NOVEL NEXT Chapter 38: A Day of Fishing
The last week had been a blur of intense training. Ethan had poured his focus into honing his Pokémon's skills—Spearow working on its aerial agility, Magikarp struggling to build stamina, Sylveon refining its graceful moves, and Scyther sharpening its already lightning-fast strikes.
Day after day, the team pushed their limits beneath Ethan's watchful eye, the sessions grueling but rewarding.
However, even the most dedicated trainer and Pokémon needed rest. So, after another week of relentless progress, Ethan decided to call for a rare day off.
"Alright, team, we're changing things up today," Ethan said that morning as the first golden rays of sunlight poured through the inn's window. "No training today. We're going to relax for once."
Sylveon, curled lazily at the foot of his bed, perked up immediately, its ribbon-like feelers waving cheerfully. Cleffa and Dratini, still sleepy-eyed from the previous day's exertion, chirped happily in agreement.
After a leisurely breakfast, Ethan grabbed his fishing rod and packed a light bag. The plan was simple: spend the day at the coast, try his luck fishing, and let his Pokémon enjoy some well-deserved relaxation.
The path to Vermilion City's coast was lined with soft green grass and shaded by tall, swaying trees.
The salty tang of the ocean grew stronger as Ethan walked, Sylveon trotting playfully at his side while Cleffa rode comfortably on his shoulder. Dratini slithered slowly behind them, its movements elegant and unhurried.
Today's peaceful pace was a welcome change.
Over the past few days, Ethan had worked hard to fine-tune Spearow's new drills, guiding the small bird Pokémon through sharp turns and dives that made it faster than ever.
Magikarp's progress had been slower, but the fish Pokémon was growing stronger, even if its splashes still lacked finesse.
"Rest days are just as important as training days," Ethan murmured, mostly to himself, but his Pokémon seemed to understand. Sylveon gave him a knowing look, while Dratini chirped softly in agreement.
As the sound of crashing waves grew louder, Ethan stepped onto the sandy shoreline and took a deep breath.
The Vermilion Coast stretched before them, sparkling under the mid-morning sun. Wingull cried overhead, circling the water in search of prey, while Krabby scuttled across the wet sand, quickly disappearing into their burrows.
"This is perfect," Ethan said, setting his bag down on a large rock. He reached for his Pokéballs. "Alright, everyone, it's your day too. Come on out."
With a series of flashes, Ethan's Pokémon appeared one by one. Scyther stretched its blades, its wings fluttering slightly as it took in the fresh sea breeze.
Spearow let out a sharp cry, ruffling its feathers and immediately soaring into the air to scout the shoreline. Magikarp flopped enthusiastically on the sand, earning a few curious glances from the others.
"Easy there, Magikarp," Ethan chuckled, picking the fish up and gently placing it into a shallow tide pool. "There. Now you can splash around without getting stuck."
Sylveon leapt gracefully onto a nearby rock, its feelers waving as it basked in the sun. Cleffa toddled around in the sand, squealing happily as it left tiny footprints behind. Dratini curled lazily near the water's edge, flicking its tail as waves lapped at its scales.
"Looks like everyone's enjoying themselves," Ethan said with a satisfied grin.
Ethan settled onto a sturdy rock, baited his fishing rod, and cast the line into the sea with practiced ease.
The water sparkled in the sunlight, the gentle rhythm of the waves lulling him into a peaceful state. It had been far too long since he'd last taken a break like this.
Spearow circled above the shoreline, occasionally diving low to chase a passing Wingull, while Scyther explored nearby, its sharp eyes scanning the horizon.
Sylveon, Cleffa, and Dratini had started a game near the tide pools, where Cleffa splashed happily, earning soft giggles from Dratini and an amused look from Sylveon.
Magikarp, now content in its shallow pool, flopped excitedly whenever Ethan glanced its way.
"Relax, Magikarp," Ethan called with a small laugh. "You'll have your chance to shine soon enough."
Minutes stretched into hours as Ethan sat quietly, occasionally reeling in his line to recast it farther out. The ocean breeze kept the summer heat at bay, and the tranquility of the moment settled over the group.
Every now and then, Ethan glanced up to check on his Pokémon. Scyther had perched atop a large rock nearby, its form unmoving as it stared out across the water. It looked like a silent guardian, its blades glinting in the sun.
Sylveon, on the other hand, had taken to lounging near Cleffa and Dratini, keeping an eye on the playful duo. Cleffa had started stacking small stones near the water's edge, only for Dratini to knock them over with a mischievous flick of its tail.
Cleffa squeaked indignantly, pointing at Dratini with stubby arms as Sylveon chittered in amusement.
Ethan shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips. "You three are hopeless."
After a few quiet hours, Ethan's line suddenly jerked. His grip tightened as he felt the tension pull against the rod.
"Finally!" he said, his eyes lighting up. "Come on, show me what you've got."
He braced himself, reeling in carefully as whatever was on the other end of the line struggled to pull away. Ethan's excitement grew—he had spent the entire morning without a single catch, and now it felt like something strong had taken the bait.
Scyther immediately noticed the commotion and hopped down from its perch, wings buzzing as it hovered near Ethan. Sylveon and the others also gathered close, watching intently as Ethan continued reeling.
"This is it," Ethan muttered, pulling hard. "Let's see what I—"
With a final tug, the line shot out of the water. Ethan's victory shout died in his throat as his "catch" revealed itself—a soggy, seaweed-covered shoe.
The Pokémon stared in stunned silence for a moment before Sylveon let out a musical laugh, its ribbons waving in amusement. Cleffa rolled onto its back, giggling uncontrollably, while Dratini let out a soft, teasing trill.
Scyther snorted and turned away, clearly unimpressed.
Ethan sighed, holding up the dripping shoe. "Well… that's not exactly what I was hoping for."
He tossed the shoe aside and sat back down, ignoring the laughter around him. "Fine. Maybe the sea's got a weird sense of humor today."
By mid-afternoon, Ethan had given up on fishing entirely. After his encounter with the shoe, the only other "catch" he'd pulled in was a tangle of seaweed. Clearly, the ocean wasn't in the mood to offer him anything special.
Instead, he decided to focus on relaxing with his Pokémon.
Ethan spread out a blanket he'd packed earlier and started laying out an assortment of food. Sylveon, always eager to help, used its ribbons to carefully arrange berries in a neat pile, while Cleffa and Dratini looked on eagerly.
"Here you go," Ethan said, handing Cleffa a small bowl of Oran berries. "And for you, Dratini."
The baby Pokémon chirped happily, munching on their treats.
Magikarp flopped closer from its tide pool, clearly jealous of the others. Ethan sighed and filled a bowl with Pokéfood, placing it in front of the flopping fish.
"You're lucky I packed enough for everyone," he said with mock sternness.
Scyther settled nearby, munching on a piece of fruit while keeping a watchful eye on the area. Spearow, perched atop a rock, hopped closer and snatched a berry out of Ethan's hand, earning an exasperated look.
"Patience, Spearow," Ethan muttered, though he couldn't help but grin.
As the afternoon stretched on, Ethan leaned back against the sand, watching his Pokémon interact. Sylveon curled up beside him, its ribbons lazily brushing against his arm as it dozed off.
Cleffa and Dratini had resumed their game by the water, while Scyther sat like a silent sentinel, enjoying the peace. Even Magikarp seemed content, splashing lazily in the shallows.
Ethan's eyes drifted across the shoreline as the sun began to dip toward the horizon. Days like this were rare—a chance to relax, to enjoy the bond he shared with his Pokémon. It reminded him why he had set out on this journey in the first place.
"Not a bad day, huh?" Ethan murmured, glancing at Sylveon. The Fairy-type blinked up at him, its blue eyes shimmering with contentment.
Ethan smiled, closing his eyes as the sounds of the waves and his Pokémon's happy chatter filled the air. Even without a big catch, the day had been perfect in its own way.
Tomorrow, they would get back to training. But for now, Ethan and his team simply enjoyed the moment.