Julian couldn't help but marvel at his Dragonite's boldness. It had figured out how to align itself with the stro Dragonite around, essentially adopting a Champion-level Dragonite as its godfather. As for pride?

  Julian: 'Who needs pride? pride get you a badass godfather like this?'

  Meanwhile, Dragonite felt as if a thousand Growlithe were stampeding through its mind. It had no idea why it called that Championite "Dad."

  There was just this overwhelming sense of familiarity—a feeling unlike what it shared with Julian. This feeling was deeper, more... biological.

  So, when it saw the Champiohe word "Dad" slipped out before it could stop itself.

  Championite: "Son, I didn't think you'd still remember me."

  Julian froze. The Championite's words suggested that it and his Dragonite might 'actually' be father and son.

  But that couldn't be right. His Dragonite had hatched from ahat the system had rewarded him with!

  Championite: "Back then, not long after your mave birth to you, you suddenly disappeared. Your mother bmed me for not keeping you safe a in anger."

  The Championite's gaze shifted to Julian.

  Julian's heart pounded. He cursed the system in his mind.

  Julian: 'Damn it, the system isn't human! That egg wasn't the system's own—it 'stole' it from this Dragonite!'

  Thinking about it, if someoole your child, how could you 'not' be angry?

  Julian ched the Pokéball taining his Metagross, ready to fight if necessary.

  If Metagross couldn't hold its ground, he'd summowo with the tewments.

  Julian: 'No matter how strong you are, even a Championite would have to kneel before Mewtwo.'

  Dragonite: "You 't hurt him."

  Before things could escate, Julian's Dragoepped in, positioning itself protectively in front of Julian. Its gaze carried hostility as it stared down its father.

  The blood e told Dragohat the Championite wasn't lying—it really was its father.

  But in Dragonite's heart, Julian ranked far higher than this newly-reunited parent. Julian was the one who had raised it, cared for it, and trai to where it was now.

  Dragonite also didn't believe Julian was the one who had stolen it from its father.

  Championite: "Don't misuand me. I won't harm this human. On the trary, I'm grateful to him. And I know he wasn't the one who took you."

  Internally, the Championite felt like it had hit the jackpot. Its son had been missing for a year and a half, and now it had returned, capable of defeating even peak Elite-level oppos.

  Championite: 'What a blessing in disguise! Whoever took my son did a phenomenal job raising him. They saved me so much effort. This is the best deal ever!'

  Because of this, the Championite harbored nothing but gratitude toward Julian.

  Not only had Julian raised its son into su exceptional Dragonite, but he had alsht them back together.

  "Your father means no harm, don't worry"

  Julian said, patting Dragonite's arm. His earlier tension had made him overlook the aura emanating fronite's father.

  Now that he calmed dowiced it wasn't hostile. Instead, it carried goodwill, joy, and even a hint of pcy. Julian couldn't tell if he was imagining that st part.

  Hearing Julian's reassurand sensing no ill i, Dragonite finally stepped aside.

  The father and son stared at each other, unsure of what to say after their ued reunion.

  Champiohe Dragon Pool is behind me. Go soak in it."

  Dragonite: "How long I stay?"

  It regretted not fully pleting the climb up Dragon Mountain.

  Championite: "As long as your body ha."

  In other words, as long as it wanted.

  The Championite ruled the entire Dragon Mountain, so the Dragon Pool was naturally us trol. Now that its long-lost son had returned, letting him soak in the pool was the least it could do.

  Fet soaking—if Dragonite wao take some of the pool's water with it, that would be fioo.

  Julian: 'Ah, the perks of privilege. I'm not pining, though'

  Dragonite: "I've got a little brother too."

  He was referring to Gible.

  Championite: "It go in as well."

  Since Gible was still young and weak, it couldn't absorb much of the Dragon Pool's energy. Dragonite didn't mind sharing it.

  Julian released Gible from its Pokéball, and Dragonite led it into the Dragon Pool.

  As they ehe pool's trated Dragon energy began flowing into their bodies. Gible closed its eyes, its whole body feeliless and incredibly fortable.

  Dragonite's rea was more subdued—it didn't feel the energy as strongly as Gible did, given its signifitly higher strength and foundation.

  Julian activated his Probing Eyes to monitonite and Gible, only rexing when he saw that her was experieng any adverse effects.

  The Championite approached Julian. "You don't o worry. The energy in the Dragon Pool won't harm them; it will only be them."

  Julian nodded but then asked, " Pokémon of other types ehe Dragon Pool?"

  The Championite shook its head. "They , but doing so would alter their typing."

  Hearing this, Julian immediately dismissed the idea. A Pokémon's natural type was the o suited for it. Even if it ged ton type, it might not be an improvement.

  Championite: "Human, how did you e ay son?"

  Back when Dragonite was still a Dratini egg, it had vanished frht uhe Championite's nose. sidering its strength, it was baffling to think what kind of individual could pull that off.

  Juliaated for a moment before replying; "I found him on the road. Someone had left the egg in a bush. Looking back, maybe the thief who stole the egg ran into trouble and aba there."

  Julian tried his best to steady his breathing. The excuse he had just given was something he'd once used to fool Jake, and it hadn't worked then. Now he was trying it on a Champion-level Dragonite.

  Julian: 'System, this is your mess, and I'm the oaking the fall'

  System: 'Abba, abba'

  Fortunately for Julian, the Championite didn't doubt him. Mainly because Julian had raised its child so well. Even if he had beehief, it wouldn't have held a grudge.

  Moreover, Julian possessed the power of Aura. Throughout history, those who awakened Aura were never known to be malicious.

  Championite: "I wonder if that person will e back to steal another one of my eggs."

  Julian: 'Why does it sound like you're hoping they do? Are you getting addicted to having your kids stolen?'

  Two hours ter, Gible trudged out of the Dragon Pool, clearly in pain. It wao stay longer, but its body couldn't absorb any more energy.

  By now, its body was brimming with Dragon-type energy. Its level had risen to 24, just shy of 25—where it would evolve.

  Moreover, its inal potential had mostly turned Blue.

  Seeing this, Julian quickly purchased a small vial of Aptitude-Enhang Potion (Blue) from the System Shop.

  "Drink this, and then evolve."

  Gible opes mouth and swallowed the potion in one gulp.

  As soon as the potioered its body, a brilliant white light enveloped it.

  A mier, a Gabite stood before Julian. Its potential had fully transitioned from to Blue grade.

  *****

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