After Aaron subdued Gyarados, a brief calm finally settled over the area.
The group sat back down, happily enjoying the delicious grilled fish.
Aaron released Gyarados as well.
Frogadier, Snorlax, and Gyarados all wore blissful expressions as they devoured the fragrant fish.
The small river was rich with fish, and with Frogadier and Gyarados around, catching them was effortless.
Half an hour later, both the people and the Pokémon lay sprawled comfortably on the grass, rubbing their swollen bellies.
They were completely stuffed.
"Aaron… I seriously admire you," Adrian said, letting out a satisfied belch.
"Your Pokémon are insanely strong, and on top of that, your grilled fish smells incredible. You're unbelievable."
"Yeah," someone chimed in, "what's worse is that he's stupidly handsome—and he's even close with that super popular girl, Grace!"
"He's basically reached the peak of life!"
Fat Hugo patted his bulging stomach while shamelessly buttering him up.
He'd eaten the most earlier, so now he had to flatter extra hard.
"You guys…"
Max said, shaking his head.
"Quit being so jealous. Just stick with Aaron. Sooner or later, he's going to become the strongest Trainer in the Hualis Region and take the Champion title."
A hint of pride appeared on Max's straightforward face, as if knowing Aaron were some kind of honor.
"Huh?"
"Max… I never knew you could kiss up like that—and so shamelessly, too!"
"Hahaha… but honestly, I really do think Aaron's going to become an incredible Trainer someday!"
"When that happens, he'll crush all his rivals and then steal the hearts of all the pretty girls~"
Hugo and Adrian laughed as they teased Max.
Aaron merely smiled faintly and quietly gazed at the star-filled sky.
The future?
Who knows?
Living well in the present was enough…
Their laughter gradually faded as the night deepened, leaving only the sound of snoring and the chirping of insects.
...
The night passed without incident.
With Aaron's three powerful Pokémon standing guard, everyone slept peacefully.
In the morning, they ate wild fruit that Frogadier had brought back.
As for the Pokémon, Aaron took out Energy Cubes for them as well. Naturally, Hugo and the others' Pokémon joined in too.
Hugo's two Pokémon were Squirtle and Nidoran, both at the Beginner (Peak Stage).
Adrian's Pokémon were Bulbasaur and Totodile, also at the Beginner (Peak Stage).
Max's Pokémon were Wailmer and Timburr, likewise at the Beginner (Peak Stage).
Aaron still had plenty of Energy Cubes left, and each one contained a large amount of energy.
Most Pokémon could only eat a few before feeling full. Even the notoriously gluttonous Snorlax only needed eight Cubes to be satisfied.
So overall, they didn't use many Energy Cubes.
After finishing their "breakfast," Aaron told the three of them that he was going to take a walk around the outskirts of the forest. Then he left with Frogadier, Snorlax, and Gyarados.
Following the river, Aaron soon arrived at a waterfall.
For some reason, the sight of the cascading water made Gyarados inexplicably excited.
It immediately leapt into the river, swam against the current, surged up the waterfall, and launched itself high into the air.
It was as if it were recalling its days as a Magikarp—the unyielding determination to push forward and transform into a dragon.
Yet in the end, even after becoming a "dragon," it was nothing more than a pseudo-dragon, utterly lacking the Dragon-type.
How could that truly be called a dragon?
Magikarp's evolution could be considered both a success and a failure.
Even after later undergoing Mega Evolution and becoming Mega Gyarados, it still did not possess the Dragon-type.
Tragic and lamentable.
Aaron watched as Gyarados charged up the waterfall again and again, a trace of pity flashing through his eyes.
"Gyarados…"
He called out softly.
Hearing its master's voice, Gyarados leapt down and hovered before Aaron. It tilted its head, as if asking:
"What is it?"
Aaron reached out and gently stroked Gyarados's head.
"Gyarados… I can feel the longing buried deep within you," he said slowly.
"That lifelong wish to become a true dragon."
"Today… let me help you become a real dragon."
A mysterious glint flashed through Aaron's eyes as he met Gyarados's gaze with solemn resolve.
The moment Gyarados heard those words, its pupils contracted sharply.
In an instant, a thunderous roar seemed to erupt from the depths of its genetic core—howling, screaming, and echoing endlessly.
Become a dragon…
A true dragon…
"Eat this," Aaron said quietly.
"And you will become a real dragon."
He took out a strangely shaped fruit from his system backpack and held it before Gyarados's mouth.
At the sight of the fruit, a powerful tremor surged once more from deep within Gyarados's genes, urging it relentlessly.
Eat it.
Now.
Without the slightest hesitation, Gyarados swallowed the Uo Uo no Mi.
In that instant, a mysterious force burst forth inside its body, surging wildly through its veins and bones, reshaping it from within.
It hurt.
The pain was unbearable.
"ROAR—!"
Gyarados let out a tortured howl as it plunged into the river. Its blue form thrashed violently beneath the surface, sending massive waves surging outward and sending nearby Pokémon and animals into a frantic retreat.
"Gyarados—! You have to hold on!"
"As long as you endure it, you'll become a true dragon!"
"No more being a dragon in name only!"
"Remember your dream from when you were still a Magikarp!"
"Listen to your heart!"
"You can do this!"
Standing at the riverbank, Aaron shouted at the writhing Gyarados with all his strength.
Through the agony, Gyarados heard his voice. Though its eyes were bloodshot, a fierce resolve ignited within them.
Endure.
I must endure.
For myself—
And for my master!
"ROAR—!!!"
Gyarados let out another deafening roar.
Brilliant light burst from its entire body.
Its form stretched longer, and two pairs of sharp claws sprouted from its lower body. Layer upon layer of azure dragon scales spread across its flesh.
The three horns on its head slowly merged into two, extending backward into long, majestic dragon horns.
"Hmmm…"
A low rumble echoed as the green light faded.
The river exploded upward, and a massive, elongated, cyan-blue figure emerged before Aaron's eyes.