"Ralts, use Confusion!"
With Xia You's command, Bulbasaur's body was suddenly enveloped in light, as if struck by an invisible energy, and flew into the air!
After the initial panic, while continuously taking damage, it did not choose to surrender. Instead, enduring the pain, with its body unable to move, it fiercely whipped Ralts with Vine Whip!
Xia You naturally wouldn't let Ralts take the attack head-on.
"Use Teleport!"
Through the red horn on its head, Ralts could keenly sense Xia You's emotions. Coupled with long-term battle experience, even as Xia You's words had just left his mouth, Ralts had already used Teleport, disappearing from its original spot without a trace.
Whack! Whack!
The Vine Whip struck the ground, sending up countless grass clippings!
And when Ralts reappeared, it was no longer in front of Bulbasaur, but behind it!
As its hands waved, Bulbasaur's body flew to the side, and with a 'thump', it crashed hard into a tree trunk, then slowly fell down.
It hurt too much.
And this continuous attack left Bulbasaur completely defenseless.
Crying out in pain, the flower bud on Bulbasaur's back trembled, and then a seed the size of a peach pit flew out, heading straight for Ralts!
Although it was the first time he had seen it, Xia You immediately recognized it as Leech Seed, which could drain the opponent's stamina!
"Ralts, dodge!"
Following his voice, Ralts again used Teleport to dodge the attack.
But when Ralts reappeared, Bulbasaur suddenly moved closer and slammed its body into it.
So that's how it is!
It seems it can also predict moves!
However, this time, without even Xia You needing to speak, Bulbasaur's body was once again enveloped in light, but in the next second, it flew backward even faster than it had approached, crashing into that big tree again!
Thump!
The impact even left a dent in the tree trunk!
And this time, Bulbasaur could no longer bear it and completely lost consciousness.
Seeing this, Xia You unhurriedly took out a Poké Ball from his waist and threw it at Bulbasaur.
Red light enveloped Bulbasaur and drew it into the Poké Ball. The Poké Ball vibrated slightly, and after a short while, with a soft click, the switch immediately dimmed.
It's done!
A hint of joy flashed in Xia You's eyes.
Overall, this battle was very easy and had no difficulty.
And only then did the weight in his heart finally lift.
Even though it seemed simple, it was his first time catching a wild Pokémon, so he was still very excited.
In the distance, several Bulbasaur had already been attracted by the sounds of the fight and were looking this way.
Before they could arrive, Xia You picked up the Poké Ball, quickly retreated, and returned to his original position.
However, he did not choose to leave immediately. Instead, he took out his phone, aimed it at the Wonder Garden, took a few photos, and then left contentedly.
He returned along the same path.
The path was the same, but his mood was completely different from when he came!
Even his footsteps seemed to become lighter!
And when he walked out of the forest a few hours later, the moon was high in the sky, and stars twinkled.
Coming and going, it had already taken so long...
The moonlight illuminated the ground, and with the faint light, Xia You spread out his sleeping bag. Ralts also brought back some branches, and when the campfire was lit, the blazing flames not only dispelled the chill around them but also brought a touch of brightness to the night.
Taking out a set of cooking utensils from his backpack, Xia You set up a pot stand, then took out canned instant rations and made a warm, simple meal for himself and his two Pokémon.
A fragrant aroma wafted, gently drifting into the distance with the breeze.
Although he wasn't skilled in cooking, heating up canned food was not a difficult task.
And when everything was ready, Xia You finally opened the Poké Ball and released Bulbasaur.
A few hours of rest had already restored most of Bulbasaur's stamina, but upon seeing Xia You, it still quickly took a step back, its eyes still full of wariness.
"Are you a bit unfamiliar with the current environment?" Looking at it, Xia You smiled slightly, then said softly, "Bulbasaur, I'm really sorry about earlier, but I still want to welcome you to my little family. So, from now on, please take good care of me."
Saying that, he placed a plate of food in front of Bulbasaur.
An enticing aroma wafted past Bulbasaur.
Sniffing with its nose, Bulbasaur's mouth immediately began to water.
This was understandable; a wild Pokémon, when had it ever smelled the aroma of human food?
It was almost impossible to refuse. Bulbasaur, seeing such food for the first time, was deeply attracted by the steaming vegetable soup in front of it!
Xia You smiled silently at this.
Anyone who had tasted this canned food knew that regardless of whether it tasted good, at the very least, its smell was very delicious!
And perhaps unable to resist its hunger, or perhaps seeing Ralts eating very elegantly, after much hesitation, Bulbasaur finally let down its guard, approached the food, and began to eat heartily.
...
The next morning, after breakfast, Xia You returned to Vermilion City along the path he had come, and also returned to the Sakuragi Research Institute.
Upon seeing the Bulbasaur beside Xia You, several people, including Sakuragi Haruna, were greatly surprised.
Especially Renji, who eagerly asked, "Bulbasaur? You really caught it? Was it in that Wonder Garden?"
Xia You took out his phone and transferred all the photos of the Wonder Garden to Professor Sakuragi.
Professor Sakuragi opened the photos on his computer, and then several heads gathered together to observe them carefully, all exclaiming in admiration.
"This valley is truly beautiful!"
"So many Bulbasaur and its evolutions, is this the Wonder Garden?"
"Look at that big tree, it must have been there for thousands of years, right?"
After a careful browse, Professor Sakuragi pushed up his glasses and turned to look at Xia You.
"It seems another person has discovered the Wonder Garden, and this also verifies our deduction that the Wonder Garden is indeed in that forest. And from the photos you took, it still maintains its pristine state, which is undoubtedly the best environment for Bulbasaur's existence and reproduction."
After his words fell, he smiled again: "But I think, for this secret, we not only cannot publicize it, but should let it remain that way."
"I think so too." Xia You nodded in agreement, "Although I am a Trainer and caught a Pokémon there, from the Pokémon's perspective, this hidden habitat should indeed remain undisturbed by more people."
Being able to say such words, Professor Sakuragi could be said to be looking at Xia You with new eyes!
And since their thoughts were unified, everyone tacitly stopped discussing the Wonder Garden.
Renji then looked down at Bulbasaur.
"This Bulbasaur looks very sturdy, so its strength must also be very strong, right?"
Although he was only a researcher, he had a Magnemite named Françoise and usually enjoyed watching Pokémon battles. Within the institute, he was the one most concerned with Pokémon's strength.
"Yes." Xia You squatted down and stroked Bulbasaur's forehead, "This Bulbasaur is indeed very powerful. It took me a lot of effort to catch it, and on our way back to Vermilion City this morning, we even encountered a challenge from a boy in shorts. It defeated Diglett and Marowak one after another, and thanks to them, my relationship with Bulbasaur has become even closer!"
"Oh?"
Hearing his words, Renji didn't know who to praise for a moment.
Just caught, and he used it to defeat a challenger?
Should he praise this Bulbasaur for being truly powerful, or should he praise its Trainer for excellent command?
At this moment, Professor Sakuragi also came in front of Xia You.
He looked at Xia You and said solemnly: "Mr. Xia You, I actually have something I want to ask of you."
Seeing Professor Sakuragi's serious expression, Xia You was very puzzled.
"Professor, please don't be so polite. Just say whatever it is. As long as it's within my ability, I will help."
"It's not that serious." Professor Sakuragi smiled, "Through what just happened, I found that you are indeed unique. Not only can you discover secrets that ordinary people cannot, but you are also calm and thoughtful, understanding how to consider Pokémon. Perhaps a very powerful talent is truly hidden within you. Therefore, may I ask you to serve as a Special Research Fellow for our institute?"
"Special Research Fellow?"
Assuming Xia You didn't understand the position, Professor Sakuragi explained.
"During your travels, you will encounter, interact with, and communicate with various Pokémon on this planet, and then work with us to deepen our understanding of Pokémon and discover secrets hidden all over the world! How about it? Isn't it interesting?"
Well...
Xia You was stunned, but he didn't feel there was anything wrong with it.
It's just...
He clearly remembered that in the anime, Ash and Xiao Hao also served as Special Research Fellows for the Sakuragi Research Institute. Now, had he gotten there first?