I Can Hear Pokémon’s Thoughts

Chapter 370: Awakening the Dragon Force (BONUS CHAPTER)

Kanto League Headquarters. President Damalanchi's Office.

Black and White sat across from Damalanchi, the air thick with tension.

"Black, has the mission been delivered to Feng Che?" Damalanchi asked, his voice low and raspy.

"It has, President. Exactly as you requested," Black replied, though a hint of hesitation flickered in his eyes. "However, I must admit... my suspicion that the masked man on Red Rock Island was Feng Che is based on intuition, not hard evidence."

"Does evidence matter?" Damalanchi sneered, his eyes narrowing. "I simply want him stripped of the Viridian Gym. My informants tell me Viridian City has the lowest Team Rocket activity in the region. I suspect their headquarters is either right under his nose or hidden deep within the Viridian Forest."

He slammed his fist on the desk. "Rocket made a fool of me at the Whirl Islands. They will learn the price of my fury. We lure Feng Che to Gringey City, lock him in the base there, and brand him a traitor. Once the accusation sticks, evidence is irrelevant. He will be a Rocket member because I say he is."

Damalanchi's face twisted into a mask of pure malice. "My personal guards are out of commission—Dark is a frozen statue, and Shadow is missing after that explosion. You two will stay here to protect me. Gringey City is under the control of one of my most ruthless subordinates. He will handle the 'arrest.' Just wait here for the good news."

Behind his calm facade, Damalanchi harbored deep doubts. Black and White were powerful—for them to be defeated so "easily" suggested they might have held back. He would keep them close, where he could watch them.

The Golden Dragon

At the Rainbow Nursery, Feng Che dismissed Elder Bug after receiving the files on the Stinger Organization. He headed to his room, craving a hot shower and rest. The relentless pace of the last few weeks had finally caught up to him.

But as he stepped out of the shower, a searing, agonizing pain erupted in his spine.

He collapsed to the floor, gasping for air. He could hear the blood thundering in his veins. Suddenly, a massive surge of golden draconic energy exploded from his body. His Deino, sensing the aura, came scurrying into the room, wagging its tail in excitement at the familiar scent.

"Mewtwo... help me... what is happening?" Feng Che groaned, sweat drenching his back.

"Let me see." Mewtwo manifested, its eyes glowing as it scanned Feng Che's vitals.

A torrent of golden light was pouring from Feng Che's heart, violently clashing with his Power of Viridian and his innate Psychic energy. The Dragon Force was brutally expanding his meridians, while the Viridian power worked overtime to knit the ruptures back together. His Psychic shield held firm around his brain, preventing the raw power from shattering his consciousness.

Slowly, the three forces found a precarious balance. The golden energy condensed into a Dragon Pearl localized at his heart.

"Feng Che... it appears you have awakened the Dragon Force (Power of the Dragon)," Mewtwo said, sounding genuinely intrigued. "And a massive, ferocious tattoo of a Hydreigon has appeared across your entire back."

"Dragon Force? A Hydreigon tattoo?"

Feng Che used his telekinesis to unfurl a full-length mirror. Sure enough, a snarling, three-headed dragon was etched into his skin in shimmering gold ink. He quickly used his psychic power to numb his pain receptors.

The Heritage of Destruction

Ring... Ring...

A video call from Lance flashed on his screen.

"Feng Che, I have grim news," Lance said immediately. "Damalanchi has filed a formal complaint with the Global Federation. Agatha and Lorelei have been suspended and are under investigation for 'collusion with criminal elements.' Black and White have been promoted to acting Elite Four members to replace them."

"Damalanchi has entered a state of total paranoia. He is purging anyone who isn't a puppet. You must be careful—you're likely next on his list."

"Lance," Feng Che interrupted, his voice strained. "I have a question... I just awakened the Dragon Force. Out of nowhere."

"The Dragon Force?!" Lance's eyes nearly popped out of his head.

"See for yourself." Feng Che opened his palm, letting a wisp of golden draconic mist swirl between his fingers.

"And you have a tattoo on your back, don't you?" Lance asked, leaning in.

"Yes. A Hydreigon."

"Then it's confirmed," Lance said, his voice hushed with awe. "You are a direct descendant of the Dragon Clan. This power is a blessing from our ancestors, typically awakening at age sixteen. Mine is a Dragonite, as is the tradition for the Kanto/Johto branch."

"The tattoo usually reflects the pseudo-legendary dragon of the region your bloodline hails from. If yours is a Hydreigon, at least one of your parents belongs to the Unova Dragon Clan—and likely the most elite lineage. Hydreigon represents Destruction and Chaos. Your power will allow Dragon-types to enter an Outrage state while maintaining perfect tactical reason."

Lance paused, thinking. "You have a Deino, right? Infuse a sliver of your Dragon Force into it daily. It will accelerate its growth exponentially. My first Dragonite became a champion because I nourished it with my own aura from the day it hatched. It's a symbiotic relationship—you grow as the dragon grows."

Lance's expression then turned solemn. "High Priest Shamiao is recovering, and he thanks you. But he has a warning: You must start the Trial of Mount Tensei as soon as possible. If the Sky Miasma breaches the seal again, he won't be able to hold it back a second time."

Feng Che now possesses the triple threat of Viridian, Psychic, and Dragon powers. With the League closing in and Gringey City waiting as a trap, should he take his newly energized Deino to face the "ruthless subordinate" of Damalanchi, or focus on Mount Tensei first?