Of course, becoming a Champion was just something Chu Xin had said offhand. He did not even have a Pokémon of his own yet, so how could he challenge for the title? Fortunately, those days were not too far off. Two weeks later, his maid Aier brought him some good news.
"Young master, your magic... Pokémon is about to hatch. Would you like to take a look?"
"Yes, of course! My Pokémon is hatching. How could I not be there as its owner?"
Chu Xin had just finished breakfast that morning. He eagerly gulped down the last of his juice, casually wiped his mouth, and hurried after the maid to the hatching room.
Inside the hatching room, the Pokémon Egg flickered in its incubator. Chu Xin watched his egg with an excited expression.
If only it were a different Pokémon!
Charmander would be great. After all, it was one of Red's mainstays. Every generation had its gods, and Charizard was always among the demigods.
But Garchomp would be good too. It was Cynthia's signature Pokémon, and Chu Xin was very fond of Cynthia, the Sinnoh Region's Champion. Especially that look in her eyes, the way she looked at someone like they were trash... (Ahem, his little kink had almost slipped out.)
Still, whatever Pokémon it was, it would be Chu Xin's first, and he would treat it well. That was a basic responsibility for any Trainer.
"Young master, stop drooling. The Pokémon Egg is about to hatch."
The maid Aier mercilessly interrupted Chu Xin's daydreaming. Embarrassed, he could only take out a tissue he carried with him, wipe the drool from the corner of his mouth, and focus on the incubator.
Finally, after several hours of incubation, the Pokémon Egg released a dazzling burst of light that forced Aier to close her eyes. Chu Xin, meanwhile, deftly put on his sunglasses.
This is my first Pokémon. I won't miss a single stage of its life! How could I miss such an important moment just because the light is too bright?
A great Pokémon Trainer has to experience every stage alongside their Pokémon!
At last, once the burst of light faded, a blue-and-white Pokémon appeared in the middle of the incubator.
"Muu~"
A tiny Dratini looked around with big, watery eyes.
"It's a Dratini!"
Chu Xin gazed excitedly at the Dratini in the incubator. Its blue back and snow-white belly both looked so beautiful to him.
This! Is this really a Pokémon?!
Aier was stunned by the sight as well. The miracle of life was so beautiful and moving.
Dratini soon noticed Chu Xin and Aier peeking at it from nearby. Its timid nature made it instinctively hide behind the incubator, leaving only its big, watery eyes showing as it quietly watched the two of them.
Time to step out!
Chu Xin stepped into view and slowly approached Dratini.
By the time Aier realized her young master was no longer beside her, Chu Xin was already very close to Dratini.
No, a magical beast is still a magical beast! Even a newborn can hurt someone. If the young master gets injured, I'll never forgive myself!
Instinctively, Aier took out Garchomp's Poké Ball. With her old partner at hand, she was confident she could keep that mysterious creature from hurting her young master.
"Don't move, Aier. This is my Pokémon. It would never hurt me!"
"But young master, it's a magical beast!"
"It's all right. I can do this."
As he spoke, Chu Xin turned back with a radiant smile. All he felt now was the joy of a Trainer gaining a Pokémon.
As long as you never lose your noble spirit, the whole world will open up before you!
Ignoring Aier's warnings, Chu Xin carefully approached the incubator.
"I know you can understand me, Dratini. Can I see you?"
Dratini poked its round head out from behind the incubator and looked at Chu Xin in confusion.
As though sensing Chu Xin's goodwill, Dratini slowly slithered out. It had a bright blue back and a pair of snow-white ear fins. Chu Xin could even see his reflection in its big, watery eyes.
"You're so beautiful!"
Looking at the Dratini before him, Chu Xin could not help marveling. It truly was an extraordinary creature. Just looking at it, he could sense its purity. It really did deserve to be called a Pokémon!
Although he had been rather dismissive before, the instant he saw Dratini hatch, Chu Xin felt that none of it mattered anymore. So what if it became a Dragonite? He would absolutely raise it into the strongest Pokémon!
After a brief daze, Chu Xin took the Poké Ball he had long prepared from his waist and slowly held it forward. Behind him, Aier's heart was in her throat. The Poké Ball in her hand was ready to go. If that magical beast dared attack her young master, Garchomp's ferocious assault would come crashing down on it.
But Dratini knew nothing of all this. It merely looked at Chu Xin curiously.
"Dratini, would you like to become my Pokémon? I'll treat you like family."
Chu Xin forced down his excitement, holding the Poké Ball in his palm and offering it to Dratini.
Dratini sensed Chu Xin's excitement as well. At last, it stretched out its head and touched the Poké Ball, turning into a stream of white light once more and entering the open ball. Sure enough, the capture succeeded.
Thrilled, Chu Xin raised the Poké Ball high, planted his other hand on his hip, and showed off to Aier.
"I caught Dratini!"
Aier let out a sigh of relief and tucked her own Poké Ball back beneath her skirt.
As long as he's safe!
Still, watching Chu Xin happily hold up his Poké Ball, Aier felt happy too.
Chu Xin excitedly looked at the Poké Ball in his hand. Dratini was even better than he had imagined.
After all, Dratini's final evolution was Dragonite, the first generation's pseudo-legendary. Dragonite had a base stat total of 600, whereas Charizard, one of Red's mainstays, had only 543. Of course, as a legendary Pokémon Trainer, Red had raised his Charizard beyond that limit.
Chu Xin certainly did not have Red's training skills, but the higher a Pokémon's base stats, the easier it would be for him to raise. After all, its species set a certain baseline. Even a useless one could beat a Caterpie.
Still, as this was his first Pokémon, Chu Xin would naturally do everything he could to help Dratini reach greater heights. As Chu Xin's first Pokémon, it would become his mainstay and help him take on Victory Road!
Dratini, we're going to become the strongest Trainer-and-Pokémon team in this world. You'd better be ready!
Chu Xin held his Poké Ball, unable to hide the delight in his eyes.
We're definitely going to become the greatest legends among Trainers!
Before you continue