After eating and drinking their fill, night had fallen quietly. After clearing away the dishes, Cynthia patted Paul.
"Fog, it's foggy!"
Paul nodded seriously. "Get ready, I'll play the recording!"
The two acted separately.
After Ash, Brock, and Misty asked the reason, they naturally expressed their interest and wanted to watch together. Paul didn't stop them.
On the cliff under the lighthouse, two ropes hung on the rock wall. Team Rocket dangled from the ropes, struggling to climb up.
Jessie: "Today, I must catch Pikachu!"
James: "That's right! That's right!"
Meowth: "Stop talking so much, hurry up, meowth!"
The scene shifted to the lighthouse, where Ash, Paul, and the others had arrived at the observation deck.
"It's time to start," Cynthia signaled to Paul.
"Understood, start playing!" Paul turned on the lighthouse's broadcasting equipment.
A long, mournful cry, like a song, like a poem, like a lament, began to echo in the strait. * The original meaning of this call probably also means asking for friendship, asking to be found, asking for connection... maybe... *
Brock and Misty were moved by this melody, almost compelled to start ballroom dancing.
Soon, from the other side of the strait, the same draconic cry returned.
"It's coming!" Paul turned on the lighthouse's searchlight, and the beams began scanning the mist, trying to pinpoint the giant Pokémon's approach.
Accompanied by the sound getting closer and the noise of waves being pushed aside, a huge shadow, standing tall in the sea, almost level with the cliff top lighthouse, appeared in the mist.
"My God, it's huge!!" Misty looked at the shape in the mist with surprise.
"Yeah, I really want to know what kind of Pokémon it is!" Brock also said yearningly.
Everything seemed to be moving in a good direction until...
"Oh my god! What is that?!" Team Rocket, still hanging halfway up the cliff face, was frightened. They took out their rocket launchers and fired upwards without hesitation!
"Oops!!" Paul gritted his teeth, having forgotten about those three troublemakers.
"Cynthia, that Pokémon is going to get angry! The foggy weather is too unfavorable!" Paul looked calm but threw out a Poké Ball. "Pidgeot!"
Cynthia also released Garchomp and Togekiss simultaneously.
"Togekiss!"
"Pidgeot!"
Cynthia and Paul ordered in unison: "Use Defog!"
The two flying Pokémon flapped their wings powerfully, and the strong airflow began to disperse the fog little by little.
The light yellow skin of the huge Pokémon was exposed. The chubby belly, the small wings... It was impressively huge! No, Dragonite!!
"What a huge Dragonite!!!" Team Rocket shouted in surprise. * If they captured it and gave it to the boss, wouldn't they be promoted?*
* Dragonite internally: I'll give you a Hyper Beam. *
The huge Dragonite flicked its tail. The cliff slammed violently, and the lighthouse seemed on the verge of crumbling.
"Melanie, hide inside first!" Paul shouted, then turned his head to stare at the Dragonite.
The huge Dragonite stared fiercely at the lighthouse with red eyes.
"Cynthia, it has lost itself in anger. If we don't wake it up, we probably won't be able to communicate properly!" Paul gritted his teeth and said to Cynthia.
Cynthia nodded, then stepped forward without hesitation, waving one hand, her black coat rustling.
"Fly into the sky! Garchomp!!"
"Gar!!" Garchomp's presence soared as it leaped into the sky and circled.
The huge Dragonite was not afraid and suddenly punched towards the top of the lighthouse. If this hit squarely, Paul and the others on the observation deck would definitely become lifelike pancakes.
"Not good! Run!" Brock and Misty pulled Ash to run away.
Paul took a big step forward, coming to Cynthia's side, and Prinplup had already appeared beside him.
Noticing Paul's movement, the corners of Cynthia's mouth rose slightly, and she commanded vigorously, "Garchomp, Dragon Dive!!"
The Garchomp in the air roared, and a huge azure blue dragon shaped light burst out from its body, fiercely colliding with the huge Dragonite's fist!
Boom!!! The huge explosion raised black smoke, which was immediately blown away by Togekiss and Pidgeot in the air.
The huge Dragonite recoiled in pain, clutching its fist and taking two steps back.
It was hard to imagine that with such a huge size gap, the giant Dragonite was forced to retreat!
Paul watched Garchomp remain almost unharmed in the sky, his mind racing. * This is a Champion's Pokémon, and this is Cynthia! Sinnoh's Number 1, who allegedly subdued the Elite Four with just Garchomp! *
With a cry, the huge Dragonite, not calmed by the blow, opened its huge mouth wide, and destructive energy began to gather!
"It's Hyper Beam!" Brock shouted, his face pale.
"Garchomp! Outrage!" Cynthia didn't dare to be careless and went straight for a powerful move!
Garchomp's scales seemed to stand on end, its eyes turned scarlet, and immense draconic energy gathered around the blades on its arms.
"Launch!!" Cynthia pointed at the Dragonite without fear.
Dragonite's Hyper Beam and Garchomp's Outrage powered energy shot out at the same time! The surging energy waves collided, forming a huge force field, and then, bang!!
A massive explosion occurred! Garchomp and Prinplup stood protectively in front of their trainers, their green Protect shields blocking all the air waves generated by the blast!
With a splash, the huge Dragonite plunged into the sea below, smoke coming out of its mouth. This time, Cynthia's Garchomp had won!!
"No problem," Cynthia looked back at Paul, smiled easily, and recalled Garchomp, which had fallen into confusion after using Outrage, to its Poké Ball.
"It seems so." Paul walked to the edge of the observation deck.
Wow~ A huge head poked out from the sea, looking a little confused and somewhat cute as it gazed at Paul and Cynthia on the lighthouse.
"Go closer?" Paul asked Cynthia.
"Okay," Cynthia nodded.
"Come here, Pidgeot!" Paul waved. Pidgeot retracted its wings and landed beside Paul.
"Ladies first." Paul stretched out one hand, bowing slightly to Cynthia as if inviting a dance partner.
Cynthia covered her mouth and chuckled, accepting Paul's hand to mount Pidgeot.
Because Togekiss's size wasn't suitable for carrying people, and Garchomp had just battled and needed rest, riding Paul's Pidgeot was undoubtedly the best choice.
Cynthia sat firmly, and Paul carefully sat behind her, trying not to lean completely against Cynthia. He patted Pidgeot. "Let's go Pidgeot, let's go see that big guy."
Ash, Brock, and Misty, lacking flying Pokémon, could only watch with envy and longing as Paul and Cynthia approached the Dragonite floating in the sea. Ash took out Pidgeotto's Poké Ball and kept encouraging his Pidgeotto. * Work hard, next time I'll ride Pidgeotto out for an adventure! *
Pidgeot stretched its wings and hovered in front of the huge Dragonite.
Paul spoke first. "Hey, big guy, can you understand what I'm saying?"
Dragonite tilted its head to look at Paul, then nodded.
Paul breathed a sigh of relief. * As long as it can understand, maybe ancient Pokémon had complex communication. *
"Are you here looking for companions?" Paul continued to ask. Cynthia just watched Paul and Dragonite communicate with interest, without interrupting.
* Tsk tsk, a supportive partner, right? *
The huge Dragonite whined softly and continued to nod.
"Your species is not extinct in this world. So don't worry, you are not alone!" Paul comforted the massive creature first.
When Dragonite heard that it still had kin, it danced excitedly in the water, tears welling up in its eyes.
"Do you want to go find them? Or come with us?" Paul decided to ask directly.
The huge Dragonite looked at Paul curiously.
"In our era, people who work hard with Pokémon, fight, and train are called Pokémon trainers. If you come with us, you will be our companions and family members in the future!"
The huge Dragonite lowered its head, seemingly meditating.
Paul smiled and asked Cynthia, "Cynthia, do you want to raise such a big Dragonite?"
Cynthia responded with a smile: "It should be quite interesting, but don't you want it?"
"Well, you defeated it, so you decide how to handle it," Paul smiled and gently tidied the strands of hair behind Cynthia's ear that had become messy in the wind.
"Haha, that also depends on Dragonite's choice."
The huge Dragonite seemed to have made up its mind. It shook its head at Paul and cried out a few more times, seemingly in request.
"I see." Paul understood; this ancient giant still wanted to return to its own kind.
"From here to the east, there is an island surrounded by whirlpools, where a group of Dragonite live. It's near Pallet Town. You can go there to find your companions!" Paul said, pointing towards Dragonite Island.
"Those Dragonite are much smaller than you. You must be like an ancestor to them. Go there and live in peace. The island is very big, enough for you to live there safely!"
Dragonite nodded, shook the small wings behind it gratefully, and tossed two beautiful scales towards Paul.
Paul reached out to catch them. Seeing Paul accept the scales, the giant Dragonite turned and slowly swam away in the direction of Dragonite Island.
"Its seemingly huge body also took away its ability to fly efficiently," Cynthia analyzed rationally.
"However, I really didn't expect that the mysterious creature Bill was thinking about was a Dragonite from ancient times," Paul said with emotion.
"Yes," Cynthia nodded and smiled. "I will write a paper later to reveal the true identity of this mysterious Pokémon. How about it's credited just to the two of us?"
"Haha. Bill will envy us to death," Paul joked and handed one of the Dragon Scales in his hand to Cynthia.
"Here, Dragonite's thank you gift."
Cynthia took one piece and returned the other piece to Paul. "It's a gift for both of us, one piece each. This should have a significant effect on improving Dragon type Pokémon. You keep it for Gible."
"Okay," Paul didn't hesitate and put the Dragon Scale back into his pocket.
"By the way, Cynthia, can the paper not mention its whereabouts?"
"Don't worry," Cynthia looked back at Paul reassuringly. "I won't let others disturb it!"
After the excitement of the night, the sky began to turn slightly red; dawn was approaching.
"Okay, it's over. Let's go back," Paul asked Cynthia.
"Let's go, I'm tired."
Pidgeot carried the two back to the lighthouse. After saying good night to each other, they each went to rest. The thrilling night finally passed.
Lying on his own bed, Paul looked at the ceiling with some regret, having let the huge Dragonite leave. However, Cynthia's strength had also helped Paul realize the true situation.
* Rather than relying on the power of super ancient Pokémon, it's better to improve my own companions. As long as they have potential and are willing to work hard, ordinary Pokémon can challenge even legendary ones! *
While Paul was thinking intensely, Cynthia was also hugging her quilt cutely, unable to fall asleep.
* Tomorrow... we're going to say goodbye... no, maybe soon, we'll see each other again! *
* A young woman's thoughts are complicated... *