Chapter 13: Setting a Trap for the Trainers of Pallet Town

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The Oak Research Lab, located in Pallet Town, is a place of picturesque beauty.

In the afternoon, when Xia You knocked on the lab’s door, a kind elderly man with short gray-white hair, who liked to occasionally recite Pokémon haikus, greeted him with a warm and broad smile.

“Professor Oak, sorry to trouble you,” Xia You introduced himself. “I’m Xia You from the Sakuragi Research Lab in Rustboro City, entrusted by Professor Sakuragi to deliver something to you.”

Professor Oak nodded. “I already heard from Sakuragi that you would be coming. I didn’t expect you to travel all the way here from Rustboro City in just two days. That’s quite fast.”

“Since it’s an assignment from Professor Sakuragi, I couldn’t afford any delay,” Xia You replied, handing over a box containing the prototype device to Professor Oak. Then he took out a package from his backpack, which had been given to him by a shop clerk from Verdanturf Town.

Seeing the package, Professor Oak’s face lit up. “You actually brought this package along too? That’s a huge help! Tomorrow is the day a new batch of trainers sets off, and without the Poké Balls inside this, I really wouldn’t know what to do.”

Xia You casually remarked, “You must be very busy around this time every year, Professor. It must be quite demanding.”

“That’s right, that’s right. Getting older means you have to keep pushing yourself,” Professor Oak said, shrugging. “But this year, my unambitious grandson is also going on a journey. I’m really looking forward to seeing what kind of person he will become.”

Unambitious grandson?

Xia You asked, “Do you mean Gary?”

“Oh?” Professor Oak looked surprised. “You know Gary?”

“No, I don’t,” Xia You quickly waved his hand. “I just happened to hear Professor Sakuragi mention him once.”

Though he said so, Xia You couldn’t help feeling excited inside.

Gary is setting off on his journey tomorrow?

That also means Ash, who started at the same time, will be beginning his adventure with Pikachu!

I’m really looking forward to meeting them. But I should hurry and improve myself, or with how fast they are growing, they’ll soon surpass me and leave me far behind!

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Declining Professor Oak’s invitation to stay for lunch, Xia You set off toward Slateport City once again.

Having passed through Verdanturf Town and no longer in a rush, this time Xia You chose to plunge into the Verdanturf Forest.

Verdanturf Forest lies between Verdanturf Town and Slateport City, dense with a wide variety of trees, forming a natural maze. Even with a map, countless people get lost annually in this immense, shadowy forest.

The most common Pokémon here are Bug and Flying types. Due to the diversity, many jokingly call this place a Bug Catcher’s paradise.

Once inside the forest, Xia You relied on his instincts, weaving through the trees, defeating many Pokémon that suddenly attacked him. He also encountered Pidgey and Butterfree, Pokémon he once liked very much, but hesitated and chose not to attempt catching them.

Meanwhile, his four Pokémon also gained valuable experience in this forest, each improving to some degree.

After walking for a long while, the bushes ahead suddenly began to shake. Just as Xia You anticipated another Pokémon ambush, a young boy dressed like a samurai, clad in armor with a net on his back and a long sword at his waist, leapt out from the bushes.

“Tch, I heard some noise and thought it might be a rare Pokémon, but it’s just a trainer,” the samurai boy sized up Xia You’s Pokémon. “How about a battle?”

Xia You was taken aback. “Ah? That straightforward?”

“Of course! As Pokémon trainers, once our gazes meet, the battle begins!” The samurai boy didn’t wait for Xia You’s answer and threw out his Poké Ball. “Come out, Heracross!”

The Poké Ball opened, revealing a fierce-looking Pokémon with two large sharp horns, resembling a rhinoceros beetle, standing before Xia You.

Pokédex Entry: “Heracross, the Single Horn Pokémon, Bug-type. It wields two powerful horns; once it clamps onto its prey, it won’t let go unless it tears the opponent apart.”

“I can’t help it,” Xia You sighed, glancing over his four Pokémon. “Squirtle, I’m counting on you.”

In terms of type matchups, both Bulbasaur, a Grass type, and Kirlia, a Psychic type, would be at a disadvantage against Bug-type Heracross. Only Eevee and Squirtle had neutral matchups without type disadvantages.

“Squirtle, Squirtle!”

Squirtle jumped to the center, eyes blazing with battle spirit.

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Just as Xia You thought the battle would be evenly matched, Squirtle swiftly won in just a few moves, cleanly defeating Heracross.

“What!?” The samurai boy was incredulous. “My Heracross lost so quickly!?”

“That’s strange,” Xia You remarked. “It’s probably because your Heracross is too low-level. If you get the chance, I suggest you train it more.”

The samurai boy’s face flushed as he clenched his fist. “Damn it, don’t be so sure! My second Pokémon, go! Caterpie!”

A flash of red light, and the samurai boy sent out his second Pokémon.

Ah, it’s a Larvitar—no, wait, a Caterpie!

Caterpie is a typical Bug-type Pokémon, with a green back and white underside, its most distinctive feature being the Y-shaped red antennae on its head.

Pokédex Entry: “Caterpie, the Worm Pokémon, Bug-type. It uses the suction cups on its belly to climb trees and nibble on leaves it prefers.”

Xia You, unwilling to switch Pokémon, continued with Squirtle. In a few decisive moves, he easily defeated Caterpie.

Seeing the samurai boy’s reluctant expression, Xia You was about to leave but suddenly paused, as if recalling something. He turned back and said, “Oh, by the way, I’m from Pallet Town. If you’re not convinced, hurry up and strengthen yourself. Teach those new trainers who come after me a lesson.”

The samurai boy murmured, “Pallet Town? New trainers?”

“That’s right,” Xia You nodded gently, a triumphant smile playing on his lips. “The trainers from Pallet Town are very strong. No matter who you face, you definitely won’t be a match.”

“Damn it! Don’t get too cocky!” The samurai boy’s eyes blazed with determination as he shouted after Xia You’s departing figure, “Remember my words! No matter how strong the trainers from Pallet Town are, next time, I’ll make sure you regret it!!”