Three days later, the storm had cleared, replaced by a bright, indifferent sun. Regina was allowed into the recovery room, a warm, humid space designed for water Pokémon.
The Magikarp, now resting in a small, crystal-clear recovery tank, looked visibly better. Its scales were still scarred, but its breathing was steady, and the deep, angry cuts were covered in soothing, medicinal gel.
"He's stable," Nurse Joy reported quietly, standing by the tank. "But... he won't let anyone touch him. He gets frantic if a hand comes near the water. We think the trauma wasn't just physical. He seems terrified of people."
Regina leaned over the tank, their reflection shimmering on the water's surface. "Hey there, little guy. It's Regina."
The Magikarp, which had been floating calmly near the bottom, immediately darted to the far corner of the tank, smashing itself against the glass wall in a panic. Its big, wide eyes, now clear and alert, were locked on Regina with raw, unmistakable fear.
It wasn't fear of a predator; it was the specific, desperate fear of a creature that knew what humans could do. The injuries hadn't just been from the rockslide; the Magikarp had been cornered and badly abused by a cruel group of Pokémon poachers before the rockslide finished the job.
Regina pulled their hand back instantly, feeling a painful twist in their chest. Fearow, perched on a nearby stand, let out a low, soft cry of concern.
"It's okay, little one," Regina murmured, sinking onto a low stool far from the tank. They stayed there for hours, not moving, not speaking, just being a quiet, non-threatening presence in the corner of the room. They never tried to pet it, never offered a Pokéball, or even a treat—just gentle, steady observation.
The Magikarp, though still huddled in the corner, eventually stopped thrashing. It watched Regina with the intense, wary suspicion of a wild animal, slowly trying to reconcile the terrifying memory of humans with the person who had risked everything to fly it through a tempest and save its life. It was a long road ahead, but for the first time since the rockslide, the Magikarp hadn't panicked enough to re-injure itself. It was the first fragile step toward trust.
----
Two more days passed. Regina continued ther silent vigil, often sketching in a notepad or simply resting, keeping a safe distance from the Magikarp's tank. Fearow and Aerodactly remained nearby, often preening its feathers or dozing quietly.
Regina brought a small bucket of specially formulated nutrient-rich river algae and slowly poured a small amount into the tank. The Magikarp stayed glued to the back corner, refusing to approach the food.
"I know you're scared," Regina whispered, resting her head against the cool glass, careful not to look directly into the Magikarp's eyes. "But you need to eat, or you won't get strong enough to go home."
Suddenly, a loud, high-pitched screech echoed from the hallway outside. It was a couple of young trainers, arguing loudly over a misplaced item, their voices cutting sharply through the quiet room.
The Magikarp, already hyper-vigilant, instantly recognized the aggressive, raised human tone and it reminded him of his own interaction with those young humans. It reacted violently. In a desperate, blind panic, it thrashed forward, trying to escape the noise and the perceived threat.
It shot toward the surface of the tank and, using the last burst of its strength, executed a frantic, clumsy leap—a weak, uncontrolled Tackle. It wasn't aimed at an enemy; it was just trying to get out.
The Magikarp flew out of the water, a desperate white streak, and landed with a wet thwack directly against Regina's face and chest.
Regina gasped in surprise as the slippery, scaled body hit her. She instinctively wrapped her arms around the Magikarp, not to hold it tight, but just to cushion the landing and prevent it from hitting the hard floor.
"Whoa! Calm down magikarp! It's okay, it's just a sound!" Regina murmured, holding the shaking fish gently against her chest, keeping its gills moist.
For the first few seconds, the Magikarp struggled fiercely, terrified to be held by a human. But then, as Regina's steady heartbeat pulsed against its side, and the loud voices from the hall faded, it stopped. It felt the warmth, the non-threatening gentleness, and the lack of a crushing, abusive grip.
Regina slowly lowered the Magikarp back into the water. It didn't dart away this time. It floated near Regina's hand, breathing heavily, its body shaking slightly. It looked up, really looked at Regina's face—the genuine concern in her eyes, the rain-soaked stranger who had risked the storm.
Then, with a barely perceptible twitch of its tail, the Magikarp nudged its head weakly against Regina's fingers, a tiny, hesitant acknowledgment of safety, a fragile promise of trust beginning to form.
---
The small nudge was a breakthrough. Over the next week, the Magikarp, still highly jumpy around anyone else (especially loud trainers or nurses approaching too quickly), started to anticipate Regina's visits. It would hover near the glass, only relaxing when it was just Regina and Fearow in the room.
Regina spent hours talking softly to the Magikarp, telling it about their travels, about Fearow's and aerodactyl's strength, and about the calm, safe places they knew. They fed it personally, always moving slowly and deliberately.
Finally, the day arrived for the Magikarp to be officially released from the Poké-Center. Nurse Joy approached Regina with a gentle smile.
"He's fully healed, Regina. His natural strength is returning. We recommend releasing him into a safe, sheltered lake nearby."
Regina approached the tank. "You heard her, magikarp You're free to go." They opened the lid gently.
The Magikarp swam forward, paused at the edge of the tank, then suddenly darted back toward Regina's legs, circling them anxiously. It splashed weakly, looking up at Regina with its large, pleading eyes.
"What's wrong?" Regina asked, kneeling down.
The Magikarp nudged the edge of Regina's trousers again, then looked pointedly at the small, empty Poké Ball attached to Regina's belt. It splashed urgently, as if trying to communicate something vital.
"You... you want to come with me?" Regina asked, stunned. "But... you're still so scared of people. Out in the world, there are lots of people."
The Magikarp shook its head in the water, splashing Regina lightly. It swam a frantic loop, then returned and deliberately bumped its head against the empty Poké Ball. It was a clear, insistent demand.
It wasn't that the Magikarp suddenly loved all humans; it was that in a terrifying, confusing world full of noise, sudden movements, and lingering pain, Regina was the single, reliable source of safety. Going back to the wild felt too exposed, too risky. It was choosing the known, protective presence over the terrifying unknown.
Regina understood the desperate plea. "You see the Ball as a shield, don't you? A promise that I'll protect you." A heavy sense of responsibility settled over them. This wasn't a catch driven by strength or strategy; it was an act of profound, fragile trust.
Regina took the empty Poké Ball from her belt. "Alright, Magikarp. If you're sure. But you have to know, we're going to meet many people, and sometimes things will be scary. But I promise, I will always keep you safe."
They held the Poké Ball out, lowering it toward the water.
The Magikarp didn't hesitate. With a determined, hopeful flick of its tail, it swam right up to the device.
**Click!**
The familiar flash of red light enveloped the Magikarp, and the Ball sealed shut. It wobbled just once on the floor, then rested still.
Regina picked up the Ball, a warm weight in their palm. "Welcome aboard, little friend," she murmured, a mix of pride and tenderness in her voice. She knew this partnership would require immense patience, knowing the Magikarp's emotional state remained as delicate as fine glass, but she was ready to protect the fragile bond by any means necessary.
Note:
[Magikarp(Odd color)
class: Champion
lvl 10]