Chapter 271: Dragonite VS Garchomp

Early the next morning, Julian and Dragonite resumed their climb up Dragon Mountain. They were now very close to the next Dragon-type Pokémon.

Glancing at the Dowsing Machine, Julian noticed ten red dots displayed on its screen.

Ever since they arrived at Dragon Mountain, the Dowsing Machine had consistently shown the maximum value of ten red dots, no matter how much Julian moved around.

Each red dot was substantial in size as well.

This meant that Dragon Mountain was brimming with treasures. If it weren't for the fact that the greatest treasure awaited at the summit, Julian would have already started his treasure hunt.

"Just wait for me. I'll come and collect you all one by one soon" he murmured to the red dots on the screen.

Still, the Dragon Pool was the priority. The treasures weren't going anywhere, after all.

With thoughts of treasure spurring him on, Julian's climbing pace unconsciously quickened. The wind grew stronger as they ascended higher.

At an altitude of 5,660 meters, Julian and Dragonite came to a halt. He could sense a powerful aura emanating from the forest not far away.

Crash! Crash! Crash!

The sound of trees, as thick as waistlines, toppling echoed through the area. Emerging from the fallen timber was a Garchomp, making its way toward them. Every tree in its path was smashed apart as it bulldozed forward.

Julian raised an eyebrow, finding its behavior a bit odd. Couldn't it just go around? He couldn't help but feel this Garchomp might have a few screws loose.

Garchomp: 'This human and his Dragonite must be awestruck by my dramatic entrance. Clearly, coming up with such a grand entrance proves I'm the smartest dragon on this mountain.'

Seeing Julian and Dragonite's puzzled expressions, Garchomp felt a surge of pride.

Dragonite: 'This one must have something seriously wrong with it.'

Garchomp's gaze fixed on its challengers, of course it lingered more on Dragonite. When it realized Dragonite hadn't even reached the Elite level, a flicker of confusion crossed its fierce face.

Then, noticing Dragonite's goofy grin, as if it were greeting it, Garchomp was momentarily caught off guard.

Just as it was about to nod in acknowledgment, Dragonite vanished from sight, charging straight at Garchomp. The force of its wingbeats uprooted the trees behind it.

Garchomp: 'Such disrespect at such a young age! Watch me counter your move.'

Garchomp unleashed a powerful Dragon Pulse, the energy transforming into a vivid green dragon. The massive, clawing form—stretching over ten meters long—rushed to meet Dragonite.

Caught off guard by Garchomp's quick reaction, Dragonite found itself on the defensive despite having initiated the attack.

Dragonite retaliated with its own Dragon Pulse, firing a concentrated blast of draconic energy from its mouth.

As the two attacks collided, Garchomp's eyes widened slightly in surprise. It could feel the intense, pure Dragon-type essence emanating from Dragonite's move.

Dragonite, who hadn't even reached Elite-level strength, somehow possessed a Dragon-type essence richer than Garchomp's, despite the latter being at the late Elite-tier.

Garchomp: 'How much good stuff has this Dragonite been eating?'

Dragon essence, or the origin energy that fuels Dragon-types, typically grows with a Pokémon's strength.

However, it can also be enhanced through rare treasures. A stronger essence means that moves of the Pokémon's type will pack an even greater punch.

Dragon Pulse vs. Dragon Pulse.

Two emerald-green dragon-shaped energies collided midair. The resulting explosion of Dragon-type energy was like a massive bomb going off.

A deafening roar filled the sky, and shockwaves spread out in white concentric rings.

Everything within the radius of the rings began to crack, collapse, and shatter under the destructive force.

Julian had wisely retreated far away.

Without a Pokémon to protect him, the aftermath of such a battle could easily take his life.

He wasn't about to gamble on the Mega Pallet Town physique in this situation.

As the shockwaves began to subside, Dragonite and Garchomp clashed once again—this time in a brutal melee.

Garchomp's lean, muscular frame contained immense power, and the scythe-like fins on its arms resembled sharp battle axes.

Every swing of its fins sliced through the air with a piercing, ear-splitting sound that made Julian wince even from a distance.

Dragonite, despite its plump and rounded body often earning it the nickname "chubby," was widely regarded as an agile powerhouse.

Its small, seemingly disproportionate wings granted it incredible speed and the ability to maneuver deftly in tight spaces.

Mega Punch. Thunder Punch. Ice Punch. Brick Break. Dragon Claw.

Both Pokémon unleashed a relentless flurry of close-range moves. Their blows shattered the solid rocky ground beneath them, sending debris flying in all directions.

The battle reverberated throughout Dragon Mountain. The cacophony of their clash echoed into the skies.

This was only the beginning.

Dragonite's Dragon Tail slammed into Garchomp's side, while Garchomp countered by sinking its sharp jaws into Dragonite's shoulder with Crunch.

Dragonite roared in pain as several puncture wounds appeared on its shoulder, blood trickling down from the injuries.

Garchomp, though not bleeding, wasn't faring much better. The power behind Dragonite's Dragon Tail felt like a sledgehammer smashing into its body, leaving it with internal injuries instead of external ones.

The force of Dragon Tail sent Garchomp hurtling through the forest, snapping countless trees along the way. It only stopped after smashing into a fifth massive boulder, which crumbled under the impact.

Pain wracked Garchomp's body with every breath, but it only served to stoke the flames of its fury.

Among all pseudo-legendary Dragon-types, Garchomp was known as one of the most hot-tempered, alongside Hydreigon and Salamence. But if there were a competition for the angriest, Hydreigon would undoubtedly take the crown.

After all, Hydreigon was notorious for its frequent bouts of mental instability due to its three heads. It was not unheard of for it to lose control and even harm its own Trainer.

Garchomp: 'Today, either I beat you to death, or you beat me to death.'

With that, Garchomp slammed its foot into the ground, shattering it as it launched forward with an explosive burst of speed.

Despite having been hurled nearly a kilometer away, it reappeared in front of Dragonite in the blink of an eye. Raising its scythe-like fin high above its head, an aura of sheer murderous intent radiated from its body.

This Garchomp had undoubtedly earned its place in the upper regions of Dragon Mountain. Its strength was unquestionable, and its fins were undoubtedly stained with the blood of countless Dragon-type Pokémon.

As the battle wore on, Garchomp's feral instincts continued to awaken, its bloodlust growing stronger with every passing moment.

The oppressive aura it exuded grew so heavy that it seemed to sap the warmth from the air, causing the surrounding temperature to plummet by at least ten degrees.

Faced with the onslaught, Dragonite's normally calm gaze flickered with a hint of madness.

Dragonite: 'We're both pseudo-legendary dragons—do you seriously think I'm weaker than you?'

Tapping into its raw strength, Dragonite's muscles swelled, veins bulging along its arms as it activated *Superpower*. Its powerful hands grabbed hold of Garchomp's forearms, stopping the attack dead in its tracks.

The ground beneath them cracked and exploded from the force of their clash, sending shards of rock flying in all directions.

Nearby, Julian watched as a tree beside him was pierced clean through by a flying chunk of debris. Cold sweat dripped down his back.

Julian: 'Damn it, in just a few days, I've brushed past death more times than I can count.'