Pokémon the Movie: The Journey of a Slate

Under the bright moonlight, the forest was still so quiet, and Aislo, Wanli and Casey were sitting opposite each other, with piles of dead branches between them.

There was a crisp snap of fingers, and a little fire floated out from between Darkrai's slender fingers, lighting a warm bonfire.

[Thank you.] Cathy suddenly raised her head and looked at Aislo, the warm light of the campfire still reflected in her eyes.

"What are you thanking me for?" Aislo tilted his head, took off his windbreaker and handed it to Wanli, asking him to cover Xiaotong who was sleeping not far away.

[Of course it’s because…] Cathy’s explanation came to an abrupt end. She looked at the young man in front of her who was smiling gently and fell silent. In the end, all the words she had to say turned into silence.

——Thank you for helping us recognize our inner selves. Kathy buried the words of gratitude deep in her heart.

"It seems that you have not been conquered by Xiaotong yet. Has something happened again?" Eslo looked around but did not see any trace of the Poké Ball, so he couldn't help feeling confused.

[In fact, if it was normal, I would have been Xiaotong's partner now.] Kathy smiled helplessly and turned to look at Xiaotong. The Pichu in the girl's arms opened its big eyes in confusion and called softly because its head was covered by the clothes of the wrist force. Xiaotong also opened his hazy eyes and woke up slowly.

[But she insisted on having a ceremony, so she postponed the capture time to tonight, and then... she forgot to take the Poké Ball.] Casey didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"Well... I've already said that I was too excited this time and I was careless..." Xiaotong, who walked over in a daze, immediately came to her senses after hearing what Casey said, and argued in a low voice, but her feet drawing circles on the ground betrayed her embarrassment.

"Haha..." Aisiluo laughed, but because of this he received the girl's "fierce" gaze, but after all, he was only an eight or nine-year-old child, how scary could he be no matter how scary he pretended to be? Instead, he had a touch of childish cuteness and innocence.

"Ahem, okay, I shouldn't have laughed at you, I apologize~" Aislo said with a smile. Seeing Xiaotong pretending to be angry and turning his head away, he took out a shrunken Poké Ball from his arms.

The boy pressed the button, and with a slight sound, the Poké Ball instantly grew bigger in Eslo's hand. He raised his hand and handed the Poké Ball to Xiaotong.

"As an apology, I can give you a Poké Ball." Eslo said with a chuckle, his eyes were soft, exuding an inexplicable affinity.

"Really?" Xiaotong turned her head instantly, and little stars seemed to twinkle in her big brown eyes.

"Yes, but..." Aislo paused, and then quickly continued: "But you have to answer me, why do you want to become a trainer? Or, why do you want to capture Pokémon?"

[So this is your real purpose?] Darkrai was surprised. In Eslo's heart, the cold voice sounded again, [But the answer of others is not your own path. This may not be suitable for you.]

Before Aislo could answer, the Flower Rock Monster said, "You will find your own path sooner or later, but before that, why not listen to other people's ideas for reference, right?"

【Maybe.】Darkrai nodded.

"Huh?" Xiaotong was slightly stunned when she heard Eslo's question, and the little hand that was reaching out to the Poké Ball just stopped in mid-air.

"Why do I want to be a trainer?" Xiaotong murmured. She seemed to have never thought about this kind of question. What does it mean to be a trainer? She was still young and didn't know. She only knew that her father and mother were both very powerful trainers in the league. And Aislo's words were like a small stone falling into the ocean of Xiaotong's memory, causing ripples.

[Xiaotong, you must become a trainer in the future.] The serious and old-fashioned middle-aged man had a funny smile on his face. He was holding a Poké Ball in his hand and shaking it in front of the petite girl, causing Xiaotong to jump up and fight for it.

[Why? Dad.] Xiaotong tilted her head and asked in confusion as she was about to jump.

[Because if you become a trainer, you can travel with your favorite Pokémon and enjoy the scenery along the way...] Xiaotong's father said with a smile, his tone full of temptation.

[Eh? Can I have as much ice cream and frosted candy as I want?] the girl asked again.

[Of course, and more...] The smile on the middle-aged man's face deepened, but he was interrupted by a female voice before he could finish his words.

[Still eating candy? If you keep eating, you'll get cavities.] A gentle woman came over with food, and beside her was an Aledo. Then, she looked at her husband with helplessness in her eyes, [You, Xiaotong, what she wants to do in the future is up to her to decide. There's no need for us to interfere.]

[Okay, I get it~] The middle-aged man nodded, and the smile in his eyes could not be concealed no matter how hard he tried.

[I've decided!] Xiaotong suddenly stood up straight and put her hands on her waist. [Xiaotong must become a powerful trainer in the future!] (And then try all the candies in the world!)

Xiaotong's mother paused and said, "Becoming a trainer is very dangerous. You will encounter many dangerous things, such as the man-eating Death Coffin..." As she spoke, the woman lowered her voice and made a face.

[Xiao, Xiaotong is not afraid! ]

[Okay, okay, our dear little princess will become a powerful trainer in the future, but now, dear trainer lady, we have to eat.] Xiaotong's mother laughed at Xiaotong's cute appearance.

……

The scene of memory changed, the atmosphere in the room became depressing, Xiaotong's parents frowned, as if they were hesitating about something.

[Mom and Dad, what's wrong with you? ] Xiaotong asked in confusion.

[Um... Mom and Dad are going to a very far place, where they are facing terrible monsters...] The woman spoke carefully.

[So, mom and dad are going to save the world, right?!] Xiaotong's eyes sparkled, but only she knew what she was actually thinking.

[That's right! During the time when your parents are away, Xiaotong, take good care of yourself. If you have any problems, go to "Uncle Xiangping" next door and he will help you.] The man nodded in agreement, and then the two of them walked out the door, looking back every few steps.

Xiaotong has forgotten what happened during the days when her parents were away. She only knows that during those days, she would always sit in front of her house waiting for her family to come back, listening to the news about the Hoenn region on the TV at home.

She has always been a sensible child. She knew that her father and mother were leaving with an important mission, and she would never let them worry.

Finally, after spending what were arguably the most torturous few days in Xiaotong's still short life, she finally saw those two familiar figures.

After flying into their arms, a seed of dream was quietly planted in Xiaotong's heart: to become a powerful trainer and then protect everyone around him.

In reality, Xiaotong's little hand moved a little closer to the Poké Ball, but the next moment, the hand stopped and even began to retreat.

In her memories, the familiar scene appeared again, but this time, Xiaotong's parents had relaxed smiles on their faces.

[Xiaotong, we two are going to go out for a while and will probably be back in a few days.] The man chuckled. They both survived the confrontation with God. Is it more dangerous to cleanse the villain organizations in the Sinnoh region than to confront God?

[Yeah, I'll take you to the amusement park when I come back, how about that?] The woman squatted down and hugged Xiaotong, with a smile on her face.

[Okay!] Xiaotong nodded seriously.

She thought this time would be the same as last time. They promised to take her to the amusement park, but... they broke the promise.

That day, the sky was dim and the uncles and aunts from the Alliance, who had met her several times before, told her the cruel truth.

They died, dying in the face of the Galaxy team's counterattack.

No one knew what Xiaotong was thinking at that time, not even herself. She only knew that her own world had collapsed.

[Becoming a trainer is very dangerous...] The mother's words were still echoing in her ears. Xiaotong's eyes became blurred and big tears fell silently, like a dam collapsing...

"But that's why I want to be a trainer..." Xiaotong in reality suddenly raised her head, her eyes full of determination, and she uttered a voice that was almost like shouting: "In order to make all the children in the world always smile, to have the power to protect them from any harm, to make myself and the people around me happy, and to make Pokémon who share the same ideals as me rely on each other - this is why I want to be a trainer!"

The girl's voice echoed in the forest, causing Yveltal and the Flower Rock Monster, who were still chatting, to stop talking. Arm Strength, who was standing by, also looked at the girl in surprise, and an idea took root in his mind.

[What a firm will...] ​​Darkrai was moved. He really believed that perhaps the world outside Poplar Town had really changed.

[How old is she?] Hua Yanguai sighed, for a child of this age to grow up to be what she is now, the price must be so heavy.

"Thank you, Xiaotong." Aislo squatted down slightly, put one hand gently on the girl's shoulder, and with the other hand, he solemnly placed the Poké Ball in Xiaotong's hand, "I believe that you can realize your dream."

"...Thank you!" Xiaotong nodded seriously with the boy's appearance reflected in his eyes.