Chapter 49: I Can't Do Anything...
The ocher body of the Feebas floated on the water, its blue fins drooping slightly, giving it a forlorn and melancholic appearance.
(._.) EMO.
From its demeanor, it was evident that Feebas was deeply dejected—perhaps even a little withdrawn.
"Don't worry," Victor said, though his attempt at comforting the little Pokémon was clumsy at best. "Those two people have already been captured by Alakazam and Gardevoir. They're just waiting for your siblings to return and deal with them."
Victor had never been good at comforting others. His life had been surrounded by either optimistic or fiercely strong individuals. Neither Carbink nor Incineroar had ever shown this kind of vulnerability.
(*￣︿￣) [No, it's not that. I just feel… so weak right now. Without my brothers and sisters, I can't do anything.]
Victor blinked in surprise. He had assumed Feebas was shaken from being caught, but it seemed the problem ran deeper.
"At least you were brave enough to stand up when the Dratini were taken, right?" Victor said, attempting to console it.
"Strength is something you can always improve with effort and practice," he added reassuringly.
Indeed, if Feebas wanted to grow stronger, with Latios and Latias as its protectors, its journey to power would be smooth. There would be little standing in its way as it advanced toward the champion level.
Feebas, as a species, are typically born in the wild and grow up in harsh, muddy waters. However, a rare few are born directly from evolved Milotic. These Feebas are nurtured with extraordinary care and love by their parents, giving them a significant advantage in life.
The Feebas before Victor, though, had been treated far better than even that.
After Feebas was picked up as an egg by Latios and Latias, her life became one of privilege and comfort. With the unwavering support of two second-tier legendary Pokémon, she could have anything she desired within the secret realm ruled by her siblings.
It was as though she had grown up in a world of honey and sweetness, untouched by hardship or sorrow.
With her elder siblings as her protectors, the pseudo-legendary Pokémon and other inhabitants of the secret realm indulged her completely. She had no drive to grow stronger, content with her carefree life.
But everything changed that fateful night.
She had returned home, only to find her brothers and sisters absent. Bored, she sat by the water, idly blowing bubbles.
Suddenly, a strange black wave rippled through the area, putting the nearby Pokémon into a deeper slumber.
Even though Feebas was shielded by the power of her siblings—protection that rendered her immune to mental disturbances unless the attacker surpassed Latios and Latias in strength—she sensed something was wrong.
She saw her friend, Dratini, who usually played with her, being taken away by a group of intruders.
Panic-stricken, Feebas rushed toward the leader of the group. For the first time, she understood how powerless she truly was.
Her desperate attempts to fight back were futile. The enemy's Pokémon captured her with ease, and her strongest Water Pulse couldn't even scratch their defenses.
Soon, she found herself locked away in a dark iron cage.
Even so, Feebas wasn't afraid. She firmly believed that her brother Latios and sister Latias would come to save her.
She was simply disappointed in herself.
I... can't do anything.
From the moment she was trapped in the dark iron cage until she was rescued by the human she admired, Feebas had been deep in thought.
After a long time, she finally made up her mind.
I want to become strong—stronger than my brother Latios and sister Latias!
This time, it would be her turn to protect her home and repay the human who had saved her and her companions.
---
"You want to become stronger, so you're asking for my help?"
Victor sat on a rock, his arms wrapped around his knees, looking at the determined Feebas in front of him.
"Woo woo woo!" ::[ Carbink , Incineroar behind you was trained by you.]
[I can sense it didn't take long for them to grow so powerful...]
Feebas paused before continuing.
[I heard from my brothers and sisters that humans have a profession called "Trainer" that helps Pokémon become stronger.]
[So, I want to ask you to help me become stronger.]
Feebas's resolve was clear in her tone and expression.
"Of course, I'd love to help."
Victor understood that before Latios and Latias returned, he would likely remain on this island for a while.
---
Pokémon: Feebas
Type: Water
Gender: Female
Ability: Adaptability
Level: 23
Held Item: None
Moves: Splash, Tackle, Mirror Coat, Icy Wind, Water Pulse, Dragon Pulse
Victor noted that Feebas's status hadn't changed since he first checked a few days ago. He understood that it would be challenging for Feebas to grow stronger in her current form.
After some thought, he took out his phone and displayed a picture of a Milotic and Feebas swimming side by side.
"Feebas, do you know that you have an evolved form?" Victor asked.
[I do. My brothers and sisters once asked if I wanted to evolve into Milotic.]
"I believe you're strong enough to evolve into Milotic now," Victor said sincerely. "Once you evolve, your strength, energy, and moves will experience a massive upgrade, and your combat capabilities will improve significantly."
Feebas stared at him, deep in thought.
[Evolution...]
After a moment of hesitation, Feebas finally made up her mind.
[I... I will.]
"Alright, I'll help you with that. But I suggest waiting until Latios and Latias return before proceeding with the evolution."
Victor wanted to ensure that such an important moment was overseen by her siblings.
[Do you know when they'll be back?] Feebas asked. She hadn't seen Latios and Latias since her return and turned to Victor for answers.
"They're busy purifying the Heart Drops that were corrupted by those intruders," Victor explained. "They'll return once the purification is complete."
He then shared all the information he had learned from Latios and Latias about their mission, ensuring Feebas understood the situation clearly.