"Hey— Misty, why are you running so fast?"
"Even if you're eager to attend the party, there's no need to hurry like this."
Following behind Misty, who had just left Ash's house, were Ash himself and Brock, also hurrying to catch up.
At this point, Fang Yuan finally met the protagonist, Ash, along with his travel team members.
The future Cerulean Gym Leader, with a MEGA Gyarados and adept at using the combination move Rain Dance+Hurricane to obliterate countless New Trainers, the Water Series expert Misty.
And the former Pewter City Gym Leader, known as the stronghold of Rock Species Fairy, who would have a MEGA Steelix and was called the man with an "iron will," Brock.
Plus this careless Ash...
Fang Yuan revealed an interested expression, feeling quite lucky that in less than half a day, he had encountered both the Team Rocket Trio and Ash's trio.
"What's the matter, Misty, did you see someone you know?"
After Brock and Ash caught up to Misty, they turned to Fang Yuan and asked.
"No, I don't know him, sorry, but who are you? …"
At this moment, Misty was still recalling Fang Yuan's identity.
"I am Fang Yuan, a Trainer from Sinnoh Region Windmill Town, currently on a journey with the goal of becoming a Pokémon World Leader. It's a pleasure to meet you for the first time. The reason I recognized you, Miss Misty, is because I've previously visited the Cerulean Aquarium for a while," Fang Yuan said with a smile.
"Oh... I see," Misty suddenly realized.
"Sinnoh Region? Trainer? —"
After listening to Fang Yuan's self-introduction, Ash immediately became excited.
"Hello, I'm Ash from Pallet Town, and my dream is also to become a Pokémon World Leader. This is my partner, Pikachu."
Sinnoh Region, a place he had never been to before, there must be lots of powerful Pokémon he hadn't seen yet, Ash thought to himself during the introduction.
Moreover, since the other person was also aiming to become a Pokémon World Leader, the battle spirit within Ash ignited at once.
"Pika~"
Simultaneously, Pikachu on Ash's shoulder also waved and greeted.
"Hello, I'm Brock from Pewter City. Your Eevee is cultivated exceptionally well, it's amazing."
Next to Ash, Breeder Brock had been observing Eevee, growing more astonished with each look.
Although he often praised other Pokémon, his shock over the Eevee was genuine. Be it the physique, fur, color, or temperament, it looked absolutely perfect from any angle. Such a Pokémon must be the result of a top-tier Breeder, right?
"Yeah, this Eevee is very cute, right?" Misty said with full approval.
As soon as Brock and Misty finished their remarks, Ash's voice rang out again.
He didn't care about cuteness.
As long as it could fight!
"Mr. Fang Yuan, would you please have a Pokémon battle with me!!" Ash suddenly issued the invitation.
Stopping at the top 16 of the Quartz Tournament, Ash was not content, and now that he had encountered a Trainer from another continent, Ash immediately wanted to battle to gain more experience.
"Hey, Ash—"
However, such behavior from Ash made his companions unable to just watch silently. Misty glanced at the time and said with a sense of helplessness, "There's only half an hour left until the party starts."
"Don't make everyone wait just for you."
"It's okay, it will be over quickly. Mr. Fang Yuan, what do you say, a one-on-one to determine the winner!" Ash said, "Don't underestimate me, I made it to the top 16 of the Quartz Tournament, I'm very strong."
"Yeah, yeah, top 16, although it was good luck that allowed you to get this far," Misty chimed in teasingly.
"Pika pika..." Pikachu nodded, agreeing it was just good luck.
Ash: "..."
"A battle, you say? I accept."
Fang Yuan originally had been wondering how to get to know the protagonists, and now the opportunity had arisen.
He smiled, true to his character in the animation, Ash was as reckless as ever, not nearly as mature and steady as the later generations...
No wonder Pikachu was disobedient at this time.
Fang Yuan stroked Eevee's head, then looked towards Pikachu on Ash's shoulder, and said, "Then for my Pokémon, I'll choose Eevee."
"What about you, Ash?"
"Ah... Eevee?"
Ash had originally thought Fang Yuan would bring out a Pokémon he had never seen before, he was taken aback when Fang Yuan announced he'd be using Eevee.
"Ash, don't underestimate that Eevee, its strength is definitely very strong," Brock said, instantly reminding Ash from the cultivation aspect that this Eevee was no ordinary one.
If he wasn't careful, he would surely be upset.
"Don't worry about it!! Then on my side, it will be Pikachu," Ash declared, raising his fist.
"Eevee vs. Pikachu, huh..." Fang Yuan thought it sounded good.
Cloth God vs. Pikachu, huh? Interesting.
Fang Yuan communicated with Eevee through Mind Induction, "Don't let your guard down, Eevee. I've seen through it, that Pikachu is actually quite a special breed, probably the Alolan Pikachu Variant."
Eevee: ???
.........
Pikachu was strong.
That was a given.
But Fang Yuan also knew, that would be in the later stages.
If it were the Alolan Era Pikachu capable of using Ten Million Volts, Fang Yuan might need to be careful.
After all, if a move that could temporarily knock down a Tapu Guardian Deity was used, it would most likely not be any less powerful than the Nine-Color Sublimation Ascension TOP used by Eevee to defeat Mewtwo before.
But, at the moment, this Pikachu, who had just started his journey a year ago and had yet to fight with many Legendary Pokémon, definitely wouldn't be that strong.