Pokémon: A Different Brock

Chapter 41: Capturing the Giant Dragonite (2)

Meowth looked at the giant Dragonite slowly walking towards them, then looked back at Brock. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but after thinking for a moment, he closed it again without saying anything.

Seeing this, Brock joked, "Meowth, are you scared? Afraid to battle that giant Dragonite?"

Hearing Brock, Meowth didn't say anything but lowered his head silently. Seeing Meowth remain silent with his head down instead of answering, Brock then said encouragingly, "Meowth, don't be afraid! The worst that can happen is we lose! It's no big deal. Be brave, like a real man!" After speaking, Brock patted Meowth's shoulder.

Meowth still didn't say anything after hearing Brock, but when he felt Brock pat his shoulder, he turned his head, saw Brock patting his shoulder, and remained silent.

Seeing this, Brock thought, Sigh! How could I not be afraid of the giant Dragonite myself? And yet here I am, telling my Pokémon not to be afraid... How laughable! Brock chuckled wryly after finishing this thought.

By now, the giant Dragonite had walked closer, still some distance from Brock. It then let out a loud roar in Brock's direction, as if to say, "I'm ready! We can battle now!"

Hearing the giant Dragonite's roar, Brock commanded the Golbat beside him, "Golbat! Use Air Slash! Attack that giant Dragonite!"

Hearing Brock's command, Golbat flapped its wings, creating strong winds that formed into blades like Air Slash, shooting towards the giant Dragonite. The giant Dragonite saw several Air Slash blades coming towards it but ignored them, standing still and allowing the Air Slash to hit.

Subsequently, the Air Slash blades struck the giant Dragonite's belly. It was like dropping stones into the ocean – utterly silent and completely ineffective. The giant Dragonite then nonchalantly scratched the spot where the Air Slash hit, then let out another loud roar at Brock.

Seeing this, Brock asked Meowth beside him, "Meowth, what did that giant Dragonite say just now?"

Hearing Brock, Meowth translated, "Brock! Just now, that giant Dragonite said, 'Is that all the strength you have?! Too weak! You might as well all attack together! Finish this quickly so I can go find my companions.'" After translating, Meowth stared intently at Brock.

Hearing Meowth's translation and seeing Meowth looking at him, waiting for a decision, Brock looked towards the giant Dragonite and commanded all the Pokémon beside him, "Golbat, keep attacking the giant Dragonite with Air Slash! Charmeleon, use Flamethrower on Dragonite! Squirtle, attack Dragonite with Water Gun! And you, Meowth, use Screech on that giant Dragonite! Meowth, you attack first! Then, the rest of you, fuse your moves together and attack Dragonite!"

Hearing Brock's command, Meowth emitted a harsh sound towards the giant Dragonite. Subsequently, Charmeleon, Squirtle, and Golbat launched their moves. However, as the moves traveled towards the giant Dragonite, they merged together in mid-air, then continued as a single combined attack towards the giant Dragonite.

The giant Dragonite saw the fused move coming towards it. It didn't dodge either, perhaps wanting to see if this move would actually hurt when it hit. Subsequently, the fused move struck the Dragonite. The giant Dragonite let out an agonized roar, then opened its massive mouth and unleashed a Flamethrower towards Brock's group.

The flames rushed rapidly towards Brock's side. Seeing the fire quickly approaching him, Brock yelled loudly to the Pokémon beside him, "Meowth! Golbat! Charmeleon! Squirtle! Dodge quickly!" After shouting, Brock quickly ran backwards.

Hearing Brock, Meowth, Charmeleon, Squirtle, and Golbat quickly scattered to the sides. However, they still couldn't get clear. The Flamethrower exploded right beside Brock and his Pokémon.

A large crater appeared where the explosion occurred. Many small pebbles rained down around the crater. When all the small stones had settled, Meowth, Golbat, Charmeleon, and Squirtle were all lying together on the ground, their eyes spinning. Yes, they had all lost the ability to battle.

Subsequently, Brock pushed aside the bodies of Meowth and Charmeleon and slowly stood up. He saw Meowth and the others lying on the ground. Tears streamed down his face as he thought, If Meowth and the others hadn't shielded me at the last moment, they wouldn't be like this! They wouldn't be injured!

Then, Brock wiped his tears with his sleeve and recalled Meowth and the others into their Poké Balls. He quickly ran over beside Misty and the others, handed the Poké Balls containing his Pokémon to them, and said, "Misty! Melanie! Daisy! Dr. Bill! Ash! Please take care of my Pokémon for me first! I have something I need to do, so I'm leaving for a bit!" After speaking, Brock walked back beside the large crater.

Misty and the others accepted Brock's Poké Balls. Hearing Brock say he had something to do, they didn't question him further. Misty released Meowth and the others. Seeing they were covered in wounds, she said to Dr. Bill, "Dr. Bill, do you have machines here for treating Pokémon?"

Hearing Misty, Dr. Bill replied, "Yes, inside the lighthouse! Let's all head back to the lighthouse together! If we don't treat Meowth and the others quickly, they might die!" Subsequently, Ash and the group quickly took Meowth and the others back to the lighthouse for treatment.

At this moment, Brock was still standing beside the large crater, spacing out. He was thinking, All this time, I've just treated Pokémon as pets! But now I see I was wrong! Terribly wrong! They disregarded their own lives to shield me from that last attack! If they hadn't blocked that attack for me, I might already be dead! Now I understand! Pokémon aren't just your pets; they are your brothers, your friends! They trust you, rely on you, believe in you, protect you!

Just then, after Brock had thought everything through, his state of mind elevated. Subsequently, his strength also increased along with it, rising from the Gym Leader rank to the Pseudo-Elite Four rank!

The giant Dragonite was still waiting for Brock's battle. Seeing Brock's group no longer attacking it, it lost interest. It turned around, preparing to leave.

Just then, Brock saw the giant Dragonite about to leave and shouted loudly, "Giant Dragonite! Our battle isn't over yet! You injured my brothers and friends! I will get revenge for them!"

Hearing Brock's words, the giant Dragonite turned back around and saw Brock standing there alone, facing it. It then let out a roar directed at Brock.

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