The battle with Ame had pushed Akira and his team to their limits, but it had also sparked something—motivation, hunger, clarity. Back at the Pokémon Centre, both trainers sat near a wide window, sunlight streaming in as their Pokémon recovered.
Ame sipped on a berry smoothie, glancing at Akira as he stretched with a quiet yawn. "So," she asked, lips curling into a smirk, "what's next? More training?"
Akira grinned. "Definitely. I've gotta figure out a way to beat Droid. His Houndoom's not just strong—it's calculated. I need a new strategy."
Before she could reply, a distant rumble shook the glass. The floor trembled underfoot, just for a moment—but enough to make both trainers sit upright.
Seconds later, the Centre doors flew open.
Three trainers stumbled in, soaked, gasping for air, their Pokémon limp in their arms. "Help! Nurse Joy!" one of them shouted, voice raw with panic.
Nurse Joy rushed forward with Chansey, directing the injured Pokémon onto stretchers. Akira stepped up. "What happened?"
The lead trainer wiped water from his brow. "There's a Red Gyarados in the lake outside town—it went berserk when we tried to cross. It's… it's a monster. We barely escaped."
Ame's eyes widened. "Red Gyarados? That's not normal…"
But Akira's eyes weren't filled with fear—they were blazing. "A Red Gyarados, huh… Sounds powerful."
Ame turned sharply. "No. Don't say it. You're not thinking of—"
"Of course I am," Akira said with a fire in his voice. "If I can fight it, I can grow. If I defeat it, I'll be stronger than I was yesterday. That's why I'm on this journey."
Ame exhaled, frustrated but impressed. Then she nodded. "You're insane… but I'm not letting you go alone."
The two left the Centre together, walking toward the lake as an eerie silence settled over the town. Birds stopped chirping. The air felt heavier. The closer they got, the more destruction they saw—trees charred, rocks shattered, the edge of the lake warped as if a storm had been unleashed.
"Whatever happened here wasn't just wild rage," Ame whispered. "This feels… personal."
Suddenly, the lake exploded. Water erupted sky-high as a massive shadow launched upward—a serpentine dragon with blood-red scales and eyes like molten fire.
The Red Gyarados landed with a thunderous crash, sending a wave across the shore.
Akira stepped forward, unfazed. "Charmeleon! Gible! Let's go!"
His Pokémon appeared, flanking him with fierce determination.
"Be careful!" Ame called from behind. Her heart pounded, unsure if she was watching a battle—or a disaster.
Charmeleon launched a Flamethrower, while Gible created a Rock Tomb beneath the beast. The attacks hit—but barely made Gyarados flinch.
It roared, retaliating with a devastating Hydro Pump, blasting Gible back, followed by a sweeping Dragon Rage that tore across the ground.
Akira stumbled, shielding his eyes. "Gible, dodge left! Charmeleon, circle behind it and use Smokescreen!"
A cloud of smoke blanketed the battlefield. Gible used it to flank the beast, hurling rocks at its jaw. Charmeleon leapt in with a precise Dragon Claw, slashing hard.
The Gyarados recoiled—finally reacting.
"You see that?" Akira said. "We're not just throwing moves—we're thinking."
But another roar sent a wave of pressure across the field. Gyarados opened its mouth… charging a Hyper Beam.
Ame gasped. "Akira! You have to fall back!"
Akira didn't move. His hands clenched into fists. "No. This is what I need to face if I ever want to be strong enough to protect the people around me."
"Charmeleon, use Ember! Gible, leap over it and use Dragon Claw—together!"
The Hyper Beam fired.
Gible soared. Charmeleon roared. The attacks clashed midair—an explosion of smoke and light engulfed the lake.
Silence.
As the mist cleared, Akira was on one knee, breathing hard. His Pokémon were battered but standing. They looked up at him with unwavering eyes.
A massive shadow slithered forward.
"Stay back!" Ame warned, stepping between them and the Red Gyarados.
But the beast… paused.
It looked at Akira—not with rage, but curiosity. Respect.
"You felt it, didn't you?" Akira said softly. "That battle… it meant something."
He stepped forward and extended his hand, eyes steady. "You're powerful. Proud. You don't bow to anyone. But… would you stand with me?"
The Red Gyarados lowered its head, and for a moment, the lake was still.
Akira held out a Poké Ball.
With a roar and a flash of red light, the Gyarados disappeared inside. The ball shook… once… twice… click.
Caught.
Ame ran to him. "You're insane. Brave. And completely reckless."
He laughed, still breathless. "But worth it, right?"
Back at the Centre, the town buzzed with excitement.
"He really caught it?"
"The Red Gyarados? That thing's been terrorizing us for weeks!"
Akira scratched his head sheepishly. "Guess he's part of the team now."
Cheers erupted. Nurse Joy smiled. Even Chansey looked impressed.
Ame leaned closer. "You're not just growing stronger, Akira… You're inspiring people."
---
Meanwhile…
In a town miles away, William stood before an electric-type gym, his Electabuzz sparking beside him.
He adjusted his gloves. "Let's show them how far we've come."
Elsewhere, on a dusty trail, Ray's boots crushed gravel with each step. The wind tugged at his coat, but he didn't slow.
"I'm ready," he murmured. "Let's see how much I've changed."
---
The journey was far from over.
But with new bonds, burning resolve, and a legendary force by his side, Akira's story had only just begun.