"I have seven badges on me now, and the only one left is the Crimson Badge of Cinnabar Island. Once I collect the final badge, I'll qualify to enter the Indigo League, but my strength isn't high enough yet. I need you guys to lend me a hand, Pikachu... and everyone."
(Aside: The Pokémon currently in Xiao Yan's possession are Charizard, Entei, Riolu, Pikachu, Blastoise, Snorlax, Gyarados, Umbreon, Eevee, Psyduck, Pidgeotto, Bulbasaur, Bagon, Rhyhorn, Dragonite, and Gible.)
"Pika!"
Pikachu looked very eager to fight.
"Huh? Why is there a crowd gathered ahead?"
Xiao Yan stepped closer to take a look.
Tied next to a utility pole was a filthy Pokémon.
(I remember this Pokémon is...)
Spectator A: "What a filthy bird... Who tied it here?"
Spectator B: "It was probably dumped here by someone."
Spectator C: "Abandoned? Anyway, Pidgey are everywhere, one less doesn't matter. Let's go! Let's go!"
Afterward, the onlookers gradually dispersed, leaving only Xiao Yan behind.
That Pidgey seemed to have starved for several days; it collapsed weakly on the ground, looking at Xiao Yan with its eyes barely able to stay open.
Pikachu took a piece of bread out of Xiao Yan's backpack at some point and jumped down from Xiao Yan's shoulder. The bread was placed right in front of Pidgey. Pidgey wanted to get up and eat, but lacked the strength to crawl up.
"Let me do it, Pikachu."
(I picked up the bread in front of Pidgey and broke it into several small pieces to feed Pidgey.)
After a while, Pidgey recovered some stamina, stood up, and flapped its wings to thank Xiao Yan and Pikachu.
"Come with me, Pidgey. We'll get stronger together and shock the people who looked down on you before."
Xiao Yan took out an empty Poké Ball, placed it in front of Pidgey, and awaited its reply. Before long, Pidgey gently tapped the Poké Ball with its beak and allowed itself to be caught by Xiao Yan.
"Pleasure working with you, Pidgey."
Xiao Yan led Pikachu and the newly caught Pokémon toward the Pokémon Center in this town.
"Lord Ho-Oh, this person is just as you said. Being with him, there is a feeling of wanting to walk alongside him forever. It looks like I am about to make my move."
Suddenly, a light rain began to fall wherever Xiao Yan passed.
"Huh? It was Sunny Day just a moment ago, why is it raining now? Anyway, let's find a place that can shelter us from the rain so I can train the Pokémon."
(I carried over a dozen Poké Balls and ran through the rain toward a great spot for training.)
A few minutes ago...
"Professor Oak, can you let me take all my Pokémon at once? I'm going to train them."
Xiao Yan was video-calling Professor Oak using the magical high-tech screen telephone.
"Well... That's not entirely impossible. I'll turn off the automatic transfer system so you can carry more than six Pokémon at once."
"Why didn't you tell me there was something so convenient?"
"You never asked me. The Pokémon League established a set of rules stating that a general trainer cannot carry more than six Pokémon on their person because it leads to a phenomenon where they cannot be cared for simultaneously, but if you only plan to take them out for training temporarily, I will allow it."
"So that's how it is. Anyway, send all my Pokémon over first!"
"Alright, alright... Give me a second."
(Oh right, I haven't sent Professor Oak the meal money for Snorlax yet.)
"Professor Oak, I'm wiring you twenty thousand dollars right now as Snorlax's food money, and also as compensation for the food Snorlax ate of yours earlier."
"Woah! So much money, I'm embarrassed to accept it."
"It's fine, this is small change to me. Well then, I'll end the call for now! Off to train! Talk to you next time."
Back to the present...
Xiao Yan walked into a small grove, next to which flowed a clear stream.
"This place is nice! There's tree shade to block the rain for us, and very few people pass by. We can train with peace of mind. Come out, everyone."
(I released all the Pokémon currently on hand.)
"Entei, why didn't you follow Ho-Oh?"
(I thought all the divine beasts followed Arceus and Ho-Oh away.)
"Lord Ho-Oh let us help you."
"Us?"
"Come out, partner!"
Immediately, Suicune, one of the Legendary Beasts, jumped out from the bushes behind. It possessed a blue gemstone-like headpiece, with white ribbons winding around its body, exhibiting a light and graceful posture. It bore blue and white patterns on its body.
"Could you be referring to Suicune?!"
Xiao Yan and everyone else focused their gazes entirely on Suicune.
"Nice to meet you, chosen one of Ho-Oh."
Before you continue