Pokémon: Midnight Blue

Dragonite

On my way back to Pallet town, I ran into Tulin, the trainer I spoke with at the entrance of Fuchsia. He had a stern look on his face.

"Greetings, Phoenix," Tulin tipped his hat at me, "I hardly recognized you with this new attire you've donned."

"What are you doing here, Tulin?" I looked up at him with slight apathy in my eyes.

"I'm headed to Pallet Town. I understand from there is the quickest route to Cinnabar Island. I've received this fossil from a scientist in Pewter City, and I'm headed there to resurrect whatever Pokémon it may withhold. Who knows? It may make a valuable addition to my team."

"That reminds me, we still haven't had our battle."

"Do you honestly think you have what it takes to defeat me?"

"Of course I do. But if you're so concerned about my own shortcomings, how about this? A one-on-one battle. No substitutions, no items, and no commands. Just two Pokémon to brawl it out and see which can defeat the other independently."

"This is an interesting offer. Trusting your Pokémon can fight without having to take a single command from you. Having the confidence that it will have enough strength and intelligence to find the enemy's weak points on its own. Either you are a better trainer than I expected, or you're just as foolish as I expected. I accept this challenge."

Tulin turned to his side, pulled a Ball from his belt, and dropped it beside him. A Dewgong emerged, squirming to get into a stable position.

I flicked my Pokéball out in front of me. Dragonair towered out of the Pokéball. At the sight of its opponent, Dewgong immediately rolled over to get a decent lock on Dragonair and shot an Aurora Beam. It seemed hopeless, but as the attack was about to hit Dragonair, it vanished to another area outside of Dewgong's reach. Dragonair had used Agility to evade the attack.

Dragonair shot a Thunderbolt at Dewgong, but it rolled out of the way just in time. Dewgong shot another Aurora Beam at Dragonair, and my Pokémon leapt in the air and out of the range of attack. Just then, I noticed Dragonair being surrounded by a bright, glowing light. It sprouted legs, arms, and wings. I stared in admiration at my new Dragonite. It flew up a good bit higher. Dewgong, apparently aware that Dragonite was doubly affected by Ice-type attacks than it had been as a Dragonair, immediately began to scramble to get to an area where it could land a decent attack. Before it had the chance, my Dragonite dove down and slammed its entire body against the foe. Dewgong spazzed and squirmed trying to move again, but it evidently could not. It was paralyzed.

Dragonite flew up again. A spark began to sparkle in the antennae on Dragonite's head. I knew what was to come. Dragonite was going to finish this battle off. It lashed a Thunderbolt at its opponent. Dewgong flailed in pain until the attack was finished. It lay there, helpless, completely unable to retaliate anymore.

Tulin reluctantly returned his Sea Lion Pokémon to its Pokéball and walked over to me. He stretched out his hand and spoke, "I've underestimated you, Phoenix. I hope to have a chance to battle you once again at the Pokémon League."

I stared at his hand for a moment, and then looked back up at him. "Cut the crap, Tulin," I said coldly, "I don't like you, you don't like me. I just hope you don't blame that Dewgong of yours when you lose to me on the Plateau."

With that, I walked off. I never glanced behind me, but I heard Tulin mutter something under his breath. I could not make it out, it seemed as if he was speaking a foreign language. Whatever he was saying, it did not sound pleasant.