Chapter 14: Mission Accomplished—Securing the Three Noble Houses

Northwest of Ashen City, beside an unnamed volcano.

Ever since leaving the Evergreen Forest, Xia You had wandered around the vast volcano for two whole days.

Originally, he planned to head straight to challenge the Ashen Gym. However, upon hearing that Charmanders were spotted nearby, he changed his plan and made capturing a Charmander his top priority.

His urgency wasn’t just because the final evolution of Charmander, Charizard, was incredibly powerful, but mainly because its striking appearance had captivated Xia You since his previous life.

Unfortunately, apart from encountering some Digletts, Zubat, Geodude, and Cubone, he had scoured most of the volcano without seeing a single Charmander.

As dusk fell and darkness threatened to engulf the land, Xia You set down his backpack, preparing to camp for the night. At that moment, Eevee, who had gone scouting ahead, hurried back anxiously.

Seeing Xia You, Eevee ran over, barking urgently several times.

Though Xia You didn’t understand the exact meaning of the calls, remembering the task he assigned to Eevee, he immediately became alert.

“Did you find a Charmander!?”

Eevee nodded and turned, signaling for Xia You to follow.

Without hesitation, Xia You grabbed his backpack and followed Eevee, navigating across the vast rocky terrain until they reached a narrow crevice in the mountain where dozens of flickering lights shone.

The lights were especially vivid in the twilight; drawing closer, Xia You realized they came from a group of Charmanders and Charmeleons. Looking up, he could even faintly see several Charizards soaring through the clouds.

Those lights were the eternal flames burning at the tips of their tails—symbols of their life force.

After so much hardship, Xia You had finally found the Charmander!

But how to capture one without alerting the Charmeleons and Charizards?

He knew Charmanders were the gentlest of the family, but the Charmeleons and Charizards clearly wouldn’t tolerate a blatant attempt to catch one.

Hiding in the dense forest, Xia You glanced around cautiously and then looked down at his backpack. His eyes lit up as an idea formed.

He opened his bag and pulled out a flashlight. Tearing a few small pieces of tape, he carefully covered its front, leaving only a tiny round hole.

Then he took out a canned ration, opened it, and placed it behind a large rock, large enough for concealment.

Having set the trap, he waved his hand, signaling several Pokémon to hide around them.

“Time is tight, so forget the usual battle rules. Once we lure the Charmander here, everyone attack together. Let’s finish this before the Charizards notice. Got it?”

“Jeni! Jeni!” the Pokémon nodded in agreement.

Alone, Xia You returned to his hiding spot beneath a tree and observed carefully.

Charmander resembled a small carnivorous dinosaur, its body a warm orange with cream-colored underbelly and tail. Its most striking feature was the flame burning at the tip of its tail.

This flame reflected its health and emotions—bright and vigorous when full of energy, faint when tired, flickering gently when happy, and blazing fiercely when angry.

Legend said if the flame went out, the Charmander’s life would end. Yet as long as it was healthy, the flame would burn brightly even if drenched.

At this moment, the Charmanders were playfully frolicking, unaware of Xia You’s presence.

After careful consideration, Xia You fixed his gaze on a particular Charmander that stood out.

Though it played with its companions, this one was a bit careless—sometimes using too much strength without control, often provoking the others’ anger and scoldings.

Seeing its somewhat foolish demeanor, Xia You thought, “Perfect, you’re the one!”

He switched on the flashlight and aimed it at the Charmander.

The narrow beam flashed several times across its face. Because the light was focused and didn’t spread, the others didn’t notice.

At first, the Charmander paid no mind, blinking and turning its head to avoid the light. But when the beam followed its head and shone on its face again, it finally drew its attention.

A large question mark seemed to appear over its head as it looked around curiously and then cautiously approached Xia You’s hiding place.

Seeing the Charmander take the bait, Xia You slowly backed away, hiding behind the rock.

When the Charmander reached the spot guided by the flashlight, it suddenly noticed the light had vanished and, in its place, a strange-smelling food was laid out in the clearing.

It sniffed eagerly and took a couple of steps forward when suddenly, from all directions, several figures burst out.

Before the Charmander could react, it was struck simultaneously by Water Gun, Psychic, Vine Whip, and a Headbutt.

It collapsed instantly, eyes fading to black as it lost consciousness.

“Excellent!”

Xia You leapt out from the side and quickly threw a Poké Ball.

With a flash of red light, the Charmander was drawn inside, captured without even a struggle.

Staring at the Poké Ball, Squirtle was momentarily stunned, a vague, uneasy memory surfacing. The scene of the capture seemed strangely familiar, as if déjà vu.

“What are you standing there for!” Xia You tapped its head with a smile that shone brightly even in the dim night, making Squirtle feel unusually warm. “It’s caught. Let’s get out of here before the others notice!”

Late at night, inside the Pokémon Center of Ashen City.

The empty dining hall was quiet as Xia You reclined in a chair, legs crossed, sipping vegetable juice with a relaxed expression.

At last, he had achieved a milestone—all three starter Pokémon from the Kanto region were now in his possession!

Nearby, five Pokémon were present. Four were eating while the newly captured Charmander sat bewildered, surveying the unfamiliar surroundings.

Its memory was fragmented, like waking from sleep to a changed world.

It had no idea how it ended up here.

Nor why this human had suddenly become its trainer.

Or why these Pokémon had become its companions.

Seeing the Charmander sitting dazed, Xia You gently pushed food toward it with concern.

“Eat a little more. What? Your head’s still fuzzy? That’s okay. After today, you’ll get used to it in no time!”