Pain! So Much Pain!

"Yes, Thunderbolt."

Under Dratini's bewildered gaze, Johan nodded affirmatively.

Dratini glanced at the unconscious Gyarados dragged ashore and nervously swallowed.

The big guy was finally "asleep." Waking it up again...

But when Dratini noticed that Tinkatuff, Lance, Clair, and even its father Dragonite were all watching, it took a deep breath, its expression turning resolute.

The great Dratini fears no pretender dragon!

Crackle—

Dratini's body sparked with thin streams of electricity, which quickly converged into a single powerful bolt that surged from the horn on its forehead straight at Gyarados.

For a moment, the massive, motionless Gyarados began to twitch violently.

Even in its unconscious state, the familiar sensation of electricity caused its eyes to snap open as it let out an instant, furious roar.

"ROAR!!"

A savage aura exploded from Gyarados as its jaws opened wide, gathering terrifying energy.

Johan frowned slightly and gave a low command:

"Tinkatuff!"

"Chu!"

Already prepared, Tinkatuff swung its hammer with all its might, delivering a crushing blow to Gyarados's head.

THUD!

Gyarados shuddered, its eyes rolling back as it collapsed unconscious once again.

Boom—

Its massive body hit the ground, shaking it so hard that even Dratini trembled.

"Lance, Clair."

Johan remained unfazed, turning to the two.

They nodded understandingly and approached to spray Gyarados with a healing mist.

Dratini let out a sigh of relief.

But just as it thought its "mission" was over, Johan's voice rang out again:

"Dratini, one more time."

"Drii?"

Dratini blinked in confusion.

One more time? Really?

After receiving Johan's firm confirmation, Dratini—though still confused—dutifully complied.

Crackle—

The golden arcs of electricity surged once more, "baptizing" Gyarados yet again.

When the newly-awakened Gyarados was hammered unconscious by Tinkatuff for the second time, and Johan again asked Dratini to repeat the process, the little dragon finally began to realize the gravity of its task.

At that moment, it cast a pitying glance at the unconscious Gyarados.

Then...

Crackle!!

Johan couldn't help but think that if this were a video game, Tinkatuff's experience bar would be skyrocketing right now.

Dratini, on the other hand, was panting heavily, seemingly unable to count how many Thunderbolts it had unleashed.

Meanwhile, Tinkatuff stood ready with its hammer, still looking eager for action.

Haunter and Vulpix covered their eyes in unison, unable to watch any longer.

The difference, however, was that Haunter peeked through its claws, while Vulpix used its tail to leave a gap.

Cruel.

Absolutely cruel!

Back when Haunter was still a Gastly and helped Roxanne deal with her "stone-headed" Nosepass, it only took a few tries before they stopped. It was never this brutal.

"Ka-kah," Haunter muttered under its breath.

So this is what real torment looks like...

"Drii—!"

Gritting its teeth, Dratini unleashed another bolt of electricity.

Gyarados jerked awake once again.

But this time, the roaring beast didn't immediately lash out. Johan's eyes gleamed as he quickly commanded:

"Tinkatuff, hold on."

"Chu?"

Tinkatuff froze mid-charge, its hammer already raised.

But it obediently halted.

The silence lasted all of three seconds.

"ROAR—!"

Gyarados let out another deafening roar.

Yet this time, the sound carried not just rage but also... something else.

Lance, Clair, and even Dragonite noticed the subtle change.

After a moment of growling, Gyarados collapsed again.

But it didn't lose consciousness this time.

Instead, it lay on the ground with dull, vacant eyes.

Gyarados: (:3」∠)

Meanwhile, Johan's system interface displayed a long-awaited update:

[Mood: Despair (PAIN! SO MUCH PAIN!)]

Johan rubbed his temples.

Although Gyarados had undoubtedly suffered, the process had finally restored a degree of cognitive function.

"Vulpix."

Johan called softly.

"Oowu~~"

The little fox trotted over.

"Help it sleep well." Johan sighed.

"Oowu!"

Vulpix nodded.

It joined Johan in front of the despairing Gyarados, channeling a hypnotic wave.

Haunter and Tinkatuff followed closely behind, standing guard in case Gyarados tried anything.

Fortunately, the beast—still utterly exhausted—soon succumbed to the combined Hypnosis and drifted into a deep slumber.

Its snores echoed loudly.

Nearby, Dratini had also collapsed, completely drained.

"How's it looking, Johan?"

Lance, who had been holding his breath, finally broke the silence.

Johan pondered briefly.

"It went smoother than expected. From here on, it's just a matter of slow rehabilitation."

Specifically, helping Gyarados recover from its severe psychological trauma.

Hearing this, Lance and Clair exchanged relieved glances.

"Then—"

"I'll stay in Blackthorn City for a few more days to monitor Gyarados's progress before leaving."

Johan gave them a reassuring nod.

Having taken on this responsibility, he wouldn't leave until Gyarados was stable.

"I'll arrange accommodations for you," Clair offered.

"Wait."

Johan glanced at the nearby, deeply asleep Dratini.

After a moment's thought, he gently picked it up.

Surprisingly, despite its over two-meter length, Dratini weighed barely four or five kilograms, making it exceedingly light.

With little effort, Johan placed it beneath the large tree in the flower field.

The little dragon's luck was so bad that, if left near Gyarados, it might accidentally get crushed the next time the beast shifted.

Nestled in the soft flower bed, Dratini rolled over and mumbled faintly:

"Drii..."

I, Dratini, will never be inferior to any dragon...

Johan chuckled softly and patted its head.

"Good work today."

He left behind a pile of Pokéblocks before heading off with Clair.

After treating Gyarados's wounds, Lance wiped the sweat from his brow and stood up, only to notice someone standing behind him.

Turning, he saw the Dragon Elder, who had been napping during the Gym battle.

"Elder," Lance greeted.

The old man smiled kindly and waved, his demeanor entirely unpretentious.

He then turned to Dragonite, who sat by the lakeshore, idly swinging its feet.

"Dragonite, what do you think?"

Dragonite scratched its chin thoughtfully before nodding.

"Oowu~~"

The elder's smile deepened.

"Is that so? That's how you feel?"

Understanding their cryptic exchange, Lance's eyes lit up.

"Lance, your friend's bond with his Pokémon, his recognition of them, and his compassion for wounded Pokémon have passed the 'Dragon Trial.'"

The elder walked over to Lance and added:

"If he wishes, he may capture a Pokémon within the Dragon's Den."

"Thank you, Elder!"

This had been Lance's secret hope all along.

He hadn't told Johan, but this was the reason he wanted him to treat Gyarados here in the Dragon's Den.

With the elder's approval, Johan could now form a bond with one of the Pokémon in this sacred space.

Of course, the chosen Pokémon would need to willingly accept him as its trainer.

That evening in Blackthorn City...

As the sun set, Johan strolled through the lively streets with his Pokémon, enjoying the local culture and famous night market.

Sitting on a bench, they enjoyed their spoils of street food.

Haunter devoured a skewer of rice dumplings, grinning mischievously as it somehow produced a fresh skewer from its mouth after finishing the first.

Vulpix licked a rainbow-colored lollipop shaped like a Pumpkaboo, its newfound love of sweets making Johan frequently check its teeth.

Tinkatuff, drenched in sweat, tackled a bowl of spicy red ramen.

Even as it fanned its tongue, it added half a tube of wasabi to the broth.

Johan couldn't help but chuckle.

"Want some ice cream to cool down?"

Tinkatuff nodded vigorously, tears streaming from its fiery meal.

"Ka-kah!"

"Oowu!"

Haunter and Vulpix raised their paws eagerly.

*Us

too!*

Johan smiled, returning shortly with cones for everyone.

As they savored their treats, he snapped a selfie and posted it online.

Ding!

[Eevee Eats Cabbage]: I want one! (Jealous Gengar emoji)

Hooked another one, Johan thought with a smirk.

He replied:

[Grain in the Field]: Come and get one.

[Eevee Eats Cabbage]: Hmph! (Garchomp pout emoji)

Seeing the photo of Garchomp pouting, Johan chuckled.

"By the way, could you pick up some Dragon Scales from the Dragon Clan for me? Garchomp's food supply is running low," the next message read.

Dragon Scales... as food?

Johan blinked in surprise.

Of course, what Cynthia referred to were the molted scales of Dragon-type Pokémon, commonly used as nutritious snacks for other Dragon-types.

She sent him the payment shortly after.

At the same time, another notification popped up.

[Little Growlithe]: I've been entrusted with an important mission at the factory. Just wanted to share my excitement with someone. Sorry to bother you.

How polite.

[Grain in the Field]: Not at all—congratulations!

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Powerstones?

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