Chapter 12: Temporary Commission, Advancing Toward the Omaki Research Institute

Chapter 12: A Temporary Commission, Heading Toward Professor Oak’s Laboratory

“Kirlia, use Magical Leaf!”

Magical leaves glowing with green light formed in Kirlia’s hands, flying toward Sandshrew in a continuous stream.

Seeing this, A.J. flicked his whip with a crisp ‘snap.’ Hearing the sound, Sandshrew moved its claws rapidly, burrowing into the ground at high speed to dodge the attack.

Having lost its target, Kirlia stood in place, cautiously observing the ground beneath its feet.

After a brief wait, a hole suddenly appeared beside it. Without warning, Sandshrew burst out from the tunnel, charging straight at Kirlia.

Fortunately, Kirlia was on guard. The moment the earth broke open, it used Teleport to evade the attack.

“Did you think the attacks were over?” A.J. cracked his whip again and shouted, “Sandshrew, use our ultimate move! Fissure!”

The Sandshrew, having missed its previous strike, leaped high into the air. Its body emitted a violent, earthy-yellow glow. Head pointed toward the ground, it raised its right claw, spun its body, and plummeted rapidly toward the earth.

The next second, accompanied by a massive cracking sound, the battlefield split open, shattering into countless pieces with Sandshrew’s claw at the center!

These fissures were like abysses, spreading and cracking across the entire field amidst terrifying tremors.

Fissure, one of the Ground-type’s physical one-hit KO moves. If one were to accidentally fall into the cracks it created, the crushing force would be enough to deal near-lethal damage to any Pokémon!

Xia You shouted, “Kirlia! Hurry and dodge!”

Kirlia used Teleport over a dozen times in succession—vanishing, reappearing, vanishing again, and reappearing again—constantly searching for a foothold. It wasn't until its stamina was more than half depleted that it finally managed to escape the epicenter and reach a safe corner, narrowly avoiding disaster.

“What!?”

This turn of events was completely beyond A.J.’s expectations.

Although Fissure had a low accuracy rate, he knew that aside from Flying-type Pokémon, he had used this large-scale area attack many times before, and he had never seen any Pokémon successfully dodge it.

On the other side, seeing the Fissure stop and Kirlia unharmed, Xia You couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

It was fortunate he had the foresight not to send out Bulbasaur or Squirtle; given their movement speeds, they would have certainly been incapacitated by this Fissure.

Having expended such a massive amount of energy, Sandshrew was caught in the aftermath and fell into a brief state of sluggishness. Seeing this, Xia You decisively ordered, “Kirlia, use Magical Leaf!”

Kirlia raised its hands, and before Sandshrew could react, the Magical Leaves swept toward it like a hurricane.

Grass is super effective against Ground!

Sandshrew swayed back and forth, but ultimately couldn't hold on. Its eyes rolled back, and it collapsed to the ground.

“Sandshrew!!”

A.J. rushed over and hugged Sandshrew’s body. Even now, he couldn't believe he had actually lost!

He had already achieved a ninety-two-game winning streak; he was only eight games away from leaving this place to challenge the Gyms!

Damn it…

Seeing the victory, Xia You applauded and said, “A wonderful match. Your Sandshrew is truly strong; it’s the most formidable opponent I’ve encountered since I started my journey!”

A.J. remained silent as he returned Sandshrew to its Poké Ball. When he stood up again, the confidence on his face had vanished.

“I lost! Being able to defeat my Sandshrew was truly beyond my expectations.” A.J. let out a heavy sigh, but quickly regained his composure. “But even so, I won’t give up on my dream. Starting today, I will begin from zero and guard this gym again until I reach a hundred-win streak. And after that, I will find you and challenge you once more!”

“I look forward to that day.” Xia You extended his right hand and said sincerely, “It is precisely because of strong opponents like you that I am driven to improve and keep moving forward!”

After parting ways with A.J., Xia You had intended to head to Pewter City to continue his challenge at the Pewter Gym, but a call from Professor Cerise summoned him back to Vermilion City.

Inside the Cerise Laboratory, Professor Cerise said apologetically, “I’m very sorry to call you back here from so far away, but there is a very important matter that urgently requires your help.”

“Professor, please don’t be so formal. Just tell me what it is,” Xia You said nonchalantly. “Besides, I was just near Vermilion City, so it’s not that far. There’s really no need to apologize.”

At that moment, Chrysa brought over a small box and handed it to Xia You.

Xia You asked curiously, “What is this?”

Professor Cerise explained, “Inside is a prototype of a precision instrument. Because its development isn't finished yet, it’s considered a scientific secret and cannot be sent via courier. Since we can’t leave the laboratory due to our work, we have to find someone we trust to deliver it to Professor Oak’s laboratory and hand it to him.”

Xia You nodded solemnly.

“I understand. As a Cerise Special Research Fellow, I will definitely deliver it to Professor Oak in perfect condition!”

…

Leaving Vermilion City, Xia You traveled rapidly, bypassing the famous Viridian Forest, and by nightfall, he had arrived in Viridian City.

Since it was late, he planned to rest at the local Pokémon Center for the night and set off for Pallet Town the next day.

However, before entering the Pokémon Center, he stopped at a nearby shop to stock up on canned food and a few Poké Balls, just in case.

While checking out, he received a call from Chloe.

“Hello, Chloe, is something wrong?”

On the other end of the line, Chloe said, “Didn't you send a message this morning saying you were returning to Vermilion City? I wanted to see Kirlia’s new look; it must have become even prettier, right?”

“Ah, I’m really sorry.” Xia You looked up at the clock on the wall. “But I left immediately after arriving at the lab this morning. I’m already in Viridian City now.”

“Viridian City?” Chloe asked in surprise. “How did you get there in such a short time?”

“I have some business, so I have to go to Professor Oak’s laboratory. Alright, I have things to do, and it’s getting very late, so you should get some rest.”

After hanging up, Xia You was about to walk out of the shop when a clerk called out to him.

“Young man, please wait a moment.”

Xia You looked at him in confusion: “Is something the matter?”

The clerk took a package from the counter.

“Sorry, I overheard your conversation just now. Are you heading to Professor Oak’s laboratory in Pallet Town?”

Seeing Xia You nod, the clerk said happily, “Oh, that’s great! This package was ordered by Professor Oak a few days ago, but we’ve been so busy that we haven't had time to deliver it. Could you please take it with you on your way?”