Looking at the Carvanha resting on the sand, Ryan smiled excitedly at his Poliwag and said, "Poliwag, this Carvanha weighs about forty kilograms. Excluding the bones and organs, we've got about thirty kilograms of meat, enough to last us for several days. If we don't finish it, we can dry the rest for storage."
"Tym? Poliwag?" The Poliwag, although unsure why Ryan had been so sad just moments ago, was now delighted, feeding off Ryan's energy.
Seeing Ryan's joy, the little Poliwag couldn't help but bounce around, sharing his excitement.
The Carvanha itself wasn't that big, about half a meter long, smaller than the standard size of 0.8 meters, and definitely still in its juvenile stage. Even though it didn't weigh 40 kilograms, it was still a significant catch. After removing the bones and organs, they were left with around ten to twenty kilograms of meat.
Carvanha is classified as a vicious Pokémon. Its back is blue and its belly is red, with yellow fins that form a sharp, spiny pattern around its body, crowned with a distinctive star-shaped mark. Known for their savage nature, Carvanha have powerful jaws capable of crushing boats, and they can smell even the faintest trace of blood, attacking in schools. Many boats have been sunk due to Carvanha swarms.
Ryan knew he had to act while the Carvanha was still unconscious, so he began processing the fish. He buried the organs and unusable parts in the sand, planning to use them as bait the next day. He wasn't about to let the Krabby on the beach get a free meal—this was his future food source, after all.
Although Ryan had proven that artificial bait could work, it was far too unreliable to depend on. Fishing with luck as the main factor wasn't sustainable, and he was done relying on chance for food. He needed guaranteed results.
After preparing the Carvanha, Ryan split it into two halves and set them both over the fire to grill. His hunger was overwhelming after days of struggle, and he just wanted to eat his fill.
The Poliwag, being an aquatic Pokémon, was also a voracious eater. Ryan had seen in the anime that Poliwag liked to feed on aquatic plants, but with no such plants around, it seemed perfectly content to eat meat.
After the Carvanha had been grilled to a crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, Ryan took his half off the fire, the aroma of grilled fish filling the air. It wasn't the most delicious meal he'd ever had, but in his current state, anything tasted divine.
He wolfed down his share, noting how much thirstier he became after eating. With no fresh water nearby, he knew that finding a reliable source of water would be his top priority the next day.
Once he had finished his half, Ryan noticed that Poliwag's portion was also ready. He placed it on a large leaf and presented it to Poliwag. With no hands to pick up the fish, Poliwag lay flat on the leaf, nibbling away at the grilled fish with its mouth.
As Ryan devoured his meal, he watched his little companion do the same. They were both so hungry that they ate with stars in their eyes. Ryan was stuffed halfway through his meal and decided to save the rest for breakfast.
But when he glanced over at Poliwag's leaf, it was completely clean. Poliwag had even licked up the last bits of fish residue. Seeing this, Ryan decided against saving his leftovers. Instead, he placed the remaining grilled fish in front of Poliwag.
"Poliwag?" Poliwag blinked in surprise at the sudden offering of more fish.
Ryan chuckled, seeing the confusion in Poliwag's big black eyes. "I'm full. This is for you. Eat up," he said, even though he wasn't sure if Poliwag fully understood him. He leaned back against a rock, adding more wood to the fire.
Poliwag, still puzzled, stared at the fish. It was half full already, but the sight and smell of the grilled fish were too tempting. The little Pokémon drooled for a moment but then shook its head, refusing the extra portion. It picked up the skewer and waddled over to Ryan, placing the fish in front of him as if saying, "I won't eat it, but you should."
Ryan laughed. He could see that Poliwag wanted the fish but was holding itself back.
It reminded him of something he once heard: "There are no useless Pokémon, only useless trainers."
While Poliwag wasn't the strongest or most promising Pokémon in terms of potential, Ryan knew that didn't matter. With enough care and training, Poliwag could become something special.
"Well, Poliwag, since you're my partner now, I won't let you stay mediocre," Ryan said, watching the fire crackle. "We'll make a great team, and we'll fight for honor together."
Poliwag didn't know what Ryan was saying, but it could feel the kindness and sincerity in his voice. For now, that was enough. Ryan gently patted Poliwag's head, and Poliwag leaned into his leg, clearly enjoying the affection.
"How about a little bath to clean up?" Ryan asked, looking at Poliwag's scarred tail.
Poliwag tilted its head in confusion.
To make it easier for Poliwag to understand, Ryan grabbed some sand and mimicked cleaning, demonstrating how to use a move to cleanse its body.
After a moment of confusion, Poliwag finally got the idea. It closed its eyes and, with a deep breath, summoned a gentle white light that washed over its body. The injuries on its tail started to heal slightly, and Ryan checked Poliwag's progress on his proficiency panel. It had gone up just a bit, but progress was progress.
"You're getting there," Ryan said, proud of Poliwag's effort.
Poliwag, feeling a little drained after using the move, began to wobble from exhaustion. Ryan caught it just before it fell, cradling it in his arms.
As Poliwag drifted off to sleep, Ryan gently stroked its round head, finding comfort in the warmth they shared by the fire. Together, they weathered the night, knowing that this was only the beginning of their journey together.
They were two unlikely survivors, finding strength in each other on this deserted island. And from here, their adventure would truly begin.