1. Ash's Story (Part 10: Galar)

Chapter 17: Water Work

Rain met us before the Wild Area fully opened around Wedgehurst, soft at first and then steady enough to blur the far hills. The clear weather from our last practical day was gone, replaced by dark clouds rolling low over the grass and flashes of light beyond the northern ridges.

Gloria pulled her hood up and looked at the sky. "So this is the Wild Area reminding us it has moods."

"It reminds everyone," Elena said. "That is the point."

Pikachu sat under my jacket collar, ears flicking each time thunder grumbled far away. He was not afraid, but he kept counting the sky the way he counted opponents in battle.

Alice checked the academy work board on her phone while rain tapped against the screen. "Water-type jobs are open."

Helen shielded her Curry Dex notebook with one arm. "Rainy weather for Water-type work. That sounds useful and inconvenient at the same time."

Jane's recorded board message appeared with the Water listings. Yoshida's Coffee wanted careful water quality, Surf Shipping needed cargo carried over water, The Captain's Table needed good water for desserts, Lapras Shipwrights wanted hull inspectors, Grow Sures needed vegetables kept fresh, and later listings covered monorail cleaning, fire-truck refills, flowers, and delivery trucks.

"We already helped Yoshida's Coffee with Grass work," Alice said. "Going back there immediately would feel like repeating the same place."

I nodded as the Surf Shipping listing pulsed at the top. "Sailing over the water. Cargo transport. That sounds better for today."

Flora watched a silver line of rain run from the brim of her hat. "As long as today does not ask me to look fashionable while soaked."

Meowth peeked from under a waterproof camp cover. "I support indoor fashion."

The Surf Shipping contact answered quickly. A dock supervisor named Mr. Harrow explained that a short cargo route across a Wild Area lake had fallen behind because rain had changed the current. They needed Water-type Pokémon, not reckless speed, and the warning map showed thunderstorms developing near the far bank.

"That means we do not race the storm," Alice said.

"Right," I agreed. "We work with the water until it is unsafe, then wait."

Pikachu pressed one paw against my neck, gaze fixed on the thunderclouds, "Water helps today, but the sky gets a vote too."

Surf Shipping's temporary dock sat beside a broad lake where rain struck the surface in thousands of silver rings. Waterproof crates waited under tarps, each one marked with weight, destination, and handling notes. The cargo was not glamorous: rope coils, wrapped tools, medicine coolers, folded tarps, and sealed food boxes.

Mr. Harrow greeted us with a whistle hanging unused around his neck. "Thanks for coming. We can handle normal rain, but the current is pulling sideways today. I need Pokémon that can read water before humans notice the problem."

"We have them," I said.

Blastoise, Lapras, Mantine, Milotic, Samurott, Chewtle, and Arrokuda took the dock in different ways. Blastoise planted its feet with heavy steadiness. Lapras lowered its head calmly near the cargo floats. Mantine glided across the surface to test the current. Milotic watched the ripples with elegant focus. Samurott inspected rope knots. Chewtle bit a practice line and refused to let go. Arrokuda darted just beneath the rain-dimpled surface.

Mr. Harrow blinked. "That is more experience than I expected from students."

"Field study has never stayed small around us," Alice said.