Professor Oak's backyard.
A sudden explosion in the distance caught Li Wei and his companions' attention.
The backyard's chief caretaker and firefighting captain, Bulbasaur, charged ahead of everyone else, running toward the explosion.
Ever since Ash had left Bulbasaur in Professor Oak's backyard, Bulbasaur had filled this role, settling disputes between the Pokémon there.
Bulbasaur's legs might have been short, but they carried Bulbasaur surprisingly fast. That was a talent in its own right.
The instant the explosion rang out, the instinct to "maintain order" kicked in!
"Bulba!" Bulbasaur gave a low cry, and two Vine Whips shot out like green lightning!
Smack! Smack!
The Vine Whips were unerringly accurate.
Like soft silk ribbons, the two vines caught both combatants and deftly held them in midair.
Only then did Li Wei hurry over...
Like an Officer Jenny arriving late to the scene.
The two combatants were Charmander and Squirtle.
"Squirtle! Squirtle!"
The little water-squirting turtle kicked those stubby legs in midair.
But this wasn't one of Ash's. Ash had five Squirtle in total, all serving in the Blastoise Fire Department.
The Charmander was certainly not his, either.
His Charmander had long since evolved into Charizard.
Held up by the Vine Whip, Charmander froze for a moment.
Besides talking things out, Bulbasaur knew another way to settle disputes: just feed them.
Two more Vine Whips picked some Berries and thrust them into Charmander's and Squirtle's hands.
The little fire lizard's attention was quickly captured by the Razz Berry in front of it, and Charmander ate away in midair as if nothing had happened.
Only then did Bulbasaur lower them to the ground.
Bulbasaur then used the Vine Whips to push Charmander and Squirtle together. "Bulba! Bulba!"
The message was to shake hands and make up.
"Squirtle!"
"Char!"
Although they had eaten