Using a buff skill correctly is, for a trainer, practically a required course in battle.
The most basic point is to ensure the Pokémon's own safety during the buffing process.
Volkner had fought so many battles, but this was the first time he'd seen someone use a buff skill at this particular moment.
This gym-level Gyarados almost completely lacked combat sense.
After making that judgment, Volkner didn't want to waste any more time and decisively ordered Raichu to use Thunder.
That move is extremely powerful, but it has a fatal flaw.
Because the raging energy is hard to control, its accuracy is very low.
But right now, the opponent was using Dragon Dance, practically handing points to Raichu.
Raichu's tail rose high, and above Gyarados a thundercloud full of electric arcs immediately appeared.
Those thunderclouds condensed extremely quickly, crackling inside and filled with a furious aura.
Under the influence of these charges, even the gym's lights began flickering uncontrollably.
Countless bolts of lightning gathered inside. When the clouds could no longer hold, thunderclaps boomed down from above Gyarados.
And at that moment, Gyarados was still using Dragon Dance.
He moved faster and faster, his body seeming to leave afterimages.
Vast dragon-type energy condensed on him, even making Volkner feel as if he'd traveled to ancient times, watching a dragon clan wildly dance in the boundless sky.
Under that majestic aura, even the thunderclouds were heavily affected, looking as if they were about to collapse.
Volkner rubbed his eyes in astonishment.
'Is this still Dragon Dance?'
Watching Gyarados's movements, Volkner instinctively sensed a wrongness in the air.
"Raichu, hurry and make the lightning fall, he's getting faster and faster!"
"Raichu!"
Raichu nodded heavily; the arcs on his tail instantly thickened to the extreme, guiding the sky's lightning to smash down.
Several bolts flashed, illuminating the gym with electric light, almost preventing everyone and every Pokémon present from opening their eyes.
Volkner covered his eyes with his hand in advance; when the light faded, he first looked toward Gyarados.
He was surprised to find Gyarados still active in midair.
Most of those earlier thunderbolts had missed, scorching the ground that Gyarados had already slammed once; only two bolts struck Gyarados's body.
And Gyarados had already finished one round of Dragon Dance, his speed and attack were fully increased.
If he landed on the ground...
Volkner felt Raichu would find it hard to handle Gyarados's next Earthquake.
Almost instinctively, Volkner issued another command to Raichu.
"Use Discharge!"
Hearing Volkner's order, Raichu, still in the air, didn't hesitate: his whole body released fierce electric currents that swept across every part of the battlefield.
The principle of this move is to release one's own current and indiscriminately attack every nearby Pokémon.
Even the user can only barely control the range of the move, unable to strike precisely.
But this also brought a benefit.
If your allies can't dodge the move, how can the enemy dodge it?
Raging charges swept the field, indiscriminately covering the arena and bathing the blue Gyarados in golden light.
And at that moment Gyarados landed; his huge tail slammed into the ground, triggering a second earthquake.
Rumble!
Crackle!
The sounds of arcs and ground-shaking almost became one, and the arena that normally accommodated Pokémon battles was instantly torn to pieces.
Mushroom-cloud explosions erupted where lightning met earth and stone; the entire field was shrouded in thick smoke.
Dimly visible through the smoke, Gyarados and Raichu faced each other at a distance; both bodies trembled but neither had fallen.
The battle had now become a contest of endurance.
Several part-time college employees at Volkner's gym couldn't help but exclaim.
Since the gym was founded, they had never seen a scene like this, it looked like something from a TV drama.
"Volkner's Raichu is actually being pressured by a Gyarados to this extent? That shouldn't be possible!"
"That Gyarados is terrifying, when it used Earthquake I almost wanted to run..."
"The terrifying part is clearly that Dragon Dance, okay? I saw it clearly, that Gyarados dodged several falling bolts during Dragon Dance."
Volkner ignored his staff's whispers; his eyes burned with battle intent, his body even trembling a little.
He admitted he had misjudged Gyarados just now.
This guy fully qualified as Raichu's opponent.
The two Pokémon could fight to this extent, both reaching the limits their bodies could bear, sustained only by willpower and recovery.
Even in top-tier competitive arenas that worship battle techniques, scenes like this are rare.
No matter what the outcome of this match, he would let this Gyarados take his badge.
The entire gym fell into utter silence; everyone's gaze fixed on Gyarados and Raichu, waiting for a victor.
Suddenly, a dragon's roar sounded.
Raichu staggered and went limp onto the already-ruined arena.
At the same time, a huge halo of light appeared on Gyarados's body.
His Overconfidence ability activated, his attack grew stronger.
"Roar! Roar! Roar!"
After the roar, Gyarados shot into the air and began wildly dancing above the gym.
If this had been before, back when he was weaker, he absolutely couldn't have beaten Volkner's well-trained, terrifying Raichu.
But now, having only learned a little from Lord Rayquaza, his fate had already changed.
Let's see who dares call him weak now.
Seeing Gyarados's state, Volkner withdrew his exhausted Raichu and gave a thumbs up toward the sky.
He didn't think Gyarados's arrogance was excessive at all; in Volkner's view, enjoying victory was the privilege of the strong.
Especially since Gyarados won against a resist-type, that was truly worth celebrating.
At this moment, no level of arrogance seemed too much.
After waiting a while, Volkner smiled as he looked at the figure on Glastrier.
"It's getting late; should we let Gyarados come down and rest a bit before we continue with the next battle?"
Before the Glastrier-controlled ice puppet could shake its head, Gyarados grew impatient.
'What the hell?'
'I just had my fun, and Lord Rayquaza hasn't even finished yet.'
'You want me to get down now, what kind of thing is that?'
Under Volkner's surprised gaze, Gyarados fell from the sky and once more circled the side of the battle spot.
He stared at Volkner like a lantern and let out a huge roar.
"Roar!"
'Let's fight!'
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