Gabite explained as they walked, "Grr. (The Dragon Arena is the only place in our territory where battles are permitted—for training or settling disputes.)"
"Grr. (It's divided into youth and adult divisions, based on evolutionary stages. I'm still in the youth bracket until I evolve into Garchomp.)"
"Grr. (Rankings determine respect here. No prizes… except the honor of proving your strength.)"
Su Feng nodded. It reminded him of Magmortar's battle arena, but grander.
"What's your rank in the youth division?"
Gabite smirked, waiting for this question. "Grr. (I've been undefeated for two years.)"
Impressed, Su Feng followed Gabite through a stone archway into the arena. Roars echoed as dozens of Dragons cheered from tiered stone seats. In the center, a massive stone platform hosted a heated battle.
Blaziken, feathers singed but triumphant, faced a battered Tyrantrum. The fossil Pokémon lunged with Rock Slide, aiming to cripple Blaziken's legs. But Blaziken pivoted mid-air, Blaze Kick slamming into Tyrantrum's jaw. The Tyrantrum collapsed, unconscious.
The crowd erupted.
"Rooaar! (Blaziken wins his third match! Any challengers left?!)" A Kommo-o bellowed from the sidelines.
"Go, Blaziken! Crush 'em all!" Xiao Di cheered from the highest tier, seated beside a massive Dragonite.
Dragonite rumbled approvingly, "Drah. (He's skilled. Few at his level could last this long.)"
Spotting Su Feng below, Xiao Di waved wildly. "Wind Bro! Over here!"
Blaziken, hearing her call, glanced up and leaped off the platform, ignoring Kommo-o's protests. "Blaz! (Su Feng! Took you long enough!)"
Kommo-o: "…"* (Silent existential crisis)*
Su Feng hugged Blaziken, relief washing over him. "You okay?"
"Blaz! (Never better!)" Blaziken flexed, still buzzing from the fights. Battling Dragons like Flygon and Haxorus had honed his skills beyond anything the outside world offered.
Dragonite descended, nodding at Su Feng. "Drah. (Your Blaziken's earned our respect. But tell me—why seek our territory?)"
Before Su Feng could answer, the ground trembled. A shadow loomed over the arena—a colossal Hydreigon descended, its three heads snarling.
"Hydrei! (I'll challenge the firebird!)
[Livestream Chat]
[HOLY—THREE-HEADED DRAGON?!]
[Blaziken vs. Hydreigon?! TAKE MY MONEY!]
[Wind Bro's face: "Why is my life like this?"]
Su Feng sighed. Just another day in the Dragon Valley.