Chapter 99: Gyarados? Ash Played Tricks!!
While chatting with Gary, Ash quietly released his wave-guiding aura, sending it toward Xiaohao's fishing spot to probe the waters.
What he discovered stunned him.
"No way… there's a Gyarados in this river?" Ash's eyes widened in disbelief. "That's not just a fish—it's a full-blown dragon that slipped through the net!"
Through the waveguide, Ash observed a massive Water/Flying-type Pokémon thrashing below the surface, six meters long, its cerulean-blue scales glinting beneath the water. It was exactly the Pokémon Ash had hoped to lure Gyarados, one of the heaviest and most fearsome freshwater Pokémon in the Kanto region, and certainly a top scorer in today's fishing contest.
Ash had deliberately chosen a deep section of the river for this reason. Unlike most of the inexperienced students, he used custom-made bait infused with Tokiwa Force an ancient power channeled through his connection to the Viridian Forest. This unique energy, along with aura-based bait preparation, should have attracted the strongest water Pokémon in the area.
Logically, the Gyarados should have come to him.
Yet somehow, it was Xiaohao using a borrowed Spritzee and ordinary equipment who hooked it first.
"Is this just dumb luck… or does he have protagonist energy too?" Ash muttered, a chill running through his spine.
He reflected on his own journey. After his mysterious time-travel incident, he had awakened the Mega Trainer System, developed a spiritual link to bird Pokémon and the Tokiwa Force, and was even subtly guided by Professor Oak, one of the most respected figures in the Pokémon world.
Rare Pokémon like Pichu and Froakie (Bubble Frog) had come to him seemingly by fate. All signs pointed to Ash being the destined hero.
But Xiaohao? He had no system. No aura. No divine intervention. He had even ended up with a defective Magikarp due to a sick Pokémon replacement error at Oak's Lab—one that a flustered Researcher Gangping had thrown into the batch without proper checking.
Still, despite setbacks, Xiaohao had a kind friend in Xiaochun, who treated him with sincere warmth. And now, in front of everyone, he had caught Gyarados.
"Could it be…" Ash thought grimly, "that I'm just a side character in his story?"
He remembered Xiaohao being mocked on the camp bus, belittled by Gary, and tripped up in group activities. He'd looked like a joke. But those are the underdog stories true protagonists emerge from.
"The downtrodden who rise... Thirty years in Hedong, thirty in Hexi... was I wrong all along? Am I the stepping stone? The XP dummy?"
His eyes darkened.
"If Xiaohao's the real protagonist… then I…" Ash clenched his fists. "I won't let my narrative get hijacked."
"Hey, Ash! Are you just gonna sit there gawking?" Gary called out, noticing Ash's distant stare.
"If we don't stop Xiaohao, he's going to outscore all of us. If that Gyarados counts, we're toast."
"You were the one who suggested Bubble Frog sneak underwater and cut his line just do it!" Gary snapped, half-joking but entirely desperate.
Ash turned slowly to Gary and shook his head with a smirk.
"Relax, Gary. If you want a high score, then focus on your own rod. Don't turn us into cartoon villains. I'm the hero, remember?" he said, giving Gary a teasing side-glance.
"You…!" Gary growled, then sighed and slumped back to his stool, reluctantly returning to fishing.
But beneath Ash's calm exterior, a different plan was in motion.
"I'm sorry, Gary," Ash thought silently. "A true protagonist never plays the villain—at least not in the spotlight."
He shut his eyes, appearing at peace, but in truth, was communicating telepathically with Gyarados via aura—a skill hinted at since Chapter 74, where he first formed an empathic link with wild Pokémon using his unique bond.
"Gyarados," Ash sent silently, "I need a favor. Let him think he's winning. But once you surface, I'll make you an offer."
Suddenly—
"Whoa!! Gyarados!!"
Students by the riverside gasped, surrounding Xiaohao as he reeled in the beast.
With an average weight of over 235kg, no ordinary child should have been able to bring Gyarados to the surface. Yet somehow, Xiaohao had managed. Either fate was at work… or Ash's telepathic nudge played a quiet but decisive role.
Whether it was protagonist luck or engineered outcome, Ash watched calmly.
"The performance has started," he said, opening his eyes. "Let's see who gets the curtain call and who plays the fool."
"Quack?" The Bubble Frog next to him croaked curiously, tilting its head.
Ash said nothing, simply tightening his grip on the rod and smiling slightly.
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