After a brief exchange of courtesies, Volkner immediately released his Pokémon.
The Pokémon was bulky, somewhat similar to Pikachu.
The only difference was that its body was larger and its color a bit darker.
It was obviously Pikachu's evolved form, Raichu.
After the Pokémon came out, the aura around Volkner instantly changed.
His gaze fixed on Archaludon, hoping that this Pokémon would take the field first.
Volkner had already scripted this battle in his mind.
Let Raichu probe Archaludon's strength first, then send out Electivire to smash through Axel's Pokémon like a gale sweeping away fallen leaves.
By then...
Volkner's eyes landed on Glastrier, and the corner of his mouth involuntarily twisted into a Nike-like smile.
By then he'd be able to have a one-on-one with Glastrier.
"Trainer, you may release your Pokémon."
"ROAR!", A dragon's roar, and Gyarados conscientiously appeared on the field.
His expression mirrored Volkner's, full of excitement.
That morning he had just practiced an enhanced Dragon Dance with Lord Rayquaza.
Compared to before, Gyarados's combat power had risen significantly.
A skill that used to require time to activate could now be used to dodge attacks.
Who could argue with that?
No exaggeration: even if a pig learned this tactic, it would become the god of pigs, the overlord of pigs.
More importantly, Lord Rayquaza was also present at the scene and could possess him at any time to fight.
Gyarados had never fought with such advantageous conditions.
'After this match, let's see who still says I'm the weakest link in the team.'
'I'll grind you into the ground, you prick-haired brat!'
"Gyarados?"
The moment Gyarados took the field, Volkner and Raichu were both stunned.
This guy looked fierce and huge, clearly well-raised.
But... bringing this electrically quadruple-weak Pokémon onto an Electric-type gym's stage?
'He's a masochist, isn't he?'
Volkner and Raichu exchanged glances, both seeing deep incomprehension in the other's eyes, both beginning to suspect the previous gym leaders had thrown the match. How could such a trainer have been allowed into Sunyshore Gym?
But soon, Volkner forcibly suppressed that puzzlement.
It didn't matter if the opponent looked down on him; as long as he could obliterate them with thunderous force, he would show his true strength.
After all, the battle rules were 3v3, even if Gyarados fell, he would still have a chance to fight Glastrier and that Archaludon.
"Raichu, use Wild Charge, use your most ferocious form to defeat them!"
"Raichu!"
Raichu nodded; violent electric currents surged around him, thunder crackling and emitting a terrifying aura.
Stimulated by the electricity, his speed and power exploded to the extreme.
He charged recklessly at the Gyarados floating in midair.
Seeing Raichu not use a special move more suited to this match but instead rushing in with a melee attack, Gyarados let out an angry roar.
'I may be the team's tail-ender, that's true, but once we're off the team, what are you looking down on me for?'
'Not calling me big brother would be one thing, you even despise me!'
Gyarados felt he couldn't tolerate it and had to teach them a lesson.
In an instant, the kingly dragon trait on Gyarados activated.
An overwhelming momentum swept at Raichu, almost suffocating him.
He could clearly feel that his attack power had been greatly reduced.
But neither Raichu nor Volkner was too surprised.
Gyarados species naturally have the Intimidate ability; reducing attack power is a normal occurrence.
But the gap in types can't be made up by an ability.
After the roar, Gyarados saw Raichu still charging at him with not a shred of fear in his eyes, and his expression grew savage.
Memories of being trained by Garchomp rose up; Gyarados's aura became even more frenzied.
The next moment, his dragon tail rose high, a dense earth-colored glow condensing into a sphere, and he slammed it down onto the ground.
Ground-type power, amplified by Gyarados's huge body, unleashed terrifying destructive force.
Rumble!
A huge sound erupted, and the whole Sunyshore Gym shook violently.
Before such a fierce quake, Raichu's figure seemed entirely inadequate; in the first wave of tremors he couldn't control his body and was thrown by the earth.
"Raichu, use the rock at the front-left for leverage!"
At the crucial moment, Volkner showed frightening trainer instincts.
His field awareness was wider than Raichu's; he quickly spotted a stone Raichu could use for leverage.
Without thinking, Raichu swung his tail, lightly stepped across that stone, and continued charging toward Gyarados.
The instant he made contact with Gyarados, lightning flashed; terrifying thunder power almost enveloped Gyarados.
Under the thunder's effect, Gyarados let out a pained shriek and, without thinking, shot up into the sky.
Seeing Gyarados react like that, Volkner's mouth curved up slightly.
'Everything is exactly as I imagined!'
Under Raichu's frenzied attack, Gyarados could only helplessly ascend.
But... a Gyarados in that state will have its Ground-type moves greatly weakened and can't threaten Raichu at all.
"As the supreme Electric type, my Pokémon only has Ground as one weakness!"
Volkner's voice rang out loudly as he waved his hand and pointed at Gyarados in the sky.
"The moment you took to the air, you already completely lost this battle."
Archaludon touched the Poké Ball, communicating with Lord Rayquaza inside, asking when Rayquaza wanted to take the field.
Rayquaza glanced at Gyarados, lazily adjusted the two dragon orbs beneath him into a comfortable backrest and said, "No rush, let Gyarados try out a few of the things he learned from me~"
This voice was simultaneously transmitted into Gyarados's ears.
"ROAR!"
Gyarados gave a roar; his body writhed violently in midair.
"Dragon Dance?", Volkner's tone was somewhat incredulous.
'Who taught you to use a buff like this at such a time?'
'Scared you can't win, are you?'
"Raichu, the opponent is a living target now. Use Thunder, show them your strongest attack!"
Volkner wanted to see on what grounds the opponent dared use Dragon Dance at this moment.
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