The rising sun in the east met the biting sea breeze.
Endless waves crashed against the rocks, spraying up mist. Water-type Pokémon poked their heads out, basking in the beauty of the morning.
Above the sea, Wingull flew across the sky, while a majestic pirate ship cut through the waves.
The ship was massive and sturdy, painted black, with a fierce shark emblem emblazoned on its hull, declaring its feared identity in these waters: the Megalodon!
On the deck, a band of rugged pirates patrolled, maintaining the normal operation of the ship.
Their faces bore scars, radiating ferocity, with wild gleams in their eyes.
In stark contrast stood a group of teenagers, their faces still youthful, busily commanding newly acquired Pokémon.
"Corphish, use Vice Grip!"
Sieg directed his Corphish to attack.
"Cor Cor!"
Corphish leapt into the air and clamped down on a weary Taillow that had already been harassed by foam attacks.
"Gotcha~~"
The Taillow's body was caught tightly by the massive pincers. It let out a miserable cry before fainting moments later, completely losing the ability to battle.
"Well done, Corphish."
Sieg gently patted the tough head of his Corphish. As his palm opened, a sapphire-blue Pokéblock was handed to it as a reward.
"Roughly ten days have passed, and all Pokémon obtained in the same batch have been defeated!"
Sieg was thrilled. Metako hadn't lied; this Corphish was indeed the most gifted of them all.
Through days of interaction, he had come to understand some of Corphish's traits.
For instance, Corphish's ability was none other than the impeccable hidden ability: Adaptability!
This ability boosts the power of same-type moves significantly.
As a result, the Water-type move Bubble had become Corphish's signature technique.
Against Flying-types like Taillow and Wingull, Corphish could wear them down using this move, with great effect.
Time and time again, victory after victory, thanks to its high level and outstanding talent.
...
Nodding at the patrolling pirates along the way, Sieg walked slowly toward the upper deck's cabin.
"Good afternoon, Lady Metako."
He knocked softly before entering, upon receiving permission.
"Oh, it's you, Sieg. How's your Pokémon?" Metako asked, setting aside her ancient-looking book with a slight smile.
"Yes, M'lady. I'm very satisfied. Corphish is an excellent partner."
Grateful for her help, Sieg subtly moved closer as he spoke, hoping to suggest his loyalty and desire to become her trusted aide.
Metako understood the hint. Her husband, the captain of the Megalodon, had been gone for over half a year, whereabouts unknown.
Though rumors hadn't spread among the general crew, the higher-ups were on edge, with undercurrents of ambition and unrest.
The two first mates were itching to rise. She needed new forces under her wing, so she welcomed Sieg's approach.
"You're doing well... clever, quick-witted, and aware of the times. Would you be willing to become my apprentice?"Metako asked, her eyes filled with expectation.
Then she added, "Of course, I can't promise you'll become a Breeder like me. It all depends on your own perception."
Sieg looked up in surprise, quickly replying, "Lady Metako, it would be my honor."
In this world, climbing up requires two kinds of resources.
The first: tangible resources, like quality Pokémon, money, Pokéblocks, etc.
The second: intangible ones, broad connections, information advantages, and monopolized knowledge.
The first could be earned through sheer effort. But the second? Sieg had no clue where to begin until now. The opportunity had finally come.
"From now on, you don't need to attend morning training. Come directly to me, I'll teach you about Pokémon breeding."
Metako's voice was gentle, her tone intimate.
...
From then on, Sieg spent every morning studying breeding knowledge and every afternoon training his Pokémon, no longer participating in ship-wide tasks.
Many noticed and couldn't hide their envy.
"Morning, Mr. Furuta~"
In the morning mess hall, Sieg no longer had to eat the awful noodles. A tall bottle of premium milk had become standard for him.
It marked his elevated status aboard the ship. No longer just a lowly pirate, he had surpassed many veterans.
Meanwhile, the other rookies had only just completed the novice phase, still struggling to master the ship's operations and maritime skills.
After breakfast with veteran pirate Furuta, Sieg headed, as usual, toward Metako's cabin at the ship's top level.
"Sieg, after Corphish evolves into Crawdaunt, it will gain the Dark type, and its personality may turn violent and aggressive. You'll need to manage that early on."
"There have been many cases where evolved Corphish refused to obey orders, or even fled."
Metako patiently explained knowledge about Corphish. Her gentle and kind demeanor was now fully apparent.
For a moment, even Sieg found it hard to reconcile this gentle woman with the ruthless person he once saw command a Swampert to kill an entire passenger ship's crew.
"Sieg, I haven't yet given your Corphish a proper check-up." Metako pulled out a red-and-white Pokédex.
"A Pokédex!"
Sieg's heart skipped a beat.
Metako scanned the Pokéball containing Corphish.
"Beep beep beep~~~"
"Corphish, Ruffian Pokémon, Water-type, Ability: Adaptability, Level: 12, Height: 0.7m, exceeds average by 0.6m, development: excellent...…
Moves known: Vice Grip, Harden, Bubble, Leer, Water Gun, Dragon Dance."
As the Pokédex's voice ended, the room fell silent.
Sieg stared at the all-purpose device in awe, then was stunned by the last move listed.
"Dragon Dance?"
He asked uncertainly.
Had he misheard?
"That's right. Why else would I recommend this Pokémon to you?"Metako replied with a side glance.
"One of Corphish's parents must've been a dragon-blooded Pokémon. Even if not pure Dragon-type, likely something like a Kingdra or a Gyarados."
Metako continued teaching her new apprentice. Over the past half month, she had grown impressed by Sieg's talent.
A thick volume of the Gate Manual, Metako had once spent nearly half a year mastering, while Sieg only took half a month to memorize more than seventy percent.
Because of this, in Metako's eyes, Sieg was no longer just a tool to strengthen her influence, but a true genius apprentice.
"After evolving, Corphish will develop a dark attribute, so you need to start training for that in advance. Apart from that, its pincers will be its main attack method."
"This is powder ground from a Cubone's bone. Mix it into the Corphish's food to strengthen its skeletal structure."
Before departure, Metako handed Sieg a bottle of rare bone powder.
"Lady Metako, thank you for your gift."
Sieg sincerely expressed his gratitude, bowing with a formal gesture of respect between master and apprentice, before quietly leaving.
A month passed slowly. The sea remained calm, though they did encounter a few passenger ships.
To Sieg's surprise, the pirates aboard the Megalodon didn't attack them. But to secure their safety, those passenger ships still paid a "protection fee."
This broadened Sieg's horizons, pirate ships didn't just make a living through robbery.
Pirates weren't strictly defined by one job. Pirate ships often ran many side businesses.
As long as there's money, they'll do it!
Besides robbery, actually, robbery was just one part of the business. Pirates almost always dabbled in smuggling.
Whether smuggling goods, Pokémon, or people, everything was for sale, including themselves.
In times of conflict between underground factions, pirates regularly accepted temporary commissions as mercenaries.
Of course, over the past month, the most frequent task Sieg saw pirates doing was hunting rare Pokémon across the ocean.
They sold them in water-scarce inland regions to exploit market disparities.
Hoenn had abundant water sources, so now they were heading for Kanto!
"Mr. Furuta, based on your estimate, how much longer before we reach land?"
Sieg looked out toward the endless sea and respectfully asked the brawny man next to him.
Furuta, as the Megalodon's navigator, could accurately judge their location even without a map.
"Hmm, probably three more days before we reach Viridian City." Furuta raised a finger and gestured midair, using what seemed like a unique way to orient himself.
As the crew dreamed of restocking on land, none noticed the pack of ferocious Carvanha circling beneath the pirate ship in the deep sea.
Around noon, the crew enjoyed lunch in the mess hall, cheerful and relaxed.
Suddenly, a pirate in a sky-blue shirt burst in, shouting:
"Bad news! The ship's under attack by Pokémon from below, everyone, come help!"
The room fell silent, then erupted into chaos.
"Let's go! Time to make some money!"
"Haha, I wonder if there are any rare Pokémon this time, I could use new additions to my team."
These pirates, who walked the tightrope between life and death, didn't panic; they were excited, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
High risk, high reward!
Sieg followed the crowd to the battle deck. The ship was semi-automated and could deploy a combat platform from its side.
Over a hundred people could stand on it without crowding.
"It's a Carvanha swarm!"
"Damn! Judging by the size, there's at least a hundred of them!"
With the scouting Pokémon returning, bringing intel, excitement surged again.
Then the first mate, Nagata Shin, spoke up:
"All units, Pokémon capable of swimming, dive in and attack! Those who can't, stay on the platform and provide support!"
As the third-in-command after the captain and Lady Metako, everyone obeyed Nagata without question.
High-level Pokémon dove into the sea one after another.
Crawdaunt, Sharpedo, Whiscash, they splashed into the water, creating huge waves.
Sieg's Corphish stayed on the platform, supporting the others with Bubble moves.
"Everyone, throw your Poké Balls! Send out Flying-types to retrieve them!"
As time passed, the lower-level Carvanha couldn't hold out, they lost consciousness in the water.
To prevent disputes over loot, every Poké Ball had a name clearly written on it.
Sieg didn't have many Poké Balls, all bought through frugality. Though Lady Metako had given him rare ones like Great Balls and Hyper Balls, he wasn't about to waste them on common Carvanha.
Just as he was about to throw his ball, one particular Carvanha caught his eye.
It swam far faster than the others, and its speed was still increasing.
Sieg's heart stirred:
"That's the hidden Speed Boost ability!"
Excited, he seized the moment and threw a marked Poké Ball.
The battle scene was chaotic, so many balls were flying, it was impossible to tell who hit what.
Countless Taillow and Wingull swooped down to collect floating Poké Balls.
"Quick, use nets to gather all the balls!"
At the command, two pirates grabbed nets and began scooping up the balls rolling across the deck.
As the sun set, the Carvanha failed to breach the ship's hull. More than half their numbers were captured.
Without food, their future in the ocean looked grim.
But that had nothing to do with the pirates aboard the Megalodon, they were celebrating victory!
Feast in the ship's dining hall!
"Quick! Bring out the Poké Balls!"
"This one's mine! Don't take it!"
"Damn it! You grabbed the wrong one, my name's written on that!"
Like sharks to blood, they pounced on the loot.
Thanks to Furuta's help, Sieg quickly found the ball with his name. He didn't open it right away, quietly slipping away from the crowd to the upper deck.
"Sieg, it sounds pretty lively down there. How was the haul this time?"
Metako asked while flipping through a book on berries, not looking up.
"Lady Metako, it was a swarm of Carvanha, great yield," Sieg replied, noticeably more relaxed and cheerful than before.
"Lady Metako, may I borrow your Pokédex?"
Without hesitation, Metako handed it to him.
"Carvanha, Savage Pokémon, Water-type. Its powerful jaws and sharp teeth can crush ship hulls. Many vessels have sunk after their attacks.
Level: 11
Ability: Speed Boost
Height: 0.9m (above average of 0.8m)
Weight: 22kg (above average of 20.8kg)
Stats: Outstanding for its level.
Known Moves: Leer, Bite, Rage, Focus Energy, Water Gun, Psychic Fangs."
Sieg's eyes lit up, not only did it have a hidden ability, but it had inherited Psychic Fangs!
This catch was a huge win!