Pokémon: Starting with Ash's Mom

Dragonair's slender body gently swayed beneath the water, its scales shimmering enchantingly under the sunlight.

Dratini happily circled around her mother, occasionally nudging Dragonair affectionately with her small head, appearing exceptionally intimate.

Truly worthy of being one of the mysterious Pokémon of the Kanto Region—the elegant aura Dragonair exuded was distinctly different from other Pokémon in the Safari Zone.

Kazuki brought all the specially-prepared Pokémon food to the lakeside, smiling warmly at Dragonair and Dratini.

With gentle movements, Kazuki scattered the food onto the lake's surface. The enticing aroma quickly spread, attracting even the graceful Dragonair.

Suzie truly deserved her title as the three-time consecutive Pokémon Breeder Champion; her cooking skills were unparalleled.

"Dratini, bring your mom over and have a taste! This special Pokémon food was prepared by our team's little chef—Suzie!" Kazuki spoke in a gentle, inviting tone to the mother and daughter duo.

Dragonair lowered her head, delicately sniffing the food. Gracefully, she opened her mouth and elegantly swallowed the food mixed with the lake water.

Dratini was less graceful, eagerly rushing forward to gobble down the food, eyes filled with satisfaction.

"Suzie, you're amazing! Even Dragonair loves your cooking!" Misty praised softly, careful not to startle the Pokémon.

Suzie smiled modestly, shifting the credit back to her man. "It's mostly due to Kazuki's charm. Even Dragonair can't resist him."

After finishing the meal, Dragonair raised her head, gazing intently at Kazuki, as if sensing something special about him.

She seemed deeply intrigued by the unique power Kazuki possessed.

Seeing this, Kazuki gently released his Aura Power.

Moments later, Dragonair's expression softened into trust and joy. She led Dratini closer to Kazuki once again.

Dragonair studied Kazuki carefully, then, as if making up her mind, gently nudged Dratini forward with her tail, encouraging her daughter to swim toward Kazuki.

Dratini glanced at her mother, puzzled.

Dragonair murmured soothingly, communicating softly with her daughter.

Understanding her mother's intentions, Dratini obediently swam up to Kazuki, affectionately rubbing her head against his hand, displaying remarkable closeness.

"What... what's going on?" Suzie's eyes widened in disbelief at the scene unfolding before her.

Misty also looked astonished, whispering, "Dragonair actually pushed Dratini toward Kazuki? This is... unbelievable!"

At a distance, Kaiser watched this scene, feeling as though the world had spun out of control.

Eyes wide, he muttered to himself in disbelief, "This! This... No, this can't be!"

"I've guarded Dratini for so many years, yet you've just handed your daughter to someone else?"

"Every month, I've come here to express my dedication and affection!"

"Decades have passed—I just wanted to see you again!"

"Dragonair, you... How could you... I'm clearly your best choice..."

Kaiser stammered helplessly, unable to properly express his anguish.

He had no intention of capturing Dratini himself, yet he couldn't help but feel bitter. After all, he'd been the first to guard and cherish them silently, but now Kazuki reaped all the rewards.

Kazuki looked at Dragonair and Dratini, mildly surprised, but quickly understood Dragonair's intentions.

Dragonair herself had grown up and struggled in this lake, knowing better than anyone the hardships of surviving here.

Though Kaiser guarded the lake, he was still just an ordinary human; poachers still occasionally intruded. 

Moreover, Kaiser's obsessive behavior—visiting monthly and professing his affection—worried Dragonair about her daughter's safety.

Additionally, Dratini was a Pokémon known for its late maturity. 

In the wild, evolving into a Dragonite by herself could take decades, if not longer. 

Dragonair herself had spent decades evolving from Dratini, and becoming a Dragonite seemed an even more distant dream.

Dragonair didn't want Dratini to endure the same hardships.

After sensing Kazuki's immense strength and confirming him to be a reliable trainer, Dragonair decided to entrust Dratini to the young man she had grown fond of.

Kazuki glanced back at Kaiser, deliberately asking, "Kaiser, this is the mother's own wish and decision. This shouldn't cause any trouble, right?"

Kaiser's face turned pale, his lips trembling slightly, clearly wanting to protest.

But Dragonair suddenly turned her head and gave Kaiser a stern, warning glance, instantly pressuring him into submission.

Ultimately, Kaiser could only nod dejectedly, murmuring, "No... no problem."

Kazuki smiled faintly, taking a Safari Ball from his waist and gently pressing it against Dratini's forehead.

Dratini didn't resist; instead, she obediently closed her eyes, transforming into a beam of red light that vanished into the Poké Ball.

"You did it! Kazuki, you successfully captured Dratini!" Suzie and Misty cheered simultaneously, even more excited than Kazuki himself.

Kazuki gently caressed Dratini's Poké Ball, then immediately released her again.

Dratini swam back to Dragonair, eyes filled with reluctant affection. Dragonair gently touched her daughter's head, comforting her tenderly.

Watching this, inspiration struck Kazuki, prompting him to speak up: "Dragonair, would you like to come with us too?"

"I can offer you a better living environment, where no poachers can disturb you again."

"And you'd be able to see Dratini anytime you want."

Kazuki planned to capture Dragonair as well, entrusting her to Professor Oak's laboratory.

Professor Oak was a highly respected figure within the Pokémon League; even the boldest poacher wouldn't dare invade his territory. Safety would be guaranteed.

As for feeding concerns, Professor Oak was quite wealthy. Though Dragonair consumed a lot, she certainly wouldn't eat as much as a Snorlax. Professor Oak's resources could surely handle it!

Hearing Kazuki's suggestion, Dragonair showed a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

In truth, she'd longed to evolve into a Dragonite and leave this lake, escaping the constant threat of poachers.

Unfortunately, years of interference from poachers and Kaiser's obsession had hindered her training. After her daughter was born, leaving became even more improbable.

Dragonair initially thought it enough for her daughter to explore the wider world, never expecting Kazuki to extend the offer to her as well.

After pondering briefly, Dragonair revealed a joyful expression and gracefully nodded toward Kazuki.

"This is fantastic!" Suzie exclaimed excitedly. "Kazuki, you're incredible! Even Dragonair is willing to follow you!"

Misty laughed happily, "We've truly hit the jackpot this time! Dragonair and Dratini both becoming our companions!"

Kazuki and the others brimmed with joy, though human joys and sorrows rarely aligned.

In the distance, witnessing this scene, Kaiser felt a surge of despair overcome him, and he shouted emotionally:

"No... No!! Dragonair, I've protected you all these years!"

"Don't believe that brat's words!"

"He can't protect you—trust me! Trust me, I'm the only one who can truly keep you safe!"

"Kid, stop bragging! There's no way you can protect Dragonair!"

In his agitation, Kaiser began reaching once more for the revolver at his waist.

Kazuki ignored Kaiser's anguished cries, instead continuing his friendly interaction with Dragonair and her daughter.

Dragonair glanced briefly at Kaiser, then voluntarily lowered her head toward Kazuki, clearly expressing her willingness.

"No... no..." Seeing Dragonair's gesture of acceptance toward Kazuki, Kaiser could no longer find the words to protest. 

He could only repeat weakly, "No... no..."

Kazuki looked at the scene unfolding before him, amused by its resemblance to a drama of a husband watching helplessly as his wife and daughter left him.

Well, it's not like I intended this—it's just following the mission. I'm doing this for their safety, after all.

Besides, Kaiser is at most just an obsessed stalker. It's not like I'm a bald-headed villain... Maybe I should shave my head?

No, no, there's no need for that!

After expressing her acceptance to Kazuki, Dragonair turned back and emitted a gentle cry toward Kaiser, conveying gratitude for his years of care.

Kaiser stood stunned, looking lost and confused. He asked quietly, "You... What do you mean?"

"You keep saying you're her good friend, but you can't even understand her words," Kazuki kindly translated Dragonair's farewell message. "Dragonair is thanking you for protecting her all these years."

"But she also mentioned that if you hadn't come every month and said those creepy, disturbing things by the lakeside, she'd probably feel even more grateful."

Kaiser didn't entirely believe Kazuki's translation at first, until he saw Dragonair nodding gently in agreement. At that, he deflated like a balloon, collapsing in defeat.

Lowering his head, Kaiser muttered bitterly to himself, "So... all this time... I've been bothering her rather than protecting her..."

Hearing Kaiser's words, Kazuki felt as though he'd realized something as well.

If Kaiser hadn't flaunted that photo of himself with Dratini years ago, perhaps they wouldn't have attracted so many poachers, and Dratini wouldn't have suffered such distress.

Thinking of this, Kazuki felt compelled to offer a few more words of caution.

"Kaiser, protection isn't just empty talk."

"If you don't have enough strength to truly protect someone, then you shouldn't disturb them at all. Otherwise, you'll only bring more trouble."

"Think carefully about that photo of yours—it brought nothing but harm."

Suzie and Misty nodded firmly, fully agreeing with Kazuki's words.

Dragonair also emitted a cry of agreement, relieved that someone had finally expressed her true feelings after so many years.

Seeing Dragonair's attitude, Kaiser was left speechless. 

After a long silence, he began muttering in confused self-reflection, "All these years... was it really... my fault?"

After capturing Dragonair and Dratini into their Poké Balls, Kazuki left the lakeside with Suzie and Misty, leaving Kaiser alone, slumped by the lake in bitter regret and remorse.

After leaving the lake, Kazuki counted his remaining Safari Balls. 

He still had more than a dozen left, and since the mission required him to capture thirty Pokémon, he continued wandering through the Safari Zone, aiming to complete the task.

But having captured the greatest treasures of the Safari Zone already, Kazuki felt no regrets. He could simply catch a dozen Tauros to fulfill his quota.

Along the way, Suzie and Misty kept praising Kazuki's abilities, their eyes filled with admiration, eager to see more of Dragonair and Dratini.

"Kazuki, you're incredible! Even Dragonair willingly came along with you!" Suzie exclaimed happily.

Misty quickly agreed, "That's right! Kazuki, you're practically a Pokémon Master!"

Seeing their eager expressions, Kazuki didn't need psychic powers to guess that these two girls simply wanted more chances to spend time with the newly captured mother-daughter duo.

"You two girls, aren't your intentions a bit too obvious?" Kazuki teased playfully, smiling at Suzie and Misty.

Suzie and Misty exchanged shy glances, then simultaneously blushed and said in unison, "You big meanie!"

"Fine! Today, we'll admit you're amazing! I'll... I'll give you a massage tonight," Misty murmured shyly.

"I... I can help too," Suzie added softly, equally bashful.

"Both of you together?" Kazuki raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. He had originally planned some playful teasing during the massage, creating a more intimate atmosphere.

"Alright, then, both of you together it is!"

After all, wasn't this exactly the kind of situation he'd been anticipating?

"Now, can you let us see Dragonair and Dratini again?" Misty looked eagerly at Kazuki.

Kazuki took out the Safari Balls and released Dragonair and Dratini.

Both Pokémon were quite intelligent, quickly understanding that Suzie and Misty were Kazuki's companions, and thus behaved gently and affectionately towards them.

"Kazuki, are we going to keep capturing Pokémon now?" Suzie asked, gently stroking Dratini's smooth scales.

Kazuki glanced at his mission panel.

[Dragonair and Dratini Captured. Safari Zone Capture Progress: 16/30]

[Countdown: 42 hours]

"Of course. We can't let the thirty Safari Balls go to waste! There's still a long journey ahead."

"Capturing more Pokémon means having more options and greater flexibility."

Hearing Kazuki's words, Suzie and Misty grew excited.

"You go catch Pokémon, we'll stay here to guard Dragonair and Dratini! Hehe!" Misty playfully replied.

Kazuki chuckled inwardly at her words: Guard Dragonair and Dratini?

Though he hadn't checked Dragonair's status yet, his aura perception alone had already told him how powerful she was. Who in the Safari Zone could possibly threaten these two?

But Kazuki understood Suzie and Misty's intentions. 

Since both girls had promised to give him a massage tonight, he decided to let them be. 

After giving them a few simple instructions, he left Dragonair and Dratini with the girls to play, continuing onward himself to complete his capture mission.

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