novelraw Chapter 739: VS Dragon King, Weather War
Chapter 739: VS Dragon King, Weather War
On the second stage of Victory Road, Lu Ye advanced easily.
The news that he had defeated the overlord Dragonite spread quickly.
When they heard it, not only the audience but also the challengers were baffled.
Normally, fighting the overlord Dragonite and holding out for ten minutes would secure advancement.
But Sylveon knocked the overlord Dragonite into a dazed, eyes-spiraling state within ten minutes?
Who was testing whom here!!
Tang Hui had taken his trial a day before Lu Ye, met the rumored overlord Dragonite after reaching the peak, and was ultimately eliminated.
Back then, that Dragonite, commanding lightning in the storm, left President Tang with painful memories.
He couldn’t sleep that night;
the next afternoon when he saw the news, Tang Hui was so shocked his glasses slipped down his nose.
“Lu, Lu Ye actually eliminated the overlord Dragonite!?”The report said Lu Ye’s Sylveon had used Hyper Beam to render the overlord Dragonite unconscious.
A rescue team rushed up the mountain to assist the Dragonite.
According to the interview with the team leader in the news:
“Fortunately Teacher Lu hit his distress beacon in time, otherwise the overlord Dragonite would have been unable to serve as an examiner for the next two days!”
Tang Hui flipped the paper to the last page, staring in disbelief, muttering:
“To beat a champion-level overlord Dragonite… that’s a genuine champion-tier Sylveon…”
The memory of Sylveon crashing the pavilion was still vivid.
Back then Tang Hui had even worried he might have hurt Sylveon, and had pulled out his second team to spar with the little one.
A year later, Lu Ye returned with a champion-level team!
Tang Hui sighed, “I missed the only chance to beat this kid!”
After Lu Ye cleared the second stage, the remaining challengers’ trials that day were forced to be postponed.
After all, this strong fellow had soloed the examiners!
If they didn’t reschedule, were they really going to let Lu Ye sit atop the peak with Sylveon acting as the examiner?
The challengers imagined Sylveon towering over the summit with an overlord aura and couldn’t help shivering.
This was more dangerous than the overlord Dragonite!!
Because this was Sylveon’s first time using the Fairy Plate against a Dragon type, even Teacher Lu was shocked by the destructive power.
To tend the Dragonite, Lu Ye stayed on the peak, sending Turtwig and the rescue team to spam Healing Pulse until the overlord Dragonite woke, only then did he relax.
“Bu-bii~” After the battle ended, Sylveon tilted her head and gave a faint smile.
A big sister naturally has to look after her little brothers~
When the overlord Dragonite woke and saw Sylveon smiling, it looked terrified.
A p-pink demon! It’s here!!
Lu Ye calmed the Dragonite with Aura, and only then did it exhale and contentedly squint its eyes.
“Teacher Lu, is that Power of Viridian you used?”
The team leader asked, astonished: “I heard Champion Lance has that power too, able to heal Dragon-type Pokémon!”
“Uh… something like that. Lance and I have similar kinds of special abilities,” Lu Ye said.
The team leader stood in reverent awe.
Only pure, kind humans blessed by the forest can possess the Power of Viridian.
Teacher Lu may play dirty tactically, but having a special ability close to the Power of Viridian says something about his character!
…
Because the mountain peak’s energy was abundant and there were natural hot springs to soak in, Lu Ye camped on the summit the night after the trial and pondered his strategy for challenging the Dragon-type Elite Four member.
President Tang didn’t send anyone to stop Lu Ye.
After all, Lu Ye was a strong contender for this year’s championship;
letting him stay at Dragon Ridge was convenient for his training.
Many Victory Road attractions are artificially built using Pokémon power, but Dragon Ridge, home to Dragon-type species, has existed since ancient times.
Lu Ye even saw a ghostly warplane-like Dragapult lift up its offspring Drakloak, floating by with eerie grace.
They must be dragons sleeping in Dragon Ridge, manifesting as visions.
The peak was cold and misty, yet the stars overhead were exceptionally bright, like a splendid scroll unfurling before Lu Ye.
He sat on the cliff edge, legs dangling, hands on the rock, heart stirring.
Although he was afraid of heights, the higher the fear, the more he couldn’t help courting danger!
Like standing on a tall building, leaning on the railing and looking down.
Maybe that’s human nature.
Beside him, a massive Dragonite gazed up at the stars with him.
Its bulky rear took up most of the cliff and any careless move could shove Lu Ye off.
“Rooh?” The overlord Dragonite snapped off a branch heavy with fruit and offered it to Lu Ye.
Want some?
“Thanks, no need. I’ll make my own late-night snack later.” Lu Ye smiled.
“Rooh~” The Dragonite looked ‘suit yourself’, shoved the fruit and branch into its mouth, and chewed with satisfaction.
Lu Ye swung his legs.
The giant Dragonite swung too, creating a strong gust.
Teacher Lu’s face changed slightly, he trembled and said, “Latias, if I fall, remember to Quick Attack me!”
“Now you remember me~” Latias floated above, giggling.
The night was quiet. The distant peaks rolled on and below, a cluster of buildings glowed brightly — the Victory Road arena.
A chill breeze passed;
Lu Ye heard rustling behind him and turned.
Sylveon approached slowly, ribbon in her mouth holding a bundle of blankets, startled and displeased, turning her head.
“Bu-bii…”
This… isn’t for you…
Lu Ye smiled, scooped Sylveon into his arms.
You cover with the blanket, I’ll cover with Sylveon!
Sylveon didn’t struggle. Her eyes looked out over the plain beyond the cliff and she lifted her head slightly. The starry sky reflected in her pupils.
An aura emanated unconsciously from her, making the dragons of Dragon Ridge fall silent;
not a single low roar came.
After a while Sylveon squinted and yawned: “Bu-bii~”
I’m sleepy, we have a match with you tomorrow~
“Let’s eat first.”
Lu Ye glanced back toward the tent. Haunter waved proudly: “Gengarrr!”
Everything’s ready~!
Beside the simple stove, a Rotom in a legendary cookware form stood, including a microwave, fridge, and oven…
“Cannot compute, Roto… o(TヘTo)”
Lu Ye set Sylveon down after picking her up, legs trembling as he steadied himself, and said, “Dragonite, come eat.”
“Rooh?” The giant Dragonite’s gaze held a trace of confusion.
Half an hour later.
The six-meter Dragonite lifted a steaming pot of thick curry and poured it into its mouth!
“Rooh rooh rooh~~”
So tasty, so tasty!
Lu Ye put his hands on his hips, helpless, staring at the huge white belly.
“Gengarrr! Σ(ﾟДﾟ;
)” Haunter took a step back.
This guy eats more than me!
“Bangii…(￣～￣)” Pupitar chewed like biting a rice ball, crunching diamonds.
I still prefer hard food!
……
A year ago Teacher Lu had fought Ji Shiyin.
It was an informal little livestream invitational, with Teacher Lu as the ‘lucky guest’ challenger.
At that time Ji Shiyin was merely a Dragon-type Gym Leader;
a year later she’d become the Dragon Elite Four member.
Her strength rose rapidly… but compared to training geniuses like Teacher Lu and Alice, there was still a considerable gap.
The third trial would have her as the gatekeeper, accepting Lu Ye’s challenge.
The battle would take place on Dragon Ridge’s peak.
The match was closed to spectators, though the video would be uploaded after.
Dragon-type pressure here weighed heavily on challengers, easily disrupting trainers’ commands and judgment.
But for Ji Shiyin of the Dragon House, it was no trouble at all.
The day after the ‘Dragonite Subjugation’ ended, a bitter north wind blew.
Ji Shiyin wore a well-cut dark green cheongsam with a white fur shawl, her dark hair swaying in the wind.
Accompanying her were Wang Daozhang, President Tang, Champion Shangren, Master Dojo and his disciple.
They watched the summit’s satellite feed from mid-mountain.
“I heard… young brother Lu Ye pitched a tent on the peak?” Wang Daozhang asked.
“Yes,” President Tang replied, “He’s stayed one day and night.”
“The Dragon waves up here are extremely dangerous;
even Aura Guardians struggle to bear them. I wonder how he endured,” Wang Daozhang said.
“After all… even the overlord Dragonite accepted him,” Champion Shangren mused.
“It was knocked down, you can’t deny that,” Master Ma chuckled.
On the screen Ji Shiyin looked solemn.
Before her appeared a tent with a Gigantamax Haunter sticking its head out!
So President Tang wasn’t joking — Lu Ye really did camp on the Dragon Ridge summit?
The next moment Ji Shiyin’s worldview shifted again.
“Oh, you’re here.”
The tent flap was thrown open, and a tousle-haired young man poked out, muffling a yawn: “Isn’t the match still half an hour away?”
“I… came early.” Ji Shiyin said.
The dissonance… why do I feel like the challenger here!
“Wait a moment.”
A bit later Lu Ye stepped out of the tent, sensing the summit’s chill and shivering slightly.
A huge shadow suddenly descended overhead.
Ji Shiyin looked up, her expression turning respectful.
A hefty Dragonite landed with a thud, glanced curiously at Ji Shiyin, recognized her as an acquaintance, and waved fondly: “Woo~”
Ji Shiyin smiled lightly, then widened her eyes.
The Dragonite sat down slowly, hugged its knees, and nudged its cheek against Lu Ye’s palm, nuzzling him affectionately: “Woo~”
The overlord aura was gone, replaced by the innocence of a child.
“W-what is this…” Ji Shiyin was momentarily speechless.
Wasn’t the overlord Dragonite beaten by Sylveon just two days ago?
It should be displeased with Lu Ye by right!
But the two acted like old friends, and Dragonite obeyed Lu Ye as if to the letter…
Ji Shiyin pressed a delicate hand to her forehead and stumbled back a step.
In just one day, the centuries-old overlord Dragonite worshipped by her family was nearly tamed by Teacher Lu!?
“Are you okay?” Lu Ye asked.
“I’m fine… just a bit lightheaded.” Ji Shiyin shook her head tiredly.
Lu Ye’s expression turned wary.
“I only brought one oxygen canister, I must keep it for myself!”
Ji Shiyin paused, expression subtle, and said, “Let’s… start the match early…”
Facing the Sylveon that could defeat an overlord Dragonite, Ji Shiyin lacked confidence in victory.
Yet the overlord Dragonite had no trainer to command it.
Trainers are the ones who create miracles.
Besides, the gap between champion and Elite Four isn’t unbridgeable—
Even Cynthia can be brought low by several Pokémon from Flint, only winning thanks to Garchomp in the end!
Lu Ye nodded, “No problem.”
Cloud and mist swirled atop the peak as Lu Ye and Ji Shiyin stood at opposite ends, a beam of light cutting through the clouds.
The overlord Dragonite flapped out of the arena and looked at the Rotom Pokédex: “Woo?”
“I’ll be the referee, Roto!” Rotom Pokédex raised its little arms holding flags and proclaimed.
“The match uses six-for-four single rules, so I’ll send out a Pokémon first.”
Ji Shiyin tossed a Premier Ball: “Please, Goodra!”
Goodra had two antennae on its head, a smooth purple body coated in sludge, a gentle temperament, and the habit of hugging favored trainers until they were all sticky. Sometimes it stared blankly when it couldn’t understand commands, very cute.
Though seemingly weak, its base stats reach 600, making it a pseudo-legend in the Kalos region.
Compared to other region pseudo-legends like Pupitar, Salamence, and Druddigon.
“Kalos pseudo-legends are truly unique…” Lu Ye thought.
Lu Ye took out a Poké Ball;
a red beam shot out: “You’re up, Togepi!”
“Chagidu~(⁎˃ᴗ˂⁎)”
Togepi gripped an Eviolite and made a sparkling entrance.
Ji Shiyin’s expression wavered.
Too cute… but that’s no reason to underestimate it!
A year ago Ji Shiyin had been tricked by Togepi’s Baton Pass.
“Another Baton Pass strategy…” Ji Shiyin commanded, “Goodra, use Power Whip!”
Goodra lunged forward at speed, swinging its antennae with a ‘swoosh’ of cutting wind!
“Baton Pass? Not needed, use Draining Kiss!”
Boom!!
Goodra’s antenna smashed into the ground, cracking the earth and throwing up debris;
Togepi was flung backward.
“Tu-yi~(୨୧•͈ᴗ•͈)◞ᶫᵒᵛᵉ♡”
At the same time Togepi blew a heart-shaped kiss that landed right on Goodra’s cheek.
Goodra staggered and rocked its head.
Ji Shiyin frowned and shouted, “Goodra, Rain Dance!!”
Goodra, which evolves in fog and thunderous weather and holds strong control over weather, howled.
“Wuu!!”
As Goodra tilted back and bellowed, a fine mist fell on the peak, then it poured into a torrential downpour!
Ji Shiyin produced a paper umbrella prepared in advance.
Lu Ye, matching her, pulled out a black umbrella!
Seeing Ji Shiyin’s stunned expression, Lu Ye sneered coldly:
“You thought I wouldn’t be prepared?”
You Dragon masters, like Lance and Kabu, all love weather warfare!
The overlord Dragonite stood bewildered in the heavy rain, droplets forming a hazy mist on its big head.
Rotom Pokédex: “It’s getting soaked, Roto… o(TヘTo)”
The downpour raged. Ji Shiyin recalled Goodra and glanced at Togepi’s position.
Togepi glowed white, reinforcing itself with a move!
Nasty Plot, or Swords Dance?
Ji Shiyin didn’t have time to think;
she swapped and threw a Dive Ball, hissing:
“Kingdra, use Hydro Pump!!”
Kingdra’s Swift Swim ability grants absolute speed advantage in rain.
Kingdra’s fierce gaze compressed the water at its snout into a razor-like high-pressure water blade!!
The water blade sliced toward Togepi, but Togepi turned into a red beam and flew back into its Poké Ball.
A read-switch?!
Ji Shiyin’s pupils contracted;
that red beam looked eerily familiar — she’d been caught by it a year ago.
“You said you wouldn’t do Baton Pass!!” Ji Shiyin snapped.
“Believe the trash talk if you want, this is psychological play!” Lu Ye said as he withdrew Togepi, then snatched a dark ball from his waist and hurled it hard.
“Go, Pupitar, seize the weather!!”
The water blade surged!
Bang!!
Out of the swirling sand emerged the image of crossed arms.
Pupitar’s special defense rose in the sandstorm, and it forcefully endured the Hydro Pump’s impact.
Weakness Policy activated and shattered, energy poured into Pupitar’s body.
The sandstorm tyrant’s eyes glowed crimson;
it stood tall on the peak and roared!
“Bangii!!”
“Passing the baton to transfer buffs, stealing the weather, and triggering Weakness Policy…” Master Ma, hands behind his back, praised, “Lu Ye’s read-switch is getting more skillful.”
“What’s a read-switch?” Klara tilted her head and asked.
“A read-switch is predicting the opponent’s next command and swapping in a Pokémon to achieve a defensive link or break the pressure,” Mustard adjusted his glasses and explained. “My disciple’s Urshifu often carries a Choice Scarf, boosts speed, switches in to relieve pressure!”
Champion Shangren frowned.
His Pupitar’s raw strength isn’t as great as my Pupitar’s.
So why did I feel uneasy before this sandstorm…?
On the peak the sandstorm blotted out the sky.
That sandstorm was moving… and creeping continuously toward Kingdra!
Lu Ye declared sharply: “Pupitar, Stone Edge!!”
“Bangii!!”
Pupitar slammed the ground with a heavy punch;
explosive energy surged underground, white light forming raised rock pillars that shot up in rows toward Kingdra!
Kingdra widened its eyes, watched the thundering ground, and suddenly a jagged rock pillar formed beneath it, lifting it higher and higher!
Boom!!
Kingdra fell from midair, crashing to the ground with a thud, eyes spiraling in daze.
Champion Shangren gaped.
My Pupitar can Stone Edge too… but not with this kind of impact!
As if containing some special energy, it was less like Stone Edge…
and more like—
Primal Groudon’s signature move, Precipice Blades!?