Once Tyrunt understood which move it was supposed to use, it didn't hesitate.
Its tiny claws tapped lightly against the grass, and its body began to sway rhythmically, following a mysterious, ancient pulse.
Its head wobbled left and right, the two small orange horns on its forehead glowing faintly. Its four limbs began stamping the ground in a rising tempo, and its short tail swung from side to side like a metronome keeping perfect time.
As the dance continued, in just a short moment the routine was complete. Tyrunt suddenly stopped, threw its head back, and let out a clear, ringing roar that echoed through the forest, shaking the surrounding leaves into a rustling chorus.
A faint layer of crimson light wrapped around its small body—clear proof that its Attack and Speed were being enhanced.
Although its execution of the move was still a bit slow and unrefined, once its proficiency improved in the future, not only would the speed increase, but the number of Dragon Dance stacks it could build up would also rise.
"Holy crap! That's Dragon Dance!"
"Dragon Dance is the absolute top-tier support move for Dragon-types! And this little thing already knows it?!"
"There's definitely a certain Dragon-type Pokémon out there quietly shedding tears right now…"
"Yeah, I know exactly who you mean. Screenshot saved—I'm posting this on Champion Cynthia's fan forum."
Only after the barrage of comments calmed down a bit did Theo point toward the inflatable fish tank sitting on the stone.
"Besides Tyrunt, I have another announcement for everyone. One month from now, Feebas will be participating in the Rustboro City Pokémon Contest."
When the camera turned toward Feebas, the little one was swimming quietly in the water. After hearing the words "Pokémon Contest," it deliberately flicked its tail toward the camera, as if greeting everyone.
"!!! The Contest? Feebas is going to compete?!"
"No way, streamer—Contests focus on beauty and move aesthetics… Feebas… uh…"
"The one above, don't say that! Feebas is adorable! And the streamer definitely has a plan!"
"I bet a Water Stone that he's preparing a contrast cuteness routine! Just like Tyrunt!"
"I'm excited already! I'll definitely watch the livestream on the day! I want to see Feebas shock the whole stage!"
Theo smiled and nodded.
"These next few days I'll be putting Feebas through special training. For now, let's keep things a little mysterious. But when the competition starts, I promise it won't disappoint."
…
While Theo was streaming, at the Devon Corporation headquarters, Steven had secretly followed Theo using a small alt account.
He processed documents with one hand while watching the livestream with the other.
When he saw Tyrunt using Charm, an indulgent and helpless smile flickered across his face.
But when Tyrunt performed Dragon Dance, he immediately pulled out his phone, recorded the screen, and opened his chat contacts. He sent the clip straight to Lance, the Dragon Master who had once pestered him endlessly back in Kanto.
Steven: "Dragon Master, how's your Aerodactyl doing lately?
I remember it took you two whole days before it finally became obedient.
As expected of Indigo's Dragon Master."
As Steven typed the message, a subtle smirk of mischief appeared on his face.
Lance: "Well of course. Any Dragon-type under my care will behave eventually.
But what's got you messaging me today?
Is it about those Dragon-type Pokémon I asked you to look into?
Got any leads?"
Steven: "Come on, how could it be that fast?
If you want Dragon-types, go ask Drake.
I don't have anything that soon. I'll let you know when I find something."
Lance: "I'm not going to him! If it weren't for that old man running his mouth, I wouldn't have ended up with the nickname 'Flying Master Lance.'
Calling me the Flying-type Champion—what does he know?
Once I gather enough Dragons, I'll challenge him myself."
Steven: "Hahaha, so your 'Flying Master Lance' nickname came from Drake.
Well then, I hope you get your chance to prove him wrong."
Steven: "Oh right. Yesterday I met a rather promising trainer. I let him pick a fossil Pokémon.
The Pokémon revived instantly obeyed him.
It's the fossil you didn't want, the one with the jaw mark imprint.
Turns out it revived into a Rock/Dragon Pokémon. Take a look!"
Steven grinned wickedly as he sent over the video clip of Tyrunt performing Dragon Dance.
He also forwarded the Devon fossil database archives for Tyrunt and Tyrantrum.
Lance: "...Tyrunt...Tyrantrum...Dragon Dance... The Ancient King of the Land?!
Where did you dig up this fossil? Do you have any more?
I want that Pokémon!
I'll trade you a Dratini egg for it!"
Steven: "Too late. You chose Old Amber yourself.
I offered you both new fossils, but you refused.
I didn't force you. However, I still have the feather fossil in my collection.
Interested? It might be another Dragon-type."
Lance: "I want it!
Revive it right now and send it to me.
Once my Dragonair lays an egg, I'll send the Dratini egg to you."
Steven: "No, no, no. I don't feel like waiting.
A lot of people have been eyeing this fossil recently.
A Dragon-type Pokémon with feather imprints…
It might be the rival of Aerodactyl, a Flying/Dragon overlord.
I think I'll trade with Drake instead. I'm quite interested in Bagon too!"
Lance: "WAIT! Don't give it to Drake!
I'm flying back to Dragon's Den immediately.
I'll request a Dratini egg from my clan and have it sent right away.
Don't you dare trade it away, save it for me!"
Steven: "Then hurry. I can't guarantee how long I can keep this fossil in my hands."
Lance: "I'll have the Dratini egg delivered within three days!
Hold onto the fossil for me!"
After finishing the chat with Lance, Steven opened another pinned contact—his old friend.
Steven: "Wallace, what are you up to?
Do you still keep in touch with Winona these days?
Take a look at who I ran into while mining—don't they look familiar?"
Image: JPG
Wallace: "!!! A shiny Feebas?! Is this real?
Steven, don't tell me you Photoshopped this to mess with me again!"
Steven: "That hurts. I'd never lie. This trainer is livestreaming—you can check for yourself."
Steven: "Aggron and I were mining in the Granite Cave near Dewford when someone walked in.
The moment I saw him, I almost mistook him for you.
Remember when we first met in Sootopolis Gym as kids?
You were hugging your Feebas and grinning ear-to-ear.
I still remember that scene vividly."
Wallace: "So this time it's actually real.
You weren't lying.
And he caught it while fishing?
Have you checked how well he's raising it?"
Steven: "Even better than you back then.
Besides Water-type moves, his Feebas knows Icy Wind too.
What do you think?
Interested in coming over?
He'll be entering Feebas in the Contest too, right here in Rustboro too."
Wallace: "Really!!
I'll try to adjust my schedule and see if I can come.
I want to see if he's as talented as you say."
Steven: "Adjust your schedule? What schedule?
Just show up! The Contest is your event anyway.
Say you want to observe the new generation of Coordinators.
Leave the paperwork to Chairman Damascu.
He's still energetic—give him more to do.!"
Wallace: "Easy for you to say. You retired as Champion, now you're free. I can't just walk away!"
Steven: "Hahaha. But isn't your Champion title what made the Contest possible?
Your dream has already come true
Alright, stop making excuses.
Hurry up and come.
I'm waiting for you in Rustboro City—we haven't seen each other in ages…"
Wallace: "Alright. I'll come as soon as I can arrange it…"
Reading Wallace's reply, a bright, childlike smile bloomed across Steven's face.
(End of Chapter)
TN: I made the chat like intentionally. I don't how you guys chat but I always do it like that.