Chapter 0737:Overlord Dragonite(Two-in-One)

Night fell. At the summit of the mountain, the Sacred Flame blazed fiercely in its silver brazier.

Crowds slowly exited the arena, still abuzz over the recent first round evaluation.

Arcanine’s flowing mane and overwhelming presence, fighting ten at once, had left a deep impression on all.

Had the round not ended, viewers suspected Arcanine could’ve taken on ten more!

Master Saionji stood in the open under the night sky, gazing at the stars, murmuring,

“Sacred Fire… Could this be Natsume’s reason for contending for the Champion’s throne…?”

Sacred Fire—a move unique to Ho-Oh and Entei, a Fire type technique infused with enough life energy to completely reverse fortune.

In Touran legends, it’s recorded there once was a master of ‘Sacred Fire’ among Arcanine as well.

In ancient times, Arcanine ran endlessly across the broad land, driving away the eternal night, only to fall at the limits of its strength.

With its loyalty, bravery, and sacrifice, Arcanine became beloved throughout Touran, even classified in the Pokédex as a ‘Legendary Pokémon!’

Under the night, viewing the roaring Sacred Flame, Master Saionji muttered to himself:

“So there really is a Trainer who can breed Arcanine to such heights, breaking through into the realm beyond Champion…”

Ho-Oh has long been friends with the people of Touran; successive Champions have the chance to meet its ‘Guardian’ Marshadow.

But as for Champion Ryo… newly appointed, he’d had no chance to meet Ho-Oh before Victory Road began.

Master Saionji’s eyes flickered, thoughts surging:

“If one could gain Ho-Oh’s audience and inherit the Sacred Fire—”

Perhaps a glimpse of that legendary Arcanine’s majesty could be found within Natsume’s team!

……

After the first round ended, the forums exploded with new discussions.

The strength of Natsume-sensei’s Arcanine became a hot topic.

“It’s crazy, almost every match was a one-turn KO—isn’t this just a level stomp?”

“Tournament Champions got played like NPCs!”

“Come on, we’re old fans here. Let’s be real, this is a Baby Cup slaughter.”

Champions from each tournament quietly lurked, full of mixed feelings—never thought they’d be treated like rookies one day.

But on second thought… maybe even the Elite Four will get steamrolled, that thought sure lifts the spirit!

“He’s way too cautious, refusing to hit Victory Road until his whole team is Champion-level!”

“Natsume-sensei: What? You don’t have to be a Champion to tackle Victory Road? Have I been misunderstanding all this time?!”

Right now, Natsume looked like a contestant who’d already cleared several rounds, coming back to destroy the hardest challenge of an early playthrough.

If you put it bluntly, this was a Champion playing in the Baby Cup.

If you put it kindly, this Champion always plans ahead, never leaving things to chance!

Within the Tournament Committee, the Elite Four convened to decide who would accept Natsume’s next challenge.

It was decided that the Dragon type Elite Four, Shiori, would be the examiner for the second round.

The second round required trainers and their Pokémon partners to withstand a Wild Pokémon beatdown, surviving an onslaught from the overlord Pokémon for ten minutes.

These wild Pokémon of Victory Road were fierce—easily on par with those found on Mt. Silver.

And the overlord Pokémon? A massive Dragonite.

Its build wasn’t as extreme as the one from Bill’s Lighthouse, but was still more than double the size of a normal Dragonite!

Six meters tall—the overlord Dragonite was immense. Calling it “chubby” would be an understatement!

This overlord Dragonite was Champion-level, close friends with the dragon clans of Touran, and had long served as the second-round examiner.

The examination area was set in misty mountaintop forests, home to wild Dragon-types that commanded wind, storm, and thunder.

Dragons in this forest were untameable, exuding such intimidation that even challenger trainers could be beaten up by them.

Trainers had to endure repeated attacks by wild Pokémon, make it to the summit, and then face the overlord Dragonite's trial!

“The second trial tests a trainer’s wilderness survival skills and unshakable courage.”

Gym Leader Takuya explained, “An average trainer and partner—forget facing the overlord Dragonite, they’d get scared off by the intimidation from the wild dragons along the way!”

“You’ve made Victory Road this far, you wouldn’t just up and quit, would you?” Natsume said, surprised.

Takuya replied, “Actually, those pressure and Intimidation-style Abilities act on the mind. Sheer willpower isn’t always enough.”

Staring through the mist at the mountain peak, Takuya said gravely, “To survive ten minutes of attacks from the overlord Dragonite… only an Elite Four trainer could manage that.”

“This is a kind of selection. Survive this round, and you earn the right to challenge the Elite Four!”

Natsume mused, “After this second round, there shouldn't be more than a handful of challengers left…”

Takuya nodded, “About right. Every year, only about ten challengers reach the Elite Four, true one-in-ten-thousand odds. As for Shiori’s talent in becoming the Dragon Elite Four—unmatched, truly.”

Natsume nodded lightly.

The second evaluation required withstanding the waves of attacks from Dragon types at the mountainside.

At times like these, having special abilities made things a lot easier.

Iris’ Dragon Heart could even turn dragons into allies; Sabrina’s Psychic could sense and avoid danger.

My Aura of the Ripple and the Power of One… should come in handy, too.

“Do all Elite Four have special abilities?” Natsume asked.

“It’s said so. Kurosawa is an aura wielder—or you might say, a messenger of qi.”

Takuya paused, “But I’ve never heard Ryo the Champion display any such abilities.”

“Maybe… that’s the hidden trump card Ryo has!” Takuya added, his voice serious.

“I see,”

Natsume realized.

To become Champion without displaying special abilities—when the time comes, I’d have to be even more careful!

……

There was still a day before the second trial began.

Natsume wandered around the merchant zone, only to pick up a new tail on his way back.

“Master! Please have a fighting battle with me!” Bea summoned up her courage and called out.

Natsume eyed Bea’s tanned skin and the muscles rippling beneath her athletic jacket.

“Denied,” Natsume turned on his heel.

Bea could go fist-to-fist with a Machamp, beating it back step by step.

Sure, I’m a fighting master too, but in an anything-goes match against her…

Give me three minutes; I’ll have her crying on her knees, begging me not to die!

Bea hung her head, trailing behind her Master, thinking to herself: “It must be my strength—I’m still not worthy to spar with Master…”

I need even more training!

“Oh, right, Master.”

Bea added, “I saw some of the Master Dojo martial artists at the gym.”

“Master Dojo?”

Natsume rubbed his chin.

Master Dojo had a great reputation in Fighting circles—on par with the Chuck Dojo.

One produced Leon, the other, Bruno and Blue Oak.

There were rumors Mustard was originally from Touran.

If he really was the examiner… then this year’s Champion path would be full of hidden dragons and tigers.

But even if he did take part, that would be for the third or fourth trial.

Back at the Budew Hotel.

Natsume began preparing a team for the second evaluation.

Since it was nothing but Dragon-types, it was time for Sylveon “sis” to shine.

“Sylveon! (〝▼皿▼)” Sylveon's Baby-Doll Eyes burned sharp and fierce.

Natsume caught the edge in Sylveon's look and muttered, “Better wait to send out Sylveon until I see the overlord Dragonite.”

For the earlier parts, let Togepi lead the way—plus, we won’t risk getting lost.

After all, according to the rules, Pokémon can be swapped out.

If I sent Sylveon out right away… the wild Pokémon along the road would just get wiped out!

For a moment, Natsume couldn’t help but feel sorry for the wild Pokémon in Mt. Silver.

Why are they so strong there?

Because Red made them that way!

With the Pixie Plate, Sylveon could last ten minutes against the overlord Dragonite with ease.

Natsume was even more worried about whether the overlord Dragonite could last ten minutes against Sylveon…

The next day.

Victory Road’s second trial officially began.

From this stage on, for safety, the audience was not allowed to watch from the venue.

However, drones would follow each contestant, and viewers could choose any perspective they wished.

No sooner had they loaded Natsume-sensei’s feed—the hottest view—than the screen filled with towering trees, rays of light piercing the mist, clouds swirling everywhere.

Ten minutes went by and the feed was still stuck on scenery—no sign of Natsume anywhere.

“Damn it, director, get a new job.”

“Director, keep up with the contestant already!”

Responding to audience complaints, the director switched perspectives, and finally Natsume appeared, preparing for the evaluation.

He advanced with the rest of the group to the base of the mountain, stopping at the warning line.

The guide explained, “Let me stress this again: the Dragon Pokémon in these forests are extraordinarily dangerous. Choosing the right path and reaching the summit to meet the overlord Dragonite is your top priority.”

“If you’re in danger or choose to quit, press the emergency beacon, and a rescue team will rush in right away.”

“The trial is solo… Contestant Number One, Charles, please begin.”

Charles, a Kalos trainer, sent out his Chesnaught, looking cautious as he eased into the deep misty woods.

The dragon cries from within the fog were mysterious and ominous.

Charles’ silhouette gradually disappeared in the haze.

“What do we do now?” a ranger asked.

“We wait,” the guide said calmly. “Wait for him to clear the evaluation, or tap out. Then it’s the next contestant's turn.”

“That could take forever!”

No sooner were the words said—

“Aaagh—!!”

A sharp scream rang out from the midway slope, scaring up a flock of Pidgey, the sound echoing through the woods!

Challengers and viewers swallowed hard in unison.

The ranger made a face, quietly stepping back into the group.

The guide, unfazed, noted a flicker on his tablet and radioed in, “A7 sector, rescue team prepare to deploy!”

Viewers on the livestream were shaken.

Charles’s first-person view had just shown a giant dragon looming out of the mist.

A freshly-awakened Salamence stretched its blood-red wings, roared furiously, and unleashed a Hyper Beam at Chesnaught!

Rumble!

“Whoa! Wild Pokémon are this savage?!”

“That’s the difficulty of Victory Road…”

“I heard you can even catch Pokémon here, but it’s nearly impossible to form a bond.”

The group fell silent.

Charles’s earlier scream left a shadow in the hearts of the rest.

It wasn’t Pokémon battles that were terrifying—it was the unknown lurking in the mist!

“So he was a Kalos trainer… No wonder he fell so fast…” Natsume mused.

The guide continued: “Next, from Sinnoh Region, Canalave City—Genen!”

Genen narrowed his eyes, taking his Luxray as partner, and walked forward into the mist.

Soon, the sounds of fierce battle could be heard—thunder arced through the forest canopy!

Crackle!!

The aftershocks stirred up even more Pokémon.

Ten minutes later, the thunder faded, and a distress signal flickered on the guide’s tablet.

In the audience, Kurosawa stroked his beard, “I relied on aura to pick a safe route, that’s how I made it up the mountain and passed the evaluation.”

Shiori nodded slightly, “Roughly the same for me.”

She had used “Dragon’s Power” to soothe the wild dragons all the way to the summit.

Ryo crossed his arms—a wordless silence.

Was I and my Tyranitar… the only ones who barely survived, punching our way through the whole way…?

Damn… I’m so envious of special abilities!

Viewers on the livestream inhaled in shock.

“This stage is just nuts!”

“To face so many wild Pokémon, with only one partner allowed, and then fight overlord Dragonite!?”

“I bet nobody’s even going to make it to Dragonite.”

“I’m not worried about Natsume-sensei’s strength. I’m worried he’ll get so unlucky he walks straight into a dragon’s nest…”

Switching to the surveillance split screens,

President Masaru said, “This round tests a trainer’s wild skills. A Trainer shouldn’t be a burden, they should battle side by side with their Pokémon.”

“A very classic belief,” Mustard smiled. “But yes… that’s how it should be!”

The old-school trainers believed that Pokémon battles weren’t just about official tournaments.

Here, in the forest, the trainer was the Pokémon’s eyes and shield.

Since only one partner can go in, the trainer has to balance safety and battle, moving ever deeper into the unknown haze!

“Third contestant…”

“Fourth contestant…”

The guide droned out the names, occasionally raising his radio to order in rescue teams.

Approaching noon, Master Yin of the Touran League finally reached the summit, causing an uproar!

“He’s the first to reach the top—Master Toudo, the Flying-type expert!”

“A legitimate airborne victory—he actually outflew Salamence to the summit!”

The drone feed showed Master Toudo’s face grim, with zero slackness.

Making it to the summit was only step one.

The real evaluation was just about to begin!

“RRAAAARGH!!!”

A dark red hurricane unfurled. In the fog, a pair of eyes snapped open, and a massive shape flapped its wings into view.

Master Toudo looked up, Adam's apple rolling.

A monstrous Dragonite, six meters tall, loomed above him, exuding an indefinable crushing aura!

The chat exploded.

“No way—I can’t handle this at all!”

“You expect someone to survive under that thing’s attacks for ten minutes?”

“Even an Elite Four would have trouble here.”

Master Toudo clenched his jaw and ordered Braviary to attack.

Dragonite’s Dragon Claw shone a bright green, and in one swipe, sent Braviary flying!

The colossal Dragonite then descended with a thump, towering over Master Toudo, and—unexpectedly—gave a slow, toothy smile.

“Rrraaargh~”

Been waiting all day—you're the first to come play~

Master Toudo broke out in cold sweat, forcing a strained smile.

Suddenly.

He smacked the distress button!

“Welp, even the big guy is kinda cute!”

“Is he already tapping out?”

“Refund! I want my money back!!”

The guide glanced back into the forest, checked the roster, cleared his throat:

“Next up… Touran Region, Tokyo City—Natsume!”

All the contestants’ attention swung his way as Natsume strode out from the group.

The guide's tone softened, “Who will be your partner?”

“Togepi doo-ee~ヾ”

Togepi plopped to the ground, waving its little arms high!

It’s my time to shine~!