Back inside Lumiose City, the towering buildings and bustling streets stretched out in every direction, a symphony of urban energy under the clear blue sky. Cars hummed quietly over clean pavement, their electric engines whispering promises of a high-tech future.
People milled about—trainers chatting animatedly about recent battles, tourists snapping photos of iconic landmarks, vendors hawking fresh Poké Puffs and glittering accessories—all part of the grand, electric heartbeat of the metropolis.
The air buzzed with life, carrying scents of street food, polished metal, and the faint ozone tang of nearby Pokémon moves being practiced in open plazas.
Satoshi, who had finished exploring the city's outer edges—wandering through vibrant markets and peering into sleek boutiques—stepped aside near a quiet bench tucked against a manicured hedge.
He pulled out Zigzagoon's Poké Ball, rolling it thoughtfully in his palm as he looked down at his partner, who was currently out and about, sniffing curiously at a nearby flower bed.
"You've had enough excitement for one day," he said with a small smile, watching the raccoon Pokémon yawn dramatically, its spiky fur fluffing up as it stretched.
Zigzagoon let out a satisfied yawn in agreement, its beady eyes half-lidded from the morning's chaos.
Satoshi tapped the ball's center, returning the raccoon Pokémon in a flash of red light that danced briefly in the sunlight.
"Rest up." he muttered fondly, sliding the ball into his pocket.
He looked out over the city, letting out a slow breath as the weight of his new reality settled in. "Alright… what do I do now? Ah, right. I forgot."
Money.
In all the adrenaline of battles and apologies, the practical side of survival had slipped his mind. He reached into his infinite backpack, focusing intently on one very important thing: cash.
'Alright… gimme a thousand dollars. Just a nice, solid grand.' he thought, visualizing crisp bills stacking up.
His fingers grasped something solid. He pulled it out with a confident grin, only to blink in confusion as he stared at the stack in his hand.
"…What?" It was a neat bundle of bills, but far from his mental request. At the very top: $250. Along with it was a small note folded neatly on top of the stack, as if mocking him.
Satoshi squinted at it and unfolded the paper, his brow furrowing. The handwriting was familiar—almost his own, somehow, or maybe that meddlesome author's again...
It read: Yep, you guessed it right! You don't need a job. That'd be boring to watch. But infinite money? Also boring. And cheating. You get $250 a day. Be grateful. It resets at midnight. Use it well~
There was even a doodle of a smug thumbs-up in the corner, complete with a winking face.
Satoshi stared at the note, completely deadpan, the city's hum fading into background noise.
"…" He turned the note over, hoping for more—maybe a punchline or an upgrade—but nothing else.
"Guess that answers that." He let out a sigh but pocketed the money regardless, the bills crinkling satisfyingly in his hoodie.
"Well, better than working retail again…" The thought of slinging pet supplies for minimum wage in his old life made him shudder. At least here, adventure came with a daily allowance.
He adjusted his visor hat against the sun's glare and started walking down the bright sidewalk, the city's possibilities unfolding before him.
Shops beckoned with holographic displays of rare items, cafés spilled inviting aromas of fresh brews and pastries, trainer lounges pulsed with the glow of battle simulators, high-tech Pokégear stores showcased gleaming devices, and even street performers lined the plaza, their Pokémon juggling flames or dancing to upbeat tunes drifting faintly in the air.
And now, with $250 to spend and a day to explore, Satoshi took his first steps into the heart of Lumiose, his mind already plotting where to grab a bite or maybe upgrade his gear, such as a phone since this place is much more advanced than imagining it from scratch.
But he hadn't even made it halfway down the block before something small and fast collided with his side like a pint-sized missile.
"Wah—!" Satoshi stumbled back a step, his backpack shifting awkwardly as he instinctively steadied the small figure before either of them could fall flat.
"Watch where you're goin—!" He paused mid-sentence, the words dying on his tongue as he looked down.
A little girl blinked up at him, her golden-blonde hair tied in a side ponytail with an orange band, framing wide sky-blue eyes that sparkled with surprise. She wore a brown short-sleeved top with a soft black ribbon tied into a bow at the neckline, knee-length black compression shorts covered by a puffy white mini skirt resembling a cloud, and a small yellow bag strapped across her shoulder.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" she chirped, dusting herself off with quick pats, her voice bright and unphased. "I was in a hurry to my big brother!"
Satoshi's eyes narrowed, not in suspicion, but… recognition?
'She looks familiar. Exactly too familiar…' For a split second, his mind raced—scanning memories from both the games and the anime he'd binged in his old life.
And then it hit him like a Thunderbolt. 'No way... Bonnie!?'
The girl tilted her head, noticing his stare. "Huh? Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?" She patted her cheeks self-consciously, her pout adorably exaggerated.
Satoshi blinked, snapping out of his thoughts with a quick shake of his head. "No, no—uh… you just… remind me of someone." He forced a casual smile, not wanting to freak her out with his internal fanboying.
She gave him a squinty-eyed pout, hands on her hips. "Weird guy." Then, as quick as she bumped into him, she perked up again, her energy rebounding like a rubber ball. "Oh! I gotta go. My brother's waiting!"
She gave him a quick wave, her ponytail bouncing as she darted off into the crowd, weaving through pedestrians with the agility of a young trainer in the making.
Satoshi stood there for a beat longer, watching her go until she vanished among the throng. "That was definitely Bonnie." He rubbed the back of his head, a mix of excitement and confusion bubbling up.
"Which means…" He glanced down the street, his mind piecing together the implications.
If Bonnie was here, her brother—Clemont, the inventive gym leader—couldn't be far.
But what timeline was this? He frowned slightly, the gears in his mind turning faster. 'In the games, the protagonist never travels with her. In the anime, it was Ash. But Ash isn't here. And neither is that avatar game protagonist.'
His hand instinctively tightened around the folded note in his pocket—the daily cash allowance a reminder of the "author's" meddling. 'This world… it's not following either story.'
That strange gut feeling, deep in his bones, confirmed it wasn't just a random encounter. This was his story now, twisted and unpredictable.
With a quiet sigh and one last glance around the bustling plaza, Satoshi adjusted his visor hat and took off at a brisk pace in the direction Bonnie had gone. "Well, guess I'll find out what this version of the story has in store."
He followed the trail she had disappeared down, not knowing what—or who—he might run into next, his steps quickening with a blend of caution and curiosity.
As Satoshi pushed through the crowd with urgency, scanning side streets and crosswalks for any sign of Bonnie—her distinctive hair or outfit standing out like a beacon—he cursed under his breath.
But she was nowhere to be seen. He'd lost her, too caught up in his own spiraling thoughts to keep up.
"Damn it…" He picked up his pace, veering off the main boulevard into narrower walkways, instinct guiding his steps as the city's hum grew distant.
The towering buildings cast long shadows as he left the main bustle of Lumiose behind. Foot traffic thinned, the air growing quieter, replaced by the occasional echo of distant traffic or Pokémon calls.
Then— "Help!"
A sharp, high-pitched scream pierced the air, slicing through his ear like a knife.
Satoshi froze, his breath hitching, muscles coiling like a spring. No hesitation. He ran, his sneakers pounding against the pavement as he zeroed in on the source.
The scream had come from a side alley tucked between a cozy Poké café and a closed repair shop, its entrance shadowed by overhanging awnings. Satoshi rounded the corner fast, skidding slightly on loose gravel.
And there it was—the scene unfolding like a bad dream as he reach the deep part of the alley.
Two figures in red and black stood near the alley's end. He instantly recognized who they were.
Team Flare.
Their gaudy uniforms—sleek yet sinister, with flame-like accents—made them stand out even in the dim light. One grunt had Bonnie by the arm, his grip firm but not bruising, while the other stood with a Poké Ball loosely gripped in hand, smirking like he'd already won.
"Stop squirming, brat. We're not here to hurt you, unless your brother makes us." one of them sneered, his voice dripping with false patience.
Bonnie struggled, kicking her legs wildly and shouting at the top of her lungs. "Let go of me! My big brother's gonna beat you up when he finds you!" Her voice was fierce, but the fear in her eyes was unmistakable.
"Oh, we're counting on that." the other said with a dark chuckle, twirling the Poké Ball idly. "Once he gives us the Mega Wave device, maybe we'll let you go, kid."
"After we test it properly, of course—hehe..." the first added, tightening his grip just enough to make her wince.
A low, deliberate voice cut through the alley before either of them could react further.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Satoshi sighed heavily, his tone calm but laced with steel.
Both grunts turned sharply, their smirks fading into wary scowls.
Satoshi stood at the alley's entrance, hands in his pockets, posture relaxed—but his eyes were locked on them with unyielding focus. The breeze caught the edge of his hoodie, and the brim of his visor cast a faint shadow across his face, giving him an air of quiet intensity.
One grunt narrowed his eyes, sizing him up. "Who the hell are you?"
Satoshi began walking forward slowly, his right hand slipping out to hold Zigzagoon's Poké Ball at the ready. "Just someone who hates trash like you laying hands on kids."
Bonnie blinked, her eyes widening in recognition. "Wait… you're tha—!"
"Stay quiet, Bonnie." Satoshi said gently without turning, his voice steady to keep her calm. "Let me handle this."
The grunts exchanged looks, their confidence cracking just a hair. One snorted dismissively. "Tch. You picked the wrong alley to play hero in, pal."
He flicked the Poké Ball into the air with a flourish. A flash of red revealed a Houndour, its fangs bared and growling low, embers flickering from its maw like tiny threats.
The other grunt shoved Bonnie back roughly against the wall, drawing his own Poké Ball to release a poison-type Pokémon—a Croagunk, its cheeks inflating menacingly as it croaked a challenge.
But Satoshi's hand was already moving, pulling out his own ball with a flick.
"Sorry, but..." he said quietly, his grin sharpening. "Time to wake up and do some labor, freeloader."
With a sharp flick of his wrist, the Poké Ball burst open—light spilling onto the alley floor as Zigzagoon emerged, fur bristling, eyes locked on the foes with a fierce gleam.
"Zigzag! Zagoon! (Hey! At least call me by my name!)" it protested, but its stance was ready, paws digging into the grimy pavement.
The alley tensed, the standoff crackling with impending battle.
*
To be continued...
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