A massive dragon loomed above the battlefield—a fusion of dinosaur bulk and western dragon grandeur. Its obsidian body shimmered like volcanic glass, emanating a crushing, regal pressure.
The legendary Dragon-type Pokémon—Zekrom!
"So he really sent out Zekrom already?"
Dylan raised an eyebrow, eyes scanning over the black dragon with mild surprise.
He hadn't expected N to call out Zekrom this soon. Looks like the pressure was really getting to him.
"It's Zekrom!!"
In the audience, Iris's eyes sparkled with awe, absolutely entranced by the legendary dragon of Unova.
This was Zekrom!
As a self-proclaimed Dragon-type fanatic, she adored legendary dragons—especially one tied so closely to her home region and legacy as Champion.
"It's soooo cool!"
Iris bit her handkerchief in envy, almost green with longing. So unfair!
"Using Zekrom… just to deal with Arbok?"
Lillie gave N a very strange look—half baffled, half amused. She couldn't help but giggle as she saw the absolutely dumbfounded expression on Arbok's face.
That poor snake probably never imagined it would be treated like such a threat.
Would her brother use Reshiram to counter?
Lillie glanced at Ilene beside her. The two shared a curious look.
Meanwhile, Dylan's eyelid twitched—his head buzzing with psychic voice chats from one very noisy group chat:
[Family Group Chat]
Reshiram: Pick me! Pick me! Dylan, I'll bring you glory!! (impatient.jpg)
Kyurem: Hah. Ridiculous. White Dragon, your flimsy tricks won't even scratch Blackie. Let me handle it, Dylan. I'll turn him into fossilized charcoal. (sunglasses.jpg)
Terapagos: (woah.jpg)
Rayquaza: Ahem. Let me say a few words. I shall restore the glory of dragons! Your Rayquaza is ready to serve!
Koraidon: That scrawny black lizard? Easy.
Miraidon: Same.
Dialga: +1.
Eternatus: +2.
The arrival of Zekrom had instantly set off a collective bloodthirst in Dylan's dragon team chat.
Even Reshiram, who usually flaunted its beauty, was now practically begging for the chance.
And of course—it had always wanted a proper fight with Zekrom.
Poor Zekrom had no idea it would be so popular among its peers.
But dragons are dragons. They don't always get along. In fact, rivalry was part of their nature.
Dylan ignored the clamoring, choosing not to recall Arbok.
N was clearly rattled, jumping straight to Zekrom. If Dylan switched now, it might break N's rhythm completely.
And besides…
"Zekrom, Thunder!" N ordered.
Electricity sparked across Zekrom's massive frame, golden lightning coiling as its crimson eyes locked onto Arbok below.
Though calm on the surface, Zekrom was side-eyeing Dylan hard.
"Why does my trainer hate me like this…"
Zekrom sighed internally. It really had no good feelings about this matchup.
But as a legendary dragon, its posture remained proud and domineering.
"Still the same—N loves starting with Thunder," Dylan chuckled.
Zekrom's special attack was immense. Using Thunder as a ranged opener made sense.
"Dig."
Dylan countered swiftly.
Arbok didn't hesitate—vanishing underground just as lightning crashed down and exploded across the battlefield.
"That Dig was fast…" N narrowed his eyes.
"Then—Discharge!"
Zekrom began to radiate blinding light as golden electricity erupted in all directions.
An entire field wipe.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Continuous blasts rattled the ground—Discharge executed with such overwhelming force it felt more like Thunderbolt gone nuclear.
After several long seconds, the chaos settled. The terrain lay in ruins.
Then—
A bulge in the earth.
Arbok burst from the ground, forced to surface due to the storm. In one clean motion, it launched itself toward Zekrom.
The black dragon wasn't floating high—only about three meters.
"Thunder!" N stayed calm.
A blast of golden lightning erupted point-blank, striking Arbok mid-air.
BOOM!
Lightning surged and smoke billowed.
"Toxic."
Dylan's voice rang out—smirking.
"What?"
N flinched.
From within the smoke, a massive cobra emerged—its jaws wide open, spewing deep purple venom directly at Zekrom.
That's Arbok?!!
Zekrom had no time to dodge—distance was too close, and it hadn't expected Arbok to survive.
The toxic slime splattered against its leg and seeped in.
Zekrom's eyes widened. But it quickly retaliated with another bolt of lightning.
CRACK!
Arbok collapsed—its body convulsing as electricity ravaged it.
It had no chance. Zekrom's power was too immense. Arbok fell, unconscious.
But—Zekrom's body now glowed with a sickly purple haze.
Poisoned.
The first wave of Toxic damage had begun.
Zekrom winced, but stayed aloft.
"No way!!"
N's face twisted in disbelief.
Zekrom—his Zekrom—was poisoned?!
"There's no way that Arbok survived Thunder…"
Even Ilene looked shocked.
The timing hadn't made sense. Zekrom's Thunder had clearly hit—how did Arbok still manage to counter?
"No—it's possible."
Alder muttered, frowning. As a top trainer, he saw the trick.
Iris also realized, eyes lighting up.
N clenched his jaw. He understood now too.
"A Substitute underground. It took the hit for Arbok, leaving the real one to use Toxic."
N took a breath. He hadn't expected Dylan to go that far—just to poison Zekrom.
"Arbok is unable to battle. Zekrom wins."
Alder finally declared, still visibly shaken.
"That's right. You're sharp, N."
Dylan praised him, calmly recalling Arbok.
"You did great. Rest well."
He smiled at the Poké Ball.
Let the record show—this Arbok, this common Poison-type, had succeeded in poisoning Zekrom, the embodiment of ideals.
That was no small feat.
In the anime, the only time a Legendary like Kyogre had been poisoned was by poachers in Alola—a nearly unheard-of situation.
"Now then…"
Dylan looked at Zekrom, considering his next move.
Zekrom was poisoned. No matter how legendary, its clock was ticking.
The question now: could his next Pokémon withstand Zekrom's onslaught long enough?
He hadn't yet used Eternatus…
A Poison-Dragon pairing—perfect for this team.
But—
Reshiram: Dylan, Dylan! Pick me! I'm ready to shine! (cute.jpg)
Dylan: ...
Reshiram: I'm your most beautiful and adorable white dragon! This is MY fight!
Dylan: You…
Reshiram: Please Dylan! He's poisoned! The heavens are on our side! Let me face him—it's my only wish in life!! (puppy eyes.jpg)
Dylan rubbed his forehead, unable to ignore the constant psychic begging.
With a deep sigh, he reached for Reshiram's Poké Ball.
Reshiram: Dylan! You really do love me! Even if you die, I'll turn into a Light Stone and guard your grave for a thousand years! I swear, I won't choose another hero in that entire time!!! (teary.jpg)
"…Should I be grateful for that?!"
Dylan burst out laughing in exasperation.
This damn dragon… was way too real.
Truly the Dragon of Truth.
Reshiram: Arba-arba-arba… (guilty whining.jpg)
End of Chapter 383.