"Don't worry, kid, we're almost there." The woman with teal hair spoke reassuringly, though the urgency in her voice was unmistakable.
Ash sat on the sidecar of Officer Jenny's police motorcycle, clutching Pikachu tightly in his arms. The pair had been through an ordeal: an attack by a swarm of Spearow, a desperate search for help, and now a mad dash toward the Viridian City Pokémon Center, the nearest place for care.
He couldn't believe his luck. Just an hour after the Spearow incident, Ash had spotted the road leading toward Viridian City. It was then that Officer Jenny had appeared, patrolling the area on her bike. Upon seeing Ash and Pikachu, battered and bruised, she wasted no time offering them a ride.
"You hang on tight, now!" she called out as she revved the engine.
Ash did as he was told, gripping the sidecar's edge as the motorcycle shot forward. He'd never traveled this fast before, the wind whipping through his hair, the roar of the engine in his ears. His thoughts were scattered, a whirlwind of worry for Pikachu. The speed made him nervous, but Officer Jenny didn't seem concerned. In fact, the law enforcer accelerated even further, knowing every second counted.
Before Ash could process it, they arrived in Viridian City. But Officer Jenny wasn't slowing down. The city's medical facility loomed ahead, but it looked as though Jenny had no plans to stop—until, in a daring move, she slid the motorcycle right into the Pokémon Center's open doors, the tires screeching as they came to an abrupt halt.
"Quickly, kid! Let's go!" Officer Jenny shouted, already jumping off the bike and signaling for Ash to follow.
He snapped out of his dazed state, carefully cradling Pikachu as he disembarked. Together, they ran toward the reception desk, ignoring the stunned looks of the people in the lobby.
"Officer Jenny, would you care to explain why you've brought your bike inside my Pokémon Center?" Nurse Joy asked, her tone a mixture of disbelief and concern.
"No time for explanations," Jenny replied, her voice urgent. "This Pikachu needs immediate medical attention!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Nurse Joy's gaze shifted from the officer to the injured Pikachu in Ash's arms. She motioned for her staff to bring a stretcher, and in mere seconds, two pink, egg-shaped Pokémon appeared, their stubby arms carrying the stretcher with surprising agility.
"Place it here," Nurse Joy instructed, and Ash carefully laid Pikachu down. The Pokémon was whisked away into a treatment room at lightning speed.
Ash remained frozen, staring anxiously in the direction they'd taken Pikachu. The little Electric-type had always been strong, but the injuries from the Spearow attack were no joke. He felt a tight knot of worry in his chest.
"You're doing great, kid," Officer Jenny said, placing a firm hand on Ash's shoulder, her voice calm and reassuring. "Pikachu's in good hands. Don't worry."
Ash gave a small, grateful smile, though his worry for Pikachu didn't lessen. "Thanks, Officer Jenny."
Jenny's smile returned. "Now, let's get a look at those cuts of yours. You've had a rough time too, haven't you?"
Ash glanced down at his arms, which were streaked with cuts, scratches, and dried blood. The injuries on his hands were the worst: a large gash running across his left palm. His face felt sore, too, though he couldn't quite tell how bad the damage was there. He nodded, realizing just how much the attack had taken out of him.
"You're right," he muttered. "But... shouldn't we wait for Nurse Joy to finish with Pikachu first?"
"Don't worry about it," Jenny said with a confident grin. "Joy's a pro, but I've got some first aid skills myself. Law enforcement requires us to know how to handle injuries, and trust me, I've seen worse."
Ash blinked in surprise. "Really?"
Jenny chuckled and began walking toward an adjacent room, gesturing for Ash to follow. "You'd be surprised. Cops deal with all kinds of situations."
Inside the room, Jenny quickly set to work, cleaning Ash's wounds and wrapping them with careful hands. It didn't take long, and while the cuts on his arms were minor, the one on his hand was deep enough to leave a scar. But Jenny's expertise eased the sting, and soon enough, Ash was patched up.
After about an hour, the two returned to the waiting area. They sat in silence, Ash absentmindedly running his fingers over the bandages, his mind still racing with thoughts of Pikachu.
Finally, the door to the treatment area opened, and Nurse Joy emerged, Pikachu cradled gently in her arms. To Ash's immense relief, the Electric-type looked like he'd never been hurt at all.
"Pikachu!" Ash called out, his face lighting up as the Pokémon let out a happy, energetic "Pika-pi!" He held out his arm, and Pikachu, with his usual spunk, jumped onto his shoulder.
"How's it going, buddy?" Ash asked, relief flooding his voice.
"Pika!" Pikachu cheered, giving a thumbs-up as he snuggled comfortably into Ash's hair.
"That's a relief," Ash murmured, smiling at the sight of his partner in better spirits. Turning to both Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy, he said, "I can't thank you enough for all your help. If it weren't for you two, I don't even want to think about what might have happened."
"Glad we could help," Nurse Joy replied with a warm smile. "It's all part of the job."
"That's right," Jenny added, grinning. "No need for thanks. It's what we do."
Ash smiled again, grateful despite their reassurances. If not for their quick thinking, Pikachu's injuries might have been much worse, and who knew how long he'd have had to wait for help?
"Well, I guess we should get going now, huh?" Ash said, his gaze turning to Pikachu. "Right, buddy?"
"Pika!" Pikachu chirped, raising his paw in agreement.
Nurse Joy held up a hand, her tone gentle but firm. "Actually, I'd advise you two to stay here until tomorrow morning before continuing on your journey."
Ash blinked. "Why? Is something wrong with us?"
"No, no," Nurse Joy reassured him. "Pikachu's recovered fully, and your injuries aren't serious. But the stress you've been through... it's important that you rest. You've been through a lot."
Jenny nodded. "Exactly. Plus, you're not just physically exhausted. You've had a traumatic experience. You'll need a bit of time to recover."
Ash shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of their words. The attack had been intense, and the storm hadn't made things any easier. But he couldn't shake the feeling that they were right. His body ached, and even his mind felt worn out from the events of the day.
"Well... I guess that makes sense," Ash said reluctantly. "But I'm sure it won't take long for us to rest, right?"
Jenny raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Not so fast, kid. You'll need some time to relax, especially since by the time you're ready to go, it'll already be late. And, well... you'll want to avoid the city at night."
"What do you mean?" Ash asked, confused.
Jenny pulled out a flyer from her pocket and handed it to Ash. The bold, crimson letter "R" stood out prominently on the paper, a warning and a phone number beneath it.
"Viridian has a bit of a reputation," Jenny continued, her voice low. "There's a criminal organization called Team Rocket. They've made this city their base of operations. And when night falls, they become ten times more active than anywhere else in Kanto."
Ash's eyes widened, and Pikachu gave a small, surprised squeak.
"Team Rocket?" Ash echoed. "In Viridian?"
"Yep," Jenny said, nodding. "And trust me, you don't want to be out there once the sun sets. It's just not safe."
Ash stared down at the flyer in his hands, processing the information. Team Rocket. He'd heard whispers about them, but to hear that they were so active in the area... it made his stomach churn. He'd have to be extra careful.
Attention to all citizens, it is advised for you to return home before sunset. If any of you see any person wearing this logo while wearing black matching outfits, please leave the area immediately and called the local authorities.
Your safety is our main priority.
Please called the following number in case of encountering said individuals: 110
"We've tried to drive them out of the city, but they always manage to escape. Even the best efforts of the local Gym Leader haven't been enough to stop them. Right now, he's out of the city, so it's better to take extra precautions."
Ash and Pikachu listened intently, absorbing the weight of the situation. After a moment of silence, Ash nodded slowly. It was clear to him now that continuing their journey tonight would be far too risky. They had barely survived the Spearow attack—there was no way they were going to tempt fate against a criminal organization, especially when they weren't fully recovered.
A growl from his stomach reminded him of another issue. They were hungry. The thought of food was enough to make up his mind.
"Yeah, I think you're right," Ash said quietly, turning toward Nurse Joy. "We'll stay the night."
He took a deep breath and, with a polite bow, added, "Would it be possible to get a room for us? We'd really appreciate it."
Nurse Joy smiled warmly, understanding the exhaustion and relief in Ash's voice. "Of course, Ash. Let me get that arranged for you."
"It's a good thing we found this cave before the storm hit, wouldn't you agree, guys?" Red said to his Pokémon, both of whom were resting outside their Poké Balls.
Poli and Pikachu nodded in agreement. While a light drizzle wouldn't bother them much—given that one was a Water type and the other an Electric type—a full-blown thunderstorm was another story entirely. Besides, it wouldn't do any good if their trainer caught a cold.
"While we're waiting, might as well check this out," Red said, pulling the Pokédex Professor Oak had given him from his pocket, along with the small instruction booklet that came with it.
He began reading, though it took some effort to stay focused—most of the text was rather dull. Still, one particular section caught his attention.
"If you point the scanner at a specific Pokémon, the Pokédex will automatically give you general information on how to interact with that species," Red read aloud. "Sounds fun! Let's try it!"
He aimed the Pokédex at Poli. "Let's see what this can tell us about you, Poli."
The screen lit up, displaying an image of a Poliwhirl, followed by a calm, mechanical voice.
Poliwhirl, the Tadpole Pokémon.Water type. Pokédex number #061.Ability: Damp.Nature: Brave.Gender: Male.
A blue, bipedal Pokémon with a spherical body and large, protruding eyes. It can live both in and out of water. When on land, it sweats to keep its body moist. Under attack, it uses the swirl on its belly to hypnotize foes before escaping.
Red grinned. "That's so cool! Let's try it with you, Pikachu!"
He turned the Pokédex toward his Electric-type partner.
Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon.Electric type. Pokédex number #025.Ability: Static.Nature: Gentle.Gender: Male.
A rare and highly intelligent Pokémon. Pikachu is capable of generating powerful electricity from the sacs in its cheeks. It has been known to share its stored electricity with weaker Pokémon and people it trusts. When several Pikachu gather, their combined energy can cause lightning storms.
Red chuckled. "Wow, you sure sound impressive, buddy."
Pikachu's cheeks sparked with pride as he gave a cheerful, "Pika!"
Red smiled before continuing to explore the device. Once he finished reading through the manual, he slipped it into his pocket and opened the Pokédex again. Several options appeared on the screen: Trainer's License, Pokédex Number, Savings, Owned Pokémon, and more.
He selected Owned Pokémon, which split into two categories: On Standby and Current Party. Choosing the latter, Red saw images of his two Pokémon displayed side by side.
Poli's data showed his known moves: Body Slam, Bubble, Water Gun, and Double Slap.
Then he checked Pikachu's profile. Unlike Poli, Pikachu only knew two moves—Thunder Shock and Growl. Red also noticed that the Pokédex listed only his species name, Pikachu. When he tapped on it, a message appeared: Would you like to give this Pokémon a nickname?
Red looked over at his partner thoughtfully. "Hey, Pikachu, would you like a nickname? I don't think it's fair for Poli to be the only one with a proper name. But it's up to you—if you'd rather I keep calling you Pikachu, that's fine too."
Pikachu tilted his head, considering it. It wasn't something he'd thought about before. Still, the idea of having a name of his own sounded kind of nice.
"Pika!" he said, nodding with enthusiasm.
"I'll take that as a yes," Red said with a grin. "Let's see... I called Poli that because it was easy to remember from his species name, so maybe I should do something similar for you."
He rubbed his chin in thought. "How about... Pika? Simple, easy to say, and it suits you."
Pikachu smiled brightly, sparks flickering from his cheeks. "Pika-pi!"
Red laughed. "I'll take that as approval."
He typed the new name into the Pokédex, then showed the screen to his newly named partner. Chu grinned at his reflection, while Poli gave him a friendly pat on the back. It warmed Red's heart to see his Pokémon getting along so well.
The trio passed the time chatting and relaxing in the cave while the storm raged outside. Eventually, a bright yellow flash lit up the distant sky. Red noticed it but shrugged it off—it was probably just lightning.
Soon after, the rain began to ease, falling more gently now. When it finally calmed to a drizzle, Red decided it was safe to move on. They stepped out of the cave and continued north. After about fifteen minutes of walking, the storm passed completely, leaving the forest damp and quiet.
Had they stayed just a bit longer, they might have witnessed a magnificent sight—a golden, radiant bird soaring through the clouds, leaving a trail of shimmering light in its wake.
As they traveled deeper into Viridian Forest, Red began to notice something strange. The usual buzz of wild Pokémon was gone. The forest, normally alive with rustling and chirping, was eerily silent.
"That's weird," he muttered. "Viridian Forest is supposed to be full of Pokémon…"
A rustling sound nearby caught his attention. Against his better judgment, Red gestured for Poli and Chu to follow as he crept toward the noise.
"I'm telling you, this is pointless," a man's voice grumbled ahead.
Red crouched behind a tree, peeking around it. Two men stood in a clearing, both wearing matching black uniforms emblazoned with a bold red "R." Their outfits—black long-sleeved shirts, grey gloves, dark pants, and boots—were unmistakable. One had messy brown hair, the other short blonde hair.
"I mean seriously," the blonde one continued, "this is a waste of time. First, they say that Phantom Pokémon was spotted on a snowy mountain. Then, they claim someone found one of its eyelashes in some jungle halfway across the world—and now we're supposed to look for it here? That's the biggest load of Tauros crap I've ever heard."
"Quit whining," the brown-haired one snapped. "Even if we don't find it, we can still catch some decent Pokémon for the boss. Maybe make some extra cash."
Red frowned. Phantom Pokémon? That was new. Maybe his Pokédex could tell him something.
He quietly pulled the device from his pocket—but as he did, it emitted a sudden beep.
"Who's there?!" one of the men barked, turning sharply toward his hiding spot.
Red froze. "Uh... hi," he said awkwardly, stepping out from behind the tree. "Nice weather we're having, huh?"
"Well, well, well," the brown-haired man sneered. "Looks like we've got a little snoop."
"Hey, check it out," the blonde one added, eyeing Red's companions. "That's a Pikachu! Those are rare around here. And that Poliwhirl doesn't look half bad either."
His partner grinned darkly. "Tell you what, kid. Hand those Pokémon over, and we'll pretend we never saw you. Deal?"
Red's expression hardened. "Not a chance."
Before the man could react, Red shouted, "Poli, Water Gun—now!"
A blast of water hit the man square in the face, knocking him backward into the mud. Without wasting another second, Red recalled both Poli and Chu into their Poké Balls and bolted into the trees.
"You little brat!" the drenched man roared, scrambling to his feet. "After him! No witnesses!"
The pair tore after Red, shouting threats, but he managed to duck into a nearby bush and stay silent until their footsteps faded.
Breathing hard, Red took out his Pokédex again to check why it had made that noise earlier. A warning message flashed across the screen:
⚠️ ALERT: Team Rocket members detected.Leave the area immediately and contact local authorities.
An option appeared: Call for Help. Red's finger hovered over it, but he hesitated.
He'd heard of Team Rocket before—from his father. Every time his dad came back from work, he'd talk about how the criminal group was getting bolder, more dangerous.
If these two were part of that organization, then whatever "Phantom Pokémon" they were after couldn't fall into their hands. And if the wild Pokémon in the forest were missing, maybe Team Rocket was behind that too.
He clenched his fists. "I can't let them get away with this."
He might be outnumbered—but Red wasn't about to back down. He'd find a way to stop them.
Divide and conquer. That was the only way.
"Please take care of Nido, ma'am."A small boy peered up at the woman behind the counter, clutching his parents' hands. They had to leave town for a few days and couldn't bring their Nidoran with them. Fortunately, a daycare had recently opened here—closer than the centers in Viridian City, which once felt safe enough until Team Rocket's crimes began to rise. Leaving Nidoran there had seemed the better option.
"We'll look after him, don't you worry. We'll give him all the love and attention he needs while you're away," the brunet replied with a practiced smile.
The parents handed over the Poké Ball containing the poison-type, whispered their thanks, and left. Once the front door clicked shut behind them and the last footsteps faded, the woman's smile vanished. Her face tightened into an annoyed scowl.
"That brat," she muttered to herself, pacing. "Who does he think he is, calling me an old hag? I'm still in my twenties, dammit!"
A trapdoor in the floor hissed open and a red-headed girl in a Team Rocket uniform climbed into the reception. "Is everything all right, ma'am—miss?" she asked nervously, not wanting to draw the brunet's ire.
"Outside of that stupid kid calling me old and having to keep that ridiculous smile plastered on my face the whole time? Everything went perfectly. They fell for it—just the fools they are." The brunet's mouth stretched into a mean, satisfied smile.
She tossed the Poké Ball across the counter. "Take this with the rest. We're closing early today."
"Wait, really? Won't the boss be mad if we leave?" the grunt fretted.
"If I have to spend one more minute doing that stupid jolly act, I'll throw myself in front of a truck," the brunet said without a hint of joke. "Besides—today was slow. And we leave tonight. When those idiots come back for their Pokémon, we'll be long gone." She flipped the OPEN sign to CLOSED.
"Now hurry up. We don't have all day."
"Y-yes, ma'am," the redhead mumbled, scooping up the ball and slipping it into her satchel.
"What did you just call me?" the brunet snapped.
"Y-yes… my lady," the grunt corrected, flinching.
"That's better. Go on, move."
The redhead disappeared back through the trapdoor and padded down the corrugated hallways of the underground facility. As she walked, she muttered under her breath, turning the Poké Ball over in her hands. "Stupid old hag," she said, then softer, "I'm sorry for you, little guy. I might find something useful down here, but I can't risk getting caught."
She stopped at a small restroom and slipped inside. After making sure she was alone, she tugged off her cap and the red wig beneath it, revealing long brown hair.
"Why do I always get stuck with the itchy ones?" she muttered, rubbing at her scalp.
Her name was Blue. She'd arrived in this small town east of Viridian City a few hours earlier, thanks to a shortcut a blonde girl had shown her in Viridian Forest. Almost immediately she'd discovered that the daycare was a front for Team Rocket's activities—a discovery she'd intended from the start. She'd infiltrated the place looking for anything that might explain why she'd been taken from her family years ago and sent to Johto. Team Rocket's reach across Kanto and into Johto made them a good place to start; if anyone knew answers, they would.
She fixed her wig, smoothed her uniform, and continued down the hall until she reached a room filled with cages. A man in his thirties, wearing the Team Rocket insignia and the air of someone used to being obeyed, looked up as she entered.
"You have something for me?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," Blue said, handing him the Poké Ball. "It's a Nidoran."
The man peered at the ball, then up at her. "That really the only thing that came today?"
"Yes. Also—Erika got fed up with doing the 'stupid jolly act,'" Blue lied smoothly. "She said she'd throw herself into traffic if she had to do it again, so she closed up early."
The man's jaw tightened. "That Erika. I'll deal with her later." He was used to subordinates with short fuses. "Still, if we're leaving tonight, maybe she's not entirely wrong. That'll be all for now. You're dismissed."
Blue hesitated. "Before I go, sir—may I ask you something?"
"And what would that be?"
"When I was at the academy, I heard rumors about children—around three years old—being kidnapped and taken to Johto. Have you heard anything about that?"
The leader laughed, a harsh sound that made Blue's stomach twist. "No. That's the silliest thing I've heard. Team Rocket wouldn't stoop to that nonsense." He shook his head as though he'd heard a bad joke. "We'd crush anyone who tried to stand against us—even some masked man with an army of kidnapped kids."
Blue swallowed the lie slipping across her lips. She didn't know why she'd been taken, who had stolen her childhood, or what organization stood behind it—but she knew it had been worse than even Team Rocket. Otherwise, why would they have been taken at all?
"Understood, sir. Thank you." She turned to leave, but something in her peripheral vision stopped her. One cage was different from the rest—transparent plastic instead of metal. Inside was a pale, pink, amorphous creature with beady eyes and a tiny mouth. The Ditto trembled, expression shivering with something like fear.
"First time seeing a Ditto, rookie?" the leader remarked, following her gaze.
"It is," Blue said softly. "I heard wild ones aren't common around here."
"They aren't," he agreed. He stepped closer to the cage, a smile that did not reach his eyes spreading across his face. "Was a wild specimen. Now it belongs to us."
Blue felt the color drain from her. "Are there any specific plans for it? A Pokémon like that must have a special role."
"Breeding. Training. Espionage. Maybe the top scientist will want it for experiments." He leaned nearer until his breath fogged the plastic. "It doesn't matter how. That little thing will serve Team Rocket whether it likes it or not."
The creature shivered, its pale skin paling further. Anger rose in Blue, hot and dangerous, but she smoothed her expression into a mask of compliance. "I see."
The leader waved a hand. "Enough. Make preparations. Don't leave anything that could track us."
As he turned away to accept a report from another grunt, Blue lingered a moment longer beside the Ditto's cage. She felt a painful kinship with the frightened Pokémon—the helplessness of being taken, the indignity of being treated as a tool. She glanced around the room at the other cages: displaced, scared, stripped of choice. Each one mirrored something of herself.
Then she saw him—one face among the Team Rocket personnel that made her jaw clench.
Change of plans, she thought, fingers balling into fists.
Being a hero wasn't what anyone expected from her. Heroes were Red—idealists who charged in without thinking. But she could not stand by and let these Pokémon be turned into instruments for cruelty, not after what had been done to her. She would not let them be taken like her family had been.
She leaned close to the Ditto's cage and lowered her voice until it was a whisper. "Don't worry. I'm going to get you out of here. All of you." Then, turning away, Blue walked out into the corridor, every step already plotting how she would turn this place upside down.
Night had settled over Viridian City like a heavy blanket. The streets outside were silent, bathed in the dull orange glow of flickering lamps. Inside the Pokémon Center, a young trainer and his partner prepared to rest after what felt like the longest day of their lives.
Ash sat on the edge of the bed in Room 8, slowly unwinding the bandages from his arms. The antiseptic stung, but he barely noticed. The dull ache of exhaustion had long since buried the pain beneath it. Across from him, Pikachu licked the last traces of ketchup from the inside of a bottle, looking utterly content.
Ash managed a small smile. "You and that ketchup, huh?"
"Pika." Pikachu grinned sheepishly, setting the bottle down.
Their dinner had been quiet but oddly comforting. A few other trainers in the cafeteria had given them curious looks—maybe because of the boy's bandaged arms, or maybe because his partner Pokémon drank ketchup like it was water. Ash hadn't cared. For the first time since leaving Pallet, he'd felt safe.
He didn't have much waiting for him back home anymore. The thought of his mother sent a dull ache through his chest—a pain that never quite went away, no matter how many times he told himself to move forward. But he had Pikachu now. He wasn't alone.
"Come on, Pika," Ash murmured, lying back on the bed. "Let's get some rest."
Outside, a storm of shadows was already gathering.
Under the cover of darkness, three figures crept toward the back of the Pokémon Center.
"Remember the plan?" whispered a woman with long magenta hair, her violet eyes glinting under the moonlight.
"We cut the power, grab every Pokémon in the building, and vanish before anyone wakes up," replied a man with neat blue hair and a too-calm smile.
"And if we do it right," added the small, feline shape at their feet, "the boss'll be showerin' us in praise and paychecks!"
"Then let's move."
With a snap, Jessie threw the breaker. Every light in the building flickered once before dying. Darkness swallowed the hallways.
The trio moved like ghosts through the facility, knocking out staff with tranquilizer gas and snatching Poké Balls from the sleeping trainers. They worked quickly, efficiently. This wasn't their first time.
"How'd it go?" James whispered after a few minutes.
"Like taking candy from a baby," Jessie replied, smirking.
Meowth's eyes narrowed. "You sure we got every room?"
Jessie scoffed. "Of course we did."
Meowth tilted his head toward the far end of the corridor. "What about that one?" He pointed to a door marked with a glowing number eight.
Jessie froze for a heartbeat. "I was just getting to it," she said sharply.
When they opened the door, the room was empty—bed still messy, window half-open.
Then they heard it.
"Pika pika."
The sound came from the hallway.
"I don't care if you're hungry," came a calm young voice. "You already had half the bottle. You'll make yourself sick."
"Pika!" Pikachu protested.
Ash turned the corner—and found himself staring at three strangers blocking the corridor.
"Uh… can I help you?"
The intruders grinned in unison.
"If you ask us this or that—""The pity of the world is what responds!"
Ash blinked as they began their synchronized chant.
"To protect the world from devastation!""To unite all people within our nation!""To denounce the evils of truth and love!""To extend our reach to the stars above!""Jessie!""James!""Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!""Surrender now or prepare to fight!""Meowth! That's right!"
Silence hung heavy in the hallway.
"…You guys rehearse that?" Ash asked flatly.
The trio twitched.
"What did you say, you little twerp?!" Jessie hissed.
Ash didn't flinch. His hand subtly dropped toward Pikachu. "You're Team Rocket, right?"
James smirked. "Then you've heard of us."
"I've heard enough," Ash said evenly.
He'd read about them in League reports—Pokémon thieves, known for hitting small towns and transport convoys. Dangerous, but sloppy. They liked drama more than results.
"What do you want?" he asked quietly.
"That Pikachu," Meowth said, his claws glinting. "Hand him over, and maybe we'll let ya walk away."
Ash's mind worked quickly. Two humans, one Pokémon. Standard Rocket gear. Ekans and Koffing—poison types. Visibility's low, but that works in our favor.
He exhaled slowly. "Pikachu," he whispered, voice calm but sharp, "Thunder Wave—now."
Electric arcs snapped through the hallway, lighting it up in a burst of yellow. Sparks raced along the floor, freezing Ekans mid-slither and locking Koffing's movements.
"What—?!" Jessie barely had time to react before Ash pointed forward.
"Quick Attack!"
Pikachu blurred from sight, bouncing off the wall before slamming into Koffing's side, sending the gas Pokémon spinning into James.
"Ekans, Bite!" Jessie cried, but her snake Pokémon spasmed helplessly, paralyzed by the residual current.
Ash's eyes flicked to Pikachu. "Finish it. Thunderbolt!"
The air exploded with light. Pikachu unleashed a full surge, a golden wave that illuminated the entire corridor. Electricity tore through the floor tiles, knocking the Rockets flat against the wall.
When the light faded, smoke curled around their bodies. Their uniforms were scorched, their hair standing on end, and their stolen Poké Balls scattered across the floor.
Ash's heartbeat slowed. "You okay, buddy?"
"Pika," Pikachu said with a tired but satisfied grin.
Ash nodded once. He moved quickly, using a pair of emergency restraint cables from a nearby wall kit to bind the unconscious Rockets. Then he triggered the security alarm.
The building filled with red light and sirens.
By the time Nurse Joy and the Chansey staff arrived—groggy but alive—Ash already had the thieves tied up neatly.
Joy blinked, speechless. "You… stopped them?"
Ash just shrugged lightly. "They weren't that careful."
Pikachu chirped proudly beside him, sparks still dancing across his fur.
Joy looked at the unconscious trio and then back at the boy. The calm in his eyes unsettled her—not cold, just steady. Mature. Too mature for a ten-year-old.
"You did well," she said softly.
Ash turned toward the window. The first traces of dawn were beginning to bleed into the sky.
He rested a hand on Pikachu's head. "Let's get some sleep, Pika. We've got a long road ahead."
Outside, the sirens of approaching police bikes echoed faintly through the empty streets. The city would wake soon—but for now, the boy from Pallet had already proven himself.
Right now, Red, Blue and Ash had decided to defy Team Rocket in their own respective ways. One of them had a plan, the other one was working on one of his own and the other one, well. The other one had already succeeded.
Could they succeed in their attempt to stop their respective enemies, or will they fail spectacularly?
And what is Green doing right now?
Only time will tell.