"Hahaha! It's been a long time since I've met a young man with such... vibrant energy."
Professor Oak let out a hearty laugh as he reached into his lab coat and pulled out a Poké Ball. "Very well, I'll give you a chance. If you can defeat this Pokémon, I'll entrust the task of field research and capture to you."
Feng Che's primary objective was to get onto Oak's boat. If Giovanni was the King of the Underground, Professor Oak was the ultimate shadow boss of the League. With Oak's endorsement, Feng Che could move through critical League facilities without hindrance—he'd just need to drop the Professor's name. Plus, rumor had it that Oak and Agatha still had... lingering ties.
"Go, Spearow!"
Oak released a Spearow—a rough-looking avian Pokémon with a brown mane and a hooked beak like a bird of prey. It let out a sharp, aggressive cry. Spearow were known for their recklessness; they would charge even the largest opponents to defend their territory.
"Spearow, huh? Then I'll go with Arbok."
Feng Che released Ditto. The "snake" flicked its tongue, baring its fangs at the hovering bird. Before the match even officially started, Ditto used Glare.
Spearow was caught off guard. Golden sparks of paralysis instantly crackled across its wings, and it fell to the ground with a dull thud.
Professor Oak: "..." Feng Che: "..." Ditto-Arbok: ...Is this bird that weak? It went down before I even moved.
Oak's Spearow must be out of practice, Feng Che thought. A Level 43 Spearow with Mirror Move should be a lot faster.
The Spearow lay on the ground, struggling. It even used one wing to cover its face in sheer embarrassment.
"Professor, it seems Spearow still wants to fight. I'm an Alchemist; I have a Parlyz Heal here," Feng Che said sincerely.
"That would be a help. It seems he's quite frustrated." Oak administered the medicine, and Spearow quickly regained its mobility.
"You've raised it well, but the luster of its feathers is a bit dull," Feng Che noted. "Try feeding it some Persim Berries mixed with iron supplements."
"Haha! You're right. I've been so busy with research that I've neglected its diet," Oak said, looking at Feng Che with growing admiration. This boy's observation skills were razor-sharp, and he clearly knew his Pokémon husbandry.
"Since he's recovered, let's go again. Spearow, Fury Attack!"
Spearow took to the sky, its speed creating afterimages that looked like a dozen birds diving at once. Its beak struck Arbok's scales like a jackhammer, sending sparks flying.
"Impossible... Spearow's beak can pierce steel plates, but your Arbok's scales aren't even scratched!" Oak exclaimed. "How did you cultivate its defense?"
"Specialized energy blocks of my own formulation," Feng Che replied vaguely. In truth, he didn't fully understand Ditto's biology himself—the blob was just naturally sturdy, likely from eating everything in sight.
Ditto-Arbok let out a bored yawn, treating the barrage like a light massage.
"Spearow, use Whirlwind! Don't let him look down on us!" Oak shouted, his old competitive fire reignited. This wasn't just a test anymore; it was a duel.
Spearow flapped its wings violently, conjuring a massive tornado that sucked up sand, grass, and even passing clouds.
"Arbok, Iron Tail."
Ditto's tail turned a shimmering silver. It swung with the force of a falling mountain, striking the "eye" of the tornado. The vortex shattered into chaotic gusts of air. A group of passing Pidgey were caught in the backdraft and fell toward the ground, unconscious.
"Catch them, Arbok!"
In a flash, Ditto-Arbok stretched its body, creating a soft "net" that caught the falling Pidgey before they hit the dirt. The small birds chirped gratefully, seemingly unafraid of the giant cobra.
"I admit it. Your strength is beyond question, Feng Che," Oak said, nodding. "You don't need badges to prove your worth. Here is your Pokédex."
Oak handed over the red high-tech device. "Capture as many different species as you can. If you find regional variants or unique colorations, bring them to me. I'll also grant you Special Authorization to bypass the six-Pokémon carry limit."
This was exactly what Feng Che wanted. "Thank you, Professor. Do you have any specific requirements for the Pokémon I bring back?"
"Just follow your instincts, but aim for high potential," Oak said simply.
As Feng Che left the lab, he spotted a boy hiding in the bushes. It was the future Champion—Red.
"What are you doing there? Are you a local?" Feng Che asked the "invisible" boy.
Red jumped out, tossing aside a branch. "Whoa! Are you a trainer too? Did the Professor give you a Pokémon?"
"No. I'm a researcher under his commission," Feng Che replied.
"You must be really strong then! Can we have a battle? I want to see how I stack up!" Red said, eyes burning with determination.
"Sure. Let's go."
Red sent out Poliwhirl, and Feng Che sent out Froakie.
"Poliwhirl, Water Gun!" Red's starter fired a jet that was nearly the strength of a Hydro Pump.
"Froakie, Water Whip!" Froakie manifested a two-meter whip that coiled around Poliwhirl's arm. With a sharp tug, it threw the larger frog off balance.
"Ice Beam!" Red countered. Poliwhirl pointed at the whip, freezing the water solid. Red yanked his arm back, shattering the ice, and aimed an Ice Beam at the wet ground around Froakie, hoping to trap it.
"Jump! Water Shuriken!"
Froakie leaped high and unleashed a barrage of compressed water stars that pinned Poliwhirl to the ground.
"That's enough, Froakie." Feng Che stopped the fight. "Your Poliwhirl is talented, but it needs more structured training. Here, take this energy block recipe; it'll help it grow more effectively."
He handed a slip of paper to a stunned Red.
"Thank you! My name's Red! What's yours?"
"Feng Che. Maybe we'll meet again at the end of the road," Feng Che said, waving a hand as he walked toward the town exit.
I need to get to Johto, he thought. The Legendary Bird Project is about to start, followed by the Elite Four rebellion. Kanto is about to burn. I need to be strong enough to stand above the ashes.
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