Pokémon: No Way! The Golden Finger Only Comes When I'm About To Die!?

Angie teased Friede, saying, "The Pokémon Professor's thirst for knowledge is flaring up again?"

"Sorry!" Friede scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "If it's inconvenient to share, just pretend I never asked."

Angie waved her hand. "Oh, it's not that it's inconvenient. Volcanion, like Magearna and Diancie, is a Mythical Pokémon."

"So, it's a Mythical Pokémon?" Friede nodded in understanding. "No wonder I've never seen or heard of it."

"What else? What type is Volcanion?" Friede asked, his curiosity growing.

Angie continued, "Volcanion is a Fire-type and Water-type Pokémon with the ability Water Absorb. It can harness water from within its body and high temperatures to produce powerful steam.

It's rarely discovered because it usually resides deep in the mountains. It also emits steam to create fog that conceals its presence. The steam released from the twin nozzles on its back is so powerful it can blow away an entire mountain."

Friede became increasingly excited. While listening, he eagerly recorded Angie's words on his phone, muttering to himself, "This is a major discovery! A Fire-and-Water combination… Among all known Pokémon, Volcanion must be the only one with such a unique pairing!"

He simultaneously recorded notes and began snapping pictures of Volcanion as it ran around on the field, the camera shutter clicking incessantly.

Once Angie finished his explanation about Volcanion, he prepared to lead the group to explore other parts of the area. However, Mollie interjected, "Angie, can I stay here and watch the Pokémon play soccer for a bit?"

To Mollie, Angie's Nebel Plateau was like a magical place. Pokémon here lived carefree lives, had their own roles, and even found time to enjoy recreational activities. This was the epitome of the harmonious coexistence of humans and Pokémon.

Angie nodded. "Of course."

With Angie's permission, Mollie found a comfortable patch of grass and sat down to watch the Pokémon's soccer match.

Not long after, Buneary and Pachirisu came over, they quietly sitting beside her to watch the match as well.

Mollie was startled by their sudden appearance but quickly noticed how focused they were on the game. Not wanting to disturb them, she stayed silent.

During halftime, Buneary unexpectedly pulled out a bag of chips from who-knows-where, tore it open, and started munching away with a satisfying crunch.

Feeling Mollie's gaze, Buneary held up the bag and said cheerfully.

"Buneary~"

Do you want some?

Mollie blinked her eyesin surprise. "Are you offering me some?"

"Buneary~"

Buneary nodded.

"No, thank you. You should keep it for yourself," Mollie declined politely, waving her hand.

"Buneary~"

Just take some.

Buneary stubbornly held the bag closer. It knew humans always played the polite game, but deep down, they probably couldn't resist the temptation.

"Alright then," Mollie gave in and took a single chip from the bag. "Is it okay?"

See? I knew it!

Buneary was finally satisfied, nodding its head and turning its gaze back to the game. It continued watching while munching on chips.

Nearby, Pachirisu, holding its popcorn, approached Mollie and mimicked Buneary's gesture, holding up its popcorn offering.

Mollie looked at it helplessly, scratched Pachirisu's chin, and took a single piece of popcorn. "Alright, does this work?"

"Pachirisu~ Pachirisu~"

Pachirisu nodded happily and plopped itself into Mollie's lap. Settling in comfortably, it watched the match with a blissful expression.

Not bad, not bad—way better than sitting on the grass.

Meanwhile, Angie, Friede, Orla, and Ludlow left the grassland and arrived at the fishery.

The moment they arrived, a group of Poliwhirl sped toward Angie, piloting their little toys through the water. One after another, they raced to Angie's side, leaping into his arms.

Friede laughed, "Angie, you're really popular with Pokémon."

Angie hugged a Poliwhirl and replied, "They're just being overly enthusiastic!"

Hearing this, the Poliwhirl nestled into his arms even more fervently.

"Impressive," Friede said, his eyes full of admiration. Angie must be a great guy to earn the affection of so many Pokémon. This was exactly the kind of person Friede enjoyed befriending!

"By the way, how about we go for a boat ride on the lake?" Angie pointed to a fishing boat not far away.

"Sure!" Friede agreed enthusiastically.

"That sounds great," Ludlow said with a beaming smile.

The four of them boarded Angie's fishing boat, which gently drifted toward the center of the lake. The Poliwhirl gathered around the boat, pushing it along effortlessly.

"Angie, can I fish?" Ludlow asked, holding a fishing rod.

"Of course, go ahead," Angie said.

Ludlow quietly settled at the bow of the boat, casting his fishing rod into the water without another word.

The boat floated on, and as they reached the center of the lake, they heard laughter and splashing sounds.

"What's that noise?" Orla asked curiously.

"It's probably the Water-type Pokémon playing ball," Angie replied.

Sure enough, as the boat drifted further, they saw Wooper, Barboach, Whiscash, and the Poliwhirl chasing a ball floating on the water's surface.

They darted skillfully through the water like expert swimmers, their enthusiasm rivaling the intensity of Volcanion's soccer field earlier.

Suddenly, Angie noticed a long, slender neck emerge from the water, its graceful lines, blue head, and white chin unmistakable.

It was Lapras—who else could it be?

Lapras was back? Angie's face lit up with surprise. When did they return?

"Lapras!" he called out, waving his hand energetically.

"Lapras~"

Lapras immediately noticed Angie. It let out a melodious cry and swam swiftly toward the boat, with its pod following close behind.

As Lapras reached the boat, Angie hugged its neck and asked, "When did you get back? Why didn't you let me know?"

"Lapras~ Lapras~"

I came back just now.

Lapras affectionately nuzzled Angie with its head.

It and its pod had just migrated back from the upper reaches of the Nebel River. Seeing Wooper and the others playing ball looked like fun, so they joined in for a bit, not expecting Angie to show up.

Angie patted Lapras's head and said, "You're back earlier than expected, aren't you?"

"Lapras~ Lapras~"

That's right. I wanted to come back early to eat Angie's cooking.

Lapras nuzzled Angie again, its affection clear.

Angie said happily, "Tonight, you'll have dinner at my house with everyone."

"Lapras~"

"Lapras~"

…

The Lapras around them raised their heads and sang in unison, clearly excited for tonight's dinner.

Friede looked at the group of Lapras with confusion and asked, "Angie, these Lapras…"

Angie explained with a smile, "Due to their migratory habits, Lapras leave the Nebel Plateau every autumn and winter and return in spring and summer. I didn't expect them to come back early this year. It's been a long time since we last saw them."

Friede suddenly understood, nodding. "I see."

He knew about Lapras' migratory habits, but he hadn't expected the Nebel Plateau's Lapras to return on this particular day.

"Lapras~"

At this moment, one Lapras grabbed Angie's jacket with its mouth.

"Are you asking me to ride on your back?" Angie asked.

"Lapras~"

The Lapras squinted its eyes and nodded.

"Then I won't be shy about it!" Angie said as she leapt from the fishing boat onto the Lapras' back.

The other Lapras quickly swam over, signaling for Friede and the others to climb onto their backs as well.

Following Angie's example, Friede and Orla each jumped onto a Lapras. Ludlow, however, shook his head and said, "This old man will stay on the fishing boat to fish. I can't handle too much excitement at my age."

Angie didn't insist. Instead, he instructed the Poliwhirl, "Take good care of Grandpa Ludlow!"

"Poliwhirl~"

"Poliwhirl~"

…

The Poliwhirl, surrounding the fishing boat, nodded obediently and began guiding the boat in another direction.

After parting ways with Ludlow, Angie and the others were carried by the Lapras toward the great waterfall.

Of course, the Lapras wouldn't take them directly over the waterfall. Instead, they swam down the slower current near the side of the waterfall.

When Angie had been taken to Azoth Kingdom by the Lapras before, this was the route they had used. While it might be difficult for other Water-type Pokémon, Lapras could easily and steadily navigate the waters.

Looking at the cascading water, Orla couldn't help but exclaim, "What a spectacular waterfall."

She took out her phone and started filming. Scenes like this weren't easy to come by.

Friede did the same.

As he looked through his phone's camera, Friede suddenly paused. "What is that?"

He lowered his phone and stared at the waterfall. Amid the rushing white waters, he saw fish-like Pokémon over two meters long darting through the current.

Orla quickly noticed the Pokémon as well.

Angie explained, "Those are Veluza! They're training!"

"They train like this?" Orla asked.

"Yes! Is something wrong with that?" Angie replied.

Of course, it's wrong! Orla thought to herself.

The waterfall was so turbulent that she couldn't even imagine how painful it would be to fall. And... could any Pokémon really climb all the way to the top?

Just as this thought crossed her mind, cheers erupted from the pool below the waterfall.

A massive Veluza, much larger than the others, leaped high into the air, droplets of water sparkling around it. It soared toward the top of the waterfall, its body surrounded by a faint rainbow in the sunlight.

With a splash, the Veluza landed in the waters at the top of the waterfall.

Orla stared in disbelief, her mouth agape.

A Pokémon actually succeeded.

Hearing the cheers of the Veluza, Goldeen, Seaking, Magikarp, and Feebas below, Angie smiled.

"Finally, success!"

Over the past few months, Angie had switched the fish Pokémon's primary diet on the plateau to the fish feed he developed. Their training efficiency had improved dramatically.

Angie hadn't expected the leader of the Veluza to successfully ascend the waterfall today!

Friede captured the moment with his phone, staring at the picture in awe.

"This is the vitality of Pokémon," he marveled. "I've seen Magikarp climb waterfalls before to evolve into Gyarados, but I didn't expect these Pokémon to train in this way."

But even Magikarp wouldn't attempt a waterfall of this scale. The Magikarp in the lower Nebel River climbed smaller, gentler waterfalls every year, not this turbulent one.

The success of the Veluza leader inspired the other Veluza, along with Goldeen, Seaking, Magikarp, and Feebas, who began whipping their tails and attempting to climb the waterfall.

Meanwhile, the Veluza leader leaped down from the top and started climbing again.

Although it had succeeded once, it was still struggling. It vowed to completely conquer the great waterfall.

Watching the Pokémon climb, fall, and climb again with unwavering determination, Friede and Orla felt they radiated an unparalleled brilliance.

And brilliance, indeed!

Under Friede and Orla's astonished gazes, several Goldeen began glowing with a blue-white light.

"They're… evolving!" Orla exclaimed.

Before their eyes, the Goldeen evolved into Seaking. Witnessing Pokémon evolution wasn't an everyday occurrence.

"What a coincidence," Angie remarked with a smile. "It's getting late. Let's head back. Jeremy's materials should have arrived by now."

As if summoned by Angie's words, a rumbling noise came from above. The group looked up to see a black aircraft flying overhead.

"Looks like Jeremy has arrived," Angie said.

Friede and Orla, still brimming with excitement, followed Angie as they left the waterfall and Nebel Lake behind.

On their way back, they saw Mollie and several Pokémon gathered in a circle.

"What's going on?" Angie asked as they approached.

Mollie replied, "Poliwhirl injured its leg. I'm treating it."

Angie stepped closer and saw Poliwhirl sitting on the ground, its face scrunched in pain. Its ankle was red and swollen. Angie quickly asked, "Is it serious?"

"Poliwhirl~"

Poliwhirl shook its head.

Mollie sprayed medicine on Poliwhirl's ankle while reassuring Angie, "Don't worry. It's not serious. With some rest, it'll recover quickly."

"Thank you, Mollie," Angie said gratefully.

Mollie waved it off. "No need to thank me. This is my job."

Just then, a Skiddo squeezed into the circle. A vibrant green light emanated from it, surrounding Poliwhirl with small, verdant blades of grass. Before long, Poliwhirl stood up slowly.

"Poliwhirl~ Poliwhirl~"

It moved its ankle, finding no pain, and immediately hugged Skiddo in joy.

"Skiddo~ Skiddo~"

Skiddo licked Poliwhirl affectionately.

Mollie chuckled. "Pokémon abilities are really handy."

She herself had a Chansey capable of using Heal Pulse, but she had left it on the ship.

"Poliwhirl~ Poliwhirl~"

Poliwhirl then turned to Mollie, expressing its gratitude.

Although Skiddo's Grassy Terrain was effective, without Mollie's medicine, its recovery wouldn't have been so immediate.

Mollie patted Poliwhirl on the head. "You're welcome. Be more careful next time."

"Poliwhirl~ Poliwhirl~"

Poliwhirl nodded earnestly before running back to the competition field.