The tunnel abruptly ended, and a dark figure burst through the ground.
Rumble!
Rocks flew like raindrops. A massive shadow loomed, its body glinting coldly with a rocky sheen.
"ROAR—!!"
An Onix with a jagged stone horn atop its head reared up, its bloodshot eyes glinting as it let out an angry roar.
The enormous creature, nearly ten meters long, radiated an overwhelming sense of pressure with its rocky bulk.
Yet Granny Wu's expression remained calm, as if saying, "This is it?"
Lu Ye sighed deeply.
Now he understood why the Pokémon from Modu University's Pokemon Breeding Center all had aggressive personalities.
With breeders like this and such a competitive environment, how could they not be battle-hardened?
Wait a second…
Why was this Squirtle in his hand acting so relaxed?
Lu Ye glanced down at the Dive Ball in his palm, his expression oddly puzzled.
Granny Wu patted his shoulder.
"All right, stop standing there. Show me what you can do in a wild battle!"
Lu Ye looked up at the Onix, gritting his teeth.
"Go, Squirtle!"
It was Lu Ye's first time battling in the wild, and to be honest, he was a bit excited.
But remembering that Onix might attack the Trainer directly wiped that excitement right off his face.
He tossed the Dive Ball toward a tree, and Squirtle nimbly landed on a branch, taking a strategic position.
Its sunglasses nearly slipped off.
In a panic, Squirtle grabbed for the shades but tumbled from the tree, landing face-first in the dirt.
"Squirtle! (๑`▽´๑)۶"
Covered in dust, Squirtle proudly waved its sunglasses, showing that Lu Ye's gift was safe.
Lu Ye couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry.
I'm about to die here, and you're worried about the sunglasses?
Even Onix paused, staring at Squirtle, then burst into uproarious laughter, the sound echoing loudly.
"ROAR ROAR ROAR—"
Just then—
A glint of focus flashed in Squirtle's eyes.
The clumsy act disappeared in an instant.
Feign weakness, then strike strong!
At Lu Ye's command, Squirtle sprang into action.
"Squirtle, Water Gun!"
Squirtle opened its mouth, a torrent of water forming into a powerful jet, blasting toward Onix with a resounding "Boom!"
"ROAR—!!" Onix recoiled from the blast, water splashing everywhere as it roared in pain.
Lu Ye's jaw dropped.
You call that a Water Gun?
The force of the water gushed and roared, Squirtle's eyes steely with determination, the stream pounding Onix relentlessly.
Half of Onix's body was caught in the water's range, howling in agony, nearly taken out in a single shot!
Lu Ye stood frozen.
If Onix didn't have the Sturdy ability, that Water Gun would've KO'd it instantly?
You're just a Squirtle!
And that was just Water Gun…
Why did it feel like Hydro Pump?!
"ROAR—!!"
Onix frantically burrowed underground, retreating in a panicked Dig.
The courtyard was in ruins.
The chirping of birds resumed, and silence fell once more.
Granny Wu nodded in satisfaction.
"This little one has a natural talent for wave-based moves."
"Though it was just Water Gun, it incorporated the techniques of Water Pulse, making it incredibly powerful!"
Lu Ye was still replaying the battle, his face blank with shock.
"But Granny, I don't think it's even learned Water Pulse yet…"
"It's just a matter of time!" Granny Wu smiled, patting Lu Ye's shoulder.
Lu Ye was stunned.
Visions of Haunter using Will-O-Wisp and Squirtle using Water Gun filled his mind…
Turning stiffly, he looked at Squirtle with a mix of tears and resignation.
Something's wrong here!
There weren't supposed to be any inherited moves. And now it had some kind of aura talent?!
Even the system's Pokédex can't detect this?!
[Ding—Pokédex cannot detect special talents beyond moves. Please identify them yourself.]
Lu Ye looked up at the sky, a tear trickling down his face.
System, you tricked me again!
Seeing Lu Ye so moved he was crying, Squirtle adjusted its sunglasses and slowly gave a thumbs-up.
As a Water-type Pokémon, having Water Gun hit like Hydro Pump is perfectly reasonable, right?
Sure, I haven't evolved yet, but KO'ing an Onix in one shot—most Pokémon can do that, right?
Meanwhile, a glimmer of warmth flashed in Squirtle's eyes.
'That was just our first battle, and he's already so moved. This Trainer is really worth following. The world outside was dangerous. To repay him, I'll need to get stronger!'
With that, Lu Ye stumbled out of the Breeding Center, a Squirtle in sunglasses swaggering along behind him.
Granny Wu waved and smiled. "Come visit anytime!"
"Squirtle! (￣▽￣)／" Squirtle waved a tiny paw.
Seeing this, Zhai Wenyao laughed, clapping Lu Ye on the shoulder.
"Lu Ye, no need to thank me—you earned this!"
Lu Ye's mouth twitched, half-resigned.
But he quickly perked up, locking eyes with Squirtle.
"Squirtle?" Squirtle scratched its head in confusion.
"I think you'll have plenty to talk about with those two." Lu Ye smiled.
Since he'd accepted Squirtle, treating it as family was the Lu way.
"No matter what." Lu Ye gripped Squirtle's paw.
"Let's take care of each other!"
Squirtle paused, warmth flooding its heart.
The meeting of humans and Pokémon, the bonds between Pokémon.
These were magical things. New surroundings, new friends, new… family.
Squirtle suddenly felt a thrill of anticipation.
Taking off its sunglasses, Squirtle blinked its pale purple eyes, shyly scratching its head.
"Squirtle (⁄⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄⁄)⁄"
Lu Ye and Squirtle took the bus home.
Squirtle fidgeted nervously in the child seat, feet dangling.
Though cautious by nature, Granny Wu said it had only recently hatched.
It should have plenty to discuss with Eevee and Haunter.
Lu Ye sighed. "I just hope those discussions don't involve wrecking the house."
Before they reached the door, Haunter recognized their footsteps, eagerly opening the door.
Eevee dashed out, tail wagging, and tilted its head curiously at Squirtle.
"Buiii?"
"This one's the new guy." Lu Ye said. "These are your big brother and sister."
Squirtle scratched its head and extended a paw. "Squirtle? (￣▽￣)／"
Haunter's eyes widened, recognizing a kindred spirit.
"Haunter! (￣▽￣)／"
Eevee eyed Squirtle's shell, nodded thoughtfully, then turned away, snickering.
Squirtle and Haunter shook paws.
Then, to Lu Ye's shock—Squirtle opened its mouth and sprayed a playful Water Gun at Eevee and Haunter.
They were drenched.
Haunter & Eevee: (⊙ˍ⊙)
"Squirtle!" Squirtle smirked, hands on hips.
Good—they're not Ditto or Zorua in disguise!
Lu Ye's face fell.
Haunter just laughed. But Eevee's face darkened, steam curling ominously from its head.
"Vee! (╬￣皿￣)"
Above Squirtle's head, a giant "DANGER" sign flashed!