Dragon Rush!

Chu Xin brought Xiao Wu back to the little grove he had prepared. This was where Xiao Wu had trained in Extreme Speed before, and Chu Xin would continue his special training here.

"Xiao Wu, the training ahead will be much harder. Are you sure you can handle it?"

Just as Xiao Wu was about to begin, Chu Xin started to hesitate.

"Wu!" (I can do it! I'll definitely beat that nasty woman's doggo!)

Xiao Wu looked at Chu Xin resolutely. He was willing to train to defeat that Growlithe!

Chu Xin stroked Xiao Wu's head. Since Xiao Wu had made up his mind, why was he still hesitating?

"All right, Xiao Wu. Let's start training. First, take off the Everstone. It suppresses all energy, which will interfere with the move training we're about to do."

Xiao Wu nodded and obediently removed the Everstone around his neck. The life energy inside him surged again. He looked helplessly at Chu Xin, feeling that his control over his energy had weakened considerably.

Holding Dragonite's scale, Chu Xin took a deep breath.

"Aier, as soon as the training ends, treat Xiao Wu immediately. I don't want him left with any scars!"

Aier emerged into the grove and nodded at Chu Xin.

Once everything was ready, Chu Xin hung Dragonite's reverse scale around Xiao Wu's neck. The instant he let go, blue flames spread over Xiao Wu's body.

"Wu!" (It hurts! Why does it hurt so much?!)

Countless flames coiled around Xiao Wu. This was the Dragon-type energy within Dragonite's reverse scale, powerful enough to affect the surroundings. Even Chu Xin, standing nearby, could feel its searing heat.

Wait, Dragonite's reverse scale was this powerful? Something doesn't feel right!

This isn't the time to dwell on that. I have to get Xiao Wu to master this energy, fast!

"Xiao Wu, try using the energy inside your body to control the Dragon-type energy spilling out!"

Chu Xin shouted to Xiao Wu through the flames, hoping he could hold on. Hearing Chu Xin's cries as the flames burned him, Xiao Wu endured the excruciating pain and tried to control the Dragon-type energy within him.

But without the Everstone, Xiao Wu's control over his energy had dropped drastically. Moreover, the Dragon-type energy inside him was no match for the energy in Dragonite's reverse scale. Whenever he tried to control the escaping energy, he felt as though a Dragonite driven mad with rage was directing overwhelming killing intent at him.

"Wu!" (I can't do it! I can't! That Dragonite is too strong!)

Xiao Wu rolled frantically across the grass, hoping to smother the flames on his body. But as long as the scale remained around his neck, all his efforts were futile.

"Xiao Wu, you can do it!"

Chu Xin watched Xiao Wu anxiously. This trial was an ordeal for Xiao Wu alone, but seeing him in agony, Chu Xin felt as though his own heart was being scorched by fire.

Was I too hasty?

Xiao Wu hasn't managed to control any of the escaping Dragon-type energy. Was my approach to the training wrong?

All Chu Xin could do now was stand nearby and cheer Xiao Wu on, doing his best to encourage him. But at a moment like this, words were more powerless than ever.

The Dragon-type energy had already burned Xiao Wu's skin raw and torn open his flesh. Its violent power ravaged his body without restraint.

"Aier, is there any way to help Xiao Wu?"

Aier summoned Garchomp and tried to use Garchomp's energy to suppress the escaping Dragon-type energy. But even Garchomp could not immediately suppress the energy within the reverse scale without hurting Xiao Wu.

Chu Xin grew increasingly anxious. He had underestimated the energy within the scale. A treasure worthy of a Gym Leader's collection was completely beyond Xiao Wu's current ability to control!

Xiao Wu had been rolling on the ground for a long time. Everywhere he rolled, he left blackened scorch marks caused by the violent Dragon-type energy.

"Wu!" (It hurts too much! Chu Xin, I don't want to train anymore!)

"Aier, hurry and take the scale off Xiao Wu's neck!"

The moment Xiao Wu cried out to him for help, Chu Xin ordered Aier to remove Dragonite's reverse scale. At Aier's command, Garchomp had no choice but to charge toward Xiao Wu.

But just as Garchomp was about to touch Dragonite's reverse scale, the violent Dragon-type energy blasted Garchomp away. The escaping energy formed a blue Dragonite in midair, unleashing its power indiscriminately at everything around it.

This-just how powerful was that Dragonite? The energy in its reverse scale alone could blast Garchomp away!

Aier was still stunned by the immense energy within the scale, but Chu Xin had already noticed that Xiao Wu's cries were growing weaker amid the raging Dragon-type energy.

Xiao Wu!

No! This can't go on!

In desperation, Chu Xin rushed toward Xiao Wu. He was the one who had imposed this training on Xiao Wu, so he had to keep him safe. If he couldn't even protect his own Pokémon, what right did he have to call himself a Trainer?!

"Young master, you can't go over there! It's too dangerous!"

Aier immediately wrapped her arms around the frantic Chu Xin. With her strength, he had no way to break free.

"Let go of me, Aier! Xiao Wu's still in there! Let go!"

"I will never let you go in there, young master!"

Aier held Chu Xin tightly with all her strength. This training had already spiraled out of control, and she absolutely could not let him get hurt.

Amid the raging energy, Xiao Wu opened his eyes in a daze. Through the roaring blue flames, he saw Chu Xin's anxious face.

"Wu..."

After that single cry, Xiao Wu closed his eyes.

Xiao Wu...

A dark blur flashed past and suddenly pierced the back of Aier's neck.

A Paralysis Needle! Where did that come from?!

Chu Xin strained with all his might and finally broke out of Aier's tight embrace, charging toward Xiao Wu.

The violent Dragon-type energy scoured every inch of Chu Xin's skin, scorching his entire body like a raging fire.

Chu Xin struggled forward, one agonizing step at a time, through the rampaging energy. At last, he gathered the unconscious Xiao Wu into his arms.

"Xiao Wu, I'm here."

Xiao Wu struggled to open his eyes and saw Chu Xin's exhausted, battered face.

"Wu."

"It's all right now. I'll take the scale off."

Chu Xin tried to raise his hand, but he was so exhausted that he had no strength left.

In the end, he collapsed to the ground with regret and closed his eyes.

"Wu!" Xiao Wu desperately tried to push Chu Xin, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not wake him.

The Dragonite in the air roared silently at Xiao Wu, but this time, there was no trace of fear in his eyes. Rage overwhelmed all his reason. Finally, he mustered every last bit of his energy and hurled his body at Dragonite, filled with fierce killing intent.

Dragon Rush!!!