{T/N: Don't forget to drop a Review and a Power Stone...}
...
No, as it turned out, the Dragonite did know. It just didn't realize Mimikyu was a Fairy-type...
After the Dragon Rush ended and Mimikyu emerged completely unscathed, the Dragonite understood everything... It had encountered opponents like this before, ones who tried to exploit type weaknesses to defeat it.
But it wasn't limited to just Dragon-type moves.
With that thought, the Dragonite opened its mouth, gathering intense, scorching flames.
The next second, a terrifying Flamethrower shot out, blasting Mimikyu head-on.
All of this happened in just five short seconds.
[Mimikyu has been defeated and is now in critical condition. If not treated within three hours, it will die...]
Caleb saw the system's notification... Only now did he understand the meaning behind Lance's earlier words.
This Dragonite… was too strong.
Having defeated its opponent, the Dragonite turned away arrogantly, not even sparing Caleb a glance as it left.
Lance walked over, sighing helplessly, "So? Still want to change your reward? I think a Growlithe would be a pretty good choice too..."
Caleb's eyes gleamed. Watching the Dragonite's retreating figure, he shook his head firmly and insisted, "No. I've made up my mind. It's that one."
'Dragonite, you've successfully caught my interest.' Caleb mused.
Lance looked even more resigned, but he didn't press further, "Alright, I'll arrange special permission for you so you can enter and exit the Dragon Holy Land freely for now."
"Words can't express my gratitude. Once I catch that Dragonite, dinner is on me!" Caleb clapped Lance's shoulder earnestly.
Lance: "…Then I wish you luck."
With that, Lance left. The remnants of Team Rocket in Kanto still needed to be dealt with, and he had to continue investigating Giovanni's whereabouts.
As a Dragon-type Elite Four member, he was far too busy...
...
Meanwhile, Caleb returned to Blackthorn City to buy a tent, bedding, and emergency medical supplies before setting up camp right inside the Dragon Holy Land...
The Holy Land also had a Pokémon Center. It was built by the Blackthorn Clan specifically to care for injured Dragon-types.
The staff at the entrance stared in shock as Caleb dragged his supplies inside... Unable to hold back her concern, she asked, "You're really planning to camp out here? It's not exactly safe at night… You know, some Dragon-types hunt after dark."
Caleb patted his waist pouch, pointing to his Poké Balls, "Don't worry, they won't hurt me."
The staff member could only sigh, "Then be careful. If anything happens, call the service desk immediately. We'll send help."
Caleb flashed her a bright smile, dazzling the poor girl into a daze. By the time she snapped out of it, he was already long gone...
After setting up the tent, Caleb took Mimikyu to the Pokémon Center for dinner.
To prevent the tent (his hard work of the afternoon) from being destroyed by wild Pokémon, he sprayed a 'Repel' around the perimeter... {Note: 'Repel' is a spray that emits a scent Pokémon dislike...}
...
~Pokémon Center~
Nurse Joy, having finished her work for the day, noticed Caleb eating by the window... After a moment's thought, she picked up her own tray and sat across from him...
Caleb had been playing a little game of 'Fetch' with Mimikyu when the movement caught his attention.
He looked up. He had already met this Nurse Joy earlier when bringing Mimikyu for treatment, and she knew he was here to catch the green Dragonite.
"What's up?" Caleb asked.
Nurse Joy rested her chin on her hand, a hint of curiosity visible in her eyes as she asked, "Why are you so determined to catch that Dragonite?"
'Why…' Caleb actually took a moment to think about it.
Dragonite, also affectionately nicknamed 'Chonky Dragon', had an adorably dopey appearance that contrasted sharply with its immense power.
Was there anyone in this world who wouldn't love a Pokémon like that?
Just like how no one could resist the charm of a giant panda, who wouldn't want to give it a good rub?
Seeing Caleb lost in thought, Nurse Joy's eyes flickered with concern, "Are you really prepared to become that child's trainer?"
"Of course," Caleb nodded, answering earnestly, "I don't just want to catch it for the sake of catching it. Capturing it is only the first step... I want to get to know it. I love Dragonite as a species, and I want to travel with it, and grow alongside it."
Nurse Joy stared straight into Caleb's eyes, "Even if that Dragonite isn't perfect, even if it's nothing like what you imagined?"
Caleb: "Nothing in this world is truly perfect... Neither humans nor Pokémon."
Nurse Joy froze for a second before breaking into a gentle smile. She changed the subject and asked, "I heard you set up a tent in the Holy Land. Are you planning to stay long?"
Caleb nodded, "My Mimikyu isn't strong enough to beat that Dragonite yet. I plan on starting from scratch and using the other Dragon-types here to train it."
Nurse Joy suddenly giggled, "Then you and that child really are alike."
Caleb took a bite of sushi and asked, "How so?"
Nurse Joy explained, "Because that's the same path Dragonite took! When it first arrived here, it wasn't nearly as strong. Just like you, it was clever... it chose to grow stronger step by step."
"...Back then, I'd see it at the Pokémon Center almost every day. Sometimes, it would leave in the morning fully healed, only to be carried back in the afternoon covered in injuries."
"...Ah, how should I put it… You know how most Dragon-types are fiercely competitive. We can't interfere too much with their natural way of life."
Here, Nurse Joy's expression turned somber, "If only you had come a little sooner."
Caleb paused mid-bite.
Nurse Joy didn't elaborate, she simply smiled, "Good luck!"
"Thanks."
....
After dinner, Caleb returned to the campsite with Mimikyu...
The night was serene.
By the tranquil lake, a wild Milotic quietly surfaced and stretched its slender, elegant body. Moonlight rippled over its scales, making the Milotic look like a celestial dancer draped in gossamer silk... It was stunningly beautiful.
Caleb hadn't expected his luck to be this good.
He had only pitched his tent here because the staff mentioned a Milotic lived in this area. Yet on his very first night, he'd already encountered it.
'It's a good omen...' Caleb thought to himself.
Suddenly, Mimikyu tapped his leg with its claw.
Caleb looked down to see Mimikyu pointing in a certain direction.
Following its gesture, he spotted a shadowy figure standing silently by the lakeside under the hazy moonlight.
Those emerald-green eyes shimmered softly as they gazed at the moon above...
~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~
~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~
Read ahead on my P@treon...
p@treon.com/MayaMatengele01