Pokémon: Raising Abandoned Pokémon into Legends

Chapter 73: Blue Gyarados vs. Red Gyarados

Seeing his father suddenly add another selection criterion, James grew anxious. He had no idea about Rio’s battling skills, and he didn’t think a two-badge holder could compete with someone who had five or six. If Rio lost, all their previous efforts would be for nothing. He didn’t want that—he wanted to be friends with Rio. That carefree, sharp-tongued personality was exactly the kind of person James dreamed of becoming.

"James, shut up—I’m the one in charge of this household. I decide the selection rules, and that’s final. In my view, an excellent guide must not only have teaching ability but also battling strength. Without battle prowess, they’re clearly not truly outstanding."

James’s father pushed him aside and called out to Rio: "Do you dare battle them? If you win again, I’ll have nothing more to say—you’ll be the best guide, and I’ll pay you the million League coins today."

Looking at this middle-aged man, who had long since lost any trace of aristocratic composure from being so thoroughly riled up, Rio sighed.

Why do people insist on getting slapped twice? Is it because you have two cheeks—once the left is hit, the right starts itching? He truly didn’t understand. But since that’s how it had to be, he’d oblige Mr. Dairo’s perverse desire and give his right cheek a proper smack too.

"You’re backing out?" Dairo saw Rio sigh and excitedly slapped his thigh. "See?! You all see that?! He’s backing out! He’s backing out!"

He strutted around like a victorious rooster. The servants kept their heads down, saying nothing. James looked at him strangely. President Takuma frowned slightly.

Noticing everyone’s reactions, Dairo’s smile slowly froze. He suddenly remembered his aristocratic decorum. Forcing a strained smile, he turned back to Rio: "So—do you dare battle them? If not, please leave. I’ll only hire the best guide for my son."

Rio shrugged: "Why wouldn’t I dare? I’m not the one backing out. Only cowards, after losing once, shamelessly demand a second match."

Dairo: (╬▔皿▔)

"One more thing—I’m not a coward!" he ground out through clenched teeth.

"Did I say you were? Only a coward would be so defensive."

"You—!"

"Father!"

"Sir!"

"Dairo!"

Half an hour later, the group gathered at the estate’s battlefield. Rio’s opponent was Gale, a five-badge holder.

Why half an hour? Because Dairo had nearly fainted again from one of Rio’s remarks. He was supposed to be taken inside to rest, but he insisted on watching the battle in person. So now, he sat in a wheelchair, having received a sedative.

"If I win again, will he just keel over and die?" Rio muttered, glancing at Dairo in the wheelchair. He hadn’t expected a few simple words to nearly knock the man unconscious twice—he was starting to doubt his own trash-talking skills. Was he really that good?

"The winner of this battle gets 100,000 League coins. If it’s a landslide victory, I’ll give 200,000," Dairo announced loudly from his wheelchair.

Hearing that, Gale’s face lit up with excitement. He knew those words were meant for him—the employer wanted him to crush the kid.

"Come out, Gyarados!"

"ROAR!!!"

With a flash of light, Gale sent out his strongest Pokémon.

"Sounds pretty spirited," Rio remarked, noting that Dairo’s voice suggested he wouldn’t just keel over—he might even end up paying Rio an extra 200,000. What a good man. May he live a long and peaceful life.

"Come out, Red Gyarados." Glancing at the opponent’s Level 40 Elite-talent Gyarados, Rio released his own.

"ROAR!!!"

With a flash of light, the Red Gyarados appeared. Though five levels lower, its Elite Four–talent presence completely overwhelmed the opponent’s Gyarados—even causing it to show a hint of fear.

"A red Gyarados!"

"That guy actually has a red Gyarados!"

The servants gasped in astonishment. Even those outside the battlefield looked incredulous.

"What’s all the noise about?! Haven’t you ever seen a red Gyarados before?!" Dairo snapped at the servants, though it was also his first time seeing one. But seeing it appear here made him anything but happy—especially since it seemed to be overpowering the blue Gyarados in presence.

"I must be seeing things. A five-badge holder’s Gyarados can’t possibly be outshone by a two-badge holder’s—that’s just not logical, right?" Dairo tried to reassure himself, hoping the blue Gyarados would snap out of it and crush the red one. Then he’d stand up laughing and throw that kid out himself.

"Gyarados, Hyper Beam! Show them who’s the strongest Gyarados!" Gale struck first.

"Gyarados, Hyper Beam!" Rio gave his command calmly.

"ROAR!!!" "ROAR!!!"

Both Gyarados roared, energy gathering in their maws. The next second—to everyone’s surprise—the Red Gyarados, which had started charging half a second later, fired first.

The two Hyper Beams collided closer to the blue Gyarados. Then, to even greater astonishment, the Red Gyarados’s beam visibly overpowered the blue one, pushing through and advancing rapidly.

"ROAR!" In less than three seconds, the blue Gyarados let out a pained cry as it was knocked back several meters by the blast.

"Beautiful! Hahahaha!"

"Amazing! So amazing!"

James, watching from the sidelines, jumped up in excitement. He was about to sing the Red Gyarados’s praises to Hopkins beside him—but he stopped after the first word, not only because of his father’s death glare, but also because of Rio’s next command.

"Gyarados, Hyper Beam!"

James’s eyes went wide. In his knowledge, Hyper Beam was a powerful move but came with a severe drawback—after using it, the Pokémon would be immobilized for a few seconds, unable to use moves or items. So logically, Rio’s command shouldn’t be possible.

Yet, in the next second, that impossibility shattered everything James thought he knew—and everyone else’s expectations as well.

"ROAR!!!"

The Red Gyarados roared, once again gathering energy under the incredulous gazes of everyone present. The next moment—a Hyper Beam as brilliant as a flame burst from its mouth, hurtling toward the immobilized blue Gyarados.

BOOM!!!