The free clinic had been operating for quite a long time now.
Among the wild Pokémon living nearby, aside from gratitude and appreciation toward Ash, there was also a deep fondness for him.
They knew he was a gentle, kind human—someone who treated his Pokémon exceptionally well, and who was outstanding in his own right. Because of that, many wild Pokémon hoped to become Ash's partners.
However, Ash already had quite a few Pokémon under his command, and for the time being, he had no intention of capturing new ones.
Moreover, even though he possessed a psychic ability that could enhance Pokémon potential, the question remained: if he could capture Pokémon with high innate talent, why should he settle for those with mediocre aptitude?
After all, improving talent and potential through psychic power required a long period of accumulation before true qualitative change could occur. Unless a Pokémon possessed truly exceptional character and temperament—or was of an extremely rare species—Ash generally wouldn't consider capturing one with ordinary potential.
"Marill~..."
Just as Ash finished speaking, a particularly adorable Pokémon volunteered itself and swam forward.
"Marill, do you want to challenge Valor or Lumina?" Ash asked, looking at the small blue Pokémon.
He remembered this Marill very clearly. Whether injured or not, it came to the Stone Bridge clinic every single day. Sometimes, just to attract Ash's attention, it would even deliberately injure itself before showing up, battered and bruised.
Ash could tell that Marill liked him a lot.
But Ash already had many Water-type Pokémon—among his six current partners, the majority were Water-types.
So for now, he had no intention of capturing another Pokémon, especially another Water-type—
even though this Marill had already reached his minimum requirement in terms of potential.
Pokémon: Marill
Level: LV.7
Type: Water / Fairy
Nature: Straightforward
Ability: Huge Power (Hidden Ability: Sap Sipper)
Potential: Red- (Elite)
Moves (Copyable):
Mastered: CharmSkilled: Tackle, Water Gun, Bubble BeamNovice: Defense Curl, Rollout, Tail Whip, Helping Hand
Red potential, dual abilities, and its primary ability was Huge Power—this Marill clearly had the potential to become a terrifying powerhouse.
But for Ash at this stage, it was a classic case of nice to have, but not necessary. In short, he didn't feel a strong urge to capture it.
"Marill~… I want to challenge Feebas!!"
On the surface of the sea, Marill stretched out its short little arm and pointed straight at Lumina.
When Lumina had first joined Ash, she'd been extremely ugly—paired with a timid, self-deprecating demeanor, she perfectly embodied the name Feebas.
Back then, when Ash introduced Feebas to the surrounding wild Water-type Pokémon, Marill had felt nothing but disdain and anger. How could such an ugly Pokémon be worthy of becoming Ash's partner?
Yet under Ash's meticulous care, in just one or two short weeks, Feebas had transformed completely.
Through careful grooming and cosmetic touches, combined with Ash's encouragement and the support of her companions, Feebas gradually shed her inferiority complex and became confident.
Now, with scales shimmering like amethyst, fins sparkling with crystalline light, mysterious and noble eye shadow, and soft pink lips full of girlish charm—
Marill made no effort to hide its envy… or even its jealousy.
"Then—battle start!!"
Standing on the shore, Ash announced the match like a referee.
"Marill… Feebas, today I'll prove to Ash that you're not worthy of being his Pokémon. I'm the one who's better suited to follow such a gentle and kind person!"
Marill shouted fiercely at Feebas.
"Gurgle… I'm not worthy? And you think you are?"
Lumina lifted her head proudly, her voice calm and aloof. "Then let me see what you've got."
Marill's jealousy was something Feebas had noticed from the very first day she joined Ash. So when Marill was the first to step forward and challenge her, Feebas wasn't surprised at all.
But when Marill declared that Feebas didn't deserve to be Ash's Pokémon, Feebas didn't get angry.
Instead, she thought quietly to herself:
No Pokémon truly deserves Ash…
Not even me. I'm just doing my best to become worthy of standing beside him.
But you—a commoner—claiming you're more suitable than me?
That's laughable.
"Marill!!"
After their brief verbal clash, Marill wasted no time and launched the first attack.
Opening her mouth, she fired a Bubble Beam straight toward Feebas!
"Lumina, you and Valor have watched Spearow and the others battle plenty of times lately. For today's fight, I won't command you—just fight freely."
Ash spoke calmly from the shore.
"Gurgle… got it, Ash."
Feebas nodded lightly. As Bubble Beam rushed toward her, she dove straight into the sea without hesitation, evading the attack.
Pop-pop-pop!
The Bubble Beam exploded harmlessly against the water's surface, sending sprays of foam flying.
Whoosh—!
Feebas resurfaced almost immediately. Her shimmering gray-blue fins sliced through the waves as she circled Marill at high speed.
Marill showed no mercy either—Water Gun, Bubble Beam, one after another, she bombarded Feebas with attacks.
Splash—!
Whoosh—!
Marill stayed in place, spinning her body repeatedly to track Feebas and fire.
But hitting Feebas was far easier said than done.
Even though Ash hadn't given Feebas any special speed training, her base Speed of 80 was nearly double that of Marill.
Feebas weaved and darted effortlessly through the water. After several minutes of nonstop attacks, Marill finally stopped, panting heavily.
"Marill~! What kind of battle is this—just dodging nonstop? Face me head-on if you've got guts!"
"Gurgle~… as you wish."
Feebas halted her rapid movement. Looking at the exhausted Marill, the corner of her mouth curved into a beautiful smile.
Pshh—!
Feebas opened her mouth and fired a Water Gun that skimmed low across the sea's surface, shooting straight toward Marill.
If Marill's Water Gun was like a high-pressure hose…
Then Feebas's was a liquid bullet fired from a Barrett sniper rifle.
Marill had barely registered Feebas "pulling the trigger" before the Water Gun slammed into her body.
Bang!
"Marill!!"
Struck head-on, Marill let out a pained cry. Her body flipped backward on the sea's surface, skidding three to four meters like a stone skipping across water before finally stopping.
The estuary fell momentarily silent.
--------------
T/N:
Access Advance Chapters on my
P@treon: [email protected]/PokePals