I'll post the second update in the morning—right now, I'm curled up checking out what deals there are for Singles' Day.

Chapter One: VS Chubby Owls, Curly Owls, and Crest Owls

"Ahhh—!" The morning tranquility of the small town was shattered by shrill screams. A group of children, in their quest to capture the elusive Sunnyma lurking in the treetops, disturbed a flock of resting Chubby Owls. The enraged Chubby Owls, without a second thought, charged straight at the children!

"Help!" shouted Little Wood.

"Everyone, send out your Pokémon!" called Little Tree.

"Go, Pidgey, use Whirlwind!" Little Ting released her Pidgey.

Pidgey unleashed its Whirlwind, but the move barely fazed the overwhelming flock of Chubby Owls. Their anger only intensified; each owl struck with its wings, knocking the children to the ground.

"Chimchar, use Ember!" A youth released his Chimchar from behind the group. The Ember attack hit the leader of the Chubby Owls dead-on. Sensing the tide had turned, the Chubby Owls scattered and fled.

"Thank you, Brother Qin!" The children leapt up, cheering as the Chubby Owls were driven away.

"No need. Remember, be more cautious when capturing Pokémon in the future." Qin, as he was called, helped each fallen child to their feet.

"Qin, pretending to be a hero saving kids again, huh?" joked Little Tian, who stood about as tall as Qin.

"Get lost!" Qin replied with a laugh.

This youth, Qin, was fourteen years old—the finest Pokémon Trainer in the town. The comedic Little Tian was his trusted assistant and longtime companion. Today, they planned to officially embark on their journey, aiming to defeat all Gym Leaders and Elite Champions.

"I suppose… we should almost—" Qin began, but was interrupted.

"Hey, look behind!" Little Tian's expression shifted to surprise.

"What is it…" Qin turned to see the leader of the Chubby Owls, now accompanied by several Curly Owls and Crest Owls, charging toward them.

"Those are the evolved forms and final evolutions of Chubby Owls!" exclaimed Little Tian.

The Pokémon hovered rapidly overhead, circling but refraining from attacking.

"Um… you two kids up front!" A black-clad youth, a little older than Qin, called out from behind a tree.

"Who are you calling kids?!" Little Tian protested.

"Have you seen this person?" The youth tossed them a photograph.

"What’s this?" Qin and Tian leaned in. The photo was of a cute little girl.

"Have you seen her?" asked the youth.

The two exchanged glances and replied, "No," handing the photo back.

Suddenly, the circling Curly Owls and Crest Owls swooped down!

"Watch out!" Qin shouted.

The youth swiftly released Milotic.

"Blizzard!" he commanded.

Milotic let out a long cry and unleashed Blizzard from its mouth, blasting the Curly Owls and Crest Owls, knocking them to the ground.

"Good work, return!" The youth recalled Milotic.

"You’re amazing…" Qin exclaimed in awe.

The youth said nothing more and vanished into the forest.

Chapter Two: VS Cricket Warriors!

After bidding farewell to their parents, Qin and Tian set out on their journey at dusk.

"Er, what’s the nearest city?" Qin asked Tian.

"Mmm… mmm mmm…" Tian was chewing on an enormous pancake.

"What are you doing?!" The irritating sound of Tian’s chewing made Qin turn his head. Tian was swallowing the pancake, most of it still hanging out of his mouth.

Tian pointed at the pancake, mumbling.

"Honestly! Crobat!" Qin released his Crobat.

"Poison Cross Slash!" Qin commanded.

Crobat spread its wings and slashed at the pancake in Tian’s mouth with Poison Cross Slash!

"Ugh…" Tian let out a long groan, and the pancake flew out.

"Cough… thanks!" Tian finally caught his breath.

"How can you choke on a pancake?" Qin said, recalling Crobat.

"But…" Tian started to explain the cause of his choking.

"Ding~~~~" A crisp sound floated through the air.

"What’s that…?" Qin was alert.

"No idea. Ignore it. Anyway, listen to my story—" Tian seemed more interested in his near-choking experience.

"Wait, that sounded like a musical instrument." Qin recalled the sound carefully.

"An instrument? Impossible, there’s nobody here!" Tian replied.

"What if it’s a Pokémon?" Qin wondered.

"Pokémon playing instruments? That’s hilarious… ha ha~" Tian actually burst out laughing.

"It’s not funny…" Qin was used to Tian’s dry humor.

Suddenly, two Pokémon leapt out from the grass.

"Cricket Warriors!" Tian exclaimed.

"Ding~~~~" The Cricket Warriors tapped their antennae together.

"So it was the Cricket Warriors making the sound… See, I guessed right!" Qin waved triumphantly at Tian.

"Fine, you win!" Tian pouted, noticing the two Cricket Warriors charging toward him.

"What are you doing?!" Tian was startled by their actions.

"Move!" Qin pushed Tian aside.

The Cricket Warriors, furious, charged at them again.

"Why are they so angry?!" Tian asked as he fled.

"Maybe because you mocked their musical skills!" Qin replied.

"I was just joking!" Tian shouted as he ran.

"Chimchar, stop them! Tian, send out your Pokémon!" Qin yelled.

Tian stopped and released Prinplup.

"Chimchar, use Ember!" Qin commanded.

Chimchar spat Ember at the Cricket Warriors, but it didn’t seem to do much damage.

"How is that possible? Bug-types should fear fire!" Qin was shocked.

Tian checked his Pokédex and said, "Those two are around level 30!"

"Oh no!" Qin groaned.

"Prinplup, use Bubble Beam!" Tian called.

The Cricket Warriors countered the bubbles with Bug Scissors, shattering them.

"Damn!" Tian cried.

"Chimchar, Ember again!" Qin ordered.

Chimchar leapt onto the head of one Cricket Warrior and unleashed Ember at close range.

"Great, that was super effective!" Tian cheered.

Unexpectedly, the Cricket Warrior stood up, even angrier, and charged at them.

"There’s no way! The level difference is too great!" Qin said.

"Damn…" Qin and Tian lamented.

Suddenly, a bright light shone from Chimchar’s body—it was evolving!

"Wow! It evolved!" Tian exclaimed.

"Yes! Monferno, use Ember!" Qin was invigorated by his newly evolved Monferno.

The power of evolution was undeniable: one Ember knocked out the Cricket Warriors!

"Go! Poké Ball!" Qin threw the ball with his signature flair.

The ball shook two or three times and stopped.

"Why can’t I catch them?" Tian complained.

Qin turned gloomily.

"What’s… wrong?" Tian was startled.

"It’s all because of your careless words! You idiot!" Qin was furious.

"Don’t be mad—your Chimchar only evolved because of that!" Tian yelled as he ran.

"That’s beside the point!" Qin chased after him.

…

Chapter Three: VS Steel Totem!

Qin and Tian, heading toward their first Gym, finally arrived at a small town near their destination.

Just then, a cute little girl approached.

"Look at that girl, she seems…!" Tian tugged at Qin’s sleeve.

"Hmm?" Qin stared at the girl, feeling she looked familiar.

Tian quickly pulled out the photo the black-clad boy had given him.

"Exactly the same!" Qin exclaimed.

Tian hurried forward, "Hi, little sister, are you…?"

"Hello, I’m Irene," the girl replied with a smile.

"Do you know this person?" Tian handed Irene the mysterious boy’s photo.

"How do you have his photo…?" Qin asked.

"Ha ha, I took it secretly!" Tian laughed.

"Honestly, this guy’s definitely cut out to be a gossip reporter…" Qin sweated.

Irene glanced at the photo. "That’s my brother. How do you know him?"

"He… he’s your brother?!" Tian exclaimed.

"Missing siblings are common—no need to be surprised!" Qin said calmly, spreading his hands.

"Who are you calling missing siblings…" Irene retorted coldly.

"Who are you calling missing siblings?!" A shadow leapt down from Milotic.

"It’s you!" Qin exclaimed.

"What, can’t it be me?" the boy replied with a smile.

"Brother!" Irene called stiffly.

"I don’t know your name, but you’re strong—you must be a Pokémon Trainer. I’d like to challenge you!" Qin stepped forward.

The boy smiled. "Alright, I’ll entertain you with a two-on-two match."

Tian thought: This guy is so arrogant…

"I’ll use Milotic," said the boy.

"Go, Skarmory." Qin released Skarmory.

"You attack first," the boy said.

"Skarmory, use Roar!" Qin commanded.

"Hmm…" the boy was taken aback.

Milotic, due to Roar, was forced to switch out, replaced by Steel Totem.

"Damn…" the boy was tense.

Tian observed quietly: Odd—when Steel Totem appeared, Irene’s body flickered like a shadow clone. With Qin’s Skarmory’s strength, it’s impossible to defeat Steel Totem. That guy should be calm, so why is he nervous?

"Skarmory, Air Cutter!" Qin commanded.

"Steel Totem, Iron Defense!" the boy ordered, a bit nervous.

Though Iron Defense resisted Skarmory’s attack, Steel Totem still wobbled, and Irene flickered again as Tian had noticed.

"Hmph, Skarmory, use Steel Wing for a close attack!" Qin commanded.

Skarmory spread its wings and struck fiercely at Steel Totem.

"Return, Steel Totem!" the boy recalled it.

To their surprise, as Steel Totem was recalled, Irene vanished.

"What… what’s going on?" Tian asked.

The boy replied, "As you saw, this Irene is a phantom conjured by my Steel Totem’s psychic powers. I didn’t want Steel Totem to be further injured, so I recalled it."

"But why do that?" Qin asked, recalling Skarmory.

"My sister has been missing for so long, and as her brother, I’ve been powerless…"

The two exchanged glances, saying nothing.

"You’re sharp observers. Glad to meet you… If you hear anything about my sister, please let me know." He handed Qin his contact information.

"Thank you. You’re both promising trainers. Until we meet again." The boy released Milotic and slowly disappeared from their sight.

…

"I guess he had Steel Totem conjure the phantom for psychological comfort," Qin mused.

"Yeah," Tian replied.

"If… he fought with all his strength, you wouldn’t win," Tian said.

"Of course, I only challenged him to get to the bottom of things," Qin said.

…

"Alright, the city’s just ahead," Tian said.

…

Chapter Four: VS Ambidextrous Ape!

Qin and Tian finally arrived at the site of their first Gym—Cassi Town. Naturally, the first thing to do here was… eat burgers?

Qin turned to look:

Tian was standing at the burger stand.

"Five burgers, please!" Tian said.

"F-f-five!" The vendor was surprised.

"I said five, so five it is," Tian replied.

"Sigh… This guy. Every time he gets to a town, the first thing he does is eat!" Qin sighed in exasperation, but he was used to Tian’s voracious appetite.

Just as Tian was about to devour his burgers, a purple shadow flashed before his eyes.

"What the… Ah! My burger’s gone!" Tian exclaimed.

"Hey, vendor, did you steal my burger?!" Tian grabbed the man and demanded.

"Don’t be ridiculous! Your burger’s over there!" The vendor pointed at a nearby tree.

"Huh?" Tian looked where the vendor pointed. A purple Pokémon was devouring his burger in the tree.

"That guy!" Tian was infuriated.

"What’s wrong?" Qin ran over, sensing trouble.

"That thing stole my burger!" Tian pointed angrily at the tree.

"That one?" Qin asked.

"You don’t know. That Ambidextrous Ape is so mischievous—it only knows how to steal food all day," explained the vendor.

"Ambidextrous Ape…?" Qin checked his Pokédex.

"Ambidextrous Ape, the Long-Tailed Pokémon. Uses its tails to pick fruit; its real hands are rarely used."

No sooner had the vendor spoken than a crowd of Cassi Town residents rushed over.

"Scoundrel! Give back my cake!"

"Brat, return my bread!"

"See?" said the vendor.

Tian’s face darkened. "Damn… I’ll never forgive anything that steals my favorite food—burgers!" With that, Tian’s eyes flared with fire.

"Go, Kadabra!" Tian threw a Poké Ball.

"Use Psybeam!" Tian commanded.

Kadabra’s Psybeam shot out, but Ambidextrous Ape easily dodged it.

Ambidextrous Ape charged down.

"Pow pow!" Kadabra was knocked back several steps.

"Double Hit!" Qin cursed.

"Damn! Use Teleport!" Tian shouted.

Kadabra teleported behind Ambidextrous Ape.

Ambidextrous Ape responded by splitting into multiple shadow clones.

"Using Double Team!" Qin noted.

"You won’t get away! Psychic Interference!" Tian commanded furiously.

Ambidextrous Ape’s clones were revealed under Kadabra’s powerful psychic wave.

"Ha! You’re finished! Kadabra, well done!" Tian gloated.

"Hurry, it’s about to attack!" Qin warned.

"Kadabra, give it the final blow! Use Psywave!" Tian saw victory within reach.

But Ambidextrous Ape struck first, dodging Psybeam.

"What… I clearly attacked first!" Tian exclaimed.

"It’s Quick Attack," Qin deduced.

"Damn, priority move?" Tian panted.

Ambidextrous Ape pressed its advantage, using Pursuit!

"Damn, Dark-type moves are bad for Kadabra!" Qin was ready to throw a Poké Ball to help Tian.

"Scyther! Stone Edge!" A figure leapt over Tian’s head.

Stone Edge’s tremendous power sent Ambidextrous Ape flying.

"You are…?" Tian asked in surprise.

"Are you alright?" The man helped Tian up. "Hello, I’m Cassi Town’s Gym Leader—Kaiya!"

"What! You’re the Gym Leader?!" Tian stood up.

Just then, Ambidextrous Ape charged again.

"Monferno! Use Mach Punch!" Qin shouted.

Mach Punch was not only a priority move but also highly effective against the Normal-type Ambidextrous Ape.

"Go, Poké Ball!" Qin threw the ball.

It shook a few times, then stopped.

"Whoo~~ whoo~~!" The cheers of Cassi Town residents rang out.

"This guy is pretty tough…" Qin said, gripping the ball.

"Hello, you must be here to challenge me," Kaiya approached Qin.

"That’s right, but it’s already evening. Let’s wait until tomorrow," Qin replied.

"Alright, I’ll be waiting in the Gym," Kaiya said, leaving with Scyther.

"Let’s go rest at the PC Center," Qin suggested.

"Wait, before resting, there’s something I must do!" Tian declared.

"What?!" Qin asked.

Tian rushed to the burger stand.

"Ten burgers this time!" Tian’s appetite was even greater after battle.

Qin collapsed!

"Haven’t you had enough?!" Qin roared.

"You’ll need one tomorrow for your challenge!" Tian said as he ate.

"I don’t want one!" Qin yelled.

…