Chapter 13: Setting a Trap for Pallet Town Trainers

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Professor Oak's Laboratory was located in Pallet Town, a beautiful place with picturesque scenery.

In the afternoon, when Ethan knocked on the door of Professor Oak's Laboratory, the kind old man with short, gray-white hair, who occasionally recited Pokémon haikus, greeted him with a warm and generous smile.

"Professor Oak, forgive my intrusion," Ethan introduced himself. "I am Ethan from the Sakuragi Institute in Vermilion City. I was entrusted by Professor Sakuragi to deliver something to you."

Professor Oak nodded, "Sakuragi already told me you'd be coming, but I didn't expect you to arrive here from Vermilion City in just two days. That's remarkably fast."

"I wouldn't dare to delay Professor Sakuragi's request, of course." Ethan first handed the box containing the prototype instrument to Professor Oak, then took out the package the shop assistant in Viridian City had given him from his backpack.

Looking at the package, Professor Oak rejoiced, "You brought this package too? That's a huge help! Tomorrow is the day the new batch of Trainers departs, and without the Poké Balls inside, I truly wouldn't know what to do."

Ethan casually remarked, "You must be very busy around this time every year, Professor? It truly is a lot of work."

"Indeed, indeed. When you get old, you really can't fight it," Professor Oak spread his hands. "But this year, my good-for-nothing grandson is also setting out on a journey. I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of person he'll become."

Good-for-nothing grandson? Ethan asked, "Are you referring to Gary?"

"Oh?" Professor Oak looked surprised. "You know Gary?"

"Not personally," Ethan quickly waved his hand. "I just happened to hear Professor Sakuragi mention him once."

However, despite what he said, Ethan couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. Gary was leaving on his journey tomorrow? That meant Ash, who was of the same age, would also begin his adventure with Pikachu! He was truly looking forward to meeting them, but he also had to work fast. Otherwise, with their growth rate, he would quickly be surpassed and left far behind!

Declining Professor Oak's invitation to stay for lunch, Ethan resumed his journey toward Pewter City. After passing through Viridian City, no longer in a rush, Ethan decided to plunge into Viridian Forest this time.

Viridian Forest, located between Viridian City and Pewter City, was densely populated with various trees, forming a natural labyrinth. Even with a map, countless people would lose their way annually in this vast, light-impenetrable forest. The most common Pokémon here were Bug and Flying types. Due to their numerous varieties, some also jokingly called this place a "Bug Catcher's paradise."

After entering the forest, Ethan relied on his instincts, traversing everywhere. He defeated many Pokémon that suddenly attacked him and also encountered Pidgeotto and Butterfree, which he had liked very much. But after a slight hesitation, he chose not to try and catch them. As for his four Pokémon, they also gained experience in this forest, and each had made some progress.

After walking for a long time, the bushes ahead suddenly began to rustle. Just as Ethan thought it might be another Pokémon trying to attack him, a young Samurai with armor, a net on his back, and a long sword at his waist, leaped out of the bushes.

"Tch, I heard some movement and thought it was some rare Pokémon. Turns out it's just a Trainer," the Samurai Youth said, eyeing Ethan's Pokémon. "What do you say, want to have a battle?"

Ethan was taken aback: "Huh? That direct?"

"Of course! As a Pokémon Trainer, an exchange of glances means a battle has begun!" The Samurai Youth declared, and without waiting for Ethan's agreement, he directly threw his Poké Ball. "Come on out, Pinsir!"

The Poké Ball opened, and a vicious-looking Pokémon with two large, sharp horns, resembling a stag beetle, appeared before Ethan.

Pokédex: "Beep. Pinsir, the Stag Beetle Pokémon. Bug-type. It possesses two powerful horns. Once it clamps onto prey, it will not let go unless it tears the opponent apart."

"You're impossible," Ethan sighed, his gaze sweeping over his four Pokémon. "Squirtle, I'm counting on you."

Type-wise, both Grass-type Bulbasaur and Psychic-type Kirlia would be at a disadvantage against Bug-type Pinsir. Only Eevee and Squirtle had no direct type disadvantage against Pinsir.

"Squirtle, Squirtle!"

Squirtle hopped to the center, its eyes filled with battling spirit. However, just as Ethan expected this to be an evenly matched battle, Squirtle used only a few moves to cleanly and swiftly win the match.

"What!?" The Samurai Youth exclaimed in disbelief. "My Pinsir was defeated so quickly!?"

"There's nothing strange about it," Ethan sighed. "It's simply because your Pinsir… ahem… Pinsir's level is too low. If you get the chance, I advise you to train it more."

The Samurai Youth's face flushed red, and he clenched his fists: "Darn it, don't speak too soon! Watch my second Pokémon! Come on out, Caterpie!"

A red light flashed as the Samurai Youth sent out his second Pokémon. Ah, so it's a baby Rayquaza, oh wait, no, it's a Caterpie!

Caterpie was a typical Bug-type Pokémon. Its back was green, and its underside white. Its most distinctive feature was the Y-shaped red antenna on its head.

Pokédex: "Beep. Caterpie, the Worm Pokémon. Bug-type. It can climb trees using the suction cups on its feet to munch on its favorite leaves."

Ethan didn't bother switching Pokémon and continued to use Squirtle, which quickly and easily defeated this Caterpie in a few clean moves.

Seeing the Samurai Youth's unwilling expression, Ethan was about to leave when he suddenly seemed to remember something. He paused, turned back, and said, "Oh, by the way, I came from Pallet Town. If you're not convinced, then quickly improve your strength and give a good lesson to the new Trainers who come after me."

The Samurai Youth mumbled, "Pallet Town? New Trainers?"

"That's right," Ethan nodded slightly, a gleeful, mischievous smile on his face. "The Trainers from our Pallet Town are all very strong. I think no matter who you encounter, you definitely won't be able to beat them."

"Darn it! Don't get too ahead of yourself!" The Samurai Youth's eyes were determined as he shouted at Ethan's disappearing back, "Mark my words! No matter how strong your Pallet Town Trainers are, next time, I'll definitely give you a hard time!!"

Ethan is certainly having fun leaving a memorable impression on the Trainers he meets! He's successfully set up a challenge for the upcoming Pallet Town Trainers, perhaps a certain aspiring Pokémon Master among them.

What's next for Ethan as he continues his journey to Pewter City?

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