Chapter 25: Feebas

Although Ethan had agreed to meet Feebas this afternoon, he decided to head out in the morning right after preparing lunch. The Spirit Sanctuary was still a ways into the reserve from the scenic area's entrance. Plus, as someone pursuing a relationship, arriving early was a gesture of respect.

Once again, Ethan rode in the same luxurious sedan as yesterday, arriving at Miranda Mountain just before noon.

The Pear Harvest Festival had just ended, and the area was noticeably quieter than it was yesterday. Ethan, with his Eevee in tow, made his way back into the forest leading to the Wild Pokémon Reserve.

This time, his goal was clear, so he and Eevee didn't linger along the way.

But because of Ethan's mobility issues, he had to summon his Arcanine to carry him.

While Arcanine's size allowed Ethan to ride, it was far from comfortable.

The bumpy journey almost made Ethan lose his brunch.

But if Ethan felt uncomfortable, Arcanine felt even worse. Carrying a 100-pound load on its back made the laid-back Pokémon extremely unhappy.

In a way, Ethan's decision to ride Arcanine was both a practical move and an act of revenge, as Arcanine had caused him plenty of headaches in the past.

After several stops and starts, they finally arrived at the spot where they had battled Primeape yesterday, a little after two in the afternoon.

However, the time was much earlier than it had been near sunset yesterday. With nothing to do but wait, Ethan sat by the creek, waiting for his scheduled meeting with Feebas.

Until Feebas was captured, he had no intention of exploring elsewhere.

As Ethan remained still, Eevee didn't dare wander off to search for treasures. Though Eevee was confident in her ability to navigate this novice fishing ground, Ethan didn't share her enthusiasm.

Ethan couldn't trust Arcanine to protect him either, as the Pokémon's carefree nature worried him.

So, the trio stayed near the creek, waiting.

Arcanine had a playful personality, turning everything into a game, especially in the lively wilderness.

At one moment, it startled a Caterpie in the bushes. In another, it poked at a Beedrill hive, only to gleefully outrun the swarm chasing it.

When tired, it jumped into the creek to splash around, showing none of the typical Fire Pokémon aversion to water.

Fearing that Arcanine might scare off Feebas, Ethan quickly called it back. Then, he grabbed a long, thin willow branch and improvised it into a fishing rod, staging a reenactment of the legendary angler's patient wait.

Eevee lay beside Ethan, enjoying the rare moment of quiet.

Time seemed to pass leisurely. Suddenly, the makeshift rod twitched. Ethan's face lit up. The only creature likely to bite on a hookless, baitless fishing rod had to be the Feebas he had an agreement with, right?

Excitedly, he yanked the rod, flinging its catch into the air—only to have a Magikarp land at his feet.

The fish stared at Ethan with its signature lifeless eyes, flopping weakly on the ground.

Ethan's enthusiasm instantly plummeted. Picking up the Magikarp by its whiskers, he tossed it back into the water with a warning: "Stop biting my rod, okay?"

It wasn't that Ethan disliked Magikarp—Gyarados was a strong Pokémon with a wild beauty to it.

But Ethan was a hopeless romantic. His second Pokémon absolutely had to be Feebas!

Resolving to stick to his plan, Ethan sat back down, waiting patiently for the Pokémon he believed was destined for him.

As the hours crept closer to dusk and the appointed time neared, the fishing rod didn't twitch again.

Ethan's spirits sank, and the somber mood even affected the usually playful Arcanine.

Sensing Ethan's disappointment, Arcanine nudged him gently.

"Arf! (Don't be sad! I'll have a pup someday and give it to you!)"

Eevee shot Arcanine a sidelong glance. "Eevee! (If your pup inherits your personality, Ethan might have a heart attack!)"

Arcanine barked indignantly. "Arf! (What's wrong with my personality? I bring so much joy!)"

Eevee smirked. "Eevee! (Oh, sure, so much joy it'll kill him!)"

Ethan was too preoccupied to analyze their bickering. He simply stared at the clear creek, unwilling to give up hope that his wish would come true.

What he didn't know was that Feebas had been hiding among a patch of lush water plants much earlier than Ethan had arrived. From its concealed spot, Feebas had been watching the outside world through the gaps in the foliage.

It had seen Ethan's arrival countless times, and every time it wanted to swim out and bite the fishing rod prepared for it, something held it back.

Why hesitate?

Feebas asked itself this question repeatedly.

Was Ethan not good enough?

Of course not. Feebas could tell from Ethan's care for his Pokémon and his attitude toward wild ones that he was a kind-hearted Trainer, worthy of any Pokémon's trust.

The answer was obvious. Feebas didn't think Ethan wasn't good enough; it thought it wasn't good enough.

Compared to Eevee, Feebas wasn't cute, wasn't strong, and even its abilities were unremarkable. It didn't want to be a burden.

Feebas stared at the willow branch swaying with the current, overcome by pessimism.

The sky darkened, to the point where Feebas could barely see Ethan's face on the shore. But it could hear his soft sighs.

Suddenly, the branch moved, floating away with the current as if abandoned.

Is he leaving?

Feebas felt an unfamiliar pang of sadness. Yet, when it had been bullied by other Pokémon, it had never felt this way.

Feebas couldn't understand itself anymore, but one thing became clear—it regretted its hesitation.

Why couldn't I have been braver earlier?

Feebas bubbled nervously, a habit it had whenever its emotions ran high, whether from happiness or sadness.

Though, happiness was a rarity.

But there's no medicine for regret in this world, is there?

Feebas stared blankly.

"I don't know if you're there, Feebas," Ethan's voice suddenly broke through, startling Feebas.

He hasn't left!

"I really have to go now, so if you're—"

Feebas didn't hesitate for another second. It darted out of the water plants at full speed, breaking the surface.

There, it saw Ethan's surprised expression, filled with disbelief and joy.

It was as though Ethan couldn't comprehend how Feebas had appeared so suddenly, without any warning.

Time seemed to freeze. Ethan stood there, dumbfounded, like a Magikarp in shock.

Unable to make a sound, Feebas spat a tiny stream of water to snap Ethan out of his stupor.

What are you waiting for? Capture me already, you idiot!

Ethan finally came to his senses, pulling out a Dive Ball he had prepared in advance. He crouched down and held it out solemnly toward Feebas.

"Come with me. Give me a chance to change your destiny. Even without a Prism Scale, I'll train you into someone who'll leave everyone in awe!"

Feebas bubbled again, but this time, it was out of happiness.

With a small leap, it pressed the button on the Poké Ball. Just before it disappeared into the ball, a mechanical voice rang in its mind:

[Ding~ Greetings, dear host. The Dragon Evolution System is now activated!]