With a flash of white light, a Pokémon appeared on the battlefield. Its body was sleek and serpentine, resembling a sea dragon. Glimmering scales shimmered across its body, and elegant, horn-like fins crowned its head.
The name clicked in Naoki's mind—Kingdra.
The final evolution of Horsea, and one of Clair's signature Pokémon.
"So you're switching out?" Naoki raised a hand toward Cyclizar. "Alright then—Cyclizar, return! Dragonite, this one's yours!"
"Gah!"
"Awoo!"
The two Pokémon swapped positions. Cyclizar retreated to Naoki's side while Dragonite soared forward, its bright eyes locking on its new opponent with gentle curiosity.
Match Two: Dragonite vs. Kingdra!
As soon as the battle began, Naoki's Dragonite wasted no time. It flapped its wings powerfully, summoning a torrential storm.
In the blink of an eye, the weather turned. Dark clouds rolled in overhead. Rain began to fall in sheets, and fierce winds whipped across the battlefield.
Despite the chaos, Dragonite hovered steadily in the gale, completely unfazed.
On the other side, Kingdra narrowed its eyes, cautiously assessing its opponent. Clair's expression tightened.
Lance was right, she thought. This Dragonite really is a master of Rain Dance. Its control over the weather is near absolute.
But she didn't panic.
"Kingdra, use Yawn!" Clair commanded.
Kingdra let out a long, sleepy yawn directly at Dragonite. A shimmering, drowsy wave drifted toward the dragon, and almost immediately, Dragonite's posture began to slump slightly.
"Don't fall asleep, Dragonite! Stay sharp!"
Naoki's voice cut through the storm. Dragonite blinked, shaking off the sleepiness with a determined growl.
"It resisted?" Clair murmured, surprised—but not disappointed. That had only been the first step in her setup.
"Now, Kingdra—while it's still groggy, use Ice Beam!"
Kingdra opened its mouth and began to charge a piercing beam of icy blue energy. The rain droplets around it began to freeze midair as the chilling attack blasted toward Dragonite.
The freezing beam struck true.
Dragonite roared in pain as the cold slammed into its side. For a moment, it lost control of its wings and crashed to the ground with a thud, struggling to recover.
The sheer power behind that Ice Beam was shocking.
Naoki's eyes narrowed.
That was way too strong.
Clair seemed to read his thoughts and smiled. "Kingdra's Ability is Sniper—when it hits a critical spot, its attacks deal even more damage!"
Naoki grunted. "I see… that explains the hit. But…"
He looked up at Dragonite as it slowly got to its feet, battered but not down.
"If it survived a direct hit like that, then its ability must be Multi, right?"
Naoki sighed. "Guess it's time to go all out."
"Then let's see what you've got, Senior!" Clair called out. "Kingdra, use another Ice Beam!"
"Dragonite, Hurricane!" Naoki countered immediately.
Dragonite launched itself back into the air, wings beating with such power that the storm itself roared louder. The winds intensified, warping the battlefield into a violent, spiraling vortex.
Kingdra braced itself, but the ferocity of the storm made it nearly impossible to aim. Its Ice Beam veered off-course, scattering frost through the rain-soaked air.
Clair's breath hitched.
This storm… it was beyond anything she'd seen before.
So this is Naoki's true strength…!
"Hold on, Kingdra!" she shouted, trying to keep her voice above the wind.
But then—it struck.
A tremendous thunderclap tore through the sky, and a massive bolt of lightning surged downward from the black clouds.
The lightning engulfed Kingdra completely.
Then came the wind. A torrential, roaring gust swept across the field, fusing with the rain and thunder in a terrifying display of natural force.
Wind. Rain. Thunder. They blended into one unstoppable force of nature.
A blinding crack echoed across the field. When the storm finally began to settle and the rain thinned, only Kingdra remained—charred, wide-eyed, and spiraling into unconsciousness.
Its eyes turned into dizzy spirals as it collapsed onto the soaked ground.
"Ai ah!"
Indeedee stepped forward to check on Kingdra's condition. After a quick examination, he blew his whistle and announced the result of the battle.
"So strong…" Clair stood stunned.
Was that really a triple combo—Rain Dance, Hurricane, and Thunder?
Rain Dance drastically boosts the accuracy of Thunder, and Hurricane thrives in stormy weather. The synergy between these moves created an overwhelming force. The execution was flawless, as if nature itself had been weaponized.
Clair couldn't help but think: if a trainer unfamiliar with these tactics had faced them, they would've been wiped out instantly—possibly without even making a move.
Is this the true strength of the hidden boss of the Paldea region?
She recalled rumors she'd heard during her badge challenge journey—about a mysterious trainer in Kosaji Town who lived as a rancher. But in truth, he was said to be on par with champions in power. It was even said that the Miltank raised on his ranch were strong enough to fend off challengers.
Curious, Clair had followed the trail and done her research, only to confirm that her current opponent—Naoki—was that hidden boss.
Now that she'd seen him in battle, she realized… his strength may surpass even that of her cousin, Lance.
There are levels between champions.
Clair sighed inwardly. But then, a spark lit in her eyes.
To fight someone like this—it was more than worth the trip.
"Senior!" she called out, full of passion. "For the final round, I'll send out my strongest Pokémon. I hope you'll do the same!"
Her gaze turned to the Pokémon beside Naoki. Even without battling it, she could feel its overwhelming Dragon-type energy.
It was time for a clash between true dragon masters.
Naoki blinked in surprise, then smiled knowingly. He turned toward the Pokémon at his side and said, "Koraidon's strength… far surpasses any other Pokémon I've raised."
"And that's exactly why I came here today," Clair said, her voice firm.
"Alright then," Naoki nodded. He called Dragonite back, handed it a bottle of Life Goat Milk to help it recover, and let it rest.
"Awoo~" Dragonite gave a cheerful cry and stepped back.
Koraidon—his trusted Pokémon—took its place on the battlefield.
Clair's own Dragonite stepped forward as well, ready for the final showdown.
Battle 3: Koraidon vs. Dragonite!
The whistle blew sharply. The duel began!
"Dragonite, use Twister!" Clair commanded.
Her Dragonite inhaled deeply, cheeks puffing as it gathered swirling purple energy into its mouth. A roaring spiral of dragon energy burst forth, forming a whirling Twister that surged toward Koraidon.
But Koraidon stood completely still, his golden eyes calmly locked onto the storm.
Then, without warning, he raised one massive arm.
A flash of draconic energy exploded from his palm—Dragon Claw—and with one clean swipe, the raging Twister was torn apart midair, as if it had been nothing more than smoke.
Clair's eyes narrowed.
That attack was cleanly neutralized.
What was this Pokémon called, Koraidon?
No—there was no time to hesitate. The Pokémon was about to strike back!
"Dragonite, dodge!" Clair shouted.
She'd already sensed the counter coming. And sure enough, Naoki gave his command almost simultaneously.
"Koraidon, Dragon Claw!"
The synchronicity between trainer and Pokémon was unreal.
Clair was momentarily stunned—Koraidon moved the very instant the order was given, like they were of one mind.
With incredible speed, Koraidon surged forward, claws glowing with violent draconic energy.
Clair's Dragonite leapt skyward to escape, wings flapping hard.
But what happened next left her speechless.
Koraidon didn't fly.
It leapt.
Using pure muscle power, Koraidon launched himself skyward, straight toward Dragonite.
In midair, Koraidon slashed with his glowing claws, striking Dragonite.
Three jagged marks tore across its round chest, and Dragonite plummeted with a cry, crashing hard onto the grass below.
"Dragonite!" Clair gasped.
The wounded Pokémon groaned, struggling to its feet.
Koraidon stood motionless, not even breathing hard, eyes still locked onto its opponent.
His sheer presence alone made Dragonite tremble.
A low growl escaped from its throat. "Awoo…"
"Stay strong, Dragonite!" Clair urged.
Dragonite shook off the fear, planting its feet.
Clair clenched her fists.
"We'll finish this with everything we've got! Dragonite—Outrage!"
A desperate, all-or-nothing move.
...
Bonus Chapter