Chapter Forty-Nine: Dolong Mesia, Drunk on Triumph

"This is incredible, Magikarp. What exactly did you encounter beneath the water?" Zhao Fang stroked Magikarp’s head with a sigh.

After confirming with Professor Odamaki, it was clear that the crimson scales growing on Magikarp’s forehead were truly rare. After all, the only known Pokémon in the world with such red scales was the unique Red Gyarados, and according to the professor, that Gyarados from the Lake of Rage had already been captured by one of the Elite Four, Lance.

This news left Zhao Fang with a somewhat peculiar expression. Should he say he expected nothing less of Lance? Even the Pokémon he catches are so one of a kind. Zhao Fang also remembered that this guy often called himself the Dragon-type Elite, but the Pokémon he used were a Gyarados and an Aerodactyl.

Still, Zhao Fang somewhat agreed with Lance’s reasoning. A majestic and awe-inspiring Pokémon like Gyarados—why shouldn’t it be a Dragon-type? Didn’t Gyarados even learn Dragon-type moves like Outrage?

When he saw that the official Pokémon canon called Altaria a Dragon, Zhao Fang grudgingly went along with it—Altaria was at least unique. But then, when he saw that the official canon said Alolan Exeggutor was also a Dragon, he couldn’t take it anymore. That long-necked thing is a dragon too?

Charizard looks much more the part, honestly.

Zhao Fang shook his head, tossing all these tangled thoughts aside. Staring at his still-unconscious Magikarp, he gently patted its orange-red body and sighed. Professor Odamaki was busy and couldn’t come to examine Magikarp’s condition, but he did say that once Magikarp awoke from its coma, some changes might occur.

But when exactly would it wake up? That was the question. The professor had never encountered such a case and couldn’t provide a definite answer, so Zhao Fang could only wait in silence.

“So the Rock-type Gym… will I have to rely on Dreepy?” Zhao Fang rubbed his chin. It wasn’t impossible for Dreepy to take on the Rock-type Gym; after all, its moves could still deal full damage to Rock and Ground-type Pokémon.

However, recalling Magikarp’s relentless training, repeatedly bashing its head against rocks, Zhao Fang felt that without Magikarp, the challenge of the Rock-type Gym would be incomplete. It was just like playing Ruby and Sapphire in his previous life; if he didn’t defeat the Champion with Gardevoir, something always felt missing.

But it was too soon to dwell on these things. Zhao Fang decided to rest for now and see how things looked tomorrow—or perhaps visit the Pokémon Center and have Nurse Joy take a look.

“Dreepy, did you stuff yourself today?” Zhao Fang stroked Dreepy’s head. Since Magikarp couldn’t eat, both roasted chickens ended up in Dreepy’s belly, leaving the little dragon thoroughly stuffed.

“Dreeee…” Dreepy lay weakly inside the tent, clearly lacking any motivation to move.

Zhao Fang chuckled, then placed Magikarp into the small pool, zipped up the tent, and crawled into his sleeping bag.

When he woke the next morning, Zhao Fang hurried to check on Magikarp. It was just the same, lying motionless in the water, though the crimson scale on its forehead looked even more vivid. He recalled Magikarp into its Poké Ball and checked its summary—no changes.

As Zhao Fang was examining Magikarp, Dreepy wrapped itself around his neck, cooing affectionately. Zhao Fang flicked Dreepy’s head in exasperation.

“You little foodie, just wait, I’ll make you breakfast.” He released Magikarp again and, gathering ingredients, stepped out of the tent.

Inside, Dreepy glanced at the unconscious Magikarp floating in the pool, a mischievous glint in its eyes. With a wicked grin, it crept closer, extending its claws quietly toward Magikarp...

Unaware of Dreepy’s antics, Zhao Fang was busy chopping ingredients for breakfast. Today, he planned to make a simple noodle soup—plain noodles with some berries added to the broth.

“These berries are a bit dirty... I’ll wash them first.” Seeing the water had just started to boil, Zhao Fang grabbed the berries and turned to wash them.

When he finished and returned, he saw Dreepy floating out of the tent, clutching Magikarp. Magikarp’s forehead was now covered in black doodles, including a large “king” symbol right in the center.

“Dreeee~” Dreepy, seeing Zhao Fang’s gaze, sheepishly carried Magikarp back inside.

Zhao Fang’s mouth twitched. How had he never noticed Dreepy was so mischievous? He was truly exasperated.

Shaking his head, he returned to preparing breakfast. Soon, the aroma of noodles drifted into the tent, making Dreepy swallow hard several times.

Glancing at the still-comatose Magikarp, Dreepy’s eyes sparkled with a new idea. It placed a paw on Magikarp’s head, silently transmitting the thoughts, “Your breakfast is mine, all the tasty food is mine.”

“Dreepy, breakfast’s ready!” Zhao Fang entered carrying two bowls of noodles—each capable of boosting a Pokémon’s base stats by 0.2.

“Dreeee~” Dreepy rushed over, grabbed a bowl, and ran to Magikarp, eating loudly right in front of it.

Zhao Fang could only sigh and carry the other bowl to Magikarp’s side. Gazing at the unconscious Pokémon, he sighed again.

“Ah… seems Magikarp won’t be eating today either. Dreepy, this bowl is yours too.” He had to admit, the food he made was irresistible to Pokémon—not just delicious, but also beneficial. Before he’d caught Dreepy, Magikarp used to eat until it was completely stuffed every day.

Dreepy was even happier now, wolfing down noodles while circling Magikarp, even using psychic power to transmit the sensation of enjoying breakfast straight into Magikarp’s mind. Gradually, Zhao Fang noticed a droplet forming at the corner of Magikarp’s mouth.

“Dreepy!” Dreepy set down its bowl, satisfied, and stretched out its hand in triumph—it could have another serving, and it was Magikarp’s too. Dreepy had never been this happy.

In the midst of Dreepy’s delight and smugness, Zhao Fang suddenly noticed Magikarp’s tail twitch.