Ash and Xiao You set off from Pallet Town, backpacks on, embarking on their journey to Viridian City. The morning sun cast its rays on the winding path, and the air was filled with the scent of earth and wildflowers.
Xiao You walked beside Ash, occasionally stopping to admire the wildflowers by the roadside. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, and she wore a light blue jacket and jeans, looking full of energy.
As Ash's childhood friend, Xiao You had grown up with him in Pallet Town since they were young. The natural understanding between them made this journey feel particularly relaxed.
"Ash, what do you think of Viridian City? I heard there are many interesting Pokémon Gyms there," Xiao You said as she walked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Ash smiled and adjusted Pikachu on his backpack. Pikachu lay comfortably on Ash's shoulder, its tail gently swaying. "Pikachu! (I don't know either, but it's sure to be exciting!)" Pikachu chirped in agreement.
"That's right, we should go to the forest first. I heard there's a lake there, maybe we can encounter some Water-type Pokémon," Ash replied. He remembered Professor Oak's instructions to catch more Pokémon for research, so his spirits were particularly high.
They soon entered the dense forest. Trees towered to the sky, and sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows. The forest was filled with the sound of birdsong.
Xiao You frequently stopped, bending down to observe small insects or flowers on the ground. "Wow, it's so beautiful here! Ash, look at this flower, doesn't it look like a Slakoth's hat?" she exclaimed excitedly.
Ash nodded: "It does. The forest always has surprises. Let's go, let's check out the lake."
Before long, they arrived at a tranquil small lake. The water was as clear as a mirror, surrounded by dense bushes and small grassy banks. Just as they paused to admire the view, a girl's figure came into sight.
She was about fifteen years old, wearing a red skirt and a white hat, holding a fishing rod, intently focused on fishing. The girl's Pokémon—a Psyduck—swam nearby.
"Hey, hello there! I'm Xiao Xia, from Cerulean City," the girl turned her head and greeted with a smile. She looked lively and cheerful, her brown hair shimmering in the sunlight.
Ash and Xiao You approached, and Xiao You spoke first: "Hello! We're Ash and Xiao You, from Pallet Town. We're traveling to Viridian City. Wow, you're fishing?"
Xiao Xia nodded: "That's right, I'm looking for Water-type Pokémon. Cerulean City's Gym is Water-type, so I need to train harder. What about you? Do you want to fish too?"
Ash's eyes lit up. He took out a fishing rod from the small world Arceus had bestowed upon him. It was a mysterious space, and Xiao You already knew of its existence. She had even been inside many times, and it was home to various Pokémon. "Of course! Let me try," Ash said.
Xiao You watched from the side with a smile: "Ash, your fishing skills aren't that great. Last time by the river in Pallet Town, you fished for ages and only caught a Magikarp."
"Hey, don't underestimate me, this time I might catch something amazing!" Ash replied confidently. He cast his fishing rod into the lake, and Pikachu also curiously came closer. "Pika? (Need help?)" Pikachu asked.
"No need, Pikachu, just enjoy the show," Ash said with a laugh.
Xiao Xia also joined the conversation: "You're from Pallet Town? That's Professor Oak's territory, right? I heard he collected a lot of Pokémon data."
"That's right, we just set off," Xiao You replied, "Professor Oak told us to catch more Pokémon and send them back for research."
They chatted and fished. Time passed, and Xiao Xia was the first to catch a Goldeen. "Great! This one is perfect for training," Xiao Xia said happily.
Ash also caught a few, but they were all common Goldeen and Magikarp. "Ugh, another Magikarp..." Ash sighed, releasing it back into the lake.
Xiao You couldn't help but laugh: "Looks like your luck hasn't changed. Xiao Xia, your fishing skills are really good!"
Xiao Xia modestly shook her head: "It's nothing, really, just a lot of practice. Do you two want to try again?"
They continued to fish for about an hour, but Ash and Xiao You's catch was still meager. The sun gradually set, and the sky darkened. Suddenly, dark clouds gathered, and a torrential downpour began. Raindrops like beans hammered the lake's surface, instantly drenching them.
"Oh no! The rain is too heavy!" Xiao You exclaimed, pulling Ash's hand and running for cover under the trees.
Ash quickly recalled Pikachu: "Pikachu, come into my small world to shelter from the rain!" With a thought, he opened the entrance to his small world. It was a Wonder Room formed by an Ultra Wormhole and spacetime distortion, containing various regions and hundreds of Pokémon.
Xiao You was already used to this place. She pulled Ash's hand and went in with him: "Ash, your small world is so convenient. There's a Fire-type Pokémon region inside, we can go there to warm up."
The three of them (including Pikachu) entered the small world. The rain was instantly isolated outside; this was another world: lush green grasslands, blue skies and white clouds,
and various Pokémon moving freely. The Fire-type Pokémon region was particularly lively, with a large volcanic landscape where hundreds of Fire-type Pokémon like Ninetales and Charizard resided.
"Pikachu! (It's so warm here!)" Pikachu stretched its body.
Xiao You looked around: "Every time I come here, it feels magical. Ash, why do you think Arceus chose you to be the Child of the Planes?"
Ash shrugged: "Who knows? Maybe it's because I always encounter rare Pokémon. Come on, let's wait for the rain to stop before we go out."
They stayed in the small world for about an hour. The heavy rain outside finally stopped, and the air became fresh. Ash opened the entrance and led Xiao You and Pikachu out. Everything by the lake was refreshed, and the post-rain forest exuded the fragrance of earth.
As soon as they came out, they witnessed an incredible sight: by the lake, there were two Ho-Oh. One large and one small, the giant Ho-Oh's wings burned like flames, radiating a sacred glow. The smaller Ho-Oh was delicate and small, curiously observing them.
Ash and Xiao You were stunned. Ho-Oh are legendary Pokémon, capable of controlling fire and the power of revival. More importantly, they can communicate directly with humans through telepathy.
"Hello, Ash," the large Ho-Oh's thoughts directly entered Ash's mind, its voice as gentle and warm as a flame. "I am Ho-Oh, the guardian of this forest. This is my daughter; she is still very young and needs a reliable companion."
Xiao You nervously grabbed Ash's arm: "Ash, it's a real Ho-Oh! How could they..."
Ash took a deep breath; he could feel Ho-Oh's goodwill. As the Child of the Planes chosen by Arceus, he was already accustomed to such supernatural events. "Hello, Ho-Oh.
Why choose me?" Ash responded telepathically. His ability allowed him to communicate directly with Pokémon, making the conversation incredibly smooth.
The large Ho-Oh's telepathy continued: "I heard you were chosen by the Creator Arceus, as the Child of the Planes. Through you, I hope to show my respect to Arceus.
I entrust my daughter to you; she can grow during your journey. At the same time, I will infuse some energy into your azure flute to help you face future challenges."
The small Ho-Oh flew closer curiously, tilting its head and saying telepathically: "Father says you are very powerful, my name is Xiao Feng. Can I go on an adventure with you?"
Ash was moved. He knew Ho-Oh's choice was not simple, especially with Xiao You also knowing these secrets. "Of course, I will take good care of you," Ash responded gently.
Xiao You also joined the conversation: "Xiao Feng, you'll love our journey. We have a small world with many Fire-type Pokémon there."
The large Ho-Oh nodded, telepathically infusing energy into Ash's azure flute—a mysterious device hidden on Ash's person.
Energy surged in like a warm current, and Ash felt his power increase. "Remember, protect her," the large Ho-Oh said, then flapped its wings and flew into the sky, disappearing into the clouds.
Ash and Xiao You watched it depart, then turned to the small Ho-Oh. "Come on, Xiao Feng, let's go to my small world," Ash said.
They entered the small world again, this time heading straight for the Fire-type Pokémon region. The sight there was magnificent: Charizard circled in the air, Ninetales lay lazily by the volcano, and hundreds of Fire-type Pokémon coexisted harmoniously.
"Welcome, Xiao Feng. This is your new home," Ash said to the small Ho-Oh.
The small Ho-Oh flew around excitedly, telepathically saying: "Wow, so many friends! Thank you, Ash."
Pikachu also chirped friendly: "Pikachu! (Let's all play together!)"
Xiao You smiled and said: "Ash, your small world is getting livelier and livelier. Come on, once we're settled, let's continue our journey."
They spent some time allowing the small Ho-Oh to adapt to its environment. The small Ho-Oh quickly made friends with the nearby Fire-type Pokémon. Once everything was settled, Ash and Xiao You left the small world and continued their journey towards Viridian City.
On the forest road, Xiao You and Ash chatted. "Ash, why do you think the large Ho-Oh specifically chose you? Is it because of Arceus?" Xiao You asked.
"Probably, it wants to curry favor with Arceus. I'm just an ordinary Trainer," Ash said modestly.
"Don't be modest, you're the Child of the Planes!" Xiao You teased.
Along the way, they encountered trouble. A Jenny stopped them. She was wearing a police uniform, with a Growlithe by her side. "Wait a minute, you two. Team Rockets has been active in this area recently, stealing Trainers' Pokémon, and they've been wanted. You two look suspicious."
Ash and Xiao You were startled. Xiao You quickly explained: "We're innocent! We're from Pallet Town."
Jenny said sternly: "Prove it. Jessie, James, and Meowth of Team Rockets are too rampant, I need to verify."
Ash took out a pre-recorded video proof from Professor Oak from his backpack. It was a small device that played a hologram of Professor Oak. "I am Professor Oak, Ash is my student, he is trustworthy," Professor Oak said with a smile in the video.
Jenny checked it and breathed a sigh of relief: "Alright, you can go. But be careful of Team Rockets."
They continued on, and as dusk fell, they finally arrived at the Pokémon Center in Viridian City. The Center was brightly lit, and Joy was attending to other Trainers.
Xiao You first called her mother, Xiao Ying. "Mom, Ash and I have safely arrived in Viridian City. We encountered some things in the forest, but everything is handled," Xiao You said.
Xiao Ying's voice came from the other end of the phone: "Xiao You, remember to be careful. You and Ash are childhood friends, and Delia (Ash's mother) and I are relieved. But don't take too many risks."
Ash also called Delia. "Mom, I'm fine. We just arrived in Viridian City," Ash said.
Delia asked with concern: "Ash, did you encounter any Pokémon on the way? Remember to catch more and send them to Professor Oak."
Afterward, Ash called Professor Oak again. "Ash, you must catch more Pokémon and send them back! Don't Slack Off just because the League unlocked your carrying limit," Professor Oak's voice sounded excited.
Ash hesitated for a moment: "Professor, I recently encountered a small Ho-Oh. It's very special, I won't send it back."
Professor Oak exclaimed: "A small Ho-Oh?! That's a legendary Pokémon! Send it back quickly for me to research!"
"No, Professor. It's my partner," Ash said firmly, and hung up the phone, even though Professor Oak was still wailing.
That night, they rested at the Pokémon Center. Suddenly, the alarm bells rang. The Team Rockets trio—Jessie, James, and Meowth—had secretly infiltrated, attempting to steal Pokémon.
"Hehe, this time we're going to make a fortune!" Jessie whispered.
James nodded: "Yes, once we get the Pokémon, we'll be rich!"
Meowth added in human language: "Stop talking, let's move!"
Ash and Pikachu immediately became alert. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded.
"Pika! (Understood!)" Pikachu unleashed a Thunderbolt, sending the trio flying.
"Blasted off again!" Jessie yelled.
James wailed: "We'll be back next time!"
They disappeared into the night sky, and Ash and Xiao You breathed a sigh of relief. "These guys are so annoying," Xiao You said.
The next morning, they left Viridian City. The Viridian Gym required seven badges to challenge, so they decided to go to Pewter City first.
"Xiao You, let's go. The next adventure awaits us!" Ash said excitedly.
Xiao You smiled and nodded: "Yes, let's hit the road together!"