[Pokémon: Gyarados]
[Type: Water + Flying]
[Ability: Moxie (When it knocks out an opponent, it becomes filled with confidence and its Attack rises)]
[Moves: Splash (Mastered), Tackle (Mastered), Flail (Expert), Bounce (Expert), Waterfall (Expert), Rain Dance, Taunt, Roar, Bulldoze, Protect, Double Team, Chilling Water, Icy Wind]
Gyarados's Bounce skill had advanced from 'Proficient' to 'Expert.'
As for Waterfall, it jumped directly from 'Learned' to 'Expert.'
"Gyarados, use Waterfall!"
Caster decided to test the power of these two newly Expert-level moves.
"ROAAAR~"
With a furious roar, massive waves suddenly surged around Gyarados, over twenty meters high. The sight was absolutely terrifying.
Immediately after, Gyarados erupted with incredible momentum, commanding the giant waves like a dragon riding water, crashing forward like a mountain collapsing and an ocean overturning.
BOOM!
The massive wave and Gyarados simultaneously struck a tree trunk so thick it would take several people to encircle it.
The tree instantly snapped in half and collapsed thunderously, branches and leaves scattering everywhere.
"This is Expert-level Waterfall? So powerful!"
Caster's eyes widened in amazement.
Though Gyarados's Tackle was at Mastered level, Tackle was ultimately a basic move.
Compared to a mid-to-high-tier move like Waterfall, there was a huge gap in raw power.
Plus, Waterfall was a STAB move for Gyarados, giving it a power boost. So in terms of might, Waterfall was clearly far superior.
"Pi~"
Little Pichu on Caster's shoulder was equally astonished.
Though big brother's killing intent just now hadn't been directed at it, just the overflowing aura was enough to make it terrified and unwilling to engage in battle.
If it took a direct hit, even if it didn't lose the ability to fight, Pichu felt it might lose its nerve and surrender its will to battle entirely.
"Now for Bounce!"
After recovering from his surprise, Caster continued testing.
Whoosh!
Gyarados's tail slammed heavily against the azure water surface, like a cannonball exploding on the ocean, kicking up waves.
At the same time, Gyarados's thick body launched upward, shooting straight toward the clouds.
"ROAAAR~"
Gyarados looked utterly amazed and thrilled.
It could feel that its body seemed lighter, and manipulating Flying-type energy came much more naturally.
After flying several hundred meters into the air, Gyarados didn't choose to drop rapidly.
Instead, it controlled Flying-type energy to glide continuously through the air, moving freely in all directions.
It twisted its body through the sky, like a dragon soaring through heaven.
A full several minutes passed before Gyarados slowly descended.
"ROAAAR~"
Gyarados was incredibly excited.
Though it still wasn't true flight, it felt like it wasn't far from achieving it.
"Could it be that Bounce needs to reach 'Transcendent' or even 'Mastered' level before Gyarados can truly master flight?"
Caster stroked his chin thoughtfully, feeling a bit of a headache coming on.
Gyarados's Bounce skill was currently at Expert level. To reach 'Transcendent' would require 8 Bounce TMs, and 'Mastered' would need another 16. These weren't quantities he could gather overnight.
After all, the Seaking Fishing Tournament was only held once a year.
"Let's try it equipped with the 'Float Stone'!"
With a thought, Caster pulled out the reward he'd gotten from catching the giant Seaking.
[Float Stone: An incredibly light, mysterious stone. When carried by a Pokémon, its weight is drastically reduced.]
In the games, the Float Stone's effect wasn't particularly significant. It only slightly reduced the damage heavy Pokémon took from 'Grass Knot' and 'Low Kick.'
But in the real world, reduced weight could make Pokémon more agile and faster to a certain extent. The effect was clearly much stronger.
And for Gyarados, if its weight became lighter, it might truly be able to fly.
So after having Gyarados equip the Float Stone, Caster called out, "Gyarados, use Bounce again!"
Whoosh!
Gyarados shot skyward once more.
Under the Float Stone's effect, Gyarados's weight was reduced by a good portion. Caster could clearly sense that it jumped higher, and its descent was much slower.
Gliding leisurely, Gyarados covered over half a kilometer.
But to Caster's disappointment, this still wasn't true flight.
Because Gyarados's altitude only decreased with time. It couldn't freely climb through the air like a bird.
"Could it be that Bounce alone can't let Gyarados truly fly?"
After frowning in thought for a long while, Caster suddenly came up with a new approach.
"Maybe I should consider having Gyarados learn the move 'Hurricane'..."
Gyarados could master only two Flying-type moves. Besides Bounce, only Hurricane remained.
Hurricane was a move that controlled air currents for attacks, but theoretically, it could also work on Gyarados itself, providing lift.
The more Caster thought about it, the more excited he became. He couldn't wait to test it immediately.
Unfortunately, he didn't have a 'Hurricane' TM on hand.
"I remember Mantine can learn 'Hurricane.' If I get the chance, I should consider fishing for one."
Caster's gaze grew distant as he thought, "As for where to fish for Mantine, I can consult President Kunio later."
Beep beep beep!
Just then, Caster's phone rang.
He picked it up and saw it was Clair calling.
"Caster, I've already reported your situation to the 'Dragon Elder.'
The Elder has agreed to let you train at the Dragon's Den, but if you want to learn the move inheritance, you'll need to meet the Elder at the Dragon Shrine first..."
Clair's crisp voice came through the phone.
"The Dragon Elder wants to see me?"
Caster was slightly surprised.
The Dragon Tamer clan, as an ancient family with thousands of years of heritage, did many things with a strong traditional flavor.
For instance, elders held power and managed daily clan affairs.
And among them, the most respected and authoritative was undoubtedly the Dragon Elder.
According to the Special [Pokémon Adventures manga] canon, the current Dragon Elder of the Dragon Tamer clan should be Clair and Lance's grandfather - a legendary figure.
"You don't need to panic. The Elder just wants to ask you a few questions..."
Sensing Caster's nervousness, Clair, on the other end, chuckled and explained.
"Move inheritances are the clan's legacy, and only the Elder can decide whether to pass them to outsiders. So, you need to answer well."
"Questions?"
Caster's eyebrows rose, joy lighting his face.
He remembered that in the Pokémon games, the Dragon Elder would test the protagonist's understanding of Pokémon at the Dragon Shrine in the Dragon's Den.
If the answers were excellent, you could receive a Dratini from the Dragon Elder.
If all answers were perfect, you could obtain a Dratini that knew 'Extreme Speed.'
"I wonder if this Dragon Elder follows the Special canon or the game canon?"
Caster's heart raced with uncertainty. "If the Dragon Elder's questions are the same as in the game, that would be perfect!"
After all, as a hardcore Pokémon fan, Caster knew the Dragon Elder's game questions and answers inside and out.
If that were the case, might he have a shot at getting an Extreme Speed Dratini?
"I've actually just wrapped things up here. Don't worry, Ms. Clair, I'll buy a bus ticket to Blackthorn City right away.
I definitely won't keep the Elder waiting."
"Take the bus?"
Clair, on the other end, pursed her lips helplessly.
"Let me come pick you up instead!
Tomorrow morning at nine, wait for me at Goldenrod City's Pokémon Center. Sound good?"
Blackthorn City was at the far eastern edge of the Johto region, while Goldenrod City was in the southernmost part of central Johto.
The distance between them was over a thousand kilometers.
Taking a bus would probably take two or three days, wouldn't it?
The decisive and efficient Clair couldn't wait that long!
"No problem!"
Caster grinned. "Thanks so much!"
He'd get to ride on Flygon again!