Chapter 8: The Rebellious Dragonite
At the foot of the mountain lay a vast lake, its waters continuously fed by a roaring waterfall cascading down the cliffs. Just a few dozen meters from the waterfall stood a small island, no more than twenty or thirty square meters in size.
A lazy-looking Dragonite lay sprawled across the island, fast asleep.
……
The Dragonite leader glanced at the sleeping Dragonite, then communicated telepathically with Chen Nian.
“This Dragonite is also one of my kin.”
“However, its…”
After the leader’s explanation, Chen Nian finally understood why this Dragonite lived alone.
It had a fiery temper, prone to picking fights over the smallest things. Most of its kin avoided it, and the Dragonite, stubborn as it was, had decided—Fine, if you won’t play with me, I don’t want to play with you either!
So it moved here, living in solitude beneath the waterfall.
The Dragonite leader worried about its lonely existence, so when Chen Nian mentioned seeking a partner, it immediately thought of this outcast.
“Human!”
“If you wish for my kin to become your partner, you must prove you possess the strength to conquer them!”
“Defeat it, move its heart, and convince it to leave with you—only then will I not stand in your way.”
“As I said, this one has a difficult temperament. You may want to reconsider…”
Before the leader could finish, Chen Nian cut in.
“No need to reconsider. I’ve made my choice.”
“Don’t worry—I’ll find a way to win it over.”
……
As he spoke, Chen Nian flew through the air, landing beside the sleeping Dragonite.
At the same time, the Dragonite’s stats appeared in his mind.
Dragonite
Level: 79
Gender: Male
Potential: Master
Type: Dragon/Flying
Ability: Inner Focus (Hidden Ability: Multiscale)
Moves: Dragon Rage, Ice Punch, Dragon’s Might, Fire Punch, Thunderbolt, Hyper Beam, Thunder Punch, Agility, Extreme Speed, Outrage, Draco Meteor…
Incredible power—second only to the Dragonite leader! This is the perfect partner!
As for its bad temper? Chen Nian dismissed it outright. I’ll discipline it slowly. No way it won’t learn to behave.
……
Landing beside the Dragonite, Chen Nian promptly woke it.
“Big guy, rise and shine!”
“Hmm…?”
Roused from its deep slumber, the Dragonite grumbled in irritation.
Lifting its head, it blinked in confusion at the human standing before it.
How did a human get all the way out here?
The Dragonite leader’s telepathic voice filled its mind, explaining the situation.
This human… wants to capture me?
……
The hot-tempered Dragonite eyed Chen Nian, then snorted dismissively, tilting its head skyward.
Pathetic human. Scram. I have no interest in partnering with weaklings.
Chen Nian felt the disdain radiating from the Dragonite’s gaze.
Smiling, he said,
“Little brother Dragonite, are you looking down on me?”
“How about a wager? If I defeat you, you become my partner.”
“If I lose, I’ll leave immediately. Deal?”
The Dragonite lowered its head and snorted again, its message clear:
You? Beat me? Keep dreaming.
Get lost before I lose my temper. Don’t disturb my nap.
……
Yep, definitely a hothead.
Chen Nian grinned and tossed a Poké Ball.
In an instant, Necrozma materialized before the Dragonite, its overwhelming aura pressing down like a physical force.
The Dragonite stiffened, sensing the immense threat. Even the Dragonite leader’s eyes widened in shock.
This pressure… Is that a Legendary Pokémon?!
This human has a Legendary as his partner?!
……
The hotheaded Dragonite wasn’t stupid. The moment Necrozma appeared, it knew this was an opponent it couldn’t handle.
But surrender wasn’t in its nature.
Flapping its wings, it took to the air, locking eyes with its formidable foe.
Seeing the Dragonite brace itself, Chen Nian smirked.
“Alright, Dragonite, here we go!”
“Ready?”
“Necrozma—hammer it.”
At Chen Nian’s command, Necrozma vanished—only to reappear behind the Dragonite in a flash.
The Dragonite’s eyes widened in shock. Before it could react, an instinctive sense of danger screamed from behind.
It shot upward just as Necrozma’s attack sliced through the space it had occupied moments before.
Too close!
Gritting its teeth, the Dragonite retaliated, firing a Hyper Beam straight at Necrozma.
The attack landed—but Necrozma didn’t even flinch.
With a swing of its arm, Necrozma unleashed two razor-sharp purple energy blades.
The Dragonite barely had time to dodge before Necrozma teleported above it—and brought a massive claw crashing down.
BOOM!
The Dragonite plummeted like a meteor, hitting the lake with a colossal splash.
When it resurfaced, its eyes swirled dizzily.
One hit.
Just one hit, and it was knocked out cold.
……
Jiang Shuying stood frozen, her beautiful eyes wide with disbelief.
That powerful Dragonite… defeated in an instant?!
Just what kind of Pokémon is Chen Nian’s partner?!
How… how can it be this strong?!