Pokémon: The Reemployment of the Retired Champion of Paldea

Tatsugiri's partner is called Dondozo, a massive Pokémon resembling a giant catfish.

Dondozo isn't too bright, treating Tatsugiri as its leader and following its commands to hunt together.

Lucas remembers using these two in double battles in the games—Tatsugiri hiding in Dondozo's mouth, Terastallized Dondozo acting like a moving wall, annoying many players with the Leftovers strategy.

After passing several Dondozo-Tatsugiri pairs, Lucas finally spots the island from his memories.

He recognizes it thanks to the pink Dragonair sunning itself on the island—a lucky sight, as Dragonair mostly stay in the water but need sunlight to keep agile.

Dragonite likes to nap in the sky for the same reason—plenty of sunshine to warm up.

Seeing the Dragonair so relaxed, Lucas smiles. It seems they've been well; he just wonders where the other two Dragonair are.

He pats Dragonite's back and points at the island. "Found it—let's land there!"

Dragonite slows, curious eyes gazing at the island, its throat rumbling.

"Drago?"

Is this the island where it stayed as an egg? And that pink Dragonair must be one of its three foster mothers?

Dragonair, as if sensing something, suddenly opens its eyes and meets Dragonite's curious gaze.

Dragonair is stunned. Seeing Lucas on Dragonite's back, recognition dawns and joy flashes in its dark eyes.

The feather-like fins on its head rapidly expand, becoming nearly two meters long—almost true wings.

Powered by these wings, Dragonair rises into the air, quickly reaching Lucas and Dragonite as they descend.

"Drago?"

Dragonair inspects Dragonite in amazement, unable to connect this grown Dragonite to the egg it once cared for.

After all, in its memory, the egg had only just hatched into a tiny Dratini, maybe shed its skin a few times—barely able to battle.

But this Dragonite, just by aura alone, seems as strong as the missing leader, perhaps even stronger.

Unaware of Dragonair's thoughts, Lucas waves. "Long time no see, Dragonair. As promised, I've brought Dragonite to visit."

It's only when Lucas speaks that Dragonair confirms this is the egg—it's changed so much that, despite the familiar aura, it couldn't be sure.

"Drago~"

"Drago."

Dragonair gently approaches Dragonite, eyes full of tenderness and relief. Dragonite, sensing the emotion, lets Dragonair touch its head horn as if to convey its feelings.

Lucas sits quietly on Dragonite's back. This rare reunion—who could bear to interrupt?

After a while, Dragonair ends the warm moment, now sure that Dragonite is living a full and happy life.

So much so, it can't even bring itself to ask Dragonite to stay.

Dragonite, too, feels the overflowing love—a mother's love, undiminished by lack of blood ties.

Lucas finally asks, "Where are the other Dragonair?"

"Drago~"

Dragonair points its tail at the water.

"They're still underwater? You'll go call them?"

Dragonair nods, and just as it's about to dive, Dragonite chimes in, stopping it.

Dragonite looks to Lucas, seeking permission.

"Drago~"

Lucas understands—Dragonite wants to go underwater with Dragonair. Though it seems less aquatic after evolving, its swimming abilities are undiminished.

Whether climbing waterfalls or diving, most Dragonite manage with ease.

Lucas nods, granting permission.

With two splashes, Dragonite's orange and Dragonair's pink forms vanish beneath the lake.

Lucas surveys the island, muttering, "They'll take a while. Looks like I'll be sleeping here tonight—better pitch the tent."

The island isn't large; a few mature Pecha Berry trees take up much of the space. Lucas doesn't release his other Pokémon.

There's little room to move, and he's skilled at camping alone from his travels.

….

About twenty minutes after he finishes setting up, the lake's surface stirs, as if something is about to surface.

Four shadows rise quickly, breaking the surface and floating in the air.

Prepared, Lucas opens his umbrella, elegantly shielding himself from the splash as the four Dragon-types emerge.

Besides Dragonite and the pink Dragonair, the two other Dragonair—smaller and with normal coloring—appear.

These are standard Dragonair.

Dragonair's appearance is like a long serpent—slender, shining sapphire-blue scales with a bright white belly.

A small white horn on its forehead and delicate feather-fins on its head enhance its beauty. The blue crystal orbs on its neck and tail harbor the power to control weather.

Dragonite, it's clear, has bonded with them underwater.

This gives Lucas another idea.

He's confident Dragonite won't stay at the lake for the Dragonair, no matter their bond.

But, though he failed to captured them last time, now, with Dragonite as leverage and the leader still missing, maybe he could entice the Dragonair to move to Thunder Lake on his farm?

With their weather powers, his farm's weather system would be complete—ideal for crops.

Before Lucas greets the other two Dragonair, suddenly, furious roars echo from nearby, sending ripples across the lake. Weak Water-types hide, and Flying-types flee.

With Dragonite and the Dragonair, Lucas narrows his eyes at the commotion.

There, six Gyarados rear their dragon heads, roaring in this direction.

Lucas frowns. "Are they here to cause trouble again?"

But things are more complicated.

The six Gyarados seem wary of each other, pulling apart, then taking turns using moves on the water—diving deep, leaping skyward, twisting across the surface.

"Is this… courtship?"

Lucas is dumbfounded. He thought the Gyarados, not yet cowed by Luxray and the others, had returned to fight for territory.

But they're… courting!?

Dragonair seem unfazed, curling up by Lucas and sunbathing, ignoring the Gyarados.

Apparently, these Gyarados one day took a fancy to them and have been performing their dragon dances daily.

But the Dragonair remember how the Gyarados almost harmed the egg. They're lucky the Dragonair don't retaliate with Dragon Rage.

Courtship? Not a chance!

Dragonite narrows its eyes at the Gyarados, recognizing them as the bullies from before.

No way—it's payback time!

Dragonite quickly looks to Lucas. "Drago!"

As someone who raised Dragonite, Lucas knows exactly what it wants. He waves. "Go on, but don't be late for dinner."