When Ash woke up, the sky was still a faint grayish-white.
He rubbed his sleepy eyes, and on the small bed next to him, Kirlia and Riolu had already gotten up before him.
Kirlia's big eyes sparkled with excitement, while Riolu, like a little knight, straightened its back, seemingly preparing for the big day ahead.
"Kirlia, Riolu, aren't you two a bit too early?" Ash chuckled as he sat up and stretched.
Outside the window, birds in the town were chirping, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees.
Today was his tenth birthday, and also the day his dream would come true—to embark on a journey and become a true Pokémon Trainer.
Kirlia lightly jumped to the bedside and rubbed Ash's arm with its soft body.
"Kirlia~" it chirped, seemingly saying, "Today will be great."
Riolu was more direct; it stood up, waved its fists, and growled, "Riolu!"
The meaning was probably, "We will fight together!"
Ash burst out laughing and patted the heads of the two Pokémon.
"Yes, let's go together! Let's go have breakfast first; Delia must be waiting for us."
The three of them—one person and two Pokémon—went downstairs, where Delia was already busy in the kitchen.
Delia was a gentle woman, always wearing an apron and a kind smile on her face.
When she saw Ash come down, she immediately put down her spatula.
"Ash, good morning! Kirlia and Riolu are awake too, I see? Today is your big day, so I made your favorite fried eggs and toast."
"Good morning, Mom!" Ash ran to the dining table, pulled out a chair, and sat down.
Kirlia and Riolu also jumped onto chairs, and Riolu even tried to grab the bread on the table with its paws, but Delia gently stopped it.
"Ash, you must remember to take good care of yourself when you're out and about.
Also, Kirlia and Riolu shouldn't be too mischievous," Delia said with concern as she set out breakfast.
She pushed a plate of steaming fried eggs in front of Ash.
"Eat up; you need energy to go to Professor Oak's and get your first Pokémon."
Ash picked up his fork, speared a piece of fried egg, and put it in his mouth; it tasted delicious.
"Mmm, Mom's breakfast is the best! But I'm already ready.
Kirlia and Riolu are very excited too."
Ralts nodded, "Kirlia~" It seemed to agree with Ash.
Delia smiled and shook her head, "You, my child, have dreamed of being a Trainer since you were little.
Remember, safety first, don't go adventuring everywhere like your father."
At the mention of his father, Ash's eyes lit up.
His father was a famous Pokémon explorer, and although he was rarely home, his stories always filled Ash with longing.
"Mom, I'll be careful! Let's leave after we finish eating."
Breakfast time flew by; everyone chatted about various small things while eating.
Delia asked about Kirlia and Riolu's recent activities; Kirlia responded with a telepathic gaze,
while Riolu heartily ate its special Pokémon food.
Soon, the plates were empty, and Ash wiped his mouth and stood up.
"Mom, we're leaving!" Ash slung his small backpack over his shoulder, Kirlia jumped onto his shoulder, and Riolu followed beside him.
Delia straightened his collar, "Alright, go.
Be careful on the way.
Oh, and Xiao You should be waiting for you too.
Her mother, Xiao Ying, called me yesterday and said Xiao You couldn't wait either."
Ash was somewhat happy to hear this and said, "I know, I'll go find her now."
"Yes, you two have been good friends since childhood, wouldn't it be better to go together?" Delia winked and nudged Ash's back, "Hurry up, don't make her wait too long."
Ash and his two Pokémon left the house together.
The town streets were quiet and familiar, and in the small flower bushes by the roadside, a few Pidgeotto occasionally flew by.
Ralts excitedly pointed at the sky, "Kirlia" as if saying, "Look, there are Pokémon!"
"Riolu, we need to pick up the pace!" Ash quickened his steps, and Riolu also started to trot.
Not long after, they saw Xiao You.
She stood at the street corner, holding a backpack, her hair tied in a ponytail, and a bright smile on her face.
"Ash! You're finally here! Kirlia and Riolu too?"
"Xiao You, good morning! You're up so early too?" Ash ran over, and the two of them high-fived as usual.
Xiao You nodded, "Yes, I didn't sleep well all night.
Just thinking about getting my first Pokémon today, how exciting!
Mom said you were leaving too, so she told me to wait for you here."
Kirlia jumped off Ash's shoulder and ran to Xiao You, rubbing against her.
"Kirlia~ (Good morning)"
Riolu also walked forward and growled, "Riolu!" It seemed to be making friends.
Ash smiled and said, "Xiao You, let's go to Professor Oak's Pokémon Lab together.
I heard Xiao Huo and Gary went too; they might already be waiting for us."
"Yes, let's go!" Xiao You took Ash's hand, and they walked side by side.
Along the way, they talked about their dreams.
Xiao You said she wanted to become an excellent Pokémon Breeder, using the elegance of Pokémon to impress everyone, while Ash excitedly described his grand plan to become a Pokémon Master.
"But Ash, you already have Kirlia and Riolu, so will the first Pokémon you get this time be your third?" Xiao You asked curiously.
Ash shook his head, "No, this time is a brand new start.
Kirlia and Riolu are ones I got from other places; this time, Professor Oak will give us one of the three starter Pokémon."
They chatted as they walked, and soon arrived at Professor Oak's Pokémon Lab.
The Pokémon Lab was a large building, surrounded by a lush green lawn, with a large sign in front that read "Pallet Town Pokémon Lab."
Professor Oak's assistants stood at the entrance, politely nodding.
Ash took a deep breath, "We're here.
Let's go, Xiao You."
Pushing open the main door, they entered the Pokémon Lab lobby.
The lobby was brightly lit, with walls covered in Pokémon photos and specimens.
The air was filled with a faint smell of disinfectant, but also mixed with the cries of Pokémon, making it exciting.
As soon as they entered, they saw Professor Oak.
He was an old man with a white beard, wearing round glasses and a white lab coat, standing in front of a high-tech machine.
Beside him, Xiao Huo and Gary had already been waiting for a long time.
"Ash, Xiao You, you're finally here!" Professor Oak turned around, his face wreathed in smiles, "I thought you two would be late."
Xiao Huo grinned as soon as he saw Ash, "Hey, Ash! You look pretty energetic.
Did you bring Kirlia and Riolu too?"
Gary, with his arms crossed, smiled slightly, "I knew you'd come with Xiao You.
Don't waste time, we're waiting to see who picks their Pokémon first."
Xiao You shyly waved, "Professor Oak, Xiao Huo, Gary, hello everyone!"
Ash nodded, "Hello everyone! Sorry, we're late.
Delia made a rich breakfast."
Professor Oak laughed heartily, "No problem, no problem.
Come on, all of you stand in front of the machine.
Today is the beginning of your journey, and I have prepared the starter Pokémon."
He pointed to the machine in front of him, which was a silver circular device with several buttons and screens.
In the center of the machine was a platform covered by a transparent lid.
"Starter Pokémon? Are those the three—Water, Grass, Fire—ones?" Xiao You asked curiously.
Professor Oak nodded, "Exactly.
But this year is a bit special; I've selected four Pokémon from the Pokémon Lab's database, including an extra Electric-type Pokémon.
They are Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Pikachu.
Each corresponds to a different type: Water, Grass, Fire, and Electric."
Xiao Huo's eyes lit up, "Wow, an Electric-type Pikachu? That sounds cool!"
Gary pushed up his glasses, "Type diversity is good, but the key still lies in the Trainer's strength."
Professor Oak pressed a button on the machine, "Alright, let's begin.
The machine will activate, and the Poké Balls will rise.
You can choose in turn, but remember, each person can only choose one."
As the button was pressed, the machine emitted a low hum.
The lid on the platform slowly opened, and four Poké Balls rose from below.
Each Poké Ball was imprinted with its corresponding type symbol: a blue ball with a water drop, a green ball with a leaf, a red ball with a flame, and a yellow ball with a lightning bolt.
Ash's eyes widened, "Amazing! These are the starter Pokémon plus Pikachu?"
Professor Oak nodded proudly, "That's right.
They are all healthy little ones, and now, it's your turn to choose.
Starting with Gary, you can go in order."
Gary stepped forward, carefully examining the Poké Balls.
"I choose Squirtle.
It's a Water-type, suitable for my battle style."
He reached out and picked up the blue Poké Ball, opened it, and a small Squirtle jumped out.
"Squirtle!" Squirtle cried out, looking up at Gary.
Gary squatted down and gently stroked its shell, "Hello, Squirtle.
We will become the strongest partners."
Professor Oak smiled, "Good choice, Gary.
Next, Xiao Huo."
Xiao Huo eagerly stepped forward, "I choose Charmander! Fire-type Pokémon are the best for me!" He picked up the red Poké Ball and opened it.
"Charmander!" As soon as Charmander appeared, it let out a small burst of flame, looking very lively.
Xiao Huo excitedly clenched his fist, "Awesome! Charmander, we're going to get stronger together!"
Xiao You looked at the remaining two balls, hesitated for a moment, "I choose Bulbasaur.
It looks very cute, and Grass-type Pokémon can help me achieve my coordination dreams."
She picked up the green Poké Ball and released Bulbasaur.
"Bulbasaur~" Bulbasaur swayed its seed and let out a friendly cry.
Xiao You's face flushed with happiness, "Bulbasaur, hello! We will perform beautiful shows together."
Finally, only Pikachu's Poké Ball remained.
Ash took a deep breath and stepped forward.
"Then I'll choose Pikachu! Electric-type Pokémon sound very interesting."
Professor Oak nodded, "Very good, Ash.
Pikachu is this time's special option; it has unlimited potential."
Ash picked up the yellow Poké Ball and gently pressed the button.
The Poké Ball opened, a flash of white light, and a fluffy Pikachu appeared.
It blinked its eyes, looked around, and then suddenly became alert.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu cried out, and powerful electric currents instantly erupted around its body.
The currents spread like lightning, filling the room with crackling electric arcs.
Everyone instinctively took a step back, but just as the electric current was about to reach Ash, the hidden Zap Plate within him—the Zap Plate bestowed by Arceus—automatically activated.
It transformed into an invisible barrier, absorbing all the electric current and rendering it null.
The room instantly returned to calm.
Everyone was startled.
Xiao Huo's eyes widened, "Wow, Ash, your Pikachu is so fierce! It discharged electricity as soon as it came out?"
Gary frowned, "This current is too strong; an ordinary Pikachu couldn't do that."
Professor Oak pushed up his glasses, "Interesting.
This Pikachu seems more powerful than usual.
Ash, are you alright?"
Ash shook his head; he himself was somewhat surprised.
He looked at Pikachu, the little creature curiously observing him.
Strangely, Ash could feel a wonderful sense of closeness—perhaps it was Arceus's friendship boost at work.
"Pikachu, I'm Ash.
We'll be good partners." Ash squatted down and extended his hand.
Pikachu hesitated for a moment, then slowly walked over and touched Ash's hand with its small paw.
"Pikachu~"
At this moment, Pikachu's move information flashed through Ash's mind.
This Pikachu knew four unique moves that other Pikachu simply couldn't learn:
Quick Attack: Electric-type, Physical Attack.
Extremely Swift electric shock that always strikes the opponent's vital points first, making it impossible to guard against.
Swift: Flying-type, Physical Attack.
Pikachu floats lightly, then dives down to attack, sometimes causing the opponent to flinch and become confused.
Surf: Water-type, Special Attack.
Injects electrical energy into a giant wave to crash into the opponent, sometimes paralyzing the opponent and rendering them immobile.
Thunderbolt: Electric-type, Special Attack.
A variable move; the more Pikachu likes its Trainer, the stronger the electric shock, and the attack always hits.
Ash exclaimed, "Pikachu, you're so special! These moves... I've never seen any other Pikachu have them."
Pikachu seemed to understand his words, happily jumping up, "Pikachu!"
Xiao You walked over, "Ash, your Pikachu is so cute.
Its electricity just now startled me, but now it looks very friendly."
Xiao Huo patted Ash's shoulder, "Hey, our journey has just begun.
With such a strong Pikachu, you might even beat me!"
Gary snorted, "Strength isn't determined by luck.
Speaking of which, Grandpa, it seems you've given Ash special treatment."
Professor Oak cleared his throat, "Oh, that's right, Ash, your Pokémon carrying limit has been lifted by the League.
You can carry more than six Pokémon."
Ash was stunned, "Really? That's great!"
Xiao Huo immediately became displeased, "Wait, Professor Oak, why does only Ash get this treatment?
I want it too!"
Gary also chimed in, "That's right, we should also have a fair chance."
Professor Oak waved his hand, "This is a special decision by the League; I have no right to say more.
You two stop complaining and focus on your journey."
After the selection was complete, Professor Oak distributed rotom phones.
One for each person: Gary's was blue, Xiao Huo's was red, Xiao You's was green, and Ash's was black and blue.
"These rotom phones have a Pokédex, map, calling function, and five empty Poké Balls," Professor Oak explained, "They will be great helpers on your journey."
Ash took the phone, opened it, and it displayed a detailed map.
"Thank you, Professor Oak!"
Xiao You also excitedly tried out her green phone, "Wow, this Pokédex is so detailed; I can look up a lot of Pokémon information."
After everyone said their goodbyes, Ash and Xiao You walked out of the Pokémon Lab.
Outside, Delia and Xiao You's mother, Xiao Ying, were already waiting for them.
Delia hugged Ash, "Son, have a safe journey.
Remember to keep in touch."
Xiao Ying also hugged Xiao You, "Xiao You, take care of yourself."
Ash waved goodbye to Delia, "Mom, I'll be back!"
Xiao You also said, "Mom, goodbye!"
And so, Ash and Xiao You embarked on their journey.
Kirlia, Riolu, Pikachu, and Bulbasaur followed beside them.
A new chapter had just begun.