"Boom!!"
Krabby let out a startled cry as Magikarp's Water Tail slammed into the surface, kicking up a massive wave. Struck head-on by the attack, the sheer force instantly knocked Krabby unconscious. The surrounding wild Water-type Pokémon, who had formed a circle to watch the battle, were all pushed back by the surging waves.
As the water calmed, Krabby floated there with spiraling eyes, clearly having lost its ability to fight.
"Wow, so strong!!"
"One hit KO! Doctor Ash's Magikarp is incredible!"
"Yeah! I remember when he first brought Magikarp here for training, it was pretty average. It's only been a little over a month, and now it's this strong!"
"Exactly! Krabby isn't weak among us, yet it got defeated in a single move!"
"That's true, but rather than just praising Magikarp, the truly amazing one is Doctor Ash."
"A timid and weak Magikarp could become this strong under his training… if only I could become one of his Pokémon."
"Who wouldn't want that? Doctor Ash treats his Pokémon incredibly well, has outstanding talent as a trainer, and he's also a rare psychic among humans. Of course everyone wants to follow him."
"Yeah… but didn't he say he already has quite a few Pokémon? Especially Water-types, he already has three. He's not planning to catch any more for now."
"Well, we don't have to fixate only on Doctor Ash. He's talented and accomplished at such a young age, so his friends must also be excellent. If we can't follow him, maybe he could introduce us to someone else."
"That's right! Didn't Marill get introduced by him to a really talented trainer? I heard she's the Gym Leader of Cerulean City and wants to become the world's strongest Water-type Pokémon Master!"
"Wow!! That sounds amazing!"
"Even so… I still want to follow Doctor Ash."
"Forget it. That's impossible. And even if it's one of his friends, if our talent isn't good enough, they probably won't want us anyway."
After the first battle between Magikarp and Krabby ended, the surrounding wild Pokémon burst into lively discussion. Some marveled at Magikarp's rapid growth and strength, while others couldn't hide their longing to follow Ash.
After all, Magikarp's transformation wasn't just its own doing. The biggest factor behind its strength was Ash as its trainer.
If they could become Ash's Pokémon, then perhaps they too could grow just as quickly.
But the reality was clear. Ash wasn't planning to capture new Pokémon anytime soon.
And that thought left many of them feeling a deep sense of regret.
"Valor, bring Krabby over. I'll heal it. Then we'll continue the challenges," Ash called from the shore.
"Splash!" Magikarp responded, carrying the unconscious Krabby back to Ash.
"Doctor Ash, I want to challenge Feebas!"
At that moment, a Goldeen swam into the battle zone and called out confidently.
"Alright." Ash nodded with a smile.
"System, analyze Goldeen's data."
While continuing to treat Krabby, Ash checked Goldeen's information.
[Pokémon: Goldeen]
Level: LV.15
Type: Water
Nature: Proud, jealous
Ability: Water Veil
Potential: Green
Moves:
Proficient: Peck, Horn Attack
Skilled: Tail Whip, Water Pulse
Novice: Supersonic
Goldeen resembled an ornamental goldfish Pokémon. Its body was mostly white, with red accents at the joints. It had soft pink lips, elegant fins along its sides, and a flowing, wave-like tail.
But its most striking feature was the sharp horn on its head. If angered, it could deliver powerful strikes, and that horn even carried toxins.
Although Goldeen was often called the "dancer of the water," in reality, among Water-type Pokémon, it was considered quite dangerous in both temperament and offensive capability, much like Beedrill, Ekans, or Primeape.
The Goldeen stepping forward now was already LV.15, making it evenly matched with Feebas. Perhaps it wanted to prove that it was no weaker.
To the wild Pokémon in these waters, Magikarp and Feebas were seen as "lucky ones," the chosen Pokémon of Ash.
Every time Ash brought them here to train, some Pokémon would step forward, hoping to defeat them and earn Ash's recognition.
But every time, they were defeated.
Magikarp and Feebas, both with Blue potential and as rare shiny Pokémon, already possessed extraordinary talent comparable to pseudo-legendary Pokémon. They had always been hidden gems, and under Ash's guidance, combined with the system's support, abundant resources, and their own determination, they had begun to shine.
Calling them "lucky" was, in truth, short-sighted.
And right now, they hadn't even evolved yet.
Once Magikarp became Gyarados, and Feebas evolved into Milotic, both their appearance and strength would undergo a complete transformation.
At that point, the wild Pokémon around them might no longer see them as merely lucky.
Because even if those Pokémon evolved themselves, they could never reach that same level of beauty and power.
And opportunities like this, where they could stand as equals and challenge them, would only become rarer.
Until one day, they would no longer even have the confidence or qualification to face them.
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T/N:
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