Chapter 97: Solgaleo vs. Dragonite
"Haha. I've already defeated this Articuno, why can't I capture it?" Ryan sneered. "The League is meddling too much."
"You should know the situation," Lance said. "If you capture this Articuno, the League has the right to reclaim your Celebi."
"Don't try to manipulate me. I only know that I fought fair and square, and after defeating this Articuno, I have the right to capture it as well." Ryan said. "Besides, Celebi is what I earned for helping the League control Mewtwo. If you want to take Celebi back, then I'll just join Team Rocket and see who can outmaneuver whom."
Lance's face was serious. "Ryan, don't forget that the League helped you build your current breeding facility."
"Please. If it weren't for my ability to evaluate Pokémon potential, would the League help me this much? Besides, the League gets perfect IV Pokémon, so they take a cut of the profits. Isn't that enough?" Ryan sneered.
"Ryan! Articuno's trying to escape!" Rosa shouted.
During the argument between Ryan and Lance, Articuno regained some strength and flapped its wings, fleeing the scene.
A vein throbbed in Ryan's forehead, and he gritted his teeth, "Lance, I need an explanation from the League!"
"It's not the League that owes you an explanation. If you want one, then go talk to Ho-Oh," Lance said. "If it weren't for Ho-Oh's instructions, you wouldn't have encountered Articuno."
"Huff, huh." Ryan took two deep breaths, calming himself. Then he said, "Let's battle, then. If I lose, today's matter is over. But if I win, I won't let the League interfere with my breeding facility anymore. League members are no longer allowed to enter my facility, not even for perfect IV Pokémon!"
Lance couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Okay. I agree."
Lance could tell Ryan was trying to find a way out. At his current level, he was 40-60 against the Elite Four, let alone the Champion. Ryan simply wanted an explanation, so Lance would give it to him.
Rosa and Ruby exchanged a glance, seemingly unable to make out what was happening. Ruby said, somewhat worriedly, "Ryan, let's just forget about it."
Rosa offered her counsel, "Yes, since you can defeat Articuno, then you can just wait until you encounter another Articuno to capture it."
Ryan shook his head, not responding. Under Lance's guidance, the three returned to the Pokémon Center. After their Pokémon had recovered, Lance stood outside in the snow and said, "I'm sending out my Dragonite. What about you?"
"Solgaleo, I choose you!" Ryan declared, sending out Solgaleo. He would give it his all. Even if he wasn't a match, he wanted to see just how far the gap between him and the Champion lay.
Solgaleo, over three meters tall, stared at Dragonite, its eyes filled with determination: This was a formidable opponent!
"Noble Roar!" Ryan shouted.
Solgaleo roared mightily, and Dragonite winced in discomfort as its attack power dropped.
Lance chuckled and said, "Starting with an attack reduction? Then, Dragonite, Dragon Dance."
Dragonite soared into the air, performing a mystical dance that boosted its attack and speed. Ryan signaled to Solgaleo, who used Teleport to appear behind Dragonite and then slammed into it with Sunsteel Strike, the momentum of a meteor sending Dragonite crashing into the snow.
"Psychic and Steel-type? Then, Dragonite, Flamethrower!" Lance said.
Dragonite, enduring the pain, fired a Flamethrower directly at Solgaleo's head, which was pinning it to the ground. In the distant Pokémon Center, Ruby muttered, "Actually gaining the upper hand against the Champion! As expected of Ryan."
"No, Dragonite's reflexes are quick. This was just a surprise attack. We might not be so lucky next time," Rosa said pointedly.
Just as Rosa had predicted, after the Flamethrower connected, Solgaleo's attack paused, and Dragonite immediately escaped from Solgaleo's grasp. Then, a massive Fire Blast struck Solgaleo's hind legs, knocking it off balance and sending it crashing to the ground.
"Thunder Wave," Lance immediately commanded Dragonite to inflict a status condition on Solgaleo before it could react.
The Thunder Wave struck Solgaleo, successfully paralyzing it.
Ryan frowned. This tiny mistake had instantly transformed his initial advantage into a decisive disadvantage. Ryan shouted, "Morning Sun, recover your health, then Thunderbolt!"
Solgaleo immediately stood up, tiny motes of light rising from its body, rapidly regenerating its health. But Lance gave it no chance. He unleashed a Blizzard, interrupting Solgaleo's recovery.
"Finish it! Flamethrower!" Lance called out.
"Protect!" Ryan shouted.
The barrier blocked Dragonite's Flamethrower. Ryan said, "Try this move of mine! Searing Sunraze Smash!"
Striking a Z-pose, Solgaleo gained Z-Power and transformed into a blazing sun, roaring and charging towards Dragonite with devastating force.
"Counter it! Protect!" Lance said.
"Then try this! This is our full power!" Ryan roared.
Solgaleo slammed into the barrier, which cracked with a resounding snap. The Z-Move's power broke through, and Dragonite was sent flying, leaving a long trail on the ground.
"What?!" Lance exclaimed in surprise.
Ryan smiled and sat down weakly. Using Z-Moves is very demanding on a trainer's stamina. Coupled with the inherent power contained in this move, if he couldn't defeat Dragonite with this, Ryan would be helpless. He had reached his limit.
With this thought, seeing Dragonite slowly flying towards him despite the damage, Ryan's mouth twitched, and he said helplessly, "I forfeit."
Lance looked at his Dragonite, knowing it was nearing its limit too. Gazing at Ryan and Solgaleo, Lance said earnestly, "Ryan, you already possess Elite Four-level strength. All you lack is experience. Keep training hard."
With that, he recalled Dragonite. He released an Aerodactyl, leaped onto its back, crossed his arms, and flew off into the distance with his cape billowing dramatically.
"Tsk, still showing off with Flying-types," Ryan remarked.
Lance, soaring in midair, nearly fell off Aerodactyl's back. The ancient Pokémon flapped its wings frantically for a moment before stabilizing its flight. Then, from afar, Lance's voice rang out, "I'm the Dragon-type Elite Four member!!! No, I'm the Dragon-type Champion!!!"
Ryan smirked and said nothing more. Petting the somewhat dejected Solgaleo, Ryan said, "I'm sorry, it's my fault. Nebby, you're a legendary Pokémon, and it's my fault for not commanding you well. Keep working hard, and we'll definitely defeat Champions. When we do, we'll show them!"
Solgaleo licked Ryan's face with its tongue. It knew it had its own shortcomings too. Before, it had no combat experience at all. Now that it could battle, it had no experience fighting high-level opponents. When Lance said Ryan lacked experience before leaving, wasn't he also referring to Solgaleo's lack of experience fighting strong opponents?
"Roar," Solgaleo growled at Ryan with determination.
Ryan nodded and said, "It's good that you have this resolve. I'll send you back to Professor Oak's lab later, and you can go train with Mewtwo."
Ryan didn't intend to interfere with Solgaleo's chosen path; it was its own decision to make.
(End of Chapter)
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