Pokemon: The Untamed Journey

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Poliwag leapt out of the water in a graceful arc, its tiny, same-coloured feet landing on the wet ground, sending small splashes of water everywhere.

After reaching the shore, it didn't rush to practice walking. Instead, it turned toward the calm surface of the lake and let out a series of calls, its tone full of urgency and encouragement.

Kai and Luxray, who were observing quietly from a distance, paused, curious about what Poliwag was trying to do.

The little Poliwag continued to call out, its round mouth moving as if trying to coax something.

About a minute later, clusters of bubbles broke the surface of the lake. Slowly, three more Poliwag heads emerged, identical to the first.

The four Poliwag appeared to be part of the same group, with the first clearly acting as their leader.

The leader Poliwag made encouraging sounds, seeming to reassure its hesitant companions.

After some coaxing, the three Poliwag reluctantly waddled ashore, shakily following their leader as they began practising their first, unsteady steps on land.

Watching this scene unfold, Kai murmured, "Not bad…"

Poliwag are fascinating Pokémon. When they first hatch, they resemble tadpoles, lacking any legs. Only after some time do their tiny legs grow, allowing them to venture onto land.

Despite the inherent risks, it seems as though an instinctive desire for the land is etched into their DNA.

The leader, Poliwag, impressed Kai the most. It showed remarkable courage and leadership qualities, inspiring its companions to take risks and follow its example.

Such traits were promising signs of its potential to evolve into a Politoed, a Pokémon known for its natural charisma and leadership abilities.

Without hesitation, Kai decided that he would recruit all four of them.

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There are typically three ways to capture wild Pokémon.

The first is through food enticement. Delicious treats prepared by humans are often irresistible to wild Pokémon.

In the wild, food is scarce, and many weaker Pokémon live in constant hunger, scavenging whatever they can. Offering consistent food and safety is a surefire way to win their trust.

Kai's Swampert, back when it was just a Mudkip, had been won over in this way.

The second method is the classic battle-and-capture technique. By weakening a wild Pokémon through battle, a Trainer can use a Poké Ball to capture it.

Considering Luxray's overwhelming strength, Kai immediately ruled this option out there was no need to traumatize the Poliwag.

The third and most subtle method is building trust through friendship, allowing the Pokémon to willingly join the Trainer.

Of course, there were more unconventional methods, such as certain Legends like Hisuian heroes using special items, or the more extreme "throw-and-hope" strategy used by overly confident Trainers like Leon.

For now, Kai decided to try the gentler approach: food.

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The Poliwag group, led by their brave leader, waddled in a line near the edge of the lake. Though their movements were clumsy and unsteady, there was a sense of unity in their little march.

Kai left Luxray behind to avoid scaring the Poliwag and approached them alone. His footsteps on the soft wet ground soon caught their attention.

The three smaller Poliwags immediately froze, trembling at the sight of a stranger. Their first instinct was to dive back into the lake.

However, the leader, Poliwag, stood firm, its round, shiny eyes filled with both curiosity and caution as it watched Kai approach.

Kai noticed how the leader Poliwag deliberately stepped forward to shield its companions.

Smiling, he stopped a safe distance away, about two meters, then crouched down and reached into his bag.

With a gentle toss, he threw several small pieces of smoked fish onto the ground near the Poliwag.

The pieces landed with a soft plop. The leader, Poliwag, blinked, unsure of what to make of this gesture.

The smoked fish was part of Kai's field rations. It was easy to carry, long-lasting, and flavorful, making it a reliable source of nutrition in the wild.

Pokémon, being less picky than humans, were more than happy to eat such treats.

The Poliwag leader hesitated, still wary of Kai. However, its companions were less reserved.

The enticing aroma of the smoked fish proved too much for them, and they looked to their leader with pleading eyes.

The leader glanced back at Kai, who gave it a friendly smile and said, "It's okay. Go ahead. Think of it as a gesture of friendship."

Though cautious, the leader Poliwag couldn't resist the temptation. After a moment's hesitation, it picked up one piece of fish with its small mouth and began chewing.

Its companions quickly followed suit, eagerly devouring the remaining pieces.

As the Poliwag ate, Kai quietly scooted closer. By the time they finished their snack, he was just a step away from them.

Strangely, the Poliwag no longer seemed afraid. In their simple worldview, the human who provided food was clearly a good person.

Seeing this, Kai decided to move on to the final step. Smiling warmly, he set four Poké Balls on the ground and said, "Would you like to come with me? There'll be no more danger, plenty of food, and even tastier treats than what you just had."

"Poliii.."

The Poliwag hesitated, but the three smaller ones quickly turned to their leader, their eyes brimming with hope. "Big brother, free food and safety it's a dream come true!"

"Poli! Poli!"(Please)

"Poli! Poli!"(Please)

"Poli! Poli!"(Please)

The leader, Poliwag, was stunned. It hadn't expected its companions to give in so quickly.

After a moment's thought, however, it realized it couldn't leave its friends behind. With a sigh of resignation, it hopped forward and tapped its nose against a Poké Ball, willingly entering it.

With their leader's example, the other three Poliwag eagerly followed, each leaping into a Poké Ball without hesitation.

Kai blinked, momentarily stunned by how smoothly things had gone.

"Lux?" Luxray strolled over, its sharp gaze softening as it watched Kai process what had just happened. It couldn't help but smirk.

The mighty Trainer had come prepared with all kinds of strategies, only for the Poliwag to surrender themselves so willingly.

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Don't forget to drop some Power Stones!💎💎💎

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P@treon/ Nyxal