Chapter 50: The Miracle of Life! Evolve!

Zhao Fang’s eyes widened in disbelief. He wondered if he was imagining things, but soon realized this was no hallucination. The King Carp’s body began to stir, its movements growing more pronounced, and as the frequency increased, a blinding white light started to radiate from its body.

Zhao Fang had seen this light before. During his battle with the gambling woman, her Lotad removed the Everstone, evolving into a Lombre in a burst of this very same evolutionary glow.

“King Carp!” Zhao Fang shouted, excitement bursting from him. As if in answer, the light enveloped the entire King Carp. Dragomessia, startled and uneasy, scuttled back to hide behind Zhao Fang, a sense of foreboding gripping it.

The light of evolution—Zhao Fang’s adoptive father had once called it the most magnificent sight in the world, a true miracle of life. Back then, Zhao Fang didn’t understand. Evolution just meant reaching the right level or fulfilling some condition, then glowing and changing shape—what was so miraculous about that?

But now, watching this radiance unfold before him, Zhao Fang was seized by an indescribable emotion. If it weren’t his own Pokémon, he would never have felt this way. He clenched his fists, steadied his breath, and gazed silently at the glowing form before him. As the light reached its peak, Zhao Fang couldn’t help but close his eyes.

When he opened them again, he found a huge, gaping maw looming right over his head. Startled, Zhao Fang shuddered from head to toe. But the newly evolved Gyarados bent down and affectionately nuzzled his face, its fierce eyes never leaving Dragomessia, who cowered behind Zhao Fang. The fishy stench from Gyarados’ mouth thoroughly dispelled Zhao Fang’s joy.

“Should Gyarados start brushing its teeth? And if so, what kind of toothbrush would I even get for it? How would I deal with the toothpaste?” Zhao Fang could think of nothing else at that moment.

“Dra-goo...” Dragomessia whined, begging for mercy. It hadn’t expected that the King Carp, unconscious moments before, would not only awaken but evolve—and grow so enormous!

With a guttural roar, Gyarados let out a low, thunderous sound. Zhao Fang instinctively pinched his nose, then reached up to press Gyarados’ mouth shut.

“That’s enough, Gyarados. Time for breakfast, not roaring.” Zhao Fang’s head ached a little; only after raising a Gyarados did he realize it had such foul breath!

Seeing Gyarados’ aggrieved expression, Zhao Fang nearly laughed aloud. For such a fearsome creature to look so pitifully cute was an unexpected contrast—almost adorable.

He glanced at Gyarados’ forehead. The red scale was gone. Zhao Fang wondered: was it that Rage Scale which provided King Carp the power to evolve? And was it a single-use item?

Gyarados shot Dragomessia a glare, and suddenly a ghastly black visage appeared behind its head. Dragomessia trembled all over, even emitting a glow that signaled a drop in speed.

Zhao Fang’s mouth twitched. Clearly, Gyarados had learned Scary Face.

“I’d imagined you’d evolve mid-battle, you know? Like, if I was in a tight spot and you got angry enough to evolve and save me.” Zhao Fang stroked Gyarados’ body; it was still smooth and chilled, perfect for hot weather.

He’d never expected Gyarados’ evolution to be so... unconventional.

But seeing the trembling Dragomessia, Zhao Fang recalled its earlier behavior. Perhaps King Carp’s evolution was linked to Dragomessia after all. Judging by Gyarados’ actions, Zhao Fang suspected most of its rage was directed at its own partner.

While Gyarados ate, Zhao Fang circled around it, and beneath its neck he spotted a uniquely shaped scale among the rest. Only this one protruded oddly. Curious, Zhao Fang reached out and touched it. The moment his hand brushed the scale, Gyarados’ whole body stiffened, and its massive head swung around.

Seeing it was only Zhao Fang, Gyarados turned back to its meal, though the scale trembled slightly. Zhao Fang then noticed another scale hidden beneath—the same crimson scale as before.

He placed his hand on it, hoping to confirm his hunch.

[A scale brimming with rage.]

The description remained unchanged.

Unable to resolve his doubts for now, Zhao Fang could only accept the mystery. The evolution of Gyarados remained an enigma beyond scientific explanation, and Zhao Fang was no scholar. For him, the successful evolution of King Carp was a miracle in itself.

“Gyarados, after breakfast, let’s go outside and test your new moves.” Zhao Fang patted its body. He needed to quickly familiarize himself with Gyarados’ current abilities.

Once Gyarados finished eating, Zhao Fang took it out to find a wild Pokémon and test its skills.

“These moves... something’s off,” Zhao Fang muttered, reviewing the list. Gyarados’ moveset was similar to others of its kind, but there was one move Zhao Fang never expected. And its ability didn’t seem to be Intimidate—after defeating a Poochyena, Gyarados was surrounded by an aura that boosted its attack.

“No matter what, with you, I’m sure to win at the Rock-type Gym this time.” Zhao Fang looked at his imposing Gyarados, then at the cowering Poochyena, and grinned with satisfaction. His strength now was worlds apart from before.

If, with Gyarados and Dragomessia, he still couldn’t defeat the Rock-type Gym, he might as well give up his journey, return home, and grow sweet potatoes, leaving it to May and Yuuki to save Hoenn.

He recalled Gyarados into its Poké Ball to check its evaluation.

[A Gyarados with potential beyond imagination, possessing the ability to grow even further.]

“Potential to grow even further? What does that mean? Does it refer to base stats? Or Mega Evolution?” Zhao Fang frowned. His golden finger was useful, but never explaining things was endlessly frustrating.

After a moment’s thought, Zhao Fang dropped the matter, packed his bag, and set off toward Kanaz City with Gyarados and Dragomessia in tow. He was determined to earn his first Gym Badge, though he wondered what kind of opponent awaited him.

Zhao Fang felt a surge of anticipation—though, thinking of Gyarados’ unusual moves, his expression grew somewhat odd. Still, perhaps that would give Gyarados an edge in battle.