The Path of a Genius to Becoming a Pokémon Champion

"Old Flame, what on earth happened?"

Arthur had Greninja translate his words.

He looked at the scars covering Old Flame's body and couldn't bring himself to believe the words "I'm fine."

"If you're in trouble, you can tell us. We'll help you together."

Specter, standing beside him, nodded in agreement.

After several moments of hesitation, Old Flame finally told them the truth.

"It's… it's nothing, really. A dozen or so years ago, a flock of Aerodactyl came to this area. We were at a type disadvantage and lost a lot of territory. But we can still get by. The clan has a new leader now, and everything is fine… it's fine."

As he was speaking, his daughter looked like she was about to rebuke him again, but this time, under Specter's glare, she held her tongue.

Of course, Old Flame's sudden, powerful roar from earlier might have also been a factor. In her memory, it had been a very, very long time since she had heard her father let out such a strong and vigorous dragon's roar.

"Aerodactyl…"

Arthur immediately recalled the scene from their journey here—

A large, adult Aerodactyl had snatched a goat from the cliffs right in front of them.

Caleb had been so scared his legs had gone weak.

At the time, Arthur hadn't thought much of it, but now, upon reflection, he realized something was wrong—the location where the Aerodactyl had been hunting was far too close to the Charicific Valley!

That action was a clear encroachment on their territory!

Specter was the first to get angry. "Then go beat the hell out of them!"

He had been a leader for many years, after all. Even though his organization was ultimately usurped by Dayna, Specter's mentality was still that of one who looked down upon the world!

But Old Flame remained hesitant.

"It's… it's not necessary… Things are fine as they are. Besides, many of those Aerodactyl are also retired meritorious Pokémon. They're very strong, and humans often come back to visit them."

This was probably the biggest difference between this valley and a true nature reserve—the Pokémon here weren't all wild. On the contrary, most of them had been released here by humans.

At the end of the day, this was still the human world!

And the released Pokémon hadn't completely severed their ties with humans. Just as Caleb's family would travel a great distance every few years to visit their brother's Charizard, other people did the same.

Arthur instantly understood Old Flame's predicament.

"You're saying… some people are playing favorites?!"

This kind of thing was inevitable.

Humans are emotional creatures; they will always have their preferences.

Even though Old Flame was once a Champion's ace Pokémon and had rendered great service to the league, the people of the modern era didn't know him. Emotionally, they would subconsciously favor the Pokémon of their own comrades and family.

This had nothing to do with justice; it was a matter of personal feeling.

Old Flame looked at Arthur, gave a bitter smile, and nodded.

As expected, he couldn't hide anything from his master.

But at this moment, Old Flame's daughter finally couldn't hold it in any longer.

"ROAR!!"

Greninja continued to faithfully translate her words.

"This is not fine at all! If they play favorites, we should just beat them back!! And they hurt Mom! Why should we just swallow our anger?! Just because they have humans backing them? I won't accept it!! Dad, if you're not willing to lead the clan to fight back, then I'll be the leader! I will get revenge for Mom!!"

And with that, everything fell into place. All the grievances were laid bare.

Old Flame was likely unwilling to provoke the retired Aerodactyl, who still had family and comrades backing them. He had chosen to give up his position as clan leader and live in seclusion. But his daughter was unwilling, which was why she kept challenging for the leader's position, only to come back covered in injuries.

Arthur could understand Old Flame's forbearance towards the Aerodactyl.

Firstly, Charizard was at a natural type disadvantage against Aerodactyl. Aerodactyl resists both Fire and Flying-type moves, while its Rock-type moves are doubly super-effective against Charizard!

In terms of typing, Aerodactyl has a natural 80-20 advantage.

Secondly, they had human support.

From what Old Flame said, those people were likely affiliated with the league's military, the very place Arthur had once served. Old Flame didn't want to make enemies of them.

Coupled with his aging body and weary spirit, Old Flame had ultimately chosen to live in seclusion and take care of his mate, rarely even returning to the clan.

He kept saying that he was fine.

But Arthur didn't like this version of him at all!

The Old Flame he remembered was not like this!

The ace he remembered should not be forever hunched over, with drooping wings, cooped up in a cramped cave like this…

He once soared arrogantly through the nine heavens!

"Are you truly content with this, Old Flame?"

He asked quietly, slowly walking closer as he spoke.

"Roar, roar…"

Old Flame was still muttering something.

Greninja continued to faithfully translate.

"He says this is fine… The Master doesn't need to stand up for him. It will only cause trouble for the Master. Lapras and Leafeon are probably gone, and the Master's current Pokémon are not as strong as before."

As it translated this part, Greninja, for once, paused.

It was a bit dissatisfied.

What does he mean, the Master's Pokémon are not as strong as before?!

Greninja had yet to witness Old Flame's true power. At this moment, it honestly didn't have a very good impression of this senior.

What a cowardly dragon!

But Arthur didn't care about that. He just kept walking closer, his gaze fixed on Old Flame's eyes as he asked with unwavering determination.

"I don't need you to analyze all this nonsense for me. I don't need you to tell me what the world is like, or what I am like now. I'm only asking you! Ask yourself! Are you truly content with this, Old Flame?"

"Roar…"

Old Flame even began to back away in a panic.

He still wanted to explain, to analyze, to weigh the pros and cons, to consider this and that.

But Arthur became even more relentless, staring straight into his eyes.

"Forget about everyone else!! Follow your own heart!! Answer me with your heart! Are you truly content with this?!!"

This time, Arthur roared, his voice completely overpowering Old Flame's.

Beside them, Old Flame's daughter looked at him in astonishment.

It was the first time she had ever seen a human completely dominate one of her own kind with sheer presence.

In that moment, Arthur felt like a roaring Salamence, wings spread wide!

No, even more powerful than that!

Finally, Old Flame stopped avoiding his gaze.

He slowly, bit by bit, straightened his body, as if shrugging off a heavy burden he had carried for two hundred years.

"ROAR!"

This one roar needed no translation from Greninja. Arthur understood.

"Good! If you're not content, then let's go take back what we've lost, together!!"

He held out his hand to Old Flame, an empty Poké Ball in his palm.

"You've carried too much these past two hundred years. You've had too much to take care of, too much to worry about. But you don't have to anymore. Because I'm back!! Old Flame, my current Pokémon may not be as strong as they were then, but they are just as determined and brave as Lapras, Leafeon, and Tyranitar! As their senior, show them your strength. That thing… I believe you still have it, don't you?"

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