Chapter 10: Taming Squirtle

Off the coast of Cerulean City, a fishing boat moved slowly across the sea. The sea breeze brushed gently against his face as Xia You lounged on the deck with his three Pokémon, savoring a rare moment of tranquility. Warm sunlight bathed him in a comforting glow, making it hard to find the will to move.

If only the sharp, pungent smell of fish lingering aboard the boat weren’t so overwhelming, this trip might have been even more pleasant. After more than an hour of sailing, the fishing boat finally came to a halt near the edge of a small island.

The weathered captain emerged from the cabin and addressed Xia You, “Young man, this is the place you’re looking for. We’re heading further south into the open sea now. We’ll be back tonight to pick you up. Good luck!”

With a word of thanks, Xia You stepped off the boat, watching it drift away before turning to examine the island. The island was ringed with lush trees, verdant and teeming with life. At its center stood a solitary mountain, covered in rows of orderly shrubs that, from a distance, resembled the shell of a giant turtle.

Known as Blastoise Island, this place was said not to appear on any map. Only the Pokémon living here and the most experienced fishermen knew its exact location. True to its name, the island was home to a lone Blastoise and a large group of its pre-evolved forms—Wartortles and Squirtles.

Reaching this place had taken Xia You considerable effort. He had scoured the docks for a long time, asking many people, until finally someone agreed to take him out to sea in search of this secret island. Yet his goal was not the Blastoise itself.

Crossing the sandy beach and entering the forest, Xia You soon spotted a group of playful Squirtles and Wartortles. He took out his phone and snapped a few photos nearby, intending to send them to Professor Sakuragi, but with no signal in this remote place, he had to put that task aside for now.

After observing them for a while, Xia You leapt forward and landed in front of the group. The sudden appearance startled the Squirtles and Wartortles, but instead of fleeing, they stood their ground, watching him with curious eyes.

“Good,” Xia You said to them. “Pokémon, I’m looking for companions to challenge the League. Is there anyone here who wants to leave this island and travel with me?”

In this wondrous world, nearly all Pokémon could understand some human language to varying degrees. Hearing his words, the Squirtles and Wartortles exchanged glances but showed no reaction—except for one mischievous Squirtle, perhaps intrigued by Xia You, who took a few steps toward him.

“Squirtle, Squirtle!” it called.

“Quite bold,” Xia You smiled. “Then let’s battle. If I win, you’ll become my partner!”

Seeing that Squirtle, its companions respectfully cleared a space for the battle.

At that moment, Xia You retrieved his Pokédex and aimed it at the blue Pokémon standing before him.

Pokédex: “Behold, Squirtle. Water-type. The Tiny Turtle Pokémon. Skilled in water-based attacks and protected by a hard shell. When threatened, it can unleash a powerful Water Gun attack.”

Waving his hand, Xia You commanded, “Bulbasaur, this battle is yours!”

“Bulba, Bulba!” Bulbasaur stepped forward, positioning itself in front of the Squirtle.

With both Pokémon ready, Xia You gave the order: “Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip!”

Two vines shot out from Bulbasaur’s flower bud, lashing toward Squirtle. Unfazed, the Squirtle calmly retracted its head and limbs into its shell just before the vines reached it.

Two sharp thwaps echoed.

Though it was a Grass-type move, Squirtle’s sturdy shell absorbed the blows, leaving only minor scratches.

Emerging from its shell, the Squirtle unleashed a stream of Water Gun from its mouth aimed at Bulbasaur.

“Bulbasaur, dodge!” Xia You shouted.

Despite the command, Bulbasaur was still sprayed halfway through by the moving water attack.

“Bulbasaur, use Leech Seed!”

From its flower bud, Bulbasaur launched a seed toward Squirtle, but the Squirtle countered by blowing a stream of bubbles from its mouth, neutralizing the seed.

Impressed, Xia You couldn’t help but praise, “For a wild Pokémon, you’re quite skilled.”

“Squirtle, Squirtle!” the blue Pokémon responded.

Pointing at it, Xia You ordered, “Bulbasaur, Vine Whip again!”

Two vines lashed out once more, but Squirtle repeated its defense, withdrawing completely into its shell.

Xia You’s assault didn’t cease. “Bulbasaur, wrap its body tightly!”

This time the vines did not retract. Instead, they coiled round and round, binding the Squirtle firmly.

“Squirtle!?” the Pokémon gasped in surprise, trying to poke its head out, only to find all shell openings sealed. It struggled in vain, unable to move.

“That’s what I call trapping yourself,” Xia You said with a slight smile, raising his voice, “Now, lift it up and let it taste the power of the Big Swing!”

At his command, Bulbasaur hoisted the bound Squirtle high with its vines and slammed it heavily onto the ground—once, twice, thrice…

When the shell fell silent with no movement inside, Xia You waved his hand, signaling Bulbasaur to release the vines.

Seeing the Squirtle lying motionless on the ground, Xia You pulled out a Poké Ball and threw it.

A flash of red light, and without shaking, the Poké Ball successfully captured it.

His fourth Pokémon secured!

Before Xia You could celebrate, a tremendous roar echoed from afar, shaking the very earth beneath his feet.

From the sound, a powerful Pokémon was rushing toward them.

It seemed the battle had thoroughly disturbed the Blastoise on the island. Before the fishing boat could return to retrieve him, Xia You had to find a place to hide quickly.

“Bulbasaur, come back! Time’s running out—we need to leave now!”

...

Time passed, the sun and moon cycling overhead.

When Xia You finally left the sea behind and set foot on land once more, he found himself standing on the streets of Cerulean City.

After a night’s rest and recovery at the Pokémon Center, Xia You set off with his four Pokémon on a journey to Slateport City.

In his spare time, he sent all the photos he had taken on Blastoise Island to Professor Sakuragi.

As a Special Research Investigator for the Sakuragi Institute, this expedition to Blastoise Island and documenting its ecological environment was a perfect fulfillment of his duties.

Yet just as Xia You was about to leave Cerulean City, a tall boy with green hair and a backpack suddenly stepped in front of him.

“Hey, you up ahead! Wait a moment! Would you accept my challenge?!”