098: Whoa!! Kyogre Caught!!
"Woo~(??)~" Hearing Xiaochun's kind offer, Xiaohao looked a little awkward, but after a moment of internal struggle, he finally nodded in agreement.
Xiaohao was very aware that the Spritzee Xiaochun had received from Professor Bratano's lab wasn't weak. Though it had only mastered three moves Sweet Scent, Fairy Wind, and Sweet Kiss they complemented each other with strategic synergy. Sweet Scent could reduce the opponent's evasiveness, Fairy Wind served as a ranged special attack, and Sweet Kiss could induce confusion. Together, and paired with Spritzee's natural hovering ability through Levitate or flight, it gave her considerable advantage in terrain battles.
Among the partner Pokémon distributed by Professor Oak and the Bratano Lab for this summer camp many of which were regional starters or low-level wild types Xiaochun's Spritzee ranked among the top tier. Only Ash's Froakie, whose impeccable speed and use of Water Pulse and Quick Attack won him all his duels yesterday, could rival it.
The reason Xiaochun only secured two victories during yesterday's student challenge was not Spritzee's fault. One critical reason was Xiaohao's own jealousy. Bitter over losing all five of his matches despite considering himself a prodigy Xiaohao couldn't stand seeing his close friend outperform him.
He gave Xiaochun confusing and counterproductive tactical advice before her matches, which significantly affected her decisions. So even though she had one of the strongest Pokémon, she underperformed.
But that was yesterday. Today's fishing event offered Xiaohao a new chance to prove himself and the opportunity to borrow Xiaochun's Spritzee was key.
Armed with that strong support, Xiaohao believed he could catch a rare and powerful water-type Pokémon, maybe even outscore Ash and Gary.
"Ash, I will definitely surpass you" Xiaohao whispered to himself, glancing at Ash who stood further down the bank, calm and focused.
After Professor Oak distributed a special blue variant Poké Ball to each camper, students eagerly grabbed fishing rods and rushed to the riverbank with bait, hoping to secure prime fishing spots.
Even confident campers like Gary scrambled to pick ideal locations.
Ash, however, remained relaxed. Unlike the others, he didn't rush. Having studied under Professor Oak and with his wave-guided senses honed through numerous field encounters, he knew fishing was more than just casting a line.
"The right bait is key," Ash thought, retrieving a pouch of bean mash bait from his satchel. This wasn't ordinary bait Ash had enhanced it with the Tokiwa Aura, the mysterious green energy linked to his bond with nature and Pokémon.
With the valley wind stirring the forest canopy and sunlight shimmering off the water's surface, Ash quietly crushed the bait and infused it with aura, forming a fragrant, glimmering clump that shimmered faintly.
He cast the baited hook into the river, not too close to the others, but far enough to avoid spooking the local Pokémon.
While the Kanto Region has many types of water Pokémon, river-based ones are more limited than their ocean counterparts. Excluding sea-dwellers like Lapras, Horsea, and Staryu, and fossils like Kabutops and Omanyte, river Pokémon such as Magikarp, Goldeen, and Poliwag dominated this area.
But Professor Oak's event wasn't just about catching Pokémon. Points would be awarded based on size and weight. That meant snagging a massive Pokémon like Gyarados, Cloyster, or Seaking could make the difference.
Ash narrowed his eyes. "If I manage to catch a Gyarados, today's victory is mine."
But then he frowned. "The League removes dangerous high-level Pokémon from campgrounds to protect students... Still, could there be one that slipped through?"
Just as Ash extended his waveguide sense toward the deeper part of the river, a loud shout interrupted his focus.
"I got it! I got it!!"
A student nearby stood, excitedly yelling. "It's huge! I caught something massive!"
Ash and the other students turned to look. And there, shouting and tugging on his line with visible strain, was none other than Xiaohao.
Wearing his signature outfit gray cropped pants, a red-and-gray shirt with a Gengar print, and his small satchel bouncing at his side Xiaohao looked every bit the surprised but determined city boy.
"Ugh! The first to hook a Pokémon… and it's Xiaohao." Ash blinked in mild surprise.
Gary, fishing not far from Ash, laughed. "Yo, Ash! That guy Xiaohao hooked something big. What if it's Kyogre?"
Ash chuckled but kept his line steady. "Then I guess I'll just have to catch Lugia next."
What neither of them realized was that far off in the sea south of Pallet Town, a powerful presence stirred.
A legendary Pokémon soared underwater through ocean currents, drawn northward by an unknown force.
"Woooo~~~"
The massive beast raised its head toward Pallet's direction, its eyes gleaming with primal awareness.
Back at the river, Gary snorted. "Ash, even if you caught Lugia today, it wouldn't count. This event scores based on weight and size of freshwater Pokémon."
Ash feigned offense. "What? Are you mocking the great sea guardian Lugia?"
"No, no," Gary laughed, "but be real. In this creek, the biggest thing you're likely to catch is a well-fed Magikarp or Goldeen."
Gary grew serious again. "Xiaohao didn't catch either of those. His line looks like it's got a real monster. If he lands it and subdues it, he might outscore all of us."
He looked back at Xiaohao, who was struggling with his fishing rod but clearly locking horns with something big beneath the water.
"Ash, we can't let him win this. I don't want to see that smug look on his face all day."
Ash raised a brow. "What do you want me to do? Send Froakie to dive in and snip his line? You think I'm that petty?"
But even as he joked, Ash had already activated his waveguide senses, scanning the currents near Xiaohao's spot.
Something was down there. And it wasn't just big. It was ancient.
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