Inside an indoor arena of the Twin Dragons Dojo.
There's no spectator seating, indicating that this arena is meant for the dojo's internal staff to use.
Xia Ka and Natsuhiko stand on opposite sides of the arena.
Parker acts as the temporary referee.
The most excited person is Alice, sitting at the side, clenching her fists, making it seem as if she's the one participating in the battle.
Latios hovers in front of Natsuhiko, staring intently at the burly old man across from him.
Even without summoning his Pokémon, Latios cannot underestimate him.
Xia Ka, just like some Fighting-type Pokémon trainers, is a robust man who trains daily with his own Pokémon.
Despite his age, he maintains a strong physique and sturdy build, and there's a reason for that.
"Well, your opponent will be it then."
Saying this, Xia Ka throws a Pokeball.
In the red light.
"Roar——!!"
Scales shimmering under the lights, a crimson menacing head, a body covered with blue-purple scales, and the protruding red spikes standing out.
Druddigon!
The Druddigon Xia Ka summoned to match against Latios is also at the Elite Level.
Just looking at how the light reflects off its scales shows that, even though this Druddigon is only at the Elite Level, Xia Ka has trained it quite well.
The worth of a dragon is judged by whose hand it's in.
Since it's an internal sparring match, there aren't elaborate rules explained; as Parker's flag falls, it signifies the start of the battle.
"Latios, Tailwind!"
Natsuhiko doesn't use psychic powers, conducting commands in the most straightforward manner.
Latios doesn't hesitate either, silver-white airflow envelops its body.
But.
As it stirs the airflow, Druddigon already strides nimbly to Latios's front.
"Flame Fang!"
Bam!
Powerful and sturdy jaws, entwined with crimson flames, bite forcefully.
Fortunately, Latios's reaction time is fast enough, dodging the attack just in time.
However, from the noise created by the bite and the residual temperature in the air, it's not hard to deduce that Druddigon's "Flame Fang" carries unusually high power.
Forced Traits!
It even carries a Life Treasure Pearl!
Natsuhiko glances at Xia Ka, who still stands with arms folded, looking calm.
He can't help but curl his lips.
Druddigon carrying a Life Treasure Pearl, the prosperity of the Twin Dragons Dojo exceeds his expectations.
But after dodging the attack, it's also Latios's best chance to counterattack.
"Scale Shot!"
Clumps of crystal-clear and sharp scales erupt from its body, sweeping towards Druddigon.
"Tearing Claw!"
Druddigon's reflexes are quick too, displaying that it doesn't lack battle experience, twin claws surge with white light, swiping repeatedly in the air.
A multitude of scales gets knocked away by its swipes, embedding in the surrounding ground.
However.
With such dense scales sweeping past, Druddigon couldn't entirely block them, some still hit it.
The clash of scales emits a crisp sound.
"Clean Radiance!"
"Jet Flame!"
Natsuhiko and Xia Ka almost simultaneously issue commands.
Just by observing the timing in seizing opportunities, one can infer that Xia Ka, even as a Dojo Leader, doesn't lack battle experience compared to Natsuhiko.
Milky-white pure radiance spews from Latios's mouth.
Meeting it is Druddigon's surging flames.
The collision of two mighty energies stirs heat waves within the arena, yet they cancel each other out.
But with one Tailwind and one Scale Shot, Latios's speed advantage is established.
You see it nimbly turning in the air. Under Natsuhiko's command, again a Clean Radiance strikes towards Druddigon's back.
Boom!!
This time.
Latios's technique successfully inflicts a certain amount of damage on Druddigon.
The seemingly gentle radiance also brings a certain corrosive effect to Druddigon's scales.
Luck is on their side; the Clean Radiance's effect of reducing opponent's Special Defense triggers.
However.
Bam!!
Druddigon endures the pain, swinging its tail swiftly at Latios.
Sends it flying away instantly.
"Oss!"
A slight blush appears on Latios's neck; the damage inflicted by Druddigon's Dragon Tail isn't minor.
The negative effect of Scale Shot lowering its own Defense Power also works against Latios here.
But luckily.
The issue isn't too serious.
Also.
The external Dragon Energy strike causes Latios's energy to become eager and restless.
Natsuhiko's eyes flicker, looking at Xia Ka.
This moment, Xia Ka happens to glance at Natsuhiko too, slightly nodding towards him.
Understanding his intention, Natsuhiko fully concentrates, putting himself in Latios's position.
"Dragon Breath!"
The scorching Dracoflame spewed out, and Druddigon turned around, raising its Dragon Claw to block.
But Latios, using its aerial advantage and speed, continued to release Dracoflame in the air.
In the end, Druddigon could only defend passively, its arms unable to fully protect its surroundings. Coupled with reduced Special Defense, under this continuous attack, it finally fell heavily to the ground, losing its combat ability.
"Oss!"
Only then did Latios stop "Dragon Breath," its eyes shimmering with bright light, appearing somewhat excited.
"Continue."
Xia Ka withdrew Druddigon but did not stop there; instead, he threw out another Pokeball.
This time, the Pokémon appeared in the air.
Flygon!
It gave Latios an even more dangerous feeling than Druddigon.
And without the aerial advantage.
But Latios showed no sign of retreat, staring intensely at Flygon.
Round battle.
Natsuhiko didn't say anything either.
The battle continued.
"Latios, Self-Regeneration."
"Oss!"
Waves of white and purple energy intertwined on Latios, and the swelling at its neck, struck by Druddigon's "Dragon Tail," faded visibly.
"Flygon, Dragon Dance!"
Seizing the crucial opening, under Xia Ka's command, Flygon leaped in the air with a dance featuring a special rhythm.
"Dragon Dive!"
"Dragon's Fluctuation!"
Natsuhiko and Xia Ka gave a rather harmonious command.
Flygon, enveloped in Dragon Energy, vibrated its wings twice and transformed into a soaring giant dragon, lunging at Latios.
Meanwhile, Latios stirred with the surging, vibrant Dragon Energy inside it, releasing a blast.
Boom!!
The clash of "Dragon Dive" and "Dragon's Fluctuation."
The aftermath kicked up a large cloud of dust.
In the next moment.
Flygon surprisingly flew out from the dust; though the momentum of "Dragon Dive" was reduced, it still rushed toward Latios with an unstoppable stance.
Bam!!
Suddenly, Latios had no time to dodge.
Fortunately.
Before Flygon crashed into it, a transparent glass barrier provided a brief interruption, minimizing the impact on Latios.
Yet Latios still inevitably created a crater on the ground.
However, Latios did not linger on the ground; it swiftly rose up again.
And visibly.
Wrapped around the exterior of its body, there was a layer of what seemed to be solid Dragon Energy.
In the deep blue-purple energy, there was even a hint of light green fluctuation.
Natsuhiko, sensing something, discreetly touched his pocket, where a round stone was emitting a scorching aura.
Latios's Super Evolution Stone?!
Also, this green Dragon Energy...
"Oss!!"
With a dragon's roar from Latios, the opposing Flygon was momentarily stunned.
Immediately after.
Latios puffed up its cheeks, launching a fireball of Dragon Energy wrapped like lava toward Flygon.
Meteor Shower!
Boom——!!
Flygon, hit directly, was shockingly taken down in a single move.
"Oss!"
Seeing this, Latios roared, looking at Xia Ka.
Its intention was clear.
Come again!
Xia Ka was also momentarily stunned by this display.
Then he smiled.
Interesting.
As Latios wished.
He threw out another Pokeball.
This time, what appeared was.
A Haxorus!
And it was... Gym Leader Level!
Yet even facing Haxorus, Latios showed no fear or intention to retreat.
Its momentum rapidly climbed, and even before it realized, it had achieved an upgrade.
All the Dragon Energy stored since its time as a Pokemon Egg was depleted, transformed entirely into its own energy.
Sitting on the ground nearby, Alice stared blankly at Latios.
At this moment, the aura Latios exuded felt unstoppable to her.
And its strength.
With repeated triggers, it had reached Gym Leader Level!
——————
PS: I forgot to thank all the great folks before, bowing! Thanks to Dark Star Emperor for the two ten-thousand rewards, and thanks to the aspiring Sam Lu and Yawn Han for their two ten-thousand rewards~~ Thank you~~