Pokémon: Starting with a Bound Entry System

Chapter 102: The Evolved Gyarados and a Curious Mew

May 12th

[Blue Trait (It Hurts!) — Increases damage dealt to countered types by 10%-15%.]

The newly refreshed weekly trait seemed like a decent addition.

Given that countered types already suffer double damage, this trait could amplify that effect even further.

Hikaru had a glint of satisfaction in his eyes as he turned to Misty, who was holding up her newly earned Fire Badge.

"This is my sixth city gym badge!" Misty exclaimed, her eyes shining with pride.

Despite the grueling past few days of running between mystical zones and city gyms, the results were more than worth it.

Her Pokémon had shown significant growth:

Lapras had reached Gym-level strength.

Starmie and Poliwhirl were catching up rapidly.

Even the previously "useless" Magikarp had reached Level 16.

As for Magikarp's evolution...

"Today, we'll try to give Magikarp that extra push it needs to evolve," Hikaru announced.

"Yay! Thanks, Hikaru!"

Misty clapped her hands in excitement, her enthusiasm bubbling over.

Meanwhile, Hikaru sighed. Misty had become much bolder and more comfortable around him, almost to the point of being overly familiar.

"Let's see..." Hikaru muttered, pulling up the map of the city. "An S-Rank zone... in Azure Cloud City?"

"S-Rank?" Misty's eyes lit up with intrigue.

"Are we going?" Latias chimed in curiously.

Latias, now at Level 44 thanks to Hikaru's custom energy cubes, looked at Hikaru expectantly. For her, even a Master-level Pokémon in an S-Rank zone wouldn't pose much of a threat; she was confident they could flee if necessary.

"Nope," Hikaru replied flatly. "We can't handle it. I'm not as invincible as you think."

Hikaru rejected the idea without hesitation.

---

By a Tranquil Lakeside

Hikaru had come up with a plan to "stimulate" Magikarp into evolving.

"Let's start!" he announced, gesturing for Misty to release Magikarp.

The orange fish flopped out onto the grass, immediately using Splash—but, as expected, nothing happened.

Its vacant, goofy expression made Hikaru itch to throw a punch.

"If I kick it hard enough, will it evolve faster?" he joked internally.

Hikaru's thoughts shifted as he activated [Green Trait (Emotion Master)]—a trait that could deepen the emotional engagement of those listening to a story.

Using Aura, Hikaru connected with Magikarp, gently guiding its attention.

First, he had Gardevoir and Latias draw an incredibly detailed and imposing illustration of a Mega-Evolved Gyarados.

The artwork featured a majestic, dragon-like creature with a regal crest, sleek scales, and an awe-inspiring presence. Its fiery red eyes seemed capable of devouring the heavens and swallowing the seas, radiating power and dominance.

"This is your future," Hikaru said, showing the illustration to Magikarp.

Magikarp blinked blankly, tilting its head.

"No, no," Hikaru corrected. "This is who you could become."

"(＾－＾)"

Magikarp nodded excitedly, its small tail wagging in agreement.

"If that's your dream, then let me tell you a story about a Magikarp who became a Gyarados," Hikaru began, his tone captivating.

"Once, there was a Magikarp who dreamt of soaring through the skies and swimming in the deepest oceans. Every day, it practiced Splash relentlessly, hoping to one day reach the heavens."

As Hikaru narrated, Gardevoir and Latias drew vivid illustrations of the story, placing them in front of Magikarp.

"But other Magikarp laughed at it, mocking its efforts and calling it useless."

Hikaru's voice turned somber.

"Even Pidgeotto would pluck it out of the water effortlessly, only to spit it out, finding it too scrawny to eat."

"Seedot could bind it with a single Vine Whip, rendering it powerless."

Gardevoir and Latias quickly sketched these scenes, adding details that further fueled Magikarp's emotions.

Magikarp's tiny body trembled with frustration, its dull eyes beginning to burn with determination.

Finally, Hikaru added, "Even children would fish it up and hang it from trees..."

Before Hikaru could finish, Magikarp's body shone with a brilliant white light.

It couldn't contain its rage any longer.

---

The lakeside was suddenly illuminated by the dazzling glow of evolution.

Magikarp transformed, growing larger and more fearsome with each passing moment.

When the light faded, a mighty Gyarados roared, shaking the very air with its presence.

---

In the Sky Above

Mew, who had been wandering the world disguised as other Pokémon, paused mid-flight.

The sound of the story and the emotional resonance intrigued it deeply.

"Meow~?"

With a flick of its tail, Mew transformed into a Ralts and floated down silently, blending into the scene below.

Even Hikaru, with his Aura abilities, didn't notice its arrival.

---

Hikaru's Scan of the Newly Evolved Gyarados

Species: Gyarados

Ability: Intimidate

Gender: Male

Talent: Heavenly King-level

Level: 35

Skills: Tackle, Leer, Twister, Thrash, Whirlpool, Ice Fang, Waterfall, Hydro Pump, Dragon Dance.

Description: "A Gyarados evolved from extreme rage, experiencing a dramatic leap in talent and power."

The transformation had elevated Magikarp from a mediocre status to a Heavenly King-level potential powerhouse with astonishing strength.

"Whoa! It actually worked!" Hikaru exclaimed, his excitement matching Misty's.

Misty's eyes sparkled as she stared at her newly evolved Gyarados.

"This is amazing!"

Even Latias and Gardevoir were stunned, their artwork now looking like a perfect representation of reality.

Nearby, a curious Ralts (secretly Mew) tugged at Hikaru's sleeve, eagerly gesturing for him to continue the story.

Hikaru blinked in confusion.

"Wait, where did this Ralts come from?"

Before he could figure it out, Gyarados let out a powerful roar, shaking the lakeside and dispersing the growing crowd of Pokémon.

---

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