Chapter 26: Chapter 26: How to Drive a Dragonite Crazy
Maki walked out of the room with his hands clasped behind his head. There was still some time left, so he decided to use the training grounds in Sabrina's gym to train Charmander. He didn't notice the slightly exasperated look Sabrina gave him as he left.
After releasing Charmander from its Pokéball, Maki also pulled out the Pokéball containing Dragonite.
"Don't cause too much commotion when you come out, alright?"
Maki spoke softly to the Pokémon inside. The Pokéball flashed red and shook slightly in his hand, as if agreeing to his request.
Snap!
Maki snapped his fingers with a satisfied grin and crouched down to address Charmander.
"Let me introduce you to an excellent mentor."
That's right—Maki planned to have Dragonite train Charmander.
Dragonite, being a Dragon-type Pokémon, had an impressively wide movepool. It could learn a vast array of moves spanning every color of the spectrum and was capable of mastering Dragon Dance naturally as it leveled up.
Giovanni's Dragonite had reached Champion-level strength, so there was no reason it wouldn't know Dragon Dance. This made it the perfect teacher for Charmander.
Additionally, Dragonite also knew Flamethrower, another move that Charmander needed to learn.
"Char?"
Excellent mentor? How strong could they be?
Charmander tilted its head in curiosity. Although it didn't fully understand Maki's plan, it followed him faithfully.
The training grounds in Saffron City's gym were significantly larger than the ones Maki had rented at the Pokémon Center.
The gym also featured special tools designed for Psychic Pokémon and their trainers to practice with, though these were of no use to Maki.
"Come on out, Dragonite!"
Maki pressed the button on the Pokéball, and with a flash of red light, a towering Dragonite appeared before them.
Its entire body was a bright orange-yellow, with large gray eyes. Two long antennae and a small horn adorned its head, while its striped cream-colored belly extended all the way down to the tip of its long tail.
Its stout limbs ended in sharp claws, and its wings, though larger than average for a Dragonite, still seemed disproportionately small compared to its body.
"Whoo!"
Though Dragonite refrained from roaring to assert its dominance—per Maki's request—it still stood tall with its arms crossed and its head held high. Even the faint breath escaping its nostrils made Maki and Charmander struggle to stay steady.
"Eer?"
[Kid, why did you call me out?]
Dragonite was well aware that Maki was Giovanni's son and its current charge. However, that didn't mean it would blindly obey Maki's orders. Even in emergencies, Dragonite was instructed to follow only Giovanni's direct commands and prioritize Maki's safety.
"I'll make it clear now," Dragonite continued, its voice deep and commanding. "I'm here to protect you. Don't expect me to help you with anything else. That's Giovanni's decision."
Although Maki couldn't understand Dragonite's language, he could guess its meaning. He immediately stepped forward to try and win it over, while Charmander, intimidated, hid timidly behind Maki's legs.
This reaction was perfectly natural. After all, a Champion-level Dragonite's presence was overwhelming, even without intentionally exerting its power.
Maki, however, was used to it—his father's collection of Champion-level Pokémon was extensive.
"Come on, don't be so distant. Remember when I was a kid, and you used to carry me on your back as we flew around? And that time when Silver was just a little brat and accidentally—"
Dragonite didn't want to hear another word. It plopped down on the ground and started scratching its ear with a claw, clearly signaling its disinterest.
But Maki's next words shattered Dragonite's composure.
"WROAR! WROAR!" Dragonite growled frantically, interrupting him. That incident with Silver was not only Silver's black mark but also its own.
If the other Dragonite back home found out that a kid had once peed on its back, how could it ever show its face again?
"Relax, I'm just asking you to teach Charmander a couple of moves."
Maki, seeing an opening, pressed the issue. "Specifically, Dragon Dance and Flamethrower. If you've got time, maybe throw in some other Dragon-type techniques too."
Maki pulled Charmander forward.
"Charrr..."
Charmander raised a tiny claw and waved nervously at Dragonite.
"WROAR?! WROAR!"
Are you kidding me?! Teaching a Charmander Dragon Dance? That's impossible!
If teaching Flamethrower was a stretch, then Dragon Dance was outright ludicrous. Even Dragonite had needed guidance from other Dragon-types before it could learn the move naturally at higher levels.
Teaching it to a Charmander? Preposterous!
"Don't be so hasty. My Charmander already knows Dragon Dance. I'm just asking you to help refine its technique," Maki clarified.
Dragonite paused, a hint of surprise flashing in its eyes as it glanced at Charmander.
A Charmander that knew Dragon Dance? Could it have Dragonite blood?
Dragonite's piercing gaze made Charmander shrink back nervously.
Why is this weird uncle staring at me like that?
"Don't overthink it. Its father is probably a Gyarados, not a Dragonite."
Maki's comment made sense. Charmander had inherited both Crunch and Dragon Dance, moves that could be passed down from a Gyarados parent.
Dragonite's interest waned as it shook its head dismissively, but it still stood up and pointed at Charmander.
"WROAR!"
[You, use Dragon Dance.]
Charmander looked up at Maki, who nodded encouragingly. Taking a deep breath, Charmander began to perform Dragon Dance right where it stood.
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