Chapter 26: Dragon Slayer Warrior
The morning sun climbed higher over Ancient Sword Mountain, its golden rays piercing the mist and illuminating the rugged trail ahead. Souichi Kiruma strode forward, his Silph Co. live broadcast drone humming above, capturing every step as he led his team—Silk, his oversized Caterpie, and Tide, the newly caught Marill—toward the towering summit. Silk's draconic aura pulsed fiercely, its Lucky Egg boosting its growth, while Tide's buoyant tail sphere bounced with each step, its Huge Power trait radiating quiet menace. Teddiursa's Poké Ball, also equipped with a Lucky Egg, hummed on Souichi's belt, ready for action. The system's panel glowed in his vision, its new mission a daunting challenge that fueled his ambition:
[Task Update: Finishing Touch Proficiency: 61%. Draconic transformation stable. Mission: Command Marill (Tide, any form) to defeat a Dragon-type Gym Leader, Heavenly King, Champion, or Mythical Beast. Reward: Water and Fairy Secret Treasures (quality scales with enemy strength). Objective: Enhance synergy with Silk, Teddiursa, and Tide; integrate pending Charmander (Green's gift). Lucky Egg active (Silk, Teddiursa experience gain +50%). Alert: Critical attention from Da Yan's Ghost King (Xia Yi), Kanto elites (Green, Red), and Hoenn factions. Unidentified presence at summit intensifying—exercise extreme caution.]
Souichi's grin was fierce as he glanced at Tide, nestled in his arms, its round blue body vibrating with innocent glee. *Dragon Slayer, huh? You've got no idea what's coming, kid.* Tide's thoughts were bold—*This human's strong. I'll crush dragons for him!* Silk chirped, its glow flaring—*Water bear's got heart. I'll lead, but she better keep up.* Souichi chuckled, setting Tide down. "You're a warrior, Tide. Let's climb and show the world what a Dragon Slayer can do." The system's mission—defeating a Dragon-type elite or even a Mythical Beast like Rayquaza—loomed large, but its lack of a time limit eased his mind. *I'll play it smart. No rush. Tide's got the potential.*
PokéNet buzzed on his Pokégear, the live stream exploding with fans: *"Emperor's climbing the summit!"* *"Marill's a dragon slayer? Let's go!"* Souichi faced the drone. "Morning, folks. Today's about training Tide and Silk, pushing our synergy, and hitting the summit. Something's up there—let's find it." The chat roared: *"Coach Ai vs. Absol?!"* *"Da Yan Kung Fu plus Marill? Dragons are toast!"* He laughed, addressing a question: "Who am I? Just a trainer passing by, ready to shake things up."
The forest trail grew steeper, trees thinning as rocky outcrops loomed. Souichi had relaxed Silk's duties, focusing on Tide's training to build team synergy. "Tide, Water Jet—hit that boulder!" Tide surged forward, water cloaking its body, slamming the rock with a force that cracked it. *Huge Power's no joke,* Souichi thought, impressed. Silk's Electroweb sparked, frying a stray Pidgey that got too close. *They're syncing fast.* Teddiursa, released for a spar, slashed with claws, testing Tide's reflexes. The system pinged: *Team synergy: 30%.*
A rustle in the trees halted them. A flock of Spearow—dozens strong, led by three Fearow—burst from the canopy, their eyes glinting with vengeance. *Same crew from yesterday,* Souichi realized, recalling Silk's Electroweb massacre. "Alright, team, they're back for round two. Silk, Electroweb—wide spread! Tide, Water Jet—snipe the stragglers!" Silk's golden net erupted, ensnaring most of the Spearow, their wings sizzling as they fell. Tide's Water Jet, amplified by Huge Power, blasted through, knocking out two Fearow in one hit. The chat went wild: *"Marill's a monster!"* *"Caterpie's a dragon, but Tide's a cannon!"*
The lead Fearow, scarred from yesterday's battle, broke through the net, its speed slowed by paralysis. It dove at Souichi, beak gleaming. *Not this time.* Souichi sidestepped, his system-enhanced reflexes kicking in, and grabbed the Fearow's beak, lifting its 38-kilogram body with ease. "Tide, finish it!" Tide's Water Jet slammed the Fearow's chest, sending it crashing into a rock, which shattered under the impact. The bird fainted with a shrill cry, and the remaining Spearow fled. The system pinged: *Combat proficiency: 62%.*
The chat exploded: *"Coach Ai just manhandled a Fearow?!"* *"Da Yan Kung Fu is real!"* *"Is he a hidden sect disciple? This is wild!"* Gifts flooded in, pushing Souichi's stream to the top of B Station's live rankings. *They think I'm some secret master,* he thought, chuckling. "Just a trainer, folks. Tide and Silk did the heavy lifting." He patted his team, their eyes blazing—Silk's ambition fierce, Tide's resolve burning. *These two are ready for anything.*
In Evergreen City, Kanto, Green watched the stream in the gym's lounge, his Charmander practicing Ember nearby. Red leaned against a wall, Pikachu alert. "Kid's a beast," Green said, grinning. "Marill's Huge Power is shredding. My Charmander's gonna fit right in." Red smirked. "He's a Cultivator. Took out a Fearow flock with a Caterpie and Marill? That's Champion material." Green typed in the elite trainer group chat: *"Champion Green: Ai's Marill's a killer. Fearow flock down. Charmander's ready for Pallet."*
*Cerulean Mermaid: Fearow AND Spearow? He's unreal!*
*I'm just pushing Miss Walnut: Da Yan Kung Fu plus fairy bear? Dragons beware.*
*Gorgeous Water Artist: Sky Pillar's his destiny. Hoenn's waiting.*
*To purchase precious gemstones, contact Devon: Mikoli, focus. Pacifidlog's critical.*
In Da Yan's Pokémon League headquarters, Xia Yi lounged in her office, her Gengar grinning as she watched the stream. *Marill's a dragon slayer already.* Her *Ghost Otaku* ID sent another rare berry, her interest deepening. *He's climbing the summit. Something's up there.* She typed to an unknown ID: *"Fearow flock down. He's ready for Pallet, then Hoenn. Keep his path clear."*
In Caiyou City, Hoenn, Wallace and Steven watched the replay, Milotic and Metagross tense. "Marill's a powerhouse," Wallace said. "He's building a Sky Pillar team." Steven nodded, his Pokégear flashing with Devon's alerts—Pacifidlog's seismic spikes were at breaking point. "Magma and Aqua will move soon. We need him in Hoenn."
At the trail's edge, the forest gave way to rocky slopes, the summit's icy peak looming. A distant roar echoed, and Silk's antennae shot up—*It's close. Strong.* Tide's tail twitched—*I'm ready. Let's fight.* Souichi released Teddiursa, its Lucky Egg gleaming. "Team, we're climbing. Something's waiting up there." His Pokégear buzzed—*Champion Green*: *"Fearow takedown? Nice. Pallet's ready."* *Ghost Otaku*: *"Summit's active. Watch your back—Hoenn's the real fight."* Souichi typed back: *"Summit's next. Pallet after. Hoenn's gonna burn."*
The system hummed: *Combat proficiency: 63%. Team synergy: 32%.* A snow-white figure moved at the summit, its sword-like teeth glinting. *Absol? Something bigger?* Souichi patted Silk, Tide, and Teddiursa. "Great Flame King's rising. Let's conquer that summit." The Sky Pillar loomed in his mind, but Ancient Sword Mountain's peak was the first test for his Dragon Slayer and his growing empire.