When Ash led everyone to a secluded pond, they were all stunned by the sight before them - numerous Dratini swimming about, while Ash's Dragonite appeared to be conversing with a Dragonair.
"These... Dratini..."
Brock stared at the Dratini around them, at a loss for words. These were Dratini after all! The Dragonair that had been chatting with Ash's Dragonite happily coiled around Ash and nuzzled his face.
"How have you been, Dragonair?"
"Draa!"
Seeing Dragonair being so affectionate with Ash, Misty thought about Ash's numerous Pokémon and hesitantly asked, "Ash... Dragonair and the others aren't your Pokémon, are they?"
To their surprise, Ash shook his head.
"No, Dragonair and the others aren't my Pokémon. They live here in the Safari Zone."
Looking at Dragonair and the Dratini, Suzie remarked, "These Dratini can't all be Dragonair's children, can they?"
"That's right. That's why I've been helping with Dragonair's nutrition. Uncle Caesar here can't prepare balanced meals at all."
When Ash said this, Caesar could only scratch his head sheepishly and say, "What can I do? I just can't figure out how to mix those ingredients in the right proportions..."
"Draa!"
Just then, Ash's Giant Dragonite called out to Dragonair. After some thought, Dragonair nodded and called back to Ash.
"Draa!"
"Meowth, what's Dragonair saying?"
Meowth gave Giant Dragonite a surprised look before telling Ash, "Giant Dragonite suggested that Dragonair go with you, Boss. Since you can provide a better environment for Dragonair and her children. And Dragonair agreed! She's asking for your opinion now."
"Huh? Come with me? I don't mind, but what about Uncle Caesar?"
"If that's Dragonair's wish, then having them go with you is for the best. You have the skills to raise them well. I can always visit Dragonair and the others later."
Caesar had no objections to Ash catching Dragonair and her offspring. In fact, Ash was the most suitable trainer for them. If Ash had wanted, he could have caught Dragonair long ago with his abilities, but he'd been helping this old man take care of them all this time. Now that Dragonair could go with Ash, it was a good thing.
With Uncle Caesar saying this, what else could Ash say? Refusing would just be pretentious. However, looking at Misty, Suzie, Lin and Brock, Ash thought for a moment before telling Dragonair, "Dragonair, Misty, Suzie, Lin and Brock are all good people. How about letting them help raise your children too?"
Hearing this, Dragonair looked at Misty and the others before calling to Ash, "Draa!"
"Boss, she says she wants to see what her children think."
Hearing Dragonair's response, Ash smiled.
"Of course. Dratini, gather round!"
At Ash's call, all the Dratini playing in the water or eating came over.
"I've got four excellent trainers or caretakers here. Would you like to see if any of them appeal to you?"
"Dra?"
"Draa!"
After briefly communicating among themselves and getting Dragonair's nod, the Dratini began observing Misty, Suzie, Lin and Brock.
While this was happening, Ash asked his Giant Dragonite, "Dragonite, what do you think?"
"Draa!"
"He says these youngsters have good potential. If you help train them, Boss, they could achieve great things. Just like your Totem Pokémon."
"I see. But becoming a Totem Pokémon isn't about being gentle. It requires going through countless trials. You understand that, right Dragonite?"
"Draa!"
Giant Dragonite nodded. As a being that had lived since ancient times, it knew that the trials Ash spoke of were true training. Without them, Dragon-types could never truly grow.
As Ash and the others were talking, the Dratini made their choices. Perhaps because they carried Ash's scent, Dratini quickly chose Misty, Suzie and Lin. As for Brock...
Seeing no Dratini had chosen him, Ash could only pat Brock's shoulder and say, "Don't take it too hard. Maybe the girls are just more popular."
"Sniff... I'm fine! I won't cry! No need to comfort me, Ash!"
Seeing Brock's expression of trying hard not to cry, Ash couldn't bear to look, while Pikachu on his shoulder sympathetically patted Brock too.
"Psy?"
Psyduck tilted its head at Brock's behavior, not understanding the situation, before going back to sleep.
And so, Lin, Misty and Suzie each caught a Dratini, while Brock... well, some things are better left unsaid.
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