In his previous life, Satoshi had learned about Team Rocket from the games. Their goal was to capture powerful or rare Pokémon, using them as tools to dominate the world.
But this world, blending reality with Pokémon lore, showed him darker truths hidden beneath the game's surface.
For instance, Cubone's skull-mask was said to be made from its own mother's bones.
Every new Cubone meant the death of a mother Cubone!
Of course, such cruelty seemed impossible…
Yet, in the game's story, Cubone's mother had indeed been killed by Team Rocket while protecting it.
In this reality, such horrors were disturbingly common.
Watching the Team Rocket man, anger flared in Satoshi's heart again.
These people didn't stop at Pokémon—surely human lives had also been destroyed by them.
The middle-aged Rocket grunt sneered dismissively upon seeing Satoshi and Raichu.
"Pallet Town? You're just a little brat using a Pokémon as common as some stray dog."
"Since you introduced yourself, allow me the same courtesy. My name's Parker. Prepare yourself!"
Parker adjusted his stance swiftly.
His Shiftry sensed its trainer's hostility, eyes glowing fiercely as it fixed its gaze on Satoshi and his Pokémon, ready to attack at any moment.
Meanwhile, Mightyena, though wounded by [Water Pulse] earlier, shook itself vigorously and stood up again, undaunted.
"Haha~ I'll be taking that Froakie as well!"
With an evil grin, Parker confidently jabbed a finger toward Satoshi.
"Shiftry, use [Leaf Blade] and finish these pests! Start with that mangy mutt!"
Shiftry lunged forward, its blade-like leaves glowing vibrantly green, slashing toward Raichu with incredible speed.
"Block it with [Iron Tail]!"
Satoshi commanded calmly. Raichu reacted instantly, its tail glowing with a metallic sheen, swinging it decisively toward Shiftry's blade.
"Shif! Shif!"
"Rai!"
Raichu's [Iron Tail] met Shiftry's [Leaf Blade] head-on.
"Shif-shif-shif!"
"Rai! Rai-chu!"
Their moves clashed fiercely, Shiftry's blades slicing swiftly, but Raichu parried skillfully with [Iron Tail] every time.
Thankfully, Grass-type moves were resisted by Steel-type moves, enabling Raichu to hold its ground despite Shiftry's powerful attacks.
"Froakie, use [Water Pulse] to keep Mightyena occupied! Stay cautious!"
Satoshi's face grew serious as he assigned Froakie its task. If Shiftry was Gym Leader-level, Mightyena must be similar. Froakie would struggle immensely.
"Kero~"
Froakie nodded, clearly aware of the challenge ahead.
"Kero!" Froakie leaped high, forming a shining ball of water and launching it toward Mightyena again.
The water orb exploded on Mightyena's fur, splashing into mist that briefly impaired its movements.
"You alright?"
After giving instructions to his Pokémon, Satoshi quickly rushed to Grookey's side. Nearby Pokémon were only lightly injured, likely because Grookey had been the real target.
But Grookey was nearly fainting, clearly having struggled fiercely.
Satoshi hurriedly pulled a [Full Restore] from his backpack, gently applying it to Grookey's wounds.
"Pachi… Pachi…"
Gradually, Grookey opened its eyes, feeling warmth and peace—only to panic upon seeing a human face.
"Pachi!" Frantic, Grookey struggled violently, swinging its wooden stick wildly to drive Satoshi away.
"Ow—!"
"Pachi! Pachi! Pachi!"
Grookey thrashed about, striking Satoshi repeatedly. Despite Grookey's impressive physical strength as a starter Pokémon, Satoshi didn't let go.
"Stop moving so much. Your wounds won't heal otherwise. I promise I won't hurt you." Ignoring the pain, he smiled gently, continuing to apply medicine.
"Pachi…?"
Grookey slowly calmed, its eyes growing gentler.
But at that exact moment—
"Now! Mightyena, use [Dark Pulse] and finish off Froakie!"
Spotting an opening, Parker ordered swiftly.
Mightyena released a malicious wave of dark-purple energy, violently knocking Froakie into a tree.
Weakened, Froakie tried to rise, but Parker and Mightyena no longer cared about it. Wasting more time meant risking Grookey's escape—Rillaboom was a Champion-level Pokémon's pre-evolution, after all.
"Hmph! Mightyena, use [Crunch] to drag Grookey here! Don't worry about being rough—it won't die!"
With Froakie temporarily out of the way, Parker laughed cruelly. Mightyena lunged at Satoshi, jaws wide open.
"Rai-chu!"
Raichu was still locked in combat with Shiftry, unable to assist Satoshi.
"Grawww!" Mightyena charged, fangs gleaming dangerously.
"Pachi—!" Grookey shut its eyes in fear.
The attack aimed directly at Grookey.
In this realistic world, even the strongest medicine needed recovery time—it wasn't a game.
If Grookey was taken now, Satoshi might never have another chance.
I'll be the one to save you!
Reacting without hesitation, Satoshi cradled Grookey tightly, shielding it completely.
In that instant, he seemed to become one with Grookey, thrusting his arm out deliberately to meet Mightyena's fangs.
"Chomp!"
"Gra…?"
Sharp teeth tore flesh, confusion filling Mightyena's eyes. Blood seeped from Satoshi's wounded arm.
"That's enough, right?"
Despite the severity, Satoshi showed no pain, only steely resolve.
"What?" Parker gaped, stunned. Who protected Pokémon like this?
This boy risked everything for a Pokémon he'd just met—
He was insane. More insane even than Team Rocket.
Suddenly, inexplicably, Parker felt fear.
"Milotic, [Hydro Pump]!"
A gentle voice called out. A powerful torrent of water shot forth from beyond their vision, blasting Mightyena mercilessly like a rushing waterfall.
"Grawww!"
Overwhelmed by the attack, Mightyena collapsed limply beneath a trembling tree, soaked and defenseless.
Nearby, Togawa Sakiko's eyes burned with worry and anger.
"Why push yourself so hard? Are you an idiot?"
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T/N: BECAUSE HES THE GOAAAAAT