Chapter 32: Misty Lake Transformation Plan

[Misty Lake now has a new lord, Milotic, and has received the item Algae Tail Sprout. Algae Tail: An algae plant resembling the tail of Alolan Vulpix, a common food for herbivorous fish Pokémon.]

[Received the item Glameow Cattail Seeds. Glameow Cattail: Resembling the tail of Glameow, it grows near lakes and rivers and helps improve water quality and stabilize the soil.]

[Received the item Passho Berry Sapling. Passho Berry: A favorite berry of Water-type Pokémon, it floats on water, but its blue part dissolves upon contact with water, making it rare for Water-type Pokémon to eat it in the wild.]

[Received the item TM Water Cannon (one-time use). Water Cannon: A powerful water stream attack with massive power.]

[Received the item Five Pearly Orbs. Pearly Orbs: Large, silver-glowing pearls that are extremely valuable and can be sold for a high price.]

[Received the item Splash Plate. Splash Plate: A fragment of a massive plate containing powerful water energy, capable of enhancing the power of the holder's Water-type moves.]

[Misty Lake now has a new lord, Milotic, and the corresponding area will be expanded.]

Summer did not expect that adding a new lord would yield so many items, including some very valuable ones. However, the conditions to become a lord were stringent, requiring sufficient strength, compatibility with the area, and a deep bond with him.

Given this, it made sense why the items were so luxurious. Wait, the forest assistant just said the corresponding area would be expanded. Summer suddenly felt a distance rapidly grow between him and Milotic, and the lake's surface instantly dropped, surprising Milotic in the lake. What just happened?

Now, the size of Misty Lake had directly doubled. Summer could feel the lake surface slowly rising as the underground water currents filled the newly added space.

"Don't worry, Milotic. This is normal for Sunset Forest," Summer called to Milotic by the lake. It was his first time witnessing an area expansion up close. No wonder Petilil was terrified of the expansion.

Thinking back to his sudden disappearance, Milotic accepted the situation. It wasn't all bad, after all. The area where she could sleep had increased.

"It looks like you've accepted it. Well then, let's add some plants to the lake. It looks too bare," Summer said.

"Milotic~"

Milotic agreed wholeheartedly. More water plants underwater would make sleeping more comfortable.

"Then, please take care of the underwater part. Here are the seedlings." A bunch of seedlings appeared in Summer's hand out of thin air. Milotic remained unphased, understanding that Summer was no ordinary human.

"Milotic~"

With Milotic's call, a ball of water floated to Summer's front. He quickly understood Milotic's intention and placed the seedlings into the water.

The water ball quickly sank, but it wasn't Milotic acting. It was the Magikarp living in Misty Lake. They took the seedlings and buried them in the lakebed, following Milotic's leisurely tail movements like a queen commanding her subjects. She adapted too quickly.

"The lake part is progressing well. Now, Thwackey, let's work on the lakeside," Summer said.

"Thwackey~"

Summer and Thwackey worked until noon, finally planting Glameow Cattail seeds around Misty Lake. By this time, the lake surface was nearly at ground level.

The sun hung high in the sky, making it humid and hot by the lake, especially since Summer had been working non-stop.

Milotic saw this and, noticing Summer's sweaty face, breathed out cold air. The water vapor turned into tiny ice crystals upon contact with the cold air, creating a white mist that drifted toward Summer and Thwackey, cooling them down.

"Phew, that feels great. Thanks, Milotic," Summer thanked Milotic.

"Thwackey~!" Thwackey also expressed gratitude.

"But there's still one more thing to do," Summer said, extending his hand and shouting, "Rapid Growth!"

Green light spread over Misty Lake, causing the newly planted seeds to grow slightly despite the large area. Fresh green sprouts emerged around the lake.

"One more thing, these items are better off with you," Summer said. A blue pendant and a water-blue stone plate appeared in his hands.

The Splash Plate was much larger than Summer expected, almost as big as Thwackey. He glanced at Milotic, realizing there was no way she could carry it.

"Milotic~"

Milotic remained unfazed. At this point, even if Summer took out a Wailord, she wouldn't be surprised. In fact, she seemed to be saying, "Bring out whatever you have; I can handle it."

Summer approached Milotic, placing the stone plate down and holding the Mystic Water pendant in both hands. Milotic instinctively extended her neck, allowing him to easily put the pendant on her.

"Milotic~"

Milotic felt the water energy from the pendant and let out a joyful cry.

Summer then looked at the Splash Plate at his feet. How was he supposed to handle this? Leaving it on the ground seemed disrespectful to Arceus.

"Milotic~!"

Milotic called to Summer, her eyes indicating she knew what to do.

"It's meant for you anyway. If you know how to use it, go ahead," Summer said, handing the plate to Milotic.

Milotic wrapped her tail around the Splash Plate, dove underwater, and placed it among the water plants, using it as a pillow. She immediately felt comfortable and realized it was a perfect pillow from the first glance.

After a while, Milotic reluctantly opened her eyes and swam to the surface, not wanting to worry Summer.

Seeing Milotic resurface, Summer curiously asked, "Milotic, how did you handle that stone plate?"

Milotic thought for a moment and demonstrated using her tail as a pillow.

"You used the plate as a pillow?"

Well, some people use stone plates as chopping boards, so Arceus probably wouldn't mind, Summer reassured himself.

Milotic looked questioningly, wondering if using the plate as a pillow was wrong.

"No, of course not. It's your item; you have the right to decide how to use it," Summer said. Being around such an item wouldn't harm Milotic. It might even enhance her power.

Hearing Summer's response, Milotic felt reassured since she had already grown fond of the pillow.

"Well, I'm getting hungry. No, Milotic, I'm not eating Magikarp. Can't you see it's about to cry?" Summer said, covering his face with a sigh. "Thwackey and I will go get some food. See you later."

Watching Summer leave, Milotic felt a bit lonely and envious. But she reminded herself that after waiting so long, a little more time wasn't much. Moreover, her living conditions had improved, and she had a comfortable pillow. Misty Lake was indeed better than Milotic Lake.

Milotic then dived back underwater and lay comfortably on the stone plate, dreaming a strange dream. In the dream, a glowing llama-like Pokémon kept muttering, "Using it as a pillow is too much."

(End of this chapter)