"Dragons are sacred creatures in legends. Although difficult to capture, if nurtured properly, their power is unmatched in the world!"
This is Lance's belief regarding dragons. He bears the name of the Blackthorn Clan, and his faith lies in dragons!
The power of dragons is unparalleled, and Lance has always firmly believed in this. It is with the dragon team he personally raised that he now stands at the pinnacle of Kanto—no, at the top of the world!
The Dragon Master—Lance Blackthorn!
This is the title by which the world addresses Lance, the Dragon-type Champion, acknowledging his supremacy.
In Kanto, whenever dragons are mentioned, everyone instantly thinks of that crimson-haired man, proud and majestic like a dragon.
Lance's passion for dragons is unmatched. His strength stems from his dragon team and from his invincible belief—never having lost a single battle since his debut.
His love and obsession with dragons is second to none.
"What an outstanding junior."
Lance's usually sharp and imposing eyes gazed at Lucas, a flicker of intrigue showing in their depths.
His own Dragon Force could sense it—this cousin carried an immensely strong dragon with him. Lance was absolutely certain.
He was incredibly sensitive to dragon energy and would not be mistaken.
"You're quite sharp, Cousin. I didn't expect you to see through it at a glance."
Lucas's lips curled slightly in amusement as he shrugged indifferently.
Though his words were praise, his tone and demeanor made it sound anything but respectful.
"State your name, junior."
Lance raised an eyebrow, not angered by the younger man's insolence, but rather more intrigued.
Though he had little affection for the Blackthorn clan, he did not dislike capable juniors—especially ones who also possessed Dragon Foce and trained dragons!
"My name is Lucas Blackthorn~ Cousin, please remember it well."
A sinister smirk slowly crept across Lucas's lips as he looked directly at Lance, who stood atop his Aerodactyl.
"There can only be one at the peak for Dragon Trainers!" he said, clearly and firmly.
There could be only one at the top—and currently, that pinnacle was Lance.
But Lucas believed he would personally overthrow that mountain and rise even higher!
Lorelei's cold eyes showed a hint of shock.
How could this guy dare?
To stand before Lance—the man who stood at the top of Kanto—and provoke him like this?
The air seemed to go still the moment Lucas finished speaking, with only the faint sounds of waves gently crashing nearby.
Lance narrowed his eyes, his sharp gaze locked onto this junior who also wielded Dragon Force.
His handsome and unruly features made it hard to read what the Dragon Master was thinking.
Then, after a moment, Lance grinned—his white teeth giving off a chilling feeling.
"Interesting… truly interesting."
"Born from the pride of dragons, even those of the same kin cannot tolerate being overshadowed. They will bare their fangs and climb higher without end."
Lance's face twisted into a fearsome expression as he looked down at his younger cousin.
Dragons are powerful, but it is precisely because of that power that they cannot tolerate even their own kind!
One of the types that counters Dragon is Dragon itself—that alone speaks volumes about the vicious competitiveness among dragons.
"But let me tell you, junior—I am the strongest dragon! My team will not be defeated by any dragon!"
Lance's grin grew even more intense, and his arrogant declaration rang out loudly.
Such overwhelming arrogance and confidence!
Yes, that was Lance—a man who was not just confident but utterly self-assured.
Because of his dragons, he could look down on everyone with pride!
"I'm really looking forward to the pathetic look on your face when you're defeated,"
Lucas remained unfazed, still wearing that smirk.
The more arrogant Lance was now, the more satisfying his eventual defeat would be—and Lucas looked forward to that day.
"Ah, Lance! He's a high-ranking Rocket executive!"
Just as Lance was about to respond again, Lorelei interjected sharply.
At her words, Lance's eyes sharpened.
"A member of Team Rocket?"
The smile on Lance's lips faded, his aura turning icy. His blade-like gaze sliced toward Lucas.
He had thought this junior was a talented cousin. But a moment later, this same junior was revealed to be a 'stain'—a member of an evil organization!
"That's right. Lucas Blackthorn, Team Rocket's strongest executive. Cousin, you seem quite displeased?"
Lucas's smirk only deepened, clearly pleased by Lance's reaction.
"I see."
As Lucas continued to taunt him, Lance's presence grew colder and more dangerous.
"To fall so far as to become a rat crawling in the sewer—and yet still so smug? You've tarnished our pride of dragons."
Lance's expression turned grim. He was clearly furious.
Never had he expected that his own kin would join Team Rocket.
Especially one who, like him, possessed Dragon Force!
Just moments ago, he had even admired this junior for having the guts to challenge him directly.
And now—he felt nothing but betrayal.
"The one who's full of himself is you, Cousin.
But what a pity—the time's almost up today."
Lucas laughed mockingly.
Typical Lance—so proud, always eager to label others.
But none of that mattered. Today had brought more surprises than expected, and meeting Lance early was just a bonus.
"Cousin, the stage today isn't grand enough. Next time, let's have a proper battle."
Spinning a Poké Ball in his hand, Lucas gave Lance a smile laced with malice.
"Leaving? You think you can leave?"
Lance sneered, his eyes turning razor-sharp.
"Dragonite—Draco Meteor!"
Behind Lance, Dragonite flapped its comparatively small wings and shot forward with explosive speed.
It was so fast, it left only a yellow blur!
The pressure was immense—an aura like a feral dragon cloaked Dragonite's entire body.
"Dragonair—Draco Meteor!"
Lucas countered, throwing a Poké Ball. In a flash of light, his Dragonair slithered forward to meet Dragonite.
Draco Meteor vs Draco Meteor!
Two fearsome dragons clashed mid-air with thunderous force.
The very air stilled for a heartbeat.
Then—BOOM—a massive shockwave exploded outward like a tidal wave.
The surface of the sea below them distorted violently from the force of impact.
The S.S. Anne shook violently under the pressure, rocking and tilting from the sheer force.
"W-what's going on?! Ow—my head!"
Inside the ship, Ash tripped and hit his head against the wall, crying out in pain.
"Something's definitely wrong outside. You guys stay here—I'll go check it out."
Red steadied himself against the wall, his red eyes flashing as he spoke seriously to Ash and the others, who were tumbling around.
There wasn't a storm outside—yet the ship was swaying violently?
It could only mean a Pokémon battle was shaking the S.S. Anne itself!
Meanwhile, in the sky above—
Both Dragonair and Dragonite were knocked back from the clash.
"Time to retreat. Prepare yourself, Cousin."
Lucas chuckled, gently stroking his returning Dragonair.
Gardevoir's eyes gleamed a deep blue—and in the next instant, the three of them vanished from sight.
Lance and Lorelei's expressions darkened instantly.
Teleport.
"He already had an escape plan ready?"
Lance's cold eyes scanned the surroundings.
His Dragon Force sensed no trace of the enemy anymore.
Clearly, that 'cousin' Lucas had escaped.
There was a slight chance he was still hiding aboard the S.S. Anne, concealing his presence.
But that was unlikely.
"Yes… better be prepared. Next time, you won't get away, dear cousin."
Lance grinned menacingly, a bone-chilling smile spreading across his face.
It had been a long time since anyone dared provoke him like that.
And this time, the one who did… was his kin.
A cousin who had thrown away their pride to become a filthy rat in Team Rocket.
He was furious—but at the same time, strangely excited.
Because from that short clash, he knew his cousin's dragon was incredibly strong.
Even as a rival, Lance couldn't help but feel exhilarated.
But he quickly suppressed the urge. He had his Aerodactyl land on the deck.
"Lance, do you recognize that man from earlier?"
Lorelei frowned and asked. Unlike Lance, she only felt a sense of danger.
Lucas's strength had exceeded her expectations.
To directly clash with Lance—even briefly—was terrifying.
"I'll head back to Blackthorn City. He's likely from the main branch."
Lance replied calmly. He didn't know Lucas, but the Power of the Dragons wasn't something any random person could awaken.
It required both bloodline and talent. Even Clair, also of the main bloodline, hadn't awakened it.
"How's the situation?"
Lance looked at Red as he emerged from the cabin and asked Lorelei instead.
He had wasted time chasing after a dragon, so clearly he had arrived too late.
"They all got away." Lorelei looked frustrated. She had personally taken action—and still failed.
She shot a glare at Red, though she knew it wasn't his fault.
She was just annoyed by what he had said earlier.
Despite her increasingly cold demeanor, Lorelei was not some bloodthirsty butcher.
"Let's head back."
Lance nodded. With Team Rocket gone, there was no point in staying.
Red watched the two Kanto Elites leave, frowning.
He had one more piece of information he hadn't shared:
That Lt. Surge of Vermilion City was a Team Rocket executive.
But Lorelei clearly didn't like him, so Red had no chance to bring it up.
He also worried her methods might be too extreme—after all, Vermilion Gym was in the heart of the city.
-------------------------------------------------
Vermilion City.
"Return, Dragonair."
Lucas recalled his dragon. After using Teleport, Gardevoir had brought them back to Vermilion City.
Before launching his attack, he had already arranged for Marnie to take Dr. Fuji from the S.S. Anne.
Their rendezvous point was Vermilion City.
Arriving at the reserved hotel, Lucas opened the room door to find Marnie standing at the window, staring outside.
"You, okay?"
Hearing his voice, Marnie turned quickly, smiled faintly at the sight of him, then returned to her usual blank expression.
"That guy—what are you planning to do with him? Isn't he the one Giovanni wants?"
Marnie rolled her eyes but didn't resist Lucas's embrace.
Once he let go, her gaze shifted to Fuji, unconscious on the bed.
"He's useful. I'm not giving him to Boss."
Lucas shook his head.
Dr. Fuji wasn't a Trainer—but his research skills were undeniable.
He had a hunch Dr.Fuji wouldn't share Mewtwo's data easily. But that didn't matter.
Marnie blinked, tilting her head in confusion, looking quite adorable.
Lucas chuckled, pinching her soft cheek before releasing Gardevoir to wake Dr.Fuji.
"Mmm…"
The hypnosis lifted. Dr.Fuji slowly opened his eyes, rubbing his aching temples, then quickly scanned the room.
"What do you want from me?"
Through the window, Fuji could tell this wasn't the S.S. Anne anymore.
He had been captured by Team Rocket.
His heart sank as he faced the two people before him.
"You're cautious, Dr. Fuji. You didn't bring any of the Mewtwo data with you—but that's fine."
Lucas grinned.
"I already checked your belongings. You've hidden all the research—but that's okay."
"Don't worry. I may be in Team Rocket, but I won't hand you to Giovanni. Otherwise, you'd either be imprisoned forever—or silenced."
"That would be such a waste of your talent."
Dr. Fuji remained silent as Lucas continued with a smile:
"I understand why you took part in Project Mewtwo. It may have been a success for Team Rocket—but a failure for you. You're not satisfied, are you?"
"That's fine. Success is born from countless failures. I can provide you with the facilities and materials."
"I want to ask you… to create another Mewtwo!"
Lucas's smile widened.
The birth of Mewtwo was a miracle. Whether that miracle could be repeated or not, he was willing to try.
And now, with a successful case behind them, they could avoid countless pitfalls—and no longer need to pay the heavy price that once came with creating the ultimate Pokémon.
(End of Chapter)