The sun rose in the east, and the sea breeze cut sharp and cold across the waves.
Foam splashed against jagged rocks while Water-type Pokémon poked their heads above the surface, basking in the morning light. High above, Wingulls glided lazily across the sky.
Cutting through the open sea was a massive pirate vessel—its black hull marked with the snarling emblem of a giant shark.
This was the Giant Shark, a name feared across these waters.
Scarred, grizzled pirates patrolled the deck, their eyes like predators searching for prey. Their rugged faces stood in stark contrast to the group of teenage rookies who now trained under the burning sun, each commanding their newly obtained Pokémon.
"Corphish—Clamp attack!"
Evan Crowe's voice was steady and sharp.
"Cor-phish!"
With a powerful leap, his Corphish snapped its massive claws around the exhausted Taillow.
A scream tore from the bird Pokémon before it fainted instantly.
"Well done, partner."
Evan stroked Corphish's sturdy shell and rewarded it with a bright-blue Water-type energy cube.
"More than ten days… and you've defeated every other rookie's Pokémon."
A satisfied smile crossed Evan's face.
Mrs. Meta had not lied—the Corphish he picked was extraordinary.
During this time, Evan had begun to decipher many of its traits.
For one:
Its Ability was the rare hidden ability—Adaptability.
Same-type moves hit far harder than usual.
Which is why Corphish's Foam attack had become devastating—especially against Flying-types like Taillow or Wingull.
Its level, talent, and potential outclassed every Pokémon in its generation.
---
A Visit to Mrs. Meta
Evan nodded politely to the patrolling pirates as he headed toward the upper deck.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Meta."
He knocked lightly before entering.
Mrs. Meta was as graceful as ever—beautiful even in her forties, though time had etched faint lines on her face. She closed her antique book and smiled warmly.
"Evan Crowe. How is the Pokémon you obtained?"
"Yes, madam. Corphish is an excellent partner."
Evan spoke respectfully, inching a little closer—hinting that he wished to serve as her trusted aide.
Mrs. Meta understood.
With the Giant Shark's captain missing for more than six months, the ship's upper ranks simmered with political tension.
Her two First Mates were hungry for power, and she needed new blood—someone loyal, talented, and ambitious.
"You're quite promising—clever, perceptive, and good at reading situations."
Her eyes softened. "Would you be willing to become my apprentice?"
Evan's eyes widened with genuine surprise.
"It would be my honor, Mrs. Meta."
To rise in this world, two resources mattered above all:
tangible assets—strong Pokémon, money, nourishment—
and intangible assets—connections, knowledge, and secrets.
The first could be earned through sweat.
The second… Evan had always been blind to.
Until now.
"From today forward," she said gently, "you don't need to join the morning drills. Come to me instead. I'll teach you Pokémon breeding."
Her tone carried a warmth that almost felt maternal.
---
A New Routine
From that day on, Evan's routine changed.
Mornings were spent studying breeding under Mrs. Meta; afternoons training his Pokémon.
He no longer participated in the ship's chores, and many pirates eyed him with envy.
At breakfast, he was greeted warmly.
"Morning, Brother Fulton!"
Instead of stale bread, he now received fresh milk and proper meals—another sign that his status had risen. He was no longer an ordinary pirate; he had surpassed many veterans.
While rookies studied maritime skills, Evan walked toward Mrs. Meta's private cabin once again.
"Evan, once Corphish evolves into Crawdaunt, it gains the Dark typing. Its personality becomes more aggressive and unstable. You must manage it early."
She spoke patiently, her gentle tone nearly convincing him she had never slaughtered a passenger ship's crew with her Swampert.
"Evan, it's been long enough. You still haven't checked Corphish's stats."
She pulled out a red-and-white handheld device.
"The Pokédex!"
Evan's breath caught.
Mrs. Meta scanned Corphish's Poké Ball.
Beep—beep—beep…
"Corphish, the Rogue Pokémon. Water type. Ability: Adaptability. Level 12. Height: 0.7 meters. Above average development…"
It continued:
"Moves known: Vice Grip, Harden, Bubble, Leer… Aqua Jet… Dragon Dance."
The room fell silent.
Evan froze.
"Dragon Dance?"
"Of course," Mrs. Meta sighed. "Why else do you think I recommended it?"
"One of Corphish's parents must've had dragon blood—maybe not pure Dragon-type, but something like a Charizard or Gyarados."
She smiled with rare pride.
Over two weeks, Evan had learned faster than anyone she had ever taught.
He wasn't just a tool for her ambitions anymore—he was a genuine prodigy.
"After evolution, its claws become crucial weapons. This—" She handed him a small bottle. "Powdered Marowak bone. Mix it into Corphish's meals to strengthen its exoskeleton."
"Thank you, Mrs. Meta."
Evan bowed deeply and left, his mind buzzing with possibility.
---
Life at Sea
January passed uneventfully.
The Giant Shark encountered several passenger vessels, but none dared resist—each paid protection fees to ensure safe passage.
Evan learned that pirates were far more than robbers.
Trading, smuggling, escort work, mercenary contracts—
as long as it paid, pirates would do it.
The most frequent activity was capturing rare Water-type Pokémon to sell on land.
The Hoenn region had water in surplus; Kanto did not.
"Brother Fulton, how long until we reach land?" Evan asked the burly navigator beside him.
Mark Fulton—"the Eyes of the Giant Shark"—lifted a hand and traced invisible lines in the air.
"Three days. We should make landfall near Evergreen City."
No one noticed the shadow moving far below—
A massive school of Sharpedo began circling the hull.
---
Attack Beneath the Waves
During lunch, a messenger burst into the restaurant.
"Emergency! Water-type Pokémon are attacking the hull! Everyone capable, follow me!"
Chaos erupted.
"Good! Time to earn extra money!"
"Let's see if we can catch something rare today!"
Pirates sprinted toward the combat deck with excitement instead of fear.
The ship extended its metal battle platforms outward—wide, sturdy, and able to hold hundreds.
"It's a whole swarm of Sharpedo!"
"At least a hundred!"
First Mate Shin Nagata raised his voice.
"Strong swimmers—into the water! Everyone else, support from the platforms!"
At once, high-level Water-types plunged into the sea—Whiscash, Crawdaunt, Sharpedo—sending up towering fountains of spray.
Evan's Corphish stayed on the platform, firing Foam attacks to assist.
"Release all Flying-types! Retrieve Poké Balls on the surface!"
As the battle raged, countless Sharpedo were beaten unconscious.
To avoid conflicts, every Poké Ball was labeled with its owner's name.
Evan had only a handful—his savings were precious. Even though Mrs. Meta had given him Great Balls and Ultra Balls, he refused to waste them on ordinary Sharpedo.
But then—
he noticed one Sharpedo swimming faster than the rest.
Much faster.
A blur.
"That one… it has Speed Boost!"
With his heart pounding, Evan hurled a Poké Ball bearing his name.
All around him, Poké Balls rained down like a storm. Wingulls swooped to retrieve them from the surface.
By sunset, half the Sharpedo swarm had been captured.
The rest fled.
---
A Surprising Catch
Feasting erupted in the cabin—pirates shouting and fighting over their Poké Balls.
"Mine! That one's mine—my name's on it!"
"Hey! Don't grab my share!"
Thanks to Mark Fulton's help, Evan easily found his own Poké Ball.
Instead of opening it there, he slipped away quietly to the upper deck.
"Evan, sounds lively down there," Mrs. Meta said, flipping through a book on berries. "How was the haul?"
"Quite good, Mrs. Meta."
He held out the Pokédex.
"Could I borrow this?"
She handed it over without hesitation.
Evan scanned the Poké Ball.
"Sharpedo—the Brutal Pokémon. Water type. Known for powerful jaws capable of crushing a ship's hull. Level 11. Ability: Speed Boost. Height: 0.9 meters—above average. Weight: 22 kilograms—also above average. Physical attributes: excellent."
The Pokédex continued:
"Moves: Leer, Bite, Rage, Focus Energy, Aqua Jet… Psychic Fangs."
Evan froze.
A hidden ability… and a rare inherited move.
A true jackpot.