Today, the sun shone once again on Xiao Yan's young and handsome face. It was another sunny morning...
"Alright! Today is the last day of the summer camp. There won't be any competitions. Instead, you'll have free activities in the nearby area. You can look for new Pokémon, but don't wander off. Your parents will worry about you. You must come back here to assemble before the sun sets." Standing at the front, Professor Oak informed everyone of the day's schedule.
A dozen minutes passed. After Professor Oak finished speaking, free - activity time began.
"My idea of free activity is to find novice trainers to battle, gain experience, and earn some prize money." After saying this, Xiao Yan immediately rushed to Route 22, the place novice trainers must pass through.
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"Rattata, use Tackle!" A purple rat dashed towards Charmander. The latter didn't dodge but spat out a ball of flame from its mouth, hitting the on - coming Rattata.
Rattata was completely wrapped in the fireball. The next second, it lost consciousness and fell to the ground. Thus, Xiao Yan earned a hundred yuan in prize money.
"You're really strong. If we meet again next time, let's have another battle." The boy wearing a straw hat retrieved his Rattata and said with a smile to Xiao Yan.
"Sure." Xiao Yan replied happily.
After an afternoon, Xiao Yan had earned quite a bit of money.
"31... 32... 33... 34..." Xiao Yan was counting the large stack of bills in his hand.
Just then, there came a sound of footsteps from behind...
"Poliwag, wait for me." A familiar - looking little boy ran past Xiao Yan.
"Isn't that Ash? I'm going to get to know him!!!" After saying this, Xiao Yan summoned Charmander and planned to chase after Ash.
"Charmander, let's chase after him together."
However, Charmander didn't move. It stood still, staring into the deeper part of the forest. The next second, as if sensing something, it ran off. Seeing this, Xiao Yan immediately followed behind.
The trees in the forest were extremely tall and their branches and leaves were very lush. That was why the sunlight from the sky could only filter through the gaps and shine into the forest.
As a result, the light in the forest was a bit dim, and the forest sometimes seemed rather dark.
On the way, they saw many Kakunas quietly staying aside, seemingly waiting for their next evolution.
"It seems this is the Beedrill's nest. Why did Charmander come to this kind of place?" Xiao Yan wondered as he chased after Charmander.
Charmander stopped in front of an open space. There was a large banyan tree ahead, and under the tree, there was a little girl leaning against it. The girl had some scratches on her knees. Just then, a Beedrill was about to attack her.
"Charmander, use Ember to drive the Beedrill away!"
The Beedrill dodged the Ember, glanced at Xiao Yan, and then flew away. After all, no Bug - type Pokémon in the forest wanted to go head - to - head with a Fire - type Pokémon.
"Are you okay?" Xiao Yan asked the girl worriedly.
"My feet hurt so much. I want to go home and find my mom." The girl couldn't help crying because of the pain from the wound on her foot.
Xiao Yan took out some ointment (for humans) from his pocket and applied it to the wound on her knee. Then he took out a clean cloth (really clean) from his pocket and bandaged the girl's wound.
"The wound is mostly treated. Get up. Let's go back to the camp." Xiao Yan helped the girl up, but the girl wasn't steady on her feet for a moment and accidentally fell into Xiao Yan's arms.
Xiao Yan took a close look at the girl. Her face was tinged with a blush under the setting sun. Although she was young, she had such a pure and fair complexion, and her skin was as white and tender as frost.
The girl quickly pushed Xiao Yan away and apologized.
"Buzz buzz buzz~"
A sound came into Xiao Yan's ears. Dozens of red - eyed Beedrills appeared in front of everyone.
These hot - tempered hooligans raised their spears and rushed towards everyone.
"Be careful!" Xiao Yan immediately pulled the girl behind him and then directed Charmander to fight.
Charmander took a big gulp of air, its belly swelling up. The next second, it violently released the fire in its abdomen. A large fireball rushed towards the swarm of Beedrills.
One by one, the Beedrills were shot down by such a powerful Ember attack.
At this moment, a Beedrill flew out of the fireball, raised its spear, and rushed towards Charmander.
Charmander used its claws to resist the spear, and the two engaged in a fierce offensive and defensive battle. Sparks flew when the claws and the spear collided.
The girl hiding behind Xiao Yan was at a loss. She stretched out her slightly trembling little hand and grabbed the corner of Xiao Yan's clothes.
The girl's hand was trembling, and Xiao Yan's body was also shaking. He knew this was a life - or - death battle, not like the dueling games among the kids in the summer camp.
The Beedrill suddenly flapped its wings and flew into the sky, keeping a distance from Charmander.
The two spears of the Beedrill gradually glowed with a faint purple light. The Poison Sting was activated, and Poison - type energy gathered on them.
The purple spear met Charmander's claws.
At this time, Charmander's physical strength was obviously at its limit. It showed a flaw, and the purple spear scratched a wound on Charmander's right shoulder.
Blood kept flowing out, dyeing the green grass bright red.
"Roar~~~" Charmander let out a low growl. It endured the pain. Even though it was seriously injured, it still wanted to protect its friends and family!
"That's enough... It's my turn to protect you!!!" Xiao Yan rushed out, stood in front of Charmander, spread his arms, and prepared to withstand the next wave of attacks from the Beedrill.
Just then, a beam of white light shot down. Before everyone could react, the only remaining Beedrill fell.
"Looks like I'm late." Arceus stared at Charmander lying in a pool of blood and the two injured kids.
"Let me take you back."
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Xiao Yan came to his senses and found that they were already in front of Professor Oak's Laboratory.
He carried Charmander and rushed in. The girl also followed behind Xiao Yan.
Hearing the noise, Professor Oak immediately walked out of the laboratory to check.
"Professor, please save Charmander..." The boy's face was full of tears as he handed Charmander to Professor Oak.
Seeing Charmander's injuries, Professor Oak's face changed drastically. He immediately took it into the inner room.
Xiao Yan sat helplessly on the chair. He was deeply afraid that something might happen to Charmander. After all, it was his only family in this world.
The girl sat next to Xiao Yan. She wanted to say something to comfort him, but seeing the big teardrops on the boy's face, she fell silent and quietly accompanied him.
"It'll be okay now." Professor Oak gave Charmander an Antidote Berry and some other medicines, then carried Charmander to a nearby hospital bed and let it have a good sleep.
Looking at Charmander wrapped in bandages all over, Professor Oak seemed to recall the past "him" and "it".
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"Charmander is okay. It just needs to sleep for a while to recover from the fatigue of the battle." Professor Oak walked out of the room.
After hearing the professor's words, the stone in Xiao Yan's heart finally dropped.
"Go out and join the others first!"
"Yes!"
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"Looks like everyone came back before the sun set. This is commendable. Let's first present the prize to the first - place team in this competition, the Charmander Team. The prize this time is five Poké Balls." Professor Oak gave each member of the team five Poké Balls.
"Once you turn ten, you can come to the laboratory to get your starter Pokémon from me." Professor Oak said with a smile.
Thus, this Pokémon summer camp came to a successful end.
"Um... Thank you for saving me." A girl with a cloth tied on her knee slowly walked up to Xiao Yan.
"It's what I should do. Team - mates should help each other."
"My name is Serena. What's yours?"
"Xiao Yan."
Just then, an adult woman stood in the distance and called for Serena.
"I have to go..." After saying goodbye to Xiao Yan, Serena ran towards her mother. After running a few steps, she suddenly turned back and looked at Xiao Yan.
"Will we meet again?"
"Definitely!" Xiao Yan gave a reassuring smile.
"Let's pinky - swear." Serena walked back, grabbed Xiao Yan's hand, and pinky - swore with him.
"Well... I really have to say goodbye this time." After saying this, Serena followed her mother away, leaving Xiao Yan standing there blankly.
Watching the plane flying across the sky, Xiao Yan swore to the sky.
"Before our next meeting, I will definitely become stronger! Together with my Pokémon!"
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Night quietly came, and the moon hung in the sky.
The boy sat alone by the Viridian Lake.
The boy's young face and Arceus behind him were reflected in the lake.
"You and Charmander are still too weak for now."
"Yeah..." Xiao Yan didn't refute because what Arceus said was the truth.
"I'll accompany you for a while. Hurry up and get stronger!" After saying this, Arceus entered a Poké Ball.
Looking at the Poké Ball in his hand, Xiao Yan suddenly thought of something.
And so, the adventure story began. To be continued...