Ethan's gaze sharpened as the system's notes on the crimson beast scrolled past his eyes.
Ancient Magikarp once leapt from lakes to mountaintops… once revered as mighty. Somewhere in history, they had fallen, their line weakened until Magikarp became a synonym for uselessness—unless forced into evolution.
"But this Red Gyarados…" Ethan whispered, watching its crimson scales blaze under the sun, "its genes have awakened. No wonder its Hyper Beam can rival Charizard's flames."
Below, the clash between Charizard and the Red Gyarados raged. Their attacks had collided and canceled each other, shockwaves tearing across the lake. Neither had gained ground. Both were unsatisfied.
"ROOOAR!"
Gyarados thrashed in fury. How could this upstart Charizard match its ultimate power?
Charizard snarled back, flaring its wings. It flicked its tail, and the Charizardite Y mounted at its base shimmered. Ethan blinked as the dragon glanced back, eyes gleaming with intent.
"You want to Mega Evolve?" Ethan asked softly.
Charizard roared, beating its chest with pride.
Ethan's lips curved. "Alright then. Let's show it the sun's fury. Mega Evolve—Charizard!"
He touched the Keystone on his necklace. It flared, answering the stone fixed to Charizard's tail. Light swallowed the dragon as its body transformed—horns sprouting, wings expanding like sails. The gloomy skies split apart as sunlight blazed down, scorching and oppressive.
The villagers along the shore gaped as clouds evaporated in seconds. "The sun… it's burning hotter! What's happening?"
"Mega Evolution," Ethan muttered, eyes never leaving the lake.
But his smile faltered. His pupils contracted as the Red Gyarados, undeterred, charged energy in its gaping maw.
"Charizard—move!"
Too late. A blinding Hyper Beam erupted toward them. But just as it fired, Charizard completed its transformation into Mega Charizard Y. With a powerful downstroke of its wings, it vaulted higher, the destructive ray scorching past beneath.
"That was close," Ethan breathed, heart pounding. "Note to self—never stand still during Mega Evolution. Next time, it might not miss."
Mega Charizard Y roared, sunlight gleaming off its obsidian scales. Ethan pointed forward. "Flamethrower—full power!"
The dragon's jaws opened, unleashing a torrent of flames so intense the lake itself hissed and boiled.
The Red Gyarados answered with another Hyper Beam. The two beams collided again—but this time, the difference was clear. Charizard's sun-fueled fire roared through the blast, slamming into Gyarados's face. The beast howled in pain, scales blackening.
"Yes!" Ethan shouted. "A few more and you'll be mine!"
But out of the corner of his eye, Ethan caught movement—an approaching boat.
A fishing vessel cut across the water, the Team Rocket emblem bold on its hull. Overhead flew a Pidgeot and a Tentacruel, unleashing gusts and torrents of bubbles to scatter Charizard's aim.
"Damn it," Ethan muttered. He had no choice but to call Charizard higher to avoid the interference.
A loudspeaker blared from the boat. "Kid! Back off! That Red Gyarados belongs to Team Rocket!"
Ethan's eyes narrowed. He almost ordered Charizard to rain fire upon them—but then a flash of light split the sky.
Another Hyper Beam.
Charizard swerved violently without waiting for command, avoiding the strike. Ethan turned toward the source. His blood ran cold.
From the northwest sky, a massive Dragonite descended, wings beating like thunder. Its power was palpable, every movement precise.
Ethan's system flared with data:
Pokémon: Dragonite
Level: 65 (Elite-Class: Ace Rank)
Ability: Multiscale
Moves: Thunder Punch, Thunder Wave, Agility, Wing Attack, Outrage, Hurricane, Safeguard, Dragon Rush, Dragon Dance, Rain Dance, Hyper Beam.
And astride its back was a young man in a flowing cape, gaze fixed firmly on the Red Gyarados.
"Lance…" Ethan muttered. The Champion-in-waiting, famed Dragon Master of Johto.
Even without the League insignia stitched into his cloak, Ethan would have recognized him instantly. That cape was iconic.
Lance's eyes were not on Ethan, nor on Team Rocket. They were locked solely on the raging Red Gyarados, burning with the desire to conquer.
Ethan grimaced. So the rumors were true. Lance himself came for it.
Three forces. One target.
The Red Gyarados roared again, coils surging high, scarlet scales glinting. The storm above raged in sympathy, lightning crackling across black clouds.
Mega Charizard Y hovered above, wings outstretched. On one side, Team Rocket circled like vultures. On the other, Lance's Dragonite cut through the gale like a spear.
Ethan's heart hammered. This Gyarados isn't just prey anymore. It's the prize in a war.
He straightened, determination flashing in his eyes. "Charizard… looks like we're not the only ones who want it. But make no mistake—Red Gyarados will be ours."
The dragon bellowed agreement as the three-way struggle began.