Chapter 150

Bai Shijie—

From the manager of the A-Si Pavilion, Ash learned that the Whirl Islands are a small island group between Cerulean City and Saffron City.

The Whirl Islands have many legends, and mysterious Pokémon are said to exist there.

Ash and his friends took a boat to the Whirl Islands, but at first the Team Rocket Trio disguised themselves as servants and caused trouble. When Ash and his friends were swallowed by the whirlpool, that mysterious Pokémon emerged and calmed the currents.

Thus, it saved Ash and his friends.

【Fuhurola: Lugia? Ash and his friends encountered Lugia again!】

【Ash: Uh, uh, I wasn't really paying attention then, and Lugia didn't show itself.】

【Xiaoxia: At that time, we really didn't know it was Lugia—it was very fast, and we only caught a fleeting glimpse of its shadow, making it hard to tell if it was Lugia. Besides, Professor Oak sent Pokémon to rescue us then, so we just forgot about that fleeting shadow Pokémon.】

【Professor Oak: Oh, I didn't see Lugia on the boat either—maybe it ran off. The shadow you saw might just be this island's legendary Pokémon.】

Along the way, Professor Oak passed by, brought Ash and his friends aboard his ship, asked about their journey, and also told them about the tournament being held in the Whirl Islands.

Ash and his friends arrived at Kouga City on Qingyan Island, where they noticed the island was unusually lively. According to Professor Oak, the Whirl Islands Tournament, held once every three years, was currently underway—also known as the Water-Type Pokémon Competition. The rules are actually simple: it's just a standard Pokémon battle, but only Water-type Pokémon may be used.

Anything related to Water types naturally caught Xiaoxia's interest, while Ash was interested in the competition. At that moment, he happened to have a Water-type Pokémon, Krokorok, in his hand.

The Team Rocket Trio appeared again, using a large net above the Pokémon Center to snag many Water-type Pokémon.

This time, it wasn't Ash who stepped in to rescue the Pokémon—it was Professor Oak's Sun Coral that bravely stepped forward, successfully saving Pikachu and the captured Water-type Pokémon.

Xiaoxia watched from the side, utterly fascinated, and grew very fond of Sun Coral, always wanting to capture it.

The next day, Ash and his friends saw a group of Sun Coral on the road. Xiaoxia wanted to capture it, so she followed them to Daibobo Island.

Along the way, they also encountered the administrator of Daibobo Island and spoke with Professor Oak on the phone.

Professor Oak and his team were also unsure whether the plump Pidgey on Daibobo Island had evolved or degenerated. In the end, they were just overweight Pidgey, and no one knew what would happen to them in the future, so they established a sanctuary where people could observe these overweight Pidgey.

This island is called Daibobo Island because the Pidgey living here are much larger than those elsewhere, and due to their excessive weight, they can no longer fly.

The main reason is that the whirlpools on the sea surface have isolated Daibobo Island, leaving its Pidgey without natural predators, allowing them to live peaceful, carefree lives.

Because of this lifestyle, the Pidgey keep eating and getting fatter. Gradually, due to their weight, they can no longer take flight. Going forward, they haven't undergone special training—they just live leisurely, and flying has become something they can hardly achieve.

However, among the many Pidgey on Daibobo Island, there is one small Pidgey.

It is a normal Pidgey—normal in size and flight ability—and it holds a very inspiring dream: it wants to fly toward the sun and into the unknown sky.

Upon learning of this little Pidgey's dream, Feitai joined it in training every day.

The Team Rocket Trio, hiding outside, also admired the little Pidgey's spirit, so they offered their hot air balloon, allowing everyone to fly alongside it.

Having thought of a plan, the Team Rocket Trio sprang into action: Meowth spoke with the Pidgey, gave it a headset, and chatted with it about flying.

With the Team Rocket Trio's help, the little Pidgey gave its all, ignoring everyone's dissuasion, and flew to an unprecedented height—higher than any normal bird could reach—where it saw the living planet, stars, and the sun.

The watching crowd, moved by the little Pidgey's struggle for its dream, felt a deep emotional stir.

Soon after, the little Pidgey plummeted at high speed. Meowth rushed over and used the hot air balloon to catch it.

The little Pidgey woke up, but the hot air balloon had been torn when it fell, so they crashed.

Back on the ground, the plump Pidgey flapped their wings and jumped about, having seen the little Pidgey soar into the sky. Their hearts boiled with passion—they, too, wanted to fly like the little Pidgey.

The plump Pidgey now saw the little Pidgey fly, remembered they were Pokémon with wings, recalled what they once were, and dreamed of one day flying through the sky.

【Meowth: What a determined Pidgey! When striving for a dream, that's when one is happiest—I'm the same, meow!】

【Brock: Thanks again, Team Rocket Trio! The little Pidgey doesn't know when it'll fly to the sky it longs for, and those plump Pidgey don't know when they'll remember they're flying Pokémon!】

【Professor Oak: Environment greatly influences Pokémon. Those plump Pidgey live carefree on the island, and some abilities have gradually degenerated. If this continues long-term, even if they want to fly again, it will be very difficult!】

Fortunately, the little Pidgey's flight inspired them. They now dream of flying in the sky, and surely, before long, those plump Pidgey will fly together!】

【Brock: If it weren't for the little Pidgey inspiring them, over time, would those plump Pidgey turn into forms seen elsewhere?】

【Professor Oak: Uh, uh, that's possible—they might become flightless Pidgey. By then, the Pokédex might need updating.】

Besides, there are still many unknown Pokémon in this world that the Pokédex hasn't recorded.】

【Professor Mulán: Regional forms of Pokémon are changes in appearance, type, or ecology that occur to adapt to a region's unique natural environment.】

Take Team Rocket's Meowth, for example: in our Galar region, Meowth has a different form.】

It has been living with a warlike seafaring people for a long time, so its body has turned black iron in places, the gold coin on its forehead grows darker and harder, and it can earn respect from its companions.】

Black-black Meowth?】

Musashi and Kojiro fantasized: if Meowth became like that, it might be even stronger.】

But before they finished fantasizing, Meowth hurriedly said: "Such an ugly Meowth—Sakaki Boss would never like it!"】

Ash and his friends from Bai Shijie took a transport ship from Zhina Town on Qingyan Island to Huangyan Island. This island got its name from the yellow rocks everywhere. It's not a tourist spot, but rather an island developing orchards, using Pokémon for farming, terraces, and aquaculture. The name comes from the yellow stone slabs and rocks here, and the people greatly favor yellow-colored Pokémon.】

In Meiji City, there are many places making coral handicrafts. The horns on Sun Coral's head fall off, and handicrafts are basically made from those horns.】

Since there are so many handicrafts made from Sun Coral's head horns here, there must be many Sun Coral. Xiaoxia is eager and wants to capture the Sun Coral she's long desired.】

Coincidentally, they saw a house washed away by floodwaters and a little girl calling for help from atop it. They learned her house had been hit by Sun Coral, causing her family's Sun Coral to escape.】

After helping the girl find the Sun Coral, Xiaoxia sent out her Mosquito Kid to battle it.】

After a battle, Xiaoxia finally captured the Sun Coral.】

Later, Ash and his friends missed the boat to Chiyan Island and were at a loss, when the kind-hearted Lujia noticed their difficulty and offered to take them by boat to Chiyan Island.】

On the way, they discovered Lujia wanted to find the legendary Silver Feather, but that place is guarded by Giant-Wing Flying Fish and Cannon Fish.】

But at that moment, the Team Rocket Trio appeared—whenever Ash and his friends are in trouble, they always show up to help Ash solve problems.】

Originally, the Giant-Wing Flying Fish and Cannon Fish guarded the sunken ship to protect the Cannon Fish baby inside. With the Team Rocket Trio's help, Ash and his friends obtained the legendary Silver Feather.】

Lujia also said she would one day uncover the true identity of the Pokémon that possesses such feathers.】

【Professor Oak: Silver Feather? This feather should belong to Lugia!】

I remember Black Ash's Lugia gave him a Silver Feather to thank him for helping save the world—but Black Ash never took it out!】

Arriving at Kaka City on Chiyan Island, Ash and Xiaoxia were enthusiastic about the Whirl Islands Tournament and full of confidence in winning the Whirl Islands Cup championship.】

In the preliminary stage, Ash and Xiaoxia faced relatively weak opponents, allowing them to pass easily and advance to the next round.】

The preliminary matches were over, and then came the official matches; the opponents later on became much stronger, but Ash and Xiaoxia each won against their opponents in different ways, and they all advanced to the next round of battle.

But unexpectedly, the next round match was a battle between the two of them.

Afterwards, Ash sent out his Sawshark and Giant Pincer Crab.

Finally, Golduck exerted its strength, using a Psychic-type move, and directly KO'd the Giant Pincer Crab.

The match came to an end, Xiaoxia lost to Miss Gao Mei, and finally, Gao Mei was defeated by a male Trainer in the final, thus missing out on the Championship.

Changpu walked up to Xiaoxia's side and, with a tone that was both serious and somewhat mysterious, said to Xiaoxia: "I know why your brother-in-law lost!"

Upon hearing this, Xiaoxia was slightly startled, then turned her head to look at Changpu, a flash of curiosity and puzzlement crossing her eyes.

"Isn't it just that Golduck defeated him?"

Mu Dan was intently staring at the Light Screen.

"You wouldn't be saying that your brother-in-law deliberately lost to Xiaoxia, would you?"

Yinghua raised her eyebrows slightly.

"Your brother-in-law has been traveling with Xiaoxia all along, and he knows Golduck's abilities well—he knows that when Golduck has a headache, it will unleash a powerful Psychic move, yet he still let the Giant Pincer Crab clamp down on Golduck's head."

After Changpu said that, they suddenly understood: this brother-in-law has always remembered Xiaoxia's seriousness in Water-type matches, and perhaps he wanted to appropriately hold back, letting Xiaoxia advance.

With that thought, Ash's image in their minds changed.

Is that so?

Xiaoxia fell into deep thought, a hint of doubt in her eyes, the corners of her mouth slightly lifting, a warm current surging in her heart.

The White Light Screen dimmed, and the Black Light Screen lit up.

Ash and his companions also went to the Whirl Islands to take a look, because the Electric Dragon at the Asagi Gym had not yet fully recovered.

And Xiaoxia, upon hearing that the Whirl Islands were holding a Water-type Pokémon competition, immediately became excited and wanted to participate.

Having noticed Team Rocket tailing them, Ash drove Team Rocket away, confirmed that Team Rocket had done nothing to the ship, and then boarded the ship with peace of mind.

While sailing, they also saw many whirlpools, turning the boat this way and that.

"Mosquito Incense Brother, Sawshark..."

Xiaoxia took out their Poké Balls, intending to let them help get out of the predicament, but Ash stopped her.

Looking at Ash in puzzlement, she saw him slightly shake his head, his eyes flashing with an unusual light.

Ash's gaze passed over Xiaoxia and fixed on the huge black shadow that flashed across the sea surface. That black shadow was like a ghost in the night, fleeting in an instant.

"What is that?" Brock exclaimed in surprise.

As the black shadow disappeared, the whirlpools that had originally surrounded them seemed to lose their power as well, gradually calming down.

Ash took out a feather emitting a soft silver glow.

The silver feather in his hand was one he had previously received from Lugia in the Orange Islands; and now, as the black shadow flashed across the sea surface, the silver feather's glow became even more dazzling, seemingly related to Lugia.

The waveform sensed through vibration was somewhat similar to that of Lugia, and Lugia's appearance could be sensed by him through the silver feather.

"Hoo!"

Could the legendary Pokémon of the Whirl Islands be Lugia?

Seeing that Xiaoxia and Brock were somewhat doubtful, Ash nodded in confirmation and explained to Xiaoxia and Brock the mysterious connection between the silver feather and Lugia.

Just like the Rainbow Feather!

【Ash: Having Ho-Oh's Rainbow Feather makes one the Rainbow Hero; then what is having Lugia's Silver Feather called?】

【Xiba: I don't know what it's called, but I've heard that this silver feather can summon Lugia.】

【Fuluola: Ash has received the Sea God's approval, so naturally he can summon it!】

During the conversation, Xiaoxia saw a group of Sun Coral swimming by, and she was deeply attracted, a surge of impulse rising in her heart—she just wanted to capture the Sun Coral.

First, go to the Pokémon Center in Kauka City to restore stamina; the Whirl Islands Grand Tournament hasn't started yet, so there's still some time—let's first go capture the Sun Coral.

Ash suddenly recalled his conversation with Professor Oak.

Excitedly telling Xiaoxia and Brock: "Right, when I chatted with Professor Oak earlier, I learned that nearby there is Big Wave Island. It's said that the Big Wave there differs in size from ordinary Wave, and moreover, they don't fly!"

Non-flying Wave... they haven't seen that yet; taking advantage of the tournament not having started, they can go take a look.