CHAPTER 715: VS DRAGON MESSENGER LANCE! RED GYARADOS

Doduo wants to battle me?

Lu Ye glanced at Lance in confusion.

Lance’s crimson hair stood on end, his face stern, and under his cloak he wore a blue champion’s uniform.

At this moment his sword-like brows rose, his eyes were icy, and a faint smile tugged at his mouth as he said,

“Since this is a battle café, of course there must be a battle!”

For Lance, this was a precious opportunity to clash ideals with Teacher Lu and to train his Red Gyarados.

Steven rested an arm on his black suit jacket while wearing a blue vest underneath;

his gaze was deep as he smiled and said,

“It seems you’re looking forward to the fight as well, Teacher Lu.”

The presence of the two champions seemed to spread through the courtyard.

The little ones all tilted their heads—Blastoise watering flowers, Pupitar building sandcastles, Sylveon swinging on a swing…

and Togebro bristling with hostility, guarding Togepi at the side and watching the show.

“Poke! (｀∀´)Ψ”

Sis, look—there’s going to be something fun to watch!

“Duui~ (ﾟ▽ﾟ*)” Togepi rose onto its tiptoes.

Go for it, master!

Lu Ye folded his arms and stroked his chin, a head full of question marks.

Weren’t we talking about something else?

Suddenly dragging out a Pokémon battle—are you two trying to freeload!?

Teacher Lu’s body tensed;

his expression turned serious as he examined Lance and the other champion.

Well then, that explains why you brought up “battle café” so casually.

Is it because winning at a battle café means the manager eats free… and I’d have to pay out prize money!

Impossible.

“Pokémon battle? I was just thinking the same.”

Lu Ye looked between them and said in a firm voice, “Which of you goes first?”

Trying to dodge the bill? Ask whether Darkrai, the café’s bouncer, will agree first!

Lance and Steven exchanged a look and found mutual agreement.

One of the reasons Teacher Lu invited the champions to the ribbon-cutting was to use the chance for a battle!

After all, clashes between champions are rare opportunities.

“It’s just my personal, somewhat abrupt request,” Lance said. “If possible, Teacher Lu—please you and your partner Pokémon face me in a one-on-one singles match!” 𝐑Å𐌽𝖔𝐁ЕŚ

Lu Ye blinked.

My partner…

He glanced at the floating purple pudge beside him. Haunter covered its mouth and snickered, slitting its crimson eyes.

“Gengarrr~”

As a trainer’s signature partner, it had to be Haunter.

In only a year and a half, Gastly had evolved into Haunter, then learned Mega Evolution and become champion-level.

The speed of its growth was astonishing.

But compared with Red or Dan Emperor who became champions in one year, Haunter’s progress was also forged through many cinematic trials—its growth had traces.

Lu Ye nodded slightly;

his gaze hardened with the pride of a champion.

I, Lu Ye, got here through my own efforts—

“Haunter, I choose you!”

“Gengarrr~” Haunter smiled wickedly, opening its little hands and hovering behind Lu Ye like a stand.

When Lance saw Teacher Lu send out Haunter, his expression stiffened;

he swept back his cloak and slowly drew a Poké Ball.

Lu Ye paused and tilted his head toward the side of the courtyard.

“You’re not sending out Dragapult… I mean, not sending Dragonite?”

The Dragon Messenger’s ace Dragonite stood with Metagross, arms folded, watching assertively.

Because Pokémon tend to resemble their trainers over time, Lance’s Dragonite habitually crossed its arms.

Beside those two pseudo-gods stood Cynthia’s Garchomp, eyes blood-red, making a scything gesture toward Lu Ye: “Graaah!”

If you lose, you won’t be going home tonight!

Lu Ye: “…”

This one definitely needs to be taken seriously.

But…isn’t this my home turf?

“I’ll send out this one.”

Lance threw his Poké Ball;

red light bloomed in the courtyard and all the Pokémon widened their eyes.

“Roar!!”

A fearsome Gyarados rose upright. The sharp ridges on its forehead glinted, its lower body planted firmly on the ground. Its scales were a blood-red sheen, shining like steel, and its pale belly looked armored.

One of Lance’s ace Pokémon: a Red Gyarados!!

Lu Ye looked up at the towering Red Gyarados.

Instinctively he remembered the first time he saw Lance’s Red Gyarados last year.

Back then it was at Metro City’s battle facility, the Eastern Battle Tower, where Lance fought Cynthia for ranking.

Lance used an aggressive strategy centered on Red Gyarados with Dragon Dance, ultimately narrowly losing to Cynthia’s Garchomp.

That was also the first meeting between Teacher Lu and Lance—

They’d forced a fifty-fifty result by borrowing Pokémon to fight the Dragon Messenger!

“So much time’s passed…”

Lu Ye’s eyes wandered as he murmured.

Back then it was just Gastly;

even breaking through Red Gyarados’ defenses was a problem.

But now.

Lu Ye’s gaze hardened.

Mega Haunter already had legendary achievements like “destroys Arceus’ clones”;

facing the Red Gyarados head-on was no big deal!

Lance said in a low voice, “Training with Mega Gyarados is precisely what I did in Kalos.”

Lu Ye’s mood was complicated.

A Mega Gyarados with Water/Dark typing—no Dragon type at all!

And the Mega Gyarados doesn’t even have Flying… how does that have anything to do with a Dragon Messenger!

Suddenly Lu Ye remembered “Sakaki of the Earth” whose ace was Beedrill, and clenched a fist while coughing lightly.

Analyzing it logically:

Mega Gyarados’ Dark typing resists Haunter, and its excellent special defense… sending it out is as smart as sending Dragonite.

Moreover, Lance’s Red Gyarados, one of his aces, was carefully trained—once Mega Evolved it is champion-level and not to be underestimated!

The commotion in the courtyard drew in Korrina, A-Jin and others.

“What’s going on?” A-Jin ran out of the back room. “I was just playing with Silver!”

“It seems… Teacher Lu and Champion Lance are about to battle,” Kris whispered.

Silver had his hand in his pocket and nodded.

“What are you doing, A-Jin?” Kris asked curious.

“Streaming the group livestream, hehe.” A-Jin wiped his nose and grinned. “No matter who loses between Teacher Lu and Lance, it’ll be a topic!”

Silver: “…”

Now I understand why Teacher Lu has been writing your name in his notebook…

“A champion versus a champion fight, huh.”

Siebold, in a white chef’s coat, walked into the courtyard and looked up at the Red Gyarados and floating Haunter facing off in the sunlight, murmuring,

“A spectacular sight rare to behold.”

“Private sparring… Teacher Lu remains as understated as ever,” Melisa said softly.

Siebold blinked.

Understated?

Who caused the scene saving the stray boy at Prism Tower a few days ago, and who drew all the attention at today’s ribbon-cutting?

Korrina’s eyes sharpened and she clenched her fist to psych herself up.

Study carefully, learn well… maybe I can pick up something from my mentor’s fight!

Suddenly she froze and looked to the tall blonde woman beside her, exclaiming, “Ah—Cynthia…”

“Hello, Korrina.”

Cynthia smiled kindly, folding her arms, tapping her chin with a hand, then raising her deep gray eyes to study Lu Ye at the venue with thoughtful expression.

Champs sparring and exchanging wins and losses is normal.

“If he loses, I’ll step in,” Cynthia said, as if considering.

After all, battling isn’t his strongest suit… at least not his best side.

Compared to Lu Ye’s posture in battle, Cynthia preferred his silhouette in the kitchen at dawn.

That fluttering, heart-stopping feeling… the last time she felt it was during that grand meteor shower…

“Wait!”

Lu Ye suddenly raised his hand. “Let me reinforce the battlefield first!”

Lance and his Red Gyarados both looked surprised.

Lu Ye shouted toward the big tree, “Mew, come out and work!”

Lance’s eyes widened as the tree trunk radiated white light and a small Mew flew out.

“Mew~”

Mew circled before everyone, its tail swaying lightly as if pleased with their expressions, giggling to itself.

Then Mew flew to Lu Ye and tapped palms with its tail: “Mew~ ꉂꉂ(ᵔᗜᵔ*)”

“I thought it was only the World Tree’s aura—”

Lance’s eyes bulged. “It’s really Mew!”

Steven’s gaze flicked between Mew and the trunk;

he frowned in disbelief and rubbed his chin, muttering,

“So that’s it… Teacher Lu connected this tree with the World Tree…”

But this was astounding!

Effectively planting a Tree of Beginning in the yard?

If the news broke, the entire academic world and trainer circles would erupt!

Siebold stared, stunned, at Mew.

A legendary Pokémon appearing at a café and being so close with Teacher Lu… it was unbelievable.

“Korrina—this, this…” Korrina pointed at the scene, mouth open.

“Lu Ye once met Mew and saved the Tree of Beginning,” Cynthia said with a smile. “Think of it as a bond formed between them.”

Saved the Tree of Beginning? Bonded with Mew?

Korrina’s eyes swirled and she nodded, dizzy and delighted.

I really did pick the right mentor!

“Mew or Celebi, which is rarer?” A-Jin scratched his head and asked Kris.

“Well… in ancient times, definitely Celebi,” Kris replied, glancing at Mew. “But they say now only one Mew remains—’rare’ doesn’t even begin to describe it.”

“Please help me, Mew.”

Lu Ye smiled. “Light Screen, Reflect… reinforce the surface and the ground beneath this field.”

“Mew!” Mew lifted its little head proudly.

"Little problem—leave it to me!"

‘You still don’t match Mew,’ Lu Ye sent mentally. ‘Or you could go invisible and set up dual screens for Haunter—ha, just kidding.’

Doing that in a wild match would be fine, but in a formal contest, better not.

Latias’ forehead sprouted a string of question marks.

You were not joking just now!

With Mew’s dual-screen reinforcement, the courtyard became a certified battle field.

Lu Ye and Lance stood at opposite ends of the yard while everyone else lined the corridor, looking tense.

A-Jin started the group livestream.

In the chat group:

“Mr. Lance and Teacher Lu are battling?” Ash exclaimed.

“Yeah, both of them are here in Kalos today,” Lorelei pushed up her red-rimmed glasses.

“And Steven—he didn’t invite me,” Wallace said helplessly.

“Because you have glamorous events,” Melisa covered her mouth and laughed. “Speaking of which, I heard Fashion Week in Miare City got emptied because everyone watched the ribbon-cutting!”

“Red Gyarados versus Haunter, huh.” Bruno said in a low voice. “After Mega Evolution, it’s hard to predict.”

“Damn, Teacher Lu skipping the Baby Cup to go head-to-head with Lance!” Flint scratched his flaming hair.

“This is an offline casual match,” Aru half-joked to correct him.

“Gyarados isn’t Dragon-type—why is it called Gyarados?” Alice sniffed like a little adult. “Dragon Heart can’t sense Gyarados… I don’t get it.”

“Big brother does like some… uh… non-Dragon Pokémon,” Kotone explained weakly, “because it fits with his Dragonite weather tactics.”

Lance’s three Rayquaza—wait, that’s odd;

context: Lance’s trio coordinating with Red Gyarados could suppress opponents over stormy seas.

It seemed Dragon masters like weather tactics—another being Kabu.

Newly joined to the group, Dan Emperor peered at the screen holding his Rotom phone.

“I still have to attend a sponsor event tonight…”

Dan sighed inwardly in regret.

Otherwise he could watch in person—and even battle with Charizard.

“I bet little Lance loses—any takers?” mischievous A-Jin grinned.

Little Lance…

Lance’s Dark-type associate Grimsley twitched at being called that.

Who but Professor Oak or A-Jin would dare call him that?

“Oh, I’ll bet on Lance winning,” Marshal grinned.

“I bet on Lu Ye! A year’s worth of gym allowance!” Roxie shouted.

Marshal’s eyes bulged.

The little Unova girl probably doesn’t know how I once dominated the Yu Hong arcade!

“I’m all in—go all-out!” Marshal clenched his teeth.

Champion Lance, please give me strength!

[Group members ‘Really want Miss Walnut’s autograph’, ‘Waterflow Captain’, and ‘PoisonOrDie’ were muted by admin ‘Ice Lorelei’ for three hours]

Lorelei said calmly, “Sorry, I was watching a show. Those three who went and died for it, let them be a warning.”

“The match is starting!” Ash exclaimed.

On the group livestream the courtyard was suddenly surrounded by a Barrier;

the Rotom Pokédex floated up, holding a referee flag.

“The referee will be absolutely fair and handsome, Roto!”

The dark-haired young man in a shirt stood with a grinning Haunter in front of him.

“Gengarrr!”

The red-haired man crossed his arms with an imposing Red Gyarados standing before him, its upright body casting a shadow over the field.

“Roar!!”

“Beep beep… battle start, Roto!”

In an instant both sides moved at once.

“Gyarados—”

Lance clenched his fist, pupils vertical;

his voice was sharp: “Dragon Dance!!!”

“Roarrr!!”

The Red Gyarados howled toward the sky;

its tail spun and formed a raging whirlwind around itself, dark-red energy surging within.

Standing nearly seven meters tall, the Gyarados’ spinning sent out a strong intimidation and shock—its speed kept climbing, its momentum rising!

“Whoa, that big guy can still spin like that!? Won’t it get dizzy?” A-Jin clicked his tongue.

“It’s different from mine,” Silver’s eyes flickered. “Its technique is more refined!”

“Haunter—” Lu Ye saw the spinning Red Gyarados and commanded, “Thunderbolt!!”

“Geng—arrr!!”

Haunter’s body flared with dazzling white light;

a thick pillar of electricity darted out like a thunderous serpent tearing toward the dancing Gyarados!

“Teacher Lu even taught Haunter that!?” Flint was shocked.

If that Thunderbolt connects, Gyarados could even be one-shot!

“Looks like, like my Charizard,” Dan Emperor’s eyes glinted. “Teacher Lu gave Haunter an Electric move too.”

Hearing Dan chimed in, everyone froze for a moment.

Good grief—you two really are the class act!

“Gyarados—”

Lance didn’t hesitate. He clenched upward;

the Keystone on his wrist flashed a brilliant rainbow light—making even Thunderbolt seem dim!

“Mega Evolution!!!”

A gale blasted apart. The Red Gyarados’ eyes turned blood-red;

the ridge on its forehead bloomed with evolution light and it roared to the sky!

Boom!!

Thunderbolt struck down;

the Red Gyarados roared in pain, its dorsal fin spread like a blade, its whiskers lengthened, and its steel-like red scales battled the electric light!

Bang!!

Black smoke filled the air.

The Mega Gyarados’ dorsal fins were sharp and wide, it hovered in midair;

scorched marks hissed across its scales, its menacing face exposed, and the red Mega symbol flared on its forehead!

“It withstood the Thunderbolt?!” Korrina’s eyes went wide.

“It decided to Mega Evolve decisively, and so skillfully… worthy of Mr. Lance,” Siebold murmured.

Mega Gyarados has no Flying type yet can fly… how is that logical?

A thought flickered through Lu Ye’s mind and he commanded,

“Substitute!”

In an instant the Mega Gyarados dove and lunged, jaws opening to bite, fangs pulsing with dark-type energy that could chew through steel in an instant!

Bang!

Haunter’s Substitute, eyes glazed, was torn apart by the Mega Gyarados.

Haunter’s real body appeared above the Mega Gyarados’ head, grinning wickedly and holding a crystal ball that radiated grass-type light!

“Grass? Is this an auto-match?” Cheren couldn’t help but say.

“This move set is so devilish!!” Flint gaped.

“Mega Gyarados lost Flying;

so it switched to energy ball?” Dan’s eyes flickered.

Boom!!

Haunter slammed the energy ball down onto the Mega Gyarados’ head.

The Mega Gyarados flipped downward toward the ground as an explosion erupted, black smoke scattering.

“Teacher Lu read it? Read the Crunch first!” Siebold looked utterly baffled.

“No…” Cynthia’s brow tightened. “The Substitute that was read—was Haunter.”

Lance’s gaze hardened and he roared, “Aqua Tail!!”

“Gengarrr! Σ(ﾟдﾟlll)”

The Mega Gyarados’ heavy tail slammed, enveloped in water, sweeping like a tidal wave toward the airborne Haunter.

Haunter had no escape and was smashed toward the Light Screen, puckering its face in pain: “Gengarrr…”

Lu Ye winced and softly said, “Slip into the shadows, Haunter—”

The Keystone on his glove flashed with dazzling light;

an invisible bond linked Lu Ye and Haunter as brilliant evolution energy rose.

“Mega Evolution!!!”

Boom!!

The Mega Gyarados’ massive body crashed to the ground. Its powerful tail struck again as it lunged to bite at the airborne Haunter.

Lance bellowed, “Crunch!!”

At the same time, Mega Haunter’s forehead bloomed with a single yellow eye;

spikes protruded along its body as dark-red energy swirled and a wicked grin spread its lips!

“Gengarrr!!”

Mega Haunter’s lower half sank into another dimension, using shadow to move.

Just as Haunter was about to collide with the Light Screen, a circular shadow hole opened. Mega Haunter’s lower half dove into the hole;

it placed its hands on either side, stuck out its tongue and pulled its eyelids to make a face at the charging Mega Gyarados.

Then Mega Haunter turned its back to Mega Gyarados, wiggled its butt and tail, dove into the shadow, and closed the hole.

Thud!!

Mega Gyarados crashed into the Light Screen, cracking it in long fissures and howling in fury.

“Behind you, Gyarados—use Outrage!!!”

“Roaaar!!!”

Fierce rage burned in Mega Gyarados’ eyes. Dark-red energy surged over its scales;

bolstered by Dragon Dance, Outrage pushed the Gyarados’ destructive power to extremes!

A circular hole opened in the ground;

Mega Haunter popped its head out like a mole, looked up at the oncoming Mega Gyarados, and snorted: “Gengarrr~”

Why you shouting so loud, huh!

Mega Gyarados in Outrage was nothing but a war machine venting fury.

Trying to hold out until Outrage ended and win by confusing Lance’s Mega Gyarados would be almost impossible!

Lance had already predicted Teacher Lu had no quick way to finish Mega Gyarados—

Even if Mega Gyarados was battered all over, in its berserk Outrage it charged like a berserker and would be unstoppable!

“Crap… my bet’s busted.” A-Jin gulped.

“Mega Gyarados’ special defense is phenomenal—even Haunter’s signature Dark Void probably…” Silver’s eyes flashed.

Lance’s gaze, majestic like a great dragon, fixed on Teacher Lu;

a minute frown creased his brow.

I remember Teacher Lu’s Haunter knows close-combat moves.

But even so, it can’t withstand Mega Gyarados in Outrage!!

“Haunter—”

Lu Ye’s eyes merged with Mega Haunter’s grin. He said, voice steady, “Use Payback!”

Lance was taken aback.

Payback?!

Crap—Mega Gyarados has its Attack boosted by Dragon Dance!

[Payback: uses the target’s Attack stat as the user’s Attack to deal damage.]

In other words, the stronger Mega Gyarados’ destructive ability, the more terrifying Payback’s power becomes!

Facing a berserk Outrage Gyarados, Mega Haunter extended its spiked fist and slowly grinned.

“Gengarrr!!”

Come at me then~!

Boom!!

Mega Gyarados charged fiercely, whipping up a violent gust. Yet Mega Haunter crossed its arms defensively and actually took the Outrage hit head-on!!

“It actually took it…” Siebold’s pupils contracted.

Is this the fragile Haunter I remember?!

“Aqua Tail plus an Outrage…” Cynthia pursed her lips, eyes glinting. “Solving his Haunter will be difficult.”

“Wait, what? Haunter’s going to fight with its fists!” Korrina’s eyes widened.

Suddenly.

Mega Haunter leapt up;

its spiked fist radiated dark-red light. Threads of power streamed from Mega Gyarados toward Haunter, forming an encasing dark-red iron fist.

Smash!!!

Mega Haunter’s fist slammed into Mega Gyarados’ cheek;

windwaves rolled and the punches kept landing!!

“Gengarrr!! (σ;

*Д*)=3⁼³₌₃⁼³₌₃”

A-Jin gaped in shock and counted, “One Payback, two Paybacks, three Paybacks!!”

Silver’s expression was complicated.

What followed was just Haunter’s regular attacks…

Even with poor type advantage, that Payback still dealt considerable damage to Mega Gyarados!

Lance frowned deeply, trying to bring Mega Gyarados back to its senses.

But Mega Haunter’s spiked iron fist wrapped in hardened dark-red energy struck again!!

Thud!!!

Dust filled the air.

Siebold and the others were stunned. Cynthia folded her arms with a faint smile.

The once-dorsal-finned, menacing Mega Gyarados had been forced out of Mega form and lay on its side!

The Rotom Pokédex floated forward, circled the Red Gyarados a few times, took photos and loudly announced:

“Beep beep… victor, Haunter, Roto~!”