Fortree City in the early morning was shrouded in a thin veil of mist. The sunlight had just climbed above the treetops, scattering flecks of gold through the dense layers of branches and leaves.
Xinhai had risen early and taken his partners for a jog along the city's main road.
This was their daily morning routine—running past the small square in front of the Pokémon Center, past the wooden shops built beside tree roots, and past the bakery that had just opened, where the air carried the scent of freshly baked wheat.
Eevee ran at the very front, its fluffy tail swaying rhythmically with each step as its large brown eyes energetically surveyed everything around it.
Axew ran beside it, its purplish-red eyes filled with determination. Its short little legs moved quickly as it tried hard to keep up with Eevee's pace.
Charmander ran on the other side, the flame on its tail crackling in the morning breeze. Its orange eyes blazed with fighting spirit.
Wearing weighted training gear, Xinhai maintained a steady pace, adjusting his breathing as his gaze swept over the increasingly familiar streets.
"Eevee!" (Look over there!)
Eevee suddenly stopped, its fluffy tail shooting upright as it pointed a little paw toward the fork in the road ahead.
Xinhai looked in the direction it was pointing and saw several small trucks laden with cargo coming down one of the side roads. Their beds were filled with folded tent frames, boxes of props, and colorful decorations.
More vehicles followed behind them, all heading in the same direction along that road.
"So many vehicles..." Xinhai slowed down, his gaze tracking their path. "Are they all going that way?"
"Eevee, Eevee!" (Let's go take a look!)
Eevee was immediately intrigued, its big brown eyes sparkling.
It could no longer restrain