Creak… creak… BOOM!!
With a loud grinding noise, the massive stone gate embedded in the rock wall slowly opened completely, revealing an enormous dark passage hidden behind it.
"..."
Liam stood silently in place, staring at the pitch-black tunnel with confusion. He had no idea why the gate had suddenly opened on its own.
And just then—
"Mo~!" ×2
"Roar!!"
A strange cry echoed out, followed immediately by a powerful gust of wind!
The next moment, Liam saw three Pokémon flying out of the tunnel!
One fierce-looking Salamence, accompanied by two equally intimidating Flygon. Standing atop each of the Dragon-type Pokémon was a person dressed in strange clothing.
"So it's you people again! Our elder already told you—we are free people. We will never work for your so-called League. Don't disturb us again!"
The moment the three appeared, the man riding Salamence shouted angrily at Joseph and Wilma. His tone carried obvious hostility and complete disrespect.
But after finishing his tirade toward them, the man suddenly noticed Liam standing nearby. His expression froze for a moment before instantly darkening.
"And who is this?! You actually dared to bring outsiders here?! Hmph! You're the ones who broke the agreement first! Don't blame me if I get rough now! Salamence!"
"Roar!!"
"Flygon!" ×2
"Gonn!!" ×2
In an instant, the atmosphere became extremely tense!
The three newcomers looked ready to attack at any moment!
"Please wait, Captain Jinga! We have no intention of offending you or breaking our agreement! This gentleman is also a member of the League—he is not an outsider!"
Seeing the situation escalating rapidly, Wilma immediately raised her voice to explain.
But the man called Jinga clearly had no intention of listening.
"Hmph! I've heard enough of your explanations already! You keep disturbing us again and again! Today we're going to teach you people a lesson! Salamence!"
"Flygon!" ×2
"Dragon Breath!" ×3!!
"Roar!!"
"Gonn!!" ×2
In an instant, three streams of emerald-green dragon breath burst from the mouths of Salamence and the two Flygon!
The three attacks intertwined in midair, merging into one enormous beam of dragon breath that shot directly toward Dragonite—toward Wilma and Joseph!
"Hmph! Ignorant fools! Dragonite! Hyper Beam!"
Facing the incoming attack, Wilma retaliated without hesitation!
At the same time, Joseph—who had been standing beside Wilma—suddenly narrowed his eyes. A flash of white light erupted beside him!
"Metagross! Flash Cannon!"
"Meta!"
In the blink of an eye, a golden beam and a white beam exploded forward simultaneously!
The next moment, they collided with the dragon breath in midair—
and instantly shattered through it like unstoppable force, continuing toward Salamence and the others!
"Hmph! Salamence! Protect!"
"Roar!!"
Faced with the counterattack, Jinga remained calm. He barked an order, and Salamence immediately expanded a deep green barrier around itself and the two Flygon beside it.
Then Hyper Beam and Flash Cannon slammed into the shield simultaneously!!
BOOOOM!!!
"Cough! Damn it! What terrifying power!!"
After only one exchange, Jinga already realized how troublesome these opponents were. Though Salamence's Protect had shielded them from serious harm, they were still left covered in dust and soot, which made him feel humiliated.
"..."
Meanwhile, Liam still stood calmly in place, watching the two sides pause their fighting temporarily.
"Stop this, Jinga. I already told you we mean no harm. We only came because this gentleman wished to visit you people. If you continue this behavior… don't blame us for responding seriously."
Wilma clearly wasn't someone with a good temper either. But she understood priorities. Although their side had suppressed Jinga in the exchange, she still refrained from continuing the attack.
"Hm? Gentleman? You're calling him 'sir'?"
Jinga, who had still been fuming, was startled after hearing Wilma's words. He turned and carefully examined Liam.
From his previous encounters with Wilma and Joseph, Jinga already understood that the two held extremely high status in the outside world.
And now… there was someone of even higher status?
That made him frown deeply.
"Hello. It's a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Liam."
Sensing Jinga's gaze, Liam understood it was finally his turn to step forward. He took a calm step forward and smiled warmly.
"..."
Jinga stared speechlessly at Liam's friendly expression, suddenly unsure how to handle the situation. In the end, he could only force himself to ask:
"Y-you're the 'sir' they were talking about? You wanted to see us? What exactly do you want?"
"Hehe, titles like 'sir' don't matter. I simply came because I wanted to meet you people… and see for myself what the legendary Draconid people are really like."
Liam spoke casually, but his words instantly shocked Jinga and his two subordinates!
"Y-you actually know our tribe's name?! Who exactly are you?!"
Jinga's face darkened as he demanded an answer.
Nearby, even Wilma and Joseph looked at Liam in surprise.
"Is that really such a secret? I only learned about it by coincidence. Then earlier, when Elite Wilma mentioned it, I remembered. That's why I came to take a look."
Seeing the confusion on Wilma and Joseph's faces, Liam simply smiled and explained softly.
But then—
"Still… I originally wanted to witness the strength of the legendary Draconid People / Meteor People. But the reality is… heh."
Though Liam still wore a smile, disappointment suddenly appeared in his eyes.
"You—what do you mean by that?! Are you looking down on me, bastard?! Salamence! Use Flamethrower!"
"Roar!!"
The instant he saw Liam's expression, Jinga exploded in anger!
Salamence immediately opened its mouth and unleashed a powerful torrent of flames!
"Aerodactyl! Stone Edge!"
"ROAR!!"
Seeing Jinga attack, Liam's lips curled upward slightly. He instantly gave a command.
Hearing the order, Aerodactyl roared furiously as rings of sharp white stones formed around its body!
The next moment, the pointed rocks shot out like a storm of bullets!
BANG! BANG BANG! BANG BANG BANG!!
"What?!"
Aerodactyl's Stone Edge collided head-on with Salamence's Flamethrower!
But to Jinga's horror… Salamence's flames were completely unable to stop the incoming rocks!
The razor-sharp white stones pierced straight through the fire and continued hurtling toward them without slowing down!
"That's enough!! Charizard! Flamethrower!"
"ROOOAR!!"
But just as the Stone Edge was about to hit Jinga and the others—
A furious shout suddenly came from deeper within the tunnel behind them!
Immediately afterward, a torrent of flames far stronger than Salamence's burst forth and collided with Aerodactyl's Stone Edge!
And then—
BOOOOM!!!