Ryu Ryuuske fiddled with the Master Ball at his chest, a faint purple gleam flickering in his eyes.
[Ryuuske, he's dangerous.]
[The commanding force of Kanto's Elite Four—of course he's dangerous. You could say he's the strongest in Kanto… no, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but he's definitely among the strongest.]
Ryuuske detested the look in the man's eyes—the one who shared his surname. That arrogant self-confidence, that disdainful gaze that seemed to disregard all others. Just one glance, and Ryuuske was certain: this Dragon Tamer had lived an utterly smooth life, never once tasting true hardship.
Compared to Giovanni, who had just left, Ryuuske found the gap between them staggering. Due to his transmigration, Ryuuske had always tread cautiously in this new world, painstakingly familiarizing himself with it. Giovanni, the strongest Gym Leader, radiated maturity and restraint—an innate wisdom that left one in awe.
Although Giovanni had always been openly hostile toward him, and this Lance seemed to harbor no ill will, if forced to choose, Ryuuske would absolutely side with Boss Giovanni. That calm, ruthless stability exuded an irresistible charisma that compelled loyalty.
If I could shatter that haughty mask of his... If Lance were to face his own downfall—what kind of expression would he make then? Would he crumble into ruin, or finally grow up?
Ryuuske thought with not a little malice.
Lance's gaze was unbearable—as if no one else existed in his eyes, as if everyone else were weaklings… and yet, that expression was enviable too. Ryuuske had the same goal: the pride of looking down on all others from above. Still, he did not see Lance as his target, because in his eyes, the Elite Four fell short.
"Ryuuske! One who shares my surname, one who wields the power of dragons like I do—my dear younger brother…"
The imposing Aerodactyl spread its wings, carrying Lance down from above until he landed before Ryuuske. Lance didn't move; arms crossed, he stood tall, as if he were used to looking down on others. He always seemed to stand just a bit higher than everyone else.
Perched atop Gabite's shoulder, Ryuuske met Lance's gaze without fear. Inwardly, he even scoffed. Lance clearly had no idea that he held Mewtwo, the ultimate trump card—he dared to get so close face-to-face, with barely any wariness. Compared to Giovanni, who had deeply analyzed him and left no openings, Lance's arrogance was downright reckless. Ryuuske figured if he launched a surprise attack now, he might really be able to take him down.
"Younger brother? I recall I was an orphan. And you're from Blackthorn City right? Don't tell me my parents were part of some so-called 'Ryu Clan' from Blackthorn. That kind of soap opera twist isn't even funny."
Ryuuske shrugged. It was fine if Lance underestimated him—that gave him all the advantage, whether for offense or retreat. Without danger, there was no fear. A chat wouldn't hurt. Facing Lance didn't carry the same pressure as dealing with Giovanni—the Team Rocket Boss was truly unreadable.
The ancestors were right: "A man being overly friendly for no reason is either scheming or stealing." Giovanni had warned him to be wary of Lance before leaving, and Ryuuske didn't take that as an attempt to sow discord, but a genuine warning.
"The Ryu Clan? Hahahahahaha—"
Lance burst into laughter like he'd heard the funniest joke ever. Standing atop Aerodactyl, his laughter echoed through Mt. Moon, reverberating far and wide.
"…All just because their ancestors once produced a 'true dragon master' and because the Blackthorn Clan's houses a Dragon's Den teeming with dragon-types, they dare call themselves the Ryu Clan. That's the funniest thing I've ever heard!"
Clearly, Lance held the so-called fake "Ryu Clan" in utter contempt—his disdain was plain in every word.
"…The 'Power of the Dragon' isn't something passed down through blood. The only two known true Dragon Masters in this world are you—and me!"
He pointed at himself, then at Ryuuske.
"This power is not something those people anywhere in the world could possess. It has nothing to do with the nobility of birth. It is the love of the Viridian Forest—that beautiful forest chose to bestow this gift upon us! The fact that you were chosen too proves your worth, my dear younger brother!"
For the first time, Ryuuske saw a flash of recognition in Lance's proud eyes. It made him a bit awkward—he had just spent the past few minutes mentally trashing the guy, yet Lance clearly held him in high regard. Maybe… he should raise his impression of Lance by a couple points?
Still, Lance's arrogance hadn't changed. He acknowledged Ryuuske only because they shared the same power—he likely even assumed Ryuuske would align with all his ideals. That's why he took on this tone, treating Ryuuske like a younger sibling or successor… because he saw Ryuuske as an extension of himself.
He truly did see Ryuuske as his "younger brother"—not through blood, but through something even deeper. As one of only two known holders of this power, their kinship felt natural to him.
"My father was part of that Blackthorn clan. But that foolish, decaying family believed only marriage within the Blackthorn clan could preserve the bloodline's power. My father renounced his inheritance and married a woman from Viridian City. Like you, I was born in the arms of Virodian Forest. Like you, I was blessed by the forest and given its recognition."
Lance shared his family background without hesitation. It was a bombshell—Kanto's Elite Four were notoriously mysterious, and even the media had never uncovered such juicy gossip.
He made Aerodactyl step forward, drawing closer to Gabite. Gently, he placed a hand on Gabite's body. Noticing the Pokémon's tension, Lance offered a smile of unprecedented gentleness.
"…Don't be nervous, Gabite. Don't be afraid. I mean your trainer no harm. I can feel your boundless fighting spirit. I can sense your loyalty—your willingness to fight to the death for him. And you're right. He's an outstanding trainer. He loves you dearly. He's raised you well."
Lance closed his eyes, sensing Gabite's emotions. Ryuuske merely arched an eyebrow and did not object.
Then, to his astonishment, Ryuuske watched as Gabite's wounds visibly healed.
The Power of Viridian?! Just like Tokiwa Lilac's power!
Ryuuske opened his mouth but said nothing. This Elite Four Commander was straight-up cheating. He possessed both the Power of the Dragon and the Power of Tokiwa(Power blessed by viridian forest). No wonder he was so arrogant—he really was that good.
But Ryuuske could sense that Lance's Dragon Power wasn't the same primal force he wielded. Lance's was more about affinity—closer bonds with dragon-types. It didn't cover up all of a dragon's flaws, didn't make them truly perfect through sheer will alone.
When it came to true mastery over dragons, Ryuuske knew he surpassed the Lance before him.
Then again… Lance was just a wannabe Dragon Master who played Flying-types. He couldn't even recognize a real dragon by sight!
"My brother, I sense from Gabite your deep love for Pokémon… But they—those ordinary humans—aren't like us. They can't form such profound bonds with Pokémon. They can't sense their feelings, their joys, their sorrows."
"…Those foolish people only see Pokémon as tools, as things to conquer. With their filthy hands and polluted skies, they seek to dominate a world that belongs to Pokémon. They—like ancient civilizations before them—should be utterly erased!"
Lance clenched his fists, his voice feverish, on the brink of madness.
Well, he was a "Dragon Tamer," after all. That savage, brutal aura really did mirror Ryuuske's own nature.
Chuunibyou—
Ryuuske instantly diagnosed him. And it was terminal.
Chuunibyou isn't scary.
But a Chuunibyou with power? Now that's terrifying.
And Lance… was exactly that kind of person.
To be continued…
(P/S: For all the confused people, Lance's name in manga is Wataru, so we can consider the ru in his name as Ryu)