By then, practically everyone fighting had a task of their own. Only Jiang Zhuyue was close enough.
Torchic had already finished evolving as it sprinted. Its body grew larger and its wings spread, and a red-and-yellow... chicken with powerful limbs charged out.
"Combusken, Flame Charge!" Jiang Zhuyue shouted. At the same time, she got to her feet and ran toward the Team Rocket member.
The gunshot earlier had simply been too sudden. For a Fighting-type Pokémon Trainer, dodging bullets was not particularly difficult. The danger was getting hit without any warning.
Flames gathered around Combusken like a coat, quickly enveloping its entire body. Then it charged at the Team Rocket member, picking up speed with every stride.
"Damn it!" the Team Rocket member cursed. Finally, he gritted his teeth and took out another Poké Ball. A flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes, but with Combusken rapidly closing in, he still threw the ball, then ran deeper into the forest without looking back.
"Roar!" Red light flashed. Before anyone could make out the Pokémon he had summoned, a tremendous roar rang in their ears.
"Cluck!" Fearless, Combusken slammed headfirst into the enormous body. Not only did it fail to inflict any damage, it was bounced away. Sparks scattered everywhere, and the coat of flames enveloping its body dissipated.
"Roar!" The red light faded, revealing a blue figure with a terrifying, gaping maw. It glared furiously at everyone present.
"Holy crap, run! It's Gyarados!" Jiang Zhuyue's mouth fell wide open. She recalled Combusken into its Poké Ball, then frantically slapped the Vine Whip still wrapped around her, desperate to escape that enormous maw.
"Run first!" It was not just her. Even Xiao Ran and the others panicked a little at the sight of Gyarados. This was a Pokémon that could not be