Deep in the dense forest, sunlight filtered through layers of leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Ash, Xiao You, and Brock were struggling to make their way through the almost pathless woods.
"Pika! (Ash, I think we're lost again!)" Pikachu crouched on Ash's shoulder, its ears twitching anxiously.
"Kirlia~ (The energy flow in this forest is so chaotic)" Kirlia floated beside Ash, her light blue long hair moving without a breeze.
Ash scratched his head and turned to his two companions: "It looks like we really took a wrong turn. The map clearly showed that crossing this forest would lead us to the next town."
Xiao You sighed, put her rotom phone back in her pocket, and said, "It's all your fault for insisting on taking a shortcut. Now even the GPS has no signal." She squatted down and gently stroked Bulbasaur's head, "But it's okay, Bulbasaur can sense the direction of the sun, right?"
"Bulbasaur~ Bulbasaur~ (Yes, the sun is in the west)" The flower bud on Bulbasaur's back swayed slightly.
Suddenly, Lucario perked up its ears, its blue fur bristling slightly: "Lucario (Something's behind the bushes!)"
The three immediately became alert. Brock's Pokémon Geodude had already crossed its arms, taking a defensive stance. The bushes rustled, and an Oddish stumbled out, clearly startled upon seeing the group.
"Oddish! Oddish! (Don't, don't come closer!)" Oddish retreated in a panic, the leaves on its head curling up from nervousness.
Xiao You's eyes lit up: "It's an Oddish! And it looks like it's wild!" She quickly pulled out a Poké Ball, "I'm going to catch it!"
"Wait, Xiao You!" Ash reached out to stop her, but Xiao You had already commanded Bulbasaur to attack.
"Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip!"
Two green vines shot out from the flower bud on Bulbasaur's back, accurately coiling around Oddish. Oddish struggled, trying to release Sleep Powder, but Bulbasaur had already launched Razor Leaf a step ahead.
"Oddish—! (That hurts!)" Oddish was hit by the leaves and fell to the ground, losing its ability to battle.
Xiao You triumphantly pulled out a Poké Ball: "Excellent! Go, Pokémon—"
Just as the Poké Ball was about to touch Oddish, a green figure flashed out of the bushes like lightning, ramming into the Poké Ball with its body. It was a wild Bulbasaur, noticeably larger than a regular Bulbasaur, with an unusually vibrant pink flower bud on its back.
"Bulbasaur! Bulbasaur Bulbasaur! (Don't you dare hurt it!)" The wild Bulbasaur stood in front of Oddish, glaring angrily at Xiao You.
Ash's eyes instantly lit up: "It's a Bulbasaur! And its color is so special!" He excitedly turned to Pikachu, "Pikachu, did you see that?"
"Pika Pika! (I saw it! It looks like a Shinny Pokémon!)" Pikachu also jumped up excitedly.
Xiao You frowned: "Hey, that's my prey!" She pointed at the wild Bulbasaur, "Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip again!"
"Stop, Xiao You!" Ash stood in front of her, "That Oddish is clearly injured, and this Bulbasaur is protecting its companion!"
Xiao You pouted: "Pokémon battles are like this anyway." But she still recalled her Bulbasaur.
The wild Bulbasaur watched the group warily, gently wrapping Oddish with its vines, preparing to leave. Ash quickly stepped forward: "Wait! We mean no harm! I can help heal that Oddish!"
Bulbasaur stopped, scrutinizing Ash suspiciously: "Bulbasaur? (You can understand what I'm saying?)"
"Of course!" Ash squatted down, looking at Bulbasaur at eye level, "My name is Ash, and these are my companions. We're just passing through here and got a little lost."
Bulbasaur's expression softened slightly, but it remained on guard: "Bulbasaur... Bulbasaur Bulbasaur. (Human Trainers are not to be trusted... You should leave here quickly.)"
Just then, Brock's Geodude suddenly gave a warning: "Geodude! (Watch out!)"
Before anyone could react, the ground beneath them suddenly shook violently. They were standing on a rickety suspension bridge, and the decaying ropes began to snap.
"The bridge is collapsing! Run!" Brock shouted.
But it was too late. With a loud crash, the suspension bridge broke in the middle. Ash and Xiao You barely managed to jump to the other side, while Brock plunged into the rushing river below with the broken planks.
"Brock!" Ash clung to the cliff edge, watching helplessly as his friend's figure disappeared into the white rapids.
"Kirlia! (The current is too strong!)" Kirlia tried to rescue him with Confusion, but the distance was too great to do anything.
The wild Bulbasaur watched the scene, hesitated for a moment, and then turned and disappeared into the forest with Oddish.
Xiao You's face was pale: "We have to find Brock!"
Ash clenched his fist: "We'll search downstream along the riverbank! Brock is so strong, he'll definitely be fine!"
Two hours later, an exhausted Ash and Xiao You found a soaking wet Brock by a river bend. Surprisingly, the wild Bulbasaur was also beside him.
"Brock!" Ash rushed over and hugged his friend, "It's so good that you're okay!"
Brock coughed a few times and forced a smile: "Thanks to this Bulbasaur... It pulled me out of the water with its vines."
Bulbasaur awkwardly retreated a few steps: "Bulbasaur... (It was just a coincidence...)"
Ash looked at Bulbasaur gratefully: "Thank you!" He turned to Brock, "How did you end up here?"
Brock pointed into the depths of the forest: "After I was washed ashore here, Bulbasaur took me to a special place... I think you guys should see it."
Following Brock and Bulbasaur, the three passed through a dense thicket, and the scene suddenly opened up before them. A cozy log cabin sat in a forest clearing, surrounded by carefully tended flowerbeds and herb gardens. Several injured Pokémon were basking in the sun in the yard.
"This is..." Xiao You's eyes widened in surprise.
A young woman in a white dress walked out of the house, revealing a gentle smile upon seeing the group: "Hello everyone, I'm Xiao Cui. This is a Pokémon sanctuary, specifically for caring for wild Pokémon injured in battles."
Bulbasaur walked to Xiao Cui's side, eyeing Ash and his group warily: "Bulbasaur Bulbasaur. (There's a Trainer among them who wanted to hurt Oddish.)"
Xiao Cui squatted down and stroked Bulbasaur's head: "I believe they didn't mean to, right?" She looked at Xiao You.
Xiao You lowered her head in shame: "I'm sorry... I wanted to catch Oddish so badly then."
Ash walked over to Oddish, who was lying in a padded basket: "Oddish, are you feeling better?"
"Oddish... (Much better...)" Oddish responded weakly.
Xiao Cui looked at Ash in surprise: "You can understand Pokémon?"
Brock smiled and explained: "That's Ash's special ability, we're all used to it."
Just then, Bulbasaur suddenly perked up its ears: "Bulbasaur! (Someone's coming!)" It rushed to the other side of the yard.
Everyone looked in that direction, only to see three familiar figures stealthily approaching the sanctuary.
"If you ask us so earnestly!"
"We'll tell you with great mercy!"
"To prevent the world from being destroyed!"
"To protect the peace of the world!"
"To embody love and truth, the evil!"
"The adorable and charming villains!"
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"We are Team Rockets, soaring through the galaxy!"
"A white hole, a white tomorrow awaits us!"
"That's right~ Meow!"
"Wobbuffet! (Wobbuffet!)" Wobbuffet jumped out from who knows where.
Ash clenched his fist: "Team Rockets! What do you want?"
Jessie laughed with her hands on her hips: "Of course, we're here to capture these injured Pokémon! They're defenseless now, it's a great opportunity for Team Rockets to strike it rich!"
Xiao Cui's face turned pale: "No! They need rest!"
Bulbasaur angrily stood in front of Team Rockets: "Bulbasaur Bulbasaur! (You won't hurt them!)"
Ash quickly made a decision: "Pikachu, prepare for battle!" He turned to Bulbasaur, "Shall we protect this place together?"
Bulbasaur hesitated for a moment, then nodded firmly: "Bulbasaur! (Okay!)"
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"Bulbasaur, Razor Leaf!"
Golden electricity and sharp leaves simultaneously struck Team Rockets. Jessie and James frantically dodged, but Meowth's fur stood on end from the shock.
"You annoying brats!" James released Weezing, "Use Sludge!"
Purple poisonous mist assailed the group. Xiao Cui quickly shouted: "Be careful! That's poisonous!"
Bulbasaur immediately stood in front of Xiao Cui: "Bulbasaur! (Protect everyone!)" The flower bud on its back suddenly bloomed, releasing a large amount of sweet-smelling powder.
"It's Sweet Scent! It can neutralize the poisonous mist!" Ash exclaimed happily, "Lucario, use Aura Sphere!"
The blue Energy Ball accurately hit Weezing, knocking it back. Seeing the situation was unfavorable, Jessie gritted her teeth: "You got lucky this time! Let's go!"
"Wait, Meow!" Meowth still wanted to say something, but was already being dragged away by Jessie and James.
The sanctuary returned to peace. Bulbasaur lay on the ground, exhausted, its flower bud somewhat wilted. Ash ran over to check its condition: "Are you okay?"
"Bulbasaur... (Just a little tired...)" Bulbasaur barely managed to lift its head.
Xiao Cui looked at Ash gratefully: "Thank you, if it weren't for you..." Her voice choked up slightly.
Ash shook his head: "It's what we should do." He gently stroked Bulbasaur's head, "You're really brave."
Bulbasaur looked at Ash, the wariness in its eyes finally completely gone: "Bulbasaur... (Thank you...)"
As the sun set, all the Pokémon at the sanctuary were safe and sound. Xiao Cui prepared a hot dinner for everyone. After dinner, she suddenly said to Ash: "Ash, I have a favor to ask you."
"What is it?" Ash asked curiously.
Xiao Cui looked at Bulbasaur resting nearby: "I hope you can take Bulbasaur on a journey with you."
"What?" Ash's eyes widened in surprise.
Xiao Cui explained: "Bulbasaur has been guarding the sanctuary here since birth, it has never seen the outside world." Tears welled up in her eyes, "It deserves to see a wider world... And it seems to really trust you."
Bulbasaur walked over, looking at Ash earnestly: "Bulbasaur Bulbasaur. (If you can defeat me, I'll go with you.)"
Ash smiled: "Okay! I accept the challenge!"
Xiao You clapped her hands excitedly: "Great! Is the battle starting?"
Brock consciously stepped aside: "I'll be the referee."
Under the moonlight, the clearing was temporarily transformed into a battle arena. Bulbasaur stood at one end, its gaze resolute. Ash thought for a moment, then pulled out a Poké Ball: "I choose you, Pidgey!"
The silvery-white Shinny Pidgey appeared in the air, its feathers shimmering with an unusual luster in the moonlight.
"Pidgey! (Ready for battle anytime!)" Pidgey's sharp gaze locked onto Bulbasaur.
Brock raised his arm: "Battle start!"
"Bulbasaur, Razor Leaf!"
"Pidgey, use Quick Attack to dodge, then use Hurricane!"
Pidgey dodged the leaf attack with astonishing speed, its wings stirring up a strong current of air. Bulbasaur was blown back a few steps, but quickly regained its balance.
"Bulbasaur Bulbasaur! (Good attack!)" Bulbasaur suddenly released a large amount of powder from its flower bud.
Ash immediately recognized it as Sleep Powder: "Pidgey, blow it away with your wings!"
Pidgey vigorously flapped its wings, blowing the powder back towards Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur quickly closed its eyes to avoid being hit.
"Now, Steel Wing attack!"
Pidgey's wings glinted with a metallic sheen, and it swooped down towards Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur hastily blocked with Vine Whip, but was still knocked back several meters.
"Bulbasaur... (So strong...)" Bulbasaur stood up, panting heavily.
Ash showed an encouraging smile: "Final blow, Pidgey, Sky Attack!"
Pidgey was enveloped in blue-white energy, rushing towards Bulbasaur like a meteor. With a loud crash, Bulbasaur was knocked to the ground.
Brock announced: "Bulbasaur is unable to battle, the winner is Ash and Pidgey!"
Ash immediately ran over to check Bulbasaur's condition: "Are you okay?"
Bulbasaur slowly opened its eyes, revealing a tired but satisfied smile: "Bulbasaur... (I lost... You are strong...)"
Xiao Cui walked over and handed Ash a Poké Ball: "Now it's yours."
Ash took the Poké Ball, looking at Bulbasaur seriously: "Will you travel with me? I promise to show you the most beautiful scenery in the world and introduce you to the best companions!"
Bulbasaur nodded: "Bulbasaur! (I will!)"
The Poké Ball gently touched Bulbasaur's forehead, drawing it inside. The ball didn't even shake once before making the "ding" sound of capture.
Xiao You cheered and jumped up: "Awesome! Ash caught another super strong Pokémon!"
Pikachu also happily climbed onto Ash's shoulder: "Pika Pika! (Welcome new friend!)"
Brock smiled as he watched the scene: "It seems our team has grown stronger."
The next morning, Ash and his group bid farewell to Xiao Cui and the Pokémon at the sanctuary, continuing their journey. A Poké Ball containing Bulbasaur hung from Ash's waist, and sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering golden specks of light on the path ahead of them.
"Bulbasaur~ (The outside world... it's so big~)" Bulbasaur looked at the scenery along the way through the Poké Ball, its voice filled with anticipation.
Ash gently stroked the Poké Ball, a brilliant smile on his face: "This is just the beginning!"