Chapter 61: I’ve Already Made All the Arrangements for Our Daughter
The video continued playing.
"I’ve decided."
Raina stood, closed the ancient book, and held it against her chest.
"Eevee, we’re going to find Lugia."
"Eevee!"
Raina left her room and found Asher at the Gym’s training grounds.
"Dad, I’m going to the Whirl Islands."
"Mm."
Asher took a sip of tea.
"I understand."
"...Dad, aren’t you going to stop me?"
"You’ve already made your decision. Would stopping you accomplish anything?"
"However, the currents around the Whirl Islands are far more complicated than those in ordinary waters. The route shown in that ancient book is extremely old, so it might no longer be usable."
Asher took a folded nautical chart from his pocket and handed it to her.
"This is the most recent chart. Still, you can’t go alone."
"Of course I’m bringing my Pokémon with me."
"That isn’t what I mean."
Asher placed his teacup down.
"You need a guide capable of navigating the waters around the Whirl Islands. There are too many hidden reefs for a large ship to enter, while a small boat wouldn’t be able to withstand the currents."
Raina tilted her head.
"Then what should I do?"
Asher paused.
"Don’t use a boat. Your Lapras is a descendant of the People of the Sea God, so it possesses an instinctive sense of direction in those waters. With Gyarados escorting you, you should have no trouble passing through the outer waters of the Whirl Islands."
Raina nodded.
"I understand."
"There’s one more thing."
Asher took a small cloth pouch from his pocket and placed it on the table.
"Do you remember asking why I never allowed you to use that Prism Scale?"
Raina accepted the pouch. It contained several materials she had never seen before.
"Dad, what are these...?"
"Grind these materials together with the Prism Scale, then add Lapras’s blood as a catalyst."
Asher explained:
"The result will be a special potion capable of drawing out the full potential of a Water-type Pokémon’s body for a short period."
Raina’s eyes lit up.
"Can it help Lapras?"
"It can."
Asher nodded.
"The currents around the Whirl Islands are far stronger than those of ordinary seas. Your Lapras may possess the proper bloodline, but if you encounter extreme conditions, it might not be able to endure them alone."
"This potion should help it make it through at a critical moment."
"Dad, why didn’t you give it to me earlier?"
"Because I originally didn’t want you going somewhere that dangerous."
For once, Asher looked at her seriously.
"The Whirl Islands are far more dangerous than you imagine. Their currents have already claimed the lives of many experienced Trainers."
"However, you’re now a Water-type Elite Four member, and you possess the necessary strength. If you want to go, then go."
Raina remained silent for a moment before nodding firmly.
"Mm. I’m going."
Asher stood and patted her shoulder.
"Then come with me to the backyard. I’ll teach you how to prepare the potion. The process itself isn’t complicated—the key ingredient is your Lapras’s blood."
[VIP Chat Group]
[Professor Birch]: The complete formula for a potion made with a Prism Scale! Asher is going to demonstrate it personally!
[Bill]: Screen recording activated. Notes prepared.
The video continued playing.
Raina dripped Lapras’s blood into the finely ground powder.
A layer of silvery-blue light spread across the liquid inside the bottle before gradually fading, leaving it transparent once more.
"It’s finished."
Asher leaned against the wall.
"The conditions around the Whirl Islands are even worse than I described. Remember, only use it when Lapras genuinely can’t endure any longer."
Raina carefully placed the potion inside a separate compartment of her backpack.
"Mm. I understand."
[VIP Chat Group]
[Professor Birch]: Astonishing. Truly astonishing!
[Bill]: Ancient potion-making techniques really are unique. This is an approach I never would have considered.
[Professor Oak]: Unfortunately, even after learning the formula, it would still be extremely difficult for us to reproduce.
[Ash]: Huh? Why?
[Gary]: Idiot, the key ingredient is the blood of a Lapras descended from the "People of the Sea God." Where are you supposed to find that?
[Ash]: Oh, right... Wait, Gary! You insulted me again!
[Lorelei]: In that case... could Lapras’s appearance also have been arranged by Asher?
[Asher]: Please add an important qualifier: parallel-world Asher. Thank you~
The video continued playing.
Early morning, outside Cerulean Gym.
Raina hadn’t made many preparations. She still carried the same backpack she had used when first setting out on her journey.
Misty emerged from the building carrying a bundle.
"I prepared some food that won’t spoil easily. It should be enough for your journey across the sea."
Misty handed the bundle to Raina.
"There’s also Pokémon food inside, stored separately in a cloth pouch."
"Mm. Thank you, Mom!"
Raina smiled, accepted the bundle, and stuffed it into her backpack.
"The Whirl Islands are extremely dangerous. Once you leave..."
Misty’s voice paused before she sighed.
"Listen to me. Try not to push yourself too hard."
Raina reached out and hugged Misty.
"I know. Don’t worry, Mom. I’m really strong now."
Misty rubbed Raina’s hair before finally releasing her.
Asher merely wore a peaceful smile as he nodded toward Raina.
Raina nodded firmly in return.
"Dad, Mom, I’m leaving."
She turned and threw Dragonite’s Poké Ball before climbing onto its back.
Dragonite spread its wings and lifted effortlessly from the ground with a gentle flap.
Raina looked back and waved toward her parents standing outside the Gym.
Misty only lowered her waving hand after the orange figure had completely disappeared beyond the horizon.
"What are you thinking about?"
Asher walked over to her.
"I’m wondering... when she grew so much."
Misty’s voice was quiet.
"When she first left on her journey, she was still a child who needed her parents to worry about her."
Asher placed an arm around her shoulders.
"With me here, nothing will happen to our daughter."
Misty turned toward him.
"I truly don’t understand why you’re allowing Raina to do something so dangerous."
"We can’t keep our daughter sheltered like a flower in a greenhouse forever. Besides, that was never her personality."
Asher rubbed his nose.
"Don’t worry. I’ve already made all the arrangements for our daughter. The most likely problem Raina will face on this trip is going hungry."
"She’ll be at the Whirl Islands. Who could possibly help her there?"
"It isn’t as though I only made arrangements with people."
Asher turned and began walking back into the Gym.
"I told ’it’ to help Raina throughout her journey."
Misty froze.
"’It’? What do you mean?"
"An old friend."
Asher waved dismissively.
"Don’t worry. With it there, Raina will be perfectly safe."
[VIP Chat Group]
[Ash]: "It"? Who was Asher talking about?
[Lorelei]: If it isn’t a person, then it must be a Pokémon. Considering how confident Asher sounded, this Pokémon must be exceptionally powerful—most likely a Legendary Pokémon.
[Bruno]: A Legendary Pokémon?!
[Lance]: He was able to obtain a scale from Rayquaza. Why would it be surprising for him to know a Legendary Pokémon?
[Daisy]: Oh my~ The Asher in the video is being unusually serious. He looks very dependable and manly, doesn’t he, Misty?
[Misty]: ...
[Steven]: Brother Asher’s reach truly knows no bounds. He’s sitting in Cerulean City, yet he has already extended his influence all the way to the Whirl Islands?
[Asher]: ...Steven, was that a jab at me?
[Steven]: Brother Asher, don’t take it personally. Wasn’t I talking about the parallel-world version of you?
[Asher]: ...(I never should have responded to this man.)