10 Defian

[Sudowoodo, the Imitation pokemon. Sudowoodo camouflages itself as a tree to avoid being attacked by enemies. However, because its hands remain green throughout the year, the Pokémon is easily identified as a fake during the winter.]

Daikon took a deep breath. The pressure that Sudowoodo gave off was greater than any of the other pokemon previously.

"Be careful Dratini." Daikon warned his young dragon.

Dratini gave a light snort before glaring at Sudowoodo. Dratini was born powerful and gave him confidence.

Dratini used Aqua Jet and sped towards Sudowoodo.

A confident smile appeared on Sudowoodo's face. When Dratini came close, Sudowoodo's arm started to glow and he slammed down, crushing Dratini into the ground.

"Hammer Arm." Daikon muttered. He studied pokemon moves and was able to recognize them in battle.

Dratini was in a small crater created by Sudowoodo's attack. Covered in dirt and rock, Dratini gave an angry roar before using Dragon Breath. A black mist like energy erupted from Dratini's mouth, causing Sudowoodo to try and block the attack with its arms.

"Low Kick." Yolanda calmly said as she watched Sudowoodo engulfed in Dratini's Dragon Breath.

From out of the black mist, a leg shot out and hit Dratini in the face, sending him flying. Crashing into the ground, Dratini stood up and glared viciously at Sudowoodo.

Daikon could feel Dratini's anger through their Blood Bond, a shred of murderous intent was also infused in the anger.

'Calm down. Lashing out in anger won't bring you a victory.' Daikon advised Dratini through their bond.

Dratini ignored his advice and charged with another Aqua Jet. Daikon shook his head and crossed his arms, he no longer cared about this battle. He always encouraged his pokemon to battle with their own instincts but when he gave direct orders he expected them to listen without question.

'Maybe this is what he needs. Get his ass kicked to show that he isn't invincible.' Daikon thought. Dratini hadn't lost a battle since he was born and now the arrogance of that was showing.

Espeon gave a light snort beside Daikon, she was able to tell that Dratini wasn't listening to his orders. She was looking down on Dratini as he was being beaten badly by Sudowoodo.

Daikon and Espeon both watched as Sudowoodo slammed Dratini into the ground again. Forrest looked over at Daikon, he saw that he wasn't paying attention to the match.

"Do you want to give up this match?" Forrest asked Daikon.

"No." Daikon said coldly as he watched Dratini being sent flying with a Hammer Arm.

Forrest nodded his head as he turned back to face the battle. Dratini was struggling to get up again. Yolanda looked a Daikon, confusion covered her face. Daikon and his pokemon were strong and disciplined with great battle instincts but since he sent out this Dratini it was a different story.

Seeing Daikon's indifference, Yolanda said, "End it Sudowoodo."

Sudowoodo gave a nod as his arm started to glow green as he gathered energy.

'Wood Hammer.' Daikon eyes narrowed as he saw it.

Dratini slowly got up and glared at Sudowoodo with his glowing red eyes. Sudowoodo ran at him with his arm raised above his head. Dratini gathered his strength and launched a Dragon Rage.

The two attacks collided and created a large explosion. Dust obstructed everyone's vision, Daikon and Yolanda camly waited for the dust to settle. After the dust finally settled, Dratini was lying unconscious on the ground while Sudowoodo stood over him.

"Dratini is unable to battle, Sudowoodo is the winner." Forrest announced.

"Espeon bring him back." Daikon said quietly.

"Espy!"

Espeon rana onto the field and used Confusion to carry the unconscious Dratini to Daikon. Taking a potion from his backpack, Daikon bent down and sprayed it on some of Dratini's wounds. After a couple of minutes Dratini came around and looked up at Daikon questionly.

Ignoring him, Daikon said to Espeon, "Go finish the battle."

"Espy!"

Giving a happy cry, Espeon jumped onto the battlefield.

"Final battle between Sudowoodo and Espeon. Let the battle commence!" Forrest announced loudly.

Espeon used Quick Attack, closing the distance between the two pokemon.

"Stone Edge!" Yolanda yelled.

Large sharp rocks erupted from the ground, stabbing towards Espeon. Jumping high into the air, Espeon sent a Shadow Ball, destroy the Stone Edge.

Sudowoodo sent another Stone Edge, trying to trap Espeon. She was unable to react in time and was hit in the chest by the attack. A painful cry came from Espeon as she landed on the ground. Before she could get up a Hammer Arm came and smashed her deeper in the ground, creating a small crater.

"Espeon is unable to battle, Sudowoodo is the winner! Yolanda is the winner of this match." Forrest announced.

Daikon returned Espeon and Dratini to their pokeballs.

He turned to Yolanda and gave his thanks for the battle and left the gym. Yolanda and Forrest watched Daikon walk out of the gym.

"Why didn't he withdraw his Dratini brother?" Yolanda asked Forrest.

"That Dratini seems to be very immature and young, probably born not to long ago. Its immaturity and arrogance made it ignore its trainer's orders. So Daikon let it battle on its own, losing miserably. He probably did it to teach it a lesson." Forrest explained. He then looked over at Yolanda, "You know that Sudowoodo is a gym leader level pokemon. Big brother gave it to you not to use against rookie trainers." Forrest scolded his younger sister.

"Not my fault! He beat my Graveler and Aggron so easily!" Yolanda pouted.

Forrest smiled at his pouting sister as he rubbed her head.

---

Daikon returned to the pokemon center and handed his pokemon over to the nurse. He then went up to his room and took a shower and went through his supplies. After making a list of what he needed, Daikon left his room and went to the second floor and bought the supplies he needed.

After he finished shopping, Daikon returned to his room and started to cultivate. It was slower without Dratini but he was still able to complete a few cycles throughout his body. He had accumulated 8 cycles throughout his body since he started cultivating. Daikon had no guidance or experience in cultivating so he was just using his gut to guide him.

The next morning Daikon had a shower and packed his bag. Heading downstairs to the first floor Daikon asked the nurse for his pokemon. After showing his Trainer ID a cart came out from the back carrying 3 pokeballs.

"Their injuries were minor, they are all very healthy." the nurse said cheerfully.

Daikon thanked her and clipped the pokeballs to his belt.

Leaving the Pokemon Center, Daikon headed east towards the mountains in the distance. To get to Cerulean City he needed to cross these mountains, thankfully there was a path to follow.

Like always, Daikon was going to use the mountain range to train his pokemon and himself. After leaving the city limits, Daikon released his 3 pokemon.

"Espy!"

"Quiil!"

Quilava and Espeon let out happy cries as they ran up to Daikon and tugged on his clothes. Daikon stroked their heads, a gentle smile appeared on his face.

Daikon looked at Dratini who was avoiding eye contact with him. Dratini knew that Daikon was angry at him and he was feeling shameful about his actions. Seeing that Dratini was avoiding his gaze, Daikon walked up to Dratini and crouched down.

"Do you know your mistake?" Daikon asked.

Dratini was still avoiding his gaze, not answering his question.

"You were born strong, extremely strong but because of your arrogance you lost your cool in battle and didn't listen to my instructions. No matter how strong you get, there will always be someone stronger. That is why this journey is so long but exciting, there is always someone to surpass." Daikon said softly to Dratini, he reached out and gently patted Dratini's head.

"But together, I believe we can do it." Daikon said as he looked at his three pokemon.

Dratini gave a soft cry and wrapped around body.

"Okay let's go." Daikon said, turning towards to towering mountains that were ahead of him.