Chapter 627: Milotic: I Think Their Brains Might All Be Defective

Yes, my name is Magikarp.

I am the Pokémon whose entire body shines with golden light, destined to become the Dragon King in the future.

In Thunder Lake, the golden fish shadow greedously swam to its heart's content in water of unparalleled quality.

This presented the starkest contrast to its appearance when it was first caught, looking entirely at the mercy of others.

In fact, Magikarp's not-so-bright brain was now also filled with joy.

With a flick of its tail, Magikarp turned its swimming direction while blowing out a few bubbles.

Having been thrown into the lake for only the effort of a single day, it had already completely adapted to its "captive" life.

Or rather, it would be strange if it hadn't adapted.

Although the lake water did not wind and twist like a small stream in terms of length, its depth was not on the same level at all.

Even though nets in some areas were too difficult for it to squeeze through, it could only watch those farmed fish that were gradually becoming plump and drool.

But staying here was far better than the days in the wild of going hungry one meal and eating full the next.

Among them, the benefits were too numerous to count.

The clarity and cleanliness of the lake water were something Magikarp had never seen in its life; it felt as though just swimming lightly once made its body and soul feel continuously purified.

Every day—no, according to that Milotic helplessly "taking care" of itself, three meals a day were supplied here.

This also meant it no longer had to worry about the problem of going hungry.

Then there was that huge rock at the bottom of the lake; completely different from ordinary stones, as soon as one approached it, one felt a warm current of water flowing inside one's body.

Instinct told Magikarp that this damp rock held immense benefits for it, and it was best to stay close to it as much as possible.

No conflicts, no need to fight for food, an idyllic environment... the benefits were simply too many to finish counting.

Magikarp had even begun to regret; if that foolish human who caught nothing had fished it up a year ago, perhaps it would have long ago accumulated enough power to transform into a dragon!

That's right, transform into a dragon.

Magikarp had once, under a certain moonlit night, encountered a human boy.

The other party had told it thus—

As long as during the Magikarp stage, one continuously accumulates nutrition without evolving casually,

then surely one day it will be able to transform into a dragon, and moreover, the King of Dragons!

Although Magikarp's head was not very bright, it felt longing for the posture of the long-bodied swimming dragon shown in the picture the little boy displayed.

Could I too become such a handsome and powerful existence in the future?

At that time, Magikarp was undoubtedly filled with longing for this future, and then began its long journey.

Until now, it had already suppressed the impulse to evolve twice; those two times, it did not leap over the Dragon Gate at all, but merely allowed the accumulated energy to take effect.

When it was blown away by the tornado of that fierce big blocky figure, Magikarp still felt some regret that although it had experienced the feeling of leaping the Dragon Gate, the feeling of evolution had not arrived.

Otherwise, its count of endurance could have been increased by one more time.

In a place Magikarp did not notice.

Milotic soaked in the lake water that had become increasingly comfortable for it ever since Seeing Seeing Kapu arrived at the farm, its gaze following Magikarp's movements.

It wasn't that it was interested in Magikarp; after all, it wasn't particularly fond of glittering golden objects, especially not a moving Magikarp.

—This would remind it of the days in the past at the Crystal Light Pool, where it had painstakingly raised a Gyarados.

How hard those days were to endure, only Milotic itself knew.

Fortunately, later on, Magikarp evolved into Gyarados, becoming the most powerful Pokémon in the Crystal Light Pool, and life became slightly easier.

Next came the matter of it spotting Luo Mu, deliberately letting itself be caught by him, and attempting to latch onto a human to mooch food and drink.

So it truly had no fighting spirit or interest left to "raise another" Magikarp; with that free time, it would rather go find Ninetales to research together how to make moves more beautiful.

However, after all, this Magikarp was given to it by Gyarados; putting aside what intentions it had for giving its own kind to it, at least Milotic believed it should understand Magikarp's wishes.

If it preferred a freer life, it could just ask Luo Mu to release it.

Milotic had its own set of methods for communicating with the Magikarp species.

After pondering briefly, it blocked Magikarp, which was swimming chaotically at the bottom of the lake but almost never exceeded the range of that huge damp rock.

Milotic tried to inquire about the other party's intentions.

A moment later.

Without paying attention to the Gyarados that had recently and inexplicably loved gathering around it, and politely declining the cute Popplio's invitation to play with bubbles,

the speechless Milotic leaped out of the water, intending to go find Luo Mu.

At this moment, Luo Mu, who was conducting routine communication with the Delibird, was flipping through the photos it had delivered.

"Is this the Petalburg Gym in Petalburg City?"

Gazing at the characteristics of a building in the photo, Luo Mu simultaneously compared it online and quickly found the answer.

Connecting this with Ash and his group in the corner of the photo, who had become almost tiny black dots, along with the Delibird's shooting time,

Luo Mu roughly guessed that a few days ago, Ash should have already challenged the Petalburg Gym for the second time.

How did Luo Mu recognize that those four black dots were Ash and his group?

That was naturally due to the iconic signs—Pikachu standing on Ash's shoulder, and the peaked cap that served as his main body.

Calculating it, Ash's progress was indeed a bit faster than Shinji and Shizuka's; after all, they had only obtained the third Mei Hui Zhang and were preparing to go to Furo Town to challenge the Furo Gym to get the fourth.

However, in terms of time, it should still be in time, so there was no need to worry too much.

No matter what, this time the three of them did not need to take a detour to the Hoenn Battle Frontier.

Although Hearing Hearing Nimo might be somewhat directionally challenged, with the reliable Shinji there, plus the all-capable logistics provider Joy Shizuka, their progress might even surpass Ash's group of four.

"There are several cities between Petalburg City and Mossdeep City; hmm, after meeting Wallace and then going to Mossdeep City for the appointment, I probably won't bump into Ash and them and trigger the movie event."

Although Luo Mu couldn't remember clearly at which stage of their journey in the Hoenn region Ash and his group went to Mossdeep City, thinking carefully about it, it shouldn't be that coincidental.

In that case, tomorrow I can rest assured and head to the Hoenn region.

Luo Mu put down the photo, used his cracked-screen phone to send a message to Mikuri in his contacts, and attached his flight information for good measure.

As for Lavaridge Town, going there directly should be no problem; the place is full of high-tech equipment, and Dr. Londo, as one of the persons in charge, ought to be informed about anyone entering the city.

After finishing all preparations, Luo Mu gazed at the mobile phone that had accompanied him for two years, a hint of reluctance in his eyes.

By the end of this year at the latest, research related to Rotom should already be mature, and attempts at mass production should have begun.

Rotom Dex, Rotom Phone, even Drone Rotom—at least Luo Mu felt that, given his relationship with Hearing Hearing Nimo, obtaining a latest-model, unreleased Rotom Phone should be no problem.

By then, he would truly have to say goodbye to this mobile phone.

As someone relatively old-fashioned who could not bear to throw away things he had used for a long time, Luo Mu felt somewhat melancholy just thinking about it.

Just as Luo Mu was sighing alone, a message suddenly entered his mind.

It was telepathy from his Oranguru, transmitted from outside the house.

"Milotic is looking for me?"

Luo Mu blinked, his expression becoming somewhat strange.

I haven't even had time to announce it yet; how does it already know it's going with me to the Hoenn region?

Harboring a trace of doubt, Luo Mu went outdoors.

Besides his Oranguru calling out to him, Milotic was also waiting for him.

The other party seemed to have just emerged from Thunderclap Lake; there were still some water stains on its body, and clear water trails marked the path, after all, it was currently the season transitioning from winter to spring, and the temperature was not that high.

The moisture remaining on Milotic's body, under the illumination of sunlight, instead made the scales on its fish tail appear even more colorful and varied.

Merely standing there, an indescribable charm emanated from Milotic's body.

No wonder that simpleton Gyarados had been so captivated that it developed worldly desires.

It was truly beautiful.

Unlike the noble royal aura of Serperior, and different from the sacred aura of Ninetales, this was purely beauty.

Once Brionne evolves into Primarina, Luo Mu felt he could consider letting them form a group, debut as idols, start a band, or participate in Contests and the like.

"So, what exactly is the matter you need me for?"

Luo Mu did not directly jump ahead of Milotic, using a approach like "So you found out after all" to destroy Milotic's sense of accomplishment.

He did not mind his thoughts being guessed and then enthusiastically revealed in advance by the main party involved.

Unfortunately, this time Milotic was not looking for Luo Mu regarding this matter.

It had already asked his Oranguru in advance to perform "simultaneous interpretation" for it, and with a trace of imperceptible speechlessness, it began recounting its helplessness to Luo Mu.

"Mee~"

That's just how things are~

"Mee...?"

I think both of them might have something wrong with their brains; is this a common ailment of the Gyarados species...?

One could see that Milotic's helplessness was nearly overflowing.

Back at the Crystal Light Pool, although Gyarados was simple, overall it still listened to Milotic, who was still a Feebas at the time.

It naturally took on the role of "strategist" and subsequently secured a good future for both itself and Gyarados.

But how long had it been since arriving at the farm? With life free of worries, Gyarados first inexplicably brought it a fellow Magikarp that shimmered with Jin Guang.

And with a face full of eagerness, it said this was a gift for it.

Only then did Milotic realize that this fellow Gyarados did not recognize its own kind before evolution at all.

—Although Milotic itself was the same, that was not the point.

Besides Gyarados, this "Fengchu," that golden Magikarp was even more of a "Wolong."

What kind of brain would believe a little boy's wild imagination, then suppress its urge to evolve twice, its mind filled only with accumulating power and then transforming into a dragon?

Isn't your evolved form already right in front of you?

At most, it will evolve into a golden Gyarados; apart from having "dragon" in its name, what relation does it have to an actual dragon?

"."

The Oranguru performing "simultaneous interpretation" and Luo Mu, who was listening to Milotic's complaints, were also quite speechless at this moment.

How did his tiny farm deserve the honor of having both Gyarados and Magikarp, this pair of "Wolong and Fengchu," existing simultaneously...

Hadn't they seen that even the usually cold and aloof Milotic had broken its composure?

After a long silence, Luo Mu finally attempted to organize his words and carefully asked, "So, did you tell the Magikarp the truth?"

He didn't know which family's brat had fabricated a rumor similar to "raise a Caterpie to level 100 and it evolves into Rayquaza," which had actually fooled this fool of a golden Magikarp.

Now its mind was entirely filled with becoming a dragon, becoming a king, I want to become the Dragon King.

It was somewhat absurd and unethical.

In response to Luo Mu's question, Milotic merely silently turned its face away, its light-blue fin-like hair nearly slapping Luo Mu in the face.

It had advised, but for that stubborn species of golden Magikarp, what difference did advising or not advising make?

Understanding the unspoken words of Milotic, Luo Mu sighed and said helplessly, "Then let it be; the farm can still afford the feed for one Magikarp."

"Who knows, maybe in the future it can evolve into a large-sized red Gyarados for us?"

After venting its complaints, Milotic, feeling its rationality largely restored, departed satisfied.

Before it left, Luo Mu straightforwardly notified it of one thing.

—You are on the list to go to the Hoenn region.

Luo Mu also asked Milotic to inform Ninetales on the way that the set of Ninetales·Aurora Style clothing sent by Mikuri would definitely be brought along.

After Milotic departed, Luo Mu did not wander aimlessly around the farm but returned directly home together with his Oranguru.

In the spacious and bright living room.

Ignoring the Eevee sisters, Victini, Pecharunt, and Volcarona, who were still stuck together and sleeping soundly.

Luo Mu went straight to the corner of the living room, an area arranged with soft cushions.

Beside it, the Iron Valiant, meticulously dusted by a pair of mice, remained powered off, while Terapagos, the Iron Valiant's "neighbor," was still in its familiar state of withdrawal.

To be honest, Luo Mu was almost getting used to it.

Calculating the time, Terapagos had awakened on the first day of the New Year.

Half a month had passed since then.

The other party's continued lack of response was indeed frustrating, but thanks to Luo Mu's efforts, the situation was actually improving little by little.

"The food bowl is empty again."

Picking up the small turtle food bowl placed beside the withdrawn Terapagos and gazing into its empty interior, Luo Mu revealed a faint smile.

It seemed that the environment he had specially prepared for Terapagos, based on psychology books and Joy Rin's advice, which fully satisfied the three elements of "comfort, safety, and food," had effectively dispelled its anxiety.

A sense of security was crucial for alleviating Terapagos's condition, much like a kitten just arriving at a new home adapting to its new surroundings.

Luo Mu had not rashly attempted frequent contact with Terapagos, which would only exacerbate its nervousness and stress response.

Instead, he chose to provide a certain amount of space, prepared ample food, and instructed his Pokémon not to frighten Terapagos during their usual activities.

This allowed it to adjust and adapt to this new environment on its own.

When no one was around, the eaten-clean food in the bowl proved that the direction of Luo Mu's efforts was not mistaken.

Logically, before long, Terapagos, gradually emerging from its stress response, should be able to attempt contacting him and this new future world.

However, perhaps the golden Magikarp truly had brought Luo Mu a sliver of good fortune, just as the fish-selling uncle in the Kanto region had claimed.

When it sensed the approach of an aura it was gradually becoming familiar with,

this time, Terapagos did not continue acting like a shrinking turtle; instead, summoning its courage, it cautiously poked out its head.

Those bright eyes, outlined with rose-red eyeliner, suddenly collided with Luo Mu's gaze.

(End of Chapter)