Pokemon : The Master of Dragon-Types

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The Talonflame soared through the sky, its fierce gaze fixed on the Grovyle below. The predatory fire-type's aggressive nature was evident in its blazing eyes as it circled overhead.

A Pokémon's combat effectiveness is closely tied to its personality—though this is entirely different from the personality mechanics in Pokémon games. In games, personalities affect ability parameters, enhancing certain stats while reducing others.

Take the popular Timid nature, for instance. It provides a 10% increase to Speed while decreasing Attack by 10%, making it ideal for special attackers who don't rely on physical moves.

In reality, however, a Pokémon's personality is simply its character and temperament, having no direct impact on its stats. Chris's Grovyle, for example, has a calm disposition that keeps it level-headed in battle, but this doesn't automatically enhance any particular attribute.

The Talonflame possessed a fierce personality. This aggressive temperament made the bird Pokémon naturally suited for close-quarters combat.

Jacob frowned as he assessed the Talonflame. Its movepool was impressive, featuring powerful Flying-type techniques including the devastating Brave Bird. More concerning was its ability—the extremely rare Gale Wings.

In the games, Gale Wings grants +1 priority to Flying-type moves, allowing the user to strike first in most situations.

In reality, Gale Wings functioned somewhat differently, though it remained one of the most coveted abilities. A Talonflame with Gale Wings could envelop its wings in concentrated Flying-type energy, dramatically boosting its speed when using Flying moves without any HP restrictions.

Perfect ability, perfect training, and championship-caliber potential.

Jacob's Grovyle held only one advantage over this Talonflame—superior individual potential. Otherwise, it faced a type disadvantage and was outmatched in nearly every aspect. This battle would be extremely challenging for Jacob.

This marked Jacob's first confrontation with the genuine top-tier competitors in the College Cup. These trainers represented the elite, and this match offered a valuable opportunity to measure the gap between himself and the championship contenders he'd been striving to catch up with.

...

"Your Grovyle has only just reached the Lord level. This matchup isn't fair to you, so I'll let you attack first," Isaac said with unwavering confidence. He believed completely in himself and his Talonflame—a mindset essential for any powerful trainer who trusts in their Pokémon's abilities.

Isaac firmly believed that he and his Talonflame were unmatched at the Lord level, and Jacob's Grovyle stood no chance against them. Though Isaac's words might sound unpleasant or even arrogant to some sensitive listeners, he was simply stating facts. The Grovyle was indeed outmatched by the Talonflame.

Jacob nodded without hesitation. "Alright, I'll take the first move."

Of course, Isaac's confidence wasn't unreasonable. If Jacob had an Arceus at his disposal, he wouldn't merely offer his opponent the first move—he might handicap himself by five Pokémon or even more.

But Jacob had thick skin. Looking at Isaac's cold expression, he suddenly asked, "Would you care to give me five free moves as well?"

Isaac's face darkened at Jacob's words. Being a normal 18-year-old high school student, he couldn't match Jacob's shamelessness and chose to pretend he hadn't heard the request.

"Grovyle, use Thunder Punch!" Since he'd been granted the first move, Jacob didn't hesitate to command his Grovyle to attack with the powerful Electric-type move. Thunder Punch had proven quite useful for countering Flying-types that normally held the advantage over Grass-types.

"Talonflame, take flight!"

Seeing the aggressive Grovyle approaching, Isaac wasn't about to let his Pokémon take a Thunder Punch needlessly. He promptly ordered Talonflame to gain altitude. Flying Pokémon certainly had their advantages—the ability to soar beyond an opponent's reach was practically built-in evasion.

Jacob muttered about cheap tactics, completely forgetting that his own Noibat frequently employed the same strategy. A clear case of double standards.

"In that case, Grovyle, use Dragon Pulse!"

Dragon Pulse was one of the few special attacks in Grovyle's current movepool that could reach an airborne target, leaving Jacob with limited options.

Grovyle took a deep breath before exhaling a pulsating wave of dragon energy from its mouth, the attack surging upward toward the Talonflame.

"Talonflame, endure it, then strike back with Brave Bird!"

Top-tier trainers were different. They even taught defensive techniques to their offensive Pokémon.

Isaac's battle experience clearly exceeded that of typical trainers. When he instructed Talonflame to withstand the Dragon Pulse, he was already planning his counterattack, immediately ordering Brave Bird as follow-up.

Gale Wings activated, enveloping Talonflame's wings in swirling Flying-type energy like twin turbines, dramatically increasing its speed. The fire bird dove sharply, descending to just above ground level before tucking its wings and rocketing toward Grovyle like a missile.

"Grovyle, Quick Attack!"

When executing Brave Bird, Talonflame's downward plunge was already blindingly fast. Combined with Gale Wings, the surge of Flying energy around its wings made the Pokémon even faster.

The spectators only caught a fleeting shadow before Talonflame reached the ground and streaked toward Grovyle at incredible speed, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake.

Grovyle activated Quick Attack, its body glowing with energy as its speed dramatically increased. It darted across the battlefield, attempting to evade the incoming strike.

But ground movement could never match aerial velocity. Talonflame with Gale Wings using Brave Bird was simply too fast.

The only sound was the whoosh of displaced air creating a miniature gale as Talonflame shot past. Even with Quick Attack's boost, Grovyle couldn't avoid the Brave Bird, taking the hit head-on!

"BOOM!"

A dull impact echoed across the field as Grovyle was sent flying. As the pinnacle of Flying-type attacks, Brave Bird's power was devastating. Grovyle sustained serious damage from just one hit, while Talonflame suffered only minor recoil damage.

"Synthesis, Grovyle." Jacob had anticipated that Grovyle wouldn't escape Brave Bird unscathed and immediately ordered recovery. Grovyle began to glow with a fluorescent green light as the wounds on its body gradually healed.

"Don't give it a chance to recover—hit it with another Brave Bird!" At Isaac's command, Talonflame wheeled around in the air, banking sharply before diving again at high speed for another Brave Bird assault!

"Grovyle, Quick Attack again!"

The same scenario seemed to unfold, but this time with a different outcome. The second Quick Attack further increased Grovyle's speed.

Just as Talonflame—its body wrapped in Flying energy—was about to strike, Grovyle abruptly changed direction and narrowly avoided the Brave Bird in an awkward but effective maneuver.

"Well done, Grovyle!"

"You dodged it?"