The family of four walked until they reached two large trees standing on the plateau. This was one of the highest points on Nebel Plateau. Standing here, they could survey most of the region's landscape.
They could also clearly see the distant Azoth Kingdom.
"Let's rest here," Lucas suggested, plopping down on the soft grass.
Diancie and Munchlax sat on either side of him.
"Lucas, are you looking at the Azoth Kingdom?" Diancie suddenly asked, noticing his distant gaze.
Lucas snapped out of his reverie and replied with a smile, "Yes, I wonder what the Azoth Kingdom looks like now."
Diancie nodded, "I'm curious too."
Munchlax, hearing Lucas and Diancie repeatedly mention the Azoth Kingdom, looked very puzzled.
Seeing this, Lucas rubbed its head and explained with a smile, "The Azoth Kingdom is Diancie's and my hometown." He pointed toward the distant horizon, "See that? It's right there!"
Munchlax nodded, seeming to understand.
"Munch~ Munch~" Are you homesick, Lucas?
"A little, maybe," Lucas replied after Diancie translated.
Hearing this, Munchlax became visibly anxious.
"Munch~ Munch~" Then will you leave Nebel Plateau? Will you abandon me?!
"Why would you think that?" Lucas looked at Munchlax in surprise. "Of course not! Nebel Plateau is already my home. I'll stay here forever. I won't go anywhere, and I certainly won't abandon you!"
"Munch~" I'm so relieved!
Hearing this, Munchlax was overjoyed and pounced into Lucas's arms, hugging his waist affectionately.
Munchlax's level had recently increased, so its strength had also grown. Lucas almost couldn't breathe from the enthusiastic tackle.
He gently stroked Munchlax's back and said, "Munchlax, have you gained weight recently?"
Munchlax immediately became indignant upon hearing this. It sat up from Lucas's arms, pounding its chest with its paw and retorting, "Munch~ Munch~" This isn't fat, it's muscle!
"Pfft~" Lucas was amused, pinching its soft belly. "Yes, yes, yes~ It's definitely muscle, not fat!"
Munchlax's ability was Thick Fat, so it was particularly prone to gaining weight. For Munchlax, being plump was indeed equivalent to being strong.
Lucas played with Munchlax for a while before Diancie asked, "When are you planning to go to the Azoth Kingdom?"
Lucas thought for a moment. "Let's go tomorrow. It's all the same no matter which day we go. The sooner we depart, the sooner we return."
Diancie nodded, "Okay."
The next morning, after Lucas and Munchlax finished preparing breakfast for the Pokémon, Lucas packed his belongings and prepared to depart for the Azoth Kingdom.
"Blu~ Blu~" Lucas! Wait!
At that moment, Swablu, who hadn't yet left, flew over.
"What's wrong, Swablu?" Lucas asked, confused.
"Blu~ Blu~" I have something to tell you.
Swablu gestured animatedly, but Lucas couldn't understand a single word, so he had to call Diancie to translate.
"Blu~ Blu~" Lucas, I heard you need to go to the Azoth Kingdom, is that right?
Swablu asked.
"Yes, how did you know?" Lucas asked curiously.
"Blu~" Munchlax told me.
"I see~ Then what brings you here?" Lucas was even more puzzled.
"Blu~ Blu~" My mother said she can help you get there.
Swablu explained.
Lucas's eyes lit up upon hearing this. "Really?" He was surprised, never expecting Swablu's mother—who had such a strong aversion to humans—to be willing to help him. It was quite unexpected.
"Blu~ Blu~" Really! Come with me!
Swablu beckoned Lucas with its wing.
"Great!" Lucas said, running to say goodbye to Diancie.
"Do you need me to come with you?" Diancie asked.
Lucas waved his hand and said, "No need. I'll just summon you over when I get there. Have you forgotten that I can summon you anytime, anywhere now?"
Diancie had indeed forgotten about this ability. "Okay, I'll wait for you here."
"Munchlax, Komala, take good care of the house!" Lucas said, bidding farewell to his other Pokémon.
"Munch~" Safe travels!
Munchlax waved goodbye, wishing Lucas a safe journey.
Komala hugged its log pillow and slept soundly, showing no reaction whatsoever to Lucas's instructions.
Guided by Swablu, Lucas made his way to the shore of Nebel Lake. He asked in confusion, "Didn't you say your mother would help me? Why did you bring me to the lake?" Surely Swablu's mother wouldn't be in the lake?
"Blu~ Blu~" You'll see!
Swablu gestured again, and it took Lucas a while to understand that Swablu's mother hadn't volunteered to carry Lucas personally—instead, she had found someone who could transport him.
That made more sense. Swablu's mother had initially despised humans so intensely—how could she change overnight, let alone allow a human to ride on her back?
"Blu~ Blu~" Come out, please!
Swablu called out to the lake surface for a while, and then a wave rose as a Lapras slowly emerged from the water and swiftly swam to the shore.
"Lap~" Hello there!
After reaching the shore, Lapras greeted Lucas warmly.
Unlike many other Pokémon on Nebel Plateau, this Lapras showed no fear of humans.
In fact, strictly speaking, Lapras couldn't be considered a pure Nebel Plateau resident. It lived primarily in the Nebel River, which flowed from the mountains in the northwest of Nebel Plateau, through the plateau itself, and then continued south for miles. Lapras spent most of its time migrating and didn't permanently reside on Nebel Plateau.
Moreover, Lapras was a species known for its affinity with humans and enjoyed carrying people, so naturally it harbored no antipathy toward Lucas.
"Lapras, I truly appreciate your help," Lucas said, taking out a soft steamed bun from his system backpack and offering it to Lapras. The backpack had a preservation function, allowing Lucas to store some steamed buns and other food items as provisions for the journey.
"Lap~" Delicious!
Lapras swallowed the steamed bun in one gulp, squinting its eyes and chewing with an expression of pure delight.
Happiness Points +100
"Lap~" Shall we go?
After eating, Lapras called to Lucas, signaling that they could set off.
Lucas climbed onto Lapras's back and sat down, then turned to Swablu and said, "Swablu, head home now. Don't worry about me."
"Blu~ Blu~" Take care!
Swablu waved its wings and bid Lucas farewell.
"Lap~" Hold on!
Lapras called softly and began swimming, and Lucas immediately watched as the surrounding scenery began to recede rapidly.
Although Lapras swam with impressive speed—causing Swablu on the shore to quickly disappear from view—its movement was remarkably smooth. Lucas could hardly feel any rocking or turbulence.
It truly was the perfect transport Pokémon.
Nebel Lake was vast. Lapras glided swiftly across the calm surface, allowing Lucas to observe various Pokémon inhabiting the waters. Graceful Swanna floated elegantly, followed by their Ducklett offspring. Carvanha and Sharpedo raced each other through deeper waters, while Luvdisc nestled together intimately in the shallows...
The sight of so many wonderful creatures delighted Lucas.
Suddenly, he began to hear the roar of rushing water.
"Are we approaching a waterfall?"
Lucas knew that the connection between Nebel Lake and the Nebel River was marked by a substantial waterfall.
Lapras simply nodded.
Lucas's face filled with alarm. "We're not going to go over the waterfall, are we?"
"Lap~~" Of course not!
Lapras was amused by Lucas's reaction, its eyes curving into crescent moons as it gently shook its head. Even with its superb swimming abilities, it couldn't navigate such a high, powerful waterfall!
"That's a relief." Lucas sighed, placing a hand over his heart. "My poor heart couldn't handle such excitement."
As they approached the waterfall, Lucas watched Lapras swim toward the side. Soon, a gentle channel of water appeared in his view.
Following this channel, Lucas and Lapras smoothly descended to the base of the waterfall.
Looking up from below, Lucas found the waterfall even more majestic and awe-inspiring.
Just as he turned to admire the cascade's grandeur, he spotted a flash of red amidst the white torrents.
"What was that?"
"Lap~~" Look closer.
Hearing this, Lapras also turned to observe. It seemed to understand and tried to explain something to Lucas, but unfortunately, he couldn't comprehend its meaning.
After staring intently for a while, Lucas began to see more red shapes in his field of vision. He then realized they were Magikarp attempting to climb the waterfall.
"Is this the legendary 'carp leaping over the dragon's gate'?"
Lapras gently nodded, confirming Lucas's hypothesis.
Every year during this season, Magikarp from the lower reaches of the Nebel River, having trained their jumping abilities for a full year, would gather at this waterfall. Using the move Splash, they would attempt to ascend against the powerful current.
If they successfully conquered this treacherous waterfall, they would evolve into mighty Gyarados and continue westward along the Nebel River, seeking and challenging even stronger opponents.
If they failed to cross, they would remain as Magikarp and try again the following year. Should they never succeed, they were destined to breed, live, age, and eventually die as Magikarp in the lower reaches.
Of course, some Magikarp would evolve into Gyarados without crossing the waterfall. In such cases, they would typically abandon the challenge entirely and settle peacefully in the lower reaches of the Nebel River.
Gyarados were proud creatures. If they hadn't crossed the waterfall as Magikarp, they would consider themselves unworthy of the "carp leaping over the dragon's gate" challenge.
Seeing Lucas watching with fascination, Lapras paused to let him observe.
Watching Magikarp after Magikarp persistently struggle toward the top of the waterfall, never surrendering even when repeatedly washed downstream until they were completely exhausted, Lucas felt deeply moved.
This was the indomitable power of life!
Magikarp's physical strength was notoriously limited—they were known as among the weakest Pokémon in existence. After watching for some time, Lucas hadn't witnessed any successfully scale the waterfall.
Yet the more failures occurred, the more Magikarp surged forward one after another.
After a long while, realizing they couldn't delay their journey any further, Lucas said to Lapras, "Lapras, we should continue." At the same time, he silently offered encouragement to the Magikarp.
Don't give up, Magikarp!
However, at the precise moment he turned away, a thunderous roar erupted, almost drowning out the sound of the waterfall itself.
Lucas turned back in surprise and delight, only to see a powerful Gyarados roaring triumphantly toward the sky from the top of the waterfall, expressing its exhilaration and ambition.
Inspired by this mighty roar, the Magikarp at the waterfall's base seemed to find renewed hope and once again propelled themselves upward with fearless determination.
Congratulations!
After silently celebrating the Gyarados's achievement, Lucas patted Lapras's neck and said, "Let's go."
"Lap~~" Onward!
Lapras chirped softly, seemingly inspired by the Gyarados's triumph, its voice becoming more spirited.
Watching the waterfall recede in the distance, Lucas couldn't help but ask, "Lapras, how long does the 'carp leaping over the dragon's gate' usually last?"
"Lap~ lap~ lap~" Three days, typically.
Lapras called three times in succession.
"You mean three days?" Lucas asked.
Lapras nodded.
"Then I hope plenty of Magikarp can cross the dragon's gate during these three days." Lucas offered his sincere wish.
"Lap~~" I hope so too.
Lapras chirped softly, adding its own blessing.
As they gradually left Nebel Plateau behind, the Nebel River became calmer, and the trees along both banks grew progressively taller.
Lucas observed Mankey and Primeape leaping through the jungle canopy, Sawsbuck drinking by the riverbank, and Marill and Azurill playing near the water's edge...
After completely leaving Nebel Plateau's boundaries, Lucas noticed the surrounding vegetation beginning to wither. Everything appeared yellow and desolate, and even the temperature dropped noticeably.
Lucas suddenly realized that beyond Nebel Plateau, the season was already late autumn.
The reason Nebel Plateau remained so vibrant wasn't only because of its special geographical location, but also because a special Pokémon resided there.
Influenced by that mysterious Pokémon, Nebel Plateau's climate maintained spring-like conditions year-round.
For a Pokémon to influence the climate of an entire region, Lucas surmised it must be a Legendary Pokémon, though unfortunately, he hadn't yet had the opportunity to encounter it.
Before long, the tall walls of Azoth Kingdom clearly appeared on the horizon.
Were the city walls of the royal capital this imposing before? Lucas tried to recall.
When Lapras carried Lucas to the section of river closest to Azoth Kingdom, he jumped onto the riverbank. "Lapras, thank you for your assistance. Please wait for me here."
As he spoke, he took out another steamed bun and offered it to Lapras.
"Lap~~" I'll be waiting!
Lapras nodded while chewing. After finishing the steamed bun, it dove beneath the water's surface and disappeared, leaving only ripples behind.
Finding a secluded spot behind some bushes, Lucas used his new summoning function to bring Diancie to his side. He knew she must be intensely curious about what had become of Azoth Kingdom.
Seeing Diancie—who had been far away on Nebel Plateau just moments before—suddenly materialize before him, Lucas couldn't help but marvel. The system's capabilities were truly remarkable!
"That's amazing!" Diancie herself was equally astonished by the transportation.
"Let's go."
Looking at Azoth Kingdom now within reach, Lucas took a deep breath and said.