dependable."
"I'm pretty sure you're about to lose a lot of followers like this," Naoki said with a helpless look, glancing at Iono in front of him.
He knew how much effort she had poured into her livestreaming career to grow her fanbase.
If she ended up losing fans over sothing like this… all of that effort might go to waste.
But in response, Iono just bead and said playfully, "Aww, are you worried about ?"
"Well… this is your dream, isn't it?" Naoki replied with a sigh.
Hearing that, Iono's smile grew even brighter. "Hehe! I used to worry about all that stuff… but now, I've got sothing even more important to care about!"
Naoki realized what she ant, and his face turned a little red.
As they finally parted, Iono gave him a mischievous grin, her smile as dazzling as ever. She skipped back to her side of the field.
Picking up her mic, she addressed the crowd, her eyes still fixed fondly in Naoki's direction.
"I'm gonna snare your attention with my glimring glare! Who's behind the cam? It's —Iono!"
"Good morning, good evening, good night, and hey-hey-hello! It's ti for the Iono Show!"
"Today's challenger? It's Naoki! A man so aweso, he could shoot down a flying Wattrel with a single flick! YEAH YEAH!"
"Naoki?" murmured so spectators, confused.
So had never heard the na before. Others seed to vaguely recognize it.
"Wait… Naoki… Naoki Ranch?! Could he be that Naoki—the one who runs the ranch?"
"Who's that? Is he famous?" a young girl asked, tilting her head.
An older fan nodded with conviction, eyes gleaming with excitent.
"Of course! That's the guy who runs the only delivery service in the world that uses Dragonite! A reporter once visited his ranch, and get this—Naoki's not just a rancher, he's a seriously powerful trainer! I can't believe we're seeing him here today!"
"Hehe," Iono giggled, raising her voice again. "I bet everyone's super curious about who Naoki really is, huh?"
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