Before Natsui could speak, Dr. Quackenpoker spoke first.
"Isn't it obvious? Of course, we need to give them emergency treatment!"
He returned to the ruined campsite and, from an overturned box, took out a lot of medical supplies, then hurried towards the Gyarados.
"These Gyarados are all seriously injured, especially Natsui's. It's in critical condition and needs immediate treatment! Hey, I'm talking to you, the young watcher over there! Don't just stand there, come and help!"
Tracey was stunned for a moment before realizing Dr. Quackenpoker was calling him. He let out a small «ah» and quickly ran to his side.
None of them had expected Dr. Quackenpoker to know how to treat injuries, but it made sense. Whether it was observing or caring for Pokémon, after so many years of travel, he was bound to have picked up some related knowledge.
Natsui looked at his Gyarados, which happened to lower its head and look back at him at the same moment.
"You've worked hard."
Gyarados slowly swam towards Natsui. It was covered in wounds, some so deep that bone and flesh were visible. One could imagine that even after it healed, its body would be covered in countless indelible scars.
But scars often symbolize honor, a testament to the world, through the passage of time, that this is an incredibly fierce Pokémon.
With Tracey's help, Dr. Quackenpoker cleaned Gyarados's wounds, treated them with potions, and carefully bandaged them. Every step was done with extreme professionalism.
While they were providing treatment, Natsui wasn't idle either. Along with Ash, Misty, and the other Pokémon, he went to retrieve their scattered luggage.
The luggage had been blown all over the place, so finding everything was a time-consuming and laborious task.
But fortunately, after a thorough search, although their things were a mess, no valuables were lost.
Everything proceeded in an orderly manner. As time passed, the sun rose higher in the sky.
Natsui glanced at the time and realized it was already ten in the morning.
Everyone's stomachs began to rumble uncontrollably. Combined with the poor night's sleep, they were all tired, hungry, and exhausted. Dr. Quackenpoker, in particular, was running on sheer willpower.
After Dr. Quackenpoker finished treating the last few lightly injured wild Gyarados, Tracey was finally free to start preparing breakfast for everyone.
Ash rubbed his empty stomach and said weakly, "I can't take it anymore, I'm so hungry… I feel like I could eat a whole Tauros right now!"
"If you're so hungry, then go help! Get the campfire going!" Misty shot him a look. She was also starving. She could have held on a little longer, but Ash's words seemed to resonate with her stomach, completely deflating her.
Knowing Misty was right, Ash rolled up his sleeves and went to help Tracey.
With everyone working together, it wasn't long before the aroma of food began to drift over the campsite, tantalizing their taste buds.
By the time Dr. Quackenpoker finished treating the rest of the injured Pokémon and washed the blood from his hands, Tracey was just serving the food.
This time, to help everyone recover their energy after the exhausting ordeal, Tracey had prepared an especially hearty breakfast.
Dr. Quackenpoker sat on a folding chair and took a few bites of food. Feeling a bit dizzy, he couldn't help but sigh with emotion. "Sigh, just one sleepless night and I can't handle it anymore. I'm getting old, getting old. Time spares no one. I have to admit it."
After speaking, he looked at the group before him, thinking about everything that had happened since they met, and said with sincere gratitude, "Thank you, all of you. Without you, I really don't know how I would have handled this crisis."
Hearing this, Natsui just smiled noncommittally but didn't say anything.
In truth, if Dr. Quackenpoker hadn't met Ash, he wouldn't have been followed by Team Rocket, and none of this would have happened.
Ultimately, they were the ones who had dragged Dr. Quackenpoker and the Gyarados swarm into this mess.
But thankfully, things had finally calmed down.
"Not at all, you're too kind. It was our duty," Tracey quickly waved his hand. Regardless of what others thought of him, in Tracey's eyes, Dr. Quackenpoker was a very respectable Pokémon Watcher.
At this time, the wild Gyarados, after receiving simple treatment, had all woken up and were no longer angry. They submerged into the lake and left with the unevolved Magikarp, following the river out of Kinnow Island and into the deep sea.
With that, the annual Magikarp evolution ceremony had finally come to an end.
After the meal, although no one said it, everyone knew it was time to say goodbye.
Dr. Quackenpoker needed to stay here to continue his follow-up analysis and get a good rest.
As for Natsui and the others, although they were also a bit tired, they had at least rested for a few hours during the night and didn't want to linger here any longer.
Dr. Quackenpoker set up his tent again and said his farewells to them. Just as he was about to duck inside, he suddenly remembered something.
"Natsui…" Dr. Quackenpoker walked up to him, his expression complex. "I have something here that I want to give you."
Oh?
Natsui was taken aback, not understanding why he was suddenly being given something.
Dr. Quackenpoker took a round, crystal-clear stone from his backpack and handed it to Natsui.
This is!?
Natsui's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
Dr. Quackenpoker explained, "This is a stone I happened to find while traveling in another region. It has a mysterious power that can make a Gyarados evolve into a more advanced form during battle."
"I know," Natsui said. "This is a Gyaradosite."
A Mega Stone!?
Hearing this unfamiliar term, Ash and the others gathered around, curiously examining the stone that seemed to be brimming with energy, marveling at it.
"Natsui!" Ash said excitedly. "Does that mean this stone can make a Pokémon evolve again?"
Natsui nodded. "That's right. But this evolution is only temporary. When it runs out of energy in battle, it will revert to its previous form."
Hearing Natsui's explanation, it was now Dr. Quackenpoker's turn to be surprised. "Oh? You know about it? That's even better, saves me the trouble of explaining. Here, I'm giving it to you now."
Natsui didn't immediately reach out, but asked instead, "Why are you giving it to me?"
Dr. Quackenpoker stared into Natsui's eyes for a long time before finally saying, "You are a Pokémon trainer, so you will naturally have a use for this kind of thing. And your Gyarados is special, very special. I believe that only in your and your Gyarados's hands will this evolution stone be able to display its greatest power!"
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