Golden Pikachu

In the Pokémon World, there was a profession known as Pokémon Breeders. Their work involved researching Pokémon dietary nutrition, training plans, and more.

Hiring a master-level Pokémon Breeder to tailor a training plan for a Pokémon often cost millions.

Given Qian Bing's current financial situation, he naturally could not afford such luxurious custom services for his Pokémon. So, he only bought a batch of highly nutritious Energy Cubes and drinks from the Pokémon Store as their daily food.

Qian Bing poured a large bag of Energy Cubes into two big bowls. He placed the bowl with the extra-large portion outside the picnic cloth for Pidgeotto to eat when it returned, then set the other bowl in front of Bulbasaur.

"Bulbasaur, you're always so slow. Hurry up and eat."

As he spoke, Qian Bing looked up and called into the sky.

"Pidgeotto, come down and eat something first. Restore your strength before you continue searching."

"Chirp~"

Pidgeotto seemed to answer him. Its body traced a graceful arc through the air as it flew back toward Qian Bing.

Bulbasaur loved eating most of all. The moment it smelled the fragrant Energy Cubes, little hearts filled its eyes, and it lowered its head and began wolfing down its meal.

However, after Bulbasaur finished a mouthful and looked up to see the mountain of Energy Cubes piled high in Pidgeotto's bowl, its gaze instantly went blank, as if it had been struck by lightning.

Once it came back to its senses, it immediately pointed with a little claw and cried out indignantly.

"Bulba! Bulba!"

Hearing Bulbasaur complain about the uneven portions in the two bowls, Qian Bing laughed. He reached out and patted its head, explaining, "It's not that I'm playing favorites. Pidgeotto is nearly twice your size after evolving, and it uses more energy too, so it needs to eat more. Don't worry. Once you evolve, I promise I won't let you eat less than Pidgeotto."

"Bulba? Bulba~"

After hearing Qian Bing's explanation, Bulbasaur rolled its little eyes uncertainly.

But the scent of the Energy Cubes drifting beneath its nose quickly distracted it. It soon accepted the explanation and happily went back to enjoying its meal.

Rustle!

At that moment, Qian Bing's ear twitched. He heard a sound behind him somewhat like a fierce gust of wind howling, and immediately turned around alertly to survey his surroundings.

Hm? Everything around him seemed perfectly normal.

"Nothing unusual, but what was that sound just now?"

"Chirp~ Chirp chirp!"

While Qian Bing was still warily looking around, Pidgeotto suddenly let out a series of sharp bird cries from the sky, seemingly tinged with anger. It shot down like a gale, diving straight into the forest behind Qian Bing.

Seeing Pidgeotto's reaction, Qian Bing concluded that something must have happened. Then his gaze fell on the edge of the picnic cloth, and his expression immediately changed.

"Huh! Why are half the Energy Cubes I poured for Pidgeotto gone? What Pokemon could be that fast?"

Qian Bing's eyes flickered with uncertainty as he followed Pidgeotto's hurricane-fast figure into the depths of the forest.

Soon, all kinds of strange sounds rang out from the woods: the rustling of shaking branches, Pidgeotto's angry cries, and repeated calls of "Pika Pika"...

"That sound is..."

Qian Bing's eyes suddenly lit up as he immediately had an idea.

Almost at the same moment he identified the Pokémon that had stolen the Energy Cubes, a blinding bolt of lightning illuminated half the forest.

"Chirp~ Chirp chirp!"

The lightning instantly struck Pidgeotto in midair. Its pained cry immediately echoed through the forest. Clearly, that single attack had dealt it considerable damage.

"That was Thunderbolt! Damn it, Electric-type moves are especially effective against Pidgeotto. Bulbasaur, come help me!"

Seeing Pidgeotto at a disadvantage, Qian Bing naturally could not stand by and do nothing. He called to Bulbasaur and charged into the forest first.

In his haste, it felt as though a whirlwind carried his feet. He kept shoving aside branches in his path, and before long, he spotted a small clearing ahead in the woods. Standing there was a short, chubby, round Pokemon with bright yellow fur all over its body.

Its long ears stood upright like a rabbit's, with black tips that made it look adorable. Two red circles sat on its cheeks, and sparks occasionally flashed across them. It was undoubtedly the Pikachu Qian Bing had expected.

Pikachu:

Mouse Pokémon. It has small electric sacs in both cheeks and discharges electricity when it encounters danger.

Quality: Heavenly King

Type: Electric

Level: 26

Gender: ♂

Moves: Thunder Shock, Growl, Thunder Wave, Quick Attack, Double Team, Thunderbolt

Nature: Calm

Ability: Static (When hit by a contact move, there is a chance of paralyzing the attacker)

Hidden Ability: Lightning Rod (Nullifies incoming Electric-type moves while raising its own Special Attack. This Ability also attracts Electric-type moves)

Held Item: Electric Orb (Doubles the power of moves used by Pikachu; if held while breeding, the hatched Pichu will learn Volt Tackle)

"This was practically a top-tier Pikachu! High quality, and it was even holding an Electric Orb!"

The instant Qian Bing saw the information appear in his mind, he was overjoyed. Looking at the Pikachu before him, how could he still see it as merely a Pikachu? It was clearly a pile of glittering Alliance Coins sent to him by heaven!

"Pika~"

Pikachu let out a low cry, seemingly hurling some sort of threat at the Pidgeotto in the air.

But standing on its hind legs while tightly clutching a handful of Energy Cubes in its paws, it looked adorable rather than intimidating.

Hearing a strange noise from the woods, it immediately turned its head toward Qian Bing and happened to spot him closing in with Bulbasaur.

Pikachu's eyes narrowed, and arcs of electricity crackled across the red patches on either side of its cheeks—the sign that Thunderbolt was about to be unleashed.

Qian Bing did not dare test the electricity with his own body. He took a step back and gave orders to his two Pokemon.

"Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip and try to trap Pikachu! Pidgeotto, stay alert in the air and dodge when needed. Look for a chance to use Gust."

"Gah-nie!"

"Pii~ Pii!"

The two Pokemon answered and sprang into action, launching Vine Whip and Gust at Pikachu from above and below at the same time.

"Pika!"

Seeing the two attacks coming at it, Pikachu let out an indignant cry, as though accusing the two Pokemon of fighting without honor.

The electricity by its ears crackled for a moment, then unexpectedly subsided.

Its eyes darted around as it calculated something. With Gust about to reach it, a trace of reluctance finally flashed through its gaze.

It suddenly lowered its head and took a huge bite of the Energy Cubes in its paws. Then it scattered the rest onto the ground, spun around, and turned into three afterimages as it dashed into the forest behind it.

It had actually used Double Team to run away!

"Pidgeotto, keep your eyes on it! Don't let it get away!"

In Qian Bing's eyes, this wild Pikachu was a small mountain of gold. Naturally, he was unwilling to let it leave so easily.

He shouted anxiously as he charged toward the spot where Pikachu had vanished.