Chen Kai and Miraidon searched all afternoon, but made no progress. They circled the grassy area near where they encountered Impidimp several times but found no clues.
As dusk approached, Chen Kai and Miraidon discussed returning first.
"Let's wait until tomorrow. We'll leave early tomorrow morning."
As soon as they reached the doorstep, a fragrant aroma wafted over, and Miraidon's eyes sharpened!
"Mom, Dad, I'm home."
Bai Lijuan was busy in the kitchen with three large pots of food: "Oh, you're back. Dinner's ready. Come help me carry it to the living room.
Miraidon, I specially made an extra portion for you. Eat more so you can recover quickly!"
Miraidon awkwardly nodded and responded, "Gaoo!"
In the living room, Chimecho was making pleasant sounds as it swayed by the window.
Xatu was preening its feathers nearby, and an Exeggutor, too tall to be inside, stood in the yard, peering in curiously.
They were Bai Lijuan's Pokémon.
Meanwhile, Chen Dafu was grooming Tauros in the yard. Gogoat stood aloofly to the side, though it was likely just waiting for dinner.
These were Chen Dafu's personal Pokémon, not livestock Pokémon. They would obey Chen Dafu's commands in battle.
Of course, Chen Dafu also had a Boltund, which, upon seeing Chen Kai, ran over excitedly.
After placing the pot on the table, Chen Kai happily started petting the dog.
Boltund's fur wasn't long, but it was very soft. Running hands through its fur produced a slight crackling sound of static electricity, but it wouldn't hurt, only a slight tingling sensation.
It was quite peculiar.
After being zapped by static electricity a couple of times, Chen Kai suddenly remembered Xiao Mei. It had been in its Poké Ball all day and must be feeling cooped up.
He released Xiao Mei from its Poké Ball.
"Mei!"
Xiao Mei, who had been cooped up for too long, circled the living room, then jumped onto Chen Kai's head, crackling with Thunder Wave, making Chen Kai's hair stand on end.
Chen Kai quickly apologized: "Xiao Mei, Xiao Mei, it's my fault. Tomorrow, I'll take you for a ride."
"Alright, stop messing around, Xiao Kai, dinner's ready." Bai Lijuan came out carrying a pot of delicious food, stopping Xiao Mei and Chen Kai's antics.
"And Dafu, take these two portions to Exeggutor and Tauros. You should come eat too."
"Okay! Coming right away!" Chen Dafu in the yard loudly replied.
The family of three, with eight Pokémon, enjoyed a lively dinner.
After a night of preparation, Chen Kai woke up early the next morning, just as dawn was breaking.
He put on his hiking boots and slung a bag of sandwiches, prepared the night before, over his shoulder.
"Mom, I'm going out for a bit! I won't be back for lunch."
Bai Lijuan heard him and chased him out: "You little rascal, what are you running off to so early?"
But Chen Kai had already grabbed Xiao Mei and ridden off on Miraidon, disappearing in a flash.
On the mountaintop, a gentle breeze carried the fragrance of flowers and the freshness of grass.
"Quick, dodge, Xiao Mei! Use Thunder Wave!"
Chen Kai was currently directing Xiao Mei in a rather amateurish battle against a Pidgey.
The Pokédex in his hand displayed the opponent's information:
Name: Pidgey
Type: Normal + Flying
Level: Beginner
Ability: Keen Eye
In response, a yellow light flashed, hitting Pidgey. Its body stiffened, and it fell from the sky.
"Good chance, Xiao Mei, it's time to end the battle, use Thunder Shock!"
A more potent bolt of electricity hit Pidgey again. With a tragic cry of "Bzz!", Pidgey's eyes spun, and it lost its ability to battle.
"You're too strong, Xiao Mei! That was a truly exhilarating battle!"
Xiao Mei nodded, showing a sharp glint in its eyes.
"Mei!" (I'm so strong!)
"What a formidable opponent! Here's this sandwich as a token of our respect!"
The still-dizzy Pidgey stood up, looking at the human with a strange expression, then picked up the sandwich and flew away.
Not far away, Miraidon lay under the shade of a tree, also watching them with a peculiar look.
"Xiao Kai, what exactly are you two doing?"
"We've covered the entire mountain and found nothing. Since we're just idling, we might as well level up Xiao Mei in battle and keep an eye out to see if we can detect any more strange energy fluctuations."
"That's one way to put it, but 'battle leveling' is a concept I've never heard of before."
"To become super strong quickly, don't you have to engage in Pokémon battles? Isn't that how it always is?
Xiao Mei, do you feel super strong?"
Xiao Mei nodded affirmatively: "Mei!" (I'm terrifyingly strong now!)
Miraidon thought helplessly: 'I estimate there's a very high probability that it's just your imagination...'
"Xiao Mei, I see a Metapod behind that big rock! That's an experience baby! Let's go battle it quickly!"
"Mei~"
Miraidon shook its head and continued to lie on the ground, quietly waiting for the strange fluctuation to appear.
But it hadn't been lying down for long when it sprang up!
The mysterious energy fluctuation had appeared. At the same time, Chen Kai's shout rang out:
"Miraidon, come quickly!"
Miraidon dashed over and saw Chen Kai and Xiao Mei standing in front of a small cave.
Chen Kai began to explain: "This cave connects to another world! Entering the cave will take you to another world."
Before them was a cave whose end could be seen at a glance. It was a fissure between a giant rock and the mountain, with a space estimated to be only 3-4 cubic meters. Whether it could even be called a cave was questionable.
Inside the cave, a Metapod was hiding, trembling with fear.
"We only discovered this cave by chasing the Metapod.
Xiao Mei and Metapod won't be teleported to another world, but I just tried it, and if I hold Xiao Mei, it can also go to the other world."
Chen Kai, holding Xiao Mei, first walked into the cave, then they started walking out, simultaneously telling Miraidon: "You come in and try it too."
As soon as the words fell, they vanished.
Miraidon immediately entered the cave. It felt the space wobble, left, right, up, and down inverted. It went from entering the cave to walking out of the cave. The originally sunny weather instantly turned cloudy.
Chen Kai and Xiao Mei crouched at the edge of the cave, waving to Miraidon. Chen Kai whispered: "Miraidon, look, over there are Impidimp and Morgrem, and also Grimmsnarl."
In the distance, dozens of Impidimp and Morgrem moved about, and several Grimmsnarl lay under the trees.
Chen Kai, holding his Pokédex, quickly scanned them. The Grimmsnarl were all Professional-level, and some even reached Elite-level!
And in the sky not far away, Salamence were circling!
Miraidon also whispered: "I feel like this is a self-contained small world. Its space shouldn't be large."
Chen Kai nodded: "You can also enter alone. I estimate that the reason for our Crossing is definitely related to this small world."
Chen Kai and Miraidon tried entering the cave again, but they returned to the original world.
Sitting on the grass, Chen Kai and Miraidon began to discuss.
"Xiao Kai, I also agree with your point. The reason we crossed over is related to that small world.
However, I see it's full of danger inside. You stay in this world, and I'll go in and explore first."
Hearing Miraidon wanting to leave him behind and explore alone, Chen Kai was displeased: "Although you mean well, this isn't just your business. I also want to know the reason we crossed over. We're a team now!"
Saying that, he held up Xiao Mei: "And Xiao Mei is also part of our team and wants to do its part. It's the only one of us with combat power right now!"
"Mei!!!" (I'm super strong!) ٩(๑`^´๑)۶
Miraidon paused slightly, looking at Chen Kai and Xiao Mei. In its mechanical eyes, one could actually discern excitement and enthusiasm.
"Then you two hold on tight to my back. Although I don't have much combat power right now, my speed is still very fast, so ensuring your safety won't be a problem!"
At this, the human and two Pokémon exchanged glances, stood in a line, and took firm steps, walking into the entrance of the small world.
The Metapod in the cave watched, looking speechless. It had suddenly been beaten up, and then they stood at its doorstep chattering for a long time, only to suddenly disappear.
This home was probably tainted with something, bad luck, it couldn't be kept.
It dragged its injured body, hopping away from the cave.