Dr. Chen approached with a different instrument. "I'd like to examine the interior of Gible's mouth, if that's acceptable. Purely visual, no contact."
Gible looked at me.
"It's okay," I said. "Just open your mouth for a moment."
Reluctantly, Gible's jaws parted, revealing rows of steel-sharp teeth and—
Dr. Chen froze.
"What in the world..." She leaned closer, shining a small light into Gible's mouth. "Dr. Oak, look at this. The entire interior is lined with serrated metallic ridges. This isn't just modified tissue—these are an extra set of blades."
Oak moved closer, peering into Gible's throat. "Fascinating. The throat acts as a secondary weapon system. Any prey or opponent attempting to escape from being bitten would be shredded on the way down."
"Or on the way back up," Dr. Reyes added, taking rapid notes. "If Gible needed to use a breath attack..."
"Like Scale Shot," I interjected. "Or Dragon Rage."
All three researchers looked at me sharply.
"Dragon Rage?" Dr. Chen repeated. "You're saying this Level 5 Gible knows Dragon Rage?"
"Dragon Rage isn't learned until Level 15," Dr. Tanaka said, checking her tablet. "And even then, it's not part of the standard Gible moveset. It requires specific training or a TM."
"I haven't used any TMs," I said.
The three researchers exchanged looks that clearly communicated this is impossible, but it's happening anyway.
"We need to document this," Dr. Chen said. "If you're willing, could Gible demonstrate Dragon Rage? Under controlled conditions, of course."
I looked at Gible, who seemed almost eager at the prospect.
'I want to show them something else,' Gible said through our mental connection. 'In the tunnels. The three who used to hurt me. I can feel them down there. They're stronger now. I want to show everyone what I can do.'
I considered this. The three Gibles who had bullied my partner were still in the eastern tunnels. If they'd been training and fighting each other over the past few weeks, they'd be significantly stronger than before.
But so was Gible.
"Actually," I said aloud, "Gible wants to demonstrate something. If you're willing to follow us to the terrarium's eastern section."
Oak raised an eyebrow. "The restricted tunnels?"
"Yes."
"Samael, those Gibles are aggressive—"
"I know," I interrupted gently. "But this is important. Trust me."
Oak studied my expression, then nodded slowly. "Very well. But everyone stays behind Samael and Gible. This is a demonstration, not a participation exercise."
The walk through the terrarium felt longer than usual, probably because of the entourage following behind. Oak, Elara, and the three researchers all trailed at a respectful distance as Gible and I led the way toward the eastern section.
The terrain grew rougher as we approached the restricted area, and I could hear Dr. Reyes muttering about the unsuitability of her shoes for this kind of fieldwork.
We stopped at the tunnel entrance, and I turned to face the group.
"Before we go in," I said, making eye contact with each researcher in turn, "I need you to understand something. Don't ever forget what you're about to see. My Gible is unlike any other Gible in the world."
Dr. Chen's expression was skeptical but curious. "We're ready."
I gestured for them to follow, and we entered the tunnels.
The darkness was oppressive, lit only by the bioluminescent moss growing on the walls. Our footsteps echoed on stone, and I could feel Gible's anticipation building through our bond.
We were close.
Then I heard it—the sound of claws on stone. Multiple sets, moving fast towards us.
Three shapes emerged from the deeper darkness, and my Prism Eye activated automatically, displaying information:
[WILD GIBLE - Level 8]
[WILD GIBLE - Level 9]
[WILD GIBLE - Level 11]
They'd grown significantly stronger. The weeks of fighting each other in these tunnels had pushed them far beyond their initial levels.
The Level 11 was imposing—more than twice Gible's current level.
And they recognized Gible.
All three stopped, eyes fixing on Gible with immediate hostility. The Level 11 stepped forward, growling low, and I could see the intelligence in its eyes.
It remembered the weak, defective Gible it had tormented.
Behind me, I heard Dr. Tanaka gasp. "Those are hostile. We should—"
"No," I said firmly. "Watch."
The three Gables charged as one. The Level 8 came from the left, the Level 9 straight ahead, and the Level 11 launched itself into the air, going for an aerial attack.
Gible stepped forward, calm and centered.
The little dragon's mouth opened, and I saw red-orange energy beginning to build in the back of its throat. The light grew brighter, casting flickering shadows on the tunnel walls.
The researchers had gone silent.
The charging Gibles were seconds away.
And then Gible released Dragon Rage.
The shockwave was immense.
Sound and force combined into a concussive blast that rippled down the tunnel like an echo. The roar was deafening, a draconic bellow that carried raw, destructive power.
The Level 8 Gible, charging from the left, was caught full in the face. The shockwave slammed into it like a battering ram, lifting it off its feet and hurling it backward into the tunnel wall. Stone cracked from the impact. The Gible slumped.
The Level 9 Gible, coming straight ahead, tried to dig its claws into the ground to resist. It failed. The force caught it mid-stride, flipped it end-over-end, and sent it tumbling across the rough stone floor. It slid for several meters, carving furrows in the dirt, before coming to a stop.
The Level 11 Gible, mid-leap, had nowhere to go. The shockwave hit it while airborne, reversing its momentum entirely. It was slammed down into the ground with crushing force, bounced once, then skidded across the tunnel floor, trailing dust and debris.
Silence fell.
All three Gibles were down.
All three are unconscious.
Defeated by a single attack from a Pokémon six levels below the strongest of them.
Dust settled slowly in the tunnel, and I heard someone—probably Dr. Reyes—whisper a soft "Holy shit."
The system notifications appeared in my vision:
[VICTORY!]
[GIBLE defeated GIBLE (Lv. 8)!]
[GIBLE defeated GIBLE (Lv. 9)!]
[GIBLE defeated GIBLE (Lv. 11)!]
[GIBLE leveled up!]
[GIBLE is now Level 6!]
[GIBLE leveled up!]
[GIBLE is now Level 7!]