"Aerodactyl? Already sending out Aerodactyl as your second one?" Yozora cast a deep glance at Ryūnan.
A high-tier Commander-level Aerodactyl!
If one didn't count Miltank, which was more of a support role, then this Aerodactyl was likely Ryūnan's true lead-off Pokémon.
Tsk, tsk…
Yozora had to admit—Ryūnan was truly a genius. In just half a year, his strength had skyrocketed.
He clearly remembered half a year ago: aside from that little Dratini, Ryūnan's team mainly consisted of speed-trained Pokémon like Arcanine and Nidoking.
High potential or not, rushing training would still make them strong.
But the truth was, those speed-trained Pokémon of Ryūnan's had only average potential. They were merely shortcuts, nothing more.
Now that his strength had risen, naturally he no longer needed those old "short-term veterans." They could be retired, left to enjoy their days in peace.
Nothing wrong with that.
What was truly wrong was using them and then discarding them like trash.
But trainers like that were rare. Even Paul was never so heartless.
Scanning a Poké Ball with the Pokédex could reveal the Pokémon's moves.
Paul judged potential through levels and moves. If the potential was low, he released them immediately.
Honestly, Yozora couldn't say that was wrong.
If he hadn't had his system, he probably would've done the same.
Was that really a fault?
After all, some trainers were born lucky, others weren't. Not everyone was like Ash, catching high-quality, high-potential Pokémon with ease.
Most were ordinary people. Paul was just growing stronger in his own way.
He never needed "redeeming," because he was never truly "bad."
His only black mark was abandoning Chimchar. In his eyes, Chimchar was too timid, unable to unleash its true power. So he gave up on it.
That was a flaw in judgment more than cruelty. In the end, he acknowledged Ash and Chimchar. Compared to Damian(Daisuke), who had abandoned Charmander, Paul was miles better.
Of course…
Paul did resort to questionable tactics in order to win. That part wasn't great.
When he challenged Cynthia, he devised countless strategies to counter her Garchomp—only to be mercilessly swept six to zero.
But Yozora asked himself honestly: if it were him, would he have done much better? Probably not.
Like Paul, Yozora valued victory above all. As long as there was no risk to life, why not gamble everything?
Back then, when Paul's strategies were revealed, the entire audience scoffed at him.
And yet—his Pokémon fought willingly, obeying every order with unwavering trust.
If Paul had truly been a terrible trainer, wouldn't his Pokémon have fled long ago?
Yozora, personally, admired Paul. Unfortunately, Paul was a tragic figure. Chimchar was taken in by Ash, and Paul ultimately became another stepping stone for Ash's journey…
"Return, Machoke." Yozora withdrew his Pokémon, eyes fixed on Aerodactyl across the field.
At this stage, Machoke hadn't mastered any long-range attacks. Against a flying-type like Aerodactyl, he could only watch helplessly.
And with its No Guard ability, Machoke could only take the hits.
There was no need to continue. Without ranged attacks, Machoke couldn't fight a high-altitude opponent at all.
"Take the field, Pidgeot!" Yozora sent out his second Pokémon—the Sky Raptor itself.
One a Sky Raptor, the other the Sky Overlord.
By species, Aerodactyl outclassed Pidgeot without question.
But individually, Yozora's Pidgeot was no ordinary Pidgeot. It carried Champion-tier potential, rivaling even the kings among Aerodactyl!
"Aerodactyl, Wing Attack, strike it down!" Ryūnan ordered.
With a piercing screech, Aerodactyl spread its vast wings and dove at Pidgeot.
But Pidgeot refused to meet force with force. With dazzling skill, it twisted and circled in the sky, its speed so sharp that Aerodactyl struggled to keep up.
"So fast…" Ryūnan's eyes widened in shock.
Pidgeot shouldn't be faster than Aerodactyl.
Yet, somehow, Yozora's Pidgeot—at a lower level, no less—was flying faster than his Aerodactyl.
Unbelievable.
On the other side, Yozora smiled proudly as Pidgeot seized the speed advantage. "Now—Aerial Ace!"
"Whsssh!"
At his command, Pidgeot abruptly twisted mid-air, its body wrapped in surging force. Like a golden streak, it slashed straight into Aerodactyl.
The strike was so sudden and precise that Aerodactyl barely had time to react. Eyes wide, it took the blow head-on.
With a grunt of pain, Aerodactyl was blasted back, wings trembling, its body already showing damage.
"Dragon Breath!" Ryūnan barked, unfazed.
Aerodactyl's level was higher, its body far sturdier. A little damage was nothing.
Opening its maw, it unleashed a blazing green beam of draconic energy, striking Pidgeot hard across the chest.
"Kyahhh!"
Pidgeot cried out, blasted backward through the air.
"What speed… even its Dragon Breath is this fast." Yozora's admiration was sincere.
Aerodactyl wasn't even a dragon-type, yet its mastery of Dragon Breath surpassed many true dragons.
Clearly, Ryūnan had remarkable skill in nurturing dragon-types and developing dragon-type moves.
…
The battle grew fierce.
Pidgeot and Aerodactyl exchanged blow for blow, neither giving an inch.
Five minutes later, both were battered, wings ragged, breathing heavily in midair.
"Aerodactyl, Stone Edge—finish it!" Ryūnan roared.
"Shhhhkkk!"
At his command, jagged stones erupted around Aerodactyl's tail, circling ominously before launching forward like deadly missiles.
The rocks streaked across the sky, growing larger and sharper in Yozora's eyes. This was the decisive moment.
If Pidgeot dodged, it would win.
If not, it would fall.
"Pidgeot! Show me your peak speed—Aerial Ace!" Yozora's shout rang out.
In that instant, Pidgeot shattered its own limits. Its body flashed, vanishing in a burst of golden light, leaving the storm of stones behind.
A heartbeat later—
From afar, a second golden streak came screaming back across the battlefield, slamming into Aerodactyl with overwhelming force.
"Boom!"
Aerodactyl crashed to the ground with a thunderous impact, dust billowing into the sky.
When it cleared, the mighty Sky Overlord lay unconscious.
…
…
(End of Chapter)