Pokémon: Starting With An Overpowered Gameboy Advance

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Mountain City, a unique urban haven nestled among rolling hills.

The buildings are stacked atop one another, roads wind through the mountainous terrain, and the staggered layout gives the entire city an unparalleled charm.

You might step out of your own flat courtyard only to find that your neighbor's house doubles as a multi-story rooftop.

This quirky terrain often leaves navigation apps in disarray, struggling to make sense of the winding paths. Yet, when night falls, the city reveals an indescribable harmony. The vibrant lights and tiered landscapes create a breathtaking nightscape.

Built on a mountain range and designed to maintain maximum ecological balance, Mountain City is a sanctuary cherished by countless Pokémon. Many species have made the surrounding area their home, blending seamlessly with the city's natural beauty.

Known as the "City of Harmony Between Humans and Pokémon," Mountain City has held this title in the Country of Dragons for years.

Adding to its prestige, Mountain University, a renowned institution specializing in Pokémon breeding, resides here. This university also serves as the organizer and host of the 122nd Breeder Qualification Examination.

"Why are you two here? I'm here for the exam, not for sightseeing," Chris said, with Togepi perched cheerfully on his head and Delibird by his side.

Delibird, curious as ever, strode forward, taking in the sights. He had just exchanged greetings with Pelipper, a delivery colleague in Mountain City, and discovered that the food delivery business in such a hilly region wasn't easy.

"Dei Lee! Dei Lee!" Delibird chirped, assuring Chris that he wouldn't interfere with the exam.

Despite Chris's claim, he was as much here for leisure as for the exam. The annual breeder qualification test was a significant event, but most sophomores and juniors from his school weren't taking it. More than half of the campus had emptied out, and even the bustling yellow stewed chicken and rice shop had closed for a break.

With this rare downtime, Chris decided to enjoy a few days off with Togepi and Delibird. The plan? Earn some pocket money, take in the sights, and see how the market was doing.

Togepi responded enthusiastically, lounging on Chris's head while playing with a small handheld game console.

"All right, go explore for a while, but don't wander too far. It'll be hard to find you if you get lost," Chris warned, though he wasn't entirely hopeful. Delibird had a legendary track record of getting lost—once straying from Redwood City to Dragon City before finally being found living on the streets with Togepi.

In a labyrinthine place like Mountain City, even locals could lose their way, let alone someone with Delibird's sense of direction.

"I'll find you using the tracker on your watch after my exam," Chris added, silently hoping it would work.

"Dei Lee!" Delibird saluted with mock seriousness as Togepi perched comfortably on Chris's head.

"Stay safe," Chris called after them.

"pi pi!" Togepi chirped in reply, waving a tiny hand.

Watching them leave, Chris turned and entered Mountain University.

The next twenty days flew by in a blur. Chris found himself in a near-trance as his revision time slipped through his fingers.

He couldn't help but reflect on how much faster time seemed to move now compared to his college years. Back then, days felt endless. Now, as a returning graduate, they evaporated like dew in the morning sun.

For those twenty days, Chris immersed himself in preparation, channeling his inner "Study Master." He spent hours soaking in the library, absorbing knowledge like a sponge.

Before leaving, he diligently worked through past breeder qualification exam papers, consistently scoring 140 out of 150—a solid performance.

Chris had flown to Mountain City a day ahead of the exam to avoid distractions. Unlike his classmates, who had arrived three days earlier to enjoy the area's attractions, Chris was focused on the test.

While his peers treated the trip as a vacation, Chris had his sights set on earning the breeder qualification certificate—a daunting goal for many freshmen but one he was determined to achieve.

Chris had visited Mountain City several times in his previous life and had already seen all the notable attractions. There was nothing new for him to explore, and with the junior breeder qualification exam looming, he wasn't inclined to waste time sightseeing with others.

To make matters worse, Mike, who had planned to accompany Chris, backed out at the last minute. Apparently, Mike's crush had decided to arrive early for some sightseeing, and Mike had chosen to follow her.

So much for loyalty—opposite sex over humanity, Chris thought with a sigh.

"Excuse me, are you here for the Breeder Exam?" asked a friendly upperclassman from Mountain University who was stationed to guide visitors.

Chris nodded quickly.

"This way—it leads to the cafeteria," the senior said with an enthusiastic wave.

Chris blinked in confusion. "Ahem." He awkwardly turned back, realizing he had started heading in the wrong direction. Another close call.

Navigating Mountain City was no easy feat, and Mountain University was no exception. Even seasoned travelers could easily lose their way here.

As for following the crowd? That wasn't much help either. It was impossible to tell who was here for the exam, who was a student at Mountain University, or who was simply heading to the nearest restroom.

The university itself retained all the charm of Mountain City's rugged terrain. As Chris walked into the campus, it felt as though he had entered a lush mountain forest.

The campus was a labyrinth of scattered buildings connected by countless staircases. You'd climb down one slope only to immediately ascend another. Calling the university "built on a mountain" didn't feel accurate—it was the mountain. To Chris, it felt more like navigating a sprawling maze.

He wondered if even the local students occasionally got lost.

The campus was lush with greenery, much like Dragon University, and its architecture blended seamlessly with the surrounding mountains. Tall trees and dense vegetation lined the pathways, giving the place a serene, almost magical atmosphere.

Pokémon were everywhere.

As Chris walked, he spotted several Oddish lounging beneath a large tree, Sentret and Aipom darting through the forest canopy, and Pidgey and Pidove chirping in the branches. Occasionally, a Stantler would wander by, adding to the natural charm.

The sheer number of Pokémon reinforced Mountain City's reputation as "the city with the most harmonious relationship between humans and Pokémon." The Pokémon here seemed unafraid of people; some even approached passersby out of curiosity.

Chris watched as a Sentret leapt from a tree into the arms of a girl passing by. The Sentret lingered for a moment before returning to its perch as the girl walked away.

Soon, Chris reached his designated exam room. Following the teacher's instructions, he settled into his seat and began the test.

The atmosphere reminded him of his entrance exam for Dragon University, though the breeder qualification exam was far more challenging.

The first question on the test immediately caught his attention:

Why does Oddish walk at night?

A. During the day, Oddish has absorbed the moisture around it.

B. Oddish needs to absorb moonlight to grow.

C. Oddish is a nocturnal Pokémon.

D. To avoid natural predators.

Chris read through the options carefully, his mind racing as he began to formulate his answer.