"Who's over there?"
"Dragonite, dodge quickly!!"
Lance suddenly turned his head. When he saw Lapras unleashing Ice Beam, he reacted quickly.
The Ice Beam came swiftly and without warning. Dragonite couldn't dodge in time—its left leg and left wing were instantly struck.
Lance's Dragonite still had a clear power gap compared to Lapras.
Even though Ice-type moves were super effective against Dragon-types, a single Ice Beam could only cause minor injuries and reduce Dragonite's speed.
"Awoo awoo awoo—"
Dragonite roared in fury.
As a Champion-level Dragonite, it hadn't been injured by another Pokémon in a long time. Of course, yesterday's opponents—Groudon and the three Legendary Birds—weren't considered ordinary Pokémon.
"You are... that Riku who's often with May?" Drake squinted, finally recognizing the young man who had come to help.
"That's right," Riku nodded.
"Drake, can't you guys fight somewhere else? Please leave my island."
Lance frowned slightly when he realized Riku and Drake knew each other.
Dealing with Drake alone wasn't difficult for him, a veteran Dragon-type Elite Four member—it would actually be relatively easy.
But if the young Trainer in front of him got involved, the situation would become uncertain.
That Lapras had injured his Dragonite, and its attack speed wasn't slow—it was definitely a Champion-level Pokémon.
Moreover, who knew what other powerful Pokémon this young man had? The Lord of the Land Groudon and the three Legendary Birds had injured all of Lance's Pokémon some time ago—two of them seriously—and they still hadn't recovered.
Fortunately, the Pokémon Center was a neutral force. If treatment hadn't been administered in time, those two might have suffered permanent disabilities.
"Who are you?" Lance asked after a moment's thought, frowning.
"There are at least a hundred uninhabited islands in the Orange Archipelago. Why do you claim this one is yours?"
"And do you know who I am?"
Riku nodded calmly. "Aren't you just a Champion-level Pokémon Trainer?"
"I don't care how powerful you so-called Champions are. I advise you—leave the Orange Archipelago quickly and stop causing trouble here."
Lance laughed angrily. "It seems you're very confident in your Lapras."
"In that case, how about a battle?"
"Tch! Is this Dragon-type Trainer looking for death!" Groudon and the three Legendary Birds, hiding beneath some large trees, muttered.
"What does he think he is? He actually dares to attack our Master?"
"Get him! We must get him!"
"No one fight me for this! You guys are too big—Master might still recognize you. Watch me slap this—wait, someone's coming."
Just as Groudon was about to grow in size and swat Lance and his Pokémon like flies, they suddenly noticed someone approaching.
"A battle?" Riku frowned slightly. He didn't want to engage in a meaningless fight.
Moreover, the person in front of him was clearly an Elite Four member. Riku had seen Lorelei's strength firsthand.
If it came to a real battle, the odds weren't in his favor.
But as a man—could he back down?
Exchanging a glance with Lapras, he felt the strong determination in his partner's eyes. Riku prepared to accept.
How could Lapras not be determined?
The three Legendary Birds and Groudon were all watching.
If Lapras backed down now, who knew what the consequences would be?
"Lance, you're still as warlike as ever."
Just as Riku was about to agree, a familiar voice made him turn around sharply.
Seeing the speaker, Riku was slightly surprised. "Why did you come over?"
"A fight broke out—how could I not come?" Lorelei smiled and walked up beside Riku.
Lance's expression darkened when he saw Lorelei standing so close to Riku. "Lorelei, what do you mean by this?"
"Just what you see," Lorelei replied with a smirk.
"I advise you not to act rashly. Let me be clear—I'm on this side."
"You're also being foolish—fighting here. Aren't you afraid the three Legendary Birds will come out and chase you off again?"
Lorelei's words were blunt. Though both she and Lance were part of the Indigo League's Elite Four, they often competed openly and covertly.
If the League hadn't sent all four of them to the Orange Archipelago this time, they might never have worked together in their lives.
Lance's expression turned grim. "Lorelei, are you planning to betray the League?"
"Whether it's betrayal or not—it's not your decision to make," Lorelei sneered.
"This mission was led by you. You'd better think carefully about how to explain it to the League when you return."
Lance: "Aerodactyl, come out!"
Lorelei: "Slowbro, come out!"
Lorelei's mockery completely infuriated Lance.
But just as he summoned Aerodactyl, Lorelei immediately responded—by summoning Jynx.
Riku was stunned the moment he saw Aerodactyl.
There was also an Aerodactyl on his island. Judging from its size, it wasn't any weaker than Lance's.
"You can't battle on this island."
Riku stepped forward. "Your name is Lance, right? If you insist on fighting, I'll join too."
"Just don't say we're ganging up on you later."
Lance burst into laughter, fuming. "Hahaha!"
"Then come on!"
"I, Lance, became a Pokémon Trainer at the age of five. I've had no less than nine hundred—if not a thousand—battles, big and small. Just you guys..."
"Gaa gaa—!"
Just as Lance was talking big, a sharp cry that shook the sky suddenly pierced everyone's ears.
Lance immediately recognized the source.
His whole body shuddered, and he leapt onto Dragonite's back in a flash.
"It's Zapdos!"
"Dragonite, retreat—quickly!"
--------More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 300 power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter