Chapter 64: Good, Go Defeat Lance!

Dragon-type Pokémon are certainly very powerful, and Dylan knows this well. Up to the latest Generation IX, there have been a total of eleven pseudo-legendary Pokémon, nine of which are Dragon-type. If we include the newly introduced Baxcalibur from Scarlet/Violet, that makes ten.

However, while Baxcalibur boasts a high base stat total of 600, it isn't exactly a late-blooming Pokémon.

Then there are the legendary Pokémon, with the most Dragon-types among the Tier 1 legendaries. Even Necrozma from Generation VII, in its ultimate form as Ultra Necrozma, possesses the Dragon-type.

There's no doubt that the power of dragons is immense. That goes without saying.

But why does it sound so strange coming from Lance's mouth?

Oh, right—because Lance's dragon army is essentially a Flying-type army. Well, that explains it.

Dylan remembers clearly that when Lance first became the Champion of Kanto, his team consisted of Gyarados, Dragonair, Charizard, Aerodactyl, Dragonite, and Dragonite...

Yes, the only true Dragon-type in his team was the Dragonite line, and apart from Dragonair, five of his Pokémon were Flying-types.

However, it's been many years since Lance became Champion of Kanto, so his team may have changed.

If you're talking about a real dragon army, that would be his team during the second Champion challenge in HeartGold/SoulSilver.

Salamence, Gyarados, Garchomp, Altaria, Charizard, and Dragonite—that lineup could barely pass as a dragon army.

Yes, though five of them are still Flying-types.

"Someday, I'll have to put together a Fairy-type team or a Hail team to give this veteran a proper lesson."

Dylan muttered as he left the reception room. Lance's presence was undeniably intense.

If he didn't plan a proper strategy against this veteran, it wouldn't feel right. He even thought of placing a bet—whoever loses has to fulfill one condition. Dylan already had an idea.

He'd make Lance change all his social media usernames to Dodrio!

"Gym Leader, Gym Leader~ What did you and Champion Lance talk about?"

Just as he stepped out of the reception room, Selene and the receptionist eagerly surrounded him, full of curiosity.

After all, this was Lance, the man standing at the pinnacle of both Kanto and Johto.

Calling him the strongest Trainer in Kanto would not be an exaggeration, and Lance was known for being extremely cold and arrogant. Information about him was scarce.

It's said that when he's not training his dragon army, he's destroying Team Rocket's bases.

On most days, you can barely see Lance even at the Indigo Plateau.

"Hmm, Champion Lance wants me to become a member of the Elite Four." Dylan shrugged.

"Wow~"

"Gym Leader, you're amazing!"

The girls were astonished by this news. That was Lance, known for his proud and arrogant nature, personally inviting the Gym Leader!

"So, did you accept, Gym Leader?"

"Accept what? I'm not interested in the Elite Four."

Dylan shook his head, and he meant it.

Whether it's the Elite Four or the Champion, they bear the responsibility of protecting the region, which is different from a Gym Leader, who only needs to train challengers and protect a local city.

The burden of being in the Elite Four or Champion is too great, and Dylan doesn't enjoy that.

Being a Gym Leader and training those cute challengers is just fine—why take on more trouble?

"Eh?" The two girls were once again stunned.

"By the way, Selene, your dream is to become a Champion, right?"

Dylan suddenly remembered something.

"Yes! I will definitely become the Champion!"

Selene puffed out her chest, her fair face very serious, and her crisp, clear declaration was full of determination.

That's right, her goal is to become the Champion! This has been her aim ever since she decided to become a Trainer as a child.

Dylan nodded in satisfaction, patting the girl's rounded shoulder, and spoke earnestly.

"Good! That's the spirit. Then let your teacher set a small goal for you—go defeat Champion Lance and take his title."

"Huh? Me?"

The girl's big eyes widened in disbelief, and she pointed to herself.

"Um... Gym Leader, isn't that a bit too difficult? How about you do it instead?"

"What's the problem? I'm not asking you to go right now. I believe you can do it in the future—you will win!"

Dylan raised an eyebrow, looking at the teary-eyed girl.

"Or are you saying, Selene, that you don't have the confidence to defeat Champion Lance?"

"..."

Selene was silent, a silence that was deafening.

Who could understand her situation?

She was just a young apprentice not even old enough to start her journey yet, and now her teacher wanted her to defeat Lance, the current strongest Champion in Kanto? How insane could a teacher be to ask her to do that?

The receptionist beside them covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.

"Selene, you can't go on like this. As a Trainer, one must have absolute, invincible will and belief! How could a mere Flying-type Lance make you so weak and helpless?"

"Gym Leader, you're going too far! I'm not even sixteen yet!"

The girl was furious.

...

Time flew by, and four days passed in the blink of an eye.

At the Rota Gym:

"Ugh~ It's suddenly a bit quiet."

The receptionist propped her chin on one hand, unable to suppress a yawn.

"Right? There were so many challengers just a couple of days ago, and now there are only two."

Selene tilted her head in confusion as she brushed her Litten's fur. The Litten lay comfortably on the ground.

Ever since three days ago, when the news from Vermilion City was broadcast, the name of the Rota Gym had entered the public eye for the first time.

Even the Kanto League had praised Dylan, the Rota Gym Leader, on their official website.

This directly led to a surge in challengers, but oddly enough, many Trainers left either cursing under their breath, expressionless, or in a daze.

"The gym's reviews are getting stranger."

The receptionist, with a puzzled expression, opened her phone and checked the gym's review section.

"Hehe~ The Gym Leader is so charming, and the challenge difficulty isn't too high. The gym's service is excellent—highly recommended. (smile.jpg)"

"Five stars! Gym Leader Dylan is so handsome! I'm totally in love with him."

"Out of all the gyms in Kanto, I believe the Rota Gym is absolutely worth challenging! After the battle, I felt refreshed and enlightened. Gym Leader Dylan will make you realize your own shortcomings—it's totally worth it."

"I completely agree with everyone. The Rota Gym's challenge isn't too difficult, although it is a bit tricky. I got my badge, and the Gym Leader also pointed out some of my flaws. I highly recommend everyone come and challenge it."

"??? Are you guys all shills? This gym is awful! The Gym Leader even has a shop next to the gym specifically selling antidotes! He has no shame!"

"What are you talking about? Gym Leader Dylan is the most honest Gym Leader in Kanto! Don't listen to this hater. Haters have no family and will even badmouth the Rota Gym! By the way, the Rota Gym is really a Water-type Gym, just so you know."

Emmm...

The receptionist's face wrinkled, unsure of what to say—it just felt strange.

And the Gym Leader hadn't given out any badges recently, so how could that review be true...

Bang!

Suddenly, the gym door was kicked open, startling Selene and the receptionist.

"Where's the Gym Leader?!"

A muscular man in a karate outfit stormed in, his fierce expression unmasked.

"Brother, no, don't!" A girl, also in a karate outfit, was pulling the man's arm, trying to stop him.

Especially when she noticed the strange expressions on Selene and the receptionist, her face turned slightly red.

"Luna, don't say a word. I'll handle this." The man still looked fierce as he glared at Luna and the younger sister.

"Where's your Gym Leader? How dare he make my sister cry during a gym challenge? Get him out here now! I'm the Black Belt of Saffron City, and today I'm going to make him scream!"