Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

The Giant Dragonite staggered backward.

Its enormous size granted it immense strength, but it also came with a burden—no matter how massive, Earth's gravitational pull was the same.

With Shadow Ball exploding against its belly, the Dragonite suffered not only the attack's damage but also a powerful blast that sent it reeling.

"Don't miss this chance! Aim for its legs with Dragon Darts!"

At Luo Yuan's command, Dragapult responded instantly.

Whoosh—

The sound of air ripping apart echoed across the battlefield.

Two shadowy green figures darted forward as the two Dreepy perched on Dragapult's head launched themselves with delighted shrieks.

Luo Yuan had never quite understood why Dreepy were so eager to be fired off as "missiles," enjoying it with such glee.

He could only chalk it up to some "special quirk" of theirs.

Hearing the incoming projectiles, the Giant Dragonite sensed the threat and attempted to respond.

But its massive body was too cumbersome, making it impossible to dodge quickly.

Boom! Boom!

Two explosions sounded nearly in unison.

The Dragon Darts struck its knees directly.

The piercing pain and forceful impact only added to the Dragonite's struggle to keep its balance.

Thud!

The massive Dragonite was toppled, landing hard on the ground.

"Groooo!"

Letting out a pained and furious cry, the Giant Dragonite, now seated, opened its mouth. A yellow energy sphere, several meters wide, began to form between its jaws.

"Is that Dragon Rage… or maybe Dragon Pulse?"

Due to the Dragonite's size, Luo Yuan couldn't tell which move it was preparing.

But whether it was Dragon Rage or Dragon Pulse, it was definitely a special attack.

The Dragonite finished charging, and in an instant, Dragon Rage erupted from its mouth, engulfing Luo Yuan and Dragapult in a torrent of energy.

Whoosh!

The mist over the sea was blown away by the Dragon Rage, leaving the ocean bathed in moonlight.

As the energy dissipated, the Dragonite assumed the annoying intruder had finally been dealt with.

But when it looked back to where Luo Yuan had been, the sight left it dumbfounded.

Luo Yuan and Dragapult floated in the air, completely unharmed, behind a Light Screen with only a few minor cracks.

Luo Yuan's hair was a bit tousled, but that was all.

"Large energy output and good range, but too dispersed to pose any real threat," Luo Yuan remarked, critiquing the attack.

"Dragapult, show it what a real Dragon Pulse looks like!"

"Draaaag!"

A defiant glint flashed in Dragapult's eyes as it aimed at the Giant Dragonite and powered up almost instantly.

A second later—

A pillar of purplish energy, radiating intense force, shot toward the Giant Dragonite.

Boom!

Already seated, the Dragonite collapsed fully, now sprawled out on the ground.

Though Dragapult's Dragon Pulse didn't cover a wide area, it was powerful. The Dragonite's chest, where the pulse had hit, was scorched and charred.

At last, the Giant Dragonite seemed to understand the gap between its strength and Luo Yuan's.

Bruised and battered, it gave up any attempt to fight, huddling down and trembling as it hugged its knees.

It regretted everything—why had it ever tried to provoke this troublemaker?

"Shooo~!"

As the battle came to an end, the two Dreepy that had been launched earlier returned, circling happily around Luo Yuan.

He tossed them each a Pokéblock, then gestured for Dragapult to approach the Giant Dragonite.

"So, are we done here, or do you want to keep going?"

"Groo~"

The Dragonite quickly shook its head, raising its chubby arms in surrender.

A few more hits like that, and it wouldn't even make it off this island.

"See, wasn't that easier? You made me get serious for no reason—I'm actually a pacifist, you know."

Hearing this, the Giant Dragonite mentally scoffed.

A pacifist? Who would stalk someone to their home, beat them up, and call it pacifism?

But the stronger party held the power to set the narrative, so it had to keep its complaints to itself.

"Don't give me that look. I wasn't planning on fighting you to begin with."

Luo Yuan leapt from Dragapult's back onto the Dragonite's head, pulling out a Silph Co. hyper spray and, with his psychic powers, began treating its wounds.

"Groo~"

As the powerful medicine took effect and its injuries quickly healed, the Giant Dragonite's confusion started to fade, and it found itself beginning to trust Luo Yuan, just a little.

The initial foundation of trust was laid.

---

"So, you're saying one day you flew to this island, fell asleep, and then started growing larger?"

"Groo~!"

The Giant Dragonite nodded.

After hearing Dragonite's account of its growth, Luo Yuan's expression turned curious.

It was an unusual way to increase in size.

According to Dragonite, though it was indeed old, it didn't seem to be a typical Ancient Pokémon.

Looking over at Dragapult, Luo Yuan saw it enjoying itself as well, seeming to confirm that this island had unique benefits for Dragon-types.

"In that case… Dratini!"

Luo Yuan took out a Poké Ball, releasing Dratini.

"Mii~?"

Still sleepy, Dratini yawned, drowsily glancing at Luo Yuan.

Then, noticing the massive Dragonite beside it, Dratini gave a startled squeak.

"Groo~!"

The Giant Dragonite's eyes lit up at the sight of its tiny kin.

It had been ages since it last saw another of its kind.

"Whoa, whoa—keep your distance from my Dratini!"

With a bit of telekinetic force, Luo Yuan gently nudged the Giant Dragonite back, then turned to Dratini.

"Dratini, try feeling the energy around us."

Following Luo Yuan's instructions, Dratini closed its eyes and began to focus.

The next moment—

"Mii~!"

Dratini let out a cry as a radiant white glow enveloped its body.

Its shape began stretching and growing longer within the light.

The transformation continued for over ten seconds.

When the light began to fade—

Dratini had changed dramatically.

The white spot on its forehead had turned into a small horn, while blue orbs now adorned its neck and tail, and its fin-like ears had transformed into wings.

Before Luo Yuan now stood a gracefully curved Dragonair, its body a light blue.

"Grooo~"

Though it had matured, Dragonair's attachment to Luo Yuan hadn't changed in the slightest.

Curling its body, it nuzzled its head affectionately against him.

"You finally evolved, Dragonair!"

Luo Yuan ran his hand over Dragonair's smooth scales. While the feel wasn't quite as soft as Dratini's, it was still pleasant.

As he took a closer look, he realized that Dragonair was significantly longer than average.

"This must be the effect of this island," Luo Yuan mused, casting a thoughtful glance at the ground below.

He suspected the island held some secret. But seeing the sky starting to lighten, he thought of Ash and the others, likely still waiting for him back at the lighthouse.

"I'll come back and investigate more when there's time."

---

T/N: Woah he can understand Pokemon?