Chapter 33: Rampaging Gyarados! Beedrill vs. Gyarados!
This terrifying aura clearly didn't belong to a Pokémon that was only level 20. Its overwhelming presence was the combined effect of Gyarados's dual abilities: Intimidate and Pressure. Both were aura-based abilities, amplifying each other to create an atmosphere of sheer terror that dropped the temperature in the training hall by several degrees before the Pokémon even fully revealed itself.
Suddenly, the massive shadow in the pool began to move, darting across the water with blinding speed. In the blink of an eye, it reached the edge.
The water churned violently. The next second, with a deafening ROAR, a pillar of water erupted from the pool. The shadow burst through the surface, its colossal body riding the crest of the geyser.
A massive, serpentine creature, blue scales covering its body, hovered within the churning water. Its gaping maw was filled with sharp teeth, its face contorted in rage. Its eyes burned with a ferocious, bloodthirsty light, and the distinctive three-pronged crest adorned its brow.
"Ch... Char..."
Charmander held up its short arms, shielding itself as water splashed down. Seeing the monstrous creature before it, a chill ran down its spine, its cry filled with pure terror.
In a single leap, the fish crossed the dragon's gate! A raging storm that churns the clouds and sea!
The Atrocious Pokémon! Gyarados!
"ROOOOAAAAAR!"
Gyarados threw its head back and let out a deafening roar that shook the entire training hall. An even more terrifying wave of pressure washed over everything.
At the same time, its status panel appeared before Kenji.
Gyarados (4-Star)
Gender: Female
Level: 20
Type: Water / Flying
Base Stats: 720 (540 + 60 + 60 + 60)
Abilities: Intimidate, Pressure
Moves: Aqua Tail, Iron Tail, Ice Fang, Crunch, Waterfall, Dragon Dance, Scary Face, Dragon Rage, Twister
Potential: S+
Having transformed from fish to dragon, Gyarados was finally showcasing the terrifying potential of its S+ rank. Its move pool, immediately upon evolution, was already incredibly diverse and powerful. It didn't just have strong physical STAB moves like Aqua Tail and Waterfall; it also knew powerful coverage moves like Iron Tail and Crunch.
And somehow, it already knew Dragon Dance!
While Gyarados could learn Dragon Dance, it typically only mastered the move naturally around level 36. For Kenji's Gyarados to know it immediately upon evolution... the S+ potential was truly monstrous.
"ROAR!"
As Kenji was still reeling from the impressive move list, Gyarados roared again. It shot out of the water, its furious eyes locking onto Charmander. A swirling vortex of water formed around its tail, coalescing into a watery extension.
With a powerful whip-like motion, Gyarados swung its Aqua Tail straight at the terrified Charmander.
"Charmander!" Melody shrieked.
"Beedrill! Quick Attack!"
The instant Gyarados emerged from the water, Kenji had already released his Beedrill. Following its master's command, Beedrill became a yellow blur, intercepting the attack aimed at Charmander.
BOOM!
The Aqua Tail slammed into the ground where Charmander had been standing, cracking the tiles and sending tremors through the floor. The force behind the blow was immense. If it had hit the small fire lizard, it would have been seriously injured, if not worse.
"ROOOOAR!"
Missing its target, Gyarados roared in frustration, its head snapping toward Beedrill, its eyes burning with even greater ferocity and bloodlust.
"Bzzzt—"
Beedrill carefully placed the shaken Charmander next to Melody before turning to face the enraged Gyarados.
Kenji watched the furious Gyarados, completely unsurprised. Just as he'd expected, it was rampaging.
Because Magikarp evolution required extreme anger, its personality underwent a drastic shift from docile to violent upon becoming Gyarados. This invariably resulted in a temporary state of uncontrollable rage immediately after evolution. In this state, Gyarados would lose all reason and attack anything it perceived as a target—including its own trainer.
Incidents of newly evolved Gyarados attacking their trainers were disturbingly common. Furthermore, forcibly recalling a rampaging Gyarados into its Poké Ball would cause it to lose all respect for its trainer, refusing to obey commands in the future. The only way to handle the situation was for the trainer to subdue the rampaging Pokémon and earn its respect through strength.
And given that this particular Gyarados was already exceptionally stubborn... Kenji knew if he didn't beat it into submission now, he would never be able to control it later.
Thinking quickly, Kenji pulled out Gyarados's Poké Ball and aimed it.
"Return for now, Gyarados!"
There were too many people and too much expensive equipment in the training area. Starting a fight here was a terrible idea.
Seeing the Poké Ball, Gyarados's eyes widened, and it instinctively tried to flee back into the water. But the red recall beam was faster. Before it could escape, the light enveloped its massive body, sucking it back into the small sphere in Kenji's hand.
The Poké Ball immediately began to shake violently as Gyarados raged inside.
Ignoring the struggling ball, Kenji quickly apologized to Melody and Charmander, then sprinted toward the main battle arena, Beedrill close behind.
By the time he reached the empty battlefield, he was panting heavily. Without pausing to catch his breath, he threw the Poké Ball.
"Come on out, Gyarados!"
The shaking ball burst open, releasing the furious Pokémon back onto the field.
Freed once more, Gyarados let out another enraged roar, its eyes fixed on Kenji with a burning hatred.
"If you won't learn your lesson, then I'll beat it into you," Kenji said sternly, his voice cold.
Beedrill flew forward, positioning itself protectively in front of Kenji, showing no fear despite facing the monstrous Gyarados.
"ROAR!"
Gyarados attacked first. With a powerful beat of its tail, it launched itself into the air, twisting its serpentine body as it flew toward Beedrill. Water gathered around its tail again as it prepared another Aqua Tail.
"Use Quick Attack to gain distance, then initiate Thunder Dance!"
"Thunder Dance" was the name Kenji had given his Agility + Swords Dance combo, reflecting its lightning-fast, powerful execution.
Beedrill's wings glowed white, and it instantly shot backward, becoming a yellow streak that easily evaded Gyarados's lunge. Once it was clear, it began the intricate, high-speed movements of the combo, its body blurring as it simultaneously boosted its speed and attack power.