Although the Pokémon Center in Celadon City was by the lake, behind it was a small mountain, home to many wild pokémon.
"Woof woof!"
Following Growlithe's 'Odor Sleuth' tracking, Gary and Adrian followed him up the mountain.
The mountain was lush with vegetation and shaded by green trees, a vibrant and lively scene.
Along the way, Adrian saw Oddish, Caterpie, Venonat, and other pokémon; when they saw humans, they timidly hid, afraid of being noticed.
Of course, there were also some bolder pokémon.
For example, in the trees not far away, there were several ape-like pokémon with light yellow fur and pink pig noses, hanging from branches by their long, flexible tails, playing happily.
They were the Fighting-type pokémon—Mankey!
One of the Mankey even wore a baseball cap, presumably snatched from somewhere, and when it saw Adrian, it quickly wiggled its backside and made a face, very mischievous.
However, Adrian didn't bother with them, only focusing on following Growlithe, climbing quickly. Before long, he was sweating profusely and out of breath.
"Your stamina isn't very good!"
Gary, ahead, was breathing steadily. He glanced at Adrian behind him and couldn't help but put his hands on his hips and laugh, "A powerful pokémon trainer must not only train their pokémon but also maintain their own physical fitness. Otherwise, how can you grow alongside your pokémon?"
"Shut up!"
Adrian pouted at his words.
Are you bullying me because my household registration isn't Pallet Town?
Seeing Adrian's exasperated look, Gary couldn't help but be amused, feeling as if he had finally won a round.
After walking a few hundred more meters up the mountain, Growlithe abruptly stopped and barked softly, "Woof woof!"
"It's right ahead!"
Gary stepped forward and pushed aside the bushes. Adrian followed closely, and then both of them saw Pichu not far away.
However, that Pichu was not in good shape; it was surrounded by a Persian and several Meowth.
Because its Lightning Rod could not be controlled freely, it involuntarily attracted the Thunder Punch energy from Nidoking.
But because Pichu's electric sac was not yet fully developed, it couldn't hold all the absorbed electric energy, so it was constantly overflowing, its cheeks full of electric sparks, accompanied by a crackling sound.
"Pi~"
Looking at the Persian constantly closing in, Pichu, already cornered, shivered.
Persian is a quadrupedal pokémon resembling a cat, with a red gem on its forehead, red pupils, and three whiskers on each side of its face.
Although called Persian, it actually resembles a lion more in appearance, with an arrogant and fierce temperament.
In this small mountain, the Persian before them was a tyrant. Due to its habits, it naturally had a tendency to hunt mice.
Before, Pichu could try to make no sound and carefully avoid Persian and the Meowth.
But now, its cheeks were constantly flashing electric sparks and making crackling sounds, making it difficult for Persian not to notice.
And so, Pichu was targeted and now had nowhere to run.
"Pichu~"
Pichu, full of fear, regretted it deeply. If only it had known, it wouldn't have tried to steal from the luxury car.
The fisherman by the lake was easier to steal from, and his bento tasted good too.
"Meow~"
Looking at the trembling Pichu, Persian became playful, slowly stepping forward with elegant strides, though its expression was somewhat fierce and menacing.
"Growli..."
Although Gary was annoyed by Pichu's actions, he couldn't stand to see it bullied by Persian. He was about to order Growlithe to intervene, but then Adrian behind him directly threw out a poké ball.
"Awooo~"
Accompanied by a roar, the massive Gyarados appeared, its terrifying pressure shaking the surroundings.
Growlithe followed closely, baring its teeth at Persian and the Meowth. The latter's expressions changed slightly, and they involuntarily took a few steps back.
Adrian raised an eyebrow, glancing at Growlithe, whose fur was like flames: "Intimidate Ability?"
"Meow meow~"
Facing Growlithe and the massive Gyarados, Persian didn't hesitate at all, choosing to 'play it safe,' turning and leaping into the bushes, disappearing from sight.
Seeing their boss retreat, the remaining four or five Meowth immediately scattered like birds.
"Pi~ Pichu~"
Seeing someone chase away Persian, Pichu immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
But when it saw that the person was Gary, its heart became even more afraid.
Pichu wanted to slip away, but Growlithe, already prepared, blocked its path, baring its teeth and intimidating it to retreat further.
"Gary, what are you going to do with this Pichu?"
Adrian spoke, looking at the still-angry Gary with interest.
"This..."
Gary was momentarily speechless.
Pichu had not only stolen his things but also caused Nidoking's defeat and damaged his car, so Gary was naturally angry.
But as for what to do with it, Gary thought long and hard and realized he truly didn't know how to handle it.
Let Nidoking beat Pichu to vent his anger?
Gary couldn't bring himself to do that!
Catch it and hand it over to Jenny?
That wasn't particularly appropriate either, after all, it had only stolen a few bites of food.
Seeing Gary in a dilemma, Adrian smiled and suggested, "Why don't you just catch it? Then you can keep it by your side every day and discipline it well, as if it's paying off a debt."
"Catch it?"
Gary couldn't help but curl his lip.
Because every time he saw Pichu, Gary couldn't help but think of Ash's Pikachu, and then recall the description in the Pokédex.
Gary, with a proud look, snorted, "A pokémon as common as a stray dog on the street isn't worthy of me catching it."
Adrian smiled, "If you don't catch it, then I'll have to make my move, alright? I quite like this Pichu."
"If you like it, then go ahead and catch it!"
Gary waved his hand magnanimously.
"That's what I was waiting for!"
Adrian chuckled, then waved for Gyarados and Growlithe to retreat. Only then did he walk forward slowly with his hand raised, trying to appear non-threatening.
"Pichu, I mean no harm!"
Seeing the electric sparks on Pichu's cheeks intensifying, Adrian quickly stopped five steps away, afraid of Pichu's stress response.
After all, he wasn't a super true person!
Immediately after, Adrian secretly activated an energy cube and infused it into Pichu.
"Pi?"
"Pichu!!!"
Like Ash's Pikachu, Pichu was startled at first, then quickly became ecstatic, its body swaying precariously.
And perhaps because the energy cube nourished it, causing a small, rapid increase in its physical abilities, the electric arcs flashing on Pichu's electric sac also noticeably diminished, and even the charring on its body faded considerably.
Before long, the energy cube was depleted, and Pichu's eyes regained clarity, but its gaze towards Adrian was filled with undisguised curiosity.
The feeling of being nourished by the energy cube was amazing!
Pichu wanted more!!!
But having lived alone since childhood, and being thin-skinned, it found it hard to ask, thus appearing somewhat shy.
Seeing that the time was ripe, Adrian immediately stated his intention: "Pichu, I really like you. Would you be willing to become my pokémon?"
"As my pokémon, you won't only have food every day and never go hungry, but I can also make you stronger, so you won't be bullied by other pokémon anymore."
Adrian looked at Pichu, like a little devil enticing it, and finally whispered, "Most importantly, you'll also be able to frequently enjoy that... thing from just now."
Pichu had a good impression of Adrian, after all, he had 'treated' it to bento last time, and he seemed kind and honest.
Therefore, when Adrian said the first few sentences, Pichu was already a bit moved.
And when Adrian said it could frequently enjoy the energy cube, Pichu no longer hesitated, immediately nodding frantically, its large eyes blinking rapidly.
Pichu had drifted for half its life without meeting a worthy master.
If you, sir, do not rise, I am willing to pledge myself as your trainer!
"Pichu, are you sure you want to become my pokémon?"
Adrian squatted down, extending his right hand in front of Pichu: "Do you know what this means?"
In the center of his palm was an unusual poké ball.
It was the Luxury Ball rewarded to Adrian when he caught Goldeen.
Pichu didn't speak, merely nodded firmly.
"Alright then! Bear with it, I'm going to recall you now!"
Adrian grinned, lightly tapping Pichu with the poké ball.
Snap!
The poké ball's switch was triggered, and Pichu instantly transformed into a red light and was drawn inside.
"Thump!"
The Luxury Ball didn't shake at all, and the red light extinguished instantly.
Pichu, perfectly caught!
Looking at the poké ball in his hand, Adrian was momentarily dazed.
I caught Pichu!