Pokémon: The Dark Second Generation, Stepping on Daddy to Take the Top

"What's wrong, boss?" asked Bi Xing.

"Nothing...nothing, the sun is so bright today!"

Bi Xing looked at the sky which was covered with dark clouds and it looked like it was about to rain.

"Boss, do you have a fever?"

"How can there be sunshine at this time of night? And it's raining now!"

"Don't you know how to use the word 'sunny' when it's raining? Do you need me to teach you?" Chen Luo slapped Bi Xing on the back of the head.

Really, it’s all this guy’s fault. He insisted on taking pictures.

The next morning, the sea breeze was cold and salty.

Chen Luo, Bi Xing, as well as Mewtwo and Celebi, who were dressed in human clothes, boarded the passenger ship to Licheng.

It was bitterly cold on the deck, but the view was excellent. The endless gray-blue sea glowed coldly in the winter sun.

"Boss, do you think there really is a big sword ghost on Yaoqing Island that can cut through everything?" Bi Xing wrapped his down jacket tightly and asked while breathing out white air, his tone mixed with expectation and doubt.

"It sounds like a myth."

"There's no smoke without fire." Chen Luo leaned on the railing and remembered that he seemed to have an acquaintance in Licheng.

Those were the comrades who caused trouble together at the Royal International College.

His own sword soldier needs a real transformation, just like Keldeo, to pass the trial and become a true holy swordsman.

Mewtwo was floating quietly by the side, seemingly unaffected by the cold. Its gaze swept calmly across the sea, and it occasionally used its telekinesis to gently push away ferocious fish Pokémon that tried to approach the ship.

Celebi hid in his little nest, with only his little head sticking out, and looked curiously at the long-winged gulls flying by, as if he felt that this winter sea view also had its own unique flavor.

Chen Luo called Lin Jiazhen.

"Hey, Lao Lin, where are you?"

Lin Jiazhen on the other end of the phone looked confused.

Why did Luo Ge call me?

Are we going to cause trouble in that country’s schools again?

"Brother Luo, I'm at my hometown. What's the matter? Do I have to go to the White Eagle Alliance this time?" Lin Jiazhen said with a smile.

"What are you thinking about, man? Why are you so violent? I'm in Licheng, and as the host, why don't you come to welcome me?" Chen Luo teased.

"Really? That's great. Where are you, Luo Ge? I'll pick you up now. Zi Han is here too, so the three of us brothers can have a drink together again!" Lin Jiazhen said happily.

Chen Luo sent a location to Lin Jiazhen, and then said to Bi Xing.

"I'll show you my connections later, and someone will come to pick us up soon." Chen Luo said.

"Boss, you have such a wide circle of friends!"

Chapter 110 Monsoon Current Festival

The passenger ship blew a low whistle and slowly approached the busy dock of Licheng.

The salty and humid sea breeze carries the sweet fragrance of tropical fruits, which is completely different from the coldness of Lucheng.

As soon as Chen Luo and his group stepped onto the dock, they heard an enthusiastic voice piercing through the noisy crowd.

"Luo Ge! Here! Look here!"

Lin Jiazhen was seen wearing a blue shirt, which matched his slightly blue-highlighted hair, and a pair of jeans, making him look very handsome. He was waving his arms vigorously.

There was also a young man who was 1.9 meters tall and had a strong body.

His face was filled with a bright smile of seeing an old friend.

The two men rushed up, gave Chen Luo a tight hug, and patted his back hard.

"Brother Luo! I really didn't expect you to come to Licheng. Why didn't you send me a message earlier? I would have gone to Jiangcheng to pick you up." Lin Jiazhen said.

"Yes, Luo Ge, it's been more than a month since the last time. I still miss the day when we were demolishing the Royal International Elf Academy together." Chen Zihan said.

He let go of Chen Luo and looked curiously at Bi Xing and Mewtwo, who was wearing human clothes but had an outstanding temperament.

"Who is this brother? Mr. Meng is here too!"

"Bi Xing is a Pokémon photographer. I met him halfway and he is now traveling with me." Chen Luo gave a brief introduction.

Bi Xing's eyes lit up as he stepped forward, shook Lin Jiazhen's hand, and said, "Brother, you're so handsome. Can I take a picture of you?"

"Uh..." Lin Jiazhen didn't expect that the person in front of him was so familiar.

He pushed Bi Xingdao's hand away calmly and said.

"Next time...next time for sure."

Then Bi Xingyou stepped forward, held Chen Zihan's hand and said.

"Brother, you have such a great body. I can tell you work out regularly. How about being my model? I'm a great photographer."

Chen Zihan didn't refuse.

"Okay, but you have to have a Pokémon battle with me."

"Okay, Zihan, we'll talk later. Let's go eat first."

Lin Jiazhen led everyone to an off-road vehicle that looked capable of adapting to various terrains and opened the door.

"Brother Luo, let's go and take you to taste the most authentic seafood in Licheng!"

There were four people in the group, plus Celebi and Mewtwo. Fortunately, the SUV driven by Lin Jiazhen was big enough, so it was not very crowded.

The car shuttled through the vibrant streets of Licheng.

Along the way, you can see many tropical dragons walking slowly, and the fruits hanging around their necks seem to be fuller than those elsewhere.

Oliva exudes a tranquil fragrance in the street garden.

"By the way, Zi Han, aren't you from Longcheng? Why did you come to Licheng instead of going home during the winter vacation?" Chen Luo asked.

"I came here with my dad. My dad and Jiazhen's father are friends, and we grew up together. I heard that Licheng's five-yearly winter festival is happening these days, so we came here after receiving an invitation from Jiazhen's father."

The wheels rolled over the coastal road covered with sunshine, and finally stopped at a bustling seafood stall area decorated with shells and seaweed.

The rich aroma of food in the air whets one's appetite.

"We're here!" Lin Jiazhen jumped out of the car and waved his hand.

"Same place, same taste. I guarantee you guys have never tasted anything this delicious!"

Everyone sat down and Lin Jiazhen skillfully ordered a large table of dishes.

While waiting for the food to be served, Chen Luo recalled what he had just said and asked, "Old Lin, Zihan, what exactly is the five-yearly festival you mentioned?"

Lin Jiazhen explained seriously, "This is our most important event, called the Monsoon and Ocean Current Festival. The people of Licheng live by the sea, and the fishermen believe that it is the gods of monsoons and ocean currents that bring abundant catches and a favorable climate."

"Every five years, during the most stable winter monsoon, a grand ceremony is held to thank the gods and pray for peace and a good harvest for the next five years."

"The core of the festival is at the Listening Tide Square on the seaside."

“We would build a huge altar beforehand using the finest driftwood, smooth pebbles and fresh seaweed.”

"It will be filled with the year's best catch."

“On the day of the festival, it was truly spectacular!”

"Almost all the city's Megalodon, Magikarp, Gyarados, and Ooal... almost every water-type Pokémon you can see will spontaneously gather near the sea."

"They would form a huge procession and parade along with the decorated fishing boats. The sound of their boats lapping against the water was like enthusiastic applause!"

"Then, our most respected old fisherman will take the helm, and surrounded by a group of electric light monsters, we will sail to the designated sea area in a small boat."

"The electric lanterns dive into the water and use their light to penetrate the waves, as if guiding the boat and the fleet behind it, and also symbolizing that hope will never be extinguished."

“The old men would send a selection of offerings into the sea, chanting ancient songs of thanksgiving.”

"After the ceremony, most of the offerings will not be wasted, but will be distributed to all the people and Pokémon who participated in the ceremony."

"Everyone believes that eating these blessed foods will bring the protection of the God of Ocean Currents in the coming year. Luo Ge and the others must try some of these when the time comes!"

"Of course, at the end of the ceremony, everyone will face the sea, be quiet, and listen to the sound of the tide together."

“The elders said that if one’s heart is sincere enough, one can hear some grand and ancient ideas in the sound of the wind and waves.

"They call it the 'whisper of the monsoon,' and it's said that anyone who hears it will have good luck for the next five years."

"Of course, most people think it's just a psychological effect, but this anticipation itself is part of the charm of the festival!"

Lin Jiazhen's eyes lit up. "But when I was thirteen, I vaguely seemed to hear something. It felt like some kind of particularly distant and peaceful sigh... After that year, my life was almost smooth sailing, especially after I became a trainer... This luck was almost even stronger!"

"So, Luo Ge, you guys came at the perfect time this time! Maybe with your luck you can actually hear the whispers of the monsoon!"

"Damn, boss, you're a true god! I really didn't follow you right. In just a few days, I've encountered more things than in my entire life. First, I encountered the Four Seasons Sprouting Deer, then the Lucheng Pokémon Fashion Competition, and now I'm facing the five-yearly grand festival in Licheng!"

Bi Xing was so excited that he almost threw down his chopsticks.

Mewtwo listened quietly, his gaze from beneath his hood seemingly directed towards the distant sea where lights flickered.

Celebi, on the other hand, became interested in the bowl of jelly flavored with sweet bamboo juice on the table and was trying to scoop it up with a small spoon.

At this time, the boss came up with a huge plate of grilled fish, and the aroma interrupted the conversation.

"Eat first, eat first!" Lin Jiazhen called.

"The festival is still in two days, and the preparations are already impressive. But since we're here, why not challenge our gym? My dad is still very strong!" Lin Jiazhen asked.

"Of course, one of the purposes of my trip is to challenge the gym." Chen Luo said.

"But the most important thing is that I heard there is a small island in the sea called Yaoqing Island. There is a big sword ghost there that can cut through everything. I want to go find it." Chen Luo continued

"Yaoqing Island?"

"I've also heard about a medium-sized island in the sea between Licheng and Licheng. I heard that it is blessed by the god of ocean currents and monsoons, with four seasons like spring and a beautiful environment, making it very suitable for humans and Pokémon to live there." Lin Jiazhen said.

"However, only some powerful trainers or those recognized by the God of Monsoon Currents are qualified to land on the island. Otherwise, the monsoon currents there will take your ship to another place."

"It doesn't matter, as long as it's there, what are we afraid of with our Master Meng here?"

"Let's eat first. By the way, the seafood in Licheng is really delicious."

With the delicious food in front of them, everyone immediately started to eat with relish.

The scallops, with crispy shells and snow-white flesh, are grilled over garlic vermicelli and steamed to perfection.

And a big pot of milky white coconut milk sea bass stew.

The charred aroma of grilled fish, the freshness of seafood and the richness of coconut milk are perfectly blended.

Even Mewtwo, who was quite picky about food, used telekinesis to carefully taste a piece of the electric monster tentacle and nodded slightly.

Chapter 111: Tide Whirlpool Gym

After a hearty feast of seafood with a strong Licheng flavor, Chen Luo toured Licheng again under the guidance of Lin Jiazhen.

Lin Jiazhen led everyone into a workshop area filled with a fresh smell of the sea.

"Come, come and see our traditional craftsmanship in Licheng."

Craftsmen can be seen everywhere weaving with dry or wet seaweed.

Their partners are even more eye-catching.

Several armored warriors were using their sharp claws as cutters, skillfully cutting and processing large seaweed.

The Nanny Mambo rolls their soft, smooth bodies around the moist seaweed, keeping it at optimal flexibility.

The most amazing thing is that the clever Petit and Goth Baby are learning from human craftsmen, using their subtle super powers to manipulate several thin seaweed threads.

Weaving extremely complex and exquisite patterns.

Chen Zihan tried it out of curiosity, but ended up getting his fingers clumsily entangled with the seaweed threads, causing the goth baby next to him who was using his superpowers to thread a needle to cover his mouth and laugh cheerfully.

"Forget it, Zi Han. You are such a big and strong guy, don't learn this delicate work." Chen Luo said.

Chen Zihan had no choice but to give up the idea of ​​knitting.

Passing through the workshop, a wide mudflat comes into view.

A "mud war" full of laughter and joy is taking place here.