Big eyes met small eyes as the massive Dragonite and the shiny Dratini stared at each other.
After a long moment, Dragonite shook its head.
"Dra!" (This is not my child!)
"Is that so?"
Silas took out an extra fragrant Poffin from his spatial satchel and held it near the shiny Dratini's mouth. "Would you like some?"
"Tinii~! (≧▽≦)ノ"
Under the temptation of such delicious food, the shiny Dratini quickly dropped its guard and allowed Silas to scoop it into his arms.
Winona watched with unconcealed envy, practically drooling at the sight.
That was a shiny Dratini.
Shiny plus pseudo legendary, both were treasures that one might never encounter even once in a lifetime.
Although shiny Dragonite was famously an unfortunate shade of green, its second evolution, Dragonair, was a stunning pink.
No trainer in their right mind could refuse such a Pokémon.
Ignoring Winona's longing gaze, Silas soon understood the shiny Dratini's background.
It was the child of a Dragonite couple on Dragonite Island, born not long ago.
"Little one, how about you stay with me for now? I will personally take you back later."
"Tini~!"
The little fellow had no objections at all. It chased and played around Silas together with Cinccino.
Cinccino had become quite skilled at looking after young and baby Pokémon. Before long, it bonded with the shiny Dratini, who gazed at it with sparkling admiration.
Silas sat cross legged in Dragonite's enormous palm while Cyclizar helped translate.
After explaining the situation, Dragonite agreed readily. Being able to help a friend made it genuinely happy.
It lifted its head and let out a powerful roar, signaling Silas to lead the way. They would depart immediately.
From high above, Silas looked down at the forest below, now completely submerged by the torrential rain.
So the disaster Absol had foreseen was the storm caused by Dragonite's appearance.
Much of Route 120 had been flooded. The two previously separate lakes had merged into one.
"Dragonite, can you control the rainfall? If this downpour continues, it will cause a major flood."
"Dra!?"
Dragonite did not understand at first, so Cyclizar explained.
The tension was visible on Dragonite's face. It had never imagined that its arrival could cause such harm.
"Do not be afraid. The Pokémon living along Route 120 were already led away by Absol. As long as the heavy rain does not spread further, it will be fine."
Dragonite clearly relaxed and began attempting to control the storm.
This was its first time coming ashore. In the ocean, wind and rain were nothing unusual, and sea Pokémon were accustomed to such weather.
"DRAA!"
A long dragon's cry spread outward. The thick clouds above gradually dispersed, replaced by dense white mist.
"Dra!"
"That will have to do. As long as there is no flood."
Perhaps because Dragonite had lived for so long without undergoing structured battle training, it struggled to fully control the immense power within its body. Transforming the torrential rain into less destructive fog was already its limit.
Unfortunately, this was not particularly friendly to the three dragon Pokémon present. The Noivern sneezed repeatedly, their bodies trembling from the chill.
Just as Silas and the others were preparing to leave, a cluster of small black dots appeared on the horizon, rapidly approaching.
"Dragonite," Winona exclaimed, "so many Dragonite."
The Dragonite from the island had come, worried about the giant Dragonite.
Their timing was perfect. Silas quickly assigned them tasks.
"Please search along Route 120 for any stranded Pokémon and bring them to safety. Once you are done, I will give you a large bag of snacks."
The kind hearted Dragonite would not have refused even without a reward. Now, with snacks promised, they eagerly scattered to rescue Pokémon trapped by the rain or swept into the water.
The Dragonite rescue team had officially set out.
After addressing the consequences of Dragonite's arrival, Silas and the others returned to the flooded area where the giant iron ball lay. The place had become a vast expanse of water.
If not for the three Noivern circling low above, it might have been impossible to find it again.
"You three, come back and rest."
Holding Rowlet in one arm, Silas recalled the three shivering Noivern into their Poké Balls.
"The giant iron ball is here. I will trouble you, Dragonite."
Standing atop Tropius's back, Silas and the others kept a safe distance.
Once they were positioned securely, Dragonite bent down and reached its claws into the submerged pit.
Soon, it grasped the iron ball. Draconic energy surged around its claws. With a low growl, Dragonite exerted steady force.
Hovering in midair, Silas could clearly feel the earth trembling. The water churned violently, splashing mud and spray everywhere.
After a brief stalemate, Dragonite slowly lifted the giant iron ball out of the ground and held it firmly in its arms.
"Inviting Dragonite was definitely the right choice." Silas rested his hand on Cyclizar's head. "Cyclizar, you deserve credit."
"Cyc!" (I want little red flower!)
"Alright. I will give you one when we return."
As Tropius flew closer, Dragonite gave a simple, honest smile.
"Well done, Dragonite."
Silas gave it a thumbs up in praise.
He placed his palm against the iron sphere, and the familiar panel appeared, confirming his suspicion.
[Registeel, in a state of slumber. One of the legendary titans known as the Steel Titan. Perhaps you may attempt to awaken it.]
In a sense, Registeel was also a kind of artificial Pokémon, created from molten magma by the legendary titan Regigigas as an eternal being.
Regigigas was even more extraordinary. According to ancient legends of the Sinnoh region, in the era once known as Hisui, the land itself had been formed by its pulling of continents with ropes. Even now, temples in Sinnoh still honored it.
Beyond that, Silas thought about its ability, Slow Start.
Others had abilities, and so did it. Others lacked certain things, yet it still had them. Truly remarkable.
"Cyc!"
Cyclizar tugged at Silas's sleeve, asking what they should do with the giant iron ball.
Coming back to himself, Silas pondered seriously.
It was a legendary Pokémon, after all. Should he bring it back?
Before deciding, he asked Dragonite.
"Dragonite, are you tired?"
"Dra~"
Dragonite shook its head. It did not feel tired at all. In fact, it felt like it could hold the iron ball indefinitely.
Using it as a way to expend the excess energy within its body would help it gradually gain better control.
Silas asked several more times to confirm. Only after ensuring Dragonite was truly fine did he speak again.
"Then please carry the giant iron ball back to Dragonite Island for now."
Dragonite immediately let out a resounding roar, promising to complete the task.
Silas signaled Cyclizar to go ahead with Dragonite. He would follow shortly.
Watching Dragonite depart from Route 120 and disappear beyond the horizon, Silas idly played with the shiny Dratini in his arms while waiting for the other Dragonite to return.
When seven or eight Dragonite had gathered, which should have been enough, Silas clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention.
Together, they worked to guide the remaining floodwater back into the sea. Winona joined in as well, directing Altaria to assist with controlled gusts of wind.
After much effort, the landscape of Route 120 was permanently altered.
The two previously separate lakes had been reshaped into a north to south inland bay. The winding waterway extended precisely along the path where Dragonite had earlier stepped.
Gazing at the transformed scenery, Silas could not help but sigh.
This was merely the impact of the giant Dragonite appearing once. It had already reshaped the land so dramatically.
If true legendary Pokémon were to clash in battle, they might very well remake the world itself.
Especially those two notoriously hot tempered figures from the Hoenn region.
(End of Chapter)