Far out at sea from Cerulean City, a fishing boat was slowly sailing.
With the sea breeze caressing his face, Xia You and his three Pokémon leaned on the deck, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.
The warm sunlight poured over them, making them feel cozy and completely disinclined to move.
Unfortunately, if it weren't for the pungent fishy smell constantly emanating from the boat, perhaps this trip would have been even more relaxed and enjoyable.
After more than an hour of sailing, the fishing boat finally stopped at the edge of a small island.
The weather-beaten captain walked out of the cabin and said to Xia You, "Young man, the place you're looking for is right here. We're going to continue sailing south into the deep sea. When we come back tonight, we'll pick you up. Now, good luck to you!"
After thanking him, Xia You jumped off the fishing boat, watched it leave, and then turned to survey the small island.
This small island was surrounded by trees, lush and green, and in the center of the island, there was a solitary large mountain, with many shrubs growing neatly both horizontally and vertically on it. From a distance, it looked like a large turtle shell.
Blastoise Island, it is said, does not exist on any map; only the Pokémon living there and the most experienced fishermen know its exact location.
And just as its name suggests, this small island is home to a Blastoise, as well as a large group of its unevolved forms—Wartortle and Squirtle.
To get here, Xia You had to search for a long time at the dock and ask many people before someone finally agreed to take him out to sea to find this island.
However, his goal was not that Blastoise.
Passing through the Sand and entering the forest, Xia You quickly saw a group of playful Squirtle and Wartortle. He took out his phone and snapped a few photos of the area, intending to send them to Professor Sakuragi, but seeing there was no signal, he could only put it off for now.
After observing for a long time, Xia You leaped and landed in front of them.
These Squirtle and Wartortle were startled by Xia You's sudden appearance, but they didn't choose to flee. Instead, they stood still, looking at him with curiosity.
"Very good," Xia You said to them, "Pokémon, I am looking for companions to challenge the League. Is there anyone among you who wants to leave here and travel with me?"
In this magical world, almost all Pokémon can understand human language to some extent.
Upon hearing Xia You's words, the Squirtle and Wartortle looked at each other but had no reaction. Only one of the Squirtle, perhaps out of mischief or curiosity toward Xia You, took a few steps toward him.
"Squirtle, Squirtle!"
"You're quite brave," Xia You smiled. "Then let's battle! If I win, you'll be my companion!"
Watching that Squirtle, its companions consciously cleared an area.
At this moment, Xia You also took out his Pokédex and pointed it at the standing blue Pokémon.
Pokédex: "Beep, Squirtle, Water attribute, Tiny Turtle Pokémon. It excels at Water attribute attacks and protects itself with a hard shell. When it encounters an enemy, it can launch a powerful Water Gun attack."
Waving his hand, Xia You said, "Bulbasaur, this battle is up to you!"
"Bulbasaur, Bulbasaur!"
Bulbasaur took a few steps forward and stood in front of Squirtle.
Seeing that both Pokémon were ready, Xia You gave the command: "Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip attack!"
Two vines flew out from Bulbasaur's bud, lashing out at Squirtle. However, Squirtle remained unhurried, and only when the Vine Whip came close did it suddenly Withdraw its head and all four limbs into its shell.
There were two soft thuds.
Despite being a Grass attribute move, Squirtle still withstood the attack with its sturdy shell, only taking minor damage.
When it emerged from its shell, a Water Gun shot out from its mouth, spraying toward Bulbasaur.
"Bulbasaur, dodge!"
Although Xia You gave the command in time, when Bulbasaur dodged, it was still splashed on half its body by the moving Water Gun.
"Bulbasaur, use Leech Seed!"
From its bud, a seed shot out, but as it flew toward Squirtle, Squirtle spewed out a large amount of bubbles from its mouth, nullifying the seed.
Seeing this, Xia You couldn't help but praise, "For a wild Pokémon, you've got some skills."
"Squirtle, Squirtle!"
Xia You pointed: "Bulbasaur, continue using Vine Whip attack!"
Two vines once again lashed out at Squirtle, and just like before, Squirtle again used Withdraw, pulling its entire body inside.
However, Xia You's attack was not over. He then shouted, "Bulbasaur, just entangle its body like that!"
This time, the vines did not retract, but instead wrapped tightly around Squirtle's body, coil after coil.
"Squirtle!?"
Squirtle was greatly surprised and tried to stick its head out, but all the exits outside its shell were sealed. It struggled for a long time but still couldn't move.
"This is called being caught in your own trap," Xia You smiled slightly and said loudly, "Now, lift it up and let it taste the flavor of a pendulum!"
As Xia You spoke, Bulbasaur used its vines to lift Squirtle high up, then slammed it heavily onto the Ground, followed by a second time, a third time…
When there was no reaction from inside the shell, Xia You waved his hand, and Bulbasaur finally loosened its vines.
Seeing Squirtle lying overturned on the Ground, with no sound or movement from inside its shell, completely still, Xia You pulled out a Poké Ball and threw it.
With a flash of red light, the Poké Ball didn't even wobble before the capture was successful.
The fourth Pokémon, obtained!
However, Xia You hadn't had time to be happy when he suddenly heard a huge roar from a distance, and then the Ground began to shake.
From the sound, it seemed that some powerful Pokémon was approaching.
It seemed that the battle just now had completely alarmed the Blastoise on the island, and before the fishing boat came to pick him up, he now had to find a place to hide well.
"Bulbasaur, come back! The wind's picking up, it's time for us to leave here!"
…
Days and nights passed.
When Xia You left the sea and stepped onto land again, he was already standing on the streets of Cerulean City.
After a night of rest and recuperation at the Pokémon Center, Xia You, with his four Pokémon, embarked on his journey to Pewter City.
In his spare time, he also sent all the photos he took on Blastoise Island to Professor Sakuragi.
As a special research investigator for the Sakuragi Research Institute, his visit to Blastoise Island and the photos he took of its ecosystem could be considered a perfect fulfillment of his duties.
However, just as Xia You was about to leave Cerulean City, a tall boy with green hair and a backpack suddenly blocked his path.
"Hey, you there, please wait a moment! Will you accept my challenge?!"