Future Pokémon Master

Energy continued to gather around Celebi, but Ethan and Riolu did not perceive any threat from it. They just didn't understand what Celebi was going to do. Then, the energy reached its peak, and a strong light emanated from Celebi's body. The light instantly enveloped Ethan and Riolu, spreading to the entire forest.

It was this strong light again! Ethan was blinded by the light emitted by Celebi and had to close his eyes quickly. This was a familiar feeling. The last time he saw Celebi, a similar bright light had brought them here. Now, was Celebi going to take them back? Ethan had no idea what Celebi intended, so he could only endure it silently.

After the bright light faded, Ethan slowly opened his eyes. Seeing the different scene in front of him confirmed his previous thoughts. Celebi once again used its ability to travel through time and space, bringing Ethan and Riolu to a new place.

However, this time Celebi did not disappear. It was still suspended in the air, quietly watching Ethan and Riolu. Celebi did not move until it confirmed that Ethan and Riolu had completely recovered from the time travel. Then it danced happily, flying back and forth in the air like a playful sprite. Amid the dazzling display, a group of Butterfree flew slowly in a line. At this moment, Celebi suddenly transformed into a Butterfree, blending into the group, and finally disappearing completely in front of Ethan and Riolu.

Ethan was stunned by this scene. Did Celebi have the ability to transform as well? Was it still Celebi? Just as Ethan was pondering this, a shout interrupted his thoughts.

"Help! Someone help me!"

Hearing the call for help, Ethan notified Riolu through Aura to go check the situation together. Following the direction of the voice, Ethan found a person in a white coat being chased by a group of Beedrill. Although he couldn't see the front of the person clearly, Ethan knew that in the Pokémon world, almost everyone who wore such a white coat was a Pokémon professor.

However, Ethan wondered which Pokémon professor would be chased by a group of Beedrill! Any Pokémon could handle this group, so it wouldn't be so embarrassing! Then he remembered that in the Pokémon Emerald version, Professor Birch was chased by Zigzagoon near his house. Could it be that the person in the white coat was Professor Birch?

Ethan decided to save the person besieged by Beedrill. He instructed Riolu to use Vacuum Wave to attack the last few Beedrill in the swarm to attract their attention, and then he would go behind the person and help them hide. As long as Riolu successfully attracted the Beedrill's attention, they would start to flee, using the surrounding woods and grass to evade the swarm, and finally return to Ethan through Aura.

The rescue plan was simple, but executing it required close cooperation between Ethan and Riolu. However, with their current bond and the use of Aura, this cooperation was seamless.

Riolu began to use its skills as Ethan approached the person in the white coat. Five Vacuum Waves hit the last five Beedrill in the swarm, successfully attracting the swarm's attention. The Beedrill, known for their vengefulness, turned around and chased after Riolu.

Seeing the Beedrill chasing Riolu, Ethan reached the person in the white coat.

"Are you okay? How did you attract a swarm of Beedrill? And why are you wandering here without even a Pokémon?"

The person in the white coat, looking very disheveled, turned around and responded to Ethan while adjusting their clothes.

"I'm fine! Thanks to you! I was originally here to study the ecological issues of Butterfree but accidentally entered Beedrill territory and got chased. Halfway through, my backpack fell off. The Pokémon I brought are all in the backpack."

It wasn't until the person turned around and spoke that Ethan recognized them. It wasn't Professor Birch—it was Professor Oak! Professor Oak, who looked harmless but often ended up in trouble with Pokémon! No wonder he was chased by Beedrill; he was just that kind of person! Ethan was amused internally but kept a calm demeanor.

"Professor Oak! Do you remember where you dropped your backpack? Let's go find it together when my Riolu returns! Otherwise, it's not safe for you to stay here alone."

"How do you know my name is Oak? Have you seen me on TV?"

Ethan could only nod in response to Professor Oak's question. After all, he had seen him before while watching Pokémon TV shows! The awkward conversation came to an end when Riolu returned to Ethan's side.

"The backpack might have fallen by the river ahead, and now that the Beedrill have left, let's go take a look!"

Professor Oak's uncertain tone made Ethan a bit exasperated, but he couldn't back out after promising to help find the backpack. So, Ethan, Oak, and Riolu went to the river. The river was quite large, and at first glance, they didn't see any backpack.

With no other options, Ethan asked Riolu to search the surroundings using Aura. Finally, they found Professor Oak's backpack in a nearby haystack.

"Thank you, young friend! Would you like to come to my Pokémon Research Lab? There are many Pokémon there! I also have a gift for you to thank you for your help."

Ethan thought about it and figured that a gift might be an item. After all, this was a game, and items were essential! Since entering the game, he hadn't received anything except Riolu, not even a Poké Ball for Riolu! Why not go if there was a chance to get some items?

So, Ethan, Riolu, and Professor Oak returned to Professor Oak's laboratory in Pallet Town. The lab was much larger than Ethan had imagined, especially the huge backyard, which housed hundreds of Pokémon, surprising Ethan.

"Ethan! Are you from the Sinnoh region? Your Riolu is extremely rare in our Kanto!"

After touring the research lab, Professor Oak asked Ethan this question.

"No! My Riolu hatched from an egg and is not from the Sinnoh region. I just started my journey and haven't been to Sinnoh yet."

"Is that so? Then Riolu is your first Pokémon! No wonder you two are so close. Is that why you never put Riolu into a Poké Ball?"