Gyarados Lake

It was time for a full-team training session today.

Xiao Yan asked Xiao Lan to bring three extra Pokémon for him: Riolu, Squirtle, and Entei (last time, Professor Oak had studied Entei for three days and nights before finally agreeing to return him).

The two sent out all their Pokémon, including Xiao Lan's Eevee (which she had received during the S.S. Anne arc).

The moment Xiao Yan's Eevee came out, Eevee leaped into his arms. Seeing this, Charizard and the others crowded around him, wanting affection too.

At the sight of the other Pokémon, Eevee trembled and buried their head in Xiao Yan's arms.

"Eevee, don't be afraid. They won't hurt you. We're all friends here."

After hearing Xiao Yan's words, Eevee slowly lifted their head.

Just then, a deafening crash sounded behind Xiao Yan. Several Gyarados emerged from the nearby lake at once, sending the people fishing along the shore fleeing in panic.

"Is it wrong to come here hoping to hook a girl...?" One fisherman trying to flee was blasted away by a Gyarados's Hyper Beam.

"Xiao Yan, the guide says this is Gyarados Lake. As the name suggests, there are lots of Magikarp and Gyarados in it," Xiao Lan said, leafing through the travel guide beside him.

"Okay, I'll catch a Gyarados first. It'll be good training."

Xiao Yan scanned the lake, his gaze settling on the largest Gyarados, who seemed to be the king here.

"Riolu, Squirtle, Eevee, watch how we battle first." His three Pokémon obediently stood to one side and watched.

"To catch the one in the middle, we'll have to knock aside the ones blocking the way," Xiao Yan said.

Seeing that Xiao Yan was about to battle, Xiao Lan quietly stood to one side with her Eevee in her arms and watched.

"Pikachu, zap the one right at the front." Pikachu leaped in front of that Gyarados and used Thunderbolt. Electricity traveled down the Gyarados's body and into the water, instantly bathing the lake in crackling light. The powerful current knocked the Gyarados unconscious, and they collapsed into the lake one after another. Only a few of the larger ones held on. Then Magikarp began floating to the surface, stunned by the electricity.

"ROOOOAR!" The largest Gyarados roared in fury.

Maybe my Pikachu accidentally zapped his children.

"ROAR! ROAR! ROOOOAR!" The other Gyarados roared along with him.

Xiao Yan called Dragonite over for a showdown between kings. (My Dragonite can grow and shrink, so he counts as a king among Dragonite too.)

An Electric-type move was the obvious choice against a Water-type Gyarados. Lightning instantly coiled around Dragonite's fists: Thunder Punch. Beating the wings on his back, Dragonite charged toward the Gyarados king with lightning speed. Another Gyarados rushed out to shield the king from the attack and went down. Dragonite kept attacking, and the other Gyarados fell one by one. At last, only the king remained, but Dragonite had clearly used up a great deal of stamina.

"Thunder Punch!" Dragonite charged at the Gyarados king again, but the Gyarados shifted to the side, and Dragonite's punch missed.

The three baby Pokémon behind Xiao Yan grew nervous too.

Light gathered in the Gyarados king's mouth as he prepared to use Hyper Beam. Since Hyper Beam took a little time to charge, there was still time for one more attack.

"Hurricane!" Dragonite beat his enormous wings, whipping up a fierce hurricane. It swept up the lake water and hurled it at the Gyarados king as he charged his attack. Hyper Beam finished charging, but the next instant, it exploded inside the Gyarados's mouth, because Dragonite's Hurricane had a chance of leaving its target confused.

While the Gyarados king was injured and confused, Xiao Yan threw an Ultra Ball. (Wondering where I got the Ultra Ball? I borrowed it from Team Rocket's office last time.)

The Ultra Ball shook a few times, then stopped. Dragonite retrieved it for Xiao Yan.

"Thanks for all your hard work, everyone. As a reward, today's lunch will be the Berries I looted from Team Rocket's office last time." The eyes of the three baby Pokémon behind Xiao Yan-Eevee, Riolu, and Squirtle-lit up.

These three Pokémon of mine are going to love battling.

"Lord Ho-Oh, I think I understand why you approved of this Trainer now."

A soft rustling came from the woods behind Xiao Yan and the others, then everything fell quiet again.