Carl was a bit bewildered. Witnessing Dragonair transform into Dragonite, he found it hard to associate the adorable and rotund dragon before him with the elegant figure it once was.
He finally understood what Caitlin meant by elegance and why some people mistakenly thought Dragonair would evolve into Milotic.
"Roar!" (Thank you, I'm willing to follow you!) Dragonite suddenly flew over and gave Carl a bear hug, eyes brimming with joy.
Carl couldn't help but laugh. It seemed the creature was quite pleased with its new form, and its attitude towards him had grown noticeably warmer. He quickly checked Dragonite's stats:
**[Species: Dragonite (Female)]**
**[Type: Dragon/Flying]**
**[Ability: Inner Focus (Immune to flinching)]**
**[Hidden Ability: Multiscale (Reduces damage by 50% when at full health)]**
**[Strength: Elite Level (74)]**
**[Bond Level: 199]**
**[Skills: Hurricane, Wing Attack, Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Extreme Speed, Outrage]**
Fantastic! Carl's eyes lit up. This was like a windfall from the sky. Dragonite's uniqueness wasn't just in having two abilities; it had awakened a rare hidden ability, often referred to as a dream trait. This trait was harder to activate than normal abilities, providing a permanent boost to the Pokémon.
In comparison, the new skills Dragonite learned after evolving, like Hurricane and Outrage, seemed less important, as they could be mastered over time with training. However, the bond level change was notable. Previously, when Dragonair learned that Carl was introduced by Caesar, the bond level soared to 99. Now, after drinking Dragon's Spring Water, it shot up to 199. Clearly, Dragonite was grateful that Dratini also benefited and recognized Carl more as a trainer.
"Let's go, bring out the Poké Ball." Dragonite released Carl, its tone relaxed.
Pokémon favor trainers with special abilities for good reason. Those with stronger talents can take them further and communicate more effectively.
"You're quite straightforward," Carl chuckled, pulling out an Ultra Ball.
With this elite-level Dragonite and Lucario, Carl wouldn't be at the bottom of the rankings in the Champion Tournament. If he could get a bond crystal in the future, allowing Dragonite to unlock its bond evolution form, it would level the playing field with other pseudo-legendaries.
If Lance knew about this, he'd be green with envy! Carl suddenly thought of Lance, then shook his head at the odd association.
"Should I meet Caesar?" Carl mused aloud.
From Caesar's arrangements, it didn't seem like he had a close relationship with Dratini. Otherwise, he could have kept Dratini in the hunting zone, raised at public expense. Once Dragonair evolved, it could certify as a professional-level trainer.
While dragon-type pseudo-legendaries were hard to gain recognition from, once they did, they were fiercely loyal. It's nearly impossible for a professional-level Dragonair to be forcibly taken unless it's through theft.
Families and the league aren't foolish; when encountering a trainer with potential for a pseudo-legendary, they'll surely invest, recruit, and even arrange marriages. This path is more secure.
But Caesar chose a longer, uncertain path—allowing Dragonair to return to the hunting zone with its offspring, clearly expecting a return.
Carl wanted to confirm this to avoid future trouble.
"Roar~" Dragonite shook its head without hesitation.
"Roar—(We made a pact to return here once I have a child. If the trainer then is promising, my child will be raised by them, and I will protect them for a while. But to capture me, one must defeat me.)"
"Roar~ (Now, introducing you to my child is Caesar's way of repaying a debt.)"
"Roar~ (As for me, while repaying a favor is part of it, I mainly value your potential. But to capture me, you must first defeat me!)"
Dragonite looked at Carl with a challenging glare, and Lucario, full of battle spirit, was not to be outdone.
"Huh?" Carl was a bit surprised. Accepting the favor but letting the child repay it, and only willing to be captured if defeated—this Dragonite's temperament wasn't like the usual Dragonite.
Among pseudo-legendaries, Goodra and Dragonite are typically gentle. Such a strong-willed personality seemed more akin to a Garchomp or Salamence.
"I say, did something happen to you when you were younger?" Carl half-joked.
A drastic personality change is often related to the environment, as is true for humans.
"Roar~ (How did you know!?)" Dragonite stared intently at Carl.
Carl was secretly amazed; he hadn't expected to hit the nail on the head.
Carl paused, curiously looking at Dragonite. "Can you tell me about your past?"
Dragonite's gaze was steadfast. "Since you've earned my recognition, I don't mind sharing. As a child, my mother was poisoned while protecting the forest, and my father disappeared searching for a dragon treasure. My mother eventually succumbed to her injuries, leaving me to survive alone.
"Initially, the clan took care of us, but as forest conflicts intensified, the Arbok clan attacked the dragonlings. Without my parents, I had to flee until I met Caesar. He helped me, and by clan rules, I should follow him. But I must grow stronger, find my father, avenge my mother, and restore peace to the forest," Dragonite's eyes blazed with determination.
Carl pondered. Survival in the Pokémon world is brutal; clan battles and survival of the fittest are the norm. His grandfather had sacrificed himself during a Pokémon siege.
This Dragonite was extraordinarily talented but plagued by a difficult fate—father missing, mother deceased, clan attacked. It was unwilling to be ordinary, determined to grow stronger for revenge and to change its clan's destiny.
Carl suddenly felt the story was familiar. Wasn't this the classic protagonist template? Could it be that this Dragonite was the true chosen one?
Ash had no connection with it; it was indeed unsuitable.
It seemed Carl had become an aid to this Dragonite instead.
Interesting, truly interesting.
Given that Dragonite had an entire clan behind it... things were about to get more intriguing.
"I have one last question."
Carl had figured out Dragonite's situation but still had one lingering doubt.
"Who is her father?" He pointed to the Dratini on the ground, his gaze probing.
This Dragonite was strong-willed and ambitious, clearly not one to choose a partner lightly. Its standards must be high.
Its mate must be impressive too, right?
Maybe he could recruit another pseudo-legendary!
"Roar—(A Salamence.)" Dragonite's tone carried clear disdain.
Oh? A Salamence, it seems.
Hold on, that tone suggests abandonment?
Indeed, if not, why would she return alone with her child?
Pseudo-legendary Pokémon often value their clans, even Metagross isn't an exception.
Carl glanced at Dragonite sympathetically; her protagonist aura seemed to shine even brighter.
"That Salamence treated you poorly? Tell me where it is, and I'll teach it a lesson," Carl said with a grin.
As a reliable trainer, he had to help solve family issues.
Dratini's growth couldn't lack a father figure.
"Roar—(No need!)" Dragonite gazed softly at Dratini, resolutely saying, "Roar—(When she becomes strong, she'll handle it herself. That's the true way to honor her mother.)"
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