"Dru~"
The Pokémon had a long, snake-like body covered in sapphire-blue scales. Its belly was bright white, and it had gleaming black eyes. A small white horn sat on its forehead, and two wing-like fins extended from either side of its head.
It also had three crystal-like blue orbs on its body: one below its neck and two at the tip of its tail.
It was Dragonair, the sacred Pokémon!
Behind the Dragonair followed a petite Dratini, curiously observing the newcomer in the lake.
In all its life, it had never seen another of its kind.
Though naturally cautious, it felt a strong desire to interact.
So under Dragonair's lead, this mother and child slowly swam toward Caster's Dratini. They circled it, examining it carefully.
Solid and sturdy.
This was the first impression the Dragonair pair had of the newcomer.
Compared to Caster's Dratini, the wild Dratini looked underfed—scrawny and weak.
"Dratini~"
Caster's Dratini called out, swimming freely through the lake while making simple exchanges with the Dragonair pair.
Toward other Pokémon, the Dragonair pair always maintained their guard.
But toward their own kind, that wariness dropped to its lowest point.
As they swam, the three dragons unexpectedly spotted bait floating in the lake water. It gave off an enticing aroma.
Unlike ordinary bait, this setup featured double portions. The two pieces were slightly different in size.
"Dratini~"
Upon seeing the tempting bait, the wild Dratini immediately grew restless.
However, when Dragonair's expression turned stern, the wild Dratini didn't dare act rashly. It shrank back behind its mother.
Food delivered like this was most likely a human trap. Dragonair had never dared to eat such things.
Otherwise, it wouldn't have survived this long. It would have been caught thirty years ago.
Seeing that the Dragonair pair wasn't taking the bait, Dratini remained calm. This was within Caster's expectations.
Now, it was time for its performance!
"Dratini~"
Calling out softly, Caster's Dratini twitched its nose. It kept approaching the bait in a testing manner.
While Dragonair could control its own child, it couldn't stop the newcomer from growing restless.
After several tests, Caster's Dratini bit down on the smaller piece of bait. The fishing line snapped on cue.
The danger Dragonair had anticipated never came!
Could it be that she had overthought everything?
"Dratini~"
Chewing the bait, Caster's Dratini showed an expression of pure enjoyment. It nearly made the wild Dratini cry from envy.
In all its life, the young dragon had never seen such appetizing food. It must taste incredible.
And whether intentional or not, Caster's Dratini chewed vigorously. Many pieces of bait crumbled into the water. Some even drifted toward the Dragonair pair.
"Dratini~"
Seeing that Caster's Dratini was fine, the wild Dratini's throat bobbed. It couldn't help swallowing a small piece of bait.
Ah~ so delicious!
Seeing this, the visitor called out a few more times with an innocent expression.
See, nothing happened, right?
Come on, eat up!
"Dratini~ Dratini~"
The wild Dratini shook its head, nuzzling against Dragonair's body. It was clearly tempted.
Look, it ate and was fine!
If it were really a trap, something would have happened already, right?
"Dru~"
Dragonair looked suspicious. She still hadn't lowered her guard completely.
But she couldn't resist her child's intense craving. This mother ultimately couldn't deny her offspring.
However, just to be safe, Dragonair decided to bite first herself. She would give it to Dratini to swallow only after confirming it was safe.
She circled the bait for a moment and examined it carefully. Finally, Dragonair bit down on it.
Then, a powerful force came from her mouth. It pulled her toward the lake's surface.
Dragonair was shocked.
Oh no, the bait is a trap!
Child, you must not bite the hook.
Go!
Leave quickly!
Get as far away as possible!
The hooked Dragonair looked back at her child, eyes glistening, as if saying a final goodbye.
"Dratini~"
Watching its mother being pulled away, the wild Dratini's eyes filled with tears that fell into the lake.
It knew this was all its fault.
If it hadn't been greedy, mother wouldn't have been caught.
The lake fell silent except for the splashing above.
Then the wild Dratini's grief turned to anger. It realized something else.
It replayed the scene in its mind—the bait, the demonstration, the reassuring calls.
All of this had been arranged by that Dratini in front of it.
"Dratini~ Dratini~"
The wild Dratini glared at Caster's Dratini.
You're the one who brought the humans here!
"Dratini~"
Caster's Dratini swam a few strokes, calling out with a sincere expression.
The trainer asked me to tell you: the bait is safe to bite, and it's really delicious!
We mean no harm!
Don't believe me?
Then come to the shore with me and see.
With that, Caster's Dratini twisted its body and swam toward the surface.
The wild Dratini, worried about its mother, hesitated briefly before following.
---
At the lake's edge, Caster was pulling on his rod.
For this fishing trip, he had prepared a special two-hook setup.
The smaller hook had thin line designed to break easily.
But the larger hook had thick, reinforced line strong enough to bear even a Gyarados's strength. Compared to that, reeling in a Dragonair was manageable.
And with Dratini watching below, Caster didn't have to worry about random fish interfering.
If something bit the hook, it would definitely be one of the Dragonair pair.
But judging by this resistance, the size must be considerable.
Most likely it was the mother Dragonair!
"Up you go!!!"
Caster's face flushed red as he used every ounce of strength to pull the rod.
The massive creature beneath the water was lifted higher and higher. It drew closer and closer to the lake's surface.
Splash!
A tremendous spray of water erupted as the long and elegant Dragonair was pulled from the water.
A notification appeared in Caster's vision.
[Caught Dragonair, reward: Rest TM x1.]
[First time catching Dragonair, additional reward: Ancient Dragon Orb x1.]
The notification was followed immediately by Dragonair's data panel.
[Pokémon: Dragonair]
[Type: Dragon]
[Ability: Marvel Scale (If afflicted with a status condition, Marvel Scale will react and Defense will increase)]
[Moves: Rain Dance, Sunny Day, Dragon Dance, Rest, Dragon Breath, Safeguard————]
"Haha~ Success!"
Caster was overjoyed.
Especially upon seeing the rewards, he was even more excited.
Ancient Dragon Orb. Just from the name, you could tell this was something extraordinary.
Truly worthy of being a first-time Dragonair catch reward!
"Dru~"
After spitting out the bait, Dragonair floated above the ground, restrained by the capture effect.
Its expression was dark, clearly stressed. It was full of hostility toward Caster who had tricked it into biting the hook.
After calling out a few times, the orb on Dragonair's neck began to glow.
Pitter-patter!
Rumble rumble!
In an instant, the previously clear sky turned into a rainy day. Not just any rain, but a heavy downpour accompanied by thunder and lightning.
Caster's eyes lit up as he marveled: "This weather manipulation ability is far stronger than Gyarados's!"