Strength of a Dragon
The carp at the waterfall's base, looking up towards the Dragon’s Gate
He stop at the first crashing waves
A pair of koi dance behind him, swirling a circle
The black one asks, “What power are you hoping to find?”The carp zips past spears
Arrow tips lodged instead between stones
Flesh creatures on two feet throw in their nets to stop him
But the carp slips between the knots, swimming onThe carp dashes past claws
Feet and fang lapping up the stream
Beast on all fours swipe their furry paws with the current
But the carp slaps their face as the vault overhead, swimming onThe carp strains against the falls
Muscles and fins scream against foam and rock
The water churns and chugs and threatens to throw him down the cliff
But the carp pushes back harder than it can flow, swimming onThe carp finally reaches the peak
Leaping over the gate to find a pond
The pair of koi dance before him, swirling a circle
The white one asks, “What more power is there to gain?”
Magikarp, the Fish Pokémon
“Magikarp are famous for how incredibly weak they are. According to ancient texts his Pokémon was strong for the time, stronger than it is even today, but it is unknown why this species evolved backwards into the weaker breed they are known as today. As they are now, Magikarp struggle to swim against even the lightest currents, and many pods find themselves washed into the same ponds and lakes, overtaking the local ecosystem with their unintentional presence. It is rumored that Magikarp who have lived for years and years longer than their expected lifespan could leap so high they would eclipse the highest mountain peaks, but today all we can confirm is a height jump of seven feet at best.”
“There’s no fear of this species ever going extinct, though. Magikarp are actually quite fertile, and they produce offspring of nearly one hundred per mother. They’re actually considered a non-violent infestation in many regions, as their numbers dwarf the population of all other present Pokémon, sometimes even combined, and they overtake the waters through sheer numbers alone. It’s believed they have the highest population globally of any Pokémon, and may even outnumber humans in an ongoing upset.”