Since my rebirth, surprises seem endless, as if I am experiencing things the players in my previous life completely missed.
I don't know whether that's a good thing or a bad thing.
Eddie sighed, reflecting on his recent encounters—meeting Froakie on the outskirts of Pallet Town yesterday, befriending Yellow in Viridian City, and crossing paths with Mew and Team Rocket in Viridian Forest.
He had met Ash and Gary near Pewter City, spotted several champion-level Pokémon that left him envious, then challenged the Gym, where Brock used a powerful Aerodactyl. After winning, Eddie obtained a Treecko.
And today, he had just captured a Riolu in the morning and spent hours happily training it.
He was about to head to the Pokémon Center to rest when something unexpected happened again.
On his way, he noticed a beautiful girl locked in a battle against a Staryu and a Gyarados.
The girl had vibrant orange, medium-length hair, which she had tied into a ponytail to keep it out of her face during battle.
She wore an orange tank top and denim shorts, exposing her toned abdomen and legs. She looked young and full of energy—except her current condition told a different story.
Her body was covered in cuts and bruises, and the Staryu in front of her was barely holding on.
The Gyarados, on the other hand, was completely unscathed and visibly enraged. Its white, wild eyes signaled that it had gone berserk.
A Gyarados in Mt. Moon? And it had beaten a girl to this extent? Definitely something worth investigating.
Eddie knew the girl. He didn't recognize her immediately, but after a closer look, her identity became clear.
Instinctively, he pulled out his Pokédex and scanned both Pokémon.
Name: Staryu
Type: Water
Ability: Natural Cure
Level: 32
Potential: Quasi-Elite
...
Name: Gyarados
Type: Water/Flying
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 34
Potential: Quasi-Elite
...
Eddie frowned. Why was Misty, the Cerulean City Gym Leader, using such a low-level Staryu against a Gyarados that held a clear type advantage?
Logically, as a Gym Leader, Misty's Pokémon should be much stronger. So why was she relying on a Level 32 Staryu?
"...Hmm? I think I remember this from a comic in my previous life."
"Even though I don't know why Misty is using this Staryu, I understand the situation well enough. That makes my next move simple."
Eddie watched as Gyarados unleashed a devastating Hydro Pump, leaving Staryu barely clinging to consciousness.
He didn't even have the energy to question how a Level 34 Gyarados knew Hydro Pump, a move typically learned at Level 42. Instead, he sprinted forward, ready to intervene.
"Damn, it's about to collapse..."
Misty's hand dripped with blood as she stared at Staryu, who was barely holding on. Her face was full of frustration and resentment.
Just when she thought she was about to die here, a confident voice echoed from a distance.
"Miss, you look like you need some help."
Eddie approached with Grovyle by his side, standing tall next to Misty as they faced the raging Gyarados.
Though there was an eight-level difference between his Level 26 Grovyle and the Level 34 Gyarados, Eddie wasn't worried. This Gyarados was already on the brink of exhaustion. Against a weakened opponent, Eddie was confident he could handle the battle.
Besides, he wasn't alone. Even though Staryu was barely standing, as long as it hadn't fainted, its attacks would still pack a punch.
"Roar!!!"
Gyarados turned its focus to Eddie, immediately shifting its aggression toward him. A terrifying energy swirled in its mouth as it prepared to unleash a powerful attack.
"You're a Trainer too? Be careful of Gyarados's Hydro Pump! It's an incredibly strong move. Even if your Pokémon is a Grass type, a direct hit could still take it down in one shot..."
Misty saw Eddie step in and instinctively warned him.
She didn't recognize Grovyle, but from its green body and leafy appearance, any experienced Trainer could tell it was a Grass-type Pokémon.
Even with a type advantage, it wasn't enough to close the strength gap. Gyarados was clearly stronger than Grovyle, and in battles where levels and raw power dominated, type advantages weren't always a deciding factor.
Yet, as Gyarados launched its attack, Grovyle remained perfectly still, showing no signs of dodging. It simply stood there, unfazed, as if calmly watching the Hydro Pump approach.
Hydro Pump was one of the most powerful Water-type moves, typically learned by fully evolved Pokémon or those with inherited abilities. The sheer force behind this attack was undeniable.
Gyarados gathered immense energy in its mouth, launching a high-pressure jet of water with the force of a cannonball.
Staryu, also a Water-type, had already taken heavy damage from this attack, proving just how strong both Gyarados and its Hydro Pump were.
Water-type attacks were only half as effective against Grass-types and other Water-types, but if a Level 32 Staryu was barely hanging on, then wouldn't a Level 26 Grovyle be in just as much danger?