"Everyone come out!"
With that, Red immediately threw the five Poké Balls from his waist, releasing Beedrill, Charizard, the massive Steelix, Blood-Red Gyarados, and Scizor all at once.
Five white lights faded, and in an instant, numerous Pokémon gathered around Red. This sight made most ordinary trainers jealous to the point of tears, as each Pokémon was an existence they could only dream of.
Ding! Successfully added Swift Swim ability to Kabutops!
Ding! Successfully added Swift Swim ability to Omastar!
Pokémon: Kabutops
Type: Rock + Water
First Ability: Battle Armor
Second Ability: Swift Swim
Moves: Slash, Night Slash, Aqua Jet, Ancient Power, Stone Edge, Brick Break, Rock Blast, Razor Shell, Psycho Cut, Ice Beam, X-Scissor...
Personality: Warlike, skilled at tearing prey apart with its scythes and absorbing bodily fluids
Background: The leader of a Kabutops clan that managed to survive, skilled at ambushing prey in ancient times and tearing them apart with its scythes, completely draining their bodily fluids. When moving in water, it folds its limbs to become smaller and swims rapidly by swaying its shell left and right.
Pokémon: Omastar
Type: Rock + Water
First Ability: Shell Armor
Second Ability: Swift Swim
Moves: Bite, Constrict, Withdraw, Rollout, Water Gun, Ancient Power, Rock Blast, Stone Edge, Surf, Hydro Pump, Pin Missile...
Personality: Warlike, uses sharp fangs to crush prey shells and feeds on the meat inside
Background: The leader of an Omastar clan that managed to survive, skilled at ambushing prey in ancient times, wrapping prey with its tentacles to immobilize them, then delivering a fatal blow with its sharp teeth.
"So Red has returned. No wonder these usually calm fellows are so excited."
After finishing the last sip of his soup, Professor Oak walked over leisurely, showing no fear of any enemy daring to trespass into Oak Laboratory.
Seeing Red's arrival, Professor Oak's face lit up with a joyful smile.
After all, Red had accompanied Professor Oak through three years of research, and the two had been inseparable during their research period, sharing a very harmonious relationship.
Many times Professor Oak had cried while hugging Red's leg, begging him to become his grandson, but was always kicked away by Red with a disgusted expression.
"Professor Oak, where's that Gary guy?" Red asked curiously. He had expected such a commotion would attract Gary's attention but couldn't even see Gary's shadow anywhere.
"That boy Gary has been developing a Pokémon training plan ever since he returned to Pallet Town. He left the lab early this morning in a hurry to train somewhere, though I don't know where he went."
Professor Oak explained to Red, his words revealing relief. Gary had finally become much more positive in his attitude. Perhaps he'd been stimulated by something.
"Pika pi!"
Just then, Pikachu came over and jumped onto Red's shoulder in one bound, joyfully nuzzling Red's cheek.
Seeing this scene, Professor Oak finally voiced the confusion in his heart. "Red, where did you capture this little one? When you transferred it back before, I examined it carefully and found that this Pikachu's physical data is completely different from ordinary Pikachu."
"This little guy was captured in Pewter City. During that time, he was often stealing food, which really troubled some of the merchants in Pewter City," Red said teasingly.
"Pika..."
Pikachu angrily pouted, not expecting Red to expose his dark history like this, feeling embarrassed as he looked around at the scenery.
"Professor Oak, with your keen eye, you should have discovered something interesting, right?" Red said.
"If I'm not mistaken, this Pikachu seems to have the same physical data as Ash's Pikachu. Both possess power that surpasses ordinary members of their species. At the time, it was precisely because I noticed that Pikachu's uniqueness that I dared to replace it as a starter Pokémon."
Professor Oak explained.
"As expected..."
Red showed an expression of "just as I thought," stroking the affectionate Pikachu.
'Next, I should let you two brothers meet each other...'
Initially, when Pikachu was transferred back to Oak Laboratory, he was still very nervous since it was an unfamiliar environment. Fortunately, Marowak and Dratini were also staying at Oak Laboratory, which made the newly arrived Pikachu less tense.
Through subsequent interactions with other companions, Pikachu's inner world gradually opened up to the outside, no longer so fearful of strangers.
It was precisely because he noticed Pikachu's inner timidity that Red chose not to let the two brothers meet at Viridian Gym but instead wanted Pikachu to first emerge from his own guilt so things could develop in a better direction.
As a fellow older brother, Red naturally understood Pikachu's feelings.
"Professor Oak, if there's nothing else, please let me rest with my companions for a while."
With that, Red lay down on the grass on his own, and seeing this, the other Pokémon immediately came over joyfully to Red's side, enjoying the breath of nature together with him.
"Alright. Don't catch a cold, though, with your constitution..."
Seeing this scene, Professor Oak smiled helplessly, turned around, and returned to the research institute, planning to continue studying various materials.
After an unknown amount of time had passed, Red woke up and leisurely got up. Under the reluctant gazes of many Pokémon, he turned and left Oak Laboratory, preparing to go home.
However, Pikachu remained on Red's shoulder, returning home together with Red.
Within moments, Red walked home, but Delia seemed to still be out shopping. Seeing this, Red had no choice but to return to his own room first.
As soon as he pushed open the door, a warm atmosphere hit him. Obviously, Delia cleaned Red and Ash's rooms every day, not letting this warm atmosphere fade with the two brothers' departure.
"Pika!"
Pikachu happily lay on Red's bed, took a deep breath of the warm scent from the blankets, then rolled around on the bed.
Seeing this scene, Red could only smile helplessly.
"Before I knew it, Ash had grown quite a bit too. He used to have crying photos."
Red came to the glass display case holding honor certificates, where Red's honor certificates and trophy symbols obtained over the past three years were displayed, but there were more family photos of the three of them.
For Red, family was an honor more worth cherishing. These obtained honor certificates and trophy symbols were nothing more than fleeting clouds of life experience.
'I wonder how that Ash guy is doing with his training...'