[The Phoenix]

Michael looked on with fascination as the various wild Pokémon skittered through the grass, a scene he was not familiar with.

He had barely left Pallet Town before, and his world was confined to corners of the town. He remembered being on the edge of his seat as he watched T.V and saw the Pokémon that could be found all over Kanto.

The scene in front of him reminded him of why he wanted to become a professor, the dream that had started all those years ago back during that summer camp.

Michael shook his head, a smile lingering on his lips as he scanned them with his Poke-Dex and took notes in his notebook. Amber, who was next to him, looked on with a serious expression and imitated what Michael was doing, even though she didn't understand what Michael was doing at all.

Michael did not mind that Amber was trying to copy him and found it cute. Her tail flame was flickering, showing that she enjoyed doing what he was doing. It was nice to have someone who could appreciate your interests, even if they really didn't understand it.

"Char, Charmander!"

His thought process was stopped by the noise coming from Amber, who was trying to gain his attention. Michael looked towards where she was pointing and saw a flock of Spearow resting on the treetops.

Silently, he took Amber and made a detour around them. The bicycle went as fast as possible as it left the area. It wasn't until he left their radius that he let out a sigh of relief.

"Thanks Amber, you really saved us there."

"Char, Charmander!" She replied gleefully.

Spearow were known to have aggressive attitudes, and despised Pokémon that were tamed by trainers. Whether it was because of jealousy of the Pokémon or mockery at their weakness, this was one scientific question that Michael did not want to find the answer too.

It was then that Michael realized how dangerous the wilderness was. Originally, he had planned on focusing on research instead of battle, but that encounter changed his mind. He needed strength if he wanted to become a qualified Professor.

This was further reinforced when they were cycling past a river, and a giant blue sea creature jumped out of the river. Its long body stretched as it flexed its massive body that completely towered over the nearby creatures, a roar emanating from its fanged mouth.

Gyarados barely noticed their existence and sunk back into the water. But Michael knew it could have ended them if it wanted to.

He found that his point of view was still lacking. Why had he been so keen on separating a Trainer and a Professor? It was obviously better to get the best of two worlds and be both.

He needed to catch more Pokémon to study, and the gyms were the perfect place to test them out. Perhaps attending the Indigo League wasn't completely of the table?

Michael shrugged. He would think about it when they got there.

Bicycling through grassy terrain, Michael frowned as the sky started to grey. It seems like it was about to rain.

"Amber, return."

Returning Amber back to its Poke-ball, Michael took out an umbrella from his backpack. Although he didn't necessarily like them, the summer camps that he had went to as a child still helped him prepare for today.

Michael slowed down as the crashing rain and clashing thunder ran from the sky and patted himself in the back for having the foresight to return Amber back to its ball. Although she wouldn't have died in such weather, she still would be weakened considerably, and could have possibly become sick.

The sound of cracking thunder made Michael look behind him, and he had witnessed something that he had never seen before. A blinding beam of yellow light stretched onwards into the sky, lightning spreading from its countenance.

Slowly, it started to shrink back as it continued, before vanishing into nothingness. As if the awe-inspiring pillar of light never existed.

This wasn't natural and Michael knew it, and he wondered what Electric type had caused such an event. Thier shouldn't be any Electric type near this area, but things could have happened. Maybe the legendary lightning bird had made a nest here? Michael doubted it. The Pokémon League would not allow the legendary to get so close to a place with civilians.

As the sky cleared and the rain stopped falling, Michael released Amber from its poke-ball. Amber, no longer confined, danced around in the grass, before accidently hitting her tail into a puddle.

"Char, Charmander!" Amber exclaimed as it jumped away and into Michael's embrace. Michael laughed as he hugged Amber and looked into the clear clouds. They had begun to separate, and the radiance of the sun were no longer hidden behind them.

Amber looked at the huge rainbow with sparkling eyes, but Michael was focused on something else. His eyes widened as a golden bird appeared next to the rainbow, shedding glittering gold sparkles along its path.

Quickly rummaging into his backpack with desperation, he pulls out his camera. Getting into a stance, he zoomed in and took multiple pictures of the bird that was flying in the sky. A normal camera probably couldn't grasp the bird's image, but Michael's one was a special brand that was popular among Professors.

Michael laughed wildly as he hugged the startled Amber even deeper, happiness radiating from his eyes.

"Oh my god, I can't believe I actually managed to get the picture! Wait till Professor Oak hears about this!"

Others may not have recognized the bird. Hell, not even the Poke-Dex knows. But Michael, who had researched Pokémon from other regions, knew the bird's true identity. With its golden features, blinding seven color radiance and with its appearance coming with a rainbow, it was obvious.

That bird was Ho-Oh, the Rainbow Pokémon, a legendary Pokémon of the Johto region. He, Michael, was the first person to ever catch Ho-Oh on camera.

It seemed as though the legend that Ho-Oh brought eternal happiness was already taking effect. Poor Amber, who was being hugged by her trainer for no reason, decided to give up and embraced him back.