Pokemon: Skybound

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Hearing Quackenpoker's explanation, Tracey was intrigued. "So the number of Magikarp actually affects their evolution?"

Quackenpoker nodded. "That's right. This lake has a unique energy, and the more Magikarp that gather, the stronger the effect becomes allowing them to evolve in large numbers. If too few arrive, we might have to wait until tomorrow before we see any evolution."

The sun dipped toward the horizon, casting long shadows across the lake.

Since they would be camping overnight, the group split up to prepare before darkness fully set in.

Quackenpoker focused on monitoring the Magikarp.

Ash and Misty collected firewood and lit a campfire.

Tracey prepared dinner.

Kai and Sabrina set up the tents for the night.

Dinner that evening was curry rice with fruit salad.

While the fruit was freshly gathered from the nearby forest, the rest of the ingredients, rice, potatoes, and curry mix had been brought along by Ash and his friends.

Compared to Kai, who often stayed at hotels or ate out, Ash and the others were used to outdoor survival. They always carried enough food supplies to last through their travels.

"This is delicious!"

As the fragrant curry was served, Quackenpoker took a bite and his eyes lit up.

"Hah! What luck! I was expecting to eat instant noodles tonight, but instead, I get a meal like this on a deserted island, no less!"

Sitting across from him, Kai scooped a spoonful of curry-covered rice into his mouth.

It was good.

However, compared to Brock's cooking, Tracey's skills were still a step behind.

The group ate and talked around the campfire, and the warm atmosphere made the simple meal even more enjoyable.

By the time they finished, over an hour had passed, and the moon had risen high into the sky.

Misty, taking on her usual caretaker role, brewed a pot of hot tea for everyone.

As they sat by the fire, Quackenpoker turned to Tracey with an amused grin.

"Young man, you're a Pokémon Watcher, aren't you?"

Tracey blinked in surprise. "Wait… how did you know?"

Quackenpoker chuckled. "Hah! Never underestimate the eyes of an experienced observer. I noticed your sketchbook and binoculars earlier by the river. Plus, your way of thinking is just like ours."

Tracey laughed as he finally understood. He hadn't exactly been hiding his identity, so he didn't mind being recognized.

By now, Quackenpoker's attitude had softened toward the group.

His once gruff demeanour had shifted to that of a kindly elder, treating them with warmth and humour.

"Let me see your notes."

Tracey nodded and handed over his sketchbook, along with his observation logs.

Quackenpoker flipped through the pages carefully, taking his time.

Finally, he nodded in approval.

"Very nice! You've got a great eye for detail. Your work is thorough and well-documented I can tell you're passionate. Keep at it! You've got a bright future ahead."

The two Pokémon Watchers continued exchanging knowledge, with Tracey absorbing everything like a sponge.

Meanwhile, Quackenpoker didn't ignore the rest of the group.

Taking a sip of his tea, he began sharing stories from his travels his encounters with rare Pokémon, his adventures in faraway regions, and the strange phenomena he had witnessed.

His tales were so vivid and exciting that Ash and the others were completely captivated.

.

.

.

.

.

As the night wore on, more Magikarp arrived at the lake.

But it still wasn't enough to trigger their mass evolution.

Quackenpoker checked his watch and frowned. "Hmm… not good. Their numbers are lower than expected. Looks like we'll have to camp here overnight."

It was already past 10 PM, and after eating a full meal, Ash and the others were getting drowsy.

Kai and Tracey briefly discussed taking turns for night watch, but before they could finalize a plan...

"I'll keep watch myself," Quackenpoker interrupted his tone firm.

"This is my research. I can't trust anyone else to handle something this important." His words were blunt but undeniably true.

Quackenpoker had been studying these Magikarp for three years.

Now that the moment of evolution was near, there was no way he would leave it to someone else.

Tracey initially tried to insist, worried about the old man's health, but Quackenpoker refused to budge.

Seeing how determined he was, Kai and the others backed down, letting him have his way.

Before heading to bed, Kai and Sabrina washed up by the lake and retreated to their tent.

Ash and Tracey, meanwhile, rolled out their sleeping bags near the fire and settled in for the night.

Only Misty remained standing, staring intently at Kai and Sabrina's tent.

Something about this situation seemed… off.

'Why are those two sharing a tent…?' Misty's expression darkened slightly.

She wasn't sure what kind of relationship Kai and Sabrina had, but if they were casually sleeping in the same tent, then they were clearly very close.

'Wait… could it be that Kai and Sabrina are…' A realization struck Misty like a Thunderbolt.

Her heart skipped a beat, 'Are they a couple?!'

She hesitated.

Then, before she could talk herself out of it—

She marched straight to Kai's tent, lifted the flap, and crawled inside.

—

Inside, Kai was spreading out blankets, making sure the ground was comfortable enough for sleeping.

Sabrina, already dressed in light sleepwear, was sitting on her side of the tent.

Both of them looked up as Misty suddenly poked her head in.

Kai blinked. "Misty?"

Sabrina's brows furrowed slightly, but she didn't say anything.

Misty forced a smile.

"Um… hey, Kai…" she said sweetly.

Kai raised an eyebrow. "What's up?"

Misty hesitated for a moment.

Then, noticing Sabrina in her sleepwear, she suddenly found her resolve.

"The thing is… it's kinda cold outside, and, um…"

She cleared her throat.

"Kai, can I sleep in your tent tonight?"

Kai almost laughed, 'Misty… you're already inside. What am I supposed to say 'No, get out'?'

Besides, leaving her out in the cold just to preserve some boundary didn't sit right with him.

Ignoring Sabrina's pointed stare, Kai chuckled.

"Of course. There's plenty of room it could fit four people easily."

Sabrina remained silent, simply observing.

Misty settled in, but her eyes flickered between Kai and Sabrina.

As she pulled her sleeping bag closer, she thought to herself:

'This night… just got a lot more interesting'

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