Fated Encounter

After accepting his grandfather Professor Oak's request, Gary did not linger.

After a brief one-day stay in Strong Wind Town, he headed toward Sandgem Town, where Professor Rowan's research institute was located.

A few days later, Gary arrived in Jubilife City, a large city not far from Sandgem Town.

Although Jubilife City was close to Sandgem Town, the long journey had left Gary somewhat tired, so he planned to rest there for a day.

Just as Gary stepped into the Pokémon Center in Jubilife City, a conversation in the lobby caught his attention.

"Hey, did you hear? There's an Elekid in the forest outside Jubilife City."

A Youngster was whispering to a Bug Catcher. If not for the boost from Gary's Viridian Power, he probably would not have been able to hear what they were saying.

The moment Gary heard them mention an Elekid, his interest was piqued. He immediately found a seat in the lobby and began listening in on their conversation.

"An Elekid? Seriously?!" The Bug Catcher was clearly shocked by the news.

"Of course it's true. My dad's mom's older brother's eldest brother's daughter's grandson told me. He saw it with his own eyes, right there in XX Forest." The Youngster's solemn expression and serious tone made it seem as though he had witnessed it himself.

"Then why didn't your dad's mom's older brother's eldest brother's daughter's grandson catch the Elekid himself?" the Bug Catcher questioned.

"You think he didn't want to?" The Youngster sighed. "That Elekid is way too strong. Several groups have tried to catch it, but every one of them was beaten and sent packing."

"Really?" After confirming the authenticity of the news, the Bug Catcher grew wildly excited. "This is a gift from heaven! I'm definitely catching that Elekid!"

"Dream on. You're still far too weak. I'm the Trainer who'll catch that Elekid in the end," the Youngster retorted.

"Who do you think you are?" The Bug Catcher clearly doubted the Youngster's strength.

"I am Huang Huihong of Jubilife City!" The Youngster cupped his hands in greeting.

"What a coincidence—just my luck. I am Ye Wen of Oreburgh City!" The Bug Catcher likewise cupped his hands as he introduced himself.

After hearing each other's introductions, the two immediately felt a sense of mutual admiration. After discussing it, they agreed to head outside Jubilife City together to catch the Elekid.

After the two left the Pokémon Center, Gary raised his head, stroked his chin, and began thinking carefully.

"There's actually an Elekid in Jubilife City? I wonder if it's real."

In the past, Gary would have dismissed such news as a joke. Yet for some reason, he cared deeply about it today, and an unconscious urge kept pushing him to go take a look.

Even after thinking it over carefully, Gary still could not figure out why.

"Forget it. I'll go take a look!"

Still unable to make sense of it, Gary decided to investigate. If that Elekid had exceptionally high potential, he could catch it as well.

With that decided, Gary followed the direction in which the two had left and hurried toward the outskirts of Jubilife City.

"This should be the place." Following the map, Gary arrived at the XX Forest the two had mentioned earlier.

"This one's tougher than expected! Retreat, now!"

Just as Gary was about to step inside, he suddenly saw a streak of Golden Lightning flash past. The two from before then fled in a panic, rushing straight past him without even noticing him at the forest entrance.

From their slightly singed hair, Gary could tell that they had likely been defeated by that Elekid and were now fleeing in disgrace.

"So there really is an Elekid here!" Watching their retreating backs, Gary became certain that there was an unusually powerful Elekid in the forest.

After confirming that an Elekid truly was here, Gary walked straight into the forest to search for it.

Gary's luck was not bad. Not long after entering the forest, he spotted a golden figure sitting atop a rock. Without a doubt, it was the Elekid the Youngster had mentioned.

The Elekid that had just driven the two away was holding a Berry in one hand and leisurely enjoying its lunch.

Gary did not bother concealing the sound of his approach, so the Elekid quickly noticed his presence.

The moment it saw Gary, the Elekid put down its Berry, revealed a mischievous grin, and walked toward him with electricity crackling over its body.

To the Elekid, Gary was just like every other Trainer who had come looking for a beating, so it was not worried about his strength at all.

"Looks like it thinks I'm an easy target." Seeing the Elekid approach, Gary immediately understood what it was thinking.

Still, Gary was quite interested in this Elekid. After checking its stats and seeing that its potential was not low, he became even more intrigued.

Pokémon: Elekid

Type: Electric

Ability: Static

Gender: Male

Level: 26

Potential: Champion

Moves: Quick Attack, Thunder Shock, Thunderbolt, Swift, Charge, Thunder Wave, Discharge, Brick Break, Shock Wave...

After approaching Gary, the Elekid showed a sinister grin. A bolt of electricity then shot toward him—an Electric-type Thunder Shock.

"What a naughty little guy!" Gary remained completely calm in the face of the incoming Thunder Shock and sent out his Pokémon.

"Umbreon, use Dark Pulse!"

Umbreon emerged from the white light and immediately obeyed Gary's command, unleashing Dark Pulse to meet the incoming Thunder Shock.

Elekid was simply too weak. Its Thunder Shock lasted only a few seconds before Dark Pulse shattered it, and Dark Pulse continued onward toward Elekid without losing momentum.

Fortunately, Elekid was quick to react and fast enough. At the critical moment, it sprang aside, narrowly avoiding the Dark Pulse.

Having luckily dodged the attack, Elekid no longer wore its teasing smile. It stared intently at Gary and Umbreon across from it. It now understood that Gary was unlike the random Trainers it had dealt with before—he was not someone to be trifled with.

"Oh, you dodged it? Not bad." Seeing Elekid evade the attack, Gary's eyes showed appreciation.

"I'm getting more and more interested in you."