Gently stroking the sleeping Ralts in his arms, Su Feng felt a pang of tenderness. Unlike Alolan Vulpix who grew up in human care, Ralts had known maternal love. He hoped she wouldn't be too heartbroken realizing her separation from Gardevoir.
Surveying the vast forest, Su Feng concluded his peace mission here. Now only Dragonite's confirmation remained to finalize the interspecies truce. Once dragons and forest dwellers coexisted peacefully, surplus medical resources would naturally emerge - perfect for recruiting Chansey and Blissey to build Pokémon Centers.
PlanSuccess.jpg
...
Gabite squinted at the obsidian orb in his claws, its core glowing with Blaziken-like color patterns. His mother had given this family heirloom during their farewell, claiming it was passed down from his grandfather with instructions: "Give this to any descendant choosing to follow a human trainer."
"Roar. (Wonder if that Su Feng guy knows what this is.)" Gabite scratched his head ridges. If not, he might keep it as a marble.
"Roar... (Wait, how long have I—)" His eyes widened in horror. Had he missed his chance!?
"ROAR! (Dammit! Don't leave yet!)"
Gabite bolted toward the canyon at breakneck speed. Maybe they hadn't departed!
An orange streak suddenly shot across the sky - Dragonite returning from escort duty.
"Roar... (It's over...)" Gabite collapsed, tail dragging in the dust. The human must have left the realm. Tracking Su Feng in the unknown outside world felt impossible now.
The young dragon trudged back dejectedly, dreading explaining his failure to parents.
...
Hours later near the Dragon Colosseum, Gabite froze.
"ROAR!? (That's... Su Feng!?)"
Hidden behind a boulder, he eavesdropped on Su Feng and Dragonite's heated discussion.
"Why!? Don't they want fertile lands back?" Su Feng exclaimed.
Despite Dragonite's efforts, elder dragons who survived the Great Famine Wars adamantly refused coexistence. These battle-hardened veterans demanded proof of strength - an impossible condition.
"What's their term?" Su Feng asked calmly.
Dragonite scratched his neck awkwardly: "Drah. (Defeat me in battle. Only then will they accept peace.)"
"Seriously?"
The dragon lord nodded. The elders only respected power. Any hint of mercy would be spotted instantly - they'd trained Dragonite themselves.
Su Feng massaged his temples. "Then we fight."
"Drah!? (My strength surpasses even—)"
"That's why it's worth trying." Su Feng grinned fiercely. With Blaziken, Gengar, and Greninja, tactical combinations could tip scales. Three-on-one odds favored him!
"Your Ability and movepool first." Information warfare mattered. "Every detail."
Reluctantly, Dragonite began listing his arsenal...