Pokemon: Gym Leader

Of course, all these thoughts only flashed in his mind for a moment, and Brandon's emotions gradually calmed down. He was not someone who couldn't handle a loss.

Or rather, as someone who genuinely cared for his juniors, Brandon actually hoped to see those excellent and powerful junior trainers thrive.

This was also the reason he accepted Carsey's invitation to become one of the leaders of the Battle Frontier.

But... it wasn't supposed to be like this.

"Dylan, is this really your newly formed team?"

Brandon frowned and asked Dylan. He didn't mean to doubt him; it was just too fantastical, wasn't it? Brandon considered himself one of the top trainers in the world, but Dylan using a newly formed team to pressure him was truly unbelievable.

"Yes, Senior Brandon, what do you think?" Dylan smiled and nodded.

Brandon fell silent again. He could tell that Dylan didn't seem to be lying; he was confident in his own judgment.

"A very powerful dragon."

Brandon sighed and spoke. He suddenly began to doubt whether he was really getting old. But he was still under forty, in his prime!

"I think so too; dragon-type Pokémon are so powerful and beautiful." Dylan's smile was warm.

"The charm of dragon Pokémon is so simple; their strength can crush any enemy, and I'm deeply fascinated by it."

Dylan actually loved dragons because there were too many dragon-type Pokémon he liked.

Well, including the Dragon Plate's alpaca.

"Oh? Dylan, although I admit your dragon is strong, you still haven't defeated me."

Brandon's expression was serious; his emotions had settled, and he had regained his composure.

"Your dragon is indeed strong, but how does it fare against legendary Pokémon?"

Brandon took out a Poké Ball, his gaze focused on Dylan as he spoke in a low voice.

The new generation pushing forward the old, Brandon did not deny this. He also believed that Dylan would definitely surpass him, an old-school trainer, in the future.

But right now? Dylan had yet to defeat him! He still had his legendary Pokémon!

"Please, Senior."

Dylan smiled and gestured for Brandon to continue.

"Dylan, let me show you the legendary Pokémon that I spent a lot of effort and energy to capture! Let your dragon experience their power!"

Brandon's aura had already changed; this was his personal pride! He had captured a legendary Pokémon!

"Registeel!"

Brandon threw the Poké Ball forcefully, and with a flash of white light, a gray metal Pokémon landed heavily in front of him.

Its spherical upper body was gray, with a hexagonal pattern formed by seven red dots on its face, exuding a heavy aura.

"Regi~"

A deep, metallic hum echoed. This was one of the 'legendary giants,' Registeel!

"The legendary Registeel~"

Lillie's bright eyes sparkled slightly. She had seen Regirock before, after all; she witnessed her brother capturing Regirock in person.

Moreover, according to what her brother said at the time, the so-called 'Tree of Beginning' should also have Registeel and Regice nearby.

However, Registeel and Regice did not appear back then, which was quite regrettable. Otherwise, her brother could have captured them all.

But now she saw them from Senior Brandon.

Ding~ Registeel, Steel-type, Iron Pokémon

Ability: Clear Body

Signature Moves: Flash Cannon, Lock-On, Superpower, Heavy Slam, Hammer Arm, Iron Defense, Iron Head, Tackle, Heavy Slam...

Description: It possesses a body harder than any metal, and its interior seems hollow. It's unclear what this Pokémon feeds on.

A very powerful Registeel! Just by feeling, it was much stronger than the wild Regirock her brother had captured.

Lillie looked at the information in the Pokédex, blinking her large eyes.

However, after her brother's training, Regirock shouldn't be any worse than this Registeel now.

"Oh~ so this is Registeel~"

Carsey pulled down his sunglasses, carefully observing Registeel in amazement; legendary Pokémon were indeed different!

This was the first time he had seen Brandon's Registeel. Although he knew that Brandon had found and captured Registeel not long ago, Brandon had always been busy traveling, and Carsey hadn't seen him for a long time until today.

"The dragon type has a disadvantage against steel types; it's not surprising that Mr. Brandon would choose Registeel for the battle."

Anabel nodded thoughtfully. A pure Steel-type like Registeel was resistant to dragon moves, although it didn't have an advantage over them.

"However, aside from their renowned strength and physique, the rich move sets of dragon-type Pokémon are also one of the reasons for their power."

Anabel pondered and added. Although dragon-type moves were not very effective against Registeel, Dragapult was not solely reliant on dragon-type moves.

Generally, dragon-type Pokémon could learn a wide variety of moves, making them renowned for their diverse move sets. This also led to dragons having excellent coverage, as each dragon Pokémon had an exceptional move pool.

For example, the most famous Dragonite! You could never guess what moves the opposing Dragonite would use because it could learn too many.

"But Registeel's defenses are absolutely exceptional; as long as it can seize an opportunity…"

Although the possibility was indeed very low.

Anabel didn't continue; after thinking for a moment, she realized that she actually didn't have much faith in Registeel.

While steel has resistance to dragons, it has no resistance to ghost types. Furthermore, they could see the moves that the two Pokémon in the arena had learned.

Though Dragapult didn't know fighting or ground-type moves, it had learned some fire-type moves.

Just then, Dylan recalled Dragapult.

"?" Brandon was a bit confused; Dragapult was in perfect condition.

"I'm switching opponents for you, Senior. This child has been with me for a while, but I haven't used it in a proper battle yet."

Dylan smiled helplessly. Normally, challengers had average strength, so he couldn't use his main team to face them.

"I'm really satisfied to battle with you today, Senior Brandon."

Dylan said with a smile, expressing that he was eager to battle strong trainers because he always believed that since he had captured the Pokémon, he should let them perform on the battlefield.

Otherwise, they wouldn't just be left to retire in the backyard, would they?

"..." Brandon fell silent again.

So you specifically asked Carsey to help arrange a battle with me just to let your main team stretch their legs, huh?

Alright, alright! At least I'm a champion-level trainer who has captured legendary Pokémon!!

"Dragonite! Prepare for battle!"

Dylan was oblivious to Brandon's complicated thoughts as he threw out his third Poké Ball.

Accompanied by a deep dragon roar, an orange dragon Pokémon fluttered down with its small wings, finally landing heavily in front of Dylan.

The entire body was orange, standing on two feet. Its overall appearance resembled a Western dragon, with two long and slender antennae and a small horn on the top of its head. Its body was relatively stout, but its wings were quite small compared to its body, featuring a protruding belly and a chubby face, giving it a slightly silly appearance.

This Pokémon was none other than the Johto pseudo-legendary Dragonite! The final evolution of Dratini.

Brandon's eyelids twitched. If he hadn't captured Regirock and Registeel himself, he would have suspected that Dylan was intentionally showing off his Pokémon!

Damn it! This was the third pseudo-legendary dragon Pokémon!

"Sure enough, there's a Dragonite…" Anabel pursed her lips. Was this really just a Gym Leader?

Meanwhile, Brandon was feeling a bit dazed as he looked at Erika and Ilene. He just wanted to know how this Dragonite ended up with Dylan.

"This Dragonite was given to Dylan as a reward by Champion Lance." Ilene smiled as she spoke.

Great! The Dragonite given by the old lady, the Dragapult given by Chairman Goodshow, and the Dratini given by Champion Lance. Why don't I have such noble benefactors?

Brandon felt a pang of envy, silently bearing the different joys and sorrows of people with his belly that closely resembled that of the Dragonite.

Ding~ Dragonite, Dragon and Flying type, Dragon Pokémon

Ability: Inner Focus

Signature Moves: Dragon Dance, Twister, Dragon Rush, Divine Pulse, Quick Attack, Aqua Tail, Hurricane, Earthquake, Thunder, Fire Blast, Blizzard...

Description: It can fly calmly over stormy seas, and the captains who have witnessed its graceful form call it the embodiment of the ocean.

The number of signature moves!!

Anabel gazed suspiciously at the data displayed in the Pokédex, roughly counting that it had over fifty moves!

Wait, how long has Dylan been training this Dragonite? Has he been using a move tutor? That's just too extravagant!

"Switching to Dragonite is also good."

Brandon looked at the Dragonite, which had a noticeably gentler aura compared to the aggressive Dragapult, pondering.

Dragapult was just too fast; in fact, it wasn't very good against Registeel, since Registeel couldn't fly.

Of course, Dragonite's speed was definitely faster than Registeel, but at least… at least Dragonite was four times weak to Ice.

As long as he could find an opportunity to attack Dragonite, there would be a chance to strike it down! And coincidentally, Registeel could use Ice-type moves.

"Dragonite, use Dragon Dance." Dylan still wore that warm, sunny smile.

Dragonite let out a low roar, flapping its small wings and dancing with its plump body in an ancient, mysterious pattern.

Dragon Dance enhances its speed and power!

"Registeel, Lock-On!" Brandon commanded without hesitation.

Registeel's seven red dots lit up, and a targeting marker landed on Dragonite's forehead.

Regular-type Lock-On marks the target, ensuring the next attack will hit.

In reality, there aren't really any moves that are guaranteed to hit; even moves like High-Speed Star can be dodged. But moves like Lock-On or Mind Eye that target an opponent ahead of time ensure that the next attack will definitely hit!

Of course, it will hit for sure, but that doesn't mean the opponent will just stand there and let you hit them. The opponent can counterattack with powerful moves or use defensive moves to block.

The Lock-On was completed, and Dragonite successfully performed Dragon Dance, its faint blue glow fading as its attack and speed increased by one level.

"Even after locking on, you don't initiate an attack?" Dylan's eyes narrowed slightly. So Brandon was just waiting for him to have Dragonite attack to find an opportunity.

After all, Brandon didn't immediately follow up with a Lock-On into a Hyper Beam; his intentions were clear.

"Senior Brandon, I think you might be overthinking it a bit."

Dylan chuckled lightly.

He understood Brandon's strategy: waiting for Dragonite to get close, then using the Lock-On mechanism to have Registeel attack Dragonite with Ice-type moves.

But he wasn't foolish; since you wanted to be so obvious, then naturally things wouldn't go as you wished.

"Dragonite, use Fire Blast!"

Dragonite soared above Registeel, gathering crimson flames in its mouth, and in the next moment, a flame shaped like the character '大' surged forth.

A Fire-type Fire Blast! Steel-type Registeel is weak to Fire!

"Registeel, dodge!" Brandon frowned.

Registeel immediately leaped back to avoid the approaching Fire Blast. Although its speed wasn't fast, this wasn't a close-range attack, so Registeel could barely evade it.

"Change it up, Dragonite, use Heat Wave." Dylan raised an eyebrow and snapped his fingers.

Dragonite flapped its wings vigorously, unleashing a torrential red-hot heat wave that surged forth, causing the temperature of the air to rise.

A Fire-type Heat Wave! This is one of the Fire-type moves with a very wide range.

"Registeel…"

Brandon's expression shifted unpredictably. With such a wide range for this Heat Wave, it would be hard for Registeel to dodge!

But using a defense move? That would be pointless; if it blocked the Heat Wave this time, what about the next Heat Wave?

But using Hyper Beam to block the Heat Wave? That would waste the Lock-On! Brandon hesitated at this moment.

Primarily because he hadn't expected Dylan to play like this. Your Dragonite's Special Attack couldn't compare to its Physical Attack, and didn't your Dragonite just use Dragon Dance?

I'm truly impressed; you're not going in for close combat, and you used Dragon Dance for what? Just to show off your dancing in the sky? With that big body of yours, is your dance really that beautiful?

Brandon felt a headache coming on. He suddenly realized that this heavy Registeel wasn't as lovable anymore, facing the distant, long-range attacking Dragonite like a fool just staring in amazement.

Infantry fighting against air units is tough; not being able to fly is truly miserable.

(End of this chapter)