"Mimikyu, use Shadow Claw!"
Mimikyu leaped high into the air, its claws surging with dark energy as it slashed toward the wild Druddigon...
With a thunderous crash, the massive Druddigon collapsed to the ground, lying there pitifully, refusing to get back up.
[Mimikyu has defeated Druddigon and gained a large amount of experience!]
[Mimikyu's level has increased!]
"Good work!"
Caleb took out a potion from his backpack and healed the fainted Druddigon.
Despite its fierce appearance, this Druddigon had a surprisingly simple and goofy personality.
After resting for a while, the Druddigon who had served as a training partner finally regained enough strength to stand back up.
Seeing this, Caleb handed it a few Poffins as thanks. The Druddigon happily accepted, popping them into its mouth like candy.
After bidding farewell to the Druddigon, Caleb and Mimikyu sat down to rest...
A full week had passed since Caleb had officially settled into the Dragon Holy Land.
Aside from that one night by the lake, he hadn't caught another glimpse of the Dragonite. The only confirmation that it was still here came from the occasional melodic cry echoing from the depths of the Holy Land.
He recognized that sound... It was the cry Dragonite made after defeating an opponent...
«Mimikyu»
- Level: 60
- Gender: Female
- Type: Ghost/Fairy
- Ability: Disguise
- Egg Move: Destiny Bond
- Known Moves: Scratch, Astonish, Copycat, Double Team, Wood Hammer... Mimic, Feint Attack, Shadow Sneak... Slash, Shadow Claw... Play Rough, Hone Claws, Pain Split...
Over the past week, Caleb and Mimikyu had gone on a rampage, challenging every Dragon-type in the Holy Land.
Compared to Dragonite, these battles carried far less pressure.
Most of these Pokémon didn't seem to understand type matchups, opening every fight with a relentless barrage of Dragon Rage, Twister, and Dragon Tail.
By the time their onslaught ended, Mimikyu would still be standing there completely unharmed, leaving the opposing Dragon-types utterly baffled.
And once Mimikyu learned the Fairy-type move, Play Rough, every battle became a one-sided stomp...
...
*Wuu~ Wuuuu~!*
As the familiar melodic cry echoed once more from the depths of the forest, Caleb stood up and spoke softly, "It's time."
Mimikyu hopped onto his shoulder, its tiny face brimming with fighting spirit as it stared resolutely in the direction of the sound.
Together, they set off once more to challenge Dragonite.
Along the way, the Dragon-types that had been beaten by either Dragonite or Caleb quickly backed away, instinctively clearing a path for them.
One particularly bold Axew even stepped forward to lead the way.
Caleb almost laughed, "Do these guys really want Dragonite gone that badly?" he mumbled.
The traumatized Dragon-types: '...And you as well, thanks!..'
Under Axew's guidance, Caleb soon arrived at Dragonite's location...
Just like seven days ago, it was in the middle of a battle.
Dragon-type battles were primal and brutal, filled with a wild, untamed beauty... Dragonite wasn't even using moves... it was simply pummeling its opponent with raw strength and sharp, precise strikes.
Sensing their approach, Dragonite tossed aside the unconscious Zweilous and turned to face them...
Caleb met its gaze head-on and beckoned, "Let's go."
Dragonite, still sweating from its last fight, didn't hesitate. It immediately dropped into a battle stance.
Its stance had always been clear: ...Defeat me, and I'll follow you...
Caleb wasted no time on words and stepped back as Mimikyu leaped to the ground, its eyes blazing with determination.
The battle began!
The Axew that had led them here shivered under Dragonite's oppressive aura and quickly scrambled up a tree to watch from a safe distance.
Even the 'unconscious' Zweilous cracked open an eye, silently pleading with Caleb: '...Please, take this tyrant away!..'
Caleb caught the look: "…."
"Wuu~!"
Dragonite suddenly let out a cry, shooting a warning glare at the Zweilous.
The Zweilous immediately shut its eyes and stuck out its tongue, playing dead again.
Caleb understood. Dragonite was reminding him not to get distracted...
So he gave the first command without hesitation: "Hone Claws!"
- Hone Claws: Sharpens the user's claws to boost Attack and accuracy...
So far, Caleb hadn't encountered any TM moves in this world, meaning Mimikyu couldn't learn Swords Dance yet. For now, Hone Claws would have to do.
Thanks to its Disguise ability, Mimikyu could always guarantee at least one free turn to set up.
Dragonite flapped its wings, soaring into the air as a white glow enveloped them. It dove straight at Mimikyu with a Wing Attack!
Mimikyu had a natural advantage against Dragonite. Its Ghost/Fairy typing rendered Dragonite's Dragon and Normal-type moves useless.
Dragonite knew this, which was why it led with Wing Attack.
But Wing Attack wasn't a multi-hit move like Double Kick. At best, it could break Mimikyu's Disguise without dealing any real damage.
The moment Dragonite's attack ended, Mimikyu successfully completed its first Hone Claws.
Caleb didn't hesitate, he instructed, "Play Rough!"
A soft pink glow enveloped Mimikyu as it leaped high into the air, lunging at Dragonite as if in play.
Dragonite twisted midair, its fist crackling with yellow electricity as it met Mimikyu head-on.
Mimikyu vs. Dragonite!
Play Rough vs. Thunder Punch!
The next instant, Dragonite's Thunder Punch connected, sending violent currents coursing through Mimikyu's body.
But Mimikyu didn't flinch. Its eyes burned with unwavering resolve as it tilted slightly to the side, slipping free of Dragonite's grip...
*Bam!*
...and slammed into Dragonite with full force.
"Wuu!"
Dragonite cried out in pain and stumbled back in shock: '...How… How did it get so much stronger in just a week?!..'
The watching Axew and Zweilous held their breaths.
Dragonite clutched its stomach where Mimikyu had struck, its expression a mix of disbelief and grudging respect.
"Again! Play Rough!" Caleb commanded without pause.
Dragonite gritted its teeth, flames gathering in its maw.
"We won't lose this time!" Caleb shouted, "Mimikyu, Double Team!"
Mimikyu's small body instantly split into dozens of copies, surrounding Dragonite in a perfect circle...
Then, all of them attacked at once. From every direction, the Mimikyu swarm charged.
Dragonite's eyes hardened as it unleashed a sweeping Flamethrower, incinerating several clones in an instant.
But it was too late... The real Mimikyu had already closed in from behind.
Play Rough landed in a direct hit! Dragonite lurched forward, crashing face-first into the ground...