Chapter 94: The Elemental Punches
The return journey the next day was much faster. Not only had Gliscor's speed increased, but his stamina and ability to control the wind had greatly improved. Alan also noticed a key change: as a Gligar, his pincers and wings were connected, meaning he couldn't attack and glide at the same time. But as a Gliscor, they were separate, allowing for much greater combat mobility.
They set off in the morning and returned to the Royal Palace by evening. The newly-evolved Gliscor was ecstatic, constantly showing off his new form to Liz and Charizard.
"Gliscor, you and Charizard go outside and fight," Alan said, noticing Charizard's less-than-impressed expression. He felt it was necessary for Gliscor to curb Charizard's sharpness and make him realize the new gap between them.
"Gliscor~" The new Gliscor rushed out eagerly.
"Roar ha," Charizard yawned and flew out confidently.
"You guys go watch, too," Alan told the other Pokémon, hoping to inspire them as well.
After they all left, Liz's expression grew complicated. "Alan," she began, "in a few days, there might be some things I need to ask you to do."
"What is it? Just say it."
"This matter is quite dangerous," she said with a frown. "I need you to help me find a relatively safe sea route so that our army can reach the Kanto region from Cherrygrove City with the least loss."
She didn't want him to do it, but he was the only one who could. Alan could fly and swim; even if he encountered a powerful Pokémon in the sea, he could escape.
"I thought it was something else. Leave it to me," he waved a hand casually. What seemed dangerous to Liz was not so dangerous to him. The route wouldn't be in the deep sea, so the probability of encountering Pokémon above Lv. 55 was very small.
"You must be careful," she said, hugging him. "I don't want you to be involved in the war, but the Royal Dragon Kingdom really needs your strength."
"I said I would help you fulfill your dream. If I don't participate, wouldn't my hard work these past two years be for nothing?" he said, patting her back.
"I am mobilizing troops to Cherrygrove City. They will take the sea route to outflank the enemy from the rear. The entire process will take about a month. You can explore the route within that time."
"Okay."
By the time their discussion was over, the battle between Gliscor and Charizard had also ended. Gliscor was ecstatic, while Charizard looked like he had been turned to ash, but the flame on his tail was burning more fiercely than ever.
'Has his fighting spirit been ignited?' Alan nodded with satisfaction. Liz's Charizard wasn't arrogant like Ash's; he was optimistic and persistent. This defeat would not discourage him; it would only motivate him to become stronger.
The next day, Alan wasn't in a hurry to scout the route. He still had twenty days to spare. He decided to travel back and forth to Mt. Silver, learning moves from the Dragonite leader during the day and training with his own team in the evening.
In those twenty days, he successively "recalled" three skills: Fire Punch, Wing Attack, and Thunder Punch. He also learned the powerful counter-move, Ice Punch. At the same time, his proficiency with Extreme Speed became higher and higher, allowing him to stop precisely where he wanted.
On the evening of the last day, he said his goodbyes to the Dragonite leader.
"The war is about to start. I don't know when we will meet again. Please take care."
As for the female Dragonair who was still fond of him, he left her with the same words as last time: "As long as we are still alive, there will always be a day when we meet again."
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