Chapter 33: The Pokemon of Pot Lake
Chapter 33: The Pokemon of Pot Lake
Early the next morning, after feeding the chickens and watering the plants, Naoki shouldered his bag and bade farewell to Motoslug, Frostairy, and Minifairy outside the ranch house.
"I've left food in the cabinet. The top layer has freshly squeezed berry juice and MooMoo Milk, and there are sandwiches and smoked sausages below. I might not make it back for lunch, so help yourselves if you get hungry." Naoki instructed.
In addition to its riding form, Motoslug also possessed a combat form where it could stand upright on its hind legs.
In this form, Motoslug had the dexterity to accomplish tasks that humans could manage, making it a loyal and reliable partner to people in the Paldea region.
Leaving the ranch in Motoslug's care, Naoki felt assured.
"Rawr..."
Hearing these words, Motoslug nodded, then glanced at the Golurk standing nearby.
Although Motoslug wasn't the brightest, it suddenly realized that whatever tasks it could perform, Golurk could also accomplish, and there were even things that Golurk could do that it couldn't.
This realization made Motoslug, who had always found purpose in carrying its trainer, feel a little less needed.
It bowed its head, feeling a bit glum.
"Rawr..."
Noticing Motoslug's dejected demeanor, Naoki patted its shoulder reassuringly and said, "Cheer up. There are many dangerous Pokemon lurking around Pot Lake, and Golurk's flying ability will help me avoid them."
Naoki paused, then added solemnly, "But I have an even more important task for you."
"Rawr?" Motoslug immediately perked up, curious about this more important task.
"Take care of Frostairy and Minifairy," Naoki instructed. "Protect our home, keep wild Pokemon from eating our crops and chicks, and make sure nothing happens to them. Can I count on you?"
Motoslug felt a strong sense of responsibility settle on its shoulders, and it nodded earnestly, "Rawr!"
Naoki smiled. "Good."
He turned to Frostairy and Minifairy and waved goodbye.
The two Pokemon stood on either side of Motoslug, waving their tiny hands and swaying their bodies to bid him farewell.
"Fairy~"
"Moo~"
Naoki climbed onto Golurk's back, and with a powerful leap, Golurk took to the skies.
The ranch below gradually shrank in size, and Motoslug's figure eventually blended into the landscape, becoming indistinguishable from the surrounding greenery.
As they soared over the vast expanse of the Paldea region, Naoki surveyed the area before fixing their direction and instructing Golurk, "Let's go!"
"Gulk!"
Golurk responded with a determined cry and dove towards their destination.
Back at the ranch, the three Pokemon left behind stood in the grass, looking at each other with wide eyes.
For once, Motoslug didn't chase after butterflies.
It felt the weight of the important task Naoki had entrusted to it, and it was determined to carry out its duty diligently.
So, Motoslug stationed itself under the eaves of the wooden house, quietly watching over Frostairy and Minifairy as they chased butterflies and played on the lawn, guarding their home.
Above Motoslug, on the roof of the house, was Metalet, quietly waiting for the moment it would evolve, absorbing the warmth of the spring sunshine.
The gentle spring breeze blew softly, and as Motoslug basked in the wind, it felt itself grow just a little bit taller.
---
Golurk's flying speed was impressive, and it took less than an hour to reach the Pot Lake area.
Located in the northwestern part of the Paldea region, Pot Lake was a vast body of water shrouded in mist. Floating on the lake's surface were islands of various sizes that resembled dumplings boiling in a pot, giving the lake its name.
From above, the lake indeed resembled a giant pot, and the islands floating on its surface looked like ingredients waiting to be cooked.
This abundance of water also nurtured a diverse ecosystem of Pokemon.
Countless wild Pokemon made their homes here.
Along the lake's edge in the forest, one could spot Seasonal Deer drinking, a Tropius feeding on fruit-laden branches, groups of Slowpoke basking in the sun on the water's surface, and the fierce Gyarados roaming the waters.
There was also a Mimikyu disguised as sushi, feigning weakness to lure unsuspecting prey. Below it, a plump Binacle lay in wait with its mouth wide open, ready to snap up any unfortunate creature that took the bait.
Naoki was certain that if a prey Pokemon took the bait and flew down to capture Mimikyu, the Binacle would leap out of the water, swallowing both the prey and Mimikyu in one go.
Of course, Binacle wouldn't actually eat Mimikyu.
To it, Mimikyu was a valuable partner in hunting.
While Binacle was a big eater, it lacked skill in hunting and wasn't the brightest Pokemon.
Thus, it teamed up with Mimikyu to capture prey, treating Mimikyu with respect as a leader, while Mimikyu resided in Binacle's mouth, protected from external threats.
"Wow, the Pokemon ecosystem never ceases to amaze," Naoki mused, turning his attention away from the Mimikyu. He scanned the surroundings, searching for the Pokemon he desired.
Indeed, his primary goal for coming here was to capture a wild Dragonite, or perhaps a Dratini or Dragonair that had yet to evolve.
Firstly, because these Pokemon were adorable, and secondly, they could use Rain Dance, making them a dual-purpose asset.
They could summon rain for irrigation and also help deliver letters.
In this era, the internet wasn't as prevalent, and the pace of life was much slower. As a result, many people still relied on the old-fashioned method of communication—sending letters.
Unfortunately, despite scouring the lake's surface while riding on Golurk, Naoki couldn't spot any Dragonite.
"That's odd. Could the Pokemon distribution in reality be different from the game?" Naoki wondered aloud.
If his memory served him right, there should be Dragonite in this area in the game.
Having given up on finding Dragonite, Naoki shifted his focus to other Pokemon.
Tropius, Ride Sheep, and Ride Goat…
The neck of a Tropius produced fruit, bearing fruit twice a year, sweet and delicious.
It was said that children in the southern regions enjoyed snacking on the fruit that grew on a Tropius's neck, making it quite popular among them.
For this reason, in warmer regions, there were many farms dedicated to raising Tropius.
Ride Sheep and Ride Goats produced milk, which, while not as famous as MooMoo Milk, was still an excellent source of dairy.
What truly excited Naoki was the discovery of Salandit and Salazzle traces on a hillside not far from the lake's edge.
In town, a single Salandit sold for 10,000 Pokedollars. If he could capture a few of them here, he'd save a small fortune that could be used for other purposes!
(End of Chapter)
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