Dragonite?
Staring at the Dragonite Ash threw out, Damian raises an eyebrow.
Where did Ash get a Dragonite?
Indeed, in Journeys, Ash had a Dragonite with a very cute, hug‑worthy personality.
But that was Journeys era.
Fine, the plot's long since "ragged," Ash having a Dragonite wouldn't be surprising; there might even be a Gengar too?
Damian glances at Paul. Truthfully, since joining Team Rocket, Paul's strength has improved at a shocking speed.
No doubt, Paul is already a tremendously talented Trainer.
Most importantly, he really puts in the effort.
Usually, Paul spends almost all his spare time on special training; his diligence makes Dawn sweat.
I wonder if Paul can defeat Ash today.
"Using Dragonite to battle Drapion, there aren't many better options either."
Brock ponders for a moment, noting that Ash has no Ground-type Pokémon, so relying on type advantages to beat Drapion isn't realistic.
And Dragonite has at least aerial advantage.
On the field, Drapion raises its head and snarls at Dragonite, flailing its two menacing pincers in a taunting display.
Dragonite's eyes widen; it's visibly unhappy with Drapion's challenge.
"Dragonite, use Hurricane!"
Ash waves his hand decisively, ordering Dragonite.
Dragonite lets out a snarl, its two relatively small wings beating rapidly, and a strong gust sweeps toward Drapion.
"Pin Missile!" Paul's order is given in a low voice.
Drapion's pincers glow with white light, releasing beams that shoot toward the hurricane—dense Pin Missiles meet the gust.
Boom!
The air between the two attacks clashes in a stalemate; the roaring continues.
Although the hurricane persists, successive Pin Missiles keep blasting, blocking the hurricane.
With the final roar, the hurricane is exhausted by Pin Missile, a strong gust blows open and the smoke and dust rise.
"This Pin Missile thing… what is that?!" Ash exclaims in shock.
This Drapion can block the hurricane with Pin Missile? That's outrageous.
"Dragonite! Extreme Speed!"
But next moment, Ash orders immediately.
Dragonite glows with white light and dives into the smoke toward Drapion.
"Toxic Spikes."
Drapion swings its two pincers, and a pair of deep purple Toxic Spikes spheres materialize.
Seeing this, Damian chuckles softly.
Boom!
Dragonite's Extreme Speed slams into Drapion's head; Drapion grunts and endures, sending the Toxic Spikes spiraling into the air.
"Very good! Fire Punch!"
Dragonite's right claw erupts in flames, smashing toward Drapion's head.
Drapion immediately raises its pincers to block the flames.
Boom!
The blast knocks Drapion back so hard its huge body skids across the ground, leaving four marks as it slams down.
At the same time, the Toxic Spikes explode in the air, purple fluids raining down into the arena.
A creepy purple glow flickers across the battlefield before settling back to normal.
"Nice! Dragonite has the upper hand now."
Misty cheers.
"No, that Toxic Spikes…," Brock frowns.
Is it really suppressing? Brock doesn't think so—Drapion just endured Dragonite's assault to set up Toxic Spikes.
"Toxic Spikes is a control move; it poisons the foe?"
Ash surveys the calm arena. Toxic Spikes is new to him; when he challenged Koga at Fuchsia Gym, Koga didn't use it.
So it's not something he's familiar with.
But Toxic Spikes is a control move; as long as it doesn't land, it won't affect.
Dragonite has a Flying type.
"Dragonite! Extreme Speed!"
Ash orders again, thoughts racing.
First Strike to rush in is so handy, and Dragonite is a close‑quarters powerhouse anyway.
"Iron Defense," Paul stays cool.
Drapion's body glimmers with a metallic sheen.
Iron Defense boosts its physical defense greatly.
Boom!
Extreme Speed charges in again, slamming into Drapion's head; Drapion cries out in pain.
The metallic sheen fades as the Iron Defense takes effect.
"Dragon Claw!"
This time Ash doesn't have Dragonite use Flamethrower; Flamethrower or Dragon Claw both deal normal damage to Drapion.
Ash realizes Drapion fights by standing and taking punches; its strength relies on its sturdy physique.
If that's the case, Dragon Claw should deal more damage.
Dragonite's claws glow with blue brilliance, ripping into Drapion with Dragon Claw.
"Grab it!"
But at that moment, Paul orders sharply.
"Huh?"
Ash freezes.
Dragonite's Dragon Claw hits Drapion's head, but Drapion endures, grabbing Dragonite's forthcoming arm with its grapplers.
Dragonite strains to break free, but Drapion holds firm.
"Hydro Pump!"
Ash frowns; Dragonite is caught, but no problem.
Dragonite takes a deep breath, cheeks puffing, blue water light glows, ready for Hydro Pump.
But then a tearing sound splits the air.
Drapion's clawed tail darts in with extreme speed, wraps around Dragonite's throat, and drives it to the ground hard.
Hydro Pump shoots out, but is deflected by Drapion's tail; it shoots off course.
Boom!
Dragonite crashes hard, the impact rattling the ground.
"What?!"
Ash stares at Drapion's extended tail; Dragonite lands with Toxic Spikes triggering on contact.
Dragonite emits a pained cry as the Toxic Spikes poison it.
"Finished."
Damian clicks his tongue; this is exactly the tactic Paul uses on Drapion in anime to take out Ash in a row.
In reality, moves differ from the games; the toxicity isn't identical.
Toxic Spikes in Poison type in games are a field control move—poisoning the opponent's Pokémon when they switch in, and ground types are affected in the game. In reality, Toxic Spikes can poison any Pokémon when it lands, with multiple triggers and affecting Flying types too.
Like Ash's Mook Eagle in the anime, Air Slash that can be dodged by Drapion's tail, then Drapion grabs and smashes to trigger Toxic Spikes.
"Dragonite!"
Ash watches Dragonite take the poison badly with worry.
"Ice Fang!"
Paul's voice remains calm.
Drapion lifts Dragonite and its fangs exude a blue chill as it bites into Dragonite.
Ash's pupils shrink—oh no!
Dragonite just got Toxic Spikes poison; dodging is hard, and it's locked by Drapion's claws.
Dragonite gazes helplessly as Drapion leans in closer; despite struggling to dodge, it's pinned.
Crunch!
Drapion delivers a Crunch while Dragonite is trapped.
Ice type icy bite bites into Dragonite; Dragonite howls in pain as its aura weakens.
"This is…"
Misty is stunned; Dragonite is four times weak to Ice!
"Return, Dragonite!"
Ash recalls Dragonite without hesitation.
"Crunch."
But Paul doesn't give him a moment. Drapion lands another Crunch on Dragonite.
Toxic Spikes' poison plus Ice Fang plus Crunch—Dragonite can't hold on.
Dragonite collapses to the ground with a hard thud.
Ash grits his teeth; his expression turns sour.
"Dragonite loses the battle, Drapion wins."
Dawn announces the result.
"Ash was careless."
Caitlin agrees, pointing out that Ash didn't understand Drapion's tactics and gave Paul a chance.
"If we're talking pure power, Dragonite should be stronger than Drapion."
Dawn looks at Ash, but the battle isn't only about raw power.
Facing Drapion requires being wary of its tail; Ash doesn't fully appreciate that yet.
Not surprising—Drapion is a Sinnoh region Pokémon, and its fearsome form isn't often used on main rosters.
Paul is one of the few who handles Drapion exceptionally well.
Brock: "…"
Misty: "…"
"Sorry, Dragonite. It's my fault. You rest up now."
Ash recalls Dragonite and consoles it.
"Was that all?"
Paul says coolly to Ash.
"You don't even know your opponent's Pokémon; you launch one offensive after another out of pure passion."
"Are you even a proper Trainer?"
Paul's mouth can be blunt; at this moment Ash's brow creases.
"You—you only have a little advantage, and this is a full‑team battle; the match just started. What are you so smug about?"
Ash seethes.
Who is this guy? The battle's just begun, and he's bragging after taking down one Pokémon?!
"Just stating the facts. If you're this weak, the battle will end soon."
"My bond with Pokémon isn't that vulnerable! Open your eyes and watch carefully how I beat you!"
Ash hurls out his second Poké Ball.
"Gengar! I'm counting on you!"
White light floods out, and with a dark chuckle, a purple, fat figure appears in front of Ash, making a big ghostly face at Drapion.
It's Gengar.
But Paul doesn't care; he frowns slightly.
"Bonds?"
Paul mutters under his breath, looking more and more displeased as he watches Ash.
Bonds… Another trainer who talks about bonds and friendship all the time?
~~
Get early access to 160+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
patreon.com/PokemonStoryWeaver
~~~
Every 100 Power Stones = 2 extra chapter