Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command! [229] [100 PS]

While Tyranitar is often associated with the ground, it's actually a Rock/Dark-type Pokémon.

This gives it a natural advantage when facing Dragonite, thanks to its Rock-type moves being super effective against Flying-types.

A sandstorm swept across the battlefield, the coarse grains pelting Dragonite's massive frame and causing slight damage over time.

However, Tyranitar seemed deeply irritated.

It had been living peacefully on Mt. Silver—eating dirt, basking in the sun, occasionally fighting Ursaring to pass the time. Life had been simple and satisfying.

But one day, it had been ambushed and captured by a cunning trainer, dragged into a life of servitude. Its freedom stripped away, the only solace Tyranitar had was to unleash its frustration in battles like these.

The more Tyranitar thought about it, the angrier it became.

It raised its head, preparing to roar and vent its rage—

But then…

Tyranitar froze as it looked up.

Before it stood the towering shadow of Dragonite, its colossal size almost blocking out the sun.

Too big!

Tyranitar had never seen anything like it.

Though it didn't believe size alone determined strength, this Dragonite's sheer magnitude left Tyranitar momentarily stunned.

If its stats could be displayed, a "Intimidated" debuff would undoubtedly appear in Tyranitar's profile.

Its roar, which had been building for several moments, caught in its throat.

The fiery anger in its chest fizzled into a muted spark, leaving Tyranitar feeling awkward.

It managed only a tentative, hesitant growl.

"...Rrr?"

"...…"

Eito, watching from behind, was utterly speechless.

Was this really his Tyranitar?

The same Pokémon known for its arrogance and refusal to follow orders?

While Eito struggled with disbelief, the commentators quickly picked up on Tyranitar's unusual behavior.

"Tyranitar! A pseudo-legendary Pokémon from the Johto region, renowned for its defiant nature and love of challenging opponents," Kyosuke explained, his voice full of energy.

"However, Eito's Tyranitar seems… a bit different from what the records suggest?"

Tyranitar, understanding human speech, couldn't help but let out a defensive roar toward the commentator's booth.

But as it turned its gaze back to Dragonite, whose face was adorned with a serene, almost benevolent smile, Tyranitar's eyes betrayed a flicker of unease.

This was no ordinary opponent—it was a towering, formidable foe unlike any it had encountered before.

After the initial wave of intimidation passed, Tyranitar's innate battle instincts awakened.

It felt its body heat up, each cell vibrating with anticipation.

A low, guttural growl escaped its throat, its eyes locking onto Dragonite with renewed determination.

Without waiting for Eito's command, Tyranitar attacked.

"Raaawr!"

With a thunderous roar, Tyranitar stomped the ground.

Massive boulders, each a meter wide, erupted from the earth.

Tyranitar charged forward, its immense bulk colliding with the rocks, sending them hurtling toward Dragonite like cannonballs.

If hit, even Dragonite would take significant damage.

But Luo Yuan's Dragonite was no sluggish target.

In previous battles, it had already demonstrated its remarkable speed.

As the boulders closed in, Dragonite's wings gave a gentle flap.

In the next instant, its massive figure blurred, leaving only an afterimage as it vanished from its original position.

Whoosh!

The rocks sailed through the air, smashing into the ground where Dragonite had been moments before.

"Damn it! I knew it… Tyranitar, dodge now!"

Eito, having seen Dragonite's extraordinary speed in the earlier matches, ignored Tyranitar's insubordination and shouted a desperate warning.

"Raaawr!"

But Tyranitar ignored him, as always.

It refused to acknowledge the authority of the trainer who had captured it through underhanded means.

With another roar, Tyranitar stomped the ground again.

More boulders rose, this time shooting upward in rapid succession.

"Tyranitar has used Rock Tomb! But it seems to be acting on its own, ignoring Eito's commands," Malva noted from the commentator's booth.

Her sharp observational skills as an Elite Four trainer had quickly picked up on the disconnect between Tyranitar and Eito.

Her words drew the crowd's attention to Eito, but he didn't have the luxury to address their curious stares.

The battle was far too intense.

As rocks shot toward Dragonite, it darted through them with effortless grace, weaving between the projectiles like a butterfly in the wind.

Its movements were fluid and elegant, almost mesmerizing to watch.

As Dragonite closed the distance, Tyranitar was forced to halt its Rock Tomb attack.

"Tyranitar, use Stone Edge!" Eito commanded, his voice tinged with desperation.

But Tyranitar refused to listen.

Instead, it clenched its fists, icy mist forming around them.

"Oh? Tyranitar has chosen to use Ice Punch! This is an excellent choice against Dragonite, given its vulnerability to Ice-type moves," Malva remarked.

Luo Yuan, of course, noticed as well.

Though Tyranitar's overall strength fell short of Dragonite's, an Ice Punch landing squarely could still deal significant damage.

Without hesitation, Luo Yuan issued a command.

"Dragonite, keep your distance—Dragon Pulse!"

"Keep its distance?"

Malva watched curiously as Dragonite, mid-charge, suddenly flipped backward in a maneuver so fluid it seemed to defy physics.

In a split second, the massive Pokémon transitioned from an aggressive dive to a graceful retreat, hovering at a safe distance.

"Unbelievable! That Dragonite is absurd!"

Eito, witnessing the maneuver, could hardly believe his eyes.

He had expected Dragonite to be fast—it was one of its well-known traits. Dodging Rock Tomb had been impressive, but plausible with sufficient training.

But this mid-air flip? It was simply too much.

While Eito grappled with his disbelief, Dragonite didn't waste any time.

As soon as it completed the maneuver, its mouth began to glow.

The Dragon Pulse Luo Yuan had commanded was already charging.

For Dragonite, whose condensed frame housed an incredible reserve of Dragon-type energy, preparing such a move was effortless.