Rapidash

Rapidash (ギャロップ, Gyaroppu, Gallop in original Japanese language versions) are one of the 493 fictional species of Pokémon creatures from the multi-billion-dollar Pokémon media franchise – a collection of video games, anime, manga, books, trading cards and other media created by Satoshi Tajiri. The purpose of Rapidash in the games, anime and manga, as with all other Pokémon, is to battle both wild Pokémon, untamed creatures encountered while the player passes through various environments, and tamed Pokémon owned by Pokémon trainers.

The name "Rapidash" is a portmanteau of the words rapid and dash, both references to its high speed.

Characteristics
Rapidash resembles very much a real horse or a unicorn like figure. Rapidash's head, lower back, and ankles are covered with orange-red fire, which streams out to form an impression of a mane and tail. In the Pokémon universe, Rapidash are usually seen in fields and plains racing against members of their herd. In its natural environment, a Rapidash canters around casually, not in a particularly high speed. However, competition is deeply ingrained in a Rapidash's demeanor, especially if it relates to speed. If a Rapidash sees something that is currently moving faster than itself, such as a vehicle, it will try earnestly to outrun it. In such a state, the fire burning on Rapidash blazes at full power as it accelerates to speeds approaching 150 miles per hour in less than ten strides. At full gallop, its speed is such that its hooves scarcely touch the ground. Rapidash's hooves are harder than diamonds, like its pre-evolutionary form, Ponyta.

The hair on a Rapidash, much like its pre-evolution Ponyta, is extremely hot and induces painful burns if someone touches it. If the person earns a Rapidash's trust, they will be allowed to touch the hair without getting a burn. They can even touch the mane, which is actually made of intense flames.

Unlike most Pokémon, Rapidash (As well as Ponyta) do not say their name. They, along with others such as Arcanine and Tauros, make natural sounds or sounds that reflect the noises or whines made by their real-life counterparts. Rapidash's voice is a whinny, like a real horse.

Appearance
Rapidash can be evolved by raising Ponyta to level 40, but they can also be found in the wild. In Pokémon Gold, Silver and Crystal, at Mount Silver and in Route 28. In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, they can be found in Kindle Road and outside Mt. Ember, though they are very rare in LeafGreen. In Pokémon XD, one can be seen and snagged in Citadark Isle.

Its attack and speed are both very high. Unfortunately, Rapidash is Fire type and mostly learns Fire-type attacks, limiting the opportunity to use one to the best of its ability, unless one is playing Diamond and Pearl as attacks are then divided as "Physical/Special" by the attack itself and not the type, Rapidash's ability to use Fire-type attacks increases as opposed to earlier games. Other than the Chimchar evolution line, Ponyta and Rapidash are the only fire types in the Sinnoh region Pokédex (at least until unlocking the National Dex). Rapidash also gains three more attacks in Diamond and Pearl: Poison Jab and Megahorn, both reflecting the use of the horn on its head, and Flare Blitz. It also regains the ability to learn Horn Drill from Red and Blue if bred with a Pokémon knowing this move. For some reason, it also learns the move Hypnosis, a move that puts the opponent to sleep, by breeding.

Rapidash are also found in the Nintendo 64 game Pokémon Snap in the Volcano Course. They will charge past the player’s vehicle at the very start, but if hit with Pokémon Food or Pester Balls, they will rear up and a quality photograph can be taken.

Anime
In episode #33 (The Flame Pokémon-athon), a Ponyta Ash was riding in a race evolved into a Rapidash just in time to win, and won by an inch after running at 100/mph. It was shown in this episode that a Rapidash can actively choose not to burn a human rider, if it trusts the trainer. Episode #62 (It's Mr. Mime Time) shows Rapidash briefly as a Pokémon in the circus. In episode #65 (Holiday Hi-Jynx), we learn that Santa Claus uses Rapidash to pull his sleigh instead of the reindeers used in our world's tradition (with the advent of new Pokémon, this job was reassigned to the more reindeer-like Stantler). Rapidash also appeared in the movies Mewtwo Strikes Back and Mewtwo Returns. In Mewtwo Strikes back one of the three trainers that had made it to New Island had one. After that Rapidash was cloned, and the same clone Rapidash appeared in Mewtwo Returns. Rapidash had a cameo in the episode "Johto Photo Finish" where it was seen taking out a Rhydon, it would also seem that it was the Pokémon that won the trainer the Silver Cup. It has also been seen in several episodes of Pokémon Chronicles pulling wagons, like a real horse.

Manga
Blaine is seen with a Rapidash as his steed in Pokémon Special. He rides Rapidash into Mewtwo's Psywave in an attempt to finish the Genetic Pokémon off. To protect Red, Blaine's Rapidash creates a fireball wall around the Trainer to shield him from the impending blast.

Trading Card game
The Pokémon Trading Card Game is a collectible card game similar in goal to a Pokémon battle in the video game series; players must use cards (with individual strengths and weaknesses) in an attempt to defeat their opponent by "knocking out" all of his cards. The game was first published in North America by Wizards of the Coast in 1999, until Nintendo USA started publishing the series in 2003.

Most Rapidash cards are typical, Stage-1 Pokémon cards. Rapidash appear in the Jungle, Team Rocket, Gym Challenge (as Blaine's Rapidash), Expedition, Aquapolis, and EX FireRed and LeafGreen sets.