Chapter 64: Gyarados Awakens

The wind whipped against my face as I clung to Pidgeot's back, his wings slicing through the sky with a speed that made my stomach churn in that sickening yet thrilling way. I glanced down, the landscape below reduced to patches of green and blue, like a shattered mosaic. Trees clustered like ants around the edges of a large lake, their leaves swaying slightly in the breeze.

"There," I said, leaning forward into Pidgeot's ear. "Land near that lake."

He screeched in acknowledgment, his wings tilting, and we dove down with a sharpness that made the air cut through me like knives. I tensed but held on. Pidgeot was a beast of pure muscle and speed, every movement calculated. I knew I was safe. He was as dependable as ever.

The ground rushed up to meet us, the water reflecting the afternoon sun in harsh shards of light. Pidgeot's claws skimmed the earth before he landed with a solid thud. I slid off his back, feet hitting the dirt as the rush of adrenaline faded. The area was deserted, just as I wanted it. No eyes to pry, no interruptions. Perfect.

The lake sat silent before me, the water still, calm. The kind of calm that came before a storm.

I walked to the edge of the lake, my boots sinking slightly into the soft ground. I pulled a Pokéball from my belt, the red gleam of it catching in the sun before I flicked it into the air. A flash of light exploded from it, and with a familiar splash, Magikarp appeared in the water, flopping slightly before it steadied itself. It floated there, its wide, blank eyes staring at me, unblinking, expectant.

"Hey, buddy," I said, crouching down by the water. I reached out, brushing a hand against its slick scales. Magikarp twitched but didn't shy away. It trusted me. "Let's evolve, shall we?"

I straightened and opened the holographic display. My finger hovered over the 'Evolve' button. This was it. I didn't just want a Gyarados. I 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘥 one. In this world, strength was everything, and Magikarp's next step was a beast, a force that could crush almost anything in its path.

The display blinked once, twice, and then Magikarp began to glow. The air around us hummed with energy, crackling like electricity as the transformation took hold. The light was nearly blinding as Magikarp's body began to stretch, twist, contort. My pulse quickened as its small, weak form warped, growing larger by the second, the water swirling around it like a whirlpool.

And then, with a final burst of light, the transformation ended. Magikarp was gone, and in its place stood Gyarados. Massive, coiled, muscles rippling beneath its blue scales. It roared, the sound vibrating through the trees, shaking the very ground beneath my feet. Pidgeot squawked, feathers ruffled as he spread his wings, eyeing Gyarados warily.

"About time," I muttered, though the words felt too soft for the moment.

The lake, once tranquil, now churned violently. Gyarados' sheer size created waves that crashed against the shore. I stepped back, water splashing my shoes, but I didn't care. I couldn't stop staring at the beast towering over me, its presence undeniable, its power terrifying.

I pulled up the system screen, checking Gyarados' stats. My brow furrowed as I scanned the details. A 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 nature? I let out a disbelieving snort. "Does Gyarados even 𝘨𝘦𝘵 a careful nature?" I muttered to myself, shaking my head. Not exactly what I expected from a creature that could destroy cities with a flick of its tail.

Still, I wasn't about to complain. Careful or not, it was still a Gyarados. And I knew exactly what it needed. I quickly scrolled through the moves list. Tackle? Forget that. I loaded it up with everything—Twister, Whirlpool, Ice Fang, Hyper Beam and more. The works. The kind of power that could make me unstoppable.

"Experience more," I said, glancing up at Gyarados, my voice low. "And I'll teach you even better moves."

To my surprise, Gyarados lowered its head slightly, nodding. Carefully. Almost… too carefully. I stared at it, dumbfounded. Was this really happening? A Gyarados acting cautious?

It edged closer to shore, its massive body half-submerged in the water. I walked forward, my hand brushing against its scales. Rough, solid. A wall of raw power.

"Can you let me ride you?" I asked, my voice softer now, testing the waters. Gyarados gave a low, rumbling growl, but it nodded again, dipping its head lower. I grinned and scrambled up onto its back. The moment I was settled, Gyarados surged forward, the water splitting around us as we glided through the lake.

Pidgeot circled above, keeping pace, his keen eyes never leaving us. "I always wanted a Gyarados," I murmured, my hand resting on its head as we cut through the water, the wind whipping past us. "Ever since I came to this world."

Gyarados let out a low, almost contented growl, its massive form moving smoothly through the water. It was… oddly peaceful, despite the destruction it was capable of. But the lake was too small. It could barely stretch out its full length.

"It's a pity," I said, looking out at the horizon. "The lake isn't big enough for you. But wait till we hit the sea. That's where you'll really shine."

Gyarados nodded—again, with that strange carefulness—and I couldn't help but laugh. A careful Gyarados. Who would've thought?

We circled the lake once more before I guided him back to the shore. With a final pat on its head, I recalled Gyarados into its Pokéball, the massive form shrinking back into the tiny red and white sphere.

I turned to Pidgeot, who had landed beside me, feathers still slightly ruffled. "Let's go back to town," I said, climbing onto his back once more.

With a powerful beat of his wings, we took off, the ground falling away beneath us as we soared back into the sky. I glanced down at the lake one last time, a grin tugging at my lips. Today, I had taken another step toward becoming the strongest.