c48: Reach the Highest Achievement of "Fishing"!
Chen Xiaoxiao rode atop her Togekiss, following the Gyarados pod for over ten nautical miles across open sea. Eventually, the leader Gyarados let out a deep, rumbling roar toward her, signaling for patience, and then the entire group dived beneath the ocean's surface.
Several minutes later, the Gyarados resurfaced followed by a spectacle of thousands of Magikarp leaping from the water, their red scales glittering like embers in the sun. It was a majestic and overwhelming sight.
Among the masses, Chen Xiaoxiao's sharp eyes immediately spotted a dozen or so Gyarados clearly those rare few Magikarp that had managed to evolve. The scene alone spoke volumes about the brutal difficulty of evolution for this species.
Some might think that having a dozen Gyarados among tens of thousands of Magikarp is a decent ratio, but that's a misunderstanding.
The truth is far more sobering.
These tens of thousands of Magikarp are part of a generational cycle hundreds die each year from old age, and hundreds more are born. The dozen Gyarados present represent the survivors of countless years, even decades, of continuous lineage. The evolutionary threshold for Magikarp is so steep, it's often compared to crossing a single-plank bridge with ten thousand soldiers only the most extraordinary make it through.
But Chen Xiaoxiao didn't come to admire the odds. She had a target.
From high above the sea on Togekiss, her eyes scanned the rippling waters. Despite the density of Magikarp every one bright red with golden fins—Chen Xiaoxiao's gaze locked onto something out of place.
A lone Pokémon with a grey-blue body and navy fins, awkwardly trying to blend in among the Magikarp.
"Togekiss, fly over."
With precise confidence, she pointed directly at the strange Pokémon and gave the order.
As they approached the odd one out, Chen Xiaoxiao hovered overhead and peered down curiously.
The Pokémon below had half-lidded, lifeless-looking eyes. It released tiny bubbles from its mouth and mumbled something in an almost inaudible tone.
Chen Xiaoxiao couldn't hear the exact words but she wasn't bothered.
Without hesitation, she activated her Psychic telepathy, focusing her mind on the creature's mental signals.
What she heard made her blink in surprise.
"(I am Magikarp. I am Magikarp. You didn't find me. I am Magikarp. You didn't find me. You didn't find me!)"
"...!"
Chen Xiaoxiao froze.
Feebas, are you seriously doing roleplay right now?!
Is this your tragic little one-Pokémon adaptation of The Ugly Duckling?
Hiding behind a swarm of red carp do you seriously think you'll turn into a swan just by following ducks?!
Meanwhile, the Gyarados in the background noticed Chen Xiaoxiao zeroing in on the awkward, plain-looking Pokémon. Despite maintaining their typically fierce expressions, they couldn't help but roll their eyes inwardly and sneer in judgment.
"What kind of aesthetic is that? All our Magikarp are powerful, radiant, and bursting with potential and she chooses that?"
Their disdain was understandable.
After all, this odd Pokémon was Feebas, widely considered the ugliest Water-type in the region.
(Official name: Feebas in both the manga and game translations.)
But those Gyarados were unaware of one crucial detail—Feebas evolves into Milotic, a Pokémon revered as the most beautiful in the world. This evolutionary glow-up was the Pokémon universe's version of the "Ugly Duckling" fairy tale.
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Feebas
Gender: ♀
Level: 22 (Elite – Initial stage)
Type: Water
Nature: Calm (Special Attack ↑ / Attack ↓)
Ability: Swift Swim (In rain or heavy rain, Speed doubles)
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Hidden Ability: Adaptability (Increases the same-type attack bonus (STAB) from 50% to 100% of the move's base power.)
Classification: Elite-level Pokémon
"Whew…"
After Chen Xiaoxiao scanned Feebas using the system and saw its detailed status, she finally exhaled in relief. The Pokémon's ability, nature, and potential were all excellent. With this, everything made sense.
Even at just Level 22, to be recognized as a Primary-stage Elite and yet survive unbothered among a sea of rowdy Magikarp no wonder Feebas had remained unharmed and unchallenged. Clearly, it had earned its place.
"Feebas, do you want to come with me?" she asked gently. "I'll help you find a Trainer and when you evolve, you'll become like this."
She took out an Apex-grade Water-type Energy Cube to initiate bonding, holding it out with care. At the same time, she tapped her Pokédex and displayed an image of Milotic, the Pokémon often referred to as the most beautiful in existence.
"(Really…? Is it really possible?)"
Feebas blinked at the elegant form of Milotic on the screen, captivated. Its dull eyes lit up with hope and disbelief, as if it could hardly imagine becoming such a vision of grace.
"Yes, really," Chen Xiaoxiao assured her with a confident smile. "Can't you see how close I am with these mighty Gyarados? I don't need to lie to you. If you don't believe me, go ahead ask them."
In order to strengthen her persuasion, Chen Xiaoxiao even invoked the Gyarados' credibility because from Feebas' perspective, her strength was still unknown, and first impressions alone wouldn't be enough.
But Feebas, who had long survived among the Magikarp, knew exactly how powerful Gyarados were. Their words carried weight far more than any stranger's claims.
Feebas glanced shyly toward the Gyarados group, filled with both nervousness and anticipation.
At that moment, Chen Xiaoxiao turned to face the Gyarados as well casually flipping Solgaleo's Poké Ball in her hand as a warning.
The Gyarados, seeing this silent signal, instantly understood. Their previously cold and intimidating faces softened into forced friendliness.
With awkward but sincere effort, they all nodded.
"That's right! We're great friends! Super good friends!" said the expression in their eyes.
Chen Xiaoxiao grinned subtly. Perfect cooperation. She silently promised herself to reward them later with a bonus pack of Advanced Flying-type Energy Cubes.
If only the Gyarados could read her thoughts, they might collectively faint from frustration.
"We have three fully ranked Elites and ten quasi-Elites here and she thinks a few cubes are enough for our performance fee?"
Fortunately, Feebas had no idea that Gyarados had been coerced into kindness. All it saw were the formidable sea kings smiling and nodding at it so it believed, without doubt, that Chen Xiaoxiao's promise was true.
Its eyes sparkled with excitement and longing.
"Locked in!"
Seeing Feebas' expression, Chen Xiaoxiao knew she had succeeded. Her instincts were sharp, and they hadn't failed her this time.
She drew out a standard Poké Ball and offered it forward.
"Made up your mind? Come on in."
"(Mm!)" Feebas chirped firmly, brimming with determination.
It nudged the Poké Ball with its head, and in a flash of red light, Feebas was drawn inside. The Poké Ball clicked shut with no resistance.
Chen Xiaoxiao's lips curled into a smile.
Then, reaching into her satchel, she pulled out a Prism Scale an heirloom from her family's previous generation of trainers. As she released Feebas from the ball again, the glimmering scale caught the sunlight.
"Feebas, wear this Prism Scale first. With this, you'll evolve into a Milotic very soon."
She carefully affixed the item to Feebas, who stared at the shimmering, rainbow-hued scale in awe.
The moment it touched its body, Feebas shivered slightly as if the item awakened something within. A powerful instinct told it that this scale was vital, a key to its dream.
Feebas, who just moments ago had believed Chen Xiaoxiao only halfway, now fully trusted her with all its heart.
"All right back you go for now."
Chen Xiaoxiao gently returned Feebas into its Poké Ball, smiling as she clipped it to her belt.
A new journey was just beginning.
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