The moment Madam Mira's mocking words landed, the faces of the two first mates darkened instantly. Their lips twitched as if to retort, but in the end they remained silent, looking grim.
And yet… what she said was true. Before a Seadra evolved into Kingdra with the help of a Dragon Scale, it was only a Water-type, its base stats not even reaching 500.
In this situation, to be forced back step by step truly showed that the two first mates were weaker than their opponents.
Still, they grit their teeth.
"Their Seadra fight as one in the water it's like a single engine. Their speed is unmatched."
"Our Pokémon may be amphibious, but compared to them, we're still inferior."
Their bickering continued, even as the battlefield below descended further into carnage. Pokémon fell one after another; blood dyed the waves a deep crimson.
"Flying unit -attack!!"
From the enemy ship, orders rang out. They knew that if the stalemate continued, even victory would be hollow, so they sought to shatter it in the skies.
"Taillow!"
"Wingull!"
"Pidgey!"
"Spee-row!!"
Birds clashed midair, their cries mingling with bursts of gusts and beams. It became impossible to tell ally from foe as feathered bodies tumbled lifelessly into the sea.
"Ahhh!!" Screams echoed as both sides suffered.
On the deck, Silas cradled his wounded Carvanha, face twisted with fury.
'They deliberately ignored me', he realized, heart sinking. 'My Carvanha nearly died because no one covered it. These pirates… selfish to the core.'
He had thrown himself into the fight earlier, shielding others' Pokémon from attacks. And this was his reward?
His jaw clenched. "Corphish… don't overexert yourself anymore. Just keep up appearances."
"Cor-phish…" The small lobster nodded, pincers twitching as it scaled back its efforts.
...
On the enemy ship, several sweat-drenched pirates rushed into the command cabin.
"Captain! We can't go on like this. That Swampert is too strong ,our losses are getting heavy!"
The one-eyed pirate captain's gaze sharpened. "Then we'll use that move."
Back on deck, the battle raged. Mira's Swampert pressed harder, suppressing the two Crawdaunt. Morale surged until the two enemy Seadra suddenly swam together, circling rapidly as purple light gathered around them.
"Seaa-draaa!!"
A deep roar shook the waves. Dark dragon energy burst from their jaws, intertwining, fusing into the colossal shape of a dragon's head.
The aura alone sent both sides' Pokémon trembling, unable to move under the sheer dominance of dragon power.
"D-Dragon Pulse!!" someone shouted, voice quaking.
The titanic blast tore forward, slamming into the Blastoise and Octillery commanded by the first mates.
"Blaaastoise!!"
"Octill-eryyy!!"
Both had raised their defenses, but the dragon's wrath crushed them instantly, sending their bodies crashing into the sea.
"BOOM!!" The entire Great Shark lurched violently, deck planks cracking under the shockwave.
"Abandon ship!!" a voice screamed. Chaos erupted. Some pirates leapt into the sea in desperation but only to be slaughtered by enemy Pokémon waiting below.
The crew's morale, so high under Swampert's dominance, now was shattered in an instant. Fear blanketed the ship.
...
Silas was shoved and jostled by the panicked mob. Quickly, he recalled Corphish and ducked into a cabin , only to find an enemy pirate already looting inside.
"Corphish, Bubble Beam!"
"Cor-phishhh!!"
"Go, Tentacool! Water Pulse!"
Bubbles clashed against a surging sphere of water, bursting violently in the confined space. Foam sprayed across the room.
"Spee-row!!"
Silas released his Spearow, voice sharp. "Peck - straight at him!"
The pirate's eyes widened. His Tentacool faltered without guidance, and Spearow dove like a dart. Though the pirate rolled instinctively, the bird curved midair and drove its beak straight into his throat.
"Ghh—!" Blood gushed as he fell lifeless to the floor.
The Tentacool, flopping helplessly on land, was swiftly knocked unconscious by Corphish.
Silas exhaled shakily, then knelt, stripping the corpse of coins, a diary-like notebook, and two Poké Balls. One even contained a Corphish.
"No wonder people risk becoming pirates," he muttered bitterly. "Killing and looting is the fastest way to get rich…"
He secured the spoils, then barred the door, finally allowing his racing heart to ease.
"Corphish…" He stroked his partner's shell. "Forgive me. I drag you into danger every day."
"Cor-phish!!" The little lobster nudged his leg firmly, as if to say: We agreed to reach the top together.
...
On the enemy ship, the one-eyed captain roared from the high deck. "Kill them all! Victory and riches are ours! Their Pokémon and gold - yours for the taking!!"
His crew howled, driving their Pokémon into a frenzy.
On the Great Shark, despair spread. With the first mates' Pokémon defeated, many lost all will to fight. Some considered surrender.
"Don't give in!! Stay with me!" Madam Mira's commanding voice cut through the chaos. "Gather around me!!"
The crew hesitated but then obeyed, clustering together instinctively.
The enemy jeered. "Don't resist! Surrender now, and we'll spare your lives! You'll even keep your Pokémon!"
Tempted, some wavered. But most grit their teeth, rage burning in their eyes.
The enemy captain sneered. "Fine. Then die where you stand."
A torrent of attacks surged forward , only to slam uselessly against a sudden shimmering barrier.
"Swampert!! Use Protect!!"
"Swamp-pert!!!" With a thunderous roar, Mira's Swampert slammed its fists into the soaked deck. A shimmering green barrier burst outward, expanding into a wide dome that covered not just itself but the cluster of pirates and Pokémon rallying around it.
Water Guns, Bubble Beams, and Swift attacks rained down like a storm, exploding harmlessly against the barrier in showers of sparks and ripples. The shield held firm, defiant against the enemy's onslaught.
For the first time in hours, the crew had breathing room. They sprayed potions, revived allies, and prepared for the next clash.
Mira's eyes, however, flickered with regret. 'That boy… Silas. Did he fall in the chaos? What a pity. He had the makings of a true breeder.:
'The Protect shield was already cracking. It wouldn't last.' Mira gritted her teeth. 'Looks like I'll have to use our last resort…'
...
Meanwhile, Silas prepared his own escape. "Spearow, Carvanha if it comes to it, we'll jump. Spearow, find land. Carvanha, lead in the water. Corphish… you stay with me."
His Pokémon chirped, growled, and clacked their pincers, ready. Silas's heart grew heavier.
Then—
ROOOAAAR!!!
A deafening dragon's roar shook the sea. Silas froze, eyes snapping skyward.
Bursting from the waves, a massive Gyarados soared into the sky, scales glinting sapphire in the sun.
"GYARAAA-DOOOOS!!!"
Its jaws opened wide. A blinding beam of white light surged forth.
"Hyper Beam!!!"
The enemy pirate ship was obliterated in a single strike. Wood and screams scattered across the sea.
Silas's breath caught in his throat. "Is… is that Gyarados… on our side?"
More attacks followed — Dragon Tail whipping up a tornado, ripping the enemy vessel apart piece by piece.
On the Great Shark, pirates who moments ago despaired now erupted with hope.
But the first mates stood frozen, eyes wide in horror.
"N-No… Impossible! The captain was dead! Our intel was flawless! How can his Gyarados still be here?!" Nagata gasped.
His partner forced composure, though his face was ashen. "It must be a contingency… a trump card he left for Mira. But either way…"
Both men swallowed hard. With Gyarados's return, Mira's prestige surged. Their ambitions, once within reach, now slipped further than ever.
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(End of chapter)