In the Pokémon Wild Prairie Protected Area, Gary walked out of the temporary office with a dejected expression.
"Even though you're Professor Oak's grandson, you still have to follow the rules. You can't just do whatever you want, understand?" Officer Jenny said while packing local specialties for him.
"Got it, got it~" Gary nodded sheepishly.
After all, Officer Jenny in the Wild Prairie was incredibly strict. While others used Growlithe, she was armed with a sniper rifle...
Once everything was sorted out, Gary finally breathed a sigh of relief; thankfully, his background was strong enough...
Otherwise, if he had taken down a precious Kangaskhan in the protected area, he might have been in serious trouble.
"Make sure to bring these specialties to Professor Oak. He needs to take care of his health," Officer Jenny said as she stuffed the goodies into Gary's backpack before whispering secretly, "Next time you want to catch a Kangaskhan, give your grandfather a heads-up first. I'll turn off the cameras, and then you can go…"
Gary thought to himself... that might not be necessary...
"Alright, get in the car. I'll take you to the Laramie tribe," she instructed before pulling out her SUV. "You can't just ride your Charizard around here."
"Okay, thank you," Gary politely replied as he took the passenger seat.
With a stomp on the accelerator, Officer Jenny took off with a roar!
Gary grabbed his seatbelt tightly as the SUV swerved back and forth. Did she come from the same driving school? Help!
Flying across the vast grasslands, Gary finally arrived at the gathering place of the Laramie tribe before reaching his grandmother's place.
It was a small pastoral town with not many inhabitants.
"Officer Jenny, why are you driving so fast? Are there poachers?" A shadow darted past their vehicle and came to a steady stop beside it.
"It's nothing; this is Professor Oak's grandson. He's here to see you, Lara. Please take care of him," Officer Jenny smiled.
"Ah… hello." Gary awkwardly waved at the dirt he had kicked up on the roadside.
"You must be Professor Oak's grandson, Scholar Gary Oak," said a girl with blue hair wrapped in a scarf as she excitedly approached him.
"That would be me…" Gary nodded.
"Welcome! I really didn't know what I would do without you," Lara said nervously as she led her Ponyta closer to him.
"I've heard from my grandfather about what happened. We shouldn't delay; let's go check out your ranch," Gary stated with a professional attitude.
"Alright, let's go." Lara turned around to thank Officer Jenny before preparing to lead Gary home.
Suddenly, a cloud of dust approached from afar as a Dodrio appeared before Gary.
After inspecting it closely, he pinched his chin. "Nice coat and strong thigh muscles; this Dodrio is quite impressive."
"Heh heh, you have good taste." A young man in a green shirt with long hair responded proudly.
"Dario, don't be so rude! This is Mr. Gary Oak, Professor Oak's grandson!" Lara quickly explained.
She was worried that her childhood friend might act foolishly; after all, despite his outstanding breeding skills, his character was quite lacking...
"Professor Oak's grandson!" The young man's eyes lit up. "Are you here to buy Pokémon? My Dodrio is fantastic! Want to take a look?"
"Sorry, I already have faster Pokémon mounts, so I won't consider your Dodrio for now," Gary shrugged his shoulders dismissively.
"Are you kidding? There's no way any Pokémon can outrun my Dodrio! You're just brushing me off!" The young man replied indignantly.
"No need for that." Gary shrugged again calmly.
If we're talking about long-distance running, then nothing beats his Arcanine, and for short bursts of speed—no Pokémon could outrun his Arcanine!
You think agility is just for show?
Even in terms of ultra-speed racing, only Mega Rayquaza or Speed Forme Deoxys could be considered top-tier competitors!
"Hmph! If that's how it is, do you dare race me? Let's see your Pokémon!" The young man immediately challenged him.
"Dario! Don't be foolish! Mr. Gary Oak is my guest!" Lara frowned and scolded him.
"Just because your little Ponyta thinks it can compete with me?" The young man scoffed. "I see this guy is just living off his grandfather's fame and has no real talent!"
Snap—A string named reason broke in Gary's mind...
"It's fine, Miss Lara." He pulled her aside and stepped up to face the young man. "Since you want to race, I have no reason to refuse. But what will happen if you lose?"
"Hmph! Me lose?" The young man sneered dismissively.
"Tsk tsk~ Here's the deal." A dangerous smile crept onto Gary's face. "If you win, I'll allow you to use Professor Oak's name to sell your Dodrio. But if you lose? Then I won't take your ranch's Dodrio, and whenever you see me from now on, you'll have to step aside and call me 'Young Master.' Got it?"
"Hahahaha! This will be free advertising for me; don't regret it!" The young man excitedly agreed while pulling on the reins of his Pokémon.
"Mr. Gary, although this guy is annoying, his skills are quite impressive…" Lara tried to advise him.
However, Gary, now provoked into battle mode by this irritating challenge, wasn't someone who could be easily dissuaded by a girl he had just met.
"Don't worry; I'm somewhat capable. Please lend me a set of reins and saddle," he said while taking out his Poké Ball containing his Arcanine with a smile.
Seeing Gary's smiling eyes made Lara suddenly feel that he was somewhat dangerous...
After receiving her saddle gear and equipping it onto Arcanine, Gary pulled on its large ears and channeled his energy. "Listen up; if we lose this race today, I'll lose face! So for our honor—run like your life depends on it!"
"Woof!" Arcanine growled lowly as flames sparked in its eyes. As one of the Pokémon with the strongest sense of honor and justice, it was fully fired up!
"What an impressive aura! This Arcanine looks extraordinary; maybe Dario should say something nice…" Lara tried once more to persuade him.
But Dario was completely oblivious to kindness. "Hmph! You just want to monopolize Professor Oak's endorsement! Dream on; my Dodrio will never lose!"
With an exasperated sigh, she thought how hard it was to help someone who wanted their own demise; if they wanted their heads handed over on a platter—so be it!
"The target is that slope over there—the ranch at your place! Whoever reaches your doorstep first wins!" The young man pointed towards a blue house under a big tree in the distance.
"I hope you run fast; I still have things to help Lara with," Gary tilted his head slightly while gently pulling on Arcanine's reins.
Removing her scarf from her head, Lara stepped between them and raised her right hand sharply. "Go!"
"Go!"
With that command given, Dodrio sprang into action instantly!
Gary, holding onto Arcanine's head tightly commanded: "Full speed ahead!"
Boom! With explosive power in its limbs, Arcanine kicked up a storm of wind as it instantly accelerated through spiraling air currents.
Swish! Feeling proud as he ran ahead—Dodrio suddenly felt an intense gust blow past him as a red figure sped by!
"Dodrio! Speed up!" Dario shouted in panic.
Dodrio frantically pumped its long legs; even at nearly 240 km/h speed—it made no difference whatsoever!
Watching that red shadow grow increasingly distant amidst the whirlwind left Dodrio feeling utterly hopeless as it lay flat against its back!
Arcanine whipped its tongue out excitedly while running faster and faster—its body gradually radiating warmth in red hues!
Accompanied by an influx of thermal energy radiating outward—Arcanine's four legs ignited with blue flames as its speed soared even higher!
"What is this—Outrage?" Gary marveled at Arcanine's transformation.
This blue dragon flame was unmistakable; both Charizard and Arcanine could use Dragon Rage—a move associated with this blue flame type!
And now Arcanine had ignited dragon flames on its body—this could only mean one thing: this Pokémon had learned other dragon-type physical enhancement moves!
The only dragon-type move capable of enhancing physical strength and unleashing powerful attacks seemed to be Outrage for Arcanine!
Thus—the reason why Arcanine was surpassing its limits could only be attributed to using Outrage!
Squeak~!! With a tail whip brake motion—Arcanine came to a steady halt right at Lara's doorstep!
Looking at Arcanine's clear eyes filled with determination—Gary wondered aloud: "Arcanine—you didn't fall into confusion."
"Woof!" Arcanine turned back and licked Gary's palm affectionately; its clingy demeanor showed no signs of confusion whatsoever.
Staring at his hand in realization—he understood: "It's because of my energy!"
Previously, Gary's abilities were limited only to sensing Pokémon emotions through "viridian power" and restoring their stamina afterward.
Now he could also cure Pokémon from abnormal states!
It seems that Gary's energy was maturing further than ever before...
"This will save me tons on healing potions~ From now on even Full Restorers will become unnecessary…" He nodded contentedly.