After wrestling with the underwater giant for a moment, Caster finally reeled it in with his expert fishing technique.
Splash!
A massive spray of water erupted, and a fat goldfish with an orange body, white around its mouth and rear, and a cream-colored horn on its head was yanked from the water.
"It's a Seaking!" Ash and the others exclaimed.
Compared to a Goldeen, Seaking was many times larger, its presence incredibly imposing.
[Caught 'Seaking', reward: 1 TM for 'Agility'.]
[First time catching 'Seaking', bonus reward: 1 'Muscle Feather'.]
At the same time, Seaking's stats panel appeared.
[Pokémon: Seaking]
[Type: Water]
[Ability: Swift Swim (Speed drastically increases in rain)]
[Moves: Peck (Proficient), Supersonic (Proficient), Water Pulse (Expert), Agility (Proficient), Horn Attack (Expert), Waterfall (Proficient)…]
"Aoowu~"
Midair, the massive Seaking spat out the bait, its mouth letting out a sound like muffled thunder.
Its gaze followed the fishing line up to the rod, locking onto Caster with apparent excitement.
Kid, wanna battle?
Glancing at Seaking's extensive move pool, Caster gave an awkward laugh and quickly shielded Ash and the others behind him.
Against a Seaking this strong, what chance did Magikarp have? It was outmatched in size, strength, and moves, a guaranteed loss!
Besides, like Goldeen, Seaking could only battle in water. Too limiting, and it didn't fit Caster's future team plans.
"Aoowu~"
Seeing Caster had backup, Seaking didn't attack rashly. Instead, it plopped back into the water with a splash and swam away, disappointed.
"I'm out of bait. You guys fish!"
Caster said, still wanting more.
But Misty's special bait came in sets of five. He'd already used two, and the remaining three were in their hands. Even if he wanted to keep fishing, he couldn't.
"Caster's already caught two Pokémon in a row. I can't lose to him. Today, I'm definitely catching a Gyarados!" Ash gripped his rod, declaring boldly.
Misty's expression shifted slightly at his words.
Brock said, "Ash, catching a Gyarados isn't going to be easy."
Ash grinned. "That's what makes it more meaningful when I do!"
While the three fished, Caster found a corner, his consciousness sinking into the fishing space to check his rewards.
[Luxury Ball: A particularly comfortable Poké Ball that makes caught Pokémon grow closer to their trainer.]
[Bounce: A Flying-type move where the user bounces high into the air to attack. May paralyze the opponent.]
[Agility: A Psychic-type move where the user relaxes and lightens its body to sharply boost Speed.]
[Muscle Feather: A mystical feather that boosts a Pokémon's base Attack stat.]
With just a thought, the reward information appeared.
"With a Luxury Ball, I'll save money on Poké Balls, plus it's more comfortable and helps build friendship faster."
His gaze shifted from the Luxury Ball to the two TMs. "Magikarp can't learn Agility, so I'll save that for later.
But it can learn Bounce. And Magikarp can use the Muscle Feather too."
The Muscle Feather was a miraculous item that boosted a Pokémon's base strength, similar in effect to an X Attack, perfect for Magikarp.
"Magikarp!" Caster called.
"Wow! So big!"
"So thick!"
"So strong!"
When Magikarp appeared, all three were amazed.
Fed with over a dozen Energy Orbs daily to accelerate its growth, Magikarp's physique had grown noticeably more powerful.
Its red scales gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight, its tail created small whirlpools with a casual flick, and it swam fast and steady.
"No wonder my sisters lost. This Magikarp really is extraordinary," Misty marveled.
If she were in their shoes, she'd probably need to send out her ace, Starmie, to win.
After their brief admiration, the three returned to fishing while Caster patted Magikarp's big head with a smile. "Magikarp, I'm going to teach you a new move. Whether you can fly depends on your own skill."
"Karp~"
Magikarp's eyes lit up, its mouth releasing a sound like Seaking's muffled thunder, clearly excited.
I, Magikarp, got where I am today through my own… trainer!
Come on, Trainer!
Show me your limits!
"Here we go!" With a thought, Caster activated the Bounce TM.
Instantly, the method for executing Bounce appeared in Magikarp's mind, etched deeply. Every step was crystal clear; Magikarp couldn't forget it even if it tried.
"Karp~"
Soon, Magikarp reopened its eyes and nodded solemnly, indicating it had learned it.
It wiggled and swam, ready to demonstrate for Caster, but Caster stopped it with a teasing grin. "I know you're eager, but hold your horses! I've got something else. Don't you want it?"
"Karp~"
Magikarp immediately stopped and straightened its posture.
It couldn't help it; it was desperate to improve!
Caster chuckled. Teasing Magikarp was one of his few daily pleasures.
While the three were still fishing, Caster pulled out the Muscle Feather, a white feather with a small orange stripe in the middle, and carefully placed it on Magikarp's head.
The moment the feather touched Magikarp, it melted away.
Magikarp's body shuddered with a tingling, prickling sensation.
However, the Muscle Feather's effect was weaker than an X Attack, so Magikarp quickly absorbed all the energy, its strength noticeably increased.
Just then, Misty's hook finally got a bite, though it was just a Goldeen.
"I already have a Goldeen," Misty sighed quietly.
She wasn't interested in catching and training duplicates.
"I've got a bite too!" Brock shouted, also reeling in a Goldeen.
But likewise, he had no interest in training it.
"Did we stumble into a Goldeen nest?" Caster laughed as he approached.
"Ash, you're the only one who hasn't caught anything. Stay calm and don't get antsy, or you won't catch anything," Misty glanced at the distracted Ash and couldn't help but remind him.
"Don't worry, Misty. I'll definitely catch a big one," Ash said confidently, though Pikachu behind him couldn't help but doubt.
"Pika-chu~"
With Ash not catching anything, Pikachu got bored and wandered over to Caster's Magikarp by the shore, apparently wanting to take a ride in the lake.
"Pika~"
After getting Magikarp's consent, Pikachu hopped onto its back, and the fish and mouse swam around the lake, having a blast.
After who knows how long, Ash's rod finally showed movement.
"It's coming! It's a big one!" Ash was thrilled and yanked the rod with brute force.
Others might need to tire the fish out, but as a Super Rookie from Pallet Town, Ash clearly didn't need to.
With a splash, the big fish was forcibly pulled from the water.
"Huh? Why is it just a Magikarp?" Looking at the flopping fish before him, Ash was deeply disappointed.
"Ash, Magikarp is Gyarados's pre-evolution," Caster teased with a smile. "Technically speaking, you did catch a Gyarados, just its juvenile form."
"When you put it that way, I guess you're right," Ash nodded seriously. "Pikachu!"
Glancing at Caster's Magikarp and thinking of its battle record, Ash clearly considered training a Magikarp himself.
He was about to call Pikachu over to zap it, but Pikachu wasn't nearby.
Seemingly sensing danger, the moment Ash spoke, Magikarp spat out the bait. Its fan-like tail whipped out violently.
Slap, slap, slap!
After a series of sharp smacks, Ash's cheeks turned bright red and he fell flat on the ground.
Meanwhile, using the recoil, Magikarp dropped back into the river and quickly vanished.
"Ow! I got slapped by a Magikarp!" Ash clutched his face, looking dazed, while Brock and Misty rushed over to check on him.
Watching this scene, Caster laughed inwardly.
But remembering he'd been hit too, he quickly wiped the smile off his face.
A few minutes later, Magikarp returned to shore with Pikachu, and Ash finally recovered.
Caster's eyes gleamed as he stepped forward. "Ash, let's have a Pokémon battle!"
۞۞۞۞
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