Pokemon: Gym Leader

Lacey was almost stunned!

She only thought Regirock was a bit hard to deal with, so she wanted to switch opponents, but what did she just shout out?

What was that??

"This..."

Looking at the elegant, pure white dragon, even Alder and Granbull were both shocked at the moment.

"Is this the white dragon Reshiram from the founding legends? Dylan actually gained Reshiram's allegiance???"

Alder regained his composure, though his voice could not hide his astonishment.

This was definitely the real Dragon God Reshiram. It looked too much like the one from the legends.

"That's right! When my brother came to Unova, he was chosen by Reshiram. We went to Dragonspiral Tower, and my brother successfully awakened Reshiram."

Lillie's delicate, fair face was glowing with a beautiful smile, and her tone was filled with pride.

She had every right to be proud, especially seeing the shock in Alder and Clay's expressions. Lillie felt even more honored.

After all, that was her proud adoptive brother!

"This is unbelievable..." Clay's expression was complex. The dragon god legends of Unova had been passed down for nearly a thousand years.

Most people in Unova only regarded it as a legend, but when the news came from Kanto recently that the Plasma Team's leader, N, had gained the recognition of the black dragon Zekrom, things became real again. N's ideals were also extremely radical.

And now the white dragon had been awakened, but...

Good news: The one who awakened the white dragon is an Alliance trainer.

And not-so-bad 'bad news': He's a Gym Leader from the Kanto region, not the Unova League!

So, this guy came to Unova just to steal their real Dragon God!

Alder realized this as well, feeling quite helpless. The two legendary dragon gods of Unova—one had been taken by the leader of an evil organization, and the other was about to be taken by someone from another region.

This...

This wasn't exactly good news for the Unova League. Even though the Pokémon League stood united, to deal with N and his Zekrom, it would be ideal to have Reshiram on their side.

"We have to convince Dylan to join Unova!"

Alder silently made up his mind. He knew the situation well—he was the only Champion-level power in Unova right now.

Trying to take on Zekrom was almost impossible unless they could set up a trap to lure it in and use advanced technology to interfere with it.

But that was very hard to achieve, nearly impossible.

However, if Dylan were to join Unova, everything would be easily resolved.

Alder was sure of one thing: Dylan was absolutely a Champion-level trainer. And with Dylan on their side, Unova could rise again!

Ever since Alder had withdrawn from the scene, Unova had been on a steady decline, with no one capable of inheriting the title of Champion.

But if Dylan were willing to join Unova and become its Champion, he could certainly restore Unova's glory! He might even surpass Kanto to make Unova the top region.

Do people understand how valuable having Reshiram is?

But the key question now was, what could they offer to entice Dylan to join? A wise bird chooses the best tree to perch on, and Alder wasn't sure if the title of Unova Champion would be appealing enough to Dylan...

Alder pondered this. Should they send Shauntal to try to convince him?

Though that recluse spent her days writing novels, she had a great figure and appearance. Plus, she was one of the Unova Elite Four, holding a high status. Dylan, being of this age, might have certain fantasies about women...right?

Though Alder wasn't sure if she'd agree to it or if Dylan would be into it.

While it felt a bit sneaky, for the sake of Unova, some special tactics were necessary. Besides, if Dylan were to join Unova, all of its resources could be channeled toward him. Everyone would have a bright future.

This was an era of intense competition, and talents like Dylan belonged to the whole Pokémon League! Why shouldn't Unova try to win him over? There was nothing wrong with that!

On the battlefield.

Granbull roared again, unleashing a fierce wind mixed with energy.

Although Reshiram had just been summoned and was still a bit dazed, as a true legendary Pokémon, it instinctively began to resist. With a heavy sweep of its wings and claws, it unleashed a powerful gust of wind, colliding with the incoming wave of energy and preventing itself from being forcibly returned to its Pokéball.

Seeing that Reshiram had not been forced back, Lacey's face turned pale.

"Oooh~!"

Reshiram let out a clear and majestic dragon roar, and the oppressive aura made the very air feel thick.

Though it might seem like just a sidekick when compared to Kyurem and Ultra Necrozma, in front of other Pokémon, it was the legendary true dragon, Reshiram! Do they not understand the majesty of the true dragon?

Lacey could feel the immense pressure, biting her lower lip as cold sweat formed on her forehead. Her heart was racing, thumping faster and faster!

So terrifying, so terrifying, so terrifying!!

Granbull, what kind of monster have you just summoned?!

"Bulu..."

At this point, Granbull's legs began to wobble. It swallowed hard, taking a step back. This was terrifying!

"Don't be afraid... Don't be afraid, Granbull! I believe in you! Don't be scared!"

Though Lacey was under immense pressure, she still gritted her teeth and encouraged Granbull. No matter what, they couldn't give up without a fight.

Lacey couldn't accept such a humiliating defeat, even if they were to lose.

"Bulu..."

Hearing its trainer's words, Granbull finally managed to stop retreating, though it was trembling from head to toe.

It could feel Reshiram's gaze fixed on it, making its skin crawl and sending shivers down its spine.

Please... Please stop looking at me, or I'll start crying! (Granbull crying.jpg)

Indeed, the intimidating presence of a legendary Pokémon like Reshiram was overwhelming for ordinary Pokémon.

Dylan shook his head at the sight. However, this was partly because Lacey and her Pokémon were still quite young—they were, after all, still students at the academy.

But at least Lacey was still holding onto her fighting spirit, even after facing Reshiram, which was commendable.

Her battle skills, tactics, and Pokémon training were all quite good. Dylan thought it might be worth awarding her a badge, but the battle wasn't over yet.

"Miss Lacey, try again."

Dylan finally spoke, smiling warmly at Lacey in encouragement.

Lacey was taken aback.

"Use that move you just attempted."

"I... I understand."

Lacey bit her lip, giving Dylan a grateful look. She knew he was trying to relieve some of her pressure.

Battling Reshiram was far beyond her capabilities.

"Granbull, use Roar!!"

Granbull fought a mental battle with itself. It feared that if it roared, the other side would just roar back even louder...

But remembering how much Lacey cherished it, Granbull gritted its teeth.

The evil hound roared!

Dylan looked at Granbull's "ultra-low-frequency" roar with a strange expression on his face. Well, at least it managed to pull it off.

'Don't resist, Granbull is already scared to the point of collapse.'

Seeing that Reshiram seemed to have the intention of flapping its wings again, Dylan spoke through their telepathic connection.

Reshiram tilted its head, and then, naturally, was sent back into its cherished Pokéball by the Roar.

"Dylan truly is such a kind and gentle young man~"

Witnessing this scene, both Alder and Clay were deeply moved. They could clearly tell that Dylan was being considerate of Lacey's emotions.

So gentle~!

"Ah... thank you so much, Leader Dylan..."

Lacey was overwhelmed with gratitude. Leader Dylan was just too kind, sniffle~

Heaven knows how much psychological pressure she had felt standing on the battlefield against a legendary true dragon! She was barely holding it together!

But before Lacey could finish speaking, a more violent and ferocious presence suddenly descended, even more intense than Reshiram's.

"Roar~!!"

The furious roar of the ice dragon shook the entire Driftveil Gym!!

Alder and Granbull were utterly stunned as dust fell from the ceiling!

What... What kind of roar was that?! Like a small earthquake?!

Lacey's eyes widened in shock, and they started to tear up. Kyurem's aura was simply too fierce, and it was right across from her!

The overwhelming and terrifying pressure felt like a direct assault, freezing her in place, her entire body stiff and unable to move.

Even Granbull, unsure of where it found the strength, dashed behind Lacey, clinging to her leg and trembling, its head buried and refusing to lift up.

("Mom, I'm scared.jpg")

Kyurem's golden dragon eyes were filled with rage as it glared at Lacey and her Granbull. Was this really Dylan's opponent?

Too weak... but, oh well, I'm Dylan's partner now.

"Roar~! (Dylan, I will freeze all your enemies for you!)"

The icy-blue energy around Kyurem began to condense, forming beautiful ice rings that shimmered around its body.

A frozen world! I will turn you into eternal ice sculptures!!

A chilling cold began to spread, and a thick layer of frost formed on the ground around Kyurem's feet.

The temperature inside Driftveil Gym visibly dropped, and frost from the cold air above turned into snowflakes that gently drifted down.

"It's... it's snowing?" Clay dumbly stared at the frost and snow on his cowboy jacket, completely dumbfounded.

"Wait! Kyurem!" Dylan quickly stopped Kyurem.

"?" Kyurem paused, its massive, ferocious head turning toward Dylan in confusion.

'This is a Gym battle, you need to go easy. Don't go all out.'

An easy battle? Kyurem seemed to understand.

"Um... Miss Lacey, how about you try that move again?"

Dylan, wearing an awkward yet polite smile, turned to Lacey, who had tears welling up in her eyes.

The poor girl was on the verge of being scared to tears by Kyurem—no, she was already shedding tiny tears.

But Dylan hadn't done it on purpose! How was he supposed to know? What was this Granbull anyway? It Roared once at Reshiram, and now a second time at Kyurem??

Didn't even glance at Regirock, Articuno, or Darkrai?? What kind of heavenly luck is this?

"Sniff..." Lacey shook her head, her eyes red.

"Trust me! This was really an accident. Have Granbull use Roar one more time, and I promise no more scary Kyurem."

Kyurem: "?"

Dylan quickly stuffed Reshiram's and Ultra Necrozma's Pokéballs into his backpack, ensuring Granbull's Roar wouldn't bring them out.

Dylan truly felt like the most considerate Gym Leader out there. Where else could you find such a kind and gentle leader?

For the challenger's sake, not only was he going easy, he even had to "seal" his Pokémon's Pokéballs!