Caitlin had no idea that her casual remark would lead to misunderstandings, and Carl was equally in the dark about it.
He was busy following a river, searching for its source, and eventually found himself in a rocky area. The river seemed to abruptly disappear here, as if it had been cut off. But Carl, using his aura sensing abilities, detected a hidden presence beneath the rocks.
It wasn't unusual to find creatures living under rocks, like the ones that thrive in hidden crevices. What surprised him, however, was that the creatures he sensed were water-types like Feebas and Remoraid. How could water-type creatures be living in the rocks? This piqued Carl's curiosity.
He fine-tuned his aura detection, narrowing its range but increasing its precision, and discovered a concealed underground stream beneath the rocks. This stream was quite extensive, stretching far into the distance.
Following the stream's path, Carl found a secluded water pool surrounded by rocks. The unique environment suggested it might be home to rare creatures.
Just as he was about to investigate further, the water's surface rippled. With a splash, a pale blue creature emerged. It had large purple eyes, a white bump on its forehead, and white fin-like structures on its sides. The most distinctive feature was its round, white nose.
A Dratini! Carl's eyes lit up.
Even though he already had many powerful creatures, the thrill of encountering a rare one in the wild still made his heart race. This Dratini was particularly impressive:
Type: Dragon
Nature: Bold (Strong defense, but weak attack)
Ability: Shed Skin
Strength Level: Beginner
Potential Rating: Champion-level
Bond Level: Nearly full
Skills: Dragon Breath (inherited skill), Leer, Twister
Despite the bold nature limiting its attack growth, Carl was prepared. What intrigued him more was the inherited skill, Dragon Breath, indicating that Dratini's parent likely possessed this move.
Carl recalled the dragon families that could pass down the Dragon Breath skill. Common dragon-types like Charizard, Kingdra, Flygon, and Altaria could inherit this move, not to mention pseudo-legendary dragons like Salamence and Garchomp. He was curious which creature Dragonair would eventually choose as a mate.
But now was not the time to ponder that. The priority was to establish a bond with this Dratini. Carl crouched by the water, extending his hand towards it, while releasing his aura energy. This psychic power could quickly bridge the gap with creatures.
The lively Dratini was immediately drawn to the aura, swimming over joyfully. Carl took out a precious bottle of Dragon's Spring Water, activated by a champion-level Garchomp, offering immense benefits to dragon-types.
Dratini curiously sniffed the bottle, its purple eyes sparkling brightly. Instinctively sensing it was something good, and after confirming Carl had no ill intentions, Dratini drank it without hesitation.
In an instant, Dratini's entire body glowed brilliantly. It began to undergo dramatic changes, shedding its skin repeatedly as new growth rapidly occurred. This shedding process happened eight times in succession, with Dratini's form lengthening each time. Finally, the exhausted creature fell asleep on the shore.
Watching this, Carl felt a tinge of regret. He realized he might have given too much Dragon's Spring Water. Normally, Dratini's growth should be a gradual process, shedding once a day and slowly maturing.
The frequent shedding was due to an excess of uncontrollable energy. Now, it was in a deep sleep, its body activating a self-protection mechanism. When it awoke the next day, it would likely shed several more times.
"Oh well, it is what it is," Carl chuckled, choosing not to capture Dratini just yet. Instead, he collected the shed skins from the ground. These were valuable and could fetch a high price if made into boots. There were nine skins, enough for Serena to make nine pairs of shoes.
What would Dragonair think if it saw this scene? Carl couldn't help but wonder as he held the skins.
Sometimes, you just can't escape fate.
Suddenly, the pool erupted with a towering column of water, revealing a slender figure within. As the water cascaded down, a slender, blue-glowing creature with a small white horn on its forehead and pearls around its neck emerged—Dragonair.
Carl and Dragonair locked eyes, and he noticed it was staring at the unconscious Dratini. He awkwardly laughed, "If I say I mean no harm, would you believe me?"
Dragonair responded by summoning a rainstorm, clouds gathering in an instant.
"Alright, alright," Carl scratched his head, "Looks like it's time for the old method."
"Lucario!"
A figure appeared behind him, fists glowing blue. In a flash, Lucario dashed to Dragonair, landing a heavy punch on its midsection.
"Thud!"
Dragonair's eyes dulled, and Lucario dragged it back to Carl's side. Lucario raised a fist to its head, a clear threat.
Dragonair: "..."
"Calm down, I mean you no harm," Carl approached Dragonair, his tone sincere. "Caesar sent me to find you."
Dragonair's eyes brightened. It remembered Caesar, the human who had helped it when it was lost.
Though proud by nature, Dragonite's kindness ensured it never forgot this kindness. Being chased out of its group with its child, it thought of Caesar.
"Caesar knows you're back, but he feels unworthy to meet you," Carl lied smoothly, "So he sent me."
Disappointment flickered in Dragonair's eyes.
Carl contemplated: this exceptionally talented Dragonair, once evolved, would be a champion-level Dragonite. He had to find a way to capture it.
"Caesar's almost fifty and still just a professional trainer," Carl continued spinning his tale, "He feels he can't match you and your child, so he recommended me."
He gestured to Lucario beside him, "You've seen my strength, right?"
Dratini nodded obediently. A young trainer capable of commanding champion-level creatures was indeed worth following.
"I also have special abilities," Carl demonstrated his aura and psychic powers.
Dragonair's attitude visibly softened. Strength, potential, and gratitude—these reasons made it hard to refuse this human.
Before Dragonair could respond, Carl took out a small bottle, "Here's a gift to show my sincerity. That's what your child drank before it evolved and fell asleep."
Dragonair sniffed the liquid in the bottle, its eyes lighting up. Ignoring Lucario's warning, it downed the contents in one gulp.
"Whoosh!"
A brilliant white light flared up.
Carl watched, dumbfounded.
When the light faded, the elegant and slender Dragonair was gone, replaced by a round, robust Dragonite. Although muscular, its face had an undeniable goofy charm.
Dragonite cheered, waving its fists, clearly pleased with its newfound strength.
Carl chuckled to himself, "Well, that escalated quickly."