Facing the Pseudo-Legendary Dragonite? Charizard Had to Work Overtime!

"The Dragon Tamer Family? Did they book out all the seafood buffets?" Lin Hao rubbed his sleepy eyes.

"Is food the only thing in your head?!" May slapped the roster onto Lin Hao's bed. "That's Wataru Kaze! The cousin of Lance, the Kanto League Champion! He has a pseudo-legendary Dragonite!"

"Oh." Lin Hao rolled over. "Does Dragonite taste good?"

May covered her forehead and sighed. "A pseudo-legendary! A famously powerful pseudo-legendary!" She leaned closer. "No matter how hot your Charizard's flames are, you won't have an advantage against a pseudo-legendary with Dragon-type blood!"

"Relax." Lin Hao waved a hand. "I have a plan. Stop disturbing my sleep. I have to get up early tomorrow to grab the restaurant's free milk." The door slammed with a loud bang.

Inside System Space, Mewtwo spoke in a steady voice. "(Master, do you need me to go out tomorrow and tear that so-called pseudo-legendary to pieces?)"

Ho-Oh nodded along. "(A mere fat loach with wings dares call itself a dragon in front of our master? Let me roast it with divine fire!)"

All of you, quiet, Lin Hao told them inwardly. Nobody comes out tomorrow. Charizard, you're working overtime again. Remember, no instant knockout. Put on a little act and make it look like an even fight, or I'll attract too much attention.

"Roar! (As you command, Master! I'll give the performance my all!)" Charizard growled softly.

The next day, the main arena at the center of the Indigo Plateau was packed with spectators for the battles that would decide the Top Eight.

"Ladies and gentlemen! All eyes on the field!" the commentator announced in a booming voice. "Next up, yesterday's dark horse, Lin Hao, faces the prodigy of the ancient Dragon Tamer Family, Wataru Kaze!"

"Whoa!" A wave of cheers swept through the stands.

With his hands in his pockets, Lin Hao strolled onto the field. The sunlight was glaring, and he adjusted the brim of his cap. At the other end stood a blue-haired boy in a black cape, his chin held high.

Wataru Kaze looked Lin Hao over. "So you're the guy who beat Rhydon with a Charizard? Those cheap tricks are a joke in the face of a true Dragon-type!" Lin Hao could not even be bothered to answer. He merely let out a lazy yawn.

"Go! Show him a dragon's savage might!" Wataru Kaze hurled his ball.

Bang! White light flashed, and an enormous, orange-yellow Dragonite landed on the field.

"Roaaar!" Dragonite threw back its head and roared, its ferocious presence sweeping over the arena.

"It's Dragonite! The rare pseudo-legendary Dragonite!" Cheers surged through the stands. May held her breath, her eyes fixed on the field.

In the VIP box, Steven and Cynthia watched the arena.

"Finally, a worthy opponent." Steven gazed down at the field. "Let's see whether his Charizard can withstand Dragonite's physical blows."

On the field, Lin Hao casually pressed the button on his Poké Ball. "Charizard, come out and work some overtime."

"Roar!" Blue flames burst forth, and Charizard landed on the field, casting a sidelong glance at the Dragonite opposite it.

"Roaaar!" Dragonite roared angrily. It stared at Charizard, a low growl rumbling in its throat.

"Dragonite! Use Hyper Beam!" Wataru Kaze shouted.

Bzzzt! A dazzling orange beam tore across half the field in an instant, carrying a wave of heat as spiraling gusts scattered around it.

"Charizard, Fire Blast," Lin Hao ordered offhandedly.

"Roar!" Playing along, Charizard spat out a huge, blue-white character-shaped blaze.

Boom! Hyper Beam and Fire Blast collided head-on in midair, sending a deafening blast echoing through the arena. The surging shock waves ripped up a broad swath of the field's paving stones, filling the air with dust. Surprisingly, Charizard deliberately let the impact force it back half a step.

It swayed, let a few groans escape its throat, and even made a point of panting heavily.

Inside System Space, Groudon covered its face with a claw. "(That's so fake. This is a Charizard with maxed-out Special Attack, and it's backing off in a beam clash?)"

Lin Hao silently assessed the performance. (Good job. Just like that. Make it look evenly matched.) He rubbed his ears. "I'll have to double the overtime pay."

On the field, Wataru Kaze laughed when he saw Charizard retreat. "Hahaha! See that? That's the power of a pseudo-legendary!" he shouted. "Dragonite! Use Dragon Rush! Finish it!"

"Roaaar!" Dragonite soared into the air, blue light coiling around its body, then plunged straight down toward Charizard on the ground.

The spectators all rose to their feet. "Lin Hao is in danger!" the commentator shouted.

"All right, clock out." Lin Hao patted his face. "Charizard, Seismic Toss."

"Roar!" Charizard's gaze sharpened. Its powerful legs drove it into a leap, and it met the charge head-on! Bang! The collision landed with a heavy thud.

Everyone watched as Charizard wrapped both arms around Dragonite's massive body and forcibly held it tight! Dragon Rush's energy was interrupted!

"What?!" Wataru Kaze froze.

Holding the enormous Dragonite, Charizard shot high into the sky. It spun rapidly through dozens of circles, then slammed Dragonite into the ground!

Crash! A tremendous roar rang out, and the ground across the Indigo Plateau shook. A deep crater appeared in the center of the field. As the thick dust cleared, Charizard stood at its edge, while the pseudo-legendary Dragonite lay with its eyes rolled back and its tongue hanging out, knocked unconscious on the spot.

The stands fell silent. Three seconds later, they erupted into wild cheers.

"A hard-fought victory." Shamelessly brushing it off, Lin Hao recalled Charizard. He put his hands in his pockets and walked off the stage.

May ran over excitedly, just about to speak. Lin Hao waved her off. "Keep it down. I'm starving."

The two walked side by side through the dim passage when Lin Hao suddenly stopped. Ahead of them stood a tall man wearing a striking black-and-red cape. His oppressive presence was ten times stronger than Dragonite's had been. He was the reigning Kanto League Champion, the true Dragon-type master, Lance.

"Your Charizard is quite impressive," Lance said, staring at Lin Hao.

Lin Hao sighed. "Don't block the way. I'm in a hurry to get to the cafeteria."