No.
As it turned out—
Dragonite did know that Dragon-type moves were ineffective against Fairy-types.
It simply hadn't realized that Mimikyu was part Fairy.
When the Dragon Rush ended and Mimikyu stood there completely unharmed, Dragonite understood instantly.
—It had faced opponents like this before. Trainers who tried to win through type advantage alone.
But it wasn't some one-trick dragon that only knew Dragon-type moves.
Its eyes narrowed.
It opened its mouth.
A blazing inferno condensed within—
The next second, a devastating Flamethrower shot forward, engulfing Mimikyu entirely.
The entire exchange lasted less than five seconds.
[Mimikyu has lost its ability to battle and entered a critical state. If not treated within three hours, it will die.]
Armin stared at the system prompt.
Now he finally understood what Lance had meant earlier.
This Dragonite—
It was terrifyingly strong.
Dragonite glanced at its defeated opponent with arrogant satisfaction, then turned away without even sparing Armin another look.
Lance walked over, sighing.
"Well? Want to change your reward? I think Growlithe is a solid option…"
Armin's eyes gleamed.
He watched Dragonite's retreating figure and shook his head firmly.
"No. It's decided. I want that one."
Dragonite—
You've successfully caught my interest.
Lance looked even more helpless now, but he couldn't exactly refuse.
"Fine. I'll arrange special access for you. You'll be allowed to enter Dragon's Den freely for a while."
"Much appreciated. When I catch Dragonite, dinner's on me," Armin said seriously, patting Lance's shoulder.
Lance: "…Good luck."
He left shortly after.
The remnants of Team Rocket in Kanto still needed dealing with, and Giovanni was still at large.
Being a Dragon Master meant never having free time.
…
Armin, meanwhile, returned to Blackthorn City and bought a tent, bedding, and emergency supplies.
He pitched camp directly inside Dragon's Den.
There was a Pokémon Center within the sacred grounds—built by the Dragon Clan to care for injured Dragon-type Pokémon.
The staff at the entrance stared as Armin dragged in his camping gear.
"You're… really planning to camp out here?" one of them asked hesitantly. "It's not very safe at night. Some Dragon-types come out to hunt after dark."
Armin tapped the Poké Ball at his waist.
"It's fine. They won't hurt me."
The staff member could only sigh.
"If anything happens, call the service desk. We'll send support."
Armin flashed a bright smile.
"Thanks."
The poor receptionist nearly blanked out under the assault of that grin. By the time she recovered, he was already gone.
…
After setting up camp, Armin took Mimikyu to the Pokémon Center for dinner.
To prevent wild Pokémon from wrecking his hard-earned tent, he sprayed the perimeter with a repellent he'd purchased in town—one that emitted a scent Pokémon disliked.
Inside the Pokémon Center—
Nurse Joy noticed him sitting by the window.
Earlier that afternoon, he'd brought Mimikyu in for treatment, and she already knew about his goal of capturing the green Dragonite.
She carried her tray over and sat across from him.
Armin was playing a simple toss-and-catch game with Mimikyu when he looked up.
"Something wrong?"
Joy rested her chin in her hand, curiosity shining in her eyes.
"Why are you so determined to catch that Dragonite?"
Why…
Armin actually thought about it seriously.
Dragonite—adorably chubby in appearance, incredibly powerful in reality. Cute yet devastatingly strong.
Who wouldn't love a Pokémon like that?
Who wouldn't want to pet one?
Seeing him silent, Joy's eyes softened with concern.
"Are you truly prepared to become that child's Trainer?"
"Of course."
Armin nodded sincerely.
"I don't just want to capture it. I want to know it. Capture comes after connection. I love Dragonite as a species, and I want to travel and grow alongside one."
Joy held his gaze.
"Even if that Dragonite isn't perfect? Even if it's not what you imagined?"
Armin smiled faintly.
"No one in this world is truly perfect. Pokémon included."
Joy paused, then smiled gently.
"Then let me wish you success."
She hesitated, then added with a soft laugh,
"You know… you and that Dragonite are actually quite similar."
Armin took a bite of sushi.
"How so?"
"Because that's the path it walked too," she explained.
"When it first arrived here, it wasn't this strong. It was clever. Just like you, it chose to challenge the other Dragon-types to grow stronger."
"I saw it almost every day in the Pokémon Center back then. Sometimes it would leave healed in the morning… and be carried back in the afternoon covered in injuries."
She sighed.
"Dragon-types are fierce by nature. We can't interfere too much with their survival rules."
Then she added softly,
"If only you had come earlier."
Armin's hand paused mid-motion.
Joy didn't elaborate.
She simply smiled.
"Good luck."
"Thank you."
-----
That night, Armin returned to camp.
The moonlight was gentle.
By the quiet lake, a wild Milotic rose silently from the water, its elegant form gliding like silk. Moonlight draped over its scales, making it look like a fairy wrapped in silver gauze.
Armin hadn't expected to get this lucky.
The staff had mentioned Milotic lived near this lake—that was why he chose this campsite.
He hadn't expected to see one on the very first night.
A good omen.
He thought so.
Suddenly—
Mimikyu tugged at his pant leg.
Armin looked down.
Mimikyu pointed silently toward the far shore.
Through the hazy moonlight—
A shadow emerged by the water.
Lake-green eyes shimmered softly.
Dragonite.
It stood quietly at the lakeside—
Gazing up at the moon.
And for the first time—
It didn't look like a tyrant.
It looked… lonely.