After the Pokémon summer camp, Xiao Yan became an intern under Professor Oak to learn more about Pokémon. As the saying went, "Knowledge is like underwear. You can't see it, but it's important."
Three years passed in the blink of an eye, and at last, the day arrived...
"Xiao Yan, have you packed everything for your journey?"
"I had everything ready last night." After three years, Xiao Yan's face had lost its childish look, replaced by handsome features.
"Would you like a starter Pokémon?" New Trainers who set off from Professor Oak's Laboratory could receive a Pokémon suitable for beginners from Professor Oak.
"No, I want to start my journey with him." Xiao Yan smiled at the Poké Ball in his hand.
"All right. Here's your Pokédex. I've already registered your information. Whenever you see a Pokémon you haven't encountered before, you can scan it with this, and it'll display detailed information about that Pokémon." Xiao Yan accepted a bright red device from Professor Oak. A large "Welcome!" appeared on the screen in its center. This was the Pokédex he had so often seen in the cartoons and games.
"Thank you, Professor. I'll be off, then."
Xiao Yan was about to wave goodbye to Professor Oak when a voice suddenly stopped him.
"Wait, Xiao Yan! Before you leave, let's have a Pokémon battle."
It was Gary who had called out to him. Over the past three years, Xiao Yan had spent almost every day playing with Gary, and they had become close friends who could talk about anything.
"Sure. I'll meet you at our usual spot."
"OK!"
"After all these years, I didn't think you'd still remember this place!"
"How could I forget?"
The two smiled at each other at their usual spot-the place where they had first met and first battled.
"Go, Charmeleon!"
"Let's go, my darling!"
The two Pokémon appeared on the field at the same time.
"Even after all these years, we're still battling with the same Pokémon. I've got Charmeleon, and you've got Wartortle."
"Yeah! We're destined to be great rivals."
"Charmeleon, use Dragon Rage!" During those three years, Xiao Yan's Charmander had evolved into Charmeleon, while the Squirtle from back then had evolved into Wartortle.
"Wartortle, dodge and use Water Gun!"
"Charmeleon, dodge and use Smokescreen, then Slash!"
"Wartortle!!!" Wartortle collapsed after being struck by Slash.
"You're still as strong as ever, Xiao Yan," Gary said after recalling Wartortle.
"I'm all right. Let's have another battle next time we meet."
"Sure. Until we meet again, don't lose to anyone else. That's a promise between brothers."
"All right. Don't forget our promise."
I'm finally setting out on my journey... Xiao Yan walked across a lush green meadow. The air carried the faint scent of grass and soil. This land was vast; unlike in the games, he couldn't reach his next destination in just a few steps. He would have to travel this broad road on his own two feet, one step at a time.
Boom!
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky ahead.
"What's that?" Xiao Yan headed toward the lightning.
A flock of Spearow was relentlessly chasing a familiar-looking boy and a Pikachu.
This scene looks so familiar. In his memories of another world, this scene had once appeared on a television screen. The boy was none other than Ash himself.
Pikachu unleashed lightning at the flock of Spearow, trying to drive them away, but there were simply too many. Pikachu couldn't hold them off alone. As Ash and Pikachu lay battered on the grass, a rainbow appeared in the sky. At its end was...
"That's Ho-Oh!!!" Xiao Yan exclaimed.
"Come out, Arceus! Take me after Ho-Oh!" Xiao Yan immediately climbed onto Arceus's back, ready to give chase.
"You certainly move fast..."
Arceus flew up beside Ho-Oh in an instant, moving at the speed of light.
"Oh, it's Arceus. Long time no see." As it turned out, Ho-Oh could speak human language.
"You too." The two old friends exchanged greetings and asked after each other.
"Is the child on your back the one you mentioned before?" Ho-Oh stared straight at Xiao Yan.
"Yes. He wants to battle you."
"Since he's the child you chose, let's battle!"
"Xiao Yan, let me battle Ho-Oh this time," Arceus reminded him.
"All right. Arceus, use Draco Meteor!"
Arceus's move collided with Ho-Oh's, causing a massive explosion in the sky.
"Hold on tight." Xiao Yan clung tightly to Arceus's back, keeping himself from being blown away by the blast.
"You certainly live up to your reputation as the strongest Pokémon," Ho-Oh said with a smile.
"No. Giratina badly injured me before, and I turned into an egg to escape to the human world. My power has weakened considerably as a result," Arceus replied.
"How about this? If you can defeat me with your current power, I'll come with you," Ho-Oh said seriously.
"Don't tell anyone about what happened today, Xiao Yan," Arceus said.
"All right." Xiao Yan was utterly confused himself and had no idea what was going on.
Ho-Oh immediately beat those wings, sending a gigantic Twister hurtling toward Xiao Yan and Arceus.
"Arceus, use Judgment!"
Arceus immediately used Teleport to appear behind Ho-Oh and land a powerful attack.
"Go, Poké Ball!" Xiao Yan threw a Poké Ball at the badly injured Ho-Oh. The ball shook once, then stopped. Arceus used Confusion to retrieve it.
Just like that, Ho-Oh was caught—and with the most ordinary red-and-white Pokémon Ball, at that.
"It looks like Ho-Oh is completely won over. Let's head down," Arceus said to Xiao Yan with a smile.
Ash and Pikachu had seen the entire battle clearly, but they had no idea what was being said.
"Wow! That kid is really strong. I feel like I've seen him somewhere before," Ash exclaimed.
Since Xiao Yan was already riding Arceus, he took the opportunity to fly straight to Pewter City.
"Come back!" Xiao Yan took out a Poké Ball and recalled Arceus.
Just then, a hand landed on Xiao Yan's shoulder from behind. He reacted instinctively, grabbing a Pokémon Ball from his belt, ready to send out Charmeleon.
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