Yes, my name is Magikarp. I am the golden, sparkling Magikarp destined to become the Dragon King in the future.
In Thunder Lake, a golden fish shadow greedily swam to its heart's content in the pristine lake water. This was a stark contrast to the helpless, at-the-mercy-of-others appearance it had when it was first caught.
Even Magikarp's not-so-bright brain was currently filled with joy. With a flick of its tail, it turned its swimming direction and spat out a few bubbles.
It had only been thrown into the lake for a single day, yet it had already fully adapted to this "captive" life. Actually, it would have been strange if it hadn't adapted.
Although the lake wasn't as long and winding as a stream, its depth was on a completely different level. Nets blocked some areas that Magikarp couldn't squeeze through, forcing it to drool while watching the gradually fattening farmed fish. Still, staying here was far better than the wild days of starving one meal and stuffing the next. The benefits were simply too many to count.
The clarity and cleanliness of the lake water were unprecedented in Magikarp's life. It felt as if just swimming gently would continuously purify both its body and soul.
Every day—no, according to the helpless Milotic that was "taking care" of it—meals were provided three times a day. This meant it no longer had to worry about going hungry.
There was also that huge rock at the bottom of the lake, completely different from ordinary stones. Whenever Magikarp got close, it felt a warm current flowing inside its body. Instinct told it that this moist rock was enormously beneficial and that it should stay near it as much as possible.
No conflicts, no need to fight for food, a peaceful environment… the advantages were endless.
Magikarp had even begun to regret that if that stupid human from the Air Force had caught it a year earlier, it might have already accumulated enough power to transform into a dragon!
Yes, transform into a dragon.
Magikarp had once met a human boy on a moonlit night. The boy had told it: "As long as you continue to steadily accumulate nutrients during your Magikarp stage and don't evolve casually, one day you will definitely transform into a dragon—and not just any dragon, but the King of Dragons!"
Although Magikarp's brain wasn't very sharp, it had felt a strong yearning for the tall, graceful swimming dragon depicted in the picture the boy showed. Could it really become such a handsome and powerful being in the future?
At that time, Magikarp had undoubtedly yearned for that future and begun its long journey. Up until now, it had already suppressed the urge to evolve twice. Those two times it hadn't even leaped the Dragon Gate; the accumulated energy had simply taken effect on its own.
When it was blown away by that ferocious big guy's whirlwind, Magikarp had felt a bit regretful. It had clearly experienced the feeling of leaping the Dragon Gate, yet the evolution never came. Otherwise, it could have added one more count to its endurance record.
In a place Magikarp hadn't noticed, Milotic soaked in the lake water that had felt increasingly comfortable ever since Tapu Fini arrived at the farm. Its gaze followed Magikarp's movements.
It wasn't that Milotic was particularly interested in Magikarp. After all, it didn't especially like shiny golden objects—especially not a living, moving one. It reminded Milotic of the difficult days back in Crystal Pool, when it had painstakingly raised that Gyarados. Only Milotic itself knew how tough those days had been.
Fortunately, after Magikarp evolved into Gyarados and became the strongest Pokémon in Crystal Pool, life had become somewhat easier. Then came the time when Milotic had taken a fancy to Lucas, deliberately let itself be hooked, and tried to leech off the human for food and shelter.
So it really had no motivation or interest in "raising another" Magikarp. If it had the free time, it would rather research with Ninetales how to make moves even more beautiful.
However, since this Magikarp had been given to it by Gyarados, regardless of what Gyarados's intentions were in gifting a member of its own kind, Milotic felt it should at least understand the Magikarp's wishes. If it preferred a freer life, Milotic could simply ask Lucas to release it.
Milotic had its own way of communicating with the Magikarp species.
After a moment of thought, it blocked the Magikarp that was swimming chaotically at the lake bottom—yet almost never leaving the vicinity of that huge moist rock—and tried asking about its intentions.
A moment later.
Ignoring the Gyarados that had been inexplicably sticking close to it lately, and politely declining the cute Popplio's invitation to play with bubbles, the speechless Milotic leaped out of the water, intending to find Lucas.
At this moment, Lucas was flipping through the photos delivered by the Delibird while having his usual exchange with it.
"Is this the Petalburg Gym in Petalburg City?"
Noting the architectural features of a building in the photo, Lucas quickly found the answer by comparing it online. Combined with the tiny black dots in the corner of the photo that were Ash and his group, as well as the timestamp of Delibird's shot, Lucas roughly guessed that a few days ago, Ash should have challenged the Petalburg Gym for the second time.
How did Lucas recognize those four black dots as Ash's group? Naturally, it was thanks to the iconic trademarks—the Pikachu standing on Ash's shoulder and the signature cap.
By calculation, Ash's progress was indeed a bit faster than Paul and Shizuka's. After all, they had only obtained their third badge and were preparing to head to Lavaridge Town to challenge the Lavaridge Gym for the fourth. Still, there should be enough time, so there was no need to worry too much.
No matter what, this time the three of them wouldn't have to take a detour to the Battle Frontier in Hoenn. Although Nemona might be a bit directionally challenged, with the reliable Paul around, plus the all-round logistics expert Joy Shizuka, their progress might even overtake Ash's group of four.
"Petalburg City is separated from Larousse City by several cities. Hmm, after meeting Wallace, going to Larousse City for the appointment probably won't result in running into Ash and triggering a movie event."
Although Lucas couldn't quite remember exactly which stage of their Hoenn journey Ash's group visited Larousse City, upon careful thought, it probably wouldn't be that coincidental. In that case, he could head to the Hoenn region with peace of mind tomorrow.
Lucas put down the photos and sent a message to Wallace in his contacts using his cracked-screen phone, attaching his flight information.
As for Larousse City, going directly should be fine. The place was full of high-tech, and as one of the people in charge, Professor Lund should be able to learn about incoming personnel.
After finishing all preparations, Lucas looked at the phone that had accompanied him for two years with a trace of reluctance in his eyes.
By the end of this year at the latest, research related to Rotom should have matured and begun trial mass production. Rotom Pokédex, Rotom Phone, and even aerial Rotom… At least with his relationship with Nemona, Lucas felt it shouldn't be a problem to get hold of the latest unreleased Rotom Phone. At that time, he would really have to say goodbye to this phone.
As someone rather old-fashioned who hated throwing away things he had used for a long time, Lucas felt a bit melancholic just thinking about it.
While Lucas was sighing alone, a voice suddenly entered his mind. It was the telepathy from Oranguru, coming from outside the house.
"Milotic is looking for me?"
Lucas blinked, his expression turning a bit strange. I haven't even announced it yet, and it already knows I'm taking it to the Hoenn region with me?
Harboring a trace of doubt, Lucas went outside.
Besides the Oranguru that had called him, Milotic was also waiting. It seemed to have just come out of Thunder Lake; there were still some water droplets on its body and clear wet trails on the ground. After all, it was still the transition from winter to spring, and the temperature wasn't that high.
The remaining moisture on Milotic's body, under the sunlight, made its fish-tail scales shimmer with even more colorful brilliance. Just by being there, an indescribable charm radiated from Milotic.
No wonder even that silly Gyarados had been captivated and developed worldly desires. It really was beautiful.
Different from Serperior's noble royal aura and Ninetales's sacred presence, it was simply pure beauty. Once Popplio evolved into Primarina, Lucas felt he could consider forming them into a group to debut as idols, start a band, or participate in contests.
"So, what exactly do you need me for?"
Lucas did not preemptively say something like "So you found out after all" to rob Milotic of its sense of achievement. He didn't mind his thoughts being guessed and then excitedly revealed in advance by the person in question.
Unfortunately, this time Milotic had not come to find him for that matter. It had already asked Oranguru to provide simultaneous interpretation. With a trace of barely noticeable speechlessness, it recounted its helplessness to Lucas.
"Mii That's how it is"
"Mii…?" I think both of them might have some issues with their brains. Is this a common ailment of the Gyarados species…?
One could see that Milotic's helplessness was practically overflowing.
Back in Crystal Pool, although Gyarados had been silly, overall it had still listened to Milotic. It had naturally taken on the role of "strategist" and later directly secured a good future for itself and Gyarados.
But how long had it been since they came to the farm? The now worry-free Gyarados had first inexplicably brought it a shiny golden Magikarp of the same kind. And with a diligent face, it said this was a gift for it.
Only then did Milotic realize that Gyarados didn't recognize its own unevolved kin at all. —Although Milotic itself was the same, that wasn't the point.
Besides Gyarados the phoenix chick, that golden Magikarp was even more of a crouching dragon. What kind of brain would believe a human's wild imagination, suppress its evolution urge twice, and fill its head with nothing but accumulating power to transform into a dragon?
Isn't your evolved form already right in front of you? At most you'd evolve into a golden Gyarados. Other than the word "dragon" in the name, where exactly does it relate to a dragon?
"…"
Oranguru, who was providing simultaneous interpretation, and Lucas, who was listening to Milotic's complaints, were both quite speechless at this moment.
What kind of tiny farm was worthy of simultaneously housing a Gyarados and Magikarp as the crouching dragon and phoenix chick pair…? Couldn't they see that the usually aloof Milotic had completely broken down?
After a long silence, Lucas finally tried to organize his words and asked carefully, "So did you tell the Magikarp the truth?"
Who knew which little brat had made up a rumor like "a Caterpie that grinds to level 100 can evolve into Rayquaza," and actually fooled this silly golden Magikarp. Now its head was full of becoming a dragon, becoming a king, I want to become the Dragon King.
It was somewhat ridiculous and a bit immoral.
To Lucas's question, Milotic simply turned its face away silently, its light-blue fin-like hair nearly slapping Lucas in the face. It had tried to persuade it, but for that stubborn golden Magikarp, what difference did persuading or not persuading make?
Understanding the unspoken meaning in Milotic's response, Lucas sighed and said helplessly, "Then just let it be. The farm can still afford the feed for one Magikarp. Who knows, maybe in the future it can evolve into a giant red Gyarados for us?"
After venting, Milotic, whose rationality had recovered considerably, left satisfied.
Before it left, Lucas simply informed it: Your name is on the list for the trip to the Hoenn region. He also asked Milotic to tell Ninetales on the way that the Aurora-style Ninetales outfit sent by Wallace definitely needed to be brought along.
After Milotic left, Lucas did not wander around the farm. Instead, he returned home directly with Oranguru.
In the bright and spacious living room, ignoring the Eevee sisters, Victini, Ogerpon, and Larvesta who were still huddled together sleeping soundly, Lucas went straight to a corner where a soft cushion had been arranged.
Nearby, the Iron Valiant pair that had diligently swept away all the dust remained in shutdown mode, while Terapagos, Iron Valiant's "neighbor," was still in its familiar withdrawn state.
To be honest, Lucas had almost gotten used to it.
Calculating the time, Terapagos had woken up on the first day of the new year. Half a month had already passed since then. It was indeed frustrating that the other party had shown no reaction, but under Lucas's efforts, the situation was actually improving little by little.
"The food bowl is empty again."
Picking up the small turtle food bowl placed next to the withdrawn Terapagos and looking at the empty interior, Lucas revealed a smile.
It seemed that the environment he had specially prepared for Terapagos—based on psychology books and Joy Rin's suggestions, with ample "comfort, safety, and food" elements—had effectively alleviated its unease. A sense of security was very important for easing Terapagos's condition, just like a newly arrived kitten adapting to a new home.
Lucas had not rashly contacted Terapagos frequently to avoid increasing its tension and stress response. Instead, he had given it some space, prepared plenty of food, and instructed the Pokémon not to scare Terapagos during their daily activities. He let it adjust and adapt to the new environment on its own.
When no one was around, the food that had been completely eaten from the bowl proved that Lucas's direction of effort was not wrong.
Logically, before long, once Terapagos gradually emerged from its stress state, it should be able to try contacting him and this new future world.
However, perhaps the golden Magikarp really had brought him a bit of good luck, just as the fish-selling uncle from Kanto had said.
When it sensed the increasingly familiar aura approaching, this time Terapagos did not continue to act like a turtle hiding in its shell. Instead, it boldly and cautiously poked its head out. Those bright eyes outlined with rose-red eyeliner suddenly met Lucas's gaze.
…