Chapter 112: Where It All Began

The movie playing in the cinema today was titled "Pokémon Love."

Hu Yang bought a few buckets of popcorn and ice cream, stuffed them into Gengar's arms, and then went to purchase a few movie tickets. Gengar had never seen a movie before. It followed closely behind Hu Yang, peering at its surroundings with great curiosity.

They passed through a pitch-black corridor before entering a room called a "screening hall." Inside, rows of audience seats were neatly arranged on a tiered floor. Directly ahead stood a massive screen pressed against the wall.

In his previous life, Hu Yang rarely went to the movies. This time, his main goal was to let his Pokémon experience the act of watching a film together. He released Axew and the others, let them sit beside him, and handed them the popcorn and ice cream. Apart from Cramorant, the other Pokémon all wore expressions of curiosity about what was about to happen.

Soon, the movie began. The lights in the hall dimmed, leaving only the faint glow emanating from the giant screen. Hu Yang relaxed, holding Cramorant as he leaned back in his seat, with Gengar and Ralts on one side, and Roserade and Axew on the outer edge. Unlike the others, Hu Yang approached the film with a sense of experimentation.

The movie lasted eighty minutes. The lead actor was a Psyduck, and the lead actress was a Wigglytuff. The main plot was as follows:

Long, long ago, in a beautiful and lush meadow, a wandering Psyduck lived. One day, Psyduck saved a Wigglytuff from being kidnapped by an Onix; they fell in love at first sight, and their bond grew rapidly. Then, one day, Wigglytuff was snatched away by a terrifying-looking Blastoise wearing a one-eyed mask.

To rescue his beloved, Psyduck embarked on a journey to defeat the "Demon King" (or so the movie claimed). Along the way, the Blastoise’s minions (played by Wartortles) constantly created obstacles for Psyduck, leaving him covered in wounds. Yet, no matter how badly he was hurt, Psyduck never gave up.

Finally, he successfully arrived at the Blastoise's "castle" and saw the trapped Wigglytuff. In the end, for the sake of love, Psyduck battled the Blastoise for two days and two nights, finally defeating the foe and rescuing his love. The movie concluded with Psyduck embracing Wigglytuff, riding a Rapidash into the sunset across the meadow, leaving the audience with a dashing silhouette.

The story was cliché—a classic "hero saves the princess" plot. Hu Yang could only give this movie a five out of ten. If, in the final battle, Psyduck had evolved into Golduck for the sake of love, he might have begrudgingly bumped the score to a 6.5.

However, just as he finished rating the film, he heard sobbing beside him. He turned to see Gengar’s tears flowing like a fountain.

Hu Yang: "..."
Cramorant in his arms: "Gah?"

...

When the movie ended, Hu Yang took out a tissue to wipe the tears of emotion from Gengar's face. He truly hadn't expected this guy to be moved to tears by a movie. It hadn't cried when injured in battle, nor during its long imprisonment. Yet, it was bawling like this over a simple love story. Even the innocent and pure Ralts had only frowned in concern at Psyduck’s plight, nowhere near the point of shedding tears of emotion.

Hu Yang didn't know what to say. Gengar sobbed, "Hu Yang, let's go beat up that nasty Blastoise!"

Hu Yang was speechless. "Calm down! They’re just actors; that didn't actually happen." Speaking of Pokémon actors, one had to mention the large-scale film studio from the fifth-generation games, Black and White 2—Pokéstar Studios. There, players could film movies alongside their own Pokémon.

After a while, Gengar's emotions returned to normal. By then, it was already evening. After comforting Gengar, Hu Yang recalled everyone into their Poké Balls and prepared to set off for Pallet Town.

Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Hu Yang took it out, and as expected, Steven had replied.

Steven: "Apologies, I was at sea without a signal. I’ve just returned to land. It’s no trouble at all; please reach out to me in the future if you find any stones."

Seeing this message, Hu Yang felt a sudden wave of embarrassment. Steven was truly so sincere! He could imagine Steven sitting there, thoughtful and earnest, meticulously typing out his reply. And he, at the time, had been so dismissive and even deceitful.

Hu Yang felt ashamed. He immediately decided that if he found any rare stones in the future, he would send one to Steven for free as compensation. After all, if he hadn't met Steven back then, his stones might not have sold for such a high price. He replied with a simple "Got it" and put his phone away.

Pallet Town was very close to the studio. If he rode a bicycle, it would only take about twenty minutes. Hu Yang wasn't short on cash, so he picked up a Mach Bike from the studio. Riding it, he followed the road signs toward Pallet Town.

Dense forests lined both sides of the path. In the trees, one could spot Pokémon characteristic of the Kanto region, such as Pidgeotto, Rattata, Fearow, Oddish, Bellsprout, and so on. Seeing a Pidgeotto, Hu Yang was reminded of the flock of Pidgey that Ash had encountered when he first set out on his journey.

In his haste, Ash had borrowed Misty’s bicycle to try and shake off the Pidgey flock that was attacking Pikachu. Later, Ash suffered a crash. To protect Pikachu, he had resolutely stood in front of his partner. Pikachu, deeply moved, unleashed a powerful burst of electricity on the spot, shocking the Pidgey flock away. But that immense electrical energy also charred Misty’s bicycle.

Misty had even carried the ruined bike all the way to Pewter City, chasing after Ash. Yet, until the very end, Ash never compensated Misty for the bike. Moreover, in the series, that bicycle became the running excuse for Misty to keep traveling with Ash. It wasn't until after Ash finished the Silver Conference that Nurse Joy of Viridian City returned the repaired bike to Misty. Seeing this, Ash mistakenly thought Misty had only been following him because of the bike. Misty lost her excuse to travel with him, and she was heartbroken. Coupled with the fact that her sisters were going on a world tour, she had to return to Cerulean Gym to hold down the fort.

Hu Yang liked to call their friendship a "bicycle bond." It began with a bike, and it ended because of one.

As these memories drifted by, the silhouette of a rural town appeared in the distance. Gazing at it from afar, it presented a tranquil and peaceful scene.

He had arrived. The place where it all began: Pallet Town.