After seeing Lance off, Red looked at the information on Clair and pondered for a moment.
"…Why not go all the way and finish this properly?"
If he sent out Marshtomp, his win rate would be at least 98%.
Even with the slightly weaker Castform, it would still be around 80%.
Even if he used Larvitar, which was at a quadruple disadvantage—
He still felt he had a 50% chance.
But—
That didn't feel right.
It wouldn't achieve the effect he wanted.
Nor would it reflect the essence of a Gym Leader.
Looking at the Dragon Scale in his hand—
And the Seadra that had recently evolved at the Gym—
Red's eyes lit up.
"I've got it."
"If I use a Gym Pokémon to defeat Clair—"
"Wouldn't that make her understand what makes Gym Leaders special?"
Decision made—
He acted immediately.
Putting on his coat, he headed straight to the Pokémon Center on Elite Island and called Ash and Gary.
"You two didn't burn down the Gym while I was gone, right?"
Ash and Gary exchanged a glance.
"Of course not, Master! Don't worry!"
"That's right!"
"Good. Send Seadra over—I need it here."
"Got it!"
Soon—
Red received Seadra's Poké Ball.
"Got it. Take care of the Gym."
"I'll be back in two days."
"And don't over-issue Gym Badges, or you'll regret it."
"Understood, Master!"
After giving them a few training pointers—
Red muttered:
"Gary's Wartortle is about to evolve…"
"Ash's Charmeleon isn't far off either…"
"Time to start planning their journey."
"If they don't collect all eight badges in time for the League Conference—that'll be a problem."
Hanging up—
He released Seadra.
"Seadra, did you miss me?"
Seeing Red—
Seadra's sharp gaze softened instantly into a happy curve.
"Good girl."
Red patted her head.
Then—
He took out the Dragon Scale.
"Well?"
"Ready to evolve?"
Seadra stared at the scale—
Practically drooling—
And nodded eagerly.
Her current level was 26.
After evolution—
Red estimated she would reach Level 28–29.
Even if slightly lower than Clair's Seadra—
After evolution—
Their overall strength would be comparable.
He placed the Dragon Scale on her head.
Evolution light enveloped her body.
Her slender form—
Began to lengthen and strengthen.
Most notably—
The crest on her head extended and hardened.
When the light faded—
A majestic Kingdra stood before him.
Her deer-like horns—
Radiated noble dragon blood.
[Pokémon: Kingdra ♀]
[Level: 28]
[Talent: High (Atk: 24, SpA: 30, Def: 22, SpD: 23, Spe: 25, HP: 18) Total: 147]
[Ability: Sniper (Critical hit damage increases from 1.5× to 2.25×)]
[Moves: Growl, Tackle, Water Gun, Yawn, Hydro Pump, Focus Energy, Dragon Pulse, Draco Meteor, Double Team]
[Held Item: None]
[Evaluation: A Kingdra with decent potential. Evolved using an Elite-level Dragon Scale, improving its aptitude and granting multiple Dragon-type moves.]
Red's eyes lit up.
"That Dragon Scale from Lance is top-tier…"
"It not only awakened her Dragon bloodline—"
"She even learned Draco Meteor."
"And her aptitude jumped from Medium to High."
"Even if it's just barely High—that's still High."
Originally—
He estimated a 50% win rate.
Now—
At least 80%.
The Next Morning
Red walked out of the hotel—
With faint dark circles under his eyes—
Supporting his lower back.
"…That was exhausting."
"Ninetales drained me again last night…"
"If my stamina weren't this good, I might not even be able to get out of bed."
He checked his remaining Viridian Power.
"…Enough for one battle."
Without even checking his info card—
He headed straight to Arena 144.
As soon as he arrived—
He heard noise.
Across the field—
Seven or eight people stood with banners and glow sticks—
Like fans waiting for a celebrity.
Seeing Red's confusion, Xiaowen whispered:
"Clair is Lance's cousin."
"And she's very high-profile."
"She has her own fan club."
Red twitched slightly.
Reminded of Gary's even more exaggerated cheer squad.
"…These people…"
Just then—
The star of the show arrived.
A tall girl—
In a blue combat outfit with a dark red cape—
Stepped onto the field.
She flicked her hair confidently.
"You're my opponent today?"
Red nodded expressionlessly.
"…You look kind of weak."
"But I don't mind."
Seeing her arrogance—
Red decided to stop hiding his identity.
"Who taught you—"
"To speak to a Gym Leader like that?"
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