Facing a Gym Leader–level Pokémon, Aaron didn't let his guard slip for even a moment.
"Gyarados—Dragon Dance."
The command came instantly.
A crimson aura surged across Gyarados's body as its power spiked, its presence sharpening in an instant.
"ROAR!"
Grub's eyes narrowed.
"You're setting up right in front of me?" he sneered. "Reckless… and inexperienced."
"Ariados—Spider Web!"
Dragon Dance had a clear weakness—it needed a brief moment to activate. Even a second or two was enough for a skilled trainer to interrupt.
But once it went through, the boost was massive.
At the Apotheosis level, it didn't just raise Attack and Speed by three stages—it also increased the power of all moves by roughly fifty percent, turning every follow-up strike into something far more dangerous.
That was exactly what Grub intended to stop.
In his eyes, Aaron was still too green. Having a strong Pokémon was one thing, but commanding it properly was another. Against a Gym Leader–tier Ariados, an Elite-level Gyarados shouldn't stand a chance.
"Ksssh!"
Ariados let out a sharp, insect-like screech as its jaws snapped open, firing a thick web straight toward Gyarados.
The strands spread wide midair, expanding rapidly as they closed in, aiming to bind it completely and lock down its movement.
"Gyarados, Heat Breath!"
What Grub didn't expect was this.
Dragon Dance was already complete.
There had been no visible movement, no opening to interrupt. The boost was already in effect.
"What?!"
"That's impossible!"
"How did it finish setting up without moving?!"
Grub's eyes widened as he stared at the crimson aura swirling around Gyarados.
There was no mistaking it.
Dragon Dance.
Aaron gave no explanation.
Gyarados opened its jaws and unleashed a blazing stream of heat.
Boom.
The web was incinerated instantly, turning to ash before it could even reach its target.
Grub's expression darkened.
Now he understood.
This Gyarados was anything but ordinary.
"Ariados, use Pin Missile!"
"Ksssh!"
Ariados unleashed five sharp, poison-coated needles straight at Gyarados.
"Gyarados, dodge!"
Aaron reacted instantly.
Gyarados twisted its massive body to evade, but the needles were small and incredibly fast.
With Pin Missile mastered to perfection, the attack was precise and relentless.
It couldn't dodge them all.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The needles slammed into its hardened scales, sparks bursting on impact.
Even with clean hits, the damage was limited.
Gyarados naturally resisted Bug-type moves, and its Dragon Scales further reinforced its defenses.
"Gyarados, Thunder Destruction!"
Aaron countered without hesitation.
"ROOOAR!"
Dark clouds gathered overhead as lightning crackled within them.
In the next instant, more than a dozen bolts came crashing down.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Lightning tore into the ground around Ariados, blasting up debris and scorching the battlefield.
"Shit! what is that move!?"
Grub cursed under his breath.
A large-scale lightning attack like this… it felt like a far more powerful version of Thunder.
"Ariados, use Agility to dodge!"
"Ksssh!"
Ariados reacted instantly.
Its body blurred as it dashed across the ground at high speed, narrowly weaving between each lightning strike.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Lightning slammed into the earth, shattering the ground and blasting debris into the air.
But with its mastery of Agility and superior level, Ariados avoided every single hit.
Aaron's lips twitched slightly.
As expected of a Gym-Leader-level Pokémon.
"Ariados, keep going. Close the distance and use Poison Jab!"
Grub watched with clear satisfaction.
"Ksssh!"
Ariados surged forward, its speed spiking after Agility.
A purple glow gathered at the spike on its head as it leapt into the air, thrusting straight toward Gyarados.
"Gyarados, Aqua Tail!"
Aaron reacted immediately.
"ROOOAR!"
Gyarados's massive tail flared with a deep blue glow as it swung forward with crushing force.
BANG!
The two attacks collided head-on.
Poison Jab clashed directly with Aqua Tail, both boosted by same-type bonuses, creating a massive impact.
BOOM!
A shockwave exploded outward, rippling through the battlefield.
But Ariados held the advantage in level.
Even with Gyarados's boosted Attack, the gap was still there.
Its tail was forced back several meters.
At the moment of impact, Ariados's horn slipped through a gap in its scales and drove into its flesh.
"GRAAAH!"
Gyarados roared in pain.
A faint purple hue spread across its body.
It had been poisoned.