Pokémon: Trainer Paul

The bobber on the water's surface suddenly dipped below, tugged forcefully downward.

A Pokémon had taken the bait!

In this situation, unless he was willing to lose the rod or fishing line, there was no way to stop the catch.

Paul focused his attention, fully engaging in the struggle with the hooked Pokémon beneath the surface.

Sometimes reeling in, sometimes loosening the line to lower the Pokémon's guard, Paul repeated this cycle. Gradually, the Pokémon's stamina wore down.

At the right moment, Paul gave a powerful pull. The hooked Pokémon shot out of the water, soaring through the air.

"Azumarill!"

The creature had a round blue-and-white body, long ears, and a buoy-like tail—adorable in every way.

It was none other than Azumarill, a Water/Fairy-type Pokémon. Known for its fairy-type's immunity to dragon-type moves and its huge power ability, Azumarill was often called the "Dragon Slayer."

"What's the point of catching something so useless?"

Paul dismissed the Azumarill with a glance, letting it fall to the ground as he cast his line back into the water.

"What can an Azumarill do? Dragon Slayer? Please. It can't actually slay dragons, can it? If it could, I'd catch it later. If not, what it's used—herding Tauros?"

"Azumarill!"

The Azumarill, furious at being disregarded, prepared to unleash a Water Gun attack.

"Bzzt~"

"Elekid!"

Before it could fire, two Pokémon battling nearby turned their attention toward it, their eyes glinting with mischief. Golden lightning crackled from one, while an orange beam of energy gathered in the other's maw.

"Azumarill…"

So, you hooked me up here, and now you're threatening me?

Do you think I'm weak? Do you think I'll back down?

The Azumarill growled angrily, but just before launching its attack, it dove headfirst back into the water.

Paul, unfazed, glanced briefly in the direction of the threatening gazes before resuming his calm demeanor, holding his rod steady and continuing his fishing.

Before long, the bobber dipped again. Paul quickly reeled in the line. Feeling that the pull was weaker than the huge power Azumarill earlier, he decisively yanked the Pokémon out of the water.

"Splosh!"

Breaking the surface, a small, red Magikarp with a crown-like crest flew out and landed on the riverbank.

"Another useless one."

After a quick inspection of its small size and lackluster appearance, Paul tossed the Magikarp back into the water without hesitation.

You didn't need a Pokédex to recognize the potential of a Pokémon this ordinary.

Paul's fishing continued, reeling in Pokémon one after another: Magikarp, Finneon, Shellos, and Buizel. Each Pokémon was caught, compared against the Psyduck he had decided to keep earlier, and then released if their potential was deemed inferior.

After several rounds of comparison, the only Pokémon Paul kept was a Shellos with the Storm Drain ability. Its potential wasn't quite up to Paul's standards but was comparable to his recently captured Kricketune, making it passable for now.

"It's about time to wrap this up." Paul muttered, glancing at the sky. He looked over at his two Pokémon who had been training hard, and prepare to call it a day.

Just then, a massive shadow flashed through the water below.

The bobber sank again, this time with more force.

Another bite!

Paul immediately stood, focusing intently as he engaged in a fierce battle with the underwater Pokémon.

Using his strength and strategy, Paul wrestled with the creature for nearly five minutes. Finally, seizing the right moment, he exerted all his might and pulled the Pokémon from the water.

"Aaaaang!!"

A massive, serpentine Pokémon erupted from the river, its creamy underbelly and blue scales glistening in the sunlight. Its menacing maw seemed capable of swallowing a human whole.

It was none other than Gyarados, the "Atrocious Pokémon."

"Finally, something interesting." Paul said, his eyes are gleaming.

Wild Gyarados were rare, and any trainer who could evolve one knew its immense power. This Gyarados would undoubtedly be far more useful than the Shellos in his lineup.

Despite its flying typing, Gyarados rarely took to the skies, but its movements on land were deceptively agile.

"Aaaaang!!"

Landing on the ground, the Gyarados roared, locking its fierce gaze onto Paul who had just reeled it in.

"Either of you, go ahead."

Paul casually addressed his two resting Pokémon, then stepped aside to watch.

It was clear that he didn't plan to intervene in this fight.

Gyarados might be strong, but it wouldn't stand a chance against either the sheer strength of his Ursaring or the Electric-type advantage of his Elekid. Unless its power far exceeded both the outcome was inevitable—even without Paul's direction.

"Ursaa!!"

Ursaring raised its head, about to coordinate with Elekid, but the Electric Pokémon's reaction was instant and overwhelming.

"Bzzt!"

Using Magnet Rise and Quick Attack simultaneously, Elekid charged at Gyarados at lightning speed. Within seconds, it was in front of its opponent, rolling its arms as if warming up for a fight.

"AAAANG!!"

Infuriated by Elekid's smug demeanor, Gyarados roared and activated its Intimidate ability, lowering Elekid's Attack.

"Bzzt!"

Elekid didn't care about the stat drop. It lunged forward, delivering a powerful Brick Break to Gyarados.

While Brick Break wasn't particularly effective against the Flying-type Gyarados, Elekid didn't seem to mind. Effective moves? Where's the fun in that?

Paul had clearly given Elekid the freedom to fight however it wanted, not to win outright but to test Gyarados' strength and potential.

"Aaaang!"

With a roar, Gyarados' teeth shimmered with frost as it countered with Ice Fang, snapping at Elekid.

"Bzzt!"

Reacting swiftly, Elekid dodged with Magnet Rise and Quick Attack, soaring above Gyarados' head.

In an instant, Elekid used its momentum to reverse direction, accelerating into a full-power Brick Break that aimed squarely at Gyarados.

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