"Thank you for your help, Red. I was too careless just now."
The ancient Dragonite scratched its face awkwardly. It hadn't expected that the heavily injured ancient Gengar would still refuse to behave and even try to assist the ancient Alakazam in defeating it—basically asking for death.
"This isn't your fault. That Gengar was just too cunning."
After saying that, Red didn't forget to glance teasingly at the Thousand-Year Gengar.
"Boss, I'm the most 'upright and honorable' Ghost-type Pokémon there is. I would absolutely 'never' use underhanded tricks against an opponent!"
The Thousand-Year Gengar spoke with a serious face, trying to ex—explain itself.
"..." XN
The other Pokémon shot it disdainful looks.
(You say it like it's true. We almost believed you.) XN
The crisis was finally over. The once gloomy sky brightened again, no longer covered by dark clouds blocking the sunlight.
The returning brightness brought a sense of rebirth. A gentle breeze passed by, making everyone who had narrowly escaped death feel quietly relieved.
Seeing the two ancient Pokémon collapse, Red couldn't help but glance at the bronze bell still in a sealed state behind them.
The bronze bell was the vessel used to seal the ancient Jigglypuff. The reason it was placed between two hostile ancient Pokémon was likely to serve as a mediator—using its hypnotic song to forcibly stop the conflict between the ancient Gengar and the ancient Alakazam, and send them back into slumber beneath the earth.
If the ancient Dragonite hadn't arrived in time, Red would have chosen to release the long-slumbering ancient Jigglypuff himself to stop the battle as quickly as possible—using that "power that calms everything" to turn the two battling ancient Pokémon into "round spheres" and send them back underground.
This was also a precaution left by ancient civilization to prevent future generations from making catastrophic mistakes.
Now that everything had settled, the archaeological team looked at the massive ancient Pokémon with lingering fear. Though they were grateful for the ancient Dragonite's help, their weakness made it inevitable for them to feel fear toward such a powerful existence.
After all, at its core, the ancient Dragonite was still an ancient species Pokémon—no different in essence from the ancient Gengar and ancient Alakazam, only differing in alignment.
For a moment, the team's feelings toward the ancient Dragonite were extremely complicated.
However, the ancient Dragonite paid no attention to the opinions of these weak humans. Its focus was now on Red, along with the Charizard and Dratini beside him.
"Red, it's time for this child to grow strong. Its talent doesn't need to be restrained anymore. Though your intentions were good, a young dragon will one day need to spread its wings and fly."
The ancient Dragonite spoke earnestly, but its gaze remained mostly fixed on the Dratini staring back at it.
Its meaning was clear—it wanted Dratini to evolve into Dragonair.
Red nodded, agreeing to the suggestion. Dratini indeed needed to evolve. Initially, Red had deliberately avoided intensive training to prevent premature evolution from harming its potential.
But the ancient Dragonite understood Dratini far better than he did. Since it had spoken, Red allowed it to intervene.
"???"
Charizard looked at the towering ancient Dragonite in confusion. If this was only about Dratini's evolution, why involve him as well?
"You possess half the bloodline power of Dragonite. By rights, you can be considered one of my people. Moreover, you evolved by absorbing my power, so it is only natural that I grant you a blessing."
The ancient Dragonite explained.
(Fine, fine...)
Charizard waved his hand helplessly. Since it meant gaining more power, there was no reason to refuse this blessing ritual.
Under everyone's astonished gaze, a dim, colossal dragon silhouette emerged over the ancient Dragonite. The phantom opened its mouth and released two spheres of light, which slowly descended and merged into Charizard and Dratini.
After receiving the blessing, Dratini changed first. Its purple body erupted with dazzling evolutionary light, and its form began to transform.
Moments later, the light faded, revealing Dragonair.
Dragonair's body was longer and more slender, reaching an impressive 6 meters. Its body was covered in gem-like purple scales, with a bright white underside.
It had a pair of glossy black eyes, a small white horn on its forehead, and tiny wing-like fins on either side of its head.
There were three crystal-like golden orbs on its body—one beneath its neck and two at the end of its tail.
"This is?!"
Ash exclaimed excitedly, quickly pulling out his Pokédex to analyze Dragonair.
"Dragonair, the Dragon Pokémon, evolved form of Dratini. It is said to be a sacred creature surrounded by an aura, and is rumored to have the power to change the weather."
Dragonair looked at its new body in confusion, but suddenly seemed to grasp some kind of new knowledge.
Before everyone's astonished eyes, the small wings on its head expanded, and with a flap, they lifted its entire body into the air.
Able to fly, Dragonair beamed with joy, circling above Red in delight as if performing to express its happiness.
Of course, it didn't forget to glance gratefully at the ancient Dragonite.
After all, Dragonair knew that its bloodline power came from the ancient Dragonite. Without it, it would never have possessed such exceptional talent.
After Dragonair finished evolving, everyone turned their attention to Charizard, who was now enveloped in a purple-gold dragon silhouette.
As a fully evolved Pokémon, Charizard did not undergo dramatic changes. However, its height increased noticeably to 3 meters, its outer scales became tougher, and the flames at the tip of its tail burned even more fiercely.
"Roar—"
Charizard, now stronger again, let out an excited roar. The intimidating dragon's cry made the ancient Dragonite nod in satisfaction.
"Brother's Charizard got stronger again..." Ash muttered.
As he said this, Ash couldn't help but compare it to his own Charizard—but quickly dismissed the thought.
Because to him, his own Charizard was the one he cherished most, unique and irreplaceable. There was no need to compare it to others—especially not to his older brother's.
For now, simply being able to properly command his Charizard was already enough to satisfy Ash.