Pokémon: I picked up a reborn Eevee at the start of the game

Suppressing the inexplicable panic in his heart, Milotic did not want to show weakness in front of Sylveon.

He gave Xianbu a cold glance. "Fuwoo—(I don't need to prove anything to you. I hope that one day, when I surpass you, you'll be able to criticize yourself in the same way.)"

Hmph, so you've already started protecting yourself?

Sylvanas sneered, "Sylvanas—(It's laughable that you still only see me as a rival. Let me tell you clearly, there are countless powerful Pokémon in this world. When Xia Chen inevitably faces them one day, will you say the same thing to them and then slink back into your Poké Ball?)"

Milotic trembled slightly and remained silent.

Sylveon, perched atop Torterra's back, taunted, "Sylveon—(To prove your cowardice, I'll participate in the Waterfall Festival and challenge myself to climb Dragon Leap Falls as a non-Water type Pokémon! You don't need to do anything, just watch me do it.)"

…………

"You'd also like to participate in the waterfall climbing festival?"

Xia Chen looked at Xianbu, who had an inexplicably refreshed expression, and asked again to confirm.

It's called a waterfall climbing festival, but there aren't really any competitions or activities to sign up for.

Similar to the Sacred Tree Festival, on the day of the Waterfall Festival, many Water-type Pokémon—both wild and trained—will strive to climb to the top of Dragon Leap Waterfall.

There were no rewards, no other purpose; it was simply a contest of pure courage and willpower.

However, since the first recorded video footage, no Pokémon has ever successfully reached the top.

Of course, if we were to insist on whether a Champion-level Gyarados could reach the top, the probability would be quite high.

But what's the point of reaching the summit if it's not a process filled with hard work, sweat, and a test of will and courage?

This is precisely why the trainers and Pokémon who participate in the Waterfall Festival every year don't really care about the final result, but rather enjoy the process of climbing the waterfall.

But then again, how is a Sylveon supposed to climb a waterfall?

I'm just ignorant...

Can Xianbu also learn to climb waterfalls?

Faced with Xia Chen's suspicious gaze, Xianbu stretched out a silk ribbon and pulled the Violent Devouring Turtle out of the pool behind her.

Xia Chen was even more confused. Where did this Violent Devourer Turtle come from?

Sylveon can make friends with wild Pokémon?

And... although it's a bit impolite, its expression doesn't look like a turtle at all, but more like a dog?

Silently complaining to himself, Xia Chen asked in confusion, "So, you're going to ride the Berserker Turtle to climb the waterfall?"

He had only ever heard of trainers riding Pokémon to participate in waterfall climbing, never of Pokémon riding Pokémon to participate.

I don't understand it, but I'm deeply moved.

"Buy~"

Fairy nodded with a smile, and the monstrous turtle next to her nodded obsequiously.

Xia Chen: "......"

Oh well, as long as Cindy is happy.

…………

"Oh, right, what about Milotic? Are you going to participate?"

Xia Chen looked at Milotic, who had been silent since returning. Milotic seemed even more depressed than he had been at lunchtime.

He was certain that Milotic must have encountered something in the pool, but unfortunately he wasn't there to know.

However, Xia Chen had his own way of comforting people: "Why don't we go and give it a try? We're already here, and I'd really like to have some fun. We can even see who can climb the highest with Xianbu."

First, bring out the universal phrase "Since we're already here," then express your desire to join in, and finally unleash Milotic's irresistible ultimate move that rivals Sylvanas's.

Is this still not enough to win you over?

Xia Chen hummed to himself with a sense of smug satisfaction.

Let all your worries disappear in the exhilarating experience of waterfall climbing!

However, to Xia Chen's surprise, Milotic did not respond immediately, but instead looked at him with a somewhat bewildered expression.

Xia Chen had never seen this expression on his face since he evolved, and he immediately realized something was wrong. He quickly said, "It's okay, you can think about it again. Anyway, the Waterfall Festival is still a few days away."

"Ugh..."

Milotic nodded listlessly and swam back into the pool.

Xia Chen looked at the bowl of rice that was still more than half full, his expression was a little serious. He left without finishing his meal, so it seemed that he was in a really bad mood.

"Do you know what's going on?" Xia Chen asked Ibu.

Although there was no direct evidence, Xia Chen always felt that she was involved.

Adding to the suspicion is the sudden appearance of the Vicious Turtle, making Sylveon even more questionable.

"Buyi!"

"Be bold and take responsibility," Xianbu nodded.

However, a hint of worry appeared on her face. Was the exposure therapy she just experienced a little too revealing...?

…………

Milotic returned to that familiar place, but he did not see that familiar figure.

Did he...give up?

Milotic felt a sudden, sharp pain in his heart, as if the smallest part of himself had been killed.

Recalling what Xenbu had said earlier, Milotic gave a self-deprecating smile.

That's absolutely right. In fact, I haven't changed at all from beginning to end.

That ugly fish, humbly gazing at the sky in the stream of Yunze Mountain, has never changed.

Beautiful Energy Cubes can change your appearance, and the Divine Dragon Raising System can enhance your strength.

But all of those were external things, things that Xia Chen fed to him.

Anyone could have achieved the same level of skill, right?

No, it might be better if it were Magikarp.

Inferiority complex is like a drop of dark ink; unwittingly, after meeting Xia Chen, Minas's once crystal-clear heart was polluted again.

Why don't we just not go back?

Even without me, Sylveon and Ralts will still stay with Xia Chen.

Milos suddenly felt his eyes getting wet, and he plunged into the water, seemingly trying to escape something.

He blew bubbles in the water for the first time in a long time, something he loved to do most when he was still a pufferfish.

Perhaps this is the most authentic version of myself?

Milotic emptied his mind, his body submerged in the water, letting the current that had just cascaded down the waterfall carry him along.

It's so nice... I don't have to think about anything.

…………

"Milotic! Where are you?!"

Unaware of how much time had passed or where they were, a familiar voice seemed to come from a very distant place, waking Milotic from their dream.

Is Xia Chen looking for me?

The sound was muffled and indistinct through the water curtain, but Milotic was still absolutely certain that it came from the source of the reassuring voice.

He came to see me!

Milos was overjoyed.

Appearance, strength, changes, even the fleeting memory of leaving...

All those chaotic thoughts vanished from his mind in an instant. Milotic only wanted to do one thing now: hold him tightly!

Hold on to the one who pulled you out of the abyss, the only person in the world who is good to you.

Suddenly standing up, Milotic leaped out of the water, creating a large splash of sparkling water.

The moonlight tonight is exceptionally bright, its gentle glow reflecting off the shimmering water.

With a joyful chirp, a beautiful spirit, so exquisite it could make one's heart flutter, leaped lightly from the water's surface, like a third kind of breathtaking beauty between the moonlight and the water's hue.

It pounced on the boy who was standing on the Berserker Turtle, anxiously looking around as if searching for some important treasure.

People strolling and enjoying the scenery by the waterfall gazed at this scene, smiles unconsciously appearing on their lips, and even reluctant to disturb this touching moment with their cameras.

So beautiful...

…………

"Okay, stop rubbing against me, you're clinging too tightly!"

Xia Chen patted Milotic, who was hugging him tightly, with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

I don't know what happened, but before I could even have a heart-to-heart talk with him, Milotic seemed to have walked out of his shell on his own.

One minute she's sad, the next she's happy. They say a woman's heart is unfathomable, and this male Milotic is pretty much the same...

"Ibrahimovic, stop looking and get me out of here."

Xia Chen called out to Xianbu, who was standing on the Berserker Turtle watching the show, but the latter remained unmoved.

She thought to herself, "If I bother Milotic again at a time like this, we might never be able to make up."

Finally, after Xia Chen's body had been soaking in the water for almost ten minutes, Milos, having finished expressing his excitement, released him.

Looking at Milotic, whose appearance remained unchanged but whose state of mind seemed to have undergone an inexplicable transformation, Xia Chen smiled and asked, "Not sad anymore?"

"Ugh..."

Milotic nodded sheepishly, suddenly realizing how pretentious he had been before.

"What about the waterfall festival in a few days?"

"Fuwoo!"

Milnas nodded firmly.