Chapter Seventeen: Water Fight with the Dragon Rider

"Pokémon bodyguards—what can they do?" Ma Zhishi took a bottle of soda from Raichu’s hand. "Anything you can’t handle, they’ll take care of for you. For example, those who covet your research results? We’ll bury them—figuratively speaking."

"Don’t worry, it’s not illegal. We use precision ground-type moves to hold them in place, and you won’t even need to call Officer Jenny yourself—just tell us the address and what’s happening."

"Our Rocket Bodyguard Corps’ motto for security is to treat every client as if they’re useless, even if they aren’t."

"Admittedly, that slogan stings a little, but the response has been great. Many research institutes in Kanto have partnerships with us."

Alright, you’re impressive.

Zhuxuehan rubbed his brow. "Forget it, I don’t need that kind of service. Just prepare the resources I asked for—how long will it take?"

"Don’t underestimate Team Rocket! From now, within twenty-four hours I’ll have everything ready and delivered to you." Ma Zhishi slipped into work mode. "Do you want to leave an address for door-to-door delivery, or will you pick it up at the convenience store yourself when the time is right?"

"Oh, nearly forgot—for esteemed clients like you, I’ll throw in a little extra: Team Rocket’s latest smart communication device."

A phone?

In the usual timeline, when would Pokémon world finally invent cell phones? Maybe Devon’s side?

Well, not important—as long as it works.

"You researchers must be busy folks. We’ll even put your future phone bills on the tech department’s tab."

Determined to squeeze a bit more from Zhuxuehan’s pockets, Ma Zhishi left nothing to chance.

"I’ll give you the internal model. If needed, you can connect directly to our Rocket Group’s logistics department. Its performance is better than any commercial product."

Excellent—they’ve clearly been at this for a while.

Zhuxuehan nodded in satisfaction, verbally agreeing that when the payment arrived, the remaining bait module blueprints would be sent over.

Zhuxuehan sat on a bench by the street, studying his map, then glanced at Lapras, who was nibbling snacks beside him.

"Work’s done. Now, let’s relax by the water. When Chihui finishes school, we’ll pick her up and head home together."

They arrived at a natural lakeside nestled against the mountains. Zhuxuehan tossed out a Poké Ball, letting Lapras frolic freely in the lake, indulging her nature.

"Azalea Town—outside the Oak Woods, there’s nothing particularly unique. It really is the perfect starter village."

Zhuxuehan gazed at the clear lake, feeling a touch of regret.

He’d rushed out too soon. As a seasoned angler, he’d never even visited places like Rage Lake.

Water area?

Doesn’t matter—just cast a line and see.

But fishing in the wilds of the Pokémon world, it’s all too easy to end up in the water yourself, forced to lock eyes with a host of fierce Gyarados.

Splash—

Zhuxuehan instinctively raised his arm to block, surprised to find himself under attack by a small surf wave.

Lapras’s giggles and the slap of her flippers followed. Clearly, she was inviting Zhuxuehan to join her in the water.

"Playing with you puts me at a real disadvantage—I can’t use moves, and you could blast me from one shore to another with a single Hydro Pump."

Zhuxuehan tested the depth, scooped up a handful of water, and poured it over Lapras’s head.

"Alright, you start?"

"Oo?"

Lapras tilted her head, then retreated some distance. She slapped the water hard with her flippers.

A tidal wave!

Zhuxuehan dove into the water, dodging Lapras’s attack. Surfacing, he pushed forward with both arms, sending two small sheets of water precisely at Lapras.

"Ooo!" Lapras’s eyes lit up.

She hadn’t expected to be hit first!

Time to show her trainer the true power of Lapras!

As a water-type, Lapras began to demonstrate her home-field advantage, harrying Zhuxuehan with speed and positioning.

Sometimes she’d rush forward and splash, other times feint, and when distance grew, she’d unleash a Water Gun to blanket Zhuxuehan’s position.

The principle was simple—the pressure and force were lighter, so when close, it turned into a drizzly "Water Gun special."

Even so, Zhuxuehan remained difficult to hit, sometimes even landing counterattacks on Lapras.

Lapras had the home turf, but when it came to target size, Zhuxuehan held the advantage.

So the scene unfolded: Lapras, firing uninterrupted, barely landing hits, opting for blanket bombardment, while Zhuxuehan played the patient game, every move effective.

"Ooo ooo ooo!" Lapras grew anxious—whose home turf was this, anyway? Couldn’t water-types get a little respect?

"When it comes to water fights, I have way more experience than you."

Water fights were simple—everyone’s an enemy, and if you don’t want to be covered in fire, you have to master your movement.

"Oo!"

Lapras’s competitive spirit was fully ignited—today, she was determined to win!

Lapras began circling Zhuxuehan, switching up her speed and strength, her Water Guns forming a ring around him.

The encirclement worked—Zhuxuehan was getting hit more often.

But the tactic didn’t trap him in a whirlpool; instead, Lapras wore herself out spinning and firing.

Soon, she stopped, head resting on the water, allowing the lake’s currents to carry her wherever they pleased.

She was exhausted.

"Adaptation is key—or rather, if you think calmly, you’ve already won the water fight."

Zhuxuehan swam over and patted Lapras on the head.

"Having a competitive edge is great, but you also need to learn to keep your cool."

Zhuxuehan continued, "I’ve got a few ideas for improving your move usage. Next chance we get, let’s try some experiments."

"Oo?"

Lapras looked at Zhuxuehan eagerly—did she win?

"Of course you won, who else could it be?"

Zhuxuehan pointed to himself. "If I went out like this, I’d play the role of a water ghost perfectly—this whole look is your achievement."

With Zhuxuehan floating, white hair splayed on the water like seaweed, if a passerby saw him at night, Officer Abei would be called to maintain order the next day.

A ghost-type Pokémon—surely a uniquely colored one!

"Ooo." Lapras nuzzled Zhuxuehan’s cheek, then dove slightly and resurfaced, lifting him onto her back.

"So, did you enjoy yourself today?"

Zhuxuehan sat on Lapras’s back, his head resting against her damp neck, eyes on the blue sky, handing an energy cube to her mouth.

Lapras lowered her head, ate the cube, then glanced sideways at Zhuxuehan, smiling as she drifted in the little lake.

"Ooo!"

If you’d change into clothes not soaked by water, I’d be even happier.

"Don’t tease—I only have this one outfit."

Zhuxuehan laughed. "Even a Water Gun plus Thunderbolt couldn’t faze me, so catching a chill is even less likely."

Leaning against Lapras, eyes on the sky, water lapping below, cool clothes clinging to his skin, basking in sunlight—even with energy to spare, Zhuxuehan felt the urge to nap.

Damn, this is what life’s about!

Human and Pokémon floated on the lake for half the day, running into some less aggressive Pokémon like Goldeen and Magikarp.

Thanks to their earlier water fight, the previously calm lake had become lively, with small teams splashing about.

Because of that, as Zhuxuehan and Lapras drifted, no Pokémon minded—they’d all secretly watched the match and were familiar with his face.

The liveliest area had a determined-looking Poliwag at the center, combining Foam Screen and Water Gun attacks, overwhelming its opponents.

Then, the opposing team’s general called for reinforcements, summoning a formidable Magikarp.

A Kingler pushed Magikarp as a shield, giving Horsea and Goldeen room to attack, even letting Horsea use Smoke Screen for a genuine smoke-charged advance.

But the other side’s Iron Headed Boy was fiercer—or maybe just more reckless.

Smoke Screen?

Today, I’ll be the strongest ghost in the fog—nothing can stop me!

Staryu gave a sharp cry, its core gemstone flashing, Surf move lifting Poliwag forward in a steady charge, Water Gun blazing through the smoke!

Even if Magikarp could endure, it couldn’t withstand the tidal onslaught; the opposing lineup was scattered instantly, victory decided.

Laughter echoed from both teams of Pokémon, and soon a second group was randomly formed for another match.

"Interesting."

Zhuxuehan turned around, like a youth who always sat backwards on a motorcycle suddenly facing forward seriously.

"Let’s go—it’s about time for lunch. Those were just snacks. We’ll go to the Pokémon Center for a hot, fresh meal."

"No, maybe not hot—but definitely freshly made."

After all, not everyone is like the disciplined Chansey at the Pokémon Center.

"Ooo?"

Zhuxuehan replied calmly, "No worries—after making energy cubes, we’ll hit up a lucky restaurant and eat our fill from their supplies."

He’d make an extra batch for himself while preparing energy cubes, saving the trouble of watching the restaurant owner panic at his appetite and dial Officer Jenny.

Having a good appetite is a privilege.