Chapter 7: Each One's Choice

Huo La just pushed open the glass door of the Damu Research Institute and saw Xiao Mao leaning by the reception desk, twirling a pen in his hand; seeing him come in, he simply lifted his chin and gave a polite nod, that smug "I've been here all along" look, no different from usual.

But the next second, when Red's figure appeared at the doorway, Xiao Mao's eyes lit up instantly; the previously nonchalant demeanor immediately contracted a great deal, and he hurried forward, his tone showing obvious delight: "Xiao Chi Ge! Why are you here too? Did you come especially to see me?"

Red's gaze swept over the three Pokemon Eggs displayed in the institute, and he answered with a smile: "Morning, Xiao Mao. I'm also here to claim my initial partner; it just so happens you all came today, so I'll join you."

"Claim an initial partner?" Xiao Mao was taken aback, the pen in his hand halted, "But Xiao Chi Ge, weren't you supposed to set out last year? Why are you only claiming it now?"

Huo La also turned to look at Red, and the confusion in his mind instantly found direction.

He suddenly recalled that last year he had indeed heard townsfolk say that a batch of starter Pokémon bound for Pallet Town had encountered an accident during transport—apparently the trainer escorting them was ambushed, causing one of the Pokémon to be injured and sent back to the breeding base for treatment, which also meant a new trainer that year couldn't receive his initial partner on time.

He hadn't expected that the person was Red.

"It was supposed to be claimed last year, but an accident happened," Red said lightly, as if talking about someone else. "The League said they'd reallocate, and I thought I already had Eevee as a partner, so I wasn't in a hurry. I spent some time getting used to wilderness survival and training with Eevee, and it dragged on until now."

Hearing the name Eevee, Huo La felt another stir in his heart.

He suddenly recalled the scene from three years ago.

At that time he had just taken on a System Task—to catch the Golden Gyarados—so he went daily to the forest stream outside the town.

One time he saw Red squatting under a tree, with an Eevee beside him, patiently guiding the Eevee to practice Electric Flash.

Even just the focus that Eevee displayed three years ago was far stronger than the Pokémon of trainers its age, and after all this time that Eevee might already have evolved into some form—perhaps the highly adaptable Leaf Eevee, or the speed‑focused Jolteon?

"I see," Xiao Mao realized, then raised his familiar proud smile, "When we meet on the battlefield later, I won't lose to you, Xiao Chi Ge!"

"Alright, I'll be waiting for that day," Red said without backing down, a flash of battle excitement in his eyes, then turned to Huo La, "And you, Huo La? You didn't finish outside—are you sure you want to choose Bulbasaur?"

Huo La was about to nod when a footstep echoed from deep within the institute, accompanied by a familiar hearty laugh: "Ha ha, looks like all the little ones are here today!"

Everyone turned and saw Professor Oak in a white lab coat, holding a tablet, walking out of the laboratory, his eyes behind the lenses full of mirth.

"Grandpa, that's not right—it's not 'everyone's here'; that Ash kid might still be sleeping in bed right now!" Xiao Mao crossed his arms, addressing the emerging Professor Oak, his tone full of disdain for the old rival, though his eyes held a familiar competitive spark.

Professor Oak heard this, scanned the three faces, then, as if suddenly realizing, patted his forehead: "Oh, it's Red! Your outfit is so similar to Ash's usual style, I almost mistook you for him a moment ago."

He waved his hand with a smile, then recalled something, his tone a bit hesitant: "But since you're here too, that works out. At the institute, the Pokémon you can claim, including the one for you, total four. Come, follow me and have a look."

As he spoke, Professor Oak led the three of them deeper into the institute, stopping before a device set with transparent glass—inside were three neatly arranged red‑and‑white Pokeballs.

Xiao Mao stepped forward, glanced, and immediately frowned: "Grandpa, didn't you say there were four? Why are there only three Pokeballs here?"

"Ahem, that fourth one…" Professor Oak scratched the back of his head awkwardly, his greying hair swaying, "It isn't one of the League‑provided starter Pokémon for beginners, and it's particularly stubborn, disliking being inside a Pokeball. I was afraid it would throw a fit, so I temporarily placed it in the Ecology Room at the back."

Huo La followed the direction indicated by Professor Oak, looking toward the room marked "Ecological Observation Area," and instantly had an answer in mind.

That Pokémon that dislikes staying in a Pokeball and has a bad temper is most likely Ash's future partner—the battle‑power‑unknown Pikachu!

He didn't really intend to 'snatch' Pikachu—after all, in his memory Ash's bond with Pikachu is unique, and he already has an A+ Aptitude, plus an upgradable Iron Shell Kun.

But he couldn't help being curious: as the Pikachu that has traveled with Ash across regions and even faced Divine Beasts, what level of aptitude does it possess? Is it near‑Quasi‑Divine SS-Grade, or something even rarer?

Xiao Mao clearly wasn't interested in that 'non‑starter' Pokémon; he turned to Red, his tone carrying a hint of first‑come‑first‑served enthusiasm: "Xiao Chi Ge, Huo La has already decided on Bulbasaur, I won't contest the Grass‑type. Of the remaining… Charmander and Squirtle, which do you want?"

Red's gaze swept over the three labeled Pokeballs in the device, then he looked up at Professor Oak, who smiled and nodded, and he said confidently: "If possible, I'd like to choose Charmander."

He paused, then added: "I already have a Jolteon, and the Electric Type pairs well with Fire Type—whether for damage output or supplemental damage, it makes a solid combo."

"Jolteon?" Xiao Mao raised an eyebrow, a flash of surprise in his eyes, then reverted to his usual pride, "Looks like you haven't been idle this year! But even if you have Jolteon and Charmander, I still won't lose!"

Huo La silently nodded beside them.

Sure enough, the Eevee he saw three years ago had already evolved into a Jolteon. The Electric Type's speed combined with the Fire Type's burst power meant Red's initial lineup was offensively maxed from the start.

"Alright, since Xiao Chi Ge chose Charmander, I'll take Squirtle!" Xiao Mao decided immediately, his tone carrying a deliberately targeted edge, "Water‑type counters Fire‑type; if we meet, I can test how strong my Squirtle is, though your Charmander might still be stronger!"

Professor Oak, watching the three youths' fighting spirit, couldn't help laughing: "Alright, alright, it's good to have drive! But don't rush to clash yet; I'll release the Pokémon you chose, and you can get familiar with them first."

As he said so, Professor Oak reached out and pressed the button on the device, and the three Pokeballs simultaneously emitted white light.

Accompanied by crisp cries, Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle appeared before everyone in turn.

At that very moment, a faint "Pika‑pika" sound drifted from the Ecology Room, as if curious about the commotion outside.