American comics: Praising the sun, starting from Gotham!

Chapter 373: The story and the accident both originated from a bicycle.

The next morning, Xiu En stretched and sat up.

Good morning, Little Flower.

He smiled and waved to the little flower on his shoulder that was still lazing in bed.

"Hmm."

The sunflower's flower head moved slightly.

"morning."

"How was your rest?"

"It's alright. The sunlight here, although its energy level is low, tastes good, very pure."

"So, what are the plans for today, my dear Earth Divine Beast?"

While stretching his muscles, Xiu En asked, half-jokingly.

"Of course, we'll continue our honeymoon."

Ivy said matter-of-factly.

"Yes, ma'am. But before we begin our trip, I think we should find ourselves a suitable mode of transportation."

.

"Transportation?" Ivy asked, puzzled.

"That's right."

Xiu En nodded, a curious smile spreading across his face.

"Yesterday, after seeing Ash and Pikachu, I suddenly felt that in order to better examine the Law of Bonds in this world, we need to experience it ourselves. Besides, the teleportation here really feels terrible."

"So, I've made my decision!"

"Let's catch our first Pokémon in this world!"

Ivy expressed strong dissatisfaction with Xiu En's decision, saying things like, "Isn't having me enough?"

But she actually showed some anticipation for having a new subordinate she could command.

So, after some friendly discussion, the two, one human and one flower, walked out of the guest room with great ambition, ready to take the first step in their trainer careers.

However, they had only just reached the entrance of the Pokémon Center.

A loud, forceful shout, followed by a series of clanging and clattering sounds, rang out: "You stop right there! You little brat from Pallet Town!"

A girl with an orange side ponytail, wearing a yellow tank top and blue denim shorts, was dragging a bicycle that was charred black from being electrocuted and was almost falling apart with one hand, while pointing at a figure in front of her who was fleeing in a sorry state and shouting at him loudly with the other hand.

"Give me back my beloved bicycle, you thief!"

"I'm not a thief! I already said it was an accident!"

As Xiao Zhi ran, he kept looking back and loudly defended himself.

"And I'll definitely make it up to you later! Once I get the Evergreen Dojo badge!"

"I don't care! I want it now! And the Evergreen Gym? You're just a newbie trainer, you definitely can't get through it!"

"The girl angrily raised her bicycle and smashed it at Xiaozhi!"

"Whoa! Murder!"

Xiao Zhi was so frightened that he ran away with his head in his hands.

"puff----"

Seeing this scene, Xiu En couldn't help but laugh.

"He really does have such an exciting life every day, our future Pokémon Master."

It seems that even with Shuen's interference, fate still brought Misty and Ash together. Although Ash's first gym target inexplicably became the Evergreen Gym, it shouldn't be a big problem, right?

I wonder what Giovanni's attitude is towards new trainers? Oh, wait, in the game, although the Viridian Gym is very close, it was closed at the beginning, right?

The weapon was about to smash into Xiaozhi's head.

Xiu En decided to stop thinking about the Evergreen Dojo and instead take the initiative to intervene.

It wasn't to save Xiaozhi; that kid's thick-skinned and not afraid of this.

Xiu En simply felt it was a shame to smash such an antique car, which held both historical significance and the value of being a token of love. Well, it's broken now, though.

He held up one finger.

He gently tapped the charred bicycle that was flying in mid-air.

A surge of energy enveloped the bicycle.

The murder weapon hovered in mid-air, less than three centimeters from Xiaozhi's forehead.

Then, it fell back to the ground.

The orange-haired girl stood frozen in place, still in the throwing posture.

Ash turned around with lingering fear and saw the figure walking towards them.

"Big Brother Xiu En!"

Ash ran behind Shu and hid as if he had seen a savior.

Good morning, Ash.

Xiu En smiled and waved to him, then turned his gaze to the girl and asked, knowing the answer already.

"Wow, you're so energetic this morning. Excuse me, miss with the fiery temper, are you greeting my little one in a rather unusual way?"

"Who are you?!"

The girl, Xia, immediately turned her anger towards this meddlesome guy.

But when her gaze fell on Xiu En's seemingly glowing face and the sunflower on his shoulder...

For some reason, half of the anger on her face dissipated.

But the thought of her bicycle, which she had only recently bought, being ruined into this terrible state made her anger flare up again!

"Are you in cahoots with him?!"

She stood there angrily, hands on her hips, pointing at Xiaozhi hiding behind Xiu En and accusing him.

"Let me tell you! Yesterday, this brat stole my bicycle! And then, he had his Pikachu use electricity to burn it to this state!"

"I'm just borrowing! I'm not stealing!"

Ash peeked out from behind Shuen and whispered his defense.

"Borrow? Is this how you borrow things?! Did you even ask me?!"

Xiaoxia's voice rose another octave.

"Anyway! I don't care! Today, he has to buy me a brand new bicycle, exactly the same one!"

"Alright, alright, calm down, everyone."

Xiu En watched this scene and felt like he was about to burst out laughing.

He walked between the two of them, first patting Xiaoxia on the shoulder to signal her to calm down.

Then, looking at Xiaozhi who looked guilty, he said earnestly.

"Ash, recklessness comes at a price."

Then, he turned back to Xia, who was still sulking, and said...

"However, little girl, don't be too angry."

"Although right now, it's just a bicycle that needs compensation."

"But it could be the beginning of the connection between the two of you."

fate?

What kind of fate is this?

What kind of connection could this piece of junk, which was electrified to the point of looking like a lump of charcoal, possibly have?

While the two were still confused, Xiu En smiled, patted Xiao Zhi on the shoulder, and said to him in a tone that was both sympathetic and gloating.

"Young man, I think this might be the first debt you need to repay with your personal charisma to become a Pokémon Master."

"debt?"

But it seems I don't have the money to pay it back.

"that----"

His face flushed red, and he stepped out from behind Xiu En, bowing to Xiao Xia, who was still confused about the word "fate."

"I'm so sorry! Although it was truly an accident, it was my fault for damaging your bicycle!"

His voice, though still somewhat lacking in confidence, was full of sincerity.

"I really don't have any money right now, but I promise! I will definitely repay you double in the future!"

"Later? How long is 'later'?!"

Looking at his pathetic appearance, which clearly showed he was penniless, Xiaoxia's anger once again overcame her inexplicable attraction.

She put her hands on her hips, adopting an attitude that no one was leaving until the issue was resolved today.

"Hmph, judging from your appearance, you don't seem like a rich young master at all."

Xiaoxia looked Xiaozhi up and down, and finally made a decision that would change her life forever.

"never mind!"

She waved her hand impatiently.

"I'm too lazy to waste my time here with you."

"Anyway, I declare!"

She pointed her domineering finger at Xiaozhi's nose.

"Until you pay me back the money for a brand new bicycle! I'll follow you wherever you go! I'll never leave your side!"

"?!ah?!"

Ash let out a terrified howl.

"That's decided!"

Xiaoxia completely ignored his protests, picked up the wrecked bicycle and hoisted it onto her shoulder, then politely nodded to Xiuen.

"Thank you anyway, big brother who's always meddling. I don't know what you were talking about, but um, my name is Xia. Goodbye!"

After saying that, she followed Xiaozhi aggressively.

"Hey! Hurry up!"

"I understand!"

"Pikachu!"

Pikachu was caught in the middle, torn between the two, and could only let out a helpless sigh.

Xiu En nodded.

"Okay, Ivy."

He spoke to the sunflower on his shoulder.

"The main characters have already gone on to follow their main storyline. So it's time for us two independent travelers to go and take care of our own business."

"Are you really going to catch a Pokémon?"

Ivy poked him with the leaf.

"Isn't having me enough?"

"How can they be the same?"

Shuen smiled as he walked towards the denser evergreen forest in the opposite direction of the Pokémon Center, patiently explaining to Ivy.

"For trainers in this world, Pokémon are more like a treasure that needs to be discovered by themselves."

"Don't you think the process of searching, encountering, and taming a unique companion in an unknown forest is interesting in itself?"

"Hmph, that's easy for you to say."

Ivy mercilessly exposed his high-sounding reasons.

"You just want to catch one and take a look, right?"

"Cough cough, how could that be! Do you think I, Xiu En, am that kind of person?! I'm doing this to thoroughly investigate the laws of biodiversity in this world! So that we can go home as soon as possible!"

As he spoke, he opened the encyclopedia and began scanning the forest.

An ecological distribution map appeared on the screen of the encyclopedia.

Evergreen Forest, Outer Area. Main Pokémon inhabiting this area: Caterpie, Weedle, Pidgey, Rattata —

[Abnormal energy fluctuation detected. Coordinates being locked —]

[Ding! Locked. Location: Northwest side of the forest, under an oak tree.]

As Xiu En looked at the red question mark flashing on the map, his smile grew even more delightful.

"Look, Ivy."

"It seems our first treasure has appeared."

Xiu En put away the encyclopedia and walked towards the direction where the red question mark was flashing.

However, he had only been in this dense evergreen forest for less than ten minutes.

The sunlight, which was originally just dappled through the gaps in the leaves, became bright and full of amazing vitality under Xiu En's influence!

The temperature in the evergreen forest began to rise in the most comfortable and pleasant way. The humid air became dry. Even the inconspicuous ferns that were originally hidden in the shade of the trees stretched out their leaves vigorously, absorbing the divine light.

Soon, the first uninvited guest was drawn over by this unexpected and top-notch sunbathing experience.

A blue walking grass wobbled out of the bushes and poked its little head out.

It glanced curiously at the light source radiating warmth, then found a spot in the sun that was neither too close nor too far away, plopped down, closed its eyes, and comfortably began photosynthesis.

Then, the second, the third —

More and more Grass-type Pokémon, which originally lived in various parts of the forest, seemed to have received some kind of rallying order and gathered from all directions!

There are trumpet-shaped buds that can walk, like bean sprouts.

There is a Paras with a giant mushroom growing on its back.

Even the stinky flower with a big red flower on its head.

There were also a few Bulbasaur with somewhat aloof eyes, each carrying a garlic bulb on its back!

In just a few minutes, Xiu En's surroundings transformed into a bustling, large-scale offline fan meet-up for Grass-type Pokémon!

On his shoulder, Ivy looked at the spectacular sight before her, a veritable garden of herbs, poked his cheek, and said in a sour tone.

"Shuen, your sun seems to be quite popular in our plant kingdom."

"So-so, hehehe."

Xiu En proudly put his hands on his hips, noticing that Ivy seemed to really like these Pokémon.

His original plan was to search for that unusual energy fluctuation.

But now, he felt that watching Ivy's proud and stubborn expression—clearly liking him but refusing to admit it—was much more interesting than going treasure hunting.

He saw Ivy's gaze fall on a walking grass that was imitating the rainmaking dance in place.

Then, she looked at Bulbasaur, which was using its two vines to groom the garlic cloves on its back.

obviously.

After seeing these Grass-type Pokémon, which exude a natural and adorable charm, Ivy...

I'm starting to fall for it.

"How is it?"

Xiu En saw through her little scheme and teased her with a smile.

"Don't you want to choose one of them to be your knight?"

"Hmph, a bunch of little brats, I don't need them."

Ivy couldn't finish her sentence.

Because she simply couldn't bring herself to say no to those Pokémon.

"never mind."

In a dazzling green light, the sunflower disappeared.

Ivy appeared in human form in this forest clearing.

All the Grass-type Pokémon that were playing and frolicking suddenly fell silent.

If the sun-like aura emanating from Xiu En is an irresistible source of food and energy for them...

Therefore, the divine aura of life and earth emanating from Ivy at this moment is, to them, a goddess!

All the Pokémon looked up at the goddess before them with submissive eyes.

Ivy thoroughly enjoyed the feeling.

She walked step by step into the middle of the group of Pokémon who were almost becoming her fans.

She scanned each of the children present.

Then, she smiled and asked in a seductive voice that seemed to possess a magical quality.

"Children."

"My companion and I are about to embark on a journey."

"I need a brave knight."

"So, which of you would like to become my first knight?"

"Walk! Walk!"

The first walking grass to arrive was the first to react! Immediately, in front of Ivy, it performed the job-seeking dance that best showcased its leg strength!

"Trunk bud! Trumpet bud!"

Those shy trumpet buds weren't to be outdone! They tried their best to bend their bodies into a heart shape, swaying the tender green leaves on their heads, attempting to attract the queen's attention!

"Para! Paraster!"

Paraster, with mushrooms growing on its back, immediately performed a spore-spraying act! Countless shimmering, hypnotic golden spores were a beautiful sight under the sunlight!

"Seeds! Seeds!"

Meanwhile, the Bulbasaur immediately entered the practical training phase! They began engaging in simulated battles with each other using Vine Whips, which appeared intense but were ultimately limited in scope! They were trying to attract attention with their powerful combat abilities!

Xiu En watched with great interest this dramatic scene filled with intense competition.

He looked at Ivy, who was surrounded by a group of adorable children, her face showing a reserved demeanor but her eyes and brows brimming with an irrepressible smile.

He felt that this moment was peaceful and serene.

I really wish I could just keep watching like this.

The Cavaliers selection process is in full swing.

Xiu En's gaze swept over the little ones trying to show off, a smile playing on his lips.

Then his gaze paused for a moment at the edge of the grass.

Behind a tall oak tree, a small, round, green figure was peeking out and looking this way.

It was a shimmering walking grass.

Unlike its companions who were eagerly showing off in the center of the field, it simply hid behind a tree, its two leaves nervously twisted together, its small body trembling slightly with tension. It seemed a little inferior because it looked different from the other walking grasses.

It seemed eager to join the grand recruitment fair, but for some reason, it was too timid and could only hide in the shadows, watching with envy from its big, round red eyes as its companions competed for attention.

Xiu En looked at its conflicted expression, as if it wanted to do something but dared not.

"Ivy, look over there."

He said this in the mental link.

Ivy, who was enjoying the feeling of being the center of attention, followed his gaze and naturally noticed the poor little guy hiding behind the tree.

"Hmph, just a coward."

Although she said that, her eyes couldn't help but reveal curiosity.

Xiu smiled and quietly left the trunk, walking towards the oak tree.

His approach made the already nervous walking grass even more panicked, and it shrank its entire body behind the tree trunk, pretending to be an innocent little grass.

Xiu En stopped a few steps away from the tree trunk, then crouched down to bring his line of sight to the little guy who might be spying on him.

"Hello, little one."

He spoke in the gentlest possible voice.

Why don't you go and play with your friends?

There was only a slight rustling sound behind the tree trunk.

Xiu En wasn't in a hurry and waited patiently.

After a while, a small head cautiously peeked out from the other side of the tree trunk.

The Oddish eyelashes warily scrutinized Shuen with its large, ruby-like eyes, and only after confirming that he seemed to have no ill intentions did it move its body out a little further.

"walk?"

It called out in an almost inaudible voice, as if asking a question.

"Yes, your friends are all over there."

Xiu En pointed to the center of the field.

"That very beautiful lady is choosing her knight, why don't you give it a try?"

Oddish glanced at the center of the field, then quickly pulled its head back.

Its two leaves drooped listlessly, and its body seemed to exude an aura of my dejection.

"Walking—the road—"

It emitted an even fainter cry.

"Do you feel inferior to them?"

Xiu En seemed to understand its language, and he shook his head with a smile.

Dancing well doesn't equate to bravery, nor does wielding a whip skillfully demonstrate loyalty. Perhaps what that lady wanted wasn't the most performative knight, but the most unique one.

He extended a finger, and a small, gentle golden light shone from the tip.

"Go on, little one!"

Sometimes the simplest things are the most touching. Let her see your sincerity, not your talent.