Ash's Pokémon Travel Has Big Problems

"Ho-Oh has appeared again! And it's another Golden-Sparkling Magikarp!"

"Ash, you truly deserve to be my most promising trainer!"

"The future of the Pokémon League rests on your shoulders!"

"Even if Xiao Mao runs a hundred times faster, he still can't match what you've gained!"

Professor Oak is now very satisfied with Ash.

As for his grandson, Xiao Mao?

That kid is still too immature. He's always leading a bunch of girls as cheerleaders. I don't know when he'll grow up.

"Doctor... let me tell you in detail what has happened during this period."

"...Xiaoxia, a trainer from Cerulean City, also met Ho-Oh with me..." Ash explained what had happened during this period.

Of course, the specific content has been polished.

“Xiaoxia…that sounds like a name I vaguely remember.” Professor Oak stroked his chin. “I remember now, she’s from the Cerulean Gym, isn’t she?”

"...The child's parents went missing when they went overseas to challenge Sea King-type Pokémon."

"Pokémon in the ocean are much more dangerous than those on land," Professor Oak said thoughtfully.

"...Xiaoxia didn't tell me much about this. I'll pay attention later, Professor." Ash did know that Xiaoxia was the Cerulean City Gym Leader, but Xiaoxia herself hadn't said so, so he could only pretend he didn't know.

But... this is the first time I've heard the reason for Cerulean City's decline... the previous generation's Gym Leader disappeared overseas?

"Let me briefly explain the Sea King type of Pokémon to you... They are the counterparts of the so-called Pokémon Overlords." Professor Oak began his explanation.

According to ancient legend, there are five sea kings in the four oceans.

"They are all subordinates of Kyogre, the Sea God."

"They are……"

Chapter 15: The Golden Gyarados Finally Evolves!

After buying the supplies, Ash and Misty left Viridian City.

At this point, we had entered Viridian Forest.

Xiaoxia kicked aside a pine cone blocking her way, her orange ponytail twitching irritably as she finally couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Hey, Ash!" She suddenly stopped and pointed in the direction of the city that was no longer visible behind her.

"The Tokiwa Dojo is right in town!"

"You didn't even glance at the door that way?"

"That's the gym closest to Pallet Town!"

"Although Gym Leader Giovanni is elusive, the number of Gym Leaders under him is enough to test newcomers!"

"Wouldn't it be better to just take the badge and leave?"

Xiaoxia couldn't understand what Xiaozhi was thinking.

Ash was parting a clump of drooping vines when he heard this. Without turning his head, he said lazily, "What's the rush? The professor said that the Viridian Gym's assessment is more practical and not very friendly to newcomers."

"Pika! Pika!" Pikachu nodded.

"He suggested that we go to Pewter City to find Brock first, practice hitting 'rock' to gain some experience... and then get the Viridian Gym Badge."

Ash thought that since Professor Oak said so, it would be better to do it that way.

Keep in mind that Viridian City is only a day's journey from Pallet Town, and that's at walking speed... Who knows if Professor Oak and Giovanni have any kind of unspoken understanding?

Anyway, Ash doesn't think Professor Might and his friends are too naive.

Did the league really not know about the Rockets' expansion?

Or is it that the problem can't be solved?

"Professor Oak! It's Professor Oak again!" Misty stomped her foot in anger. "Is he your babysitter? Does he even care which gym you fight?"

"Huh?!" Ash finally turned around.

Professor Oak's skill level is hardly suitable for being a babysitter.

Shouldn't you be laughing your head off at such a good thing?

Even Professor Oak's grandson, Gary, doesn't receive this kind of treatment.

Xiao Zhi grinned, his teeth dazzlingly white in the sunlight: "Those who don't heed the advice of their elders will suffer the consequences."

Xiaoxia choked, then snorted angrily, "That sounds nice... Let me see what you're up to!"

But the doubts and frustration in my heart lingered.

This guy, Pikachu is ridiculously strong, yet he's mysteriously following the professor's advice to avoid Viridian City... Something just doesn't feel right.

Unfortunately, the Cerulean Dojo has declined, and there are some things she really doesn't know.

Ash and Misty bickered all the way, which was quite interesting.

The rushing sound of the river guided our way.

Soon, a clear and fast-flowing stream appeared in the woods.

A wave of moisture hit my face, bringing a cool sensation.

Pikachu nimbly leaped onto the edge of the boulder and curiously examined the flowing water.

"This is it!" Ash's eyes lit up, and he quickly walked to a flat boulder by the stream.

He deftly put down his backpack and took out a Poké Ball.

"Come out, buddy!"

Red light flashes.

"Splash!" The golden Magikarp fell into a deeper bend in the stream, splashing up tiny droplets of water.

It seemed to really enjoy the flowing water, swaying its tail, its golden scales reflecting shimmering, fragmented gold light as the sunlight filtered through the trees.

As for Pidgey?

It's flying in the sky~

"Magikarp," Ash crouched by the stream, his eyes fixed intently on the golden figure in the water, "begin your training for today! Give it your all! Splash, jump to your limit!"

The current Magikarp only knows Splash and Tackle... In a way, these two moves can be combined in the water.

In short, just ram it with all your might.

"Pika! Pikachu!" Pikachu cheered from the side, a few tiny sparks crackling from its cheeks.

“Carp…” Magikarp’s dull eyes seemed to focus for a moment, sensing the trainer’s unprecedented seriousness.

It suddenly swung its tail, no longer thrashing aimlessly as usual, but instead aimed at a dark, protruding rock in the stream!

"Plop-la-la—!"

The water exploded!

Its golden body burst forth with astonishing power, like an arrow released from a bow, carrying an unstoppable momentum, and crashed fiercely into that hard reef!

"Boom!!!"

The dull thud echoed through the valley.

The reef remained motionless, but the Magikarp was thrown backward by the enormous recoil, crashing heavily onto the water's surface and creating an even bigger splash.

"Alright! That's it! Keep going!" Ash's voice remained unwavering, instead filled with excitement. "Feel the impact! Feel the surging power within you! Smash it!"

"Carp—!!!" Magikarp seemed to be ignited by this command, its tail thrashing wildly in the water, creating a rapid whirlpool.

It crashed into that reef again and again, with all its might!

Each impact was dull and powerful, and the golden scales seemed to shimmer with a faint light under the intense friction and impact.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The crashing sounds were continuous, like the beating of war drums. The stream was churned into a murky mess, with water splashing everywhere.

Xiaoxia stood a little distance away with her arms crossed, watching this almost self-torturing training method with a furrowed brow.

That silly fish... can it really do it?

As she watched the Magikarp being bounced away again and again, its scales seemed to have become duller, and she felt a strange pang of unease—it must hurt a lot, right?

It's unknown how many times it was hit.

Sudden--

"Om..."

Without warning, a soft yet resilient white light burst forth from Magikarp's body!

The light instantly enveloped its entire body, lifting it from the murky water!

The light grew brighter and brighter, like a small sun fallen to earth, illuminating the entire stream and forest clearing as bright as day!

A powerful surge of life energy spread out like ripples, startling the Pidgey in the air into letting out a high-pitched cry, and causing Pikachu's fur to stand on end.

"They're here!" Ash's heart nearly leaped out of his chest, and his eyes blazed with ecstatic joy.

This was the moment he had been waiting for.

Without the slightest hesitation, his mind instantly focused on the system interface in his head!

[Confirmed to use a one-time color-changing paint job on Pokémon: Gyarados]

[Appearance color locked: gold]

[Confirm Use]

The moment Xiaozhi confirmed it, the dazzling white light above the stream suddenly contracted, stretched, and expanded inward.

A massive, ferocious, and powerful silhouette rapidly took shape in the white light.

A burst of white light erupted.

"Roar--!!!"

A deafening dragon roar, filled with supreme majesty and a violent aura, resounded like thunder across the Viridian Forest.

The violent sound waves stirred up a gale, causing the branches and leaves of the surrounding trees to dance wildly and the stream to swirl backwards.

The white light dissipated.

A colossal creature floats above the stream!

Its terrifying body, nearly seven meters long, was covered with layers upon layers of thick, massive scales, like golden armor.

Each scale shimmered with a pure, dazzling, crimson gold, as if forged from the essence of the sun.

Its ferocious dragon head was raised high, and its scarlet eyes, like burning lava, were filled with destructive power.

A robust body with a golden dorsal fin.

Like a golden dragon king straight out of mythology!

Xiaoxia was completely petrified.

Her mouth was agape, her orange hair was disheveled by the strong wind, her eyes were wide open as if they were about to burst, and her mind was blank.

Golden...golden...Gyarados?!

This...how is this possible? !

Can Magikarp really evolve into a gold form?!

Ash spread his arms wide, facing the ferocious threat, and his voice was incredibly loud:

"Did you see that, Xia!"

"Do you see this world?!"

"This is my partner!"

"Golden—"

"Dragon King!!!"

The roar echoed through the forest—