Elf: Rewriting the script, starting with Black Stocking Hanako

Jiang Chuan carried the somewhat absent-minded Xiao Xia on his back, with Hua Zi following beside him. The three of them, along with Xiao Cui, passed through the last dense forest.

Suddenly, everything became clear.

In a carefully cleared forest clearing, sits a simple yet clean little wooden cabin.

A small courtyard was enclosed by a fence in front of the wooden house.

The most eye-catching feature in the courtyard is a large stone pond with clear water. Several goldfish and carp can be seen swimming leisurely in it, and there is even a mosquito tadpole basking in the sun on a stone by the pond.

Other Pokémon were scattered on the grass beside the pool.

A Bobo with a slightly crooked wing is trying to flap its wings and fly; a pangolin with a shallow crack on its back is dozing off; and a small Radamanthys with a weak breath is huddled in the shadows under the eaves.

This doesn't look like a trainer's residence; it's more like...

"A temporary Pokémon treatment and rehabilitation center."

Xiao Cui spoke softly, her gaze gently sweeping over the Pokémon in the yard.

She pushed open the small gate in the fence, gesturing for Jiang Chuan and the others to come in:

"These children were abandoned in the nearby forest by their original trainers because they were seriously injured in battle or had some congenital defects."

"I felt sorry for them, and since I know a little about herbs and care, I set up a place here where they can rest temporarily."

As she explained, she led the three of them into the courtyard.

The Pokémon that were resting or playing all looked up when they heard the noise.

But when their gazes fell upon Jiang Chuan, something strange happened.

These injured and abandoned Pokémon, which should have been wary or even fearful of humans, especially strangers, showed little fear in their eyes at this moment.

Bobo, whose wings were askew, even flapped its wings twice and hopped a few steps closer to Jiang Chuan.

The pangolin raised its head and sniffed lightly.

Even the most timid little Rada, who had been hiding in the shadows, peeked out and looked curiously at Jiang Chuan with its glassy eyes.

Xiao Cui immediately showed a surprised expression.

These children... have never been so enthusiastic towards strangers they've met for the first time.

Even in the beginning, it took her a lot of time and patience to treat them and gain their trust.

This trainer named Jiang Chuan...

She couldn't help but glance at Jiang Chuan a few more times.

Young, handsome, with clear and calm eyes, he seems to have a natural aura that makes people and Pokémon feel at ease and friendly.

Xiao Cui's fondness for Jiang Chuan increased even further.

"They... seem to like you a lot."

Xiao Cui said in disbelief.

"Maybe I'm more popular with Pokémon."

Jiang Chuan smiled, without offering much explanation for the "Friends of Nature" halo that Tsukimiyama had received.

His gaze swept across the yard, finally settling on the small wooden house:

"That Bulbasaur you mentioned earlier..."

"Yes, it's one of them."

Xiao Cui sighed, her eyes filled with heartache:

"The reason it was abandoned is a bit complicated. It was treated harshly by its original trainer, and after losing a battle, it was left on the edge of the forest."

"When I encountered it, it had many injuries, but its eyes were fierce. Even though it was too weak to stand, it still lashed out at me with its vine whip."

"It took me a lot of effort to bring it back and cure it."

Xiao Cui paused for a moment, then continued:

"After it recovered from its injuries, it didn't leave. Instead, it stayed, as if it had made this place its own territory and taken on the responsibility of protecting its other injured companions."

"It's very smart and powerful. The Oddish you just encountered was abandoned nearby a few days ago. It's timid, and Bulbasaur is probably taking care of it."

"So, its attack on you might really be a misunderstanding, thinking you were trying to bully Oddish."

Xiao Cui looked at Hua Zi and said apologetically:

"It's not inherently bad, it's just... it might be a little hostile towards human trainers. I'll explain it to you in a bit, and the misunderstanding should be cleared up."

After she finished speaking, she pointed to the cabin:

"Let's go inside. I'll take better care of Xia's leg injury. I just applied some herbal medicine earlier."

"Thank you for your help, Xiao Cui."

Jiang Chuan nodded and carried Xiaoxia into the wooden house.

Hanako followed them in.

The cabin looked more spacious inside than outside, and it was very well organized.

The air was filled with a faint scent of herbs and the aroma of sun-dried wood.

Several simple wooden shelves were placed against the wall, on which various dried herbs, clean bandages and some basic medicines were neatly arranged.

A wooden bed covered with plain-colored sheets was placed on the other side, and several potted green plants were placed on the windowsill.

The overall atmosphere is warm and tidy.

Xiao Cui asked Jiang Chuan to put Xiao Xia on the bed, while she went to the wooden shelf to get more professional disinfectant and ointment.

She crouched down, carefully unwrapped the bandage, and examined the wound closely.

"Fortunately, there are no signs of infection, and the wound isn't deep."

Xiao Cui skillfully and gently wiped the area around the wound with a cotton ball soaked in disinfectant.

Xiaoxia bit her lip, enduring the stinging sensation from the disinfectant.

But her gaze unconsciously drifted toward Jiang Chuan.

Jiang Chuan was standing by the window, looking out at the courtyard. His profile was clearly outlined by the sunlight streaming through the window.

As Xia watched, she recalled the feeling of her lips touching his cheek earlier...

My face started to feel hot again.

She quickly looked away, only to meet Hanako-nee's gentle, smiling eyes.

Hanako-nee...did you notice something?

Xiaoxia panicked, like a child caught red-handed, and immediately lowered her head, pretending to be focused on watching Xiaocui treat her wound.

Hanako's smile deepened, but she said nothing.

Soon, Xiao Cui reapplied the medicine to Xiao Xia and bandaged her up with a clean bandage.

"Okay, just make sure the wound doesn't get wet for the next couple of days, and change the dressing on time. It will scab over soon."

Xiao Cui stood up and washed her hands.

"Thank you, Sister Xiaocui."

Xiaoxia thanked her quietly.

"You're welcome."

Xiao Cui dried her hands and looked at Jiang Chuan:

"Jiang Chuan, are you interested in those children in the yard? Do you want to go out and take a look? I'm just about to prepare their food for today."

Jiang Chuan's heart stirred.

This is a good opportunity to learn more about Bulbasaur.

He nodded:

"Okay, I was just thinking of taking a look too. I'll trouble you to look after Xiaxia, Sister Huazi."

"Go ahead without worry."

Hanako said softly, sat down by the bed, and gently took Xia's hand.

Xiaoxia watched Jiang Chuan and Xiao Cui walk out of the wooden house side by side, her lips moved, but in the end she didn't say anything.

But that inexplicable feeling of bitterness welled up in my heart again.

Hmph, he went out alone with that gentle and pretty Xiao Cui sister again...

You big pervert!

All you ever do is look at pretty girls!

She thought angrily, but didn't realize that she was becoming more and more entitled to be jealous.

………………

The sun was shining brightly in the courtyard.

Jiangchuan helped Xiaocui separate the prepared food suitable for different Pokémon.

Bobo hopped over and carefully pecked at the specially made energy particles from Jiang Chuan's palm.

The pangolin also came over, rubbed against Jiang Chuan's legs, and then lowered its head to eat its own portion.

Even the little Rattata slowly emerged from the shadows, taking small bites of the food placed in front of it, and occasionally looking up at Jiang Chuan.

"They are really close to you."

Xiao Cui watched this scene and sighed again, her eyes softening:

"I can tell that you genuinely love Pokémon."

"They are all great kids, just unlucky."

Jiang Chuan patted the pangolin's head, and the latter squinted its eyes comfortably.

"You're even more amazing. You've taken such good care of so many injured and abandoned Pokémon, helping them regain their health and vitality."

Jiang Chuan praised him sincerely.

However, upon hearing this, Xiao Cui did not show any happy expression.

Instead, she sighed softly, a hint of worry creeping into her smile.

"Recovering your health... is a good thing."

Xiao Cui crouched down, stroking the fur of the quietly eating little Rattata, her voice lowered:

"But sometimes, I'm even more worried."

"Look at them now, living here comfortably, with food, safe shelter, no fighting, no stress."

"In the short term, this will help them recover from their injuries. But in the long run..."

She looked up at Jiang Chuan, her eyes somewhat confused.

"They will become increasingly dependent on this place, losing their wildness and competitiveness."

"Their fighting instincts will deteriorate, and even if they fully recover in the future, they may not be able to adapt to the wild environment, let alone become a trainer's partner again and challenge a higher stage."

"This is not a good thing for their long-term future."

Xiao Cui paused, her gaze drifting towards the depths of the forest, the direction Bulbasaur often patrolled:

"Especially that Bulbasaur."

"It's different. I can sense that it possesses immense power and exceptional combat talent."

"It should belong to a wider sky, to weather the storms, to challenge the strong, and to shine in real battles."

"But now, out of gratitude for my rescue, it has bound itself to this place, guarding this yard and taking care of the other children..."

"While this is certainly touching, it is also a waste of its talent and a constraint on its future."

Xiao Cui's voice was filled with conflict and heartache:

"I actually... have always hoped that it can meet a trainer who truly understands it, cherishes it, can guide it, and can unleash its full potential, and take it to a wider world."

"But I also know that it has been hurt by humans and has a grudge against its trainer."

"Moreover, it is proud and competitive. Ordinary trainers probably wouldn't even catch its eye, let alone gain its approval."

At this point, Xiao Cui suddenly stopped.

As if realizing she had said too much, she looked at Jiang Chuan somewhat embarrassed:

"Sorry for saying so much..."

No, I completely understand how you feel.

Jiang Chuan shook his head, his expression serious.

He looked at Xiao Cui and directly revealed his intention:

"Little Green, what do you think if I told you that I'm really interested in that Bulbasaur and want to try to catch it and take it on my travels?"

Xiao Cui suddenly opened her eyes wide.

Surprise, followed by uncontrollable joy, blossomed on her face.

"Really? Jiang Chuan, you...you want to subdue it?"

She almost jumped up, but quickly forced herself to calm down, her face showing worry and seriousness.

"Jiang Chuan, I... I'm glad you had this idea. If it's you... I think it might really be possible."

"However, I must warn you that Bulbasaur is extremely competitive and will put human trainers to very rigorous tests. It won't easily accept anyone."

"If you want to subdue it, you'll likely need to put in a lot of effort, winning it over with sincerity and strength, rather than simply conquering it through battle. And also..."

Xiao Cui hadn't finished speaking.

The bushes at the edge of the yard shook violently.

A lithe, dark green figure leaped out first and landed steadily at the entrance of the courtyard.

It was that Bulbasaur that brought Oddish back...