"Wooper~" "Quag~"
Poliwhirl led the Poliwags to play and communicate with the local Woopers and Quagsires.
Seeing this harmonious scene, Lucas couldn't help but smile a little.
It was still by that same small stream—not too wide or narrow, perfect for both fishing and playing in the water.
In Lucas' old world, clear water didn't necessarily mean clean water quality. In fact, water that looked crystal clear to the naked eye might contain a lot of bacteria and parasites, while water that looked a bit green could actually be very clean because the floating algae would effectively purify the water.
But in this Pokémon world, there was a special way to tell.
As long as you saw Pokémon like Wooper and Quagsire living by the water, it meant the river's water quality was excellent.
In fact, in Paldea, where Wooper and Quagsire were rare, encountering them was extremely lucky.
Leaving Poliwhirl and the others to socialize, Lucas set down what looked like an empty water bucket for fish. In reality, it was a red bucket holding expensive, specially mixed bait he'd prepared.
He skillfully began chumming the water, watching as the Magikarp gradually began to gather. Lucas' expression became conflicted, and his words lost all logic.
"I've thought about it for so long, and finally came to a conclusion: if I just feed the Magikarp until they're full, they won't get in the way of my fishing anymore!"
"If this bucket of bait isn't enough, I've got several more bags in my backpack. Today, I absolutely refuse to go home empty-handed!"
Serperior: "…"
He's done for. Lucas has officially lost it!
Serperior's proud red eyes flashed across the water's surface and saw a massive swarm of red shadows rapidly converging.
As Lucas' chumming master plan continued, Serperior's expression gradually turned to shock—not at the sheer number of Magikarp, but at the fact that they were… communicating?
Normally, Magikarp are the definition of weak and foolish—Pokémon famous for being witless and emotionless. Their sole purpose in life, besides surviving, is to leap over the Dragon Gate and pursue evolution.
Yet these Magikarp were actually talking to each other. Serperior listened closely, its face a picture of disbelief.
Magikarp A: "Brothers, that human is here again to give us a feast!"
Magikarp B: "Long time no see! I missed him!"
Magikarp C: "Today's food is especially delicious, charge!"
Magikarp D: "I called my aunts and uncles. Normally, we can only eat little fish, shrimp, and microbes, but today we finally get a real meal!"
Magikarp E: "Thank you, kind man, thank you, kind man."
Magikarp F: "All… trivial matters…"
Serperior looked toward the last Magikarp, who sounded so different from the others, and its eyes widened slightly.
This Magikarp was completely gold, standing out among the crowd of red Magikarp. Yet it seemed almost zen-like, floating motionlessly in the stream, drifting with the current, only occasionally moving its mouth to eat whatever floated in. It seemed to have no will to live at all.
If not for Serperior's sharp eyes, it wouldn't have noticed this golden Magikarp being pushed underwater by the more active ones.
Serperior remembered Lucas saying that these were called shiny Pokémon—very rare, apparently?
Serperior recalled Lucas' excitement when he talked about shinies, and wanted to alert him, but then remembered Lucas' promise never to catch a Pokémon on a whim, as catching one meant a lifetime of responsibility.
Serperior hesitated, and ultimately decided not to alert the already dazed Lucas. It simply watched as Lucas poured out all the bait from his bucket and backpack, still failing to satisfy the endless stomachs of the Magikarp.
Serperior understood: it wasn't that Magikarp had huge appetites, but that word had spread about the kind human at this stream, drawing an endless stream of Magikarp. Those who were full left, only to be replaced by new arrivals.
As for the zen-like golden Magikarp, it had long since been squeezed out by its fellows.
Only when Lucas had exhausted all his supplies and saw that the number of Magikarp hadn't diminished at all, did his composure finally collapse—
"Damn it, you're all here for a buffet, aren't you!?"
Even Lucas, slow as he was, knew he'd been taken advantage of. Being exploited was one thing, but didn't these Magikarp have any shame, inviting their whole extended families!?
He just wanted the full Magikarp to stop interfering with his fishing—was that so wrong?
Furious, Lucas turned to Serperior: "Leaf Storm, drive them all away!"
Sighing at Lucas' frazzled brain, Serperior used its vines to tie Lucas tightly up, and then released an intimidating aura at the Magikarp. In no time, the Magikarp vanished completely from the stream.
Lucas took a while to recover from his emotional outburst, staring at his empty bucket with a heavy sigh.
Maybe… he really shouldn't insist on fishing with bait and rod. Perhaps just letting Serperior clear the stream was the best way.
But, he just couldn't let it go.
He gathered himself, cleaned up the mess, and put the bait wrappers in a trash bag to avoid polluting the environment. Then he went to join Poliwhirl and the Poliwags, who were still learning from Wooper and Quagsire.
Seeing Lucas approach, Poliwhirl realized it was time. It bowed slightly to the wise, dopey-faced Quagsires in thanks, and led the three Poliwag followers quickly back to Lucas' side.
Seeing Poliwhirl return, Lucas squatted down and forced a smile: "Sorry to keep you waiting. Let's begin your evolution."
Poliwhirl's gaze turned solemn, and the three Poliwags held their breath, watching their leader with anticipation.
Lucas produced the King's Rock and handed it to Poliwhirl, instructing, "When you're ready, place this on your head. The light of evolution will envelop you, and you'll reach your final form."
Poliwhirl carefully took the King's Rock and nodded seriously.
Lucas watched intently as Poliwhirl fell into thought. Normally, Poliwhirl needs to be traded while holding the King's Rock to evolve.
He didn't know the exact science, but his research confirmed one thing.
Here, as long as Poliwhirl has the makings of a king, and its heart is free of confusion, fully aware of the responsibilities it will soon bear, possessing a king's heart—
That is the day it dons the crown and claims its destiny.
Trading is just a guaranteed method. That's how wild Politoed exist.
Long ago, before humans had technology, wild Politoed evolved in this very way.
That's also why a Politoed can lead its kin—Poliwag, Poliwhirl, and even Poliwrath, all follow its command.