Chapter 13: The Legendary Milotic

“Qingmian Bird, do you know any other moves?” Qian Lin asked, looking at the cheerful Qingmian Bird.

The bird lifted its head, seemed to ponder for a moment, then nodded adorably.

In the next instant, it took to the air again. Under the curious gaze of Qian Lin and Milotic, it flapped its wings vigorously. A breeze swept across the lake behind the Qingmian Bird, causing the entire surface to shimmer like a spring breeze.

“Gust? Hurricane? No, that can’t be it.” Qian Lin shook his head. “Qingmian Bird wouldn’t be able to learn those moves.”

He looked puzzled at the wind blowing over the lake, then glanced up at the bird happily darting about in the sky. Suddenly, realization dawned on him. “Isn’t Qingmian Bird flying a bit fast?”

Just moments ago, when Qingmian Bird was flying around, its speed was like that of an ordinary bird—maybe even slower. But now, it seemed to dart about like a sharp arrow. Qian Lin raised his head sharply and whispered the name of the move: “Tailwind!”

[What kind of move is this? A gentle spring breeze?]

[Looks pretty simple.]

[Very useful in summer.]

[Natural Wind, forever the god!]

[Hey, enough! Didn’t the commentator just say this move is called Tailwind?]

[Qingmian Bird is flying so fast, it wasn’t like this before.]

[Tailwind? Shunfeng? Wow, no wonder it’s so fast.]

Qian Lin glanced at the chat and then smiled as he explained, “Pokémon moves aren’t always attacks. There are also status moves like the previous Sing and this Tailwind. Sing lowers the opponent’s Pokémon’s attack power, while Tailwind doubles the speed of your own Pokémon.”

It’s not a perfect analogy, but that’s how it works in the real world.

Qian Lin looked up at the Qingmian Bird in the sky with some emotion. “I didn’t expect Qingmian Bird to have inherited Tailwind. Its parents must be very strong.”

Soon, the effect of Tailwind faded, and the wind over the lake gradually calmed. The Qingmian Bird seemed a little puzzled by how its speed had slowed down but quickly forgot and happily hopped into Qian Lin’s arms, acting coquettishly.

Taking advantage of the moment, Qian Lin lifted Qingmian Bird for a closer look. Yes, it was a mischievous little girl.

Gently stroking the bird, Qian Lin laughed softly, “Why are you such a naughty girl? Can’t you be a little more reserved?”

“Choo?” Qingmian Bird tilted its head, looking puzzled.

“It’s nothing,” Qian Lin said, patting the bird’s head. “Do you know any other moves?”

Qingmian Bird shook its head. Qian Lin felt no disappointment. Four moves were quite a lot already. With Tailwind and Dragon Dive, this Qingmian Bird’s battle potential was not low; it just couldn’t fully unleash it due to its young age.

Milotic swam gently to the shore, watching Qian Lin. Then, as if remembering something, it bent down and lightly tapped Qingmian Bird.

Qian Lin was a bit confused. “Is something wrong, Milotic?”

“Fuu~” Milotic smiled faintly, then turned and opened its mouth toward the sky.

Before Qian Lin could react, a brilliant light suddenly shot out from Milotic’s mouth. The blue radiance took shape in midair, transforming into a gigantic dragon that roared as it charged into the distance, crashing violently into a mountainside far away.

Qian Lin watched as the mountain was blasted away, a full third of it disappearing.

Chat reaction: (⊙X⊙)

Qian Lin: ∑(っ°Д°;)っ

Qingmian Bird: !!!∑(ﾟДﾟノ)ノ

“D-Dragon Pulse?” Qian Lin was dumbfounded, staring at the landslide caused by the mountain’s collapse, utterly stunned.

The power was absurd! One strike obliterated a third of the mountain, causing a landslide that lowered the entire mountain by nearly half. Such force wouldn’t just wipe out humans instantly; even tanks and planes wouldn’t survive.

Comparing it to Qingmian Bird’s Dragon Dive earlier, which splashed water five or six meters high and seemed powerful, Milotic’s single Dragon Pulse leveled the mountain.

What had this Milotic been through? This power was beyond belief... Damn it! Good thing I didn’t provoke Milotic yesterday, good thing she is a compassionate Pokémon, thank goodness.

Qian Lin lightly patted his chest to steady his nerves, immensely grateful he hadn’t angered Milotic.

[Mom! I’m on my knees! The wild is terrifying! Boohoo...]

[Remember the giant Beedrill I saw next door before...]

[Enough! The gap is too big. I was nearly scared to death by Milotic’s light cannon just now!]

[I’m starting to doubt if this is real or not. Am I dreaming? Dreaming for two months... Maybe this world has no monsters or Pokémon, and they exist only because of my imagination.]

[The person above is crazy, confirmed.]

[What the hell, I’m going crazy too! What is that power? How many known missiles can match that?]

[Actually quite a few...]

[Don’t underestimate the power of technology!]

[If your legs weren’t shaking, that would be more convincing.]

[Guys, I have mixed feelings right now because I know this is real. Just now I saw with my own eyes a dragon-shaped light blast destroy a third of the mountain behind my hometown. Even from so far away, I felt like I could be blown up... I’m sitting at my doorstep smoking right now. The landslide is still ongoing, neighbors are stunned, and someone is calling the police...]

Qian Lin noticed this comment and paused before his expression changed. “Brother nearby, do you know if anyone lives above, below, or around that mountain?”

If Milotic’s Dragon Pulse had killed someone, Qian Lin would feel terribly guilty.

Soon, the commenter replied again.

“No one. That mountain is too far from the outside. We usually don’t go there except explorers or ecologists. Recently, it’s been prohibited due to Pokémon activities. I’m certain no one is there.”

“That’s a relief,” Qian Lin breathed out.

“Fuu~ Na~”

No need to worry. The mountain’s ecosystem wasn’t great; almost no Pokémon lived there. Even if there were any, they wouldn’t be on the barren side where the landslide occurred. Pokémon wouldn’t be harmed by the landslide.

Qian Lin looked at Milotic, who had now returned to her elegant and beautiful form, as if the mountain-shattering Dragon Pulse wasn’t hers. She opened her mouth, and Qian Lin was at a loss for words.

Milotic seemed to sense Qian Lin’s awkwardness and smiled gently, then looked at the frightened Qingmian Bird in his arms. “Fuu~”

Qian Lin was surprised and guessed, “Milotic, do you mean you want to teach Qingmian Bird Dragon Pulse?”

“Fuu~” Milotic nodded softly, then pointed her tail at the nearby Feebas, who had finished eating sometime ago.

Qian Lin stroked his chin. “You mean, because I gave Feebas some tasty instant noodles, you’re going to teach Qingmian Bird Dragon Pulse as a favor?”

“Fuu~” Milotic smiled and nodded.

“Ah... this...” Qian Lin was a little embarrassed. “Instant noodles aren’t exactly a rare treat. Trading them for Dragon Pulse—honestly, my conscience says no.”

“Fuu~” Milotic shook her head and rubbed against Qian Lin’s front, looking very affectionate.

Qian Lin understood. After hesitating, he reached out and gently stroked Milotic’s body. The smooth texture was somewhat like a snake’s but even slicker and much softer, without the hard feel of scales.

“I understand. Thank you, Milotic,” Qian Lin said with a grateful smile.

“Fuu~ Na!” Milotic squinted happily, looking like a delighted child.

“So beautiful...” Qian Lin sighed, then glanced down at the trembling Qingmian Bird in his arms and couldn’t help but laugh. “You—you were so fierce attacking Milotic just now, and now you won’t say a word.”

“Choo? O(*￣3￣)O”

Attack Milotic? When did I ever attack Milotic? Trainer, don’t make things up!

This made Qian Lin chuckle softly. “Coward.”

“Choochoo! (*｀皿´*)ﾉ”

...

Thus, Qingmian Bird was taken by Milotic to learn Dragon Pulse. Qian Lin cooked instant noodles while watching from afar. Qingmian Bird kept opening its mouth like sneezing, trying again and again, while Milotic patiently instructed.

Occasionally, Milotic would demonstrate herself, controlling the power carefully—just enough to make the lake’s surface splash up a dozen meters.

...That was all.

Feebas sat beside Qian Lin, its dull eyes staring into the distance, seemingly lost in thought. At least it had eaten and wasn’t fighting over breakfast, so Qian Lin could finally enjoy a proper bowl of instant noodles.

Eating his belated breakfast, he chatted with the viewers.

[Polite Fish: You?]

[Milotic is so beautiful, sigh~]

[Praprapra... Screen’s dirty.]

[I get it, no need to explain.]

[Streamer, you said Qingmian Bird is Normal/Flying type. What about Milotic? Dragon type?]

[No way, are you crazy?]

[I didn’t think there were dragons either, but Qingmian Bird’s Dragon Dive and Milotic’s Dragon Pulse have shattered my worldview. If you said there were aliens too, I’d believe it.]

[Dragons... seem even more magical than aliens, right?]

Qian Lin swallowed and replied, “I forgot to tell you all about Pokémon types earlier. Let me cover it now.”

He put down his bowl and wiped the soup from his mouth. “As everyone knows, Pokémon have eighteen types: Normal, Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, Ice, Bug, Flying, Ground, Rock, Fighting, Psychic, Ghost, Poison, Dark, Steel, Dragon, and Fairy. Some Pokémon have dual types; others are single type. For example, Qingmian Bird is Normal and Flying.”

“Milotic is a Water-type Pokémon, and so is Feebas,” Qian Lin said, smiling as he patted Feebas’s head. “However, some Pokémon change types upon evolving. For example, Qingmian Bird evolves into the Starling, which is Dragon and Flying type.”

[Only you know that, not 'everyone.' Damn.]

[There really are dragons?]

[Psychic? Ghost? Dragon? Fairy? I can understand the others, but these four are a bit much.]

Seeing those comments, Qian Lin thought for a moment. “Pokémon are magical creatures, and I’m not even sure if there are only eighteen types. Who knows if a new type might suddenly emerge? But those four you mentioned are indeed real.”

...