In the distance, the waterspouts over the ocean gradually took shape, their mournful, wailing winds carrying across the water. The beachgoers fell into stunned silence, gaping at the brewing storm.
The ocean's waves surged violently, sweeping anglers off their yachts and into the water, while surfers were pummeled beneath the raging surface. Faint cries for help could be heard beneath the roaring sea.
These desperate shouts finally snapped the crowd out of their daze. Someone yelled, "Quick, save them!" and trainers with Pokémon immediately released Grass- and Water-types, using vines or sending their aquatic Pokémon straight into the water to rescue the drowning.
In such turbulent waves, even Flying-type Pokémon risked being dragged under if they flew too close to the surface—a death sentence for any airborne creature. When some civilians tried sending their pet Flying-types to help, experienced trainers stopped them just in time, preventing further tragedy.
But the waves were too powerful. Even moderately strong Water-types struggled to swim through the chaos. Those on the shore slowly backed away, their eyes fixed anxiously on the sea.
"What's going on? Why is there such a violent storm at Fuchsia Beach? This kind of weather should've been predicted!"
"This... doesn't seem natural. Look at those six waterspouts. How could so many form naturally, especially this close to shore?"
"Are you saying... this is a Pokémon's doing?"
"Judging by the scale, this has to be the Dragon-type move Twister. But for it to be this powerful, either there's an incredibly strong trainer battling out at sea, or..."
"Or a powerful wild Pokémon has appeared!"
The two trainers exchanged uneasy glances. If this was the work of a trained Pokémon, then as long as its trainer wasn't a maniac, they wouldn't attack the crowded beach. But if it was wild? It wouldn't hesitate.
And given the sheer force of this Twister, whether the Pokémon was wild or trained, this was beyond what ordinary trainers could handle. There was no one on this beach capable of facing it.
Nearby, Sapphire overheard the trainers' conversation. Her ears twitched, and she frantically scanned the crowd for her father.
But with the sudden weather shift, people were now packed together in chaos. Small and young, Sapphire could barely see past the wall of adults blocking her view, her panic growing.
"LOOK OUT!!"
A scream tore through the air as a monstrous wave—over ten meters high—surged toward the shore. The yachts, tiny against the ocean's fury, capsized instantly, swallowed by the depths.
The crowd shrieked, but there was no time to run—no space to move. The wave crashed onto the sand, sweeping people off their feet. Some unlucky souls were dragged back into the sea by the retreating water, prompting trainers to finally react, commanding their Pokémon to grab the victims. Children wailed, adults shouted curses—the beach descended into bedlam.
Sapphire stood frozen in terror. She remembered her father's words—stay here—but this place was growing more dangerous by the second. The last wave had struck less than ten meters away. If the next one was stronger, it would yank her tiny body straight into the ocean.
She could swim, but in these conditions, that skill would only hasten her doom. This was beyond human endurance.
"Someone call the Fuchsia Gym Leader!"
"The Fuchsia Gym Leader, Koga, left ages ago—he's not even in the city!"
"Then anyone who knows local trainers, go find them! Get the League to send rescue! A disaster of this scale has to be caused by a Pokémon—and it's going to show itself soon!"
Amid the chaos, the more level-headed barked orders, trying to organize the panicked crowd. But when people heard that a terrifying Pokémon might appear, the stampede worsened, everyone scrambling to flee the beach.
Such was the power of Pokémon. Even non-Legendaries, if strong enough, could send masses into panic and leave trainers helpless.
In this world, the greatest danger was never natural disasters—it was the devastating moves of Pokémon.
"Slow down! Don't push—watch out for trampling!"
The trainers present knew they stood no chance against this unseen threat, but they still stepped up, directing the evacuation.
Then—
"LOOK! WHAT IS THAT?!"
A bloodcurdling shout made the crowd turn toward the sea.
At the center of the six towering waterspouts, a monstrous figure—nearly ten meters long—emerged from the depths.
"Oh my god... It's a Gyarados!! And a wild one at that, with this kind of power... This must be the leader of a deep-sea Gyarados pack. Why is it here?!"
A trainer's horrified mutter confirmed the Pokémon's identity.
Gyarados were notoriously vicious. Knowing this storm was its doing, anyone with Pokémon knowledge understood—this wouldn't end peacefully. It would attack.
"ROOOOOAR—!!!"
True to its nature, the Gyarados let out an earth-shaking bellow, its Intimidate ability making distant onlookers shudder. Its savage gaze locked onto the shore—revealing that one of its eyes was missing, long since lost to battle.
"RUN!!!"
The crowd screamed, scattering in terror.
But the Gyarados was already moving, riding the waves toward land, six whirlwinds swirling around it like some ancient sea demon.
Sapphire stood rooted in place, trembling as the beast drew closer, the tidal wave looming over her.
She wanted to run—but her legs refused. The Gyarados's Intimidate had paralyzed her with fear.
The monster hauled itself onto the sand, its maw gaping wide. Its single eye fixed on the motionless girl—as if her stillness insulted its dominance. With another roar, it lunged, fangs glinting.
"SAPPHIRE!!!"
A man in his thirties—fighting against the fleeing crowd—screamed in despair, tears streaming as he reached for a Poké Ball. But he knew it was too late.
Then—
"Hmph. Rare to see a Gyarados of this caliber in a place like this. Dragonair, Dragon Rage!"
A man's voice cut through the air—to Professor Birch, it sounded like salvation itself.
A moment later, a blazing light—like fire, yet devoid of heat, filled only with draconic fury—streaked down from the sky.
To be continued…
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