c121: Release of the Era, Transition
The next morning, Chen Xiaoxiao received an official notification. A special visitor soon arrived at her home in Shencheng.
The one who came was none other than Secretary Qin, the sharp and composed assistant to Uncle Leng Xin, whom Chen Xiaoxiao had previously met during her visit to the Pokémon League headquarters in the capital.
Secretary Qin handed Chen Xiaoxiao a list of pre-screened interview questions prepared by Time Magazine. Each question came with reference answers written based on official policy, media optics, and Chen Xiaoxiao's public persona as the youngest known Elite-level trainer.
Of course, Secretary Qin made it clear: following those answers was entirely up to Chen Xiaoxiao. The reference material was just a suggestion.
After carefully reading through the questions and cross-checking them with her own public experiences like the Shantou City Gyarados incident and the Zapdos crisis in the Electric Forest Chen Xiaoxiao began to prepare her own responses.
Later that day, at exactly 2 p.m., Chen Xiaoxiao, accompanied by He Xiaowen and Secretary Qin, arrived at the VIP conference hall on the top floor of the Shencheng Pokémon Center. There, she met the Time Magazine interview team. The session lasted several hours.
The interview went remarkably smoothly. Thanks to the well-structured question list and her mental preparation, Chen Xiaoxiao handled the session with composure and confidence, reminiscent of her calm in high-stakes battles, such as her Mega Latias fly-in to intercept Zapdos.
Occasionally, off-topic or politically sensitive questions would arise. For those, Chen Xiaoxiao would smile politely but stay silent at which point Secretary Qin would deftly intercept and steer the interview back on course.
One of the spontaneous questions was about her ideal type of boyfriend.
Though not among the pre-screened topics, Chen Xiaoxiao didn't dodge. With a laugh, she answered with refreshing boldness: "Same age as me, and stronger than me!"
The room burst into delighted chatter.
Meanwhile, Secretary Qin couldn't help but whisper a sarcastic comment to herself: "Are you planning to stay single for life?"
After the interview concluded, Chen Xiaoxiao returned to her regular, peaceful daily rhythm.
He Xiaowen, after staying with Chen Xiaoxiao for five days, finally returned to her own busy home, reluctantly. After all, the He family descended from a prestigious Elite lineage was flooded with New Year obligations.
At the Chen household, things were simpler. With just Grandma and herself, Chen Xiaoxiao spent her time training her team, especially working with Gardevoir on refining her Healing Pulse techniques and Lapras on Ice Beam precision. At night, she chatted with Leng Yue, He Xiaowen, and even Yu—who was currently traveling in Johto through video calls.
But peace didn't last long.
Just days before the Lunar New Year, Time Magazine released its latest global issue, and it hit the Pokémon world like a Thunderbolt from a Mega Manectric.
On the cover: a full-page photo of Chen Xiaoxiao in her official Elite League uniform, taken after her Electric Forest victory. The headline read: "The 16-Year-Old Elite".
Beneath the title, a quote from Chen Xiaoxiao's interview was featured in bold:
"I think Pokémon are not just partners in battle, but family in life, friends in everyday moments, and loyal companions on every journey."
That single sentence resonated with Trainers around the world. Online forums exploded. Comments poured in, praising her maturity, compassion, and eloquence.
Within the Pokémon Alliance, long-time supporters like Elite Four member Jiang Yue publicly suggested Chen Xiaoxiao should become the Alliance's global goodwill ambassador. The Alliance's media team began formal discussions.
But the truly seismic shock came from the global public.
Until then, only high-ranking officials in the Alliance or top-tier families like the Yamabuki Clan in Kanto or the Rosen Order in Kalos had known about Chen Xiaoxiao.
Now, everyone did.
The article introduced her biography: born in Huaxia, entered formal training at age 10, completed Elite registration after her Solgaleo-led victory in Shantou, and defeated Zapdos with the support of Mega Latias an event that had become legendary.
The first featured Pokémon in the article was her Solgaleo.
Solgaleo's presence caused an immediate international uproar. Public footage especially the image of Solgaleo wrapped in blazing golden electricity during the Gyarados storm was included, along with a photo of it clashing with Zapdos in the Electric Forest sky.
The Time caption read:
> Name: Solgaleo (Mythical status under review)
Type: Psychic / ???
Abilities: Unknown
Known Traits: Cosmic Radiance, Gold-Electric Aura
With this reveal, fans speculated that Chen Xiaoxiao wasn't just an Elite—she was a dual-Legendary Trainer!
The second Pokémon highlighted was Latias.
Though seen only briefly in her MEGA-Evolved form during the Electric Forest battle, Latias had stunned audiences as she hovered beneath the thunderclouds, calmly ferrying Chen Xiaoxiao in midair. The article praised Latias's synergy with Chen, though admitted her battle footage was limited.
Next came Gardevoir, with images of her using Healing Pulse to stabilize dozens of injured Pokémon after the forest storm. Gardevoir's elegant demeanor and nurturing strength won public affection.
The article also listed Metagross, Espeon, Togekiss, and two surprising additions: Lapras and Ampharos, both classified as Dragon-compatible due to their performance, despite not being Dragon-type Pokémon.
The strength and rarity of Chen Xiaoxiao's roster sent ripples through the training community.
Some young Trainers, overwhelmed, fell into despair, comparing their own meager Rattatas to her Solgaleo.
Others took it as a call to arms.
The wild zones near Mount Tiantai, Baiyun Highlands, and Wuhou Plains saw an explosion of Trainer activity. Even those who'd planned a quiet New Year scrambled to train and hunt for rare Pokémon.
Across Huaxia, a quiet cultivation fever gripped the youth.
And Chen Xiaoxiao?
She was sprawled on her bed in a bathrobe, receiving a gentle Confusion-powered massage from Gardevoir while sipping on Oran Berry tea.
"Life's good," she murmured.
The days slipped by again.
Soon, it was Lunar New Year's Eve.
This year, unlike previous ones, the usually quiet Chen residence turned lively.
Grandma's old friends arrived with their grandchildren in tow, each hoping to catch a glimpse of the now-famous Elite trainer. Some brought young boys, clearly trying to play matchmaker.
Chen Xiaoxiao was mildly uncomfortable, but seeing her grandmother so joyful, she put on her best smile and politely received them.
With each visitor, Grandma proudly retold the same childhood stories how Chen once cried when a Pidgey stole her rice cake, or when she fell into a pond trying to fish for Magikarp with a stick. Chen Xiaoxiao laughed each time, nostalgia warming her heart.
By the sixth day of the New Year, Chen Xiaoxiao asked for a night off to visit the He residence.
As expected, the He household was even busier. As the home of a current Elite, their Lunar festivities were more formal and attended by numerous guests from the League and noble families.
However, Chen Xiaoxiao, a long-time friend and former roommate of He Xiaowen, bypassed all the formalities.
The moment she arrived, He Xiaowen dragged her into the house.
He Yong, always fond of Chen Xiaoxiao, called off the guest dinner and had a private meal prepared instead.
During dinner, He Yong praised Chen Xiaoxiao with such enthusiasm that He Xiaowen despite being proud of her best friend couldn't help feeling a little jealous.
Still, they laughed, talked about old times at the Trainer Academy, and made plans for spring training.
The New Year rolled on, and as the Lantern Festival fireworks lit the night sky on the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar, the curtain quietly fell on this dazzling and transformative holiday.
Chen Xiaoxiao's era had officially begun.
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